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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 19, 2019 11:21:39 GMT -5
You only have a moment to listen, but manage to hear the following excerpt before someone walks by that could see you:
"...of power and of doom. The ring of evil and of shadows was made to adorn the finger of..."
The person that walks by is a Tiefling woman. Astoundingly beautiful (Cha 20), wearing what would be a loose fitting blouse, but she also wears a corset that is cinched tight enough that her modest chest pops distractedly. She has shoulder length fire red hair, which matches perfectly with her ruby skin. Jet black horns sweep back, tapering to sharp points about eight inches later. She wears a dress of layered petty coats, mostly of a green that is perfectly complementary to her flesh tone. The layers are all edged in black that ties in her horns, and her eyes. She glances your way, smiles with a raised eyebrow. You feel like she's asking, 'What are you doing here?' but she doesn't actually say anything.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 19, 2019 11:32:29 GMT -5
Dahila turns back to the woman in surprise, her tail nearly jumping slightly.
She manages to keep her cool though, giving her a little wink and a smile as she presses her finger to her mouth. She gently motions her head towards the door, almost inviting her own to listen as well.
She isn't really sure what the woman will do, but she figures that tieflings should stick together around these parts.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 20, 2019 6:50:06 GMT -5
She winks back, with a coy smile of her own. She shakes her head slowly as she continues to walk away. When she turns her attention away from you, she gives a little wave to whomever is approaching beyond your view. Her other hand gives you a little wave behind her back. You also notice that she adds a little extra sway to her step, her own tail lashing back and forth playfully. Whether that is for you, or whomever is approaching you're not sure.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 21, 2019 6:27:37 GMT -5
Dahlia can't help but to smirk at her a bit, bringing her hand up to her mouth as she giggles. She finally steps away from the theater door, deciding she'll need to scout out the area more thoroughly before making a move.
Sticking to the shadows, she follows behind the woman slightly, curious to see who's approaching her.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 21, 2019 18:37:03 GMT -5
You move behind the archways skulking from place to place. It’s easy to follow the woman’s path as the Tiefling woman draws attention wherever she goes. She had waved at yet another trio of guards. She stops to chat with them briefly, before moving along. The trip of guards watch her go. Some friendly banter is shared between them, and though you can’t hear their comments you’re sure you can fill in the blanks. She continues down the road and turns to the right. You think you might be able to catch up to her by crossing through the theater property to the next street.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 23, 2019 11:58:59 GMT -5
Dahlia decides to go on a little detour, finding herself way too curious about this other tiefling. She sticks to the shadows as she takes the short cut, not wanting to come across as creepy. It's not very often where she finds someone like herself and it's a little too exciting for her.
13 + 6 = 19 stealth
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 23, 2019 17:59:52 GMT -5
You skulk some more until you come to the next street, two sets of guards can be seen from your current vantage point as well as a couple wearing formal attire walking arm in arm. The one set of guards is only about twenty feet to your left, but they're walking away from you. The other set of guards have stopped to chat under the shade of a large hedge. They make a point to look around, but it's pretty clear that they're taking a break. The couple is walking along the road, but facing your direction. Your quarry has continued straight, running parallel to your current position. You can continue straight on, but you will have to enter into another property to do so. This one looks to be a residence surrounded by lush flower gardens. It even has a small pond, with a bridge out to a tiny island with a bench.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 23, 2019 20:15:13 GMT -5
As she looks around at her surroundings, she decides to take her chances. Her curiousity is getting the better of her and she's clearly desperate to know more about another tiefling.
Dahlia calmly slips over to the residence and attempts to sneak in without anyone, inside or outside, noticing her.
