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The Lunacy of the Guilloux Mansion Playground |
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King Coin |
Dec 19 2013, 03:25 AM
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Master
Joined: 6-January 11
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Boots finished at the urn. Despite his drunkenness, he didnt miss or he didnt think so anyways. No, that was water from his clothes he was sure. Yeah that was it.
He followed his trail of mud back to the stairway and was about to go back up to the group, when he had a better idea. He went to the nearest room Belladonna said was off limits and tried the handle. Locked. Well, no hurt in trying, he said to himself. Then he looked down. Mud lead right up to the off limits door. He shrugged and made his way back to the stairs. Leaning heavily on the railing, he made his way up and rejoined the group. A beautiful cousin of Belladonna joined them, and then disappeared. She seemed to be on the dumb side, but then Boots didnt mind. In fact he preferred them that way. Easier to lie to, among other things.
Again there were more rooms that were off limits. That was more of an invitation really. He chose a room and tossed his bag in a corner and his flask with it. It was time to sober up. He didnt bother changing or attempting to clean up.
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Callidus Thorn |
Dec 20 2013, 11:28 PM
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Councilor
Joined: 29-September 13
From: Midgard, Cyrodiil, one or two others.
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Having claimed his room, Enarvy made his way to the library. Nothing had been mentioned about a need to rush, so he figured he had time to examine the library. As with the study, he knocked to announce his presence before entering. He found Angelina sat in an overstuffed armchair reading a book, and she glanced up as he entered before returning her attention to the book. Enarvy wandered around the library, finding it extensive and well-organised.
He noted Angelina shooting him the occasional glance, equal parts curiosity and mischief in her eyes. Since nothing leaped off the shelves at him, so to speak, he tried striking up a conversation.
"Something on your mind, Madame?"
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A mind without purpose will walk in dark places
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SilenceFalls |
Dec 21 2013, 02:42 AM
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Retainer
Joined: 12-June 13
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Jeanstar claimed a room and unloaded his belongings to the floor. He kept his traveling goods in the pack and kept his war axe looped to his belt. Old habits and all that, he mused to himself. A wild animal or a straggling bandit was at least honest, people; especially with the promise of a chest full of gold, were much less so.
No sex with the servants? He thought to himself with a raised eyebrow. Well, I'll not say it isn't a common enough problem, but really who wants to catch a case of bed bugs in their own nest?! He shuddered as he remembered the cases that his more amorous cohorts would accrue when out and about at the next city, kingdom or province over.
That, alongside the particularly nasty diseases that also existed in the wild, was why he carried at least two vial of curatives among his possessions.
No goin' into the attic either? I wonder if that's all part of the game or some sort of ploy? Like those hidden passages those sneaky merchants put into contracts that most folk can't read, and then end up worse then they was. He scratched his beard in thought.
He could read, but he was no penman or judicial scribe that would understand the more fancy words.
Then again...if that blonde cousin of Miss Guillox's is tryin' to lure us up there...he pondered a bit more. Mebbe they're the ones tangled into some sorta bent contract...Arcenne was a strange one...maybe he got a little worse in his final days.
He shrugged his shoulders and felt the bed. Anything that wasn't just a blanket on the cold earth was luxurious to him.
"Get me some of those fancy spirits while I'm here though..."
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Colonel Mustard |
Dec 21 2013, 01:36 PM
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Master
Joined: 3-July 08
From: The darkest pit of your soul. Hi there!
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The window to Aranios' bedroom opened fully, which was excellent, and was near a drainage pipe which meant that any kind of escape could be easily affected. The precautions were habit, really, an affectation learned from a lifetime spent finding the quietest ways in and out of a building, and chances were he wouldn't need to use them. Still, always useful.
He checked his sleeve, feeling the shape of the lockpick concealed within, and he decided that he might as well scout out the mansion. He wanted to see what was going on with the attic and the sitting room.
Peeking out of his room, Aranios saw the argonian disappear into another of the bedrooms and set out. He didn't attempt any kind of stealth or even bother with being quiet as he headed towards the stairway; he was a guest, after all, and skulking around would only draw attention. He passed the open door of the library, where one of the dunmer was talking to Belladonna's far better-looking and much more charming cousin. Come to think of it, Belladonna had only forbidden trying it on with the servants, and had made no mention of her, and Aranios enjoyed the finer things in life. Barb would never know, and even if she did she wouldn't care.
