Characters: Ledaal Kes (Ledaal Kyrie/Hope), Cathak Mas, Mnemon Koal

     Ledaal Kes is welcomed by some escorts after arriving in Greyfalls.

=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* Greyfalls: The Docks *>-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

         Greyfalls is a city that lives by trade, and the flowing waters of the Lesser Rock River are its lifeline to the greater world beyond the River Province. Fat-bellied merchant ships line up at the piers, cursing longshoremen manhandling the cargos of glass, paper, and porcelain that go downriver alongside the grain shipments and finished goods that come upriver to buy them. Tariff-men race from bale to bale, quarreling with captains over the taxable value of their goods and prodding and peeking into every bundle to ensure that no smuggler is evading the Scarlet Empress' due. Day or night, the docks teem with activity and the boisterous voices of men deep in their labor or in their cups.

         Rough establishments line the dockways, crude signs painted with such images as leave no doubt to even an unlettered riverman as to which offer wine or women. Big men with scarred fists lounge around the entrances, close to hand to encourage the more misbehaving sorts to seek their pleasures elsewhere. Amid the slapdash quality of the buildings, the broken span of a broad stone bridge stretches south across the river, a gap between pilings left empty and unrepaired. To the south, the rough walls of Guild Town can be seen across the river.

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     Oh, Greyfalls, for all it's jokes about being in the boondocks seems to have attracted the attentions of a few notable figures. After the whole Peleps Deled incident, a certain fabulous member of the Ledaal House has come into town, arriving on the most recent boat in town. Word would have spread that his fabulousness has arrived.

     As his wife is taking care of the more manly things, such as lifting the luggage and exploring the rest of the city, Kes seems to be just getting off the boat, dressed in his usual finery. Of course, it's the latest fashions from the Isle. He cant come to the boondocks wearing nothing but the best.

     In stark contrast to Kes' latest fashion, Cathak Mas is wearing his almost shogunate styled red jade reinforced buff jacket and has a cloak fashioned to match it. Much to his boredom, he was given the dull task of showing Kes around the city and acting as a tour guide. Lucky him. His voice is like that of a rather unamused and lethargic youth, "Welcome to Greyfalls, Ledaal Kes. I am General Cathak Mas of the Vir Sidus Empire. I trust your trip was pleasant?"

     Kes looks over Mas for a few moments. His brows raise as his cold steely gaze looks over the general and shakes his head, tsking for a few moments. "Oh, Cathak Mas, that will not do. Those colors are so last season, and the ruffles in your uniform...just is so blase! Whoever takes care of your uniforms must simply be informed of the latest trends on the Isle. Black is the new Red. You should know this.." he says firmly and resolutely as if it was the most important thing in the world.

     "But yes, the trip was..well, uneventful. It went well, and Szaya is now looking for where we're going to stay. I believe we're staying at Ledaal Palace, as we should, I hope my cousins have prepared a party. I've been dying to see how you all in the boondocks of the Realm party.."

     Cathak Mas sighs. Ugh, Isle civilians. What ever happened to the days of the

Vermillion, where the most civilized person there was the guy who apologized after shanking you with a broken beer bottle? "My uniform is just fine, I assure you. Function over form, so to speak." He doesn't speak much, although his lack of enthusiasm for his predicament is obvious. "Oh, I am sure they will throw quite the party for you and your wife. Not often we get visitors from the Isle." He curses under his breath. Damn Zuriel! He was supposed to be the one in charge of pleasantries. "Anything you wish to see of the city in particular? Afraid there isn't much to do around here."

     "You are much too serious, Cathak Mas! Loosen up a bit! I mean, I like things up my ass as much as the next person, but sometimes, things get stuck. You should check with the local physician to see if you have anything up there.." Of course, said by anyone else, it would be incredibly offensive. But alas, Ledaal Kes is all about the shock factor, as it's one of the many things that makes him fabulous. He starts laughing heartily, wrapping an arm around Mas's shoulders, giving him a friendly squeeze while waggling his brows.

