Lovely 12

Xho, 6:56 PM You're troubleshooters for Lovely Creatures, paid by the seven brothers who own the place, though initially hired by a very wealthy man who's basically Batman if Batman thought more like a supervillain and didn't really want to spend a lot of evenings punching people in rainy back alleys.

Xho, 6:58 PM You have just returned from gathering a lot of alchemical ingredients and helping Pharolvir pass his job interview; Pharol is planning to help Ulisse break his addiction to a very nasty magical drug called absentia with the help of Tython, one of the seven brothers who is a bit of a mad scientist. (He prefers the term "alternatively sane.")

Xho, 7:00 PM You were going to head back to Tython, who offered to help Pharol concoct a potion that should purge the drug out of Ulisse quicker.

USS, 7:03 PM USS Adventure is going to go to Tython, but keep an eye on Qiva and Wanda as he passes them.

Xho, 7:03 PM Wanda waves at him as he goes by!

USS, 7:04 PM USS Adventure waves back, trying to seem friendly.

Xho, 7:05 PM Qiva does not.

Chance, 7:05 PM Chance went upstairs with his new cat friend, as I recall.

Xho, 7:06 PM Ah yes, he had! Pharol presumably meets up with him first?

USS, 7:06 PM ((We sent him up to see if Qiva would follow him.))

USS, 7:06 PM USS Adventure will go fetch Chance, yes.

Xho, 7:07 PM Beauty doesn't go with you! Instead she lies down on the exact geometric center of Chance's bed, positioning herself strategically to cause the maximum level of difficulty of getting into it when he wants to sleep.

Chance, 7:08 PM Chance nods. This makes sense.

USS, 7:08 PM "...so...you own a cat now, I guess."

Chance, 7:08 PM One does not own a cat.

Xho, 7:09 PM You head over to Tython's little suite. He opens the door wearing a mask with a pair of goggles in it, making it looks like he has enormous googly eyes.

Xho, 7:09 PM Tython: I've gotten it started--do you have the nightshade?

USS, 7:10 PM USS Adventure hands him some of the nightshade. "I have some more, if needed."

Xho, 7:10 PM Tython: No, we don't need that much. Uhm. We should talk to the vi--I mean, patient, though.

USS, 7:12 PM "Ok, but he's chained to the bed, so you'll have to come with me."

Chance, 7:12 PM Chance stage whispers to Pharo. "I think he was going to say victim."

USS, 7:13 PM "I am choosing to ignore that."

Xho, 7:13 PM Tython: Right.

Xho, 7:14 PM He puts his mask up on his head. Otherwise he would look weird! (He still looks weird.)

Xho, 7:14 PM Tython: There's actually one more ingredient I need but we should make sure he really wants to do this first.

USS, 7:14 PM "..........ok."

USS, 7:15 PM USS Adventure will lead Tython and Chance to Pharol's room.

Xho, 7:15 PM Tython: You guys aren't squeamish, right?

USS, 7:15 PM "Please."

Xho, 7:15 PM Tython: Good, good.

Xho, 7:18 PM You all head back to the suite! Ulisse is there, still chained up, and for some reason shirtless, with Pharol's sweater neatly folded beside the bed. He is in his "natural" form, meaning he's got the black feathery wings, horns and a whippy tail.

USS, 7:18 PM "...I probably should've knocked first."

Chance, 7:18 PM ...huh.

Xho, 7:18 PM Tython: What's with the... you know, nevermind, it doesn't matter.

Xho, 7:19 PM Ulisse: I think I just spent the entire morning chatting with imaginary snakes.

Chance, 7:19 PM The ceiling snakes are liars.

Xho, 7:20 PM Ulisse: They seemed agreeable to me. Although they don't seem to understand the finer points of the local laws regarding tax-deductible gifts to charities. I am assuming their lawyer was also imaginary.

USS, 7:20 PM "Almost certainly."

USS, 7:20 PM "...and worrying if she wasn't."

Xho, 7:21 PM Tython: … you know, when people said they had weird hallucinations when detoxing I kind of thought they saw pretty colors or heard music.

Xho, 7:21 PM Ulisse: Well, one of the snakes was playing a harmonica, I just felt it rude to mention it.

Xho, 7:22 PM Tython: How would a snake play a... nevermind, not important, right.

Xho, 7:22 PM Ulisse folds his arms.

USS, 7:22 PM "Ulisse, do you recognize Tython?"

Xho, 7:23 PM Ulisse: Yes. Assuming you are all actually here, I think I'm having a clear moment.

USS, 7:23 PM "Good. Tython thinks he has a solution that could help the detox go faster. But he needs to know how you feel about detoxing first."

Xho, 7:23 PM Ulisse: … although Chance seeing the ceiling snakes is somewhat concerning. Chance is here, correct?

Xho, 7:24 PM Tython: Well, it's more that there's a small chance this could kill you. Not a big chance, but a chance. If it works right, though, you'll be through the whole thing in a day.

