[Helvetica] GM starts the log anyway.
[Helvetica] Gert asks (of Arvid), "Are you caught up with the current happenings?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "uh, I think so"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I looked over the transcript"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "it seems like Raoul is three different people at once"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "some of whom are married"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh, yeah."
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "is there any actual evidence he's taking the women's money? I mean, I guess he must be, but have we heard from anyone saying he's done so?"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Well, he's now passing himself off as rich-ish."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Whereas he wasn't last iteration."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm, true"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "The money is indeed gone, at least."
[Helvetica] GM says, "Also, there was Agathe's inheritance from her mother, which I think it's safe to say she doesn't have any more."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yeah."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh, ok"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "So, um."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "There's something I now realize it would have been a very good idea to bring with us."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "But I forgot it last session."
[Helvetica] GM says, "Yeah, I was wondering."
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "what?"
[Helvetica] Gert says (to Arvid), "If you can think of it without me actually saying what it is, that'd be better evidence that we brought it with us after all ;-)"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I don't see why you need a ten-foot pole to stop a wedding"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Or I can spend a drama die or something."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee"
[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "you could make a Wits roll, I suppose."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "To stop Raoul specifically."
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Sure. TN?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "15"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "I might spend a drama die on it..."
[7thsea] Gert rolls 2k2: 4 8 | 12
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yup! Adding..."
[7thsea] Gert rolls 1k1: 3 | 3
[Helvetica] Gert says, "w00t."
[Helvetica] GM exclaims, "hah!"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "hmm, ok, what is it?"
Gert remembers that she packed up the carefully-wrapped anti-Porte mirror in her pack the last time she put it away, and is grateful for her foresight.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh yeah that"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "sensible"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "That's the sort of thing that if this were a movie, people would say, "What? It's totally not believable that they didn't bring that with them.""
[Helvetica] GM exclaims, "Nicolette wouldn't be able to sense the location of the ring, with that thing hanging around!"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yeah, we can retroactively have me taken it a distance away for those scenes."
[Helvetica] Gert says (to GM), "(I assume that's indeed what you were thinking of, too?)"
[Helvetica] GM says, "It was, yea."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Excellent."
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "How far away do we have to take it for her powers to work again, by the way?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "I forget. Probably something like 30 feet? Dramatically Appropriate Distance."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh, OK."
[Helvetica] GM says, "okay, it is now 16:30 by my clock. I say we start now and let the others join in when they come."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "sounds good"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "OK by me."
[Helvetica] GM says, "So, when we last we left our heroic crew, they were having coffee at a small Eisen village on the way to Karnstein, where Camilla is getting ready to marry a suspiciously suspicious character named Reinhardt Gruber....."
Arvid says, "the one thing I don't understand is why Meunier doesn't start with a G"
(From GM) Erich says, "Because it starts with an M?"
Arvid says, "well, I suppose"
Arvid says, "perhaps that part of the alphabet got too hot for him"
Arvid says, "anyway, I suppose we'd better get going"
Arvid says, "ideally we'll arrive ahead of the Baron"
Gert finishes her coffee.
Gert exclaims, "Onward!"
Gert packs up the poster of Raoul.
Arvid gets some help to clamber on behind Erich
GM says, "canter canter canter."
Arvid exclaims, "and watch the bumps in the road this time!"
GM says, "Karnstein is an old town right up against the edge of the Schwarzen. Many of the buildings are abandoned and crumbling."
Arvid says, "won't be many years before the forest takes it all"
GM says, "Schloss Karnstein is surrounded on three sides by twisty-looking trees, up the road from the town church, which the villagers are now decorating with flowers."
GM says, "The Schloss itself is very tall and narrow ... almost all tower."
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "a schloss is the lord's manor?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "right. castle, basically."
GM says, "A pair of accordian players are practicing in the village square."
GM says, "Generally, the people look pretty happy. In a festive mood."
Arvid asks a passing townsperson about the celebration
Gert says, "Well, I guess we go look for the groom..."