     "But I jest. I would like to take a tour of what the legion has to offer. And then where the magistrates are, and then of course, where Nellens Rombulac is. I'm not here on vacay after all. There is work that must be done!" he says, fist pumping in the air. What would a Greater House member of the Deliberative be doing in Greyfalls. That's..queer.

     Cathak Mas peers at the man, although no surprise, anger, nor any other emotion lies within them. "Please don't touch me. I hear that idiocy is contagious." He pulls the arm off of him, sighing and continues to walk. He has such a way with words. "I hear you dabble in Gateway, Kes." He says it with a straight face, although he definitely knows Kes is a master at it. More of an insult to the man's honor that he acts as though he doesn't know him. "I hear your wife is even an expert at the game."

     Mnemon Koal 's approach is easy to recognize, the marching of his bricklike feet screaming House of Bells. As usual, he wears his 23rd Legion uniform with pride, with the addition of a Greyfalls insignia to represent his dual position as head of the local security forces at the moment. Salutes Cathak Mas ,"Greetings Dragonlord. I appreciate you taking on the duty to show our noble guests around." He is completely sincere. Turns to Ledaal Kes. "Greetings Ledaal Kes. I am Mnemon Koal, Dragonlord of the 23rd Legion. Your gateway skills are well known. If you have free time later, I would be honored to play a game and see how long I last. Have no fear about where your staying as I believe your wife and cousin Kyrie will be making arrangements soon enough. I wish you the best with enjoying our fair city."

     If it were any other man of his standing, Mas would be smacked by now, but Kes just lets out a hearty laugh. "Oh goodness, one must pull out that stick quickly. Continue to speak that way and my cousin Kyrie will need to pull more than one thing out of the tight ass hole of yours.." he says half jokingly half in a threatening manner.

     Still, he has a cheery expression as he bows before Mnemon Koal and extends nhis hand out towards him. "A pleasure. And yes, I dabble in Gateway. That is how my wife and I met.  We had the most intense of rivalries. After I played the Empress, she wished to play the Empress, but first, I had challenged her. It was many a stalemate before she even got to play her!" he chirps brightly.

     Koal returns the bow and gives Kes's tiny delicate hand a bonecrushing handshake without realizing it. "Well met. It is an honor to have in town. If you have any security concerns while in town, I'm the one to talk to, not that I expect anything to be amiss."

     Mas is still rather unamused, shrugging Kes's words off like Cainan shrugs off a two koku whore. "Huh, never played the Empress, myself. I played Lord Cathak Cainan once, but that was it. I was too busy in the Legions fighting real battles to just sit in front of a Gateway board for hours on end." He looks to Mnemon Koal, nodding in relief. Thank the Dragons, someone else is here. "Greetings, Dragonlord Mnemon Koal." He salutes. "Although, it is General, now that I joined the Vir Sidus at my cousin's request."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kes says, "Revelations of Associates Hunch of Mas."

(Judge) Ledaal Kes rolls Intelligence + Larceny + Larceny: [ -1- 2 3 4 4 4 5 6 6 6 7 8 8 <10> <10> ]

         Resulting in 7 successes.

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kes says, "pg 166 on DB 2nd ed"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kes says, "7 success - so gimme a name of an ally, two sentences of what they mean to you. Going from most important to least important. So 7 people."

     Kes simply raises his brows towards the Cathak as he just stares for a few moments, lost in thought for a bit. After a few moments, he shrugs his shoulders and nods. "Cathak Cainan is all right, I guess. He was still easily beat.." he says with a shrug before looking over towards Koal, with a cheery smile.

     "Oh, you do me the honor, Mnemon Koal. I would like to learn of the security measures in Greyfalls, if you do not mind indulging me.." he says with a bright smile.

-= OOC =- Cathak Mas says, "Roseblack- The person he is most loyal to and cares about. Cainan- The person who saved his life from being executed. Keledros- The draconic companion who is both a mount and a powerful ally whom he treats as his equal. Zuriel- His cousin and a powerful general whom he respects for his intellect and prowess. Darius- His superior whom he shows respect for a similar standing due to low breeding. A kinship, if you will. Teller- His subordinate whom accompanied him here from the Red Piss. A good friend and advisor. Cathak Nerus- A fellow Cathak and a friend. Bonded with him over the retreiving of an artifact where Mas saved the man's life."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kes nodnods, "Danke!"