Xho, 7:25 PM Ulisse: … how much is "not a big chance"?

Xho, 7:26 PM Tython: Um. Maybe about 5 percent, give or take.

USS, 7:26 PM "...five percent?"

Xho, 7:27 PM Tython: It's very stressful on the body. Which you probably knew already given that it's got nightshade in it, but.

Xho, 7:28 PM Ulisse eyes Pharolvir and then Chance. "What do you think?"

Chance, 7:28 PM Well, your body clearly has a lot more going on than most, so maybe your chances are better?

USS, 7:28 PM "......Tython, how much of an effect could this solution have on the detox process?"

Xho, 7:30 PM Tython: Well, I don't have a lot of information but from what I can tell, it'll take two months if you do it the normal way. Maybe one with the measures you've put in place.

Xho, 7:30 PM Ulisse: And one day with it.

Xho, 7:30 PM Tython nods.

USS, 7:31 PM "....that is a huge difference."

USS, 7:32 PM "...Ulisse, I want you to do what you think is best for yourself. Whatever you want to do...I will help you, though."

Xho, 7:32 PM Tython: It is a super unpleasant one day.

Xho, 7:33 PM Ulisse: It's not extremely pleasant as it is. Though at least this time there haven't been seizures.

USS, 7:34 PM "...I can't make the choice for you. I'm neither a doctor nor your father."

Xho, 7:35 PM Ulisse: Indeed not.

Xho, 7:36 PM Ulisse sighs. "I'll do it. I'd rather not be absent for a month. I might miss something... important."

Xho, 7:37 PM Tython: Parties? Are there important... nevermind, not important. Sorry. Okay, that leaves the last ingredient, then. It's really not that bad.

USS, 7:38 PM "I want you to take me through the production process as well, please."

Xho, 7:40 PM Tython: Well, I started it while you were gone, since it has to simmer for a while, but I can give you my notes. I'd like you guys to get that last ingredient for me, though.

USS, 7:40 PM "Ok. What's the ingredient?"

Chance, 7:40 PM Is it friendship?

Xho, 7:41 PM Tython: Uh, definitely not friendship, no. The older recipes required bone powder from the jaw of a dead murderer.

USS, 7:41 PM "...........what?"

Xho, 7:42 PM Tython: Well, it is a spell from the Fellgrimoire, it's not... overly nice.

Xho, 7:42 PM Tython: But hey, good news! According to Grammaton's, you can actually substitute half a teaspoon of grave dirt, which is, you know, a lot less creepy.

USS, 7:44 PM "...grave dirt...so we need to go...pilfer a cemetary."

Chance, 7:44 PM I'll get my kit.

Xho, 7:44 PM Tython: Just a teaspoon of dirt! You can probably just bring a spoon and stick it in a baggie.

Xho, 7:45 PM Tython: It doesn't have to be from near the coffin or anything.

Xho, 7:45 PM Ulisse: … should I be concerned about the other ingredients?

USS, 7:46 PM "...it doesn't? ...ok."

Xho, 7:46 PM Tython: Everything I have is ethically sourced! Oh wait, there is... no, no, I forgot, I got that from... right. Right. Ethically sourced. Totally ethical and fine.

Xho, 7:47 PM (Feel free to Insight that.)

USS, 7:47 PM USS Adventure will grab a spoon from near by.

USS, 7:47 PM USS Adventure doesn't really care where Tython got his ingredients from.

USS, 7:47 PM "Chance, you ready?"

Chance, 7:48 PM Yes. I still have my armor on for the zombies.

Xho, 7:48 PM Tython: Oh no, definitely don't worry about that. There are definitely not zombies.

Chance, 7:48 PM And there are no giant beasts at the park, either, right?

Xho, 7:49 PM Tython: The Pelorians are pretty careful about doing patrols. Um. There could be, but they're probably just going there to see a relative's grave site. Like, I think there's an ogre corner?

USS, 7:50 PM "...ok, I am ready. Tython, be ready, we'll be back with the dirt."

Xho, 7:50 PM Tython: Right. I mean, technically I'm a giant beast, because orc, right?

Chance, 7:50 PM Maybe skeletons then.

Xho, 7:51 PM Ulisse: I don't think anyone would call you a beast, Tython.

USS, 7:51 PM "...well...some people might. I mean...I've seen you naked and you've got some killer abs."

Xho, 7:52 PM Tython blushes dark green. "Uh, um. Thanks. Well."

Xho, 7:52 PM Ulisse raises his eyebrows.

Xho, 7:52 PM Tython: Anyway! Good luck. With the dirt.

USS, 7:52 PM "Right, on it."

USS, 7:54 PM "...where is the nearest gravesite?"

Xho, 7:55 PM Tython: If you take the lake door, you can turn to the right and go down the path, it's about 5 minutes' walk.

USS, 7:55 PM "Thank you."

USS, 7:55 PM USS Adventure rushes off.

Xho, 7:56 PM Tython: That was awkward. I feel like that was awkward.

