Open [World's End Grotto] In Theory, Winter comes

[Fallon]

There was a brief jarring of reality creeping into her mind, a brief pocketing of confusion as she contemplated the numbers - or lack of. Her feet spurred into movement, clattering loudly across the roof as she moved. The mind continued to turn and operate, her hand tapping upon the various tools of her belt. A brief flicker down to the tiles, hands clawing and scrabbling as she darted between the two targets. For the moment they seemed to not notice her presence, forms parting and shifting quickly. Her gaze otherwise locked onto their shapes fighting to remember the details she could about them.

Adrenal continued to rise, a deeper inhale as her back straightened. Closer to the ledge, the precipice racing ever closer. So fuelled upon the idea of the hunt and pursuit that she relied upon instinct to make that snap decision. Toes pressed a final spring with the front foot, the left quickly following behind and she launched herself. She remembered, briefly, the nimble movements she had seen the more delicate and dextrous individuals of Sunberth, those who had used their bodies in ways to evade instead of brute force. Arms came out, hands opened and clawed, legs tucking up and inwards.

The rest of her was forced into a twist, left shoulder first, arms snapping in instinctively around her head. Body hit the rest of the opposite roof, a grunt of discomfort as she pushed herself up onto her elbows. Far from a smooth landing, she could feel her left stiffen and numb from the impact. Teeth gritted, a sharp inhale before she began to press herself up. A faltering start, there was a quick glance in the direction the other had gone.

No time for wondering. Chase!

Fallon released a grunt, her form pressing onwards once more and after the other runner. If he had noticed her by now then there was not much she could do. Regardless, one way or another, she was going to get her answers - in particular on why the men had taken to such a way out.

[Salara Kel'Halavath]

Salara cursed softly under her breath as the roiling scent of hot blood washed over her senses; a reminder that she’d only heard two individuals scurrying over the eves. Head shaking she sternly chides herself. What a fool move to have gotten so tied up in lock picking that she really had briefly misplaced that fact. Slipping between the door and frame the moment it opens sufficiently to get through her quick scan across the room arrows in on the trail of crimson leading from mattress to wardrobe. Immediately she turns back to the door easing it gently closed, locked it in a snick/click and then presses her back to it while looking about the room more closely to allow a deep breath or few to catch up with her. With the amount of macabre evidence she was certain of one thing…whoever was in the wardrobe wouldn’t be coming out on their own. She eases forward and quickly circles the room with hands clasped tightly just under her breasts to keep delinquent fingers from causing more trouble than they already had. It was empty but looked recently occupied. Lived in, as if there had been someone in the room before the three so-called merchants had come to it. A washbowl was filled and there were smatters of water droplets beading on the small tabletop where someone may have completed their ablutions by shaking their hands dry. Beside the washbowl sat a single mug. Leaning near to peer within, the remaining contents looked and smelled of liquor, a better quality than the infamous beery brew served in such ample quantity downstairs. Perhaps brought up after a meal below? She couldn’t tell if or when the former occupant had vacated the room for good. There didn’t appear to be any personal items left behind. A flat cornhusk pillow rests folded upon itself on the floor next to the bed. Near the fireplace lay a quill pen its tip stained with ink; but no bottle is evident. The scent of smoke lingers around the cold hearth; which was odd because this tepid winter weather had not yet justified the cost of burning wood for heat. Looking closer, her fingers begin to itch when she sees a not-fully-consumed charred parchment that seemed to have slipped back behind the grate. Fortunately her common sense finds its voice before she does little more than begin to reach for it. So far, to her knowledge, there was little to no evidence of her intrusion. She had no stake in this game, and knew less than nothing about the situation or who might be involved. And hadn’t she overheard one of them having mentioned arriving late? What if the original guest returned? Or one of the two who had escaped through the open window where a thin cloth drape, trapped on it’s rod, was whipping about in the boisterous winds outside. Perhaps it would be most prudent to call it a night. Careful to avoid smearing the bloody path she shimmies out of her dress and stuffs it and her cloak and sandals into her pack. Readjusting the pack straps she turns startled at the sudden sound of a latch breaking followed by the scratchy shift and thud of the gore caked sheet as the body hits the floor sliding near fully out in a crumpled heap. A pale hand within a grey-cloaked sleeve unfolds and lops free, seeming to point screaming accusation at her with a crooked forefinger. Now she’d seen bodies before and often in much more revealing gruesomeness, but not a one had leapt from a wardrobe at her. Perhaps it was the full dawning realization of a bad situation catching up with her that sends her, without further delay, in hasty retreat to the window in a bright sparkling flash. Placing front paws upon the window’s ledge she draws her hind legs up to balance precariously on all fours. Her tail bobs in precise readjustment as the catamount gets her bearings. Leaping fluidly from the window she easily lands upon the cobbles a story below. As she bounds around the shadiest corner of the building she hears behind her, “Petch ME! A petchin big cat just jumped from that petchin window!”

