Matt4
Paragon
Posts: 3,545
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Post by Matt4 on Sept 28, 2023 9:54:10 GMT -8
As Sylas gets up, Zemora extends her arm to pass him her mug as well. - "A bit too 'bustling' for my taste. But the market could be the right place to find some new clients. I'm still gonna drop by the court later, in case we don't find anything there." - she says.
"Tukgruff." - she says to the duergar, mostly as an aknowledgment of his presence. She would have never guessed she would end up working alongside a duergar but here she was. The drow had to admit she didn't even find his company too unpleasent, even though most of the joy she found in it was to be attributed to his lovely cat, Regret. She looked in amusement as the blonde cat followed behind Tukgruff as it played with a mouse. Adorable.
"So, will anyone else join me and Sylas at the market? Nerisse, you.. Hmm..." - even if they had been reunited for almost a year now, Zemora still wasn't sure on how to deal with her sibling. They had both changed very much in the years they had been apart. - "You could join us if you want. Or don't, if you have other plans."
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Post by Igordragonian on Sept 28, 2023 10:24:35 GMT -8
"Morning." Tukgruff has replied and has returned an ackmowledgment to Zemora.
"Zemora"
He was from a low class clan of Duergars... external relationships were beyond them usually.
And he has questioned many of the taboos and conbentions he was taught.
And he was humbled to the point he didnt considered himself better then drows.
Or anyone.
"I dont have plans." He reply shortly.
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Post by Marvoch on Sept 28, 2023 11:48:58 GMT -8
Sylas casually picks up Zemora's mug and arrives in the kitchen to wash them both. He then says from the other room: "If we want to drop by the court later, it's not a problem for me. Maybe we can snatch a job from some of their fossilized dinosaurs. It's always amusing seeing them grimace, rare as it may be."
Back in the room, he pulls up his hood, applies his veil to cover his face and puts on his gloves, ready to leave the inn with his trusty bow, never a foot away from him, even in his sleep. The only feature left to betray his race is the violet eyes that glow in the dark. Then he leans beside the door that leads to the hallway, crossing his arms and resting one foot on the wall. He's waiting for the other two women to decide whether to come with the group or go their separate way on the hunt.
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Post by Daos on Sept 28, 2023 12:24:17 GMT -8
"I have some contacts I can reach out to, see if anything shakes out," Mal says, "but they won't be available until nightfall. So until then, I'll hang back here. Maybe I can massage the numbers a bit in the meantime, find a way to pay the bills and keep the ONK at bay." Mal is, of course, referring to the Order of the Night Keepers, the local constables. They run a sort of protection racket in this part of the city, demanding a monthly payment from any businesses in exchange for their services. It's at this point the front door opens, causing the little bell attached to it to ring. A harsh beam of sunlight breaks in through the crack as a human woman steps inside. She blinks at the darkness, trying to adjust her blue eyes. "Uh, excuse me? Sorry? Is this..." She digs out a flyer from her purse and looks at it. "Azedeth Investigations?" The woman is young, perhaps in her early to mid twenties. She has long blonde hair, fair skin and is wearing black clothes with a black veil over her face, signifying mourning. Her hair and makeup are impeccable, but her clothes--while clearly well made and expensive--seem to be showing the beginnings of wear and tear. |
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Post by Marvoch on Sept 28, 2023 12:35:10 GMT -8
The woman finds herself exactly next to Sylas upon entering. She probably has not even noticed him yet. The elf, remaining in his position, promptly answers her question by saying: "Good morning, miss. Yes, this is indeed Azedeth Investigations and today is your lucky day. We have no other appointments scheduled, so we are at your full disposal."
He then turns to Mal and, taking into account the young woman's black veil, says: "Chief, are you sure you are not a seer?"
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Matt4
Paragon
Posts: 3,545
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Post by Matt4 on Sept 28, 2023 12:40:39 GMT -8
Zemora looks initially at the woman, then at Mal, her eyes two thin slits. - "Did you two rehearse this bit? If so, I'd say you missed your cue a few minutes ago." - she says, crossing her arms. - "Full disposal, yes. For a price." - she adds, right after Sylas is finished talking.
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Post by Daos on Sept 28, 2023 14:17:12 GMT -8
The woman looks a bit lost. "Bit? I...don't understand," she says, adjusting her skirt absently.
Mal clears his throat. "It's nothing, miss. Please, come in. Sit down. Can I get you..." Mal glances to the coffee, then seems to think better of offering any and drops it. "How can we help?"
The woman closes the door, which drops the room back into semi-darkness. She steps forward a bit unsteadily. "So dark in here," she murmurs to herself, before making her way to the table and sitting down, crossing her legs and sitting up straight. "I am Camille Hennequin." She takes a deep breath, as if trying to sort her thoughts. "Six months ago, I was married to Edword Hennequin, the eldest heir of the Henequinn family. Things were going well. We were discussing even starting a family. But a week ago, he suddenly died. No cause was found. He had no injuries, and there was no sign of disease or poison in his system. He was young and healthy; having just turned thirty winters. The police claim it was just a heart attack. But his heart was fine. Healthy people don't just...drop dead suddenly like that." She shakes her head. "Unfortunately, I've barely even had time to grieve his loss. Because we had no children, the Henequinn family has cut me off entirely. I've been forced out of their estate and the family fortune has been given to Edword's younger brother now."
