The Blackback Caper - RPLOG
Participants
Date
1/12/477
Log
It is a warm, clear afternoon in the sparkling streets of the castle district. A sleek, black panther dressed in modest finery is leaning against the wall of the Solacious compound wearing a red poppy in the buttonhole of his shirt. That must be the contact. Looks like the same guy from last time.
Lothar walks down the street slowly and purposefully, the skunks once long hair cut short into a bob almost and free of trinkets and such. His cloak pulled tightly around him, he looks rather like a proper noble that wouldn't draw attention in a location such as this! After all, the Solacious hire plenty of Blackback tutors for battle magics and the such, not even to mention for children with specialized learning conditions. Upon seeing the contact though, the skunk moves over a little bit and dips his head to the man, smiling pleasently from under his hood.
Thelergramor would, ironically, just finish up a shift guarding that door that the unit is so fond of in the manor... Wearing dark clothes, but nothing that stands out too badly. Aside from the hood and large assortment of weapons and tools... Heads outside to meet the contact. Wants to keep an eye on the thievery; keep it from getting out of hand. And inform to his superiors later. Maybe. Glances between the skunk and panther, says: "Hey, how's it going?"
Noosha skulks along behind the gang, clad in drab greys that really only serve to highlight her bright pink fur and lavender ruff. Around her waist is a belt full of some of her favorite 'tools'--shivs, lockpicks, a couple strange pouches, what have you--and she carries a long crowbar by the crook as if it were a cane. Those golden eyes glimmer as she spots her favorite mark--er, good friend Thel!--and she shuffles through the mass of knees and legs, appearing amidst everyone. She squints warily at the panther--she always hated working with contacts; they just represented another liability, another link in the chain to weaken--and flashes a pointy smile that doesn't exactly suggest friendly trust of this stranger...
Shliek steps out of a shadowed alley with a grey cloak covering most of his body. His small frame melds well with his surrounding as he approaches, keeping a keen eye on the others nearby.
Kaelli was, quite simply, BORED! As such, when the note of inquiry slithered through the city's seedier sections, the tigress decided that it might be fun. Her attire for the occasion consisted of a long traveling cloak that conceals her leather armour and weaponry; each item carefully tailored to a darkened finish and secured should stealth be on the event schedule. Mismatched eyes scan the area and settle upon faces both familiar and otherwise as the feline notes the contact and those already clustered nearby. A little smiles curves the woman's lips and she shakes her head faintly as she approaches.
Semran having spent most of her day coopes up in the diseased pig drinking. The wolfess more or less jumped at the chance to do a little work, and perhaps earn a nice bundle of coins. So she gathered up her stuff, and swiftly made her way out the door to meet up with the others
The panther nods at the motley gathering. He pulls a small box from within his voluminous coat and opens it. Inside are a number of exquisitely cut soul gems. "Glass," he grunts handing the box off to Lothar, since he is closest. "The genuine articles are over there," he says, nodding across the square at the Blackback Manor, "Seven rare soul gems being kept on display in the Manor's grand foyer." He points at the box he gave to Lothar with a gloved hand. "Replace the gems with these fakes and bring the real ones to me," the panther hefts a bag that jingles with the weight of coin, "I'll have your pay ready. I don't much care how you do it, so long as it get's done. Any questions?"
Lothar blinks slowly as he looks at the box, before he looks at the manor, and then back to the contact. He wanted him to steal from the blacbacks? The young noble skunk just sort of stood there for a moment in thought as he pursed his lips for a moment with contemplation. This was his family that they wanted to steal from, and beyond that a key -legacy- of his family! He knew he should have felt more turning him against this, but with the group here, and some attempts at justification for it the skunk holds the box close as he clears his throat. "Yeah, sure." And with that turns on his foot and steps slightly away from the group as he awaits the others, before tugging up a short little mask over his muzzle.
Thelergramor glances around at the group, pondering... yep. Knows most of them. Might need to keep quiet about this then, doesn't want to screw them over. "Yeah, you sure there're seven? Any idea on the layout or... I've never been in there. Bah, I'll figure it out." Rubbing at his muzzle, in kind of a moral quandary for a few seconds... And gets over it. Seeing Lothar don a mask, The wolf tugs on his hood, makes sure his prosthetic leg is covered, and awaits an answer to his question, while glancing around for anyone who'd recognize him. Aside from those gathered...
A tiny scowl erases Noosha's toothy smile. She was a little wary of ths plan.