[Liriope]

She shouldn't press, she shouldn't get herself into trouble. She shouldn't. It was her first day here, she'd got an Inn room and a new start, a new place to see. Lirope just couldn't resist though. It wasn't a new start, it was a new playground. A new place to find power, and to find fun. So she continued, covering her voice in Djed, and narrowing her eyes at the man. She was an interrogator, she could do this. It wasn't something she was unfamiliar with. "Something wrong with the musicians?" She had noticed the fact that he had been looking at them, almost monitoring them. Perhaps he was, perhaps she was delusional in her search for entertainment. The trio continued to play their odd song, and the people watching continued to laugh and sing along. Maybe nothing was going on. Liriope wondered what would happen if she found out who this man loved most, what would her gift show her? A lover, a sibling, a friend? Sometimes she looked just because she wanted to, simply curious of what the result would be. A headache had began to form at the front of her head. Overgiving, right. It was the third time she had used hypnotism that night, maybe she was addicted to it, maybe she was addicted to the power it sometimes gave her. Who could know? She hoped something was going on, and she wasn't just desperately searching for something to do.

[Karyk]

 

Fallon

Skills
Writing: 2
Stealth: 1
Climbing: 1
Running: 1
Acrobatics: 1
Investigation: 1
Lores
Three Men in Grey, Zeltivan Coup Suspects
Not All Doors Open with Patience
MiscellaneousMild bodily bruising from rough landing, short term soreness

 

Notes and Comments

CS Checkmarked: ✓
CS Reviewed by Me: ✓
Previous Season Expenses Paid (Spring 517): ✓

Just a personal curiosity, in Fallon's eyes, what does she mean by Zeltiva to soon equal Syliras?

 

Rionne Samore

Grade is being withheld due to Ledger not being up to date with Seasonal Expenses. When you update these, send me a Private Message and I will give you your grade.

 

Notes and Comments

CS Checkmarked: ✓
CS Reviewed by Me: ✓
Previous Season Expenses Paid (Spring 517): X

 

Tavia

Grade is being withheld due to Ledger not being up to date with Seasonal Expenses. When you update these, send me a Private Message and I will give you your grade.

 

Notes and Comments

CS Checkmarked: ✓
CS Reviewed by Me: ✓
Previous Season Expenses Paid (Spring 517): X

 

Liriope

Skills
Observation: 3
Hypnotism: 2
Socialization: 1
Subterfuge: 1
Flirting: 1

Lores
Cities Full of Hate are the Most Comfortable
Salara Kel'halavath: The Calloused Hand Woman
Barmaids Don't Like Miza Pinchers
Salara Kel'halavath: Poor or Frugal?
Salara Kel'halavath: Insecure When Unemployed
Song: A Sleepy Lass Indeed

 

Notes and Comments

CS Checkmarked: ✓
CS Reviewed by Me: ✓
Previous Season Expenses Paid (Spring 517): ✓

I would've liked to have seen more detail in the use of hypnotism.

 

Salara Kelhalavath

Skills
Observation: 3
Socialization: 1
Negotiation: 1
Subterfuge: 2
Intelligence: 1
Stealth: 1
Larceny: 1
Investigation: 1
Lores

Always Have a Blade in Hand
Contact: Liriope, Konti Woman
Silver Summons Barmaids
Song: A Sleepy Lass Indeed
Lockpicks Can Sound Like Keys
Haunting Memory: Body Falling from the Wardrobe

 

Notes and Comments

CS Checkmarked: ✓
CS Reviewed by Me: ✓
Previous Season Expenses Paid (Spring 517): ✓

Its a shame to see this thread not reach a proper conclusion. Well done anyways, was quite a fun read. Salara, please mark this grade request as Graded in the Zeltivan Grade Queue.