Up in Smoke - RPLOG
Participants
Date
19/1/480
Log
The night is dark under the quarter moon, and the north-eastern wind makes the cool air carry a bit of a chill.
Donovan stands on top of a little hillock, looking down on the construction site for Flora Longtail's long-planned Promise Faire, or whatever it was she was calling it. His white fur almost seems to glow in the dim moonlight and he has donned a long coat as a small concession to the evening chill, but stands with it open and blowing in the breeze.
A small ocelot being quietly stalks up the side of the hillock. Short, lean and clad in dark travel leathers, Terry moves with a purpose towards the donkey standing in profile atop the dimly illuminated elevation. He slinks to his side, staying silent as he looks down at the fairgrounds. He observes it for a moment before looking up at Donovan, waiting to be told what is to be done.
The wind picks up slightly, the rustling of grass grows a little more as something comes from above. It looks like a small black shadowy mass, blurred in the dark, but Donovan and Terry are close enough to see it fully. It floats down next to them and whatever is around this figure slinks down into the ground. The figure is sorter than anyone here by a good foot or so. The ears that poke out of the top scan around for noise as he walks up to the two. "Greetings." Comes a hushed, but still deep voice from the small being.
Hardly quietly, a very, -very- odd reptile-like figure slowly climbs up the small hill, until they're at least in par with the Donkey and the Ocelot's height. Considering how dark it is, it may be considerably difficult to find out who or what they are.
"Uh... What's um.. Up?" Says the reptile-kin. Their voice however, seems considerably clearer than what you'd expect from a reptile.
Donovan arches one, immaculate eyebrow and looks at the three beings who have answered his call. While the saurian was certainly unusual, he seems most surprised at the small cat being after noting their markings and voice. The Ass shakes off whatever surprise he might feel, expressing only that raised eyebrow before falling back into an attitude of boredom.
"Well, glad you could make it," he says, "Don't worry about introductions, I don't want to get attached." He tilts his head toward the slowly developing wall and buildings below, quiet in the dim moonlight. "I imagine that you all know what -that- is? The latest Longtail travesty upon Firmament?" His eyes flicker toward Terry at that, for some reason.
Terry nods in reply to the question as it is presented. "Some manner of faire, like the farmer's faire but... exceedingly ostentatious." His eyes flit over to the edge of the camp. "I can't begin to imagine how expensive all this is... and how much of it the Longtails and their allies will ultimately put in their pockets." He looks over at the reptilian being, smiling briefly before returning his attention to the construction site."
Kastovin nods, saying "Yes, I've been down there a few times to see what was going on. Once stumbled upon Lady Longtail herself while I was there. I was taken to her tent and we talked about her projects." He eyes the donkey, taking a step closer. "Have we met before?" He says, taking off his hood. His markings are there, but dimmed to the point of being nearly turned off, but his eyes still glow brightly, looking up to Donovan with a gleam he knows all too well. He nods to the new arrival, taking note of their strange appearance. He turns to Terry and says "Yes, I was worried about that."
"I just got to promise recently but uh.. I can imagine how expensive that might be, even though I'm kind of out of the loop." The reptile's eyes flick over to the felines and then back to Donovan as the reptile takes a couple of steps closer. "To be honest, I don't even know the Longtails that much. Heard a bit of talk about them but.. Not too much. They're the nobles around here, aren't they?"
Donovan looks critically at Kastovin, looking as though he is wracking his memory. "No," he finally says, "No, I don't think we have. I am sure I would have remembered." His attention shifts to Cary and he nods. "They were, once," he says sadly, "Before they attempted to overthrow the Good Queen of her time. Now they are all degenerate gangsters and thieves! I can only imagine that this new "Highlady" is the same. On the surface, all of this -seems- in the interests of Firmament and Sweetwater, but I have no doubts that this new leader of this 'reformed' house has ulterior motives." He turns away from the view to look at the other beings on top of the hill. "As a concerned citizen, I want you to find out what she is up to and slow down her scheming in any way possible. For the good of Firmament!" His eyes go once more to Terry and he stares intently at the Ocelot for a moment, before turning back to the others.
Terry looks to his companions, looking over them as well. "I think we're up to the task." He trades that glance with Donovan, then looks down at the construction site. "We need to get closer and see what we can do. I suggest we start silent and see how much we can find out, if there's anything we can take or break that will hamper them, or any documents we can learn from..." He nibbles on his lip thoughtfully, before nodding to himself and starting on the path down. He walks slowly, this being a job for patience and discretion rather than immediate force and rapidity. He sticks to the shadows, using the natural cover of the hillock to hide his profile until he can get close enough to spy on the construction ground from close up.
Kastovin gives a small laugh. "I've been inside of her tent! I saw the map of the planned wall and everything within. I could draw it up for you, if you're so inclined. But beyond that, what exactly do we need? Papers, some sort of evidence that this is not as it seems? That would be at her house, would it not?" The small cat looks and sees the other cat already making his way down. "Great." He says with a small smile, he runs to follow close, motioning for Cary to follow as well.
Cary tilts their head, but follows. "Y'know... I'm not the best at stealthy.. Agile things but.. I'm a good distraction. But I get what y'all mean as this sounds quite sketchy.. The lady's things, that is." Cary tries their best at following the cat, but sizes considered.. That might not go so well for them.
Donovan stands silently on the hill and watches them go. He flicks a well manicured hand and a large gold coin appears between his fingers, which he proceeds to roll adroitly across his knuckles as he thinks.
The night time camp is quiet. There is not much to see here yet aside from the half built wall and meticulously laid out plots for construction sites. There are a few stockpiles of lumber and stone and a low, temporary building for housing workers and storage. It seems that there are a few guards as well, each dressed in simple coveralls with the LongTech seal sewn onto the sleeves. Each of them carries a hooded lantern, which makes them pretty easy to spot in the dark.
