2nd adventure: Proxy War

Konrad coughs. "This is related to the letters you've been leaving,, bud."


But leaving how? Which letters? The correspondence with whosits, or the letters he's been leaving lying all over the place? He'll allow their handler to elaborate, even as red as his face has gotten over this vexation.

Recongnition suddenly dawns on Mihai's face. - "Wait, isn't this..." - he fumbles, looking between Steve and Zelk - "I mean, weren't you..." - he fumbles again.

"Letters? Oh, my poetry. I've been working hard Zelk, trying to make one worthy of you. Let me see if I can find my best one." He starts digging through his pack, dropping scattered sheets, rations, and three books about butterfly migrations. "Aha! Here it is!"

Mihai's jaw drops before he can think of anything "W-wait... she's real!?"

Konrad raises an eyebrow and puts a hand on Kolson's shoulder. "You really think now is the best time for that?"

Zelk doesn't seem fazed by the reaction of the other people in the room. As for Fedler and Breeze, they are watching in silence; Breeze is simply trying to figure out what the real problem is, while Fedler puts a hand on Mihai's arm to tell him not to jump into this mess.

"Shut up!" yells Sonlake, who had enough of Steve's tomfoolery. He gets up from his chair, walks around his desk, stands right in front of the young mercenary, and grabs the piece of paper from him.

"Are you stupid enough not to understand the gravity of the situation!? Then let me spell it out for you! You've been stalking an officer of the Free Feathers' military! And worst of all, you've given her proof of that fact, with letters that you signed! That's enough for them to send you in prison! Do you understand? Or do I have to tell you in rhymes!?"

"Hold on, 'stalking'? By sending letters to someone he's never met from miles away? Sir, this has to be a misunderstanding."

Roll Diplomacy to get Sonlake to take it easy on Steve.

Steve's eyebrows raise so high in surprise that they look like they might fly off of his face. He tries to answer but it comes out as more of an "Eep!" than anything.

Mihai glances instinctively at the hand on his arm. He has to hold back from looking back at Fedler, lest she see the wtf written all over his face.

Sonlake Dermold's glare falls on on Konrad.

"There's a count of fraud and a count of theft on him for pretending to be Zelk Freeron's fiance and profiting of her father's generosity. There's also a count of harassment for writing inappropriate letters to Zelk directly. Plenty enough for Steve to be declared guilty in a court of law. So do yourself a favor Mr. Granger, and stands back."

He turns his icy glaze on Steve.

"Your actions are the reason why we have to accept this contract free of charge. If we don't, you'll go in prison, and the reputation of our organization will be tarnished because of your stupidity. But I can't really well order your companions on a mission where they'll be risking their lives without the prospect of a due compensation now, can I? Which is why the Coins will have to pay them out of our own coffers."

He puts his finger on the young man's chest.

"Congratulations to you, Steve Oldturn; you now owe the Coins 1000 gold pieces."

Not willing to let his side be overwhelmed in this exchange, Mihai looks at Sonlake, then at Steve, then at Zelk, lingering on her when he finally asks. - "So what's the job?" - in as a dispassionate a voice as he's ever had.

This mess is too hot for Konrad. He removes his hand and shuts his trap, and in avoiding Sonlake's glare, his gaze pans over to Zelk with a curious mind...

Roll Sense Motive.

Konrad:

Sonlake shoves Steve's poem back into his hand, and slowly goes back to his chair. He takes a moment to collect himself, then as calmly as possible, explains the purpose of the mission that was forced onto the Coins.

"A freelance pirate named Kira Paddle has acquired what we assume to be some sort of magical artifact. Whatever it is, she is planning to sell it to the Lorinth Kingdom through one of their agents. All the intel we have comes from an agent of the Free Feathers' military who is currently undercover in Zest's Gate, the city where the exchange will take place. Your job is to assist Zelk Freeron's squad in finding this artifact, recovering it, and bringing it back to the Feathers' military. I recommend that you take a lethal approach. Also, discretion in this sort of mission is essential, so make sure that nobody knows of your affiliation with the military. You'll have to pretend to be pirates yourselves."

As your handler rests his hands on his desk, a flash of disgust appears on Fedler's face.

"Any question?"

OOC:

For Konrad only:

"We're the muscle?"

Konrad grins. "Mr. Dermold, if only to knock off my share of compensation from Steve's debt, I will participate in this mission gratis."


Roll Deception vs everyone.

"Wow Konrad, that's mighty nice of you," says the black mage gratefully. The idea of owing the Coins even more money was suffocating. Good things he's made such upstanding and trustworthy friends.

Sonlake raises an eyebrow at Konrad, while Zelk swiftly glances at him with a total lack of surprise. Fedler is too distracted by the revelation of what this mission entails to notice anything strange, and as for Breeze, she is just looking with pity at Steve.

"Suit yourself," says your handler.

He returns his attention to Mihai.

"You're the muscle, and the smoke screen. Nobody must know who you are, or who you are working for. So I suggest you find yourselves new names to call each other for the duration of this mission."

Breeze puts a finger on her lips, pondering, and says under her breath, "A new name, huh...?"

Ah, that's easy. Konrad shrugs and snaps his fingers, which fluidly transition to a finger-pointing gesture, at Zelk, and introduces himself in a thick Myrzen accent as "Krystian Kuznik, at your service."

Zelk acknowledges Konrad's new alias with a nod.

The rest of the briefing ends soon after that, and the party leaves Sonlake's office to make the necessary preparations, such as buying new clothes, and rations for the trip to the Enclave. The receptionist, with a practiced facade of professionalism, informs you that those expenses will be reimbursed by the Coins' office as long as they are reasonable.

All of you are free to go wherever you want, but you must be on board the ship at pier seven by 3:00 PM.

Fedler will take Steve's arm, and say to the rest of you, "See you later". She will then drag the young mage behind her, and ignore any disapproving comment coming from Steve, if there are any. They seem to be taking a roundabout way to reach the open market.

Breeze, who is flying in the air, will wave at both of them, and without a worry in the world, she responds with, "Okay! See you!"

She then faces Mihai and Konrad, and asks, "So, anything in particular you guys wanna get before we go to the toy store? That's the only place where I can get any clothes that fit me."

For Steve only:

"What'll you do with the dolls?"

"Collect them, of course."

She says this with a smile, like if it was the most obvious thing in the world.