Chapter 1 - Summer

Inside the Gambling Den | Elaine (Fail)~
Despite scanning the crowd thoroughly, you've no idea who this Julia Sardou could be, or if she's even here! But the only cost to your failure is time, of which you have some to burn yet.

As for a group of folk with noble bearing--why yes, there in the center of the floor; a group of young women laughing delightedly as they play cards.

"Full suite!" she laughs as she lays down her hand and collects her winnings.

Peeking down the Side Alley | Issac ~
Four laborers begin to roll the kegs through a large, barn door sized entry, clattering over the cobbles.

A fifth man leans on one of the wagons large wheels, smoking his pipe. He looks about the Alley, peering into the shadows for signs of trespassers--but he has the look of an average, bored worker, not a guard of any sort.

let's see, falling to death, lurking about in the dark, or direct access. No brainier there.

Issac moves toward the fifth man, in a direct, but non threatening manner. "Hey, buddy. I don't know what kind of operation you're running here, but you look like you're damn near falling asleep. Boss wants me to relieve you, says youre too slow in getting the goods out. These places are poppin' and it's all about getting the customers what they need, asap!"

After a few seconds "What are you still doing here?! Go, go , go!" pointing a finger and waving him to leave.

Back Alley Loading Door | Issac ~
Issac, you startle the man when you approach. He coughs on his pipe and stands at attention.

"Wait, the boss...?"He looks you up and down--the rapier at your hip (and the way it suites you), your swagger, and your aggressive confidence.

He's a Red Hand enforcer!

"Right! Ah, sorry sir. It's my first week. Ah, just, Vigo and Kurts are still unloading. You'll just, want to have them return the wagon when they're done, sir."

He gives an awkward salute and walks toward the mouth of the alley, hunching his shoulders.

The Gambling Den, Back Halls | Issac ~
Issac, you can her Vigo and Kurts grunting and dragging things about in a store room.

You also come across an open stairway that leads down to a dark basement, and, finally, a swinging door that sounds like ot leads to the loud, crowded gambling hall.

Elaine is somewhat perplexed by seeing a company of young noble ladies playing poker, but she decides to treat it as a blessing in disguise - hopefully they would be more welcoming to her than, say, rough-hewn workers. The louder one seems rather boisterous, and big winnings do incite bragging and untie tongues... As long as Elaine doesn't have to play to prove her mettle or something along these lines. She is terrible at poker - acting comes to her easy, but bluffing? A different matter entirely.

She nods to Aloys, letting him know her intent in a quick whisper, and then heads straight for the table in the center, leaving her companion to conduct his own investigation for now. Deciding that a straightforward approach might be the best, she then steps right up to the table, loudly coughing to attract the attention of the gamblers. "Excuse me, ladies? Does any of you happen to know someone named Julia Sardou?"

At the Large Card Table | Elaine ~
The women look up at you, their laughter tapering off.
"Julia, Sardou, was it?" She looks at her friends. "Should we know her?"
She shrugs, "Perhaps she's a berger, new money?"
"Hmmm. I doubt it. If she was worth knowing we would know her." She turns to Elaine. "Join us. We could use an injection of coin. Maybe if we chat I'll recall why that name sounds so ticking familiar. " She smiles at Elaine, a sly.

Going along with his original train of thought, Issac goes through the swinging door, and blends into the crowded gambling hall.

The Gambling Hall ~
Issac, you'd defiantly be able able to pick Elaine and Aloys out in the crowd--they're the two, over there, standing next to the table of young, noble looking women playing an overly complicated card game.

You'd also take in the following scene, much like Elaine did before you:

Elaine narrows her eyes at the woman with curly hair, immediately suspicious of the sly glint in her eyes, weighing the chances of this lady being Julia and simply hiding her identity. It's not impossible, and she does seem intense enough, with her playful comment only fueling Elaine's guess. But perhaps the musketeer is jumping to conclusions based on personal experience - not everyone hides their identities, after all. At least not in a literal sense.

"I'd rather not. I know my gambling abilities, and they'll only serve to make me destitute," she snorts. "Not to mention that the only money I have on me is copper, and you seem like high stake players..." Elaine gives it a pause, feigning thinking it over while actually discreetly examining the table, taking note of the cards. "Although if you are willing to take copper, how about a different kind of gambling - a bet? I bet that if you let me watch you play once, I will be able to perfectly replicate your playstyle in the next game. Provided, of course, that the game you choose isn't just luck; hard to have a set playstyle with those."

The Gambling Hall, Elaine's Gamble ~
Folk form nearby tables, or those just milling about, catch wind of this interesting proposal. A gentle murmur ripples through them.
She smiles at Elaine, but it has a bit of an edge. "An intriguing idea..."

