Merchant Of Death?

[*Nimiane]

Finally he spotted Odette as the attention of the Harmonium gnome shifted at the alternative victim whom he may or may not have indirectly casted a little blame at. Inclining his head at the bardess "Oi. Seems like ya got me message an' all. Kelth still without a shirt?" Folding his arms and leaned against a support pillar casually "So whazzit ya want ta know?" getting straight down to business.

"Gettin' up, goin' t'sleep . . . dun change a thing lass, answer will always be the same. Whiskey, iffen ye would be so kind." the bardess responds to the woman at the bar with a chuckle and a warm smile. Swivelling on the wooden stool, Odette picks up an elbow and lazily rests it on the counter's edge as she turns to greet the familiar face.

"He were without anythin' last I saw him." she responds to his question with a wry grin, before picking up the glass that was poured for her and passing over a few coins to the barmaid with a thankful smile. "Eh. Nothin' in particular really. Everyone's talkin' about this auction, an' some rich sod who got booked. Yer name turned up among them an' I figured, eh what the hell. May as well see what yer up to. Lo an' behold yer already gettin' up t'trouble."

Taking a healthy swig from the glass with an appreciative hum at the taste, Odette gestures with a few fingers in Corny's directions and waggles her brows. "Figured I'd give ye a hand fer old times sake, since yer here an' obviously lookin' into it."

[*Nerull]

He would Continue to lurk inside the confines of Neerephas clothes and equipment in Gaseous form, having offered to leave with her to go and 'Make this easy' for any Questioning the Harmonium may ask her. As always, playing the Guardian to the young couple. until he was needed. Letting the Air Genasi "do her thing".

Detect Undead would strangely enough reveal his Undead presence, convoluted around Neerepha.

[*HamsterHyde]

Scene: The Mortuary

The Dustman regards Iptai with with calm cold eyes his face never changing or giving away any hint of what thoughts are going on behind his gaze.

"Factor Trevant has some business to tend to today. He could speak with you tomorrow though. Who should I say is calling and in what capacity regarding what subject?"


He doesn't even blink as the other woman disappears but simply shifts his gaze back to the Halfling. Nepheris slips into the shadows of The Mortuary, unlike shadows else where they seem to be an almost sentient malevolent thing as they close around her and conceal them. She is left standing back in a dark corner observing the other two talk as a lurching zombie shuffles past her.

"I have seen enough." She thought. "Is time to look for our fellow friend Dorland Xef." A shade with no owner slipped throw the grey shadows of the Mortuary. Such a paradox for an owner not allowed to have a shade.

[*Plaxy100]

Scene: The Mortuary

The Dustman regards Iptai with with calm cold eyes his face never changing or giving away any hint of what thoughts are going on behind his gaze.

"Factor Trevant has some business to tend to today. He could speak with you tomorrow though. Who should I say is calling and in what capacity regarding what subject?"


He doesn't even blink as the other woman disappears but simply shifts his gaze back to the Halfling. Nepheris slips into the shadows of The Mortuary, unlike shadows else where they seem to be an almost sentient malevolent thing as they close around her and conceal them. She is left standing back in a dark corner observing the other two talk as a lurching zombie shuffles past her.

*she gives him a smile* Iptai of House Golgherro *she bows curtly The armor she wears giving off its signature orange glow* I'd Like to speak with him more about Karsh and the statue. as you may already know, the last owner of it seemed to come closer to True rather extra quickly lately.

[*Neerepha]

Quirked a brow "Ya reckon I look like I han' around ponces with jink?" gesturing at himself. "Nae, ain't met any one o' 'em. Save 'er." gestured at Neerepha. "An' I couldnae rememba' 'er name then eitha'. Ain't like we be all tha' acquinted, met like... twice."

Scene: The Celestial Radiance Tavern.

She then turns to Neerepha her positive sunny dispostion not shifting at all as she launches down another line of questioning with a new "victim"

"Lady's Grace Miss.  I understand you were present on the night of the auction and that you were bidding on the same lot as the late Mister Xef?  Would you be able to tell me what interested you in the Statue?  What if anything you noticed about the behavior of the other bidders and finally can you account for your whereabouts between the hours of Anti Peek and Five hours after Anti Peek last cycle?"

