FE 18.6

[3/16/2018 8:08:14 PM] *** Canto has renamed this conversation to "Team Operation Mongoose Robot" ***

[3/16/2018 8:10:42 PM] Daneel: So can we at least find out where his house is and check it out, then make a plan?

[3/16/2018 8:11:14 PM] Canto: It's not hard to find out --his house will probably be around the Embassies in the High Ward -you probably both know where to go.

[3/16/2018 8:11:59 PM] Kite: No.

[3/16/2018 8:12:06 PM] Kite: I was going to attempt to find Answorn.

[3/16/2018 8:13:00 PM] Daneel: Than let’s do that.

[3/16/2018 8:13:15 PM] Kite: I am not entirely certain where he went.

[3/16/2018 8:13:26 PM] *** Kite does head out the door, though, to see if she can spot him. ***

[3/16/2018 8:13:41 PM] *** Daneel will head out with Kite. ***

[3/16/2018 8:13:43 PM] Canto: Gimme perception checks, you two.

[3/16/2018 8:14:08 PM] Daneel: (( 5 ))

[3/16/2018 8:14:08 PM] Kite: ((16!))

[3/16/2018 8:15:29 PM] Kite: Ah, I see him.

[3/16/2018 8:15:56 PM] *** Kite heads over to a fence post and addresses the cat on it. "I was hoping to talk to you. ... also, it is very tempting to pet you in this form." ***

[3/16/2018 8:16:33 PM] *** Daneel follows Kite to the fence post. ***

[3/16/2018 8:17:12 PM] Canto: The cat hops down and becomes Answorn. ".... is it why half your group left, let by Ander in a huff, followed by an Utlan-Tari agent?"

[3/16/2018 8:17:42 PM] Daneel: ... a what agent?

[3/16/2018 8:17:54 PM] Canto: Roll Arcana.

[3/16/2018 8:18:21 PM] Kite: I did attempt to warn them.

[3/16/2018 8:18:28 PM] Kite: ((14.))

[3/16/2018 8:18:41 PM] Daneel: (( 8))

[3/16/2018 8:21:11 PM] Kite: They are part of the Church of Bahamut--a corporate arm.

[3/16/2018 8:24:21 PM] Canto: Answorn:  So why are you here?

[3/16/2018 8:26:20 PM] Kite: We were not certain what to do next.

[3/16/2018 8:29:18 PM] Canto: Answorn looks at Kite and Daneel. "Still trying to rescue Vydea is your plan, right?"

[3/16/2018 8:30:02 PM] Kite: No.

[3/16/2018 8:30:31 PM] *** Daneel will look at Kite “ do we have a plan then?” ***

[3/16/2018 8:30:32 PM] Kite: My "plan" was to remain behind and prepare to raise the funds to resurrect Ander and Vashti if the stranger they are bringing along with them gets them killed.

[3/16/2018 8:31:40 PM] Daneel: Or we could go and try to prevent that from happening.

[3/16/2018 8:32:08 PM] Daneel: What has you so opposed to any attempt to rescue Vydea?

[3/16/2018 8:32:12 PM] Kite: Clearly you wish to do so. Go ahead; you have my word I will not contact the guards.

[3/16/2018 8:32:29 PM] Kite: I am not opposed to doing so. I am opposed to putting the entire group at risk.

[3/16/2018 8:32:47 PM] Kite: By trusting someone I know to have ulterior motives that were not stated.

[3/16/2018 8:34:58 PM] Canto: Answorn:  No arguments here. I've dealt with agents before -- they're often too secret for their own good. I recognized her -- assumed she was there to talk to Canto or something.

[3/16/2018 8:35:35 PM] Kite: I should have just asked her outright what her ulterior motives were, but there was some need for haste.

[3/16/2018 8:36:43 PM] Canto: Answorn:  ... all right, come with me, you two.

[3/16/2018 8:36:55 PM] Kite: To?

[3/16/2018 8:37:28 PM] Canto: Answorn:  Carrick's been asking to talk to you anyway, he might have some insight on infiltration.

[3/16/2018 8:38:36 PM] Daneel: That’s actually a good idea.

[3/16/2018 8:38:54 PM] Kite: Why would it be needed? The others are likely accomplishing it.

[3/16/2018 8:39:26 PM] Canto: Answorn:  Being thorough never hurts.

[3/16/2018 8:39:34 PM] Daneel: Then we find out other information from him.

[3/16/2018 8:39:40 PM] Canto: Answorn:  And again, he's been asking for you, Kite.