Chance, 7:56 PM I did not notice.

Xho, 7:56 PM Ulisse: You do have a lot of muscles for someone who spends all their time in a lab, Tython.

Chance, 7:57 PM Chance follows Pharo.

Xho, 7:57 PM Tython: I work out! It helps me think. Nice um... chains. I guess?

Xho, 7:57 PM You both head downstairs! Qiva isn't there anymore; Wanda still is.

USS, 7:58 PM USS Adventure just keeps moving to the back door.

Chance, 7:58 PM Chance follows!

Xho, 7:58 PM Right! You head out the door, waiting until the lake entrance is on.

USS, 7:59 PM USS Adventure does

Xho, 8:00 PM It's not raining there; it's a bit chilly and damp but nothing awful, and it's not going to be uncomfortable for a while either.

Xho, 8:00 PM The ground is wet, so it has rained, and there's a little gravel trail leading off in the direction Tython described, straight into the woods.

Xho, 8:00 PM It's worth noting that the path leads away from the lake, so if there are lake monsters they're very unlikely to bother you.

Xho, 8:01 PM The air has that delightful fresh scent of rain, though Pharol may not be used to it, and it's very pretty and green as you walk through the pine and birch wood.

USS, 8:02 PM "...you know, when a lake monster isn't trying to kill us...this place is very peaceful."

Chance, 8:04 PM LEss exciting, though.

Xho, 8:04 PM It is! You can hear birds and a gentle wind in the trees occasionally. There are little wildflowers in the ground, some of which Pharol recognizes (though he's mostly seen them dried before).

Xho, 8:04 PM Chance is tempting the DM. :)

USS, 8:04 PM "...I need to keep this place in mind when getting ingredients."

Chance, 8:04 PM Hello lake. We are just passing through.

USS, 8:04 PM "There's some morning glory, good for some buffer potions."

Xho, 8:05 PM Some mushrooms too; those may be less recognizable as they are different than the ones that grow in the Underdark.

Chance, 8:05 PM So. You know much about magical items?

Xho, 8:05 PM Roll Perception!

USS, 8:06 PM ((6))

USS, 8:06 PM "Some. Mostly potions."

Chance, 8:06 PM ((16!))

Chance, 8:06 PM I have a magic crossbow that I think is alive that I would like you to look at sometime.

USS, 8:07 PM "......what?"

Chance, 8:07 PM Chance looks around. "Did you see that?"

USS, 8:07 PM "See what?"

Chance, 8:08 PM Chance points it out. "There is a critter!"

USS, 8:08 PM USS Adventure looks where Chance is pointing.

Xho, 8:09 PM The critter moves as Chance points, peering up from behind a fallen tree.

Chance, 8:09 PM Chance waves at it.

Xho, 8:09 PM It's very large--you may or may not recognize it as a black bear.

USS, 8:10 PM "...maybe if we just...leave it be...it'll leave us be."

Xho, 8:10 PM The bear just watches you for a moment. It doesn't look impressed or anything.

Chance, 8:11 PM Chance moves on!

USS, 8:11 PM "I've never actually seen a bear up close before. ...they are terrifying."

Xho, 8:12 PM The bear drops to all-fours and starts nosing away slowly in the other direction. It's just a black bear. They don't usually bother people, Ann notes.

Chance, 8:12 PM They can read thoughts, I think, so think pro-bear thoughts.

Xho, 8:13 PM After an otherwise uneventful but pleasant 5-minute low-impact hike, you reach a clearing in the trees surrounded by old wrought iron fencing, some of which has rusted away; inside is a somewhat overgrown graveyard and on the other side of it, the ruins of an old church.

USS, 8:14 PM "Chance, do you actually believe even half the things you say?"

Chance, 8:15 PM My friend, I don't even listen to half the things I say.

Xho, 8:15 PM Roll Perception!

Chance, 8:16 PM (16!)

USS, 8:16 PM ((Holy crap, 18))

USS, 8:16 PM ((Pharol should not do that well on perception))

Xho, 8:18 PM Both of you notice it at the same time! There's a person sitting on one of the mossy, chipped-up stone benches just inside the cemetery. Specifically, it's a little girl with her face in her hands--you can hear her crying.

USS, 8:19 PM USS Adventure approaches her. "Hello dear. Did you get lost?"

Xho, 8:20 PM Judging by the ears, she's probably a half-elf.

Xho, 8:21 PM Girl: Oh! I didn't know anyone was here.

Xho, 8:21 PM She looks up, her face streaked with tears.

Xho, 8:23 PM Girl: You're blue! And your cat is HUGE.

Chance, 8:23 PM I am not a cat.

Xho, 8:23 PM She sniffles.

Chance, 8:23 PM Why does everyone say this? I look nothing like a cat.

USS, 8:23 PM "Well, it'd be weird if I was green."

Chance, 8:23 PM Where did you come from?

Xho, 8:23 PM Girl: ... are you sure? You have whiskers.

