Taka: After being sure everyone else is otherwise occupied, I'll see if the moment is opportune on both ends for a conversation with Saravine

Dionysus: Saravine has conveniently excused herself to a quiet walk around the courtyard

Taka: Then I'll go casually join her.

Dionysus: "Hello, young lady. I am Saravine. You are?"

Taka bows slightly. "Naitaka, of the Kali tribes. An honor to meet you."

Dionysus: "The pleasure is all mine. I note you came with the servants of the House of Argent, but I don't see their master. Would you happen to know why he isn't attending?"

Taka: "He has regrettably been called before the Emperor to stand trial. I believe he will come out alright, however."

Dionysus: "I would hope so. Word is that he is a very important man here in the Empire. Much rests on his shoulders. My master & the Emperor have had many talks about him."

Taka nods. "If it isn't too bold to ask, what have they said of him? I believe he's a good man, but it would be comforting to hear the same is said of him by the Emperor and your master."

Dionysus: "They do not judge his character, but his skill. They say he is untried."

Taka: "It is sadly true, though he has gained some experience in the short time I've known him. I think he will be a fine leader once all is done."

Dionysus: "That is heartening. I am afraid I must be leaving soon, Taka."

Taka nods thoughtfully. "Will you be remaining in the city?"

Dionysus: "Only as a corpse. I would like to avoid that, though."

Taka looks concerned. "It would not do to have you depart that way...a dear friend of mine, Balcoram, followed that path recently, and I'm none too keen on anyone else following him."

Dionysus: "It hurts me to hear of your loss. My master is one who sees into the truth of things, but has a love of lies. He is playing a game with me right now, & the only way to win is to quit. I cannot remain much longer."

Taka nods. "That I understand. Brugzul, another friend here on business, was forced to return to his home as well. Better that than death, I would say."

Dionysus: "Can you get me out?"

Taka: "I don't know...I can try." she looks worried but determined. "If it's in my power, I'll do it."

Dionysus: "Tonight, please. Anything you can do."

Taka nods. "I'll do what I can, that's a promise."

Dionysus: "Take this," she hands you a leaf.

Taka does. "What is it?"

Dionysus: "Master Simon's charm. It will allow you to become like a tree--hardened skin, refreshed by the sun & water, immovable. For brief periods."

Taka nods and pockets it. "thank you."

Dionysus: "I am aborting my mission. You can use it better than I can."

Taka smiles wryly. "I've no doubt it'll come in handy. How can I get word to you when I find your way out?"

Dionysus: "Leave a message for me at the Rosewood Inn."

Taka nods. "The Rosewood Inn. I'll leave word as soon as I can."

Dionysus: "Thank you, Taka. May the Mother of Leaves watch over you."

Taka: "And may Fox-father do the same for you. Be careful."

Dionysus: She nods & walks non-chalantly back to her group.

Taka ambles back over to hers, mind whirring.

Dionysus: be right back

Dionysus: back

Taka: wb.

Dionysus: Any ideas how to sneak her out or do ya need more info?

Taka: Well, the first idea that comes to mind is a ship...but that's a bit high-profile unless I want to grease a few palms and sneak her on-board. The next option is to ask the Red Cloaks if they can smuggle her out, but they're a little close to home and it runs the risk of giving myself away.

Taka: Beyond that, I can't really think of anything.

Dionysus: All good plans.

Dionysus: One thing Taka knows about the red cloaks: if paid enough to smuggle someone out, if you ask the right red cloaks, they don't ask questions. As long as they perceive it as saving someone.

Taka: hah. the trick there is knowing how much is enough and which cloak to ask.

Dionysus: Money is the bigger issue. The one cloak who can make things happen, who doesn't ask & doesn't tell is Caradonna.

Taka: it's a bit close...but it may very likely be easier than finding a ship, and it's far easier to trust Caradonna than it is some sailor I've never met. I dunno how much I got on me, or if it's enough, but for a friend I'll risk it.

Dionysus: She comes back to the compound by taxi, clearly tired, & orders 4 cloaks to go find Albert & watch him like a hawk.

Dionysus: She then retires to the dining hall.

Taka goes to find her there. "Caradonna, could I speak with you a moment?"

Dionysus: She looks at you, then nods.

Dionysus: "Here or in private?"

Taka: "In private, if you don't mind much...it's a rather sensitive subject."

Dionysus: She nods, then says, "Help me to my room."

Taka does.

Dionysus: Once there, she says, "Talk to me."

Taka takes a deep breath. "I...have a friend, in the city. Her life is in danger, and she needs out of the country, as soon as possible...out of the city by tonight. Can you and yours help?"

Dionysus: She looks you in the eye. "Who is she?

Taka looks back seriously, pausing a moment before answering. "She's currently one of the high priest of Truth's addendants...if she stays that way, she's as good as dead."

Dionysus: She names a price that is equal to ten thousand dollars. Five up front, five after.

Taka: no way I have that on me, is there?

Dionysus: Not a chance. You got a few hours to come up with it or a new plan.

Dionysus: Five after she gets home safely, by the way

Taka: And aside from thievery, I seriously doubt there's any way I can come up with it in time...dammit.

Dionysus: Borrow it, but that blows your cover.

Dionysus: Still, thievery is not out of the question.

Dionysus: This is the Imperial Capital. A lot of rich people her.e

Dionysus: However, if that is not to your liking, we can come up with alternate plans

Taka: yeah, but it also runs a major risk of getting caught...I'm having to balance the importance of the mission with the importance of getting a friend out alive and safe.

