Team Building

It's Ceriday, Vhast 27 22:58:27 1020. The full moon is up. The tide is high and ebbing. The sky is grey-black, moonless and starless. Human eyes can distinguish the snow from everything else, and not much more: every shape that isn't snow-covered is a black shadow. The air is damp and cold. There is little wind.

H01: Kultari Road —— Ga'Elian is sitting perched on a branch of an elm within viewing distance of the front and east side of the Golden Cookie Bakery. His griffon is nowhere to be seen.

Selia stands casually upon the branch herself, as sturdy as if standing upon solid groud. Just when she got there is anyone's guess. "Birdy told me ya was checkin da place out. But I ani't 'eard da why of it all. Wot 'appened got ya curious?"

Ga'Elian looks at the Lucht and smiles. He answers, "Oh, you must have a smart bird. So, yonder bakery seems to be very suspiscious. For one thing, it seems more like a big city establishment than a country baker's place. The place had a scent of demon at first, and when Svarshan and I discussed it, it soon went away. Then we noticed that for all the products they were selling, they never received any deliveries. Again, after we discussed that point, they suddenly started to get a weekly delivery - like clockwork. It became clear that someone was spying on our surveillance."

Selia hrmmms, and shrugs. "Spyin on da spies? Wern't me, dis time. But 'gree wit ya, seems odd."

Ga'Elian shrugs. "I never figured out whether they had an insider reporting to them or if they were scrying us, but that's all water under the bridge now anyway. The proprietress calla herself Brandy, but she struck Svarshan as being similar in a way he couldn't articulate to a chaos lich we dealt with a while back. She went by the name of Mandy and claimed to be the great great grandmother of Sandy."

Selia nods. "'eard sumthin 'bout dat, but nay all da details. So 'avin a party ta keep 'em busy while ya check da place out, aye?"

Ga'Elian looks squarely at Selia. "That's the general idea. I hope Brandy doesn't suspect as much, though. Besides, Svarshan's hoping to use the ruckus of the party to cover the casting of a Consecrate spell on the premises. Quite a bold idea, considering our suspicions. What role do you intend to play in all this, if I might ask?"

Selia shrugs. "I'm sneaky. An' small. Reckon iffen ya need places ta be looked inta without folks knowin 'bout it, I'm yer lass."

Ga'Elian reaches out to shake hands, "Welcome aboard. I'm sure you'll be a great help."

Selia eyes the hand a moment before shaking it, and nods. "Weird folks in these parts, most of 'em is alright. But ain't never met a demon were more than trouble."

Ga'Elian asks, "These parts? You mean out here along the road?"

Selia shakes her head, then shrugs. "Nay, well, yes, also, but 'xandria in general."

Ga'Elian shrugs. "I've never known city folk before I came to Alexandria a couple years ago. They're all different from what I was used to. But I'd not know how to compare them to the folk of other cities."

Selia nods. "I ain't been in many cities, but more dan one. None be da same, course, but ain't none quite like 'xandria. Blokes from all over, doing their thing. Gobs, dran, dwarfs, elves, even few mul 'bout. Always friction 'ere and there, but most 'appy 'nuff ta just let folks be. Nice, but still sorta weird."

Ga'Elian nods, then says, "You are pretty good at being unseen, it seems, but how perceptive are you?"

Selia considers a moment, and shrugs. "More than some, less than others. Tend ta figure long as ain't seen yerself, can take yer time lookin back."

Ga'Elian nods. "I suppose that makes sense. Well, I'll look forward to working with you. It's not common in my experience to work with others that can go unnoticed. All too often, they are about as stealthy as a rampaging bull and can't be bothered to let me scout ahead."

Selia tsks, and nods sadly. "Is a good time fer a flat out brawl, but ain't near so often as most blokes seem ta think. Easiest way ta win is never let da other side know they's in a contest."

Ga'Elian laughs. "Right you are. Remind me to buy you a drink sometime."

Selia grins, but shakes her head. "'preciate da offer, but don't do drinkin. Ended poorly too often. Reckon ya don't mean no harm, but ain't a habit i plan ta get back into."

Ga'Elian arches an eyebrow, "Interesting. And certainly I meant no harm. This is the custom I've learned in the city for how one shows appreciation to another."

Selia nods. "Common, but ain't always done with good intent. Spent years in chains trustin da wrong drink."

Ga'Elian considers for a moment. "I've had a similarly deceptive drink once. It didn't result in captivity, but I was swindled out of money."

Selia shrugs. "Rather loose money than freedom, but best ta nay lose either."

Ga'Elian asks, "So, Selia, where is your homeland?"

Selia grins again. "Call 'xandia home, but grew up in Charn.... figuritively speakin." The little lutch is only a few feet tall, after all.

You say, "Ah, Charn. 'Nuff said. Well," he turns and points, "there comes a traveler along the road. Do you suppose he'll stop in for a gooden cookie?""