GM says, "It's the wedding of the Countess. Everybody's been looking forward to seeing the young Countess married."
Arvid asks, "well, that's a pleasant surprise -- who's the lucky fellow?"
GM says, "Fellow by the name of Gruber. Reinhardt Gruber. Frau Appenzeller, the Countess's grandmother, thinks he's a noble, but he hasn't an ounce of dracheneisen on him (snicker). Probably just a rich businessman, which isn't a bad thing. Could be good for business."
Arvid says, "well, I suppose whoever the lady picks ..."
GM says, "The people just want a family in the Schloss again. The Countess's report cards from her school in the mountains are public knowledge, and there seems to be a distressing lack of Martial Skills on her curriculum."
Arvid says, "ha ha"
Arvid says, "well, it's more efficient to either pick civil or martial"
GM says, "So she better give her people a fine warrior child who can defend the place."
Arvid says, "hmm, fair enough"
GM says, "The groom's been staying at the Schloss until last night. It wouldn't be right for him to spend the last night before the wedding in his fiance's house, so he's moved for the time being to the inn."
Arvid asks, "oh, so the wedding's today?"
GM says, "(also, fiancee)"
Arvid says, "it would be a great pity if we missed it"
GM says, "Tomorrow morning."
GM says, "(It's evening by the time you arrive)"
Gert regroups.
Gert says, "Well, I suppose one option is to simply contact the local authorities/guards, take them to the inn, have Erich ID the guy, and have him arrested."
Arvid says, "oh, er, right"
Arvid says, "well, I suppose we've got to head to the inn ourselves, so perhaps we'll see him"
Gert asks, "Inn first, then guards?"
Gert asks, "Or guards first?"
Gert says, "I guess we can take him, if need be, but I'd rather not have the populace jump to his defense."
Arvid says, "possibly we should make sure he's who we think he is"
Arvid says, "so maybe Erich should stay out of sight -- he won't recognize anyone else"
Gert asks, "Oh, come on, what are the chances we've wandered into someone *else's* story here?"
Gert says, "But sure."
Gert says, "We should keep an eye out for Elena, too."
Gert says, "She'd recognize us."
Gert says, "Though she might not think we suspect."
Arvid says, "good point"
Gert wears her backpack-with-mirrors-in-it, and makes sure her axe is accessible.
Gert asks, "How about we take Nicolette and Erich with us, and send Hans and Cat to get a guard to meet us there?"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Because that's the division that makes the most logical sense in the game."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hee hee"
[Helvetica] GM says, "heh"
Arvid says, "hmm"
Arvid says, "perhaps we should be talking to the grandmother instead of the guards"
Gert says, "That could work."
Arvid says, "though it may be hard to get an audience with her the night before her granddaughter's wedding"
Arvid says, "maybe Cat and Hans could attempt to arrange an audience"
Gert says, "Sounds good--they're the ones that are nobility."
Arvid says, "good point"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess it makes sense after all"
Arvid says (to Erich), "remember not to let him see you"
Arvid says, "here, put this hat on"
[Helvetica] GM asks, "Does the hat say 'Schmott Guy!' on it?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hee hee"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess we are now in that part of the world"
(From GM) Erich says, "'Frozen Maiden'? Is this a sailor's hat?"
Arvid says, "well, ok, technically I stole it from Cat"
Arvid says, "but it was all I could find"
(From GM) Erich dons the hat and affects a look of nonchalance.
[Setting the zoned flag.]
Arvid says, "right, to the inn"
GM says, "The inn is a little rowdy. It's the pre-wedding celebration."
Arvid asks, "so is he downstairs standing drinks, or upstairs engaged in solemn contemplation?"
GM says, "There are a pair of serving wenches dancing on a table, showing off their knees. Suspiciously rosy-looking knees -- they've been rouged."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha ha"
GM says, "Erich doesn't see anyone familiar anywhere down here."
[Helvetica] GM says, "It's a crowded hall."