[3/16/2018 8:39:59 PM] *** Kite nods. "Very well." ***

[3/16/2018 8:42:22 PM] Canto: He takes you through a maze of alleys to a rather shabby, abandoned storefront, all boarded up.

[3/16/2018 8:43:38 PM] *** Kite follows quietly. ***

[3/16/2018 8:44:42 PM] Canto: Inside, you find a very shabby looking Carrick, stubbly and unkempt! He's sitting at a table, going through stacks of documents, apparently, marking them as he goes. "I say, Answorn, did you bring -- "

[3/16/2018 8:45:33 PM] Canto: He looks up and sees Kite! He gets to his feet very quickly, causing his chair to fall to the floor, and runs a hand through his greasy hair to straighten it. "Oh!  Hello, paladin.  It is agreeable to see you again."

[3/16/2018 8:45:39 PM] *** Kite eyes him. ***

[3/16/2018 8:46:10 PM] Kite: I find that surprising.

[3/16/2018 8:46:47 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Why? I was... a rat, I suppose, but you did rescue me from that infernal prison.

[3/16/2018 8:47:19 PM] Kite: True.

[3/16/2018 8:47:38 PM] Kite: I believe you owe Daneel an apology for eating part of his hat.

[3/16/2018 8:48:27 PM] Canto: Carrick looks at Daniel, as if noticed. "Oh, oh, yes, terribly sorry, my good fellow.  Once I'm out of this awful place, I will buy you as many hats as you wish as recompense.

[3/16/2018 8:50:34 PM] Daneel: It’s fine, looks like you have been keeping busy, what’s all the paperwork?

[3/16/2018 8:51:08 PM] Kite: Yes, Daneel seems to prefer his own hat.

[3/16/2018 8:51:09 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Ah, yes. This is all documentation of everything the imposter has done in my name.

[3/16/2018 8:51:58 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Including the smuggling of Misrulian Artifacts, Miss Kite. I understand that such operations have bedeviled you in the past, and I assure you that I have no part in them.

[3/16/2018 8:52:54 PM] Daneel: What about anything that would draw the attention of Utlan-Tari?

[3/16/2018 8:53:08 PM] Kite: Good.

[3/16/2018 8:55:00 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Utlan-Tari? I am ... nothing as far as I know. I know they have offices in the city, but I'm not sure what exactly they do. I do know that the imposter has spent a lot of my money on arcane components. Apparently ruined my banquet hall setting up... something.

[3/16/2018 9:02:08 PM] Kite: Interesting.

[3/16/2018 9:02:25 PM] Kite: Also, it is just Kite. There is no need for an honorific.

[3/16/2018 9:02:47 PM] Canto: Carrick:  ... You're a paladin, I should think there is some need of one.

[3/16/2018 9:03:55 PM] Kite: Technically, "sister" may be correct, but I have never much cared for it.

[3/16/2018 9:04:25 PM] Canto: Carrick:  ... well, as you wish, of course.

[3/16/2018 9:04:43 PM] Canto: Answorn:  I'll be right back.

[3/16/2018 9:04:51 PM | Edited 9:05:01 PM] Canto: He turns into a kitty and heads outside.

[3/16/2018 9:05:31 PM] Kite: That is a very useful skill.

[3/16/2018 9:06:44 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Have you seen the latest news?!

[3/16/2018 9:07:20 PM] Canto: He holds up the society pages of the newspaper. It takes about Lord Carrick and the Rannian Diplomatic Party being invited to dine with the Empress.

[3/16/2018 9:07:45 PM] Kite: That is not good.

[3/16/2018 9:07:57 PM] Canto: Carrick:  I have been serving here for five years, never once have I been invited to even meet the Empress!

[3/16/2018 9:08:18 PM] Kite: Likely you never brainwashed someone with powerful magic.

[3/16/2018 9:08:35 PM] Daneel: And now the imposter will. When is the dinner?

[3/16/2018 9:08:36 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Well, no, never had a knack for magic.

[3/16/2018 9:09:16 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Tonight, of course. Why, do you think the Imposter would try something untoward?

[3/16/2018 9:09:18 PM] Kite: And ethics?

[3/16/2018 9:10:30 PM] Daneel: I think that getting a Canto to be near the empress, the imposter would be foolish not to have something planned.

[3/16/2018 9:10:37 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Oh, yes, of course.

