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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2020 2:13:43 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/8Bj7ftm/bud~jpg Freshly arrived in Amber, Brian spends some time seeing the sights of the city. Unfortunately for him, these are not the best days to sight-see what with the King and Queen so recently murdered and Prince Gerard, beloved of the common folk, killed while fighting a war in a distant land. Brian wanders about the city yet his feet always bring him back to Death Ally. He had heard tales of Bloody Andy's being the place to go for food and fun. He almost missed it on his first foray along the street as the place had changed its name to Bloody Eddie's. The proprietor of the place was pleased to have Brian as a regular. The local toughs looking to hone their skills brawling against the large oddly styled man also welcomed him to the neighbourhood - at first. The troublemakers learned to stay away from him after a few days and a few dozen broken bones the troublemakers learned to stay away from the giant. "Brian, it's a pleasure having you around the place, Bud, now the owner of the bar says, "But things are too quiet now. My customers, they're looking for dinner and a show if you know what I mean, and with you around they're not getting the full Bloody experience."Bud isn't wrong; for a Friday night the place has only a few groups huddled around the tables. Brian can take some consolation knowing that the band appreciates him now that they do not need to smash their instruments over the heads of rowdy bravos during their weekend sets. "So as a favour to me I need you to find another local by Monday. Sorry man, I hate to do it but I'm trying to run a business here."
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Post by Brian on Sept 20, 2020 10:22:45 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/8Bj7ftm/bud~jpg Freshly arrived in Amber, Brian spends some time seeing the sights of the city. Unfortunately for him, these are not the best days to sight-see what with the King and Queen so recently murdered and Prince Gerard, beloved of the common folk, killed while fighting a war in a distant land. Brian wanders about the city yet his feet always bring him back to Death Ally. He had heard tales of Bloody Andy's being the place to go for food and fun. He almost missed it on his first foray along the street as the place had changed its name to Bloody Eddie's. The proprietor of the place was pleased to have Brian as a regular. The local toughs looking to hone their skills brawling against the large oddly styled man also welcomed him to the neighbourhood - at first. The troublemakers learned to stay away from him after a few days and a few dozen broken bones the troublemakers learned to stay away from the giant. "Brian, it's a pleasure having you around the place, Bud, now the owner of the bar says, "But things are too quiet now. My customers, they're looking for dinner and a show if you know what I mean, and with you around they're not getting the full Bloody experience."Bud isn't wrong; for a Friday night the place has only a few groups huddled around the tables. Brian can take some consolation knowing that the band appreciates him now that they do not need to smash their instruments over the heads of rowdy bravos during their weekend sets. "So as a favour to me I need you to find another local by Monday. Sorry man, I hate to do it but I'm trying to run a business here."Brian sighed a bit. " I suppose thats fair.." He takes a long drink of the beer taking an assessment of the place. "Do you have any recommendations? I came here because well..." He smirked a bit "I figured with the reputation of this place being what it is this was the right place for me to go. Find the right experience of Amber so to speak."When he came to Amber to seek out his 'Family' he came to this place for a specific enough reason. He wanted to draw eyes to him and then draw people. Of course that plan was fruitless as soon as he heard the deaths that had befallen the Royal family. But the 'Bloody Experience' had given him a secondary benefit. He was able to burn off some feelings of anger and frustration he had. ~Maybe this is why 'Gentle Annie' sent me here to?~ He shook his head thinking about his wife's instructions to him to come to Amber find his kin and do whatever he needed to do with them. It had been so long away from Earth that Brian never really touched down some of his emotions about what his life has become. But from what The Morrigan told him of his kin here....he isn't sure they are who he should seek out."The Recommendation doesn't have to be for a place of Violence." He repeats to his host. "A place where I would stand out and draw attention. Thats what I am here for."
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Post by Admin on Sept 21, 2020 2:54:49 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/8Bj7ftm/bud~jpg "You've got people's attention all right. Before you came here this street was known as Death Alley, a few days later it was Blood Alley, now the locals are petitioning to have it names 'Primrose Path' Bah, bloody gentrification if you ask me."He pours a Janx Spirit for Brian. "Figure I should comp you a couple. Ain't your fault these toughs come at you lookin' to fight.
"But you'll stand out wherever you go. To make the biggest impression why not just walk into the castle? Or more subtly, join Julian's Rangers or the navy? Fight a couple of battles, get a promotion then you're in like Flynn."Maybe there is a third option for Brian - through the door comes a young woman wrapped in a dark green cloak. She looks around fretfully at the tables then begins to walk towards Brian.