"This one has many questions, yes. You know where they are, why do you not do it yourself? If you wish this job to succeed, what are we up against, where is the floorplan, what are the directions? Fate cares not if one lives or dies, and so this one does not trust fate to provide. And..." she squeaks accusingly, whirling about to stare down Lothar, "how does this one know you are not a turncoat, Skunk?" My! Such a big mouth for such a little Hyena.
Shliek narrows his eyes and stays a few feet back from the rest. He remains silent, sizing up the rest of these beings he will sopon be working with.
Theft of soul gems? Well, that felt uniquely dishonest.. Still, it wouldn't do to let any skills fall into disuse, now would it? The tigress maintains a pleasant expression as the thoughts tumble about and when she reaches a decision on the matter, the only change is that her smile increases a sliver. Stepping up beside Thelergramor, the feline gives a little hip bump to the side to nudge the wolf as she notes his concealment measures. "We always seem to meet in such unusual circumstances," she comments in a relaxed and conversational tone. Seeing that the miniature hyena has things quite well covered on the question front, Kaelli simply watched the panther closely.
Semran glances between the two of the group she knows namely Thelergramor, and Lothar. She does this for just a moment before focusing on the panthers words. She rubs her chin, and let's out a slightly dissapointed sigh. As she had been hoping for a job that sounds a little more exciting than stealing a few soul gems. But she then shrugs off her dissapointment. After all a paying job is a paying job. "Sooooooo how much would we be getting paid for this should we pull the job off?" She says while for the most part ignoring the pint sized hyena. As she turns her focus to Thel, and his feline friend. "Well well wellif it isn't the flirtatious wolf from the Inn." She says with a faint grin.
The panther draws a thin rapier and quickly scratches a hexagon into the dust of the street. "This is the grand foyer," he says, "the display cases are here, here, here, and here." He marks out seven Xs along the walls of the hexagon. "There is usually a guard stationed at each case," he says, "Up to you how you take care of them." He sneers at Noosha. "Why stick my neck out," he says, "When I can use yours instead? It will be worth your while, I assure you."
A guard at each case? Lothar tenses for a moment at that as he almost feels his mouth go dry for a second. Now there was no argument, the chance that if he didn't help someone of his family, or a friend could get killed in this heist would be too great. The Skunk narrowing his eyes then as he leans over to look at Noosha as he almost growls out his words through the mask. "Because I am here you pint sized -Shit-! What noble in this damn country would bother stealing from their own house, when they could just walk in and just sell the damned things with less suspicion than answering a request to help a theft? Now cut you're damned mouth before you end up getting the entire city to hear us." The skunk huffing at that as he flicks his tail with irratation and shakes his head. He couldn't act like a noble now, not if he wanted to make sure the ended alright in some regard.
Thelergramor is bumped into by Kaelli, so he answers her first: "Indeed we do. Didn't think it'd be like this, though." A small smirk, as he peers at the layout in the dust. Commits it to memory; which hasn't been too strong lately... Then looks over to Semran. "Yeah, that's me. Don't worry, I'll keep this professional." Isn't really sure it's good to be recognized so easily before a job like this. Shrugs it off and nods at the remainder of the group, Shliek, Noosha and Lothar. "So... the guards. We should be careful how we handle those. Noone needs to die tonight." Doesn't butt in on the exchange between Noosha and Lothar, trusts the skunk, but gets where the hyena is coming from.
Noosha simply blinks at Lothar. Well, he certainly doesn't conduct himself like a noble. She could think of a few arguments why a noble would do that...but her hands were itching to get into action and get on the goods, and there were enough patsies to take the fall if things went south. With a cheery little wink she instead switches to studying the map. One room, seven boxes, seven guards. Too precious for a hired hand to risk his own pelt on. She finishes studying with a nod. "Each with their own guard, each guard looking out for one another. This one believes we should not risk a fight..."
The maned wolfs ears lightly twitch as she listens to the jaguar talk while for the most part focusing on talking to Thel. However she does look down at what their contact had carved into the floor. Easily commiting the pattern to memory before turning her gaze back to Thel. pot
"Well it's simple then... we need to incapacitate the guards silently with a sedative dart or other delivery method.", the bearded dragon says, finally speaking up from beneath his cloak. "A quickly expanding knockout gas, or poisoned needle, pricked into their skin."