She sighs. "The police won't help; they say there is nothing they can do. I've lost everything--my husband, my future...I cannot bring them back, but I at least want answers. I need to know the truth. Whatever that may be. Can you help me?"
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Post by GravityEmblem on Sept 28, 2023 14:20:52 GMT -8
Nerisse opens her mouth to answer her sister when the woman walks in, interrupting her. With little to say to her—Zemora and her bodyguard asked everything she wanted to know—she took to observing the woman, forming assumptions about her. A young widow, or the daughter of a deceased merchant—in either case, she got less of the inheritance than she expected. Thoughtful of her dress and appearance, thoughtful far beyond her current means—some would say “vain,” but that was a quality Nerisse happened to admire. Not too broken up about the death, but by the condition of her outfit it has been quite a while since her financial support kicked the bucket.
EDIT: Nerisse listens to Camile's story, nodding along as all her conclusions are proven correct...in her mind, at least. "Of course we can help, dearie," she assures Camile, approaching her. "You can work out a payment with Mal later, but don't worry about that for now." Shame about the way the family cut her off...she won't be able to pay as much, Nerisse thinks. "Now, can you think of any reason someone or something might want to kill your husband?"
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Matt4
Paragon
Posts: 3,545
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Post by Matt4 on Sept 28, 2023 15:03:53 GMT -8
Zemora rolls her eyes. It was obvious that this woman wouldn't have been able to pay, not the standard fare at least. But maybe they could have gained something from the inheritance somehow.
"Can you tell us more about your husband's family? His younger brother especially." - she asks, after Nerisse is finished with her questions.
OOC
Does she has any rights to her husband properties or where her former in-laws in the right to force her out?
I can roll Law if needed.
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Post by Marvoch on Sept 28, 2023 15:17:20 GMT -8
Remaining at the door, Sylas says his piece: "I guess the funeral has already taken place, so it will be difficult to inspect the body, more so considering that they cut you off from their family. Do you think it would be possible to have an official permit from the man's family to inspect the body? There are many kinds of poison in this world that cause cardiac arrest and quickly become almost undetectable, not to speak about more magical means. But there is nothing that doesn't leave at least a tiny trace behind, although a week is a lot of time for even that to become a needle in a haystack. Why did you wait so long to seek professional help, If I may, Mrs. Hennequin?"
After that he moves, heading toward one curtain to open it wide and let the light filter through undisturbed. He chose one that does not let the light go directly onto the table where the rest of the group is sitting. He turns to the drow sisters saying: "Unfortunately, not everyone is as accustomed as Ellasandra, Mal and Isabella to the darkness. Consider the light as an act of comfort for the poor woman."
He goes on to tell the widow: "There is one detail in your explanation that is unclear. Are your former in-laws still alive and in charge of the Hennequin family, or is this Edward the head of the family? And I would like to know what the relationship between your husband and his brother was, if that is possible. It could be important." It is obvious that his first thought went to an internal struggle for power. An almost unconditional reflex having lived in Drow society for most of his life.
Sylas's tone has a hint of detachment throughout the conversation. It is easy for those who know him better to see how he considers the woman to be work before being a person. Even his gesture of opening the curtain was probably just a ploy to make her more comfortable and make it easier to gather information.
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Post by Igordragonian on Sept 28, 2023 15:24:18 GMT -8
As a rat catcher... cleaniness wasnt a priority for Tukgruff, that just left his mug where it was.
Regret curiouse has left the mouse alone and would rub herself against the new comer studying her.
Tukgruff took a seat behind a table, pondering.
He has collected courage to ask what he deemed neccary
"Sorry for the damn question... but who exactly took a lool at the body? And where is it right now?"