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Post by Brian on Sept 21, 2020 3:09:19 GMT
Brian laughs a bit at that "Sorry I didn't know what to expect around here. Joining the Rangers and the Navy would be more complicated. Swearing oaths to a military here would be a challenge for me to sort through. Walking into the Palace is me entering there on the Palaces terms." Brian sniffs the spirit before drinking it. " The problem is the throne has its own rules and things. Golden manacles.Walking up to the castle means they define me. I am more a 'King by his own hand' type. "
Brian sizes up and evaluates the woman. He ponders if she is here for the sport of this place or if she is what he has been trying to attract as attention. He speaks to the woman but not turning around. He trusts his senses of combat to give him the ability to react if she is capable. "The Barkeep here has accused me of draining the sport from this place. Are you here to help him? Or are you here to see the man who has drained the sport?"
He points to a seat beside him "The finger food here is good as well. I don't suppose I would mind company while I eat."
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Post by Admin on Sept 22, 2020 4:58:06 GMT
The young woman mutters thanks and sits at the table. Bud asks her what she'd like to drink.
"White wine spritzer," she says.
Bud raises an eyebrow in confusion.
"With a cherry and orange slice,"
He raises the other eyebrow.
"I'll see what I can do."
The woman straightens out her cloak as she gets settled.
"Mister Brian, they say you are the toughest man on the docks and not afraid to tussle with those who threaten you. I'm looking for a person with those qualities."
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Post by Brian on Sept 22, 2020 10:52:50 GMT
Brian joins Bud with the eyebrows raised as well at the strange drink order.
[OOC: While you can get 'Anything' in Amber you can't get *anything anything* Does Sparkling Water/Club Soda seem to be a thing that is common place in Amber or is that something more exotic and a tell from some one who has been in shadow?]
"Do I look like some kind of Shamus?" He asks here more to see if the idiom draws a particular kind of reaction. "You are clearly troubled. So the immediate question I would need to know is the nature of your trouble and why you would think I'm the man to come to for help in this situation?"
He now take a serious regard over the woman now. " I am not opposed to the idea of being helpful. I am not opposed to the idea of drawing down trouble on myself. But I am picky about the kind of trouble I am willing to put on my shoulders while I am here. The type of trouble needs to be balanced perfectly with the particulars of the situation."
He turns back to his food and drink waiting for the Woman's counter. Like Bud said he makes a impression and stands out wherever he goes. This could be just a troubled woman. Or she could be the right kind of trouble sent to bait him into a guilded trap.
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Post by Admin on Sept 24, 2020 6:51:35 GMT
"A Shamus is just what I need, but one with a particular set of skills would be best.
"I'm looking for my missing husband, Lord Dorian of Amber. He's been missing since the explosion which killed the King and Queen. There are those who say they saw him after the event but since that night nothing."
Bud places a tankard filled with some liquid that looks suspiciously like an ale but with a few gummy bears floating on top and maybe a tic-tac too.
"Closest I could manage what with the troubles w' imports and all. An' also, we're more of a sailors' place," he says as an apology then shuffles off.
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Post by Brian on Sept 24, 2020 10:57:36 GMT
Brian looks between Bud and the woman. A slight nod to his head as he drinks for a moment taking what she said in.
~Truth be told you don't know how many idioms may have made it here. That might not be the best way to try to sort out folks who have traveled from those who haven't.~ He thinks to himself.
"So I am an Outlander. I am going to be less precise than some one who is from here. This seems like a task you would want precision for. "
Brian takes her in more seriously know. Does she have a look of a woman of Nobility? Is she a mistress who is faking being a wife? A woman who married a noble who is out of her class? All sorts of little strands of her story should be in her appearance.
"Lets start with the most important and basic question I would have before I decide to help you first. Would the good folks enforcing the Palace's justice have reason to suspect your husband might have been involved in the events at the palace? King and Queen being violently assassinated....makes for excellent cover for lots of other things. If rumor of your husband being seen after those events is circulating around then he is likely rumored to be a part of it."
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Post by Admin on Sept 25, 2020 2:45:16 GMT
The woman gives off an air of the aristocracy; even in a dockside bar where she doesn't know how to act or which drinks to order there is a hint of her station. And her hands show no calluses or other signs of manual labour.
"No! They wouldn't do that, would they?" she yelps.
She takes a calming sip of her drink then immediately spits it out on the floor.
"Gimme a Bayle's Piss," she manages to say in between gags and spitting.
Once she composes herself again she continues.
"No he never would have done that and they couldn't risk trying to pin any of it on him. He's the son of Prince Gerard, the fallen hero. His mother is Lady Chantris. If they try to set him up the lords of Amber will revolt."