[3/16/2018 9:10:53 PM] *** Daneel will read the article for any details on location and time. ***

[3/16/2018 9:11:17 PM] Canto: Carrick:  If you cannot convince someone of something on your own merits without cheating, you don't deserve to have convinced them at all!

[3/16/2018 9:11:43 PM] Canto: It just says tonight, at the palace. It's the society pages, so it's more to give rich people something to gossip about than anything else.

[3/16/2018 9:12:38 PM] Kite: Have you been able to ascertain any pattern in the imposter's acts?

[3/16/2018 9:13:55 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Oh, yes. He's spending much of my money on artifacts and magic. Expending a lot of favors and goodwill I'd imagine, as well. He pulled out many stops to get this Key.

[3/16/2018 9:15:43 PM] Canto: Carrick:  He has also dismissed many of my old servants, and replaced them. With people loyal to him, I would presume.

[3/16/2018 9:16:18 PM] Kite: They may or may not be in on it.

[3/16/2018 9:17:26 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Do you have any idea who it could be that has replaced me?

[3/16/2018 9:18:08 PM] Kite: A doppleganger, demon or changeling would find it simplest.

[3/16/2018 9:19:56 PM] Canto: Carrick:  ... why though. I wasn't bad at my job.

[3/16/2018 9:20:08 PM] Canto: Carrick:  I wasn't wicked. Now everything thinks I am.

[3/16/2018 9:20:38 PM] Kite: Possibly. However... you seem not to have had many close friends, either.

[3/16/2018 9:21:14 PM] Daneel: What groups has the imposter been associating with the most?

[3/16/2018 9:21:45 PM] Canto: Carrick:  The Dusk Lily. And I show some records of dealings with a Mherit Corporation.

[3/16/2018 9:23:20 PM] Canto: Carrick:  He's been buying a lot of magical equipment from them.

[3/16/2018 9:24:11 PM] Kite: Mherit is Tiamat's corporate wing.

[3/16/2018 9:25:23 PM] Daneel: ... this just gets better and better.

[3/16/2018 9:26:25 PM] Kite: And now we have an agent of Bahamut.

[3/16/2018 9:27:10 PM] Daneel: And potentially a lot of magical security, and the group has no idea what they are getting into.

[3/16/2018 9:30:06 PM] Daneel: Side question Carrick, have these dinners ever been rescheduled or cancelled in the past?

[3/16/2018 9:30:32 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Oh, sure. It can happen for a host of reasons. She is the Empress, after all.

[3/16/2018 9:31:30 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Taken Ill, State Business, she's Deep in Prayer -- she's a Paladin, after all.

[3/16/2018 9:32:29 PM] Kite: It may well be an assassination or kidnapping attempt.

[3/16/2018 9:33:10 PM] Canto: Carrick:  It's the Empress though! Shouldn't she have all manner of magical guards and security?

[3/16/2018 9:34:00 PM] Daneel: And what if the imposter has a plan around all of it?

[3/16/2018 9:34:17 PM] Kite: Or simply has good luck.

[3/16/2018 9:34:21 PM] Canto: Carrick looks suddenly nervous! "But... the Empress."

[3/16/2018 9:35:16 PM] Kite: By a person wearing your face and using your name.

[3/16/2018 9:35:53 PM] Daneel: Which would make getting your life back basically impossible.

[3/16/2018 9:37:09 PM] Daneel: Answorn said he would be right back? Hasn’t it been a little too long?

[3/16/2018 9:37:25 PM] Kite: ... true.

[3/16/2018 9:37:29 PM] *** Kite heads out to look! ***

[3/16/2018 9:37:50 PM] *** Daneel follows Kite. ***

[3/16/2018 9:38:55 PM] Canto: You see Answorn across the street, giving a coin to a street urchin!

[3/16/2018 9:39:58 PM] *** Kite waves at him and goes back in. ***

[3/16/2018 9:41:08 PM] Canto: Carrick is now pacing back and forth!

[3/16/2018 9:41:37 PM] *** Daneel re enters as well. ***

[3/16/2018 9:42:02 PM] Daneel: Do you know of anything we could do that would cause the dinner to at least be rescheduled?

[3/16/2018 9:42:24 PM] Kite: ... could he simply not request it?

[3/16/2018 9:42:47 PM] Daneel: He is not himself right now.

[3/16/2018 9:43:02 PM] Canto: Answorn comes in. "What dinner?" Carrick thusts the paper into his hands.

[3/16/2018 9:44:33 PM] Daneel: The imposter meeting with the empress dinner. Which we all agree is a bad idea.