"My, my," Kaelli softly muses, her lyrical voice holding an tone of consideration, "That layout certainly complicates things." Much like her rather passive expression, there was no real consternation in the words, merely thoughtfulness. Glancing sidelong at Thel, the tigress then chuckles softly, "Perhaps we should get a drink some time, this particular meeting brings up such curious questions!" For her part, the feline simply seemed amused by the interaction between the skunk and the hyena, though she was glad when the topic returned to strategy. "Is there just the one main entry point?" she queried, glancing back toward their contact. "Any windows, grates or the like?"
The maned wolfs ears lightly twitch as she listens to the jaguar talk while for the most part focusing on talking to Thel. However she does look down at what their contact had carved into the floor. Easily commiting the pattern to memory before turning her gaze back to Thel. "Oh who said I was worried? I am sure you will behave during the job. Otherwise you would be in a lot of trouble, and I would have to scold you." She says as she smirks, and winks at the wolf. Before looking back to the jaguar. "Any idea if the gems are booby trapped?"
"No traps," the panther says, "Only locked cases and guards. Though Blackback guards are not really known for their brain power." He makes three more marks on the impromptu map. "There is the front entrance," he says, "Open until the scholars go to their beds, and two entrances from within the manor itself." He folds his arms and begins to look impatient. "And that is all I have for you," he proclaims, "feel free to back out any time. It's no skin off my tail."
Lothar shakes his head to the panther as he turns and waits for the group as he clears his throat. "No, no. We've got it yes. So when people are ready, we can go... And I am certain I can make up a distraction for the guards, so there shouldn't be a need to fight." The skunk frowning as he looks around. "But a group this size walking in would draw attention."
Thelergramor shrugs, pocketing his hands, pondering pondiferously... "I dunno, sedative could work. Biggest issue is the number of guards. One or two? Easily seducable. Guards get bored. And lonely..." Knows from experience on that one. "But, uh, we might not want to try that. Heh." Really starting to think he doesn't need his weapons; would probably not give a good impression. So, he disarms. Drops all his lethal instruments. Hides them nearby... kind of. Should be fine... "Alright, I'm ready to go." Keeps his hidden wrist crossbow with him. No point being -completely- unarmed. Turns, and answering Kaelli and Semran with a nod, starts towards the Blackback's place.
Noosha absently frowns in thought. "The gems are in an open area...so why are they not in a safebox or a vault? They must be on display. What stops us from entering the chamber as we are?..."
She looks the Panther up and down. "Why not join us? This one is well-experienced with locks...but one needs distractions, and you would do." Another glance at Lothar, a predatory grin creeping up her muzzle. "You too, Skunk. Perhaps you could convince them you are a Blackback, yourself."
"Opening the cases and swapping the gems should be a trivial thing... perhaps we smaller, less noticeable folk among us should take the responsibility of switching the gems, while you taller folk... distract the guards, in whichever way you see best, yes?" The small lizard speaks with a firm confidence towards his capabilities.
"Would it be such a strange sight for small groups to come and go?" Kaelli asks, giving a nod of agreement in Noosha's direction. Having never been inside of the manor herself, it was a general guess and the almost apologetic little shrug the feline offered stood in emphasis of this as she moved to follow Lothar. At the wolf's suggestion of a sedative, the woman would glance over her shoulder with a grin, "Perhaps the guards could be tempted with a drink." Whether or not she was joking was anyone's guess.
Semran certianly woul prefer tkavoid killing if possible. So she would naturslly avoid using the daggers strapped to her hips. But if it all comes down to it she will of course use mkre deadly means of protecting her self if need be. "Hmmmm that's all well, and good but how do you intend to do so?" She says. while looking to Lothar. "To ensure the guards are all distracted that would require a certian amount of intamite knowledge of the blck backs home."
The panther snorts and waves at the trickle of comings and goings from the Blackback manor's front doors. "The foyer, as per its name, is just inside those doors," he says, "I will be here waiting when you are done." The panther seems to rethink his words. "Unless you raise the alarm," he amends, "Then you can meet me at the guild hall for your reward." The black feline seems to have a special smirk for Lothar, but it could have just been general disdain.
Lothar frowns at the Panther as he pulls off his mask, and removes his cloak to reveal that well dressed outfit below. "No, I only need one other who can run fast. Probably the loud mouthed one, or someone less identifiable. It'll get the guards distracted and chasing them, and busy with me while the rest of you have your mark, alright?" The Skunk looking back as he walks with Thel in the way to the mannor.
Thelergramor scratches at his head, thinking. "Ok, so, distraction... You want someone to do... something and run? Get chased and disappear, if I got that right." Answered Lothar, is still plotting. "I think we'll be better improvising, honestly. Plans... they don't work all the time." Peers at the doors, and the now noble looking skunk. Shrugging, he pulls off his hood. Less thief looking. For reasons. And starts for the doors. Tries to look cheerful or like he belongs here...