Surely this is a woman who loves to play odds. "I accept. But come now, a copper? Let us bet on what hold value to you--information." She shares looks with her friends.

A pleased nod.

A flush of excitement.

She motions to an empty chair. "Please, sit. I am Diane Delsarte. And I assure you, we are playing a game of great skill: Tinker's Workshop. The goal is to build hands based on patterns shown by the dealer. Clocks are always wild."

"Here is what we shall do: my friends and I shall play three hands. Then you shall play three hands. If you can 'replicate' my style, as you say, I shall give you a true answer for each hand you win. But, should you lose all the hands, then you will answer three of my questions."

"Do we have a deal?"

Seeing people starting to focus on Elaine's table, Issac sees this as an opportunity to check out the back stair that leads to an office.

The Back Stair | Issac ~
The back stair of rough, wooden planks leads up to an equally rough hewn catwalk. The stairs are of a variety that double back on themselves, and a man sits a stool on the small landing.

His arms are crossed at his chest, and his eyes scan the crowd below slowly. Blades hang from his belt, and he has the appearance of a man who knows how to use them.







On the catwalk is a room with a dimmed window, and a heavy door that leads to said room. The light up there is dim.

Elaine moves to sit at the table, though not quite able to hold herself back from first examining the chair for anything suspicious - wine stains, mostly, not truly expecting anything worse. It's not exactly that she is squeamish, it's just... the place. The idea that they're dealing with criminals (which might not be the case, but the kernel of doubt is always present) that makes her irrationally worried. Might also have to deal with her being proactive and away from her companions: aside from the whole baron-saving and following daring escape, it's been ages since she had to do anything this taxing.

She listens attentively to the explanation, without a single interruption, then nods sharply. "Alright. While I'm uncertain what information you're looking to win here, considering our rather short acquaintance, I accept your bet." Elaine pauses, then quirks her brow at Diane, the tiniest hint of a challenging smile on her lips. "I do sincerely hope that you are above deliberately losing your plays to sabotage mine."

The musketeer shifts in her seat, straightens her scarf (it is gold, but it's not like only Golden Coats wear golden scarves) and crosses her arms, preparing to watch what is certainly to be an illuminating display of local card game with a strangely thematic to her mission name.

The Gambling Hall, Tinker's Workshop Table ~
The hands are dealt, three to be exact. It's a complicated game. The deck is full of odd but charming cards with names like The Gear Cat and Celestial Alignment. It's also a long game...

Elaine ~
You watch for over an hour as Diane, one after the other, defeats her gambling partners in three games on Tinker's Workshop.

When the time comes to deal you in, incredulous onlookers gather close. The first two hands you play are over relatively fast--Diane coming out ahead. But the last game...

...oh ho. An hour in and the crowd is hushed. Hour and a half and sweat has tracked Diane's perfect makeup.

"It is like you play against yourself, Diane. She's actual--"

"Shut. Up. Liliane."

Liliane frowns.








As the final cards are tuned, the crowd can't help but give a mighty cheer for Elaine. For she's perfectly played and beaten the noble woman. The result of the game: one of the more complex hands of the night has been played. The dealer collects the cards with an appreciative nod, and folk gathered round exchange coin, won and lost, on the side bets they'd made on this wager.

"So. Ask your questions. I would like to retire for the night. I am bored." She awaits your question, Elaine.








Issac ~
What have you been doing during this time? Or what shall you be doing as Elaine claims her answer?

looks like he's looking for trouble. Happy to oblige. Issac takes out one of his throwing daggers and pricks his finger with it to draw blood. He smears a bit of his face with said blood, sheaths the dagger, and quickly heads toward the man in a distressed manner "Oh thank the Clockmaker I found you! Some bastards by the entrance nicked me and took my hard earned coin! They may still be here, you have to go find them and get my earnings back!"

The Stair Landing ~
The man straightens as you approach. He squints at you in the dim light, his hand hovering near a blade hilt. "What's this...?"

He is a trusted guard and not easily fooled...it's not too late to back out now, thought he will be rather angry at an attempted tricking...

On the Dim Stairway | Issac ~
As you draw closer, the Stair Guard does his best to determine if you're putting him on...

His nerves are up. He better not be putting me on......But he is convinced. He looks at Issac, then down into the crowd below. "You stay here," he says to the musketeer. "I mean it. You. Do. NOT. Move." The guard hustles down the stairs, and waves over two other guards. They push their way through the crowd toward the front door.

"Oh, thank you kind sir! Not at all. I will stay right here to make sure you bring back my coin."

Issac watches the guard and his men move toward the front. Once out of sight ... He. Moves.

Stealthily toward the room with the dim light and tries to make out who or what is inside.