[3/16/2018 9:46:40 PM] Kite: Indeed.

[3/16/2018 9:49:40 PM] Canto: Answorn:  They're right. You have to cancel the dinner. We'll get you cleaned up, and I'll take you to the palace.

[3/16/2018 9:49:55 PM] Canto: He looks at Carrick.

[3/16/2018 9:50:52 PM] Daneel: To make that work we have to make sure the imposter is no where near the palace.

[3/16/2018 9:52:20 PM] Kite: That is true.

[3/16/2018 9:53:47 PM] Daneel: Do you have any idea where the imposter is currently Answorn?

[3/16/2018 9:54:36 PM] Kite: Perhaps there is something else in the society pages?

[3/16/2018 9:54:38 PM] Canto: Answorn:  In his house, I would presume. I can't really keep a firm tail on him while I'm watching over Carrick.

[3/16/2018 9:56:16 PM] Daneel: You clean Carrick up and get him to the palace, I will go watch Carricks house and make sure the imposter stays away from the palace.

[3/16/2018 9:57:29 PM] *** Kite nods. ***

[3/16/2018 9:57:34 PM] Kite: Be careful.

[3/16/2018 9:57:44 PM] Kite: Meet up with the others if you can.

[3/16/2018 9:59:03 PM] Daneel: If I can I will, any advice about how the house is guarded Answorn?

[3/16/2018 9:59:16 PM] Canto: ((Are you splitting up again? Why do you hate me so? :)

[3/16/2018 9:59:51 PM] Kite: ((He's going to the same place everyone else is.))

[3/16/2018 10:01:12 PM] Canto: Answorn:  Same as any mansion. Guards outside the grounds, guards in the grounds, guards in the house. You won't be able to get onto the grounds without an invitation or credentials.

[3/16/2018 10:01:17 PM] Kite: ((isn't that good? I thought that was good.))

[3/16/2018 10:01:54 PM] Canto: ((Not really, they're in the house, having entered through the sewers. But whatever, I'll roll with it.))

[3/16/2018 10:02:19 PM] Daneel: So maybe best to stay here and help get Carrick ready instead.

[3/16/2018 10:02:39 PM] Kite: Quite possibly, yes.

[3/16/2018 10:02:44 PM] Daneel: (( sorry didn’t think about another split happening.))

[3/16/2018 10:03:37 PM] Canto: ((Don't worry about it, I can roll with it.))

[3/16/2018 10:05:05 PM] Canto: ((Do what you want to do.))

[3/16/2018 10:07:12 PM] Kite: ... it is up to you.

[3/16/2018 10:07:51 PM] Canto: Answorn:  I think if we act fast enough we could do this.

[3/16/2018 10:09:06 PM] Canto: Answorn points over to to some bags in the corner. "Clean clothes in there, and some toiletries.  Best to leave him a little scruffy so that he can just say he's sick or something.  I'm going to go talk to someone about getting us in quickly."

[3/16/2018 10:09:42 PM] Kite: ... I do not think he requires help bathing, surely.

[3/16/2018 10:10:01 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Of course not, I'm not a child! Just give me some time.

[3/16/2018 10:10:27 PM] *** Kite is so relieved. ***

[3/16/2018 10:10:31 PM | Edited 10:10:42 PM] Canto: He takes the bags and goes into a backroom. "Keep an eye on him in any case, all right?  I'll be flying, I'll be right back."

[3/16/2018 10:11:44 PM] *** Kite nods. ***

[3/16/2018 10:12:04 PM] Daneel: Ok

[3/16/2018 10:15:28 PM] Canto: You're left alone for a few minutes, anything you want to do?

[3/16/2018 10:16:37 PM] *** Kite is certainly not keeping an eye on him while he bathes, either. ***

[3/16/2018 10:16:52 PM] Canto: He's not really bathing, just kind of washing up.

[3/16/2018 10:17:03 PM] *** Daneel will look through the documents Carrick was going through for any new information. ***

[3/16/2018 10:17:24 PM] Kite: Be sure to wash your hair.

[3/16/2018 10:18:14 PM] Canto: GImme an investigation.

[3/16/2018 10:18:48 PM] Daneel: (( 7 ))

[3/16/2018 10:19:08 PM] Canto: Nothing jumps out at you that Carrick didn't already bring up.

[3/16/2018 10:21:25 PM] Canto: Eventually, Carrick comes back out, much more presentable, though still politely scruffy enough, to indicate illness, perhaps.

[3/16/2018 10:22:06 PM] Kite: Better.