Arvid nudges a stranger and shouts in his ear to be heard above the din. "WHERE'S THE BRIDEGROOM? IT'S HIS LAST NIGHT FOR FUN"
GM says, "The stranger points to the stairs leading up."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm, so what's the plan"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we could pretend to be delivering something to him"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "impersonation is always fun"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "or we could just knock on the door and wish him congratulations"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "or we could sneak in a window tonight"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Does this plan involve hang gliders? I like hang gliders."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hee hee"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "we could claim to be delivering hang gliders?"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Let's at least head up for reconaissance."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "special gift for the bridegroom on the verge of changing his mind"
Arvid elbows his way through the crowd behind Gert
GM says, "The innkeeper -- a buxom-looking woman, climbs up onto the bar and shouts to settle the crowd. 'Okay, time for the pre-wedding celebration brawl! When I blow the whistle....'"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
Arvid heads for the stairs, or at least the shelter of a table
[Helvetica] Gert says, "'to settle the crowd'"
Gert looks regretfully at the common room, as she heads upstairs, thinks "Maybe it'll still be going when I get back"
GM says, "So you get to the stairs just as a piercing whistle goes off and the crowd ... unsettles, cheering."
GM asks, "Do you drag Erich and Nicolette with you, or leave them behind?"
Arvid says, "there are some things a young girl shouldn't see"
Arvid says, "otherwise she'll turn out like Cat"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "I guess we'd better keep them with us, since otherwise Nicolette will get a broken arm."
GM says, "Okay, so you're on the stairs with Nicolette and Erich."
Arvid says, "I suppose he's not staying in the honeymoon suite"
GM says, "There are four doors upstairs, all closed."
Arvid says, "you'd think there'd be something marking his door"
Arvid says (to Gert), "you're the wedding expert"
Gert says, "Well, they probably gave him the nicest room."
Gert says, "Which is probably the biggest..."
Gert says, "So the door with the most space between it and the end of the hall is that one."
Gert points.
Gert says, "You're probably better at listening than I am."
Arvid says, "normally I'm better at talking, but sure, I'll try"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Would the groom have the ring on him?"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "hmm, or the best man?"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "we don't know who the best man is, do we?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "Generally, the best man gives the ring to the groom, but on the night before, it's a toss-up as to which of them has the ring."
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Is listening at doors just keen senses + wits?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "sure"
[7thsea] Arvid rolls 4k4: 8 1 6 5 | 20
Arvid listens intently
GM says (to Arvid), "you here someone humming to himself. Occasionally the rustle of pages turning."
Arvid says (to Gert), "well, he's humming and reading -- that seems pretty relaxed for a man before his wedding day"
Arvid tries another door
[7thsea] Arvid rolls 4k4: 4 6 3 8 | 21
GM says, "silence"
Arvid says, "...empty, or sleeping"
Arvid says, "and not snoring"
[7thsea] Arvid rolls 4k4: 3 7 10+1 4 | 25
[7thsea] Arvid rolls 4k4: 10+2 1 2 8 | 23
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "my ears are surprisingly consistent"
GM says, "silence. silence."
Arvid says, "this is the only one that seems to be occuipied"
Arvid asks, "so should we knock?"
Arvid asks, "and if so, what do we say?"
Gert says, "Er."
Gert says, "I guess he can't stay in there forever."
Gert says, "You say something."
Arvid says, "oh very well"
Arvid rustles around and triumphantly emerges with a (not yet open) bottle of wine
Arvid plucks a ribbon off Erich's hat and ties it around the neck
Arvid knocks. "Gruber! Delivery for Gruber!"
Gert positions herself down the hall where Erich can stand behind her and be mostly blocked but still see the guy when he comes to the door.
GM says, "Pause. Then the door opens."
GM says, "The guy does look a little like the poster."
Arvid says, "*ahem*"
(From GM) Gruber(?) says, "ja?"