9 + 6 = 15 stealth
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 23, 2019 21:07:44 GMT -5
Where before you moved from cover to cover, trying to stay to the shadows as much as possible. Now it's less of you skulking and more you quickly standing up and casually walking into the street in front of the couple. You even give them a little wave, to which they both smile and the man nods. You pause to adjust your dress, and check on the guards taking a break. None appear to be looking, and the couple is now past. The other guards are slowing, looking like they're about to turn right to follow the other Tiefling. You dart across the property as quickly as possible, a gardener steps out from behind a bush as you jog across the property. He takes one look at you, nods and gets back to work. You're dressed well enough that he doesn't want to say anything to you. You have been noticed however, and that might not be a good thing while you're stalking someone through the High District and trespassing. You reach the next street, and see the Tiefling woman enter into a building down the road a ways. There is a sign, but you can't read it from this angle.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 24, 2019 11:07:45 GMT -5
As she runs across the yard, she makes sure to avoid stepping in any flowers or plants, trying to make it seem that she wasn't even here in the first place. Though, she does give the gardener a friendly smile as she darts past them.
When she reaches the other street, she takes a moment to catch her breath and adjust her dress and hair. She then calmly moves towards the building, trying to get a glimpse at the sign before she goes in.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 24, 2019 12:50:15 GMT -5
You approach the two story building, unadorned except for the sign which reads, “Duke of Reuben” in elaborate cursive. The windows are blocked with thick curtains, and the door is composed of thick oak. You try the door, and it is unlocked. Entering inside you find yourself in a short hallway, about ten feet long that ends in another door. When you enter this second door, you smell a mixture of sauces and meats. To your left there is a dinning room consisting of a collection of private booths. A man wearing a tuxedo and a monocle, a white towel draped over his arm approaches. “Welcome to the Duke of Reuben. How may I be of assistance?” Butler Man
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 26, 2019 14:59:36 GMT -5
She seems surprised as she walks in but it quickly fades as she takes in the scents. It's been so long since she's had an elaborate meal, and she suddenly misses some if the home cooking from her youth. She remembers how her aunt would spend her coin to make sure all of the performers she travelled with had full, happy bellies and it makes Dahlia a little homesick.
As the server approaches her, she gives him a faint smile, brushing the front of her dress down slightly. She also tries to peer past him to see if she can spot the tiefling woman.
"I was just in the neighbourhood when I smelled the delicious food coming from this building. I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about this place?" She asks that with a sweet smile, still trying to decide if she'll get a seat or not.
Perception: 11+1=12
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 27, 2019 7:12:12 GMT -5
The room is made up of thick oak benches with high backs, and wide side panels. Each booth is round, with a little curtain hung across the entrance to obscure the view into the booth. Two of those curtains are drawn now, while the other four are open. The walls are made of oak paneling too, but because each piece of oak is stained to blend in well with the rest it fits. If not for the stain, this place would be an eyesore of epic proportions. Unfortunately because this is private dining, you're unable to locate the Tiefling woman.
The man with the monocle looks... offended? "Am I to assume then that you do not have a reservation?" He extends his arm, gesturing toward the door as he continues, "The Duke of Reuben is not a lunch wagon that you just walk up to whenever you feel like it." He says with a remarkable amount of sass, without actually saying anything sassy. As your being escorted to the door, another voice calls out, "I apologize Jeeves. She is meeting me for lunch." Jeeves raises an eyebrow, but bows toward the voice. Turning back to you, he is all humble servitude once again, "Quite. Right this way Mistress." He leads you to a booth, where you find the source of the voice to be the Tiefling woman. On the table is a mouth watering sandwich, fresh bread loaded down with choice meats and savoury sauce. A high stemmed glass is filled half way with a deep red fine wine that matches her skin tone.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on May 6, 2019 9:38:08 GMT -5
When Dahlia spots the woman, she can't help but to smile at her, seeming pleased to have found her again. Her smile quickly fades though as she realizes that she's been caught following her. A soft, embrassed chuckle leaves her.
"Oh dear... I realize what this might look like. I must apologize, I get a little too excited to see other people like myself out and about" Another nervous giggle escapes her as she picks and fiddles with one of the napkins on the table. Her tail quickly curls around her thigh and squeezes it tightly, trying to ground herself a bit after this.