Xho, 8:25 PM Girl: Crosslake. Blue is pretty anyways. And you have kitty ears.

Xho, 8:25 PM Girl: And a pretty kitty tail.

USS, 8:25 PM "He's a silly cat, you need to be careful with what he says."

USS, 8:26 PM "Not that I worry. You seem a very perceptive young lady."

Chance, 8:26 PM Not a cat. But thank you, I do have a glorious tail.

Chance, 8:26 PM Chance whips it around.

Xho, 8:27 PM Girl: What kind of a person are you if you're not a cat, then? Is it warm having fur all the time?

Chance, 8:27 PM Nope! IT is perfect. I am a Tabaxi.

Xho, 8:27 PM She wipes her tears away with the back of her hand.

Chance, 8:27 PM I always wonder how people without fur are not freezing all the time.

Xho, 8:28 PM The girl echoes "Tabaxi person."

USS, 8:28 PM "My people made the smart decision of burrowing underground where there isn't all this stupid wind and snow and things."

Xho, 8:29 PM Girl: Snow is fun! Snowball fights and building snowmen and skiing and ice skating and sledding.

Xho, 8:29 PM She sniffles.

Chance, 8:29 PM Why were you crying?

Xho, 8:29 PM Girl: I'm all alone.

Xho, 8:29 PM How close are you to her at this point, by the way? And did you go into the graveyard?

USS, 8:30 PM USS Adventure would've gotten close

Xho, 8:31 PM Right, you're in the graveyard, in that case. There are a lot of weeds and it doesn't look well kept-up, and the gate squeaked as you walked in.

Chance, 8:31 PM Chance is pretty close, though he does assume she's a ghost girl.

USS, 8:32 PM "Did you come here with your father?"

Xho, 8:32 PM Girl: No. I'm all alone.

Xho, 8:32 PM She starts to cry again.

Chance, 8:33 PM Oh. Well, what is your name?

USS, 8:33 PM USS Adventure reaches out to pat her shoulder.

Xho, 8:34 PM Girl: I'm Teliesl.

Chance, 8:35 PM Well, you can come with us, if you wish! We are on a quest to get ingredients for a magic potion.

Xho, 8:36 PM Girl: ... really? Can I help?

USS, 8:37 PM "...................maybe."

USS, 8:37 PM USS Adventure pulls his hand away.

Xho, 8:37 PM Girl: My family doesn't visit me anymore.

Xho, 8:37 PM She sniffles.

Chance, 8:38 PM We need graveyard dirt for a potion for our friend.

Chance, 8:38 PM Where is the best dirt?

Xho, 8:39 PM Girl: Oh! I know.

Xho, 8:40 PM She hops down from the bench carefully, and heads toward the back of the cemetery, where the stones are almost entirely covered by moss and weeds. You're going to need to step carefully here, there's a fair amount of debris, though it doesn't seem to bother the kid.

Chance, 8:40 PM Chance is careful!

USS, 8:41 PM USS Adventure is to and seems...mildly uncomfortable.

Xho, 8:41 PM She points to a little spot underneath a tree, where there are some little white flowers growing.

Xho, 8:41 PM Girl: That's the best spot.

Chance, 8:41 PM Ah! Great. My name is Chance. This is Pharo.

Xho, 8:42 PM There are moss-covered gravestones around, too.

Chance, 8:42 PM Which one is yours?

USS, 8:42 PM "Chance! You can't just ask someone which grave is theirs."

Chance, 8:42 PM ...why?

USS, 8:43 PM "It's a sensitive subject."

Chance, 8:43 PM If I know which is hers I'll know which one to visit.

Xho, 8:43 PM The girl points to the nearest stone, which is pretty unreadable. "I don't care if you ask! That one. It used to have an angel on it but it fell down."

Chance, 8:43 PM Ohhh, I see.

Chance, 8:43 PM Chance dusts it off a bit. "Go get the dirt, Pharo, I will see to this.

Chance, 8:43 PM Chance uses Presti to clean up the marker a bit.

USS, 8:44 PM USS Adventure nods and goes to collect some dirt.

Xho, 8:45 PM Teliesl: Are you really gonna visit? It's real nice here. There's a bird's nest up in this tree and lots of flowers.

Xho, 8:45 PM Pharol has a pretty easy time of it.

USS, 8:45 PM "I will certainly do my best to come by."

Xho, 8:45 PM Teliesl: Promise?

Chance, 8:46 PM Of course!

Chance, 8:46 PM We live just down the path a little bit.

USS, 8:46 PM USS Adventure kneels down and puts out a pinkie.

Chance, 8:47 PM Chance cleans up the marker and tries to at least set the angel so it's sitting up correctly leaning against it.

Xho, 8:47 PM Teliesl locks pinkies!

USS, 8:47 PM "There, now we have to come visit."

Xho, 8:48 PM Teliesl: Yay! Thank you. Do you like flowers?

Chance, 8:48 PM Of course. Who doesn't like flowers?

USS, 8:48 PM "I do like flowers."