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Post by Daos on Sept 28, 2023 18:33:09 GMT -8
"You can work out a payment with Mal later, but don't worry about that for now." Shame about the way the family cut her off...she won't be able to pay as much, Nerisse thinks. "Now, can you think of any reason someone or something might want to kill your husband?" "Payment? Yes, of course," Camille says, absently squeezing her purse a little closer to her chest. "I can pay, naturally. I don't have much left, but...will five hundred gold be enough? As for my husband, not exactly. I mean, he was rich and powerful, and that always creates enemies. But I don't know of anyone specifically who would want to see him dead. He was a good man. Calm. Patient. Not the sort to pick fights or lose his temper." "Can you tell us more about your husband's family? His younger brother especially ." - she asks, after Nerisse is finished with her questions. OOC Does she has any rights to her husband properties or where her former in-laws in the right to force her out? I can roll Law if needed. Camille looks a bit surprised by that question. "You...haven't heard of the Hennequins?" Mal clears his throat. "We're not natives to the city," he explains. "Oh. Well, they are something of a pillar of the city. They own a series of emerald mines to the north that has enriched them for generations. They also own a number of jewelry stores in the city to sell the gems they have dug up. Edword, as their oldest child, stood to inherit everything some day. But now it will all go to the next child, Trever. He's five years younger than Edword was. To be honest, I don't know him terribly well. The Hennequins...they weren't the closest of families. So we didn't see each other all that much. Just during holiday gatherings, usually. I know Trever is something of a...playboy, I suppose you could say. He would rather play than work, and was known to spend his coin...excessively. Edword was the more responsible sibling. Always planning ahead, figuring out beforehand where the market was going. He had quite a head for numbers." (OOC: Yeah, go ahead and roll for Law.) Remaining at the door, Sylas says his piece: "I guess the funeral has already taken place, so it will be difficult to inspect the body, more so considering that they cut you off from their family. Do you think it would be possible to have an official permit from the man's family to inspect the body? There are many kinds of poison in this world that cause cardiac arrest and quickly become almost undetectable, not to speak about more magical means. But there is nothing that doesn't leave at least a tiny trace behind, although a week is a lot of time for even that to become a needle in a haystack. Why did you wait so long to seek professional help, If I may, Mrs. Hennequin?" He goes on to tell the widow: "There is one detail in your explanation that is unclear. Are your former in-laws still alive and in charge of the Hennequin family, or is this Edward the head of the family? And I would like to know what the relationship between your husband and his brother was, if that is possible. It could be important." It is obvious that his first thought went to an internal struggle for power. An almost unconditional reflex having lived in Drow society for most of his life. "It all happened so fast," Camille explains. "I didn't even have time to process that I had lost him before I was being ushered out of my home, onto the street. But once the shock of it started to wear off, I thought much as you did, sir. I just couldn't bring myself to believe the gods could be so cruel and random. Someone must have done something to him. It just didn't add up. I don't know much about poisons or curses, but...I needed to know the truth. As his wife, I was able to get his body exhumed and examined. The Hennequins were not pleased, to say the least, but I figured by that point there wasn't much else they could take from me. The coroner stated there was noting wrong with him. I tried to get the police to investigate, but they refused. Said there was nothing to investigate, according to the coroner's report." She shook her head slowly, clutching her purse tighter. "I had about given up hope entirely, until I spotted your flier." Regret curiouse has left the mouse alone and would rub herself against the new comer studying her. Tukgruff took a seat behind a table, pondering. He has collected courage to ask what he deemed neccary "Sorry for the damn question... but who exactly took a lool at the body? And where is it right now?" When Regret begins brushing up against her leg, she absently reaches down to pet the feline. "Edword...the body...is still at the morgue," Camille answers. "They are waiting for me to give permission to rebury him, but I wanted to explore every possible avenue first." "Which morgue?" asks Mal. "Uh...the one under the temple of Renos in the Academic Sector. The Blaze of Passion Temple," Camille answers. |
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Post by Marvoch on Sept 28, 2023 19:29:19 GMT -8
After carefully digesting the woman's words, Sylas replied: "So your husband Edword had no particularly dedicated enemies; he apparently had no antagonistic relationship with his brother or family and was an honest man not entangled in any kind of the less savoury activities? What precisely did he do for a living? Did he manage the family mines and jewellery stores?"
Thinking about it some more, he finally adds: "Since you did such a good job exhuming the body, surely that is where we will start, hoping that seven days is not too long, Mrs. In the meantime, it would be helpful if you would make us a list of all his known rivals, minor or not. And possibly also a list of competitors to Hennequins' businesses know to you. If his brother Travis is so adept at letting money slip through his hands, killing your husband may have been a long-term investment for some of them, Mrs. Hennequins."
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OOC: Damn, I suck with names. I always end up mixing them. On a side note, Daos, does Sylas know where could he acquire information on the Hennequins' business competitors? Since the woman seems a bit out of the loop, he would like to have an emergency outlet.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 28, 2023 22:40:12 GMT -8
Ellasandra was quietly listening to the questions that were being thrown around, and how the woman was answering the questions. She had to agree that Camille did seem a out of the loop when it came to her husband's dealings. She stands up, and gently places her hand upon the woman's shoulder in a show of sympathy for the woman. "I'm sorry for your loss," she says first. "And do forgive the barrage of questions," she adds with a light smile. "Trever is now the heir, but is there anyone else within the family that would stand to gain from your husband's death?" she asks. "And is there any possible way we could search through your husband's belongings?"
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Post by Daos on Sept 29, 2023 11:22:40 GMT -8
After carefully digesting the woman's words, Sylas replied: "What precisely did he do for a living? Did he manage the family mines and jewellery stores?" OOC: On a side note, Daos, does Sylas know where could he acquire information on the Hennequins' business competitors? "Primarily, he helped his father manage the mines," Camille responds. "But he did a little bit of everything, from what I understood. He was being groomed to take over the family business, after all." She shakes her head. "I'm afraid I was nowhere near as well versed in business as him, though. I know little about the business world, or anything about competitors." Sylas' best bet in finding more about the Hennequin's competitors would be to head to the Merchant Sector and check in at the Guild Hall there. "And is there any possible way we could search through your husband's belongings?" "His belongings are still at the estate, so you'd need to speak to his family for that," Camille answers. |
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