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 7, 2019 7:10:24 GMT -5
She picks up a skewer that lances it's way through a coin cut pickle, the edges of the cut are scalloped by hand with incredible precision. She first uses the skewer to point to the seat opposite her, then she places the pickle between her teeth and slowly slides the pickle off the skewer. Even with nothing overly sexual about action, something about the way she's looking at you and the way she's moving her lips makes you swallow hard and your pulse quicken. She finishes chewing up the pickle without taking her eyes off yours, and you can't help but feel like the two of you are the only two people in existence. When you can no longer take the focused attention of her gaze, you glance down and find a second glass of fine red wine, and a sandwich similar to the one she has before her. Glancing back up she waves a hand toward the food to indicate that you should eat. Assuming you do, she doesn't say a word throughout the entire meal. Your mind races with the implications of her silence, first to dark corners: Is this a last meal? Will you take the High Dive for stalking this woman? Then in an effort to calm yourself: Perhaps she's a mute? If she's unable to speak, that would make so much sense. Your mind wanders from here to there and back again, and the longer she stays silent the farther afield your mind goes.
You take a quick gulp of wine to sooth your nerves. Fine does not do the wine justice, every glass you've ever drank before this moment is put to shame by what has been set before you. The sip was a glorious abandon of red and black stone fruit. Such a dazzling, heady array of cherry, plum, and juicy blackberries. Gossamer layers of dried rose petals and spring meadow flowers coupled with some subtle earth and spice. So pure and opulent with plentiful chewy tannins and that balance! Such finesse in this elegant wine. You hold the wine in your mouth for almost a minute just to let that flavour sink in, and when you finally swallow you can feel the warmth of the liquid coat your insides. For several minutes after you could point out exactly where the wine has traveled inside you, and the aftertaste is almost as good as the initial taste. The sandwich consists of a mix of corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut and dressing. It reminds you in the most distant terms of a pastrami or corned beef on rye, but the quality of the meat and the layers of flavour in the sauce is far superior. You feel like this sandwich is a mix of corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut & love songs, and like the wine it is by far the tastiest sandwich you've ever eaten.
After first being stunned by the Tiefling woman's presence, then the taste of the wine, and then the quality of the sandwich you find yourself in a bit of a daze. You realize that the sandwich dishes are gone, and there is only a single sip of wine left in either of your glasses. The woman finally breaks the silence with a single word, "Dakaria." She says leaning forward against the table, and gesturing to herself which draws your attention to her modest cleavage. Once you've given a name, she continues, "It looks like you trespassed across someone's property, while stalking me across the High District." Her steeples her fingers, the smile that she's had the entire meal melting away to a thin line. She leaves you stammering with images of water crashing against rocks rushing up to meet you as the wind screams past your ears. Abruptly she laughs, a musical sound, "The look on your face, I was afraid you swallowed your tongue." You feel something patting your knee, and with her fingers still steepled above the table it must be her tail.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on May 16, 2019 13:25:39 GMT -5
As Dahlia takes a seat at the table, she swallows her worries. She's used to playing it straight in situations like this, so she'd good at keeping her nerves to herself.
She stays quiet as well as their meal continues, her eyes darting to the various escape routes she could take out of the building. Back out the front door, through a window, hell she could probably dart through the kitchen if need be. But her eyes always find their way back to the woman, feeling a little too curious to stop herself. Well, if she's going to go, she'd rather spend her time with someone as goregous as this. It softens the blow a bit.
As the woman starts to talk, Dahlia's eyes dart down to her chest before looking back up to her face with a nod. She somehow goes paler as she realizes the tiefling lady saw her.
"Oh- You have to understand- I-" Before she finishes, the lady starts to laugh and she clicks her jaw back together. She also jumps as she feels the tail on her leg and it takes her a moment to relax again.
"My dear, you mustn't scare me like that!" Dahlia giggles out, shaking her head a bit "Oh you're devious... I thought for moment that I was in trouble!"