Bud drops off a glass of wine. After a sip she says more.
"Dorian is a man of duty and honour. We just learned of Gerard's passing the morning of the explosion. I'd say he has rushed to that Kasaba place to get revenge on those who killed his father."
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Post by Brian on Sept 25, 2020 3:09:22 GMT
~Interesting.~ Brian thought to himself. She may not have known some of these things naturally,
"Can't say I know about the Royal House of Amber. Not of the like you do." He tapped his fingers on the table. "But the assassination of the King....castle has all kinds of secrets. Removing the king to get to those secrets and using your husband as a patsy. Folks in the Palace might be of a mind to do it. Fear some one who could inherit the popularity of his father. But you seem to have a 'They' in mind. If the establishment of the Castle isn't your husband's enemies that would make things easier for me if I decide to help you."
He takes her hand to look at the wedding ring on it. He has a ring of his own, a woven pattern of Celtic knot-work. (( OOC: also to establish a psychic connection to touch surface memories and emotions))"So who are the enemies you have in mind that I just had a hunch were there. Enemies of your Husband's and his fathers? I do need to know what I might be dealing with before I help you. But the last time I helped out a crying maiden of the palace I ended up swearing an oath to save her....So I am older and wiser enough to not just bite down deep on such foolish heroics. So why is it you sought me out? If your enemies are in the palace or are enemies of the clan in the palace your not just seeking out an Urban legend for toughness. And are you seeking some one out on rumor and innuendo or something more?"
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Post by Admin on Sept 27, 2020 7:49:07 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/6cQWm9m/lauren-bacall-promo-photo~jpg "I don't know much about the royal family either. Dorian has kept me out of the politics of the place. I met Gerard once when he visited Victoria but that's all. We planned to have me introduced to the family during our stay in Amber."She shows a sign of shock when Brian grabs her hand. "My husband is missing, sir, not dead. I don't appreciate such forwardness in your conduct.
"I sought you out because the voyage to Kasaba is dangerous, and the city itself is rumoured to be in the hands of an occupying force; your reputation as the toughest man on the waterfront makes you my best choice as a bodyguard. I know nothing of any enemies of Dorian's in the castle. I know my husband; he is heading to Kasaba for revenge."Brian can sense that the woman is telling the truth as far as she knows it. There is also the image of a red horse in her mind, which he recognizes as the sigil of House Chantris.
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Post by Brian on Sept 27, 2020 11:17:06 GMT
Brian chuckled for a moment as he withdrew his hand
Showing his own wedding ring "I am married myself. And my wife is not a woman I would ever trifle with."
He thinks for a moment on what she said. " Unless some other matter came to his attention at the Castle. As I said the death of the king and queen can lead to many things." He taps his ring on the table.
"I am willing to join you. But I feel a lack of diligence would not serve your desire. Did your husband have a friend in the castle? Not some one who is part of the family? I would like to at least go there and here of the tidings they have of him. Also if there are formal actions going on I feel it would be unwise of you to get the desire of your heart as a good woman to save your husband in the middle of the machinations of the castle if such are also moving to the same cause."
He looks into her eyes and smiles "Can you give me a Day to consult in the castle and investigate? Maybe 2? Gives you more time to see to it we have the right ship and the right ship captain?"
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Post by Admin on Sept 28, 2020 9:19:54 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/6cQWm9m/Shelly~jpg "He rarely spends time in Amber so there are few I could turn to in the castle for help. The Chantris family has connections and they have told me that there has been no sign of him in the castle or city since the night of the explosion."
"I have already booked passage for two on a ship leaving in the morning. I don't dare wait longer as it was difficult enough to find someone sailing to Kasaba now, who knows how long I'd have to wait until I could find another ship heading that way?"
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Post by Brian on Sept 28, 2020 10:52:10 GMT
Brian frowned at that. He turned to Bud "Looks like I will have to settle up with you later."
He stood up and looked at Lady Chantris " What is the name you go by? I will help you. However I want to avail myself of information from the palace. Its disappointing you don't have a connection but I suppose that will make things interesting."
He looked at Lady Chantris for a bit and smirked "And I would prefer if you come with me to the castle. If for no other reason if your husband has enemies who have done him ill I would prefer you to be near enough to me that no harm comes to you."
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Post by Admin on Sept 29, 2020 8:35:32 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/6cQWm9m/Shelly~jpg "Lady Shelly d'Avoine of the Saisfleur Estates," she tells him. "Is it wise to go to the castle? Would anyone of importance listen to your questions? And your reputation as a brawler doesn't that work against you in the rarified world of the nobility?"
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