Arvid exclaims, "I've come all this way to say / congratulations on your wedding day! / I hope that things are going fine / please enjoy this bottle of wine!"
Arvid hands over the bottle and bows.
Arvid holds out his hand and coughs significantly.
(From GM) Gruber(?) says, "ach, thank you. Is there a return address, a sender I should thank?"
(From GM) Gruber(?) shakes Arvid's hand, surreptitiously slipping a guilder note into it.
Arvid says, "a Madame Schrei---ten"
(From GM) Gruber(?) says, "Ah. Tell Madame Schreiten I thank her for her generosity."
Arvid bows again and touches his cap. "And all my best wishes, sir!" He backs off down the stairs
Arvid isn't actually wearing a cap, but never mind
GM says, "Gruber closes the door."
[Helvetica] GM says, "forelock"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah that"
[Helvetica] GM says, "Also, might note that Gruber's wearing gloves, which is a little odd this time of the day."
Arvid retreats a distance away then meets up with Gert and Erich
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Bloody hands!"
Arvid says, "so was it him? I suppose it could be the same"
Gert asks (of Erich), "Could you see?"
Arvid says, "he didn't seem to jump when I started to pronounce Agathe's name, but it's hard to tell"
(From GM) Erich says, "It looks like him. I think he's an inch taller, though. The colour of his eyes is different.
[Helvetica] GM throws drama die at Arvid.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yay"
Arvid says, "hmm"
Arvid says, "I suppose such things can be changed"
(From GM) Erich says, "Raoul always had his hair powdered, or else he wore a wig, so I'm not sure if the hair matches.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "(if you had to change someone's eye color because they had acquired pyeryem, say)"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "This seems unlikely ;-)"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Wait, I thought you meant he had changed his eye color *by* acquiring pyeryem."
[Helvetica] GM says, "Yet a porte-pyeryem mage is possible under the basic rules. Silly basic rules."
GM says, "Gruber's eyes are brown. According to Erich, Raoul had blue eyes."
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "what about the poster dude?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "The poster is black-and white, but it does mention blue eyes."
Gert frowns.
Arvid says, "hmm"
Arvid says, "this isn't really quite conclusive enough to convince anyone, I think"
Arvid says, "plus I suppose there's a small chance we're wrong"
Gert says, "Yeah."
Gert sighs.
Gert says, "Well, let's try our Nicollete-dar."
Gert retreats to the other side of the inn if that's far enough, asks N to try sensing the ring.
(From GM) Nicolette concentrates. Then looks confused. "Um, let me try something."
(From GM) Nicolette opens her porte-pocket and pulls the ring out. "Uh. I have no idea how this got in there."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha ha"
Arvid exclaims (at Nicolette), "well, I guess that means you're the best man for the wedding!"
(From GM) Nicolette is all wide-eyed.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I wonder why he was giving his wives a blooded ring, anyway, if he was just going to skip out"
Gert dashes up to Nicolette.
Gert is about to wash it off, but then frowns.
(From GM) The ring ... suddenly isn't there any more.
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Wait, the mirror was in my backpack!"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
[Helvetica] GM exclaims, "Hah!"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "so much for the porte tug-of-war"
(From GM) The ring ... suddenly is still there.
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Yay!"
Gert says, "OK, I'm washing this thing off."
Gert asks (of Nicolette), "May I?"
(From GM) Nicolette says, "Sure."
Gert pulls the cleaning stuff she packed three sessions ago, and meticulously cleans the ring.
Gert retreats to the end of the hallway again, in case Gruber storms out.
Arvid says, "I guess that tips him off"
Arvid says, "but on the plus side, now your marriage can go ahead"
Gert says, "That's a very big plus, I have to say."
Gert secrets the ring away.
Arvid says, "I suppose you can't actually prove that it's your ring"
Arvid says, "if one of the guards were to accost you or something"
Gert says, "Hans can also identify it, and he's at least a noble."
Gert says, "My mother can as well, but who knows where she is."
Gert says, "Well, now we're sure he's close."