Dionysus: Indeed

Dionysus: I do that to people sometimes. Sorry

Taka: It's cool.

Dionysus: Or, as we used to say, "The GM is a bastard"

Taka: had to happen sometime.

Taka: ultimately, the mission has to take precedence, but there's got to be a way to get her out.

Dionysus: Well, then there's figuring another way to fin the money or anotherplan.

Dionysus: Lessee...

Dionysus: Well, you could always try faith. The Temples of the Green Gods here in the city might offer help to one who follow stheir path

Taka: hm. yeah...do I know which one Saravine follows?

Dionysus: Flora

Dionysus: Hence the Mother of Leaves statement

Taka: oh duh. x_x

Dionysus: All good

Taka: it's worth a shot. I'll quite regretfully tell Caradonna I can't come up with that much and excuse myself with an apology for bothering her.

Dionysus: She nods, but says, "I apologize for not being more helpful."

Taka smiles slightly and nods in answer, and heads out to find a/the Flora temple, banking on them to hopefully be more willing to aid Saravine than others might be.

Dionysus: The High Temple of Flora (for Maraddon) is in the city. It looks like a pagoda draped in a flower garden.

Taka pauses and stares for a moment, then takes a deep breath and heads in.

Dionysus: It smells like the sweetest perfume you ever smelled mixed with the headiest scent in the world.

Dionysus: Inside, it looks like a green house meets a temple.

Taka looks around, flicking an ear at the scent, and mentally goes over things to say to get Saravine some help.

Taka: in looking around, she's also looking for a priest to speak to.

Dionysus: A dryad priestess comes up to you, actually, "Yes, child?"

Taka lowers her ears respectfully and looks at once hopeful and pleading. "I came seeking aid for a friend of mine who follows the Mother of Leaves...she's in danger and needs to get out of the country. Is there anything the church can do for her?"

Dionysus: She looks around. "Let us speak more privately."

Dionysus: She leads you to a side room.

Dionysus: "Tell me more."

Taka: "My friend is an attendant of the high priest of Truth...because of this, her life is in danger. She needs to leave the city tonight, and the country as soon as possible, else she'll surely die."

Dionysus: The dryad nods. "Ahh." She switches to Berellian, "You are not from here, I take it?"

Taka lowers her ears and grins wryly, speaking the same language. "No. and nor is she."

Dionysus: "As I suspected." She sighs. "We might be able to do something, but it will require much work on your part. And danger."

Taka: "Tell me."

Dionysus: "The Path of Roots. Underground. If you can get her out of the Temple of Truth & into the Flower Market in Heardfest district by ten tonight, we can sneak her into the Path of Roots."

Taka is silent for a long moment, then nods. "I think I can manage that. Thank you."

Dionysus: "The Temple will be dangerous. I suggest asking your own god for assistance." She smiles.

Taka smiles back. "That was my next stop."

Dionysus: She nods. "Be careful. The walls, as they say, have eyes."

Taka: "Yeah. I will be. Again, thank you."

Dionysus: She nods & lets you out.

Taka heads for the Fauna temple, just like she said.

Dionysus: It is on the outskirts of the city. It's quickest to take a gondola down a canal or ride a short train.

Taka goes with the gondola. trains are scary.

Dionysus: The Fauna Temple is actually a preserve.

Taka: nice.

Dionysus: It's basically a wall around a large tract of land.

Dionysus: With small buildings scattered throughout.

Dionysus: The Gate Building is the main temple.

Taka: cool.

Taka does a bit of praying, first about the Lion, and then about the matter of Saravine, asking for any help Thousand Tails can give her to get Saravine to safety.

Dionysus: Will get back to you in one moment. Need to look something up

Taka: kay

Dionysus: At the end of your prayer, you feel a presence.

Taka looks up.

Dionysus: A fox sits above you, one tailed, but you can smell it is no ordinary fox.

Dionysus: It says, in the manner of foxes, "You seek cunning."

Taka looks a bit awed, ears down very respectfully, and nods, speechless.

Dionysus: S/he smells like something else entirely. Or more like, several animals at once. Woodland animals, though.

Taka: [*nod*]

Dionysus: "I am leszi, guardian of the woods. I take different forms, but this one will do for now. I can tell you were curious."

Taka bows and finds her voice. "I am honored..."

Dionysus: "My friend Radagast asked me to keep an eye on his while they were in my territory."

Taka smiles a bit and makes a mental note to thank him next time she sees him.

Dionysus: "So you need assistance, help, in tricking the truthseers."

Taka: "Yes, I do."

Dionysus: "To save another of Radagast's children?"

Taka: "Yes. Saravine Mellees."

Dionysus: "Good. I can provide a little distraction. It will not be much, but perhaps, it will be enough."

Taka bows her head. "Thank you."

Dionysus: Forgive me, now I shall break shortly to finish up this scene in the main chat.

Taka: go for it

Dionysus: So... you leave word at the Rosewood Inn for Saravine?

Taka: yup

Dionysus: The man there says, "Eh, Saravine? I see. So you are the one she mentioned. She left you a package."

Dionysus: He hands you something.

Taka takes and looks at it.

Dionysus: It's a map of the Temple of Truth. You know all the entrances & exits now.

Taka pockets it and thanks him, then heads off to find someplace private to plan out how she's gonna do this.