Noosha leaves her crowbar outside with Thel's pile of goodies...that would only increase suspicion. The tools are tucked on an internal pocket, and she skips along beside Thel, eyes glittering, pigtails bobbing, and humming cheerily as she skips along. She tugs at his hand--"hold it and smile, and they can mistake us for mates!"
Shliek slips in beside Noosha as they follow the tall beings. "I hope they know what they are doing.", he murmurs to her. "I certainly don't want to end up in a scrape because of one of them screwing something up." He snorts and pulls his cloak tight around himself.
"Will we need to worry about stopping people from entering after the guards are rushing off?" Kaelli asks, glancing once more around at their group. Her head tilts slightly as she takes note of the candy coloured hyena and the scruffy wolf - such a cute couple! The feline moves easily, not a care in the world for all intents and purposes.
Semran scratches her chin as she walks along with the others. Her long strides allowing her to more easily up with the others."Hmmm I am fines wjth using the plan, or going with something a little more improvised. Let's decide quickly though. As we won't have the chance to change our minds once we get there."
The grand foyer is much as the panther described it. If you ignore the expansive tapestries, statuary and scattered scholarly discussions. Most of the tapestries and sculptures are of the noble family in various erudite positions and pursuits. The seven display cases are quite prominent. They are ornate and marked with little plates on their glass faced boxes. Beside each stands an impressive, if bored looking guard. One exception is the guard nearest the door. A huge, blue reindeer stands guard over a shimmering blue soul gem, his eyes alert and his posture perfect.
Lothar clears his throat and lowers his voice to Thelergramor as they enter, whispering to the wolf. "I'm going to offend you, get angry and fight me, then either make a run for it or give up to them away from the cases." The skunk then taking a deep breath as he lets others get into the room before looking to Hartford as he glares and clears his throat. "... It's not my fault you are in love with a whore." There, that should be ample to help get a situation riled up for the wolf to punch him and then distract the guards.
Thelergramor holds Noosha's hand, smiles. Right up until Lothar made his plans clear to him. Immediately shifts to look offended. "How dare you insult my woman!" Very simple retort, and then Thelergramor releases the hand he was holding and takes a swing at Lothar. Not overly hard, but does what he can to make it look good. Going right for the face, but not any weak point on said face. No need to break the nose. And once that's done, peers at the guards. "Oh, shit..." And turns to run right on out of the building.
Noosha yelps and leaps away from the scuffle. A bit of the surprise is actually genuine, as she didn't expect it to go down so quickly. But she was no stranger to diversions, and she tumbles into a tapestry, hoping to yank it down over one of the display cases.
Shliek rolls away from the scuffle, pretending to just be an innocent bystander getting out of the way. He stands nearby one of the other pedestals, waiting for the guard to react and give him a chance to switch the gems.
Playing the role of the random visitor is quite easy as she had never been to the manor and the gems are rather lovely. Kaelli examines the contents of the cases and even looks over the tapestries and the statuary before taking on a look of surprise and giving a short gasp of distress when the 'fight' broke out. Skittering away from the scuffle, the feline placed herself close to one of the walls, and thus the cases, while trying to appear as though she were simply trying to get out of the way.
Semran much like kaelli pretends to to be an ordinary random visitor of the manor. While Lothar, and Thel start up the distraction. The tall wolfess does her best to move into position to snag, and swap one of the soul gems. Without being noticee by any of the guards.
"Mister Lothar?" the blue reindeer says, stepping away from the case he is guarding, "What are you doing? Why did Mister Thelergramor hit you?" The reindeer's attention is immediately drawn away as Noosha manages to pull a tapestry down on herself. "Oh! Miss!" hurrying over to try to untangle the hyena, "You must not play with those!" The other guards seem content to let the reindeer try to take care of things.
Well, damn it all. That didn't work out too well. The skunk huffing some as he wants to be mad at the guards for their professionalisim. "I'm... Fine Hartford, and what are you doing here Hartford?" The skunk mumbling something as he gets up and tries to move to help with the tapestry, setting the box down at the foot of it, before raising a part and kicking it forward... It was up to the hyena now!
Thelergramor gets outside too easily! The guards ain't pissed enough! "WEll, shit..." Glances around, "Windows!" High windows... Wishes he kept his pistol with him... Instead, he points up at one, his wristbow springing out all badassily. He fires a bolt towards that their high window. Hoping it'll break. And that if it does, the glass doesn't hurt anyone... Unsure if it goes to a second floor or back in that there room. No choice now.