     "My apologies General Mas." Koal says. "I'm afraid my concerns are local so I don't always focus on what is going on abroad. I take it you are only with us for a short time as a favor to Zuriel? Thank you for being generous with your time." To Kes ,"Of course, though I must admit we have many improvements to make. Funding tends to be an issue, as it always is."

     "Well, I wouldn't say Cathak Cainan is a push over at the game." Mas says carefully, although he yawns a little bit, looking around apathetically. Such a bother. He would rather be sleeping in the barracks or training troops or something. "Yes, Koal, I am afraid I am only here till Zuriel returns from his trip. Still, I will keep all the troops drilled here since I have mastered better training protocols lately. I hope to keep things secure here while I am around."

     "If funding is an issue, then perhaps I can be of service. I do work for the imperial treasury afterall!" he says with a bright smile, having that joie de vivre as he starts walking along the docks, taking everything into consideration as he looks around and hrmms for a few moments. He then looks towards Koal for a bit, staring blankly before snapping out of his trance.

     "Well, you two seem to be my gracious tourguides, where should we go first?"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kes says, "Again, same charm on you, Koal."

(Judge) Ledaal Kes rolls Intelligence + Investigation + Investigation: [ -1- 2 2 2 3 3 5 5 5 5 7 7 9 <10> <10> ]

         Resulting in 7 successes.

-= OOC =- Mnemon Koal says, "Tsure, it's personal, maybe he doesn't realize it yet, Zuriel and Kyrie mentors, Karashi, mentor Hrath close friend Rombilac associate Lok teacher"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kes nodnods, "Danke!'

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kes says, "Your association with Tsure will definitely catch his attention though, Koal :)"

-= OOC =- Mnemon Koal says, "oh wait...equal with Tsure is Pasiap, unknown, Koal doesn't know about it but I didn't know you would use this charm"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kes says, "It's an incredibly useful charm for investigator spy types."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kes says, "In fact, get all the charms Kes has if you want to be an investigator spy type"

-= OOC =- Mnemon Koal says, "yes, but in this case it is revealing a relationship that isn't conscious and has an unknown quality....and it's /the/ Pasiap, not the Immaculate dragon version"

-= OOC =- Mnemon Koal says, "let me double check the syntax of the charm"

     Mas sighs again, shaking his head. Could be worse, after all. There could be two of this guy here right now. He catches himself before answer the visitor's question with a 'to hell', instead suggesting. "The Ledaal Palace is interesting, but you will be there most your stay, I think... We could show you the Legion or the Cathak Palace... Any ideas, Koal?"

     Mnemon Koal nods to Mas. "If you see any improvements that make sense let me know. I'm always open to worthwhile suggestions." Too Kes. "If you're truly interested, there are project ideas we have to increase the productivity of the satrap as well as provide a greater safety net against incursions from outside forces. If you're patient enough to wait for a return on your investment, you might find a good deal."

     "We shall see if it is worthy of my investment." Kes says with a bright smile, before letting out a soft chuckle under his breath, hrmming for a few moments before looking around once more. "Actually, perhaps Ledaal Palace would be a good place to start. I should retire, and I am sure my cousins have made the preparations.."

     "Very well then. We will take you there and your cousins can show you around from there on." Cathak Mas says thankfully, looking to Koal. "Actually, I will leave this in your capable hands, Koal. I am already behind on training the legion. This little distraction was not on my schedule. A last minute thing they pushed on me." He begins walking away with a smile. "Kes, tell your wife I wouldn't mind entertaining her with a game of Gateway if she is up to it... I like challenges. Maybe I could even play you as a warm up." His back turned as he continues on, he smirks.

     Koal is seemingly oblivious to the tension between the two, and isn't insulted by his own relegation to head of police. "Very well. This way." Koal says to Kes, motioning toward a wide street leading away from the docks toward the higher sections of town.