Xho, 8:49 PM It takes a bit of wrangling, but the angel is rather small, so Chance does get the angel set up and the stone cleaned. It does have her name on it, albeit very hard to read, and the dates are likewise hard to see properly, but she's been dead at least 300 years.

Xho, 8:49 PM Probably a lot longer.

Xho, 8:50 PM Teliesl stoops down and rummages around in the weeds for a moment, and then hands Pharolvir and Chance each a bouquet of flowers.

Xho, 8:51 PM Teliesl: Here! Oh, isn't the angel pretty?

USS, 8:51 PM USS Adventure smiles

USS, 8:52 PM USS Adventure takes the flowers.

USS, 8:52 PM "Thank you. That's very sweet."

Chance, 8:52 PM Thank you!

Xho, 8:53 PM She smiles, and gives you each a hug.

USS, 8:53 PM "...Telly dear...were these just lying around?"

Xho, 8:53 PM It's super weird; she's definitely there, but she's also definitely not there and your brain is having some trouble working those two things out.

Xho, 8:54 PM Teliesl: Some of them! I just knew you'd like those ones.

USS, 8:54 PM "...thank you."

Xho, 8:55 PM Teliesl: You're both as pretty as the angel is. I'm glad you're gonna visit!

Chance, 8:56 PM Of course! Next time I'll see if I can bring my cat. So you can see the differences between a Tabaxi person and a cat.

USS, 8:56 PM "The cat is also very pretty."

USS, 8:56 PM "I can show you my pet as well."

Xho, 8:57 PM Teliesl: I love animals! Sometimes the bears come over. And once there was a skunk.

Xho, 8:57 PM She wrinkles her nose.

USS, 8:57 PM "...you can smell the skunk?"

Xho, 8:58 PM Teliesl: Everybody can smell skunks.

Xho, 8:59 PM She sticks her tongue out and makes an "eww" face.

USS, 9:00 PM "You know, the fluid skunks use contains sulfur which causes the smell. If you can dilute the sulfur, it has numerous uses."

Xho, 9:01 PM Teliesl: Does it still smell?

USS, 9:01 PM "Sometimes. But you can use that against your enemies."

Xho, 9:02 PM Teliesl: I don't have any enemies! Do you?

Chance, 9:02 PM Not a single one.

USS, 9:03 PM "Some. But it's ok."

Xho, 9:04 PM Teliesl: Are they scary?

USS, 9:04 PM "No, you know why?"

Xho, 9:05 PM Teliesl: Why?

USS, 9:05 PM "Because I know I can handle them."

USS, 9:06 PM "Because I've made good friends."

Xho, 9:07 PM Teliesl: ... well, okay.

Xho, 9:07 PM She leans over and scoops up something from the ground and holds it out to Pharolvir again.

USS, 9:07 PM USS Adventure will take it.

Chance, 9:08 PM Chance finishes cleaning up the grave a bit.

Xho, 9:08 PM She picks up something else and offers it to Chance. "Here!"

Xho, 9:09 PM Teliesl: Just in case.

Chance, 9:09 PM Oh! Thank you very much, Teliesl.

Xho, 9:10 PM Teliesl: I'm glad I'm your friend.

USS, 9:10 PM "I'm glad you're our friend, too."

Xho, 9:11 PM She hugs you both again.

Xho, 9:11 PM Teliesl: I gotta go. But I'll see you when you visit!

Chance, 9:11 PM Definitely.

USS, 9:11 PM "Yes. Thank you. Good bye."

Xho, 9:12 PM She turns and runs away, laughing a little bit when she hops over some of the lower stones, and disappears when she reaches the fence.

USS, 9:12 PM "...so, that was a ghost."

Chance, 9:14 PM Of course.

Xho, 9:14 PM You can still hear birds chirping and the like. They never stopped; it's a quiet, peaceful place.

Chance, 9:14 PM Most children are ghosts, I find.

Chance, 9:14 PM …. I don't know many children.

USS, 9:16 PM "I think I'm learning to tune out most of the things you say."

USS, 9:16 PM "Anyway, we should get back."

Chance, 9:16 PM Chance nods.

Chance, 9:16 PM Good idea.

USS, 9:17 PM USS Adventure will head back to give Tython the ingredient.

Xho, 9:20 PM You guys head back to your room! The walk back is uneventful--you do spot a hawk, which is kind of cool, but no unusual wildlife, dead people or live nude bears.

Xho, 9:21 PM You find Tython still in Ulisse's room with him, chatting amicably about alchemy, though Ulisse's knowledge base seems to be largely centered around toxicity and recreational effects.

Xho, 9:23 PM Tython: So instead of having to wash your hair every day, you could just put this in it once and it would just stay clean. I haven't had a lot of success so far though. Oh hey you guys are back!

USS, 9:23 PM "I like washing my hair. It's a relaxing experience."

USS, 9:23 PM "...it does take a while, though."

Xho, 9:23 PM Tython: ... I hadn't really thought of that.