She reaches for her glass, shaking her head again with a sigh. "You must forgive me though. I try not to make it habit to follow people, but it's not very often I get to see someone like myself."
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 17, 2019 10:38:56 GMT -5
Dalaroa's smile only broadens as your eyes return from their dip down into the valley between her breasts. She purses her lips and raises an eyebrow slightly. You're not sure if she's annoyed that she caught you sneaking a peek, or if she'as silently asking you if you like what you saw. Her expression could go either way. "You misunderstand My Dear" She says my dear exactly the way you did, "You are in trouble." She adds emphasis to the word are there. "Just because I did not call the guard on you, doesn't mean you are safe." Her smile changes here, loosing the friendliness. It turns wolfish, and you begin to feel a bit like a sheep. "Our shared heritage is one point in your favour." She offers, her head bouncing back and forth slightly as if weighting something in her mind. Her eyes drop to yours, and her stare is intense, "So tell me about yourself, and make it entertaining enough to tip the scales." The pressure on your knee slides down your leg to trace the muscle of your calf. The movement is slow and delicate like a caress, but the tip of her tail is sharp so it becomes a mixture of pleasure and pain. Much like the woman herself at this point.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on May 24, 2019 17:58:34 GMT -5
Dahlia wets her lips slightly as she watches the woman, keeping her eyes on her in a careful way. She gently taps her fingers on the table and takes a deep breath.
"If you really want to know, I can tell you. But I'm afraid this isn't exactly what I'd call a happy story" She gives the woman across from her a serious look before she continues.
"I was born into a human family, but unfortunately, they weren't the most accepting of tieflings, as you can imagine. They berated me at every chance they got, told me I was a horrid, vile creature of a devil."
Dahlia pauses, laughing softly at that, but it sounds bitter and hurt.
"It didn't take them long to pass me off to another relative, and thankfully I was taken in by a distant aunt I had. I travelled with her and her group of dancers for most of my young life, I learned everything I know from them. They all made me feel so accepted and beautiful... But I knew I had to make my own path one day, so I did"
She tugs her nail into the table for a second, looking like she's debating on saying more. After a moment, she seems to find the right words.
"On my own, I found someone... Someone who thought I was wonderful and gifted. He truly made me feel loved" Dahlia can't help but to smile at that memory, her cheeks flushing to a pinkish color for a moment.
"And I gave him the same amount of love back, or I tried too. He was just too Sweet, I don't think I could have ever caught up to him. He accepted me and all my faults... But I couldn't do the same. I found out he was lying to me about himself and out of fear and shock, I fled"
She sighs again, peering down in silence. She doesn't look comfortable with continuing.
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 24, 2019 18:32:06 GMT -5
Dalaroa smiles at the mention of a story, "I would like to hear your story." She says simply, "Sometimes a person is formed by the joyous moments in their life, and other times the sad moments make up who you become." She leans back, laying her hands flat on the table before her. She still wears the wolfish smile, and her intense gaze is locked on you. For better or for worse you have Dalaroa's undivided attention. She nods along at the first part of your story, understanding the racism that goes along with the supposed taint in your shared bloodline. Her smile changes back to friendly as you speak about being accepted, and made to feel beautiful. Her eyes flick over to your nails digging into the wood, and you ease up before continuing your story.