Arvid says, "true enough"
Gert says, "I was hoping to know which direction he was, but this basically works."
Gert says, "Actually, Erich can ID it, too."
Gert says, "As his sister's."
Gert says, "As can Nicolette."
Arvid says, "I suppose the man who answered the door may have been the best man rather than the groom himself .."
Arvid says, "ah, a good point"
Gert says, "Yeah."
(From GM) Nicolette says, "For a moment, I thought the ring was in that direction (points towards Gruber's room) but then it disappeared. But there was this same feeling as when I've got my mother's portrait in my pocket, that's why I looked there."
Gert says, "Hunh."
Gert says, "Well, thank you so much for your help, my dear."
Gert says, "Let's get out of here."
GM says, "Downstairs, the brawl is still in full swing. The innkeeper lady is still on the bar, belting out some song about how if you're good to her, she'll be good to you."
Arvid says, "hmm, going to be tricky to get through here"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "I don't have any great ideas about what to do next--wait until we're sure who the groom is as opposed to the best man?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "if he's a conman he might not have any friends -> no best man"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "and/or we could ask around for who the best man is, and see if that could have been him"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hopefully it will be pretty clear at the wedding ;-)"
Gert grabs a passing tossed guy, punches him in the face, then asks, "Hey, are the groom and best man both upstairs, or just the groom?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
GM says (to Gert), "just the groom. He's no fun. Best man's over there -- not a bad fellow, for a damn Montaignais."
Gert exclaims, "Thanks!"
Gert tosses the guy back into the fray.
Gert looks over at the ID'd best man.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "wonder if we recognize him"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "/her."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "(guessing it's Elena)"
[Helvetica] GM says, "of course you do. I'm not building any more new NPCs."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "(for no particularly good reason)"
[Helvetica] Arvid exclaims, "he's the best man, not the best woman!"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha ha"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "So who is it?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "you don't get best women until theah 2020"
GM says, "Best man, happily throwing punches at random heads, is one of the lawyers who (with Judge Dupin) tried to stop you when you left Bois-Franc with the Pervenches. Victor Gilbert."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "Nicolette's father is a lawyer but I don't know anyone who can id him"
(From GM) Nicolette squeaks in alarm and backs into a corner. "It's M'sieur Gilbert!"
Arvid asks, "do you know him?"
(From GM) Nicolette says, "of course I do, he's one of Daddy's friends."
Arvid says, "oh, right"
Arvid says, "well, we're comfortably out of montaigne now"
Arvid says, "the real question is what he's doing here"
Gert says, "Being the best man, seems like."
Arvid says, "good point"
GM says, "(The bar wenches with the rouged knees take over from the innkeeper lady, singing a number about how they murdered their good-for-nothing cheating boyfriends.)"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh."
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Anything else here for now? Or just head out?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah, I'm not really sure what to do now"
GM says, "Outside, the Baron's carriage is rolling into town."
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "I guess we can confront him tomorrow or something. What do we want to do? Get Agatha's money back? Get him to go back to her? Stop this wedding?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I dunno"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I mean, yes, get her money back"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I dunno if we need to stop the wedding necessarily although that would be fun"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "it seems like the town has been pretty sad with her unmarried"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Enh, she can do better."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Maybe she can marry Erich."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "They wouldn't even need to reschedule the wedding!"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "but he -- well, ok, I guess he might not be any more"
[Helvetica] GM says, "So many eligible young fellows at the school. And if not, maybe someone could build her someone suitable."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha yay"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "He was in love with someone? I forget who."
[Helvetica] GM asks, "y'all just standing at the stairs, watching the brawl and waiting?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh, I was just confused by his relation to her given that she was almost marrying the guy who is still married to his siste"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "r"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "but I guess that makes them .. nothing whatsoever"
[Helvetica] Arvid says (to GM), "yeah, I guess"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "until we decide what to do next"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "We can at least head outside."
