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Post by redcoat on Feb 28, 2023 7:07:14 GMT -5
The smithy blinked at Porter's words, confused by them. 'Nicky's question, however, was much easier to answer.
"Actually a demon? Seems unlikely, miss. If there is a threat at the gates though, the guards will take care of it before it can get even close to breaching." He answered proudly, shaking his head at the scene.
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Post by Ancelas on Feb 28, 2023 19:20:06 GMT -5
"Good on them," Tobias agreed, pleased at Pheuse's correction - a little misunderstanding to prompt a correction helped with the image of a few nondescript commoners drawn by the attention at the gates.
"Must be a pain for anyone with business outside the walls," he continued. "How're those inside supposed to make their way out? Mighty big inconvenience the Mourners are causing for people with real business to get to."
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Feb 28, 2023 21:25:24 GMT -5
Pheuse furrowed his brow lightly in confusion in reaction to Porter's flatly delivered words. He did not respond to Porter's softer question of him. He was unsure of how to proceed without drawing undue attention or without leaving the others.
He continued to just be small and didn't do anything to draw more attention to himself. He needed to let Tobias and Neuks do whatever they were going to do.
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Post by vandalaria on Mar 3, 2023 16:42:54 GMT -5
Porter took a few more moments of looking through the gate, hearing the cries coming from the other side of the wall. Their hands clenched in a tight ball hidden under the billowing folds of their cloak, with just a slight whine of tension to give it away. An unaccustomed anger passed through them almost before they'd realized what they were feeling. After a moment their gaze dropped to the cobblestones paving the street, willing themself to be as unobtrusive as possible unless and until Pheuse indicated he do otherwise.
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Post by resonance on Mar 6, 2023 3:39:13 GMT -5
Neuks picked up on Tobias's thread and added, "and I was coming down to check on how easily supplies moved in and out of the city... well that is a shame if the carts get shut out all the time, too."
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Post by redcoat on Mar 12, 2023 10:45:18 GMT -5
"Oh, that shouldn't trouble you too much, Miss. Most goods come and go by the North road, or the rail. I wouldn't recommend moving product through this gate- at least, not yet. There's some talks and plans for cleaning it up, but nothing with any teeth yet."
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Post by Ancelas on Mar 14, 2023 15:10:20 GMT -5
Tobias rubbed his jaw to mask the clenching and unclenching of his teeth. Heavily guarded gate, borderline riot situation. Gate was closed and secured. How to get through? Fighting was a silly option. Finding a portion of the wall to climb up and over... possible, but challenging. Impersonating an officer? He hadn't been in town long enough to build up enough knowledge to pull it off. A distraction could draw attention away from the gate - but they would still need to get through.
Hm.
"Pity, that. Well, good luck to the guards, I suppose." He stepped back, dropping out of the man's direct line of sight so he could motion to the others with his head toward a nearby alleyway - hanging around and gawking at the entrance would let them blend in while working out some kind of plan.
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Mar 15, 2023 9:58:57 GMT -5
Pheuse simply watched and listened and began moving once Tobias made the gesture. If it were just him and Porter, then he could possibly come up with some shenanigans that could get them by. Whether it was noticed or not might not matter for that.
He remained wordless while they all gathered off to the alley. Definitely best for him only to offer words if he could add something.
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Post by vandalaria on Mar 17, 2023 17:52:08 GMT -5
As they all withdraw, Porter follows to the alley. Their step -- and their mood -- definitely lighten as they are away from the unpleasantness of the conversation. The alley is preferable.