When you finally drop your gaze, and end your story she speaks up, "Your story and my own start out quite similarly, but where you found acceptance, kindness and love I found desperation, anger and hate." You glance up, and find a smile on her lips, "My powers first manifested the day I..." She hesitates here, trying to find the right way to say something, "Became a woman." She finishes, not really wanting to talk about her first menstrual cycle with a complete stranger over lunch. "All of a sudden when I wanted someone to do something, or stop doing something they would..." She pauses a moment, and then adds reluctantly, "Sometimes." She shrugs before continuing, "Being able to charm a person is all well and good, and if that is all that I learned to do things would have been different." She fans out the fingers of one hand, and begins to distract herself by looking carefully at her nails before continuing once more, "One day a boy kissed me, without my permission." Her smile fades, her lips pressing together to make a thin line, "When I pushed him away, he shouted at me. Called me vile-blood. Implied that I was lucky that anyone even wanted to kiss me at all. He tried again, and I started to scream. He covered my mouth with his hand." Her voice is picking up in intensity, her tone turning more and more angry, but her volume is pitched so low you have to lean forward to hear her, "I pushed him back, and a cone of flames erupted from my fingers. He was burnt quite badly, and a tree was set ablaze. So I fled, knowing that when people found out what I had done they would hurt me, or worse. I fled, and kept on fleeing until I ended up here." She gestures to the booth around herself, but you know there is a lot of story missing between where she ended off and where she is sitting now. At some point during her story her tail left you. That story and the intimacy of contact do not mesh well. She falls silent, studying you with her eyes.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on May 24, 2019 18:41:16 GMT -5
Dahlia listens careful to Dalaroa as she tells her story, slowly nodding to show that she is listening to her. She keeps her eyes on her the entire time.
As she goes quiet again, Dahlia reaches across the table to hold her hand in a comforting manner.
"Perhaps we have more in common than originally thought, darling. I think we haven't told all our stories to each other, but I hold no cruelty towards you for that. Thank you for opening up to me... I know how hard it is to do such a thing"
She gives Dalaroa's hand a gentle squeeze, sounding genuine as she says that. She even gives her a little smile.
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 24, 2019 19:09:34 GMT -5
She glances down at your hand on hers, and back up to your face. She smiles again, back to the friendly one that she started with. She doesn't hold your hand, but she also doesn't pull hers away, "As I said, sometimes a person is formed by the joyous moments in their life, and other times the sad moments make up who you become. My story made me who I am today, and I wouldn't change a thing about it. Not even the terrible things." Her eyes grow darker there, which is a feat given their colouring. You feel like she has worse stories about her past hiding behind those eyes, but she doesn't offer them up at this time. "You've managed to tip the scales Dahlia." She says, sliding herself out of the bench to stand at the end of the table, "This has been entertaining enough, but I must return to work now." She dumps out a handful of coins into her hand and leaves three stacks of five Gold Phoenix sitting on the table. "Perhaps we will meet again. Where are you staying in the city?"
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Post by kitteninaboxx on May 24, 2019 19:42:26 GMT -5
Dahlia smiles at her again, seeming pleased with her response. She gives her a little nod as she watches her stand.
" Well, if you'd like to come talk to me again, I'm say at the Wayfarer's Rest and I'm even performing there if you wish to catch a performance. I'd love to be able to see you again" She says that with a tone of truth to her voice, feeling oddly relaxing around this other tiefling.
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Post by DM-Delfon on May 28, 2019 20:11:12 GMT -5
“Old Borris runs a fine establishment. I’m sure you will enjoy your stay there.” She smiles again, her tail darting under your chin to tilt your head up a little, “Until we meet again, Dahlia.” She winks then, the blackness of her still open eye suggesting things to come, or perhaps that was wishful thinking on your part. She makes her way out of the Duke of Rubin, and though you hate to see her go, you are definitely enjoying watching her leave.
The owner comes by the table, and clears the coinage in a smooth motion. He waits with damp cloth in hand. He stands close enough to make his intention to clean your table known, but far enough back that you can easily leave.
Where to now?
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Jun 1, 2019 21:08:09 GMT -5
Dahlia smiles and waves as she watches her new friend go, sighing softly as she already misses the company.
As the owner makes their way over, she carefully steps aside, making her way to the door. Dahlia takes a little walk around the surrounding area, noting to herself that she should come back here when she's more prepared to do an actually heist.