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Hmm, is this a one-inn town?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "Because, y'know ... it's just a matter of time before Gilbert happens to look over and recognise you."
[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "at the moment, yes."
[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "It had another inn back when it was more populated."
Gert clears a path for the group to the nearest door, and heads outside, Nicolette cowering behind her.
Arvid cowers behind Nicolette
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha"
GM says, "Outside! The Baron's carriage is heading up to the Schloss. Night has fallen by now."
GM says, "(what was it you wanted the people-going-to-speak-to-Grandmama to say?)"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Maybe we can settle this in part by telling the Baron about the ring?"
Arvid says (to GM), "I guess that we were requesting an audience with her in re an urgent private matter"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, the Baron will probably believe us"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I dunno"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess we could beat up Victor and see if he knows anything"
GM says, "You meet the emissaries you'd sent, who tell you that you may indeed meet with Frau Appenzeller."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "probably a bad idea if he doesn't, though"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "OK, let's chat with the baron."
Gert follows the Baron's carriage up to the schloss, and dismounts when they get there. "
Gert says, "So! We have some more evidence. Can we talk with you? We've gotten an audience with Frau Appenzeller, too."
GM says, "The carriage stops inside the gates, and the Baron and his daughter get out."
(From GM) Baron says, "Eh? evidence?"
(From GM) Baron says, "I suppose it couldn't hurt. Bear in mind that it's dinner time and we haven't eaten."
GM says, "The door of the Schloss opens and a white-haired lady 'looks' out. Her eyes are completely filmed over with white."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess we won't be able to ask if she recognizes the guy on the poster, hunh"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh."
(From GM) Frau A says, "Baron Schriftsteller? Please come in ... I am sorry, I am expecting someone who claims they have urgent business."
Gert exclaims, "That's us!"
Gert says, "And the Baron is welcome as well--he can verify at least some of our claims."
(From GM) Frau A says, "Oh! Well, please come in."
Arvid says, "convenient how it all works out, really"
Gert, after everyone's settled, takes a deep breath. "So! I guess I should start at the beginning."
GM says, "Camilla shows up"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha oops"
(From GM) Camilla squees, "Laura!!1 Ooh, I have so very much to tell you! Oh, hellow Fraulein Werden. Laura, come on...."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
(From GM) Laura says, "didja hear Arielle tried to kill herself"
(From GM) Camilla says "what? such a stupid thing to do! Have you seen my wedding dress?"
GM says, "The girls run off."
(From GM) Frau A says, "Honestly, and she's supposed to be the Countess. What ARE you teaching her in that school of yours, Walter? Back in MY day...."
[Helvetica] GM says, "When the men were Men, and the women were ... also Men."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "of course they're on a first-name basis"
Gert says, "Recently, we undertook to rescue this man's sister from the revolution in Montaigne. Her husband had abandoned her, we believe possibly on purpose. He was a Porte sorcerer, and had blooded her wedding ring, to know where she was. After her rescue, he didn't show up to claim his bride... but the ring disappeared. But before that happened, we had Nicolette here mark the ring as well, so we would know where it was. We eventually were able to track it down--to this very city. Where we believe he had already used it to propose to another young woman, taking a different name. Frauline, have you, uh, felt the ring, and would you recognize it?""
(From GM) Frau A says, "I might. Most wedding rings are rather similar, you know."
Gert says, "True."
Gert says, "This one has a notch in one side, where my grandmother nicked it in a fight."
Gert says, "Which is another whole part of the story."
(From GM) Frau A says, "I remember Herr Gruber's ring had a notch, too."
Gert sighs, and pulls out the ring again, letting her feel it.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess if Gert's mom got her wedding ring nicked in a fight, no wonder Gert and Hans get on"
(From GM) Frau A fingers the ring for a while. "It's ... very similar. Enough to be the same, I suppose. Wait, I seem to remember a tiny spot that was a little ... sticky? abrasive? that's not here.