He made it to the door of the sitting room without passing anyone else by, and glanced around the corridor for anyone coming. He slid the lockpick from his sleeve, and was just about to set about opening the door when the servant girl, the dunmer with the shaven head, rounded the corner.
With swiftness that would have astounded anyone watching, the lockpick disappeared back into its hiding place and Aranios stepped back from the door. He turned his attention to her, and decided to head off any questions about what he might be doing before she could ask them.
"Ah, someone who knows the place," he said, acting as if he had only just seen her. "Just what I need. Do you know where the study is? I was going to meet one of the other guests in there, for a bit of clandestine stuff about this little treasure hunt, but unfortunately I've completely forgotten where it is; no sense of direction, one of my few failings."
That last statement was added with a sardonic grin.
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Elisabeth Hollow |
Dec 21 2013, 07:35 PM
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Ancient
Joined: 15-November 12
From: Texas
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Angelina
The young blonde blushed, covering her cheeks with both hands in a motion of embarrassment after taking her hand back.
"You're embarrassing me!" she giggled, lightly and briefly brushing the arm of the older mer. She kept a smile on her face and slightly cocked her head.
"May I ask how you knew my uncle, Master Enarvy? You don't have to answer if it's...juicy." She leaned in slightly on the last word, the mischievous sparkle brightening slightly. "I know what type of man my uncle was, and he's not the only one like that in this family. I daresay my father is the only completely honest man in the family tree, and that comes from his own father's side." She absently bit the corner of her lip for a second, frowning slightly.
"Not that he was an evil man, my uncle. He just believed in a lot of grey areas. I'm sure you know."
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Anaya
Anaya jumped and let out a small shriek when the Imperial man appeared in front of her as she rounded the corner. She steadied the tray she was holding, not spilling a single drop of tea. She quickly lowered her eyes to the tray and nodded when he was finished speaking.
"Yes, muthsera. I was instructed to bring all the guests tea if they wished it, but I will most definitely escort you to the study if you wish it. It is the first door to the right of the front door, furthest from the stairs. Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?"
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King Coin |
Dec 21 2013, 08:51 PM
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Master
Joined: 6-January 11
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He waited, his world spinning, while the beggar dressed in his dirty, wet clothes. He doesnt need clothes to tell me where the bloody library is, he grumped.
Ah, you lead me there. That way I cant get lost and end up in the attic?
When they arrived in the library, the beggar introduced himself.
Im Boots. He looked at the young beggar.
Tell ya what, I like you. If you find the treasure, bring it to me and Ill give you half. He clapped the Breton on the shoulder, swaying alarmingly with the gesture. What do you say?
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Callidus Thorn |
Dec 21 2013, 11:14 PM
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Councilor
Joined: 29-September 13
From: Midgard, Cyrodiil, one or two others.
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Enarvy couldn't hold back a smile as Angelina blushed, admiring the way the warm glow of her cheeks offset the mischevious gleam in her eyes. And when combined with her smile the combination was even more enticing.
"Please, just Enarvy. I'm afraid there's nothing too exciting in my dealings with Petra. Fifteen years ago he helped fund some research of mine. I'm a member of the College of Whispers, and I was experimenting with some rather advanced magic. I'm afraid the specifics would make for rather dull conversation. He terminated the arrangement and we both lost money."
Enarvy shook his head ruefully. "I never understood his reaction, he seemed to get so annoyed by delays caused by Guild laws and the like. But like you say, gray areas."
Enarvy looked back at Angelina, his dull crimson gaze meeting hers, smiling once more. "So, Madame Angelina, what brings you here? If you don't mind my asking. Are you perchance just here for the fun of watching us poor guests tear apart your cousin's mansion?" He asked, a mischevous grin to match hers painting itself across his features.
This post has been edited by Callidus Thorn: Dec 22 2013, 12:09 AM
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A mind without purpose will walk in dark places
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Elisabeth Hollow |
Dec 22 2013, 12:25 AM
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Ancient
Joined: 15-November 12
From: Texas
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[Angelina]
"Ahhh," Angelina breathed a sound of understanding. "I see now. The College of Whispers, hmm? I knew his travels took him to Winterhold here in Skyrim, and the Arcane University in Cyrodiil, but never the College of Whispers. I doubt he appreciated the delays, as you said." She primly folded her dress in her lap before taking a seat and looked up at Enarvy.