When it was obvious that the ruse was a failure, Kaelli chose to maintain her pose and posture to avoid drawing attention to herself through a sudden chance of manner. Looking around as if in confusion, the tigress tried to take subtle stock of the room and situation to decide whether to walk away or if the job was salvagable.
Damn that skunk! Noosha should've known he was a Blackback! And here he was, spoiling the whole thing! But...what's this? The glass fakes! Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. Yelping and cursing all the while--to sell the illusion--she sets to work cracking the lock on the case while she's hidden.
Shliek clears his throat and speaks outloud to the guard nearest to him. He makes a note to not look directly at the guard but makes it seem like he is worried about the action happening near the entrance. "I think I heard that wolf talk about setting the building on fire!", he says with a sinister tongue, "Isn't that something you guys should be stopping? Clearly, if he burns this building down, you'll be out of a job!"
Semran raises a brow taking not of the familliar one of the guards seems to be with Lothar, and for the moment files that bit of information away in her head or later use. Just in case the next fe attempts at distracting the guards were to fail.
The guard that Shliek is badgering, a heavy folk badger, looks at the little lizard and frowns. "I've seen that wolf around," he ponders aloud, "And I wouldn't put it past him." Just then, Thelergramor's crossbow bolt crashes through one of the high set windows. "Dante! Emmit!" he growls, "With me!" The badger, followed by two more guards runs from the room into the street after Thelergramor.
Meanwhile, the locked cabinet yields almost instantly to Noosha's touch. All too easy.
"I AM a Blackback house guard, Mister Lothar," Hartford says, "This is what I do when I am not specifically assigned to a member of the family." The big reindeer is futiley trying to get Noosha out of the tapestry. "Please hold still, miss!" He says.
Lothar grumbles to himself as he tries to help hartford free Noosha, instead just fumbling around to help the already clumsy dear to mess up more before an idea strikes him. "Sorry-sorry Hartford I just--- I didn't think you'd be standing duty here erm, I thought you had a date!" The skunk nodding as he suddenly trips, yanking a section of cloth from under his foot to make it realistic and send him hopefully into the case. Should he manage to knock it down, hopefully at least one of the other guards would come to help the poor Reindeer.
Thelergramor glances at the guards, smirks, pulls on his hood quickly and tears ass down the street; trying to be just slow enough for them to keep up, but still be too far away to catch. Plots where he should go to escape...
All Noosha has to do is look at the lock and it springs open! Ha! With a deft movement, she pushes up the box, swaps the gems, stashes the real one in a right-robe pocket. The now-empty box of dummy gems skids across the floor as Noosha's head pops up out of the tangled tapestry. "This o--" she freezes, swallowing hard. "...um...'I' can't believe he would say that!"
Noosha sniffles exaggeratedly, pigtails sagging as her ears flop. "Don't be too hard on the wolf! This..." she casts about for a suitable insult, "this...assbutt has been harassing me and my...mate!" A tiny scowl (not altogether faked) crosses her face. "He deserved it!"
Shliek immiediately starts to work on the lock when his guard runs after Thelergramor. Pulling out a miniscule set of lockpicks from a pocket inside of his cloak, he goes to work, tweaking at the lock here and there, gem ready to swap as soon as he manages to spring it.
Three guards gone, one guard somewhat distracted but that still left three in the room. But perhaps the confusion was enough? Perhaps not.. "Fire?!" The tigress exclaims, running towards one of the remaining guards in an attempt at furthering the chaos in the room. "Is that fire I smell?" Reaching out, the tigress places her hands upon the impressive armour that encased her chosen mark while directing a wide-eyed look of fright their way. "First that ruffian starts a fight and now the building is on fire! Won't you help?"
Semran glances over at the remaining guards through the corner of her eye. The wolfess lightly scratches her chin, and smirks when she catches onto what the feline is doing, and in order to help further the distraction. The wolfess sneaks out into the hall, and with a set of matches she pills from a pouch on her hip. She sets a small fire out in the hall, and slips back into the room.
The guard that Kaelli approaches, a heavy clan moose, shakes his head, then sniffs the air. "Wait," he rumbles, "I think I do smell something!" He signals to his two compatriots and they hurry into the hallway.
After a moment of work, Shliek manages to pop the lock on the case before him! Now all he needs is a decoy to replace it with!