It is as the Gnome is talking to Neerepha that Odette arrives the woman at the bar smiles.

"He lies." She stated, plainly "We have met four times, including today. Odd you accepted to spend a couple of pleasant hours with someone whose name you can't even recall, Corny." For the first time, the Genasi sneered, while lowering her head and closing her eyes. She opened them again and stared down at the Harmonium. "Yes, I was there, and yes, I was bidding on the statue. Four hundred and ten thousand jinx was everything I could spend on it. The reason? As sculptress I am interested in good art, and the Charcoal Palace was a piece worth every single green I have. There is no serious sculptor who hasn't heard the name of Haqim Al Kasim." as Neerepha replied, her tone suffered no alteration of any kind. She didn't seem nervous, but she wasn't, suspiciously for someone, harsh and cheeky as usual. Someone else could dare to say she was just acting as the perfect citizen. She, a performer.

"There was an Efreeti who was interested in the statue at least as much as I was, but he had more cash at his disposal. I remember he said 'I must have it'. There was also a Doomlord at the auction. I was standing at his side, indeed, and I chuckled when he suggested me other ways to get the statue, but when he insisted - 'Offer to fold for a.. neat little sum and you might walk away with something.' he whispered to me, I told him to pike off."
Was she lying? Was that an attempt to blame Mauric only?
"As for where I was... I went at the Golden Bariaur with him for one and half, maybe two hours..." Neerepha pointed at Belkas approaching Odette with her right thumb. "Then I went for a walk... I had some disappointment to deal with. I went back home four hours after the Anti-Peak."she ended her account not even trying to conceal that she spent two hours roaming, perhaps alone.

[*Ambiguous Ruin]

"He lies." She stated, plainly "We have met four times, including today. Odd you accepted to spend a couple of pleasant hours with someone whose name you can't even recall, Corny." For the first time, the Genasi sneered, while lowering her head and closing her eyes.

The initial accusation gets a lighthearted casual out of him "Aye, ya might be roight aboot the amount o' times tha' we met. Cannae rememba' tha' well. I meet a lot o' faces an' all... althou'..." he pocketed his hands lazily a lobsided smirk curling to the lips as he continued "Ya're wron' aboot the tag thin'. I ain't eva' lied aboot nae been good with tags. I jest rememba' a couple o' 'em like Sif an' Kelth... neitha' o' which be the propa' tags eitha'. Besides I meant tha' I'd nae rememba' yar tag at the time o' the auction." to the Harmonium gnome he'd also add "I'd nae even recall 'er tag when spillin' ya the tale. All honest aboot bein' shite with tags. An' everyone's gettin' all hissy fit when I make up a nicktag fer 'em."

As the attention shifted away from him, he'd once more focus on Odette.

"He were without anythin' last I saw him." she responds to his question with a wry grin, before picking up the glass that was poured for her and passing over a few coins to the barmaid with a thankful smile. "Eh. Nothin' in particular really. Everyone's talkin' about this auction, an' some rich sod who got booked. Yer name turned up among them an' I figured, eh what the hell. May as well see what yer up to. Lo an' behold yer already gettin' up t'trouble."

Taking a healthy swig from the glass with an appreciative hum at the taste, Odette gestures with a few fingers in Corny's directions and waggles her brows. "Figured I'd give ye a hand fer old times sake, since yer here an' obviously lookin' into it."

Shook his head in disapproval "Somethin' wron' with a gadgie tha' donnae know how ta wear clothes if'n'ya ask me." snickering lightheartedly, then continued to "Aye, auctions. Nae me thin', I jest like all o' the frowns sods cast at me as I keep makin' higha' bids an' look like somethin' tha' was spewed outta the ditch. Besides wha's wron' aboot gettin' in trouble? Tha's the best enta'tainment in the Cage, doncha reckon?" then frowns a little "Why donnae anyone eva' give a hand fer new times sake? Everyone's jest stuck in their pasts." He shrugged theatrically as he sighed "Aye, but sure. I still need ta rattle ta the genasi thou', apparently make peace or some sort o' shite. Nae know how ta take a jest n' all ya know?"