She is going to leave the high district and make her way back to the commercial area, going to scout out some shops to steal from.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jun 1, 2019 21:24:58 GMT -5
You take another way back to the High Gate, and are once again struck by how vastly different it is in the High District. You’re forced to pause outside of an estate as the gates are thrown open and a half dozen armoured men on barded horses trot out. Behind them is the most sturdy wagon you’ve ever seen. The driver is armoured, and has a loaded heavy crossbow across his knees. Three other crossbowman ride on top of the wagon, and another half dozen horsemen ride behind. Just when you thought the precession was done another two riders emerge, one male and one female. Both are wearing robes and traveling attire, and both give off an aura of spellcaster.
Assuming you don’t want to interfere with that lot, you make your way toward the High Gate once more. About fifty feet from the gate you become aware that it’s shift change. Guardsman Rupert is talking to another guard that was not there when you went through before. You can’t see where that racist bastard is, but the other guards are making their way into the Commercial District.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Jun 3, 2019 17:32:46 GMT -5
Dahlia keeps her head down as the wagon passes her, not really feeling like interfering with another spell caster today. She keeps a close eye on them though, just making sure that she can avoid them. She just moves to the gate once it passes.
She gives Rupert a small nod as she walks out, spotting the guards walking away. She acts nonchalant as she walks away, but soon as she's out of sight, she's going to look for that guard who gave her trouble.
14 + 1 = 16 perception check
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jun 3, 2019 17:51:12 GMT -5
You reach the gate, and receive no more than a cursory glance from the new guards stationed there. Guardsman Rupert smiles when he sees you, and waits for you to reach him, "I hope you had a good time in the High District. Did you get to see everything you wanted to see?" He walks with you along High Street for a few streets chatting idly about this and that. At the second street, he smiles and gestures down the smaller side street with a thumb over his shoulder, "This is my turn I'm afraid. Have a lovely evening." He turns, and makes his way away down the street indicated. Ever since you passed through the gate you've maintained friendly banter with Guardsman Rupert, but your main attention has been focused on finding Guardsman Randell. Just as Rupert separates from you, you catch a glimpse of him turning down a street two roads ahead.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Jun 11, 2019 18:20:25 GMT -5
As she walks with Rupert, she gives him a sweet smile, looking rather pleased.
"I did actually.. I think I'll be returning there when I find some time" Dahlia keeps smiling as she says that, recalling the tiefling woman who she shared a meal with. It's comforting to know there are more of her kind here.
She gives Rupert a little polite wave as he walks off, quickly turning her attention back to Randell. She's lucky she had the cover with Rupert, but now, she can put her plan into motion. She carefully follows behind him at a distance, making sure to act casual and calm while she keeps a close eye on where he goes.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jun 11, 2019 18:47:10 GMT -5
You follow behind Randell as he makes his way down the angled streets of Clifton. He pauses briefly to chat up an attractive woman selling apples by the side of the road. She giggles and though you can't hear what is being said from your safe distance, you can tell that Randell is actually able to turn on the charm when the mood strikes him. He ends up buying a couple apples, one of which he eats as he walks. A little ways off, he tosses the half eaten apple into an alley. Sticking the second apple into his pocket for later. Randell reaches River Road and turns left briefly passing out of sight. When you round the corner you see that he has stopped a Half-Orc, and is clearly hassling him. The Half-Orc looks like he wants to tear Randell's head off, but after a few tense moments the pair separate. You follow him almost to the wall of the city before he turns into the walkway of a house across the road from the river itself. Not a bad neighborhood for someone on a guards wages.
What's your plan now Dahlia?
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Jun 11, 2019 19:10:53 GMT -5
She immediately frowns as she watches him go about his business, scoffing in disgust as she watches him throw away half-eaten food. Not only is he a complete asshole, he's wasteful too. That just makes Dahlia dislike him more.
She's quick to take note of where his house is, deciding she won't approach it just yet. If she wants to break in and make his life miserable, she'll have to do it when no one's there.
So, instead, she decides to take a little detour to find that half-orc gentleman again, just to see if he has any other information and if this is a regular occurrence for him.
Investigation check = 13
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