Thelergramor manages to stay just ahead of the badger and hus companions. Hopefully he can find a way to escape!
Lothar crashes into the display case, sending it crashing over. "Mister Lothar!" Hartford cries, hurrying to aid the young Blackback, "Are you alright?" Looks like the room is clear for a moment.
Lothar groans for a moment, not out of fake lies but rather the reality that he just crashed into a display case... And now there were calls of fire? HIS HOME WAS BEING SET ON FIRE?! The young blackback rubs his head and pushes himself up to his knees. "Just... a bit shaken Hartford, uhm... Water, go get water and help them put out the fire! This is chaos!"
Thelergramor is ahead of the guards! Successwolf! Now, where to go... Castle district. So... Ah! Mange Square! The posh Blackback guards won't chase him that far! Probably. So, the wolf just keeps on running, smirking and amused by this turn of events. If only he knew there was now a fire... he'd be laughing too hard to run!
Noosha sets to work on the next lock, as Hartford busies himself with attending to his fallen Blackback. Maybe having the noble on their team would work out. So...one swapped, Shliek was on the next...with the chaos all around, she tosses a gem to Shliek and shuffles along, 'carrying' the box of decoys under her foot. In place at the next one, she pulls up the hood and sets to work on the next lock. Hopefully it'll open as easily as the last...
Shliek holds up his hand, catching the bauble in his hand and slipping it into place while tucking away the real gem. He closes the case and seals it again to leave it looking untouched. Wasting little time, he scampers to the next closest gem and sets to work upon its enclosure.
Kaelli does indeed catch the scent of smoke in the air now and gives a soft little gasp that is entirely genuine. Well, something was burning.. No sense letting it go to waste! While the two smaller beings were working on the locks, the tigress maintained her worried expression as she surveyed the room and carefully watched the remaining guard as well as throwing glances at the exits in case further distractions were needed.
Semran hugs the wall as the guards rush by to check on the fire. The wolfess makes her way back over to the others to check on their progress. Grinning when she catches the sight of Kaelli's surprised look when she catches scent of the fire.
"Are you sure you are alright, Mister Lothar?" The reindeer asks, "I'm sure the others have whatever Mister Thelergramor dud under control." The blue reindeer carefully helps the young skunk to his feet. "Should I take you to your rooms, Sir?" he asks, "and wasn't Errol supposed to be with you today?"
While Shliek is having some trouble with his second lock, Noosha opens her next case with a single flick of the wrist! Things are messy, but going well so far. If you are not a Blackback or one of their servants at least.
Lothar swallows slightly as he gives a slight glance for a moment before looking at Hartford and nodding. "Y-yeah, probably best..." The skunk nodding to the Reindeer as he looks for a moment and frowns still about the fire, letting Hartford take the lead in escorting him out.
Thelergramor just keeps on running! Thinking about... "Shit... contact." Thieves guild, he remembers. Tries to remember where that is... Mange square, somewhere... Shrugging, the wolf heads for the diseased pig; knowing that at least one guild member'd be there to tell him where it is... Might even be there. The wolf is unsure.
As the next case eases itself open, Noosha glances back towards Hartford, the sole remaining guard. That idiot reindeer was still busy, and Lothar didn't seem like he was about to betray them at the moment,..she pockets the next gem, scampers over to the box to make the swap, and picks it back up. Three down. Four to go. Her cohort was having trouble with the locks, which was frustrating--what good is a pack of thieves with only one good thief weight?
She sends some hasty shadow-speak to any who might hear: [Eyes on the door! We'll still need diversions!] as she replaces the decoy and rushes to her third case...
Shliek glances at Noosha and rasps back a reply in the shadow tongue to her. (I am in the wrong soul for managing locks. I will keep the guards distracted, you finish up the swaps!) With a nod, he turns and scampers back towards the entrance to intercept the guards should they return.
While Kaelli could not hear the unspoken communication, she still had her attention split between the guard and the door. It was a bit tedious, certainly, but it kept the feline in a mobile posture that would allow her to move forward should one of her companions require an active distraction or should someone try to enter the area. However, once Shliek ran by to take up a lookout position, the tigress grinned and moved to try her hand at a lock instead.
Semran bites her lower lip when she picks up Noosha's request for further distractions. The fire was really her best idea for a distraction. The only other ideas the wolfess has to provide a distraction so that her comrades could get the job done would be to either take Lothar who is apparently a blackback hostage. Which of course would mean she would most likely not be able to move around as freely as she likes. Or to strip down butt naked, and start running around screaming like a mad woman. Which she is currently hoping it won't come down to her having to do either. However she does remain ready to do either if need be.