"As for where I was... I went at the Golden Bariaur with him for one and half, maybe two hours..." Neerepha pointed at Belkas approaching Odette with her right thumb. "Then I went for a walk... I had some disappointment to deal with. I went back home four hours after the Anti-Peak."she ended her account not even trying to conceal that she spent two hours roaming, perhaps alone.

His keen ears heard the part of Neerephas story shifting to the aftermath of the auction "Aye, I can attest ta tha'. She broke a glass outta blue." he added with a mischievous grin. "Jest ta get service, I might add."

[*Neerepha]

The initial accusation gets a lighthearted casual out of him "Aye, ya might be roight aboot the amount o' times tha' we met. Cannae rememba' tha' well. I meet a lot o' faces an' all... althou'..." he pocketed his hands lazily a lobsided smirk curling to the lips as he continued "Ya're wron' aboot the tag thin'. I ain't eva' lied aboot nae been good with tags. I jest rememba' a couple o' 'em like Sif an' Kelth... neitha' o' which be the propa' tags eitha'. Besides I meant tha' I'd nae rememba' yar tag at the time o' the auction." to the Harmonium gnome he'd also add "I'd nae even recall 'er tag when spillin' ya the tale. All honest aboot bein' shite with tags. An' everyone's gettin' all hissy fit when I make up a nicktag fer 'em."

"Who said that I said that you have said a lie about you not being good with tags? I was not referring to that. And I was not happy with my tag, of course, but I was far from being hysterical because of it." Neerepha glanced at Belkas with a placid and vaguely sly smile on her lips.

His keen ears heard the part of Neerephas story shifting to the aftermath of the auction "Aye, I can attest ta tha'. She broke a glass  outta blue." he added with a mischievous grin. "Jest ta get service, I might add."

"To be frank, it was an accident. I was just pointing at what I wanted... you can't blame me for my own nature." Her face and tone became once again emotionless.

[*Iggwilv]

Scene: The Celestial Radiance Tavern.

Dawn nods once or twice between taking notes on what Corny says.

"Did you recognize or know any of the other people bidding on the statue by name?"

She'd wait for him to answer before adding.

"Thank you we may need to talk to you again so we will need your name and a place to contact you."

She then turns to Neerepha her positive sunny dispostion not shifting at all as she launches down another line of questioning with a new "victim"

"Lady's Grace Miss. I understand you were present on the night of the auction and that you were bidding on the same lot as the late Mister Xef? Would you be able to tell me what interested you in the Statue? What if anything you noticed about the behavior of the other bidders and finally can you account for your whereabouts between the hours of Anti Peek and Five hours after Anti Peek last cycle?"

It is as the Gnome is talking to Neerepha that Odette arrives the woman at the bar smiles.

"What'll it be cutter a cup of tea for someone just getting up, or something stronger for someone who hasn't ben to bed yet?"

********************************************************************************

Scene: The Mortuary

The Dustman regards Iptai with with calm cold eyes his face never changing or giving away any hint of what thoughts are going on behind his gaze.

"Factor Trevant has some business to tend to today. He could speak with you tomorrow though. Who should I say is calling and in what capacity regarding what subject?"


He doesn't even blink as the other woman disappears but simply shifts his gaze back to the Halfling. Nepheris slips into the shadows of The Mortuary, unlike shadows else where they seem to be an almost sentient malevolent thing as they close around her and conceal them. She is left standing back in a dark corner observing the other two talk as a lurching zombie shuffles past her.

[*Ambiguous Ruin]

Scene: The Celestial Radiance Tavern.

Dawn nods once or twice between taking notes on what Corny says.

"Did you recognize or know any of the other people bidding on the statue by name?"

She'd wait for him to answer before adding.

"Thank you we may need to talk to you again so we will need your name and a place to contact you."