"My apologies for my behavior," they begin, "I forgot myself entirely. I have been nostalgic of late and the desperate state of the refugees is clearly affecting me. Still, there is no excuse for it." They make an approximation of straightening a jacket, their fingers not affecting the plates of their arms but the gesture soothing nonetheless. "Perhaps, however, the guards share the same prejudices as that individual." A quick hand motion flicks away a bit of imperceptible dust, or maybe just the last remnants of that encounter. "They may simply view this as a nuisance and welcome intervention, especially if they have some justification for letting us through." Feeling finally a bit back in order, they turn their gaze up from their adjustments to the group, "I may not have mentioned, but my position in the House also confers with it a nominal rank." |
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Post by resonance on Mar 20, 2023 15:16:54 GMT -5
"Oh, well, that's a relief," Neuks smiled at the man. "Maybe I'll go check out the North road then. Thanks for that chat!" She gave him a little wave and a wink as she tried to blend in with the crowd and meet back up with the group.
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Post by Ancelas on Mar 22, 2023 6:33:24 GMT -5
Tobias waited for everyone to gather before speaking. "Don't apologize for your anger," he said quietly to Porter. "Your anger is your strength. It's how you use it that matters." He looked toward the gates, frowning.
"We may be able to leverage your rank to get through the gates. Or a sallyport, or... something. Guards generally balk at interfering in the business of a Great House." Exhaling slowly, he looked around at the group. "I can't ask you to try and push through this, though. If my sister's on the other side of those walls, then I have to find her - but you don't She's just a stranger to you all."
You big softy.
Shut up.
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Mar 22, 2023 16:28:55 GMT -5
Pheuse gave an acknowledging nod to Porter after Tobias responded. He didn't have words to better comfort Porter.
He sighed softly and climbed up Neuks in order to not have to get a nosebleed looking up at the giants. "I know this is hard to understand, but some people just want to help. And your sister certainly needs help." He looked over to Neuks and then Porter before looking back to Tobias.
"We were all brought together by different circumstances and found a common thread between us all. And then we find that part of that thread is actually your sister." He straightened his garments. ((The Picard Maneuver))
"So you'll need to face it that we're altruistic enough to want to find and help your sister in spite of the minor setbacks. And besides ... if there are demons it just connects with our train trip and needs to be taken care of because others are suffering that don't need to."
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Post by vandalaria on Mar 25, 2023 17:32:19 GMT -5
Porter bows their head in gratitude for their understanding. "Understandable, perhaps. We have all been through our ordeals." It wasn't clear whether they were referring to the trauma of war or more recent events, but given the trigger it's more likely the former. "That said, with all due respect, Master Tobias, please do not be ridiculous." It wasn't exactly an admonishment -- it was said more kindly than that. "In addition to what Master Pheuse has said, she is apparently not entirely a stranger to me."
He continues, hands clasping behind his back as he does, "And as I understand, she has also been extended some degree of protection and courtesy by the house?" Porter glances at Pheuse questioningly. They may be overstepping this a bit, but they think they could collectively justify this -- they just weren't sure the full extent that 'protection' could legitimately cover. "...after all, she did see to the safe return of a damaged warforged to the House. Between my rank and this reason for our involvement, I see no reason that we shouldn't be able to request immediate passage."
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Post by resonance on Mar 26, 2023 9:11:07 GMT -5
Neuks joined the group after disengaging with the blacksmith, just in time to hear Porter. "We're going to go rescue Si from beyond the gates? Wonderful! I'd hate for her to be trapped out there if there are any more of those things we saw on the train."
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Post by Ancelas on Mar 31, 2023 8:15:31 GMT -5
Tobias sighed softly. A part of him saw the party's easy willingness to help him as a sign of confusing weakness, but the years since the Last War ended had taught him that there was kindness in the world, and good people willing to go out of their way for others. Even if they made him suspicious. And this party had already earned his respect.
Most of them.
Shush, you.
"Alright," he said slowly. "So let's talk options, then. Leveraging Pheuse and Porter's connection to Great House could be helpful in getting us through in a reasonable way. If the riot is caused by demons... maybe we can use the story that we require something from outside of the city for the House, and we're willing to deal with whatever is spurring the riot as a gesture of good faith toward the city?"
That's remarkably straightforward for you.
Look at them. Do you really expect them to sneak past the guards, scale the wall, and slip through the outer slums completely unnoticed?
...Fair point...
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