"Did your dealings have anything to do with the ward enchantments he was fond of? He was searching for someone knowledgeable in shield magicks for years before I was born." She held up her blue pendant, the now apparent enchantment sparkling in the light of the library.
"He made this for me when I was..." She scrunched her mouth to the side, cocking her head in thought. "Oh, perhaps ten years ago? He taught me the procedure for a strong shield enhantment. Call me petty, but I used the knowledge to enchant this necklace to protect me from all manners of weather. rain, snow, even some wind. The nobles in Cyrodiil and High Rock would go mad over it. I plan on marketing it very soon." She smiled, looking a little proud of herself.
"And we have enough money to perhaps lower the prices so the middle and lower classes can benefit, too. I'd be using my own personal trust fund for it, of course, so to not burden anyone else with it." She patted her dress. "Maybe even make completely waterproof and snow-proof clothing. it's nothing new, it's just that uncle figured out a much stronger spell. I've had this dress for four years, and it looks brand new. The mud and muck just slides right off!"
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Callidus Thorn |
Dec 22 2013, 11:30 AM
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Councilor
Joined: 29-September 13
From: Midgard, Cyrodiil, one or two others.
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"No, well not directly at least. I was researching new ways to bind magic to items, to enchant them without the need for apparatus to assist the process. In theory it's possible, but the problem is channeling the magicka. Without the guiding apparatus generating a conduit it's significantly more difficult to focus and control the process. This makes it far more complicated, as the magic of the enchantment needs to be kept from interacting with the magically generated conduit. If that happens the magic can escape in an uncontrolled fashion, a danger to anyone or indeed anything nearby." He'd unconsciously assumed his 'lecture pose'. Standing straight with his hands behind his back. Once he realised this, he relaxed, a little of his embarrassment showing.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to start lecturing."
"I was experimenting using variants of the shield spells to channel and bind the magicka into the items, but your uncle's ward spell was, if you'll forgive me for saying, though powerful, somewhat lacking in finesse. It was just enough for it to interfere with the process I was experimenting with. Given time I might have been able to compensate for it as I refined my process, but between that and working within the College's regulations progress was a little too slow."
Enarvy smiled "I could hardly think you petty for using the knowledge you were given, especially considering your plans. To make such items available to those who would otherwise struggle to afford them speaks of a noble heart. It is a shame there are not more like you studying magic."
This post has been edited by Callidus Thorn: Dec 22 2013, 11:55 AM
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A mind without purpose will walk in dark places
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Elisabeth Hollow |
Dec 22 2013, 05:28 PM
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Ancient
Joined: 15-November 12
From: Texas
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Despite Angelina's obviously rapt attention, the older mer apologized. She shook her head vigorously and motioned for him to continue, which he did. She blushed at his praise.
"Ah, no, I'm not noble. I see the money, just like anyone else. I just don't think I care quite as much as the rest of my family. I'm already rich enough, I don't need more money." She gave a light shrug of one shoulder. "Belladonna says I'm foolish, and that because I'm young I see the world better than it is. But she's wrong. I see the poor freezing each night, huddling by the weak little fires they make, and I can't bring them all home. And the jarl of Windhelm won't allow construction of a building made to house the poor in the city. So, why not make it happen my own way?"
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Colonel Mustard |
Dec 22 2013, 06:50 PM
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Master
Joined: 3-July 08
From: The darkest pit of your soul. Hi there!
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Aranios bit back a sneer as he saw how the maid jumped as she saw him, and instead when she gave her explanation he simply nodded.
"There'll be no need for an escort there," he said. "I should be able to find my way there just on that, thank you, so don't let me keep you from your tea delivery."
A thought occurred him. She was a maid, and in the eyes of most, people like her were all but invisible. He could guess that someone like her was even better than avoiding attention than most; considering how contemptibly shy and beaten-down she was, she probably did her best not to be noticed by anyone if she could help it. That gave the potential to be incredibly useful.
"Actually, one thing before you go," Aranios said. "I'm a few minutes ahead of the fellow I was meeting with, and as soon as you're done with that tea, could I have a quick word with you in the study? I've got an idea that might benefit you and me alike."
This girl was a resource, and one he intended to exploit.
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