Quirked a brow "Ya reckon I look like I han' around ponces with jink?" gesturing at himself. "Nae, ain't met any one o' 'em. Save 'er." gestured at Neerepha. "An' I couldnae rememba' 'er name then eitha'. Ain't like we be all tha' acquinted, met like... twice." As for the contact information, he shrugged nonchalantly "Eh, fair enuff. The tag's Corny an' ya can jest leave a message ta Khazeet's Bar." of course not making a scene that it's horribly ambiguous.

Scene: The Celestial Radiance Tavern

With a scrawled letter in hand, Odette slips in through the tavern doors behind both Corny and Neerepha and meanders her way to the bar where she orders a drink. Of course, she arrives toward the end of the conversation, but should the blonde catch Corny's gaze at any point, she lifts a few fingers and lazily waves his letter with a flash of white teeth. Odie doesn't interrupt, however, leaving the man to go about his business until free.

Finally he spotted Odette as the attention of the Harmonium gnome shifted at the alternative victim whom he may or may not have indirectly casted a little blame at. Inclining his head at the bardess "Oi. Seems like ya got me message an' all. Kelth still without a shirt?" Folding his arms and leaned against a support pillar casually "So whazzit ya want ta know?" getting straight down to business.

[*Iggwilv]

Scene: The Celestial Radiance Tavern

The tavern begins to fill up now one or two patrons trickling in to order breakfasts and coffees and in some cases rough bub that should probably not be drunk this early in the day. Dawn notes down what Neerepha says and continues to be irritatingly cheerful given the circumstances and the time of day. Neerepha seems Mauric's name scribbled down on a scrap of paper even though she has not mentioned it. Apparently The Gnome knowing which Doomlord was in attenedence already. She nods in Corny's direction as he confirms the partial alibi.

"Thank you miss you have been a lot of help. Would you mind leaving your name and a place to contact you?"

She looks over at Odette who stands at the bar. The bar maid seems to shake her head in response to some silent question and Odette is served Baatorian whisky in a shot glass. Seemingly done for now the gnome returns to the kitchens not disturbing the four of them as they chat. Kapaneus seems to have gone unnoticed for now.

********************************************************************************

Scene The Mortuary:

The Dustman listens in silence to what Iptai says and then there is only the breifists of nods.

"I will arrange for the Factor to meet you this time tomorrow, will you be able to come here?"

Meanwhile The Mortuary's other visitor finds themselves incoperal and unobserved. Around them the boddies of many dead stacked neatly onto shelves whilst in the center of the room to other hooded Dustman seem to go to work tidying up two particuarly mangled bodies. To find the corpse she is after might take some closer inspection.

********************************************************************************

Scene The Hall of Records

The clerk takes the offered bag and pockets it.

"The family Sarch they say is cursed with a hereditary madness, something that turns them into gibbering lunatics when they reach old age. It has affected all the heads of the family for as long as I can recall. Each one retires and steps aside when they feel its on set. I should think that this caused the early retirement. He'll probably be in the gate house soon. As for what he sold. Everything, but he specialized in slaves antiques and magical artifacts. They used to write of a lot of tax payments by donating regularly to the Temple of the Abyss.

Mister Xef on the other hand was a realtively new first generation Merkhant. But one who enjoyed fast success. He went from being just a jink junker to a major mercantile power in the space of a few years. I am not really sure what he sells. His wife is passed on and his daughter I believe is in Trade Gate at some fancy school there, but I should think she'll be coming back to the cage soon as she stands to inherit everything.

The statue was made by Haqim Al Kasim. A famed Efreet sculptor from years ago, for the one time Sultan of the City of Brass. I am not really a artist so I don't know much more about it than that."

********************************************************************************

Scene: An Anarchist Safe House in the Hive:

Another letter arrives Presumably from an undercover agent in The Dustmen. The Archangel has no idea who this one is though

It was not an arrow.  It was a blade we believe something curved like a dirk or scimitar.  He was stabbed once from behind through the lung.  It would have stopped him from screaming.  A halfling has arrived asking a lot of questions about it.  And Factor Trevant will be meeting with the Mercykillers soon.  My position here is a precarious one.  Do not contact me again unless it is urgent.

Shade