Xho, 9:24 PM Ulisse: Still, it might be useful for people taking journeys without a wizard.

USS, 9:24 PM USS Adventure hands the sack of dirt to Tython.

Xho, 9:24 PM Tython: Oh, sure. ... how did it go? Uneventful, right?

Xho, 9:24 PM Tython takes it.

USS, 9:25 PM "We met a ghost girl, but she seemed harmless."

Xho, 9:26 PM Tython: A ghost? Really? ... you didn't get any ectoplasm, did you?

USS, 9:26 PM "...dammit! Next time."

Xho, 9:27 PM Tython: Yeah, that stuff's super useful.

Xho, 9:28 PM Tython: ... okay, well. I set up the bowl in the kitchen. All we need to do now is add this and the nightshade and give it a stir.

Xho, 9:28 PM Ulisse: You know, I've had to eat dirt before, but only metaphorically.

USS, 9:28 PM "Hopefully this time it goes down well."

USS, 9:28 PM "Thank you, Tython."

Chance, 9:29 PM I think the nightshade will really bring out the real dirt flavor.

Xho, 9:29 PM Tython: ... given the circumstances, I kinda doubt it'll go down well but. Come on!

Xho, 9:30 PM Ulisse holds his manacled hands out to Pharolvir while Tython heads out into the kitchen/Livingroom area.

Xho, 9:31 PM Ulisse: Mind if I speak to you alone? Just for a moment.

USS, 9:31 PM USS Adventure will take them.

USS, 9:31 PM "Sure. Chance, you ok?"

Chance, 9:31 PM I am always okay.

Chance, 9:31 PM Chance goes to his room to put his flowers up.

Chance, 9:38 PM Chance goes back after a few to watch Tython work.

Chance, 9:38 PM So! We got some high quality dirt.

Chance, 9:38 PM Have you ever seen this potion used?

Xho, 9:39 PM Tython: Um, no, but I've read about it.

Xho, 9:41 PM Tython: Basically, it magically forces out every bit of the drug and catastrophically rearranges the body to its prior state of health.

Chance, 9:44 PM What else does it fix?

Xho, 9:44 PM Tython: That's what the books say. "Catastrophically."

Xho, 9:45 PM Tython: Substance addictions, long-term poisonings.

Xho, 9:45 PM Tython: ... are those two, like, together? Also, what else do you want fixed?

USS, 9:47 PM USS Adventure rejoins you. "So, how are we looking?"

Chance, 9:48 PM Oh, nothing in specific, just curious.

Xho, 9:48 PM Ulisse follows.

Chance, 9:48 PM And I don't know. Are you two together, Pharo?

Xho, 9:48 PM Tython: Pretty good so far.

USS, 9:48 PM "...uhhhhhhhhhhhhh..."

Xho, 9:49 PM Tython gestures to a small bowl on the counter filled with a brownish opaque liquid.

Xho, 9:49 PM Tython: "It's complicated"? Isn't that what normal people say these days?

USS, 9:50 PM USS Adventure blushes deeply.

Xho, 9:51 PM He takes a very small spoon out and dips it into the powdered nightshade, then stirs the dust into the bowl; the liquid turns an unpleasant yellowish color.

USS, 9:51 PM "Ulisse? Should you be standing?"

Xho, 9:51 PM Ulisse: ... I'd like to say I've drunk more disgusting things, but I'm not entirely sure that's true at this point. And no, probably not.

Xho, 9:52 PM He sits on the floor, carefully.

Xho, 9:52 PM Tython puts his mask down again and then measures out the graveyard dirt that you brought back.

Xho, 9:52 PM Tython: Well, here goes.

USS, 9:52 PM USS Adventure will check over the notes for anything wrong.

Xho, 9:53 PM The notes are pretty extensive!

Xho, 9:54 PM He pours the dirt into the bowl, and there's a little flash of smoke, and the liquid turns a brilliant transparent red, almost like wine.

Xho, 9:55 PM Tython: It worked!

Xho, 9:55 PM He sounds ever so slightly surprised.

Chance, 9:55 PM Hurray!

Chance, 9:55 PM ...what would have happened if it didn't? Would it have exploded?

USS, 9:55 PM "...that is not the reaction I would've liked from you."

Xho, 9:56 PM Tython: Well, I mean, this is the first time I've tried this. It never came up before.

Xho, 9:56 PM Tython: And no, if I'd gotten the amounts wrong it just wouldn't look like that.

USS, 9:57 PM "...ok...so...bottoms up?"

Xho, 9:58 PM Ulisse: Yes.

Xho, 9:58 PM Tython carefully hands the bowl to him. "Drink all of it. And then we should probably put you back in your room."

Xho, 9:59 PM It smells a little bit like fake bananas. Ulisse looks at Chance, Ann, Tython and Pharolvir by turns, shrugs, and drinks the bowl of stuff.

Chance, 10:00 PM Chance gives a supportive thumbs up!

