Czlaplon Quest

[TarlimanJoppos]

You don't see Mekhitar again until you all gather in the common room to settle your tab and proceed to Athenar's Fancy for boarding. When you do, he's refreshed and in much higher spirits, although he fusses over everybody until you're all ready to scream. Adjusting the drape of a sleeve here, tucking in a loose thread there, your hair could use a brush, didn't you polish your boots? He even frets over Gudrun, despite her flatly telling him to leave her alone.

"Entrances set the tone for the entire performance!" he tells her exasperatedly.

"I am not a performer," she growls.

"You're telling me!" he says. "This is why you listen to Uncle Mekhitar. The passengers will be watching when we arrive. We either make a grand entrance or we don't go at all! Have you got that?" He glares up at her challengingly, and, amazingly, it's Gudrun who blinks first.

"Fine," she says, and lets him make one more adjustment to the front of her robes before turning away and leaving the inn.

The rest of you have had time to grow nervous, and then bored. There's only so much busy work and packing up you can do, and then you're in that hurry-up-and-wait mode that adepts and soldiers both must endure. Garsevan has to pay extra to get his mess cleaned up. He brought in an old packing crate and was using it as a knife-throwing target, leaving splinters all over the floor. Kolbeinn spent the last candlemark or so just staring off into space, occasionally his lips moving and a finger tracing something in the air. Shaliko had taken up a station at the bar, watching the stairs and the front door like a cat at a mousehole.

But finally it's time. You shoulder your bags, suffer one final round of adjustments to your clothing by Mekhitar, fussing over you like actors about to go on stage, and head out. Now to get across the city and to the north docks with your finery unsullied. Watch out for people cleaning fish at the water's edge. Bad enough to step in discarded offal, worse to slip in it and end up either dirty or wet, depending on where you fall.

[arcomniflash]

I sling my bag over my shoulder and proceed to the ship. I don't really know a thing about making grand entrances, so I'll keep my head down and at least make sure that I don't embarrass myself by falling over on the way there. It's tough to keep yourself neat and tidy, and it's something I've never really had to give much thought to before, so just avoiding bumping into anyone and stepping on dry patches should be enough. "Perhaps we could take a skiff to the docks, that might be easier..."

[Kasbak]

If Kolbeinn doesn't mind, I'll ride along on his shoulder. Gudrun would provide the best view being the tallest, but her personality isn't one I'd like to stay close to for long. And few others can match that even footed grace that just seems to come naturally to Elves.

As for taking a skiff, "I suppose that depends on if we want to appear to be riding in style or doing a parade march. Not really a topic I'm qualified to weigh in on. What say you, oh fancy-man?" That should obviously be addressed to Mekhitar. Perhaps a bit taunting, but I have a feeling he'll take it more as a compliment.

Either way, when we arrive, I'll make sure to fly around for our entrance. Nothing too fancy, just some weaving in and out to give me some more exposure and flair. Hopefully that will help distract a bit from those less inclined to show off and keep Mekhitar appeased.

[TarlimanJoppos]

"Hauling all of us by canalboat will take three skiffs," Mekhitar replies to Alston. "Are you springing for that?"

[Kasbak]

I will in turn point my gaze to Isaac, since it was his idea. I'm riding either way, so it's not important to me.

[arcomniflash]

"Depends on how much it costs...I don't mind just walking there, personally." I'll cast a glance down the street. "We'll just have to watch our footing, I suppose."

[TarlimanJoppos]

Isaac, make a DEX test.

[arcomniflash]

Rolled a 10 on a d12.

[TarlimanJoppos]

Isaac, as he remarks about watching his footing, puts a boot down on a bit of fish guts. His foot slides out from under him. He does a bit of a dance, recovers his balance, and avoids going into the canal. Garsevan golf-claps.

You make it to Athanar's Fancy without further incident, although Mekhitar does comment, as you round the corner to the dock, "Save the dancing for this evening, Isaac."

<opportunity for character interaction before I do the description of the riverboat>

[Kasbak]

I'll permit myself a small chuckle to Isaac's circumstance, but I won't actually say anything on it. Not eveyone can fly, and some aren't appreciative of having its advantages pointed out. Besides, I'm primarily glad that he's not hurt and not soiled.

When I take off to start flying around, I'll first head closer to Mekhitar. "So, any last minute advice for making a grand entrance now that you can see how the stage is set?" He may be able to tell that I have to put just a bit of effort into forming the metaphor, since it's not really terms I'm used to. However, shaping my words into a form that is more familiar to the target often helps get them to give direct responses quicker.