Noosha's third lock gives her a little more trouble, but finally the tumblers click open and she has three gems and three switches made! Kaelli even manages to spring the lock on one of the cases! With Shliek's success, that means there are on,y two gems left!
"He won't get away," comes a grumble from outside, "I will see to it that The Solacious family does something about that rabid animal they keep!" Shliek can see the guards returning, not much time left on that front. Similar grumbling seems to be coming from the other way. "Half a box of matches on the carpet!" Comes a growl, "And you can bet whose pay it will come out of!"
Hartford is gently helping Lothar away from the broken case. "You just get to your rooms, Mister Lothar," he says, "I'll be along a little later to make sure you are alright. And I will have a word with Errol! You ar not supposed to be out in the city on your own!"
Lothar goes to take a step and winces, hissing through his teeth as he freezes for a moment. "Erm, gladly hartford but uhm... Don't think you could happen to spare a quick shoulder? I think I may have pulled something..." The Young skunk trying to favor his right ankle as if he had sprained it.
Thelergramor makes his way into the pig, and does as any successful distraction tends to do: Start drinking to celebrate his freedom! Takes a seat in the corner, subtly asking someone about where the guild is. While trying to get wasted/sloshed/slammered... Whisky~
This was not the cleanest job Noosha had been part of. And why she hated leave it to fate. But her third one came up, after some struggle. Another scamper, another swap, and she sets to work on her fourth. With a quick glance up, she notices the tigress aiding her. Finally, some competence! She flashes a toothy smile to Kaelli, then sets to work, her nimble fingers working what should be her final lock!
Shliek pulls his hood tight over his face as he confronts the guards. Using his best oiled voice, he speaks to them as a concerned citizen would. "With all of the cgaos going on tonight, don't you guys think you should probably stand guard out here and stop any other shady characters from going into the manor and causing more trouble? I'm sure your noble superiors would appreciate your effort."
Lacking and replacement gems, Kaelli gives a quick gesture to Noosha once she sees that grin, indicating that the other thief should replace the gem in the case she had just unlocked. A quick glance over her shoulder shows that the remaining guard is still occupied with their noble comrade. Moving on to another case, the tigress once more tries to help lighten the hyena's workload by prepping the cases for her.
Semran frowns at the sound of approaching guards seeing as Lothar is more or less already on her way out, and shliek is attempting to talk the guards into staying. The wolf starts to prepare to strip down, and run out into the hall screaming.
"Oh!" Hartford cries, "Of course, Mister Lothar!" The reindeer gathers the noble skunk gently in his burly arms and carries him toward the stairs. "I will be back soon!" He calls to his compatriots as they begin to emerge from the back hall.
Kaelli and Noosha both manage to pop the locks on their respective cases, leaving the group with all the gems, and two empty pillows that want filling!
At the door, the badger guard snorts and tries to wave Shliek aside. "Come on little guy," he says, "There's nothing else to see out here. And now we still have to clean up after the mess inside!" Still, he does not try to barge past.
Lothar nods slightly to Hartford as he's carried, clearing his throat slightly. "Y-You--- I just needed a shoulder but alright Hartford... What were you guarding anyways?" The skunk perking up as he tries to discover exactly -what- soul gems had just gone missing, though he does pin his ears back and give the Reindeer a very low and heartfelt "... I'm sorry too."
Noosha pulls up the decoys and tosses them to Kaelli, leaving an empty box. "Now what?" she calls, looks about wildly. Her pocket was heavy with gems, and she knew she wouldn't be able to sneak pass the guards.
"You!" she squeaks at Kaelli, holding the other two gems. Without warning, she leaps up and stashes the four she had in Kaelli's bodice. "Fill the pillows and give me a boost!" she commands, pointing up to the broken window, though her helium-high voice lacks authority somewhat...
Kaelli catches the two dummy gems and quickly places them in their cases before relocking the displays only to find the hyena shoving the stolen stones down her shirt! Blinking, the feline shrugs and tosses the two she had claimed down there as well before quickly adjusting her cleavage. Without question, the tigress simply picks the hyena up and gives her a few short moments to prepare before tossing her window-ward.
"Are you -sure-?", Sh'liek asks the guards. "I heard that wolf guy has connections... he could be fetching reinforcements right now!" The lizard looks left and right, acting more paranoid than he is by nature.