Gert exclaims, "Well, I just washed it off so he couldn't steal it back again!"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I suppose him being a porte guy is minor supporting evidence that he's lying about being a eisen guy"
Gert says, "At any rate, I believe that your grandson-in-law-to-be is this same man, that he is a Porte mage, and that he is, in fact, still married."
(From GM) Frau A hands the ring back. "I don't know what to make of this. Camilla's been so eager ever since she came home and met Herr Gruber face-to-face."
Gert says, "And is marrying your granddaughter to get at her inheritance."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"
Arvid says (to Baron), "I don't suppose you were at Agathe's wedding"
(From GM) the Baron shakes his head. "That was a very small, private wedding."
Gert says, "He wears gloves, does he not? I think this is to hide his red hands."
Arvid says, "if we rip off his gloves we could catch him red-handed"
(From GM) Frau A says, "Gloves? I've known him to wear gloves only once or twice. He's an avid falconer."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "afk a bit, if Arvid wants to pick up..."
(From GM) the Baron says, "That would be fairly conclusive, I think. Where is he now?"
Arvid says, "upstairs at the inn"
Arvid says, "engaged in thoughtful contemplation"
(From GM) the Baron smiles a bit. "Do they still have those nightly brawls?"
Arvid says, "if it weren't for Gert, we'd never have made it out of there"
Arvid says, "I had assumed this was a special pre-wedding brawl"
(From GM) the Baron says, "pfft. Mama Gisa finds an excuse for a brawl every night. Once, she had them brawling over poetry."
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "back!"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "mama gisa, hunh"
Gert says (to Baron), "We believe Elena is involved as well, though we're not sure how, exactly."
(From GM) the Baron says, "Elena, hm? Laura told me there's a rumour among the students that she's a fate witch."
Gert says, "Someone saw her disappear into a Porte hole just outside town."
(From GM) the Baron says, "Fantastic, just what we need. I suppose she's a different sort of witch, then."
Gert asks (of Frau_A), "Did his best man come to town with him--they knew each other from before, perhaps?"
Gert also shows the poster to the baron.
(From GM) Frau A says, "He arrived this morning, I think."
(From GM) the Baron shrugs and says, "I've never met the man. And remember, you never know when someone has a double walking around."
Arvid says, "how true"
(From GM) the Baron says, "Regina, I meant to tell you, we're entertaining this fellow, a Rodolphe Pervenche, Comte du Cap-Royal ... I swear, we could have been twins."
(From GM) Frau A says, "Stay out of Montaigne, Walter. It's not a good time to look like any Montaigne Counts."
(From GM) the Baron says, "Well, I'm starving. I say we get a bite to eat, then go take a look at this fellow's hands."
Arvid says, "an excellent plan"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "except for the part where he washes his hands while we're eating dinner"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "I think they're supposed to be permanently stained?"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "hmm, are they?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "wossherface said he didn't usually wear gloves"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "(though how she can tell with her vision)"
[Helvetica] GM says, "They're permanent, yes. But he's probably not been practicing long enough that he couldn't get away with pretending that they're red from doing laundry all the time."
[Helvetica] GM says (to Arvid), "when he takes her hand in his to kiss or to shake."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh yeah"
GM says, "So! Food, followed by confrontation."
GM says, "We'll skip the dinner scene ... it's mostly Camilla and Laura being giggly girls."
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Confrontation next time?"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Or go ahead and confront now?"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh."
[Helvetica] GM says, "up to you."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, since there are only the two of us today, possibly we should save it for next time"
[Helvetica] GM says, "All right, then."
GM freezes the scene at the inn, where the nightly brawl is winding down.
Arvid says, "Hans will be sorry he missed that"
Arvid says, "but he can go to the celebratory post-wedding brawl"
[Helvetica] GM says, "I'm not sure about next weekend. It will *probably* (but not definitely) be bad for me. The weekend after will definitely be bad for me, I'm out of town."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh, OK."
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Well, post when you know!"
Gert has disconnected.
Gert exits stage left.