USS, 10:00 PM USS Adventure smiles

Xho, 10:01 PM There's a knock at the door!

USS, 10:01 PM "...of course. Chance, can you get that while I get him to his room?"

Chance, 10:02 PM Chance nods, and opens the door a crack.

USS, 10:03 PM USS Adventure takes Ulisse over the shoulder and puts him back in his room.

Chance, 10:03 PM Oh! Hello. Come in.

Chance, 10:03 PM Chance opens the door. The timing is perfect.

Xho, 10:03 PM He's mostly able to walk, but it's pretty obvious he's very distracted by something that's happening internally.

Xho, 10:04 PM The Sky Hawk steps in. "... if you're busy, I can come back another time."

Chance, 10:04 PM Not busy at all.

Xho, 10:05 PM There's a pretty audible moan from inside the bedroom before Pharol closes the door.

USS, 10:05 PM "Nope, nothing happening at all."

Xho, 10:06 PM Sky Hawk: ... sure, right. Well.

Xho, 10:08 PM Sky Hawk: I came to get my armor back. You're not killing him, are you?

Chance, 10:08 PM Probably not!

USS, 10:08 PM "No!"

Chance, 10:08 PM Your armor is in my room.

Xho, 10:09 PM Tython: No one's killing anyone! ... at least, not on purpose. Probably.

Xho, 10:09 PM Sky Hawk points at Tython. "Who's he?"

Xho, 10:09 PM Tython: I live here? I'm an alchemist.

USS, 10:09 PM "He's one of the brothers who owns the inn."

Xho, 10:10 PM Sky Hawk: Oh.

Xho, 10:10 PM She eyes Tython. "Go away."

Xho, 10:11 PM Tython: Wow, that's really rude.

USS, 10:11 PM "Yes it is."

USS, 10:11 PM "Tython, could you give us the room, please?"

Xho, 10:12 PM Sky Hawk makes a huffing noise. "Fine. Go away please. Look, I'm not used to having to ask people to do things at all, all right? Sorry."

Xho, 10:12 PM Tython: ... sure, fine. I'll leave my notes, let me know if anything goes... wrong.

Xho, 10:12 PM He escapes through the suite door.

USS, 10:12 PM "Will do. Thank you so much, Tython."

USS, 10:13 PM USS Adventure turns to Sky Hawk. "I was handling it."

Xho, 10:13 PM Sky Hawk: Thanks. ... almost everyone I meet is either my crew or trying to murder me.

Chance, 10:13 PM Sometimes it's both, in my experience.

Xho, 10:14 PM Sky Hawk smiles. "Not my crew. Most of them have been with me a long time, and they know me and I know them."

USS, 10:15 PM "Do you need something, Captain?"

Xho, 10:16 PM Sky Hawk: Well, yes. You can keep the dagger with my thanks, but I do need my armor back.

Xho, 10:16 PM Sky Hawk: ... and there's one other thing.

Xho, 10:16 PM Sky Hawk: I've done a little research on you.

USS, 10:16 PM "...when you say 'you'...?"

Xho, 10:17 PM Sky Hawk: You and him. I couldn't find her.

Xho, 10:18 PM She gestures to Ann.

Chance, 10:18 PM She doesn't know her either.

Caleb, 10:19 PM No clue at all but interesting that you couldn’t find anything

Xho, 10:19 PM Sky Hawk looks at Pharolvir. "Show of good faith: be careful, you have someone looking for you."

USS, 10:20 PM USS Adventure stiffens.

Xho, 10:20 PM Sky Hawk: A Drow woman, identity unknown.

Xho, 10:21 PM She turns to Chance. "You can relax, but don't get too comfy. Qiva doesn't know who you are."

Chance, 10:22 PM I tend to exist in that continuum at most times, but thank you.

USS, 10:23 PM "Why were you researching us?"

Xho, 10:23 PM Sky Hawk: To find out if I had to kill you, obviously.

Chance, 10:24 PM Sensible.

Xho, 10:25 PM Sky Hawk: But I'm pretty sure now that I don't have to do that. Instead, how would you like to work for me?

USS, 10:25 PM "...doing what?"

Caleb, 10:25 PM In what capacity?

Xho, 10:26 PM Sky Hawk: Well, occasionally there are situations where a skyship isn't the best option for piracy, as you probably know.

Xho, 10:26 PM She nods at Chance.

Chance, 10:27 PM They are very ostentatious.

Xho, 10:27 PM Sky Hawk: Sometimes it's better to have some landsmen at hand to take care of business. I have a lot of contacts but not all of them are... hands-on.

USS, 10:28 PM "So, you want us to steal things for you?"

Xho, 10:30 PM Sky Hawk: No, I want you to go beat up slavers and free slaves for me.

Chance, 10:30 PM Oh, that sounds fun.

USS, 10:30 PM "Oh...that sounds good."

Xho, 10:31 PM Sky Hawk: You can't steal people.

USS, 10:31 PM "No you cannot."