Semran looks between the door, and the window the window the hyena escaped through, and not being the one to be last seen in the room. before the gems are discovered to be fake. The tall wolfess crosses the room and jumps up, and attempts to grab onto the edge of the windo, and pulk herself up, and out.
"Come on, little fella," the badger says, shooing Shliek away and tromping through the door with the others on his heels.
"Creators!" Rumbles the returning moose, "What a mess! And it wasn't even Hartford this time!" One of the guards is dispatched to go find someone to take care of the torn tapestry and shattered case, though the false gem inside still glitters prettily.
"I heard that!" Hartford calls as he reaches the top of the stairs, to the great amusement of the other guards. "Just some fancy soul gems that were carried around by some famous folks is all," he tells Lothar, "the family bigwigs like to show them off is all. You know, I hear that one of 'em was from a famous pirate!"
Somehow, no one seems to notice as first Noosha and then Semran manage to squirm out the broken window! Though, in the wolf's case it is a rather tight fit.
Oh dear lord no. THe skunk merely nods slightly to Hartford as he clears his throat. "Really gotta watch them then... And I'm still sorry I was a clutz back there Hartford." The skunk remaining silent, appearing fine to be taken to his room, and passing on the reward this day.
Success! Noosha dangles down, then drops, knees bent and ready for a hard landing...though, since she was pretty small, it shouldn't be too rough. Once in the bushes, she grabs for her crowbar and makes for the Thieves' Guild, eager to wash her hands of this band of misfits and collect her rewards.
As soon as the guards leave him behind outside, he scampers off, ducking into the nearest alley and navigating his way through the underworld's passages back to the Thieves Guild.
Kaelli ducks at the large wolf comes barreling past and vaults over her head, blinking in surprise at the sight. As it stood, that left her huddled in the corner when the guards returned. Pulling her hood up, the feline tries to obfuscate her features and hopes that in all the rush and confusion, no one will remember her. Biting down sharply onto her lower lip, tears sprung to the tigress' eyes and she gave a little sniffle as she stood, head bowed and arms held against her chest at such an angle that her generous build was emphasized while conveying a look of hesitance and fear. "Is.. Is it safe now? C-Can I go..?" The whimper in her voice is laced with as much vulnerability as the siren could muster. Hoping she appears as nothing more than a scared visitor who has been caught in all the commotion, the woman moves quickly towards the door.
Semran drops down into the pushes shortly behind Noosha. The long legged wolfess glances back over her shoulder at the window wondering if the feline would be following out the window. She waits a few seconds but when the feline doesnt appear. Semra sneaks off the blackback property, and makes her way over to the thieves guild.
The retreat goes off without a hitch and the party, minus Lothar manages to make their way to the Pig where they find Thelergramor deep in his cups, and the Thieves' Guild below where their panther contact waits. "Took you long enough," he growls, tossing a small satchel of Freesword tokens and various easy-to-shift valuables on the table, "Now, my gems?"
Back at the manor, Lothar is comfortably esconced in his private rooms with Hartford playing nursemaid. "Where is Errol, anyway, Mister Lothar?" the blue reindeer asks. Business as usual.
Lothar clears his throat and fidgets slightly as he's left in his room. "I... May... Have given him the slip by the docks. Sorry about that." The young skunk bowing half way before working on limping his way on over to his bed, this has been exciting enough for one day.
Thelergramor, now mostly drunk, follows his compatriots down to the thieves guild. Takes his payment and such quietly. Is kinda busy with his thoughts. Mostly: The major better not hear of this... Leaves, staggering on out into the night to go... somewhere...
Noosha shakes his head at Thelergramor--these Beings and their vices! Alcohol just dulls a good thief. She collects her pay and draws her hood, planting herself at a table, eager to eavesdrop. Hopefully the next job would be a little smoother...
Kaelli is less than thrilled at having been saddled with the loot and then left alone. Though the feline had strongly considered simply walking away and keeping the gems, her peculiar moral code wouldn't allow such a thing. Having used her cloak as cover, she fished the gems out on the walk there and once she is standing before the panther, the tigress places a plain satchel on the table and collects her own share of the payment. Pausing on her way out, she takes note of Thelergramor's inebriated state and sighs softly. Hooking an arm around the wolf's waist to steady him, the woman makes sure to guide him to whichever location he chooses to call home. "Come along, friend.." she murmurs in an almost maternal tone that does not invite any argument on the topic.
Semran gathers up her reward, and heads up stares. Stopping for a quick drink before departing for the freeswords inn. Where she intenes to find a room to sleep for the night.