[3/16/2018 10:22:14 PM] *** Kite still sounds vaguely disapproving, though, probably. ***

[3/16/2018 10:22:31 PM] Canto: He frowns. "Well... short notice, you know."

[3/16/2018 10:22:57 PM] Kite: Yes. We had best get moving.

[3/16/2018 10:23:18 PM] Canto: Answorn returns a few minutes after that. "All right, let's go.  I've got a carriage.  Don't ask."

[3/16/2018 10:24:05 PM] Kite: .... I would not have been curious had you not advised not to ask.

[3/16/2018 10:24:56 PM] Daneel: Ok lead the way, do we have a plan for Carrick after this?

[3/16/2018 10:25:56 PM] Canto: Answorn takes the drivers position. "I'll move him again.  The cat will be out of the bag -- if the imposter has half a brain, he'll figure out that the real Carrick is out and about."

[3/16/2018 10:28:14 PM] Kite: True. The question is whether he will turn tail and flee.

[3/16/2018 10:28:39 PM] Daneel: After all the work put into this plan, I doubt it.

[3/16/2018 10:29:05 PM] Kite: Then he will indeed try harder to kill the real Carrick.

[3/16/2018 10:29:16 PM] Kite: Perhaps we had best tell them what is going on.

[3/16/2018 10:30:11 PM] Daneel: And how do we prove it? We have a dead detective and an individual claiming to be Carrick.

[3/16/2018 10:30:14 PM] Canto: Before long, you're nearing the front of the palace. Some Royal Guards come forward and stop the carriage.

[3/16/2018 10:30:44 PM] Kite: They would likely use magical means.

[3/16/2018 10:31:16 PM] Canto: Answorn, in a very Rannian accent, says "My Lord Carrick regretfully requires to cancel his appointment with Her Grace this evening.

[3/16/2018 10:33:02 PM] Canto: Carrick puts a hankerchief to his face and puts on a pained expression as the guards go and bring forth a dignitary.

[3/16/2018 10:34:54 PM] *** Kite feels oddly tense! ***

[3/16/2018 10:38:37 PM | Edited 10:39:26 PM] Canto: The dignitary peers in. "Oh, my, Lord Carrick.   The Empress was very much looking forward to your dinner!"

[3/16/2018 10:39:15 PM] Canto: Carrick pained, coughing:  Yes,  I just could not bear for Her Grace to see me in such a state.

[3/16/2018 10:39:27 PM] Kite: He has not been himself.

[3/16/2018 10:40:07 PM] Canto: Carrick coughs louder. "That is true.  I do hope we can postpone until a latter date."

[3/16/2018 10:40:46 PM] Canto: Dignitary:  Oh, of course, of course. Your health is of course, very important. We shall contact you at the earliest convenience!

[3/16/2018 10:40:53 PM] Canto: Roll insight, you two.

[3/16/2018 10:41:12 PM] Kite: ((16.))

[3/16/2018 10:41:25 PM] Daneel: (( 16 ))

[3/16/2018 10:42:02 PM] Canto: Yeah 'we'll contact you at the earliest convenient' in this context is diplospeak for 'Maybe in half a year."

[3/16/2018 10:42:16 PM] Kite: Excellent. Thank you.

[3/16/2018 10:42:47 PM] Canto: Carrick looks pained, and you're pretty sure he's not faking it for his 'illness'. "Yes, again, my sincerest apologies."

[3/16/2018 10:44:01 PM] Canto: The dignitary flits off! Carrick looks sad, but relieved as Answorn points the carriage away.

[3/16/2018 10:45:11 PM | Edited 10:45:21 PM] Kite: At least now you will not have your name blackened by... whatever the other one had planned.

[3/16/2018 10:45:28 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Yes, yes, of course. That is what's important here.

[3/16/2018 10:45:34 PM] Canto: HE nods at Kite.

[3/16/2018 10:46:17 PM] Kite: What is important is stopping him from collecting artifacts for an unknown and likely negative purpose.

[3/16/2018 10:46:38 PM] Canto: Carrick:  Er, yes. Of course.

[3/16/2018 10:48:15 PM] Daneel: The question is what the imposter will do with this opportunity closed off.

[3/16/2018 10:49:24 PM] Kite: Perhaps Answorn should put a watch on him.

[3/16/2018 10:49:56 PM] Canto: You guys are driving back when you spot Ander, Vashti and Damaia lugging an unconscious   Vy through the streets. Answorn moves the carriage toward them.