Xho, 10:31 PM She looks at the door to Ulisse's room and adds, drily, "Unless they're into that."

Chance, 10:33 PM Well, yes.

Chance, 10:33 PM Here, I'll get your things.

USS, 10:35 PM "...so...how's...pirating?"

Xho, 10:36 PM Sky Hawk: Fine. I've had a couple of close calls with Qiva lately, though.

USS, 10:36 PM "She's extremely determined."

Chance, 10:37 PM Chance comes back with the armor in a bag. "She's been hanging around here a lot."

Xho, 10:38 PM Sky Hawk makes a face. "I really don't want to have to kill her."

Xho, 10:40 PM Sky Hawk: She's not a bad person.

USS, 10:42 PM "I haven't had much chance to get to know her."

Xho, 10:43 PM Sky Hawk: She doesn't understand, that's all. They were never going to stop slaving. Their whole culture depended on it. It still does, just... not like it used to.

Chance, 10:43 PM Chance hands over the sack of armor. "It's weird now."

USS, 10:43 PM "Who's they?"

Xho, 10:44 PM She takes it.

Xho, 10:44 PM Sky Hawk: The Tarkishi citystates.

Xho, 10:44 PM Sky Hawk: That's because we freed so many slaves they got valuable. Now to be a slave is prestigious there.

Chance, 10:45 PM It's weird.

Xho, 10:45 PM Sky Hawk: ... but there are still people who don't want to be slaves being enslaved, and besides, someone needs to keep Tarkishi in check. Diplomacy will never work.

USS, 10:45 PM USS Adventure nods

USS, 10:46 PM "Sometimes there's no reasoning."

Xho, 10:47 PM Sky Hawk: ... sorry. I'll get off my soapbox. Well. I've heard some rumors but nothing definite yet. I expect I'll be able to visit you with a plan within the week.

USS, 10:48 PM USS Adventure nods

Xho, 10:48 PM Sky Hawk: ... and just on a personal note, what are you doing with him, anyway?

Xho, 10:49 PM She points at Ulisse's door.

USS, 10:49 PM "Helping him."

Chance, 10:49 PM Possibly poisoning him. Or maybe just standing around while he self-poisons.

Chance, 10:49 PM It is a grey area.

USS, 10:49 PM "Chance has a way of putting the worst spin on everything."

Xho, 10:51 PM Sky Hawk: ... did he tell you who I am?

USS, 10:51 PM "...sort of."

USS, 10:51 PM "...by which I mean yes."

Xho, 10:52 PM Sky Hawk: Well, now you know why Qiva is so dangerous to me.

USS, 10:52 PM "You seem to be able to give her the slip."

Xho, 10:53 PM Sky Hawk: I've been careful. And very lucky. ... it makes family gatherings so awkward.

Chance, 10:53 PM I think I missed this part.

Xho, 10:55 PM Sky Hawk: Oh. I thought he told you. I'm Merantha Everhart. Qiva is my aunt.

USS, 10:55 PM "He did tell me, but I didn't inform the others."

Chance, 10:56 PM Ohhhhh. Yes, family is complicated.

USS, 10:56 PM "Yes it is."

Xho, 10:56 PM Sky Hawk, to Pharolvir: "You're not with him, are you?"

USS, 10:57 PM "Why is everyone so hung up on that?"

Xho, 10:57 PM Sky Hawk: I'm not hung up on it. I was just going to warn you that he's a massive asshole.

USS, 10:57 PM "I am aware."

USS, 10:58 PM "You're not the first one to tell me that, either."

Xho, 10:58 PM Sky Hawk: Just make sure you're not left practically at the altar, that's all.

USS, 10:59 PM USS Adventure blushes.

Xho, 11:00 PM Sky Hawk: Anyway. I'll be in touch.

Xho, 11:01 PM She takes a small bag out of her pocket and puts it on the table. "Here's an advance on your pay. Don't worry, it's been laundered, nobody's going to trace it."

Xho, 11:01 PM She stands up and grabs her armor. "Any questions before I go?"

USS, 11:02 PM "...Anna may need a date to this party at the palace. You available?"

Chance, 11:03 PM We are social monsters, let me tell you.

Xho, 11:05 PM Sky Hawk blinks, and looks at Ann. "... sure. I mean, unless there's something I need to do that night. Something... piracy related."

Xho, 11:05 PM She smiles tentatively.

Chance, 11:07 PM Your cousin might be there.

Caleb, 11:07 PM Caleb blinks looks at Pharos then looks at The sky hawk “fair enough, could be fun if you are free though.”

USS, 11:08 PM USS Adventure smiles

Xho, 11:08 PM Sky Hawk: Yeah! ... if not then, some other time. ... I'll see you.

Xho, 11:08 PM She hefts her armor and heads out.

Caleb, 11:09 PM Caleb tentatively waves “bye See you around.”

Chance, 11:10 PM Chance waves.

Xho, 11:11 PM And there we'll stop for the night, unless you wanna talk amongst yourselves or do somethin' else.