Returning Heroes [IC]

[Lentrax]

Please, Aine says with a wink and a smile. If there are any measurements you need in exacting detail, feel free to take as long as you need.

[Alabenson]

Meanwhile...

I swear to Astilabor, I've know halflings with more of a concept of self-preservation than that woman. Ah well, she's a grown adult, she'll probably be fine - and now Natalie's gone as well. Wonderful.

Alright, no matter. What we need now is some more details on the kingdom's line of succession, and as it so happens I know of at least one noble who seems relatively friendly. Miss Reskarra, what do you say to the two of use paying Lord Alton a visit?

[Illven]

Please, Aine says with a wink and a smile. If there are any measurements you need in exacting detail, feel free to take as long as you need.

And feel free to recite them outloud~ Natalie teases with a grin.

[Lord Raziere]

Meanwhile...

I swear to Astilabor, I've know halflings with more of a concept of self-preservation than that woman. Ah well, she's a grown adult, she'll probably be fine - and now Natalie's gone as well. Wonderful.

Alright, no matter. What we need now is some more details on the kingdom's line of succession, and as it so happens I know of at least one noble who seems relatively friendly. Miss Reskarra, what do you say to the two of use paying Lord Alton a visit?

"S-ss-sure, sounds like a, uh, plan."
She says
"I'm not sure what to do myself, navigating uh, social things isn't really my strong suit. Honestly, I think my tarot-playing days are coming back to haunt me with this turn of events."
She says walking along side him as they go see Alton.

[JNAProductions]

"Privacy, dear," Ms. Silk tells Natalie as she takes Aine into the back room.

---

Reskarra and Ralston search for a few minutes, then ask some of the staff to see where Lord Alton is staying. It takes about another fifteen minutes to locate the man, who's eating by himself in one of the dining rooms.

"Good day, my newly-nobled friends!" he says when he spots you. "Take a seat, if you like."

[Lentrax]

Aine chuckles sensuously as she imagines the look on Natalie’s face.

So, just how far do you need me to disrobe to measure me?

[JNAProductions]

Ms. Silk says "If you want an outfit on top, just to the underclothes. If you want a full suite, I'll need a few measurements nude-but, unless you've got your eye on one of the gentlemen at the palace, I don't think you'll be needing those."

[Lentrax]

Aine begins undressing. As she does, she has to remove her daggers from where she keeps them sheathed up her sleeves. She sets them down near the other things she has already set down. As she undressed she kept talking. If it isn’t too much trouble, I’d like a few things made. Oh, not all at once, mind. But over the course of however long you need.

A fifth dagger from between her breasts. To go with the two she pulled from her boots before removing those.

And as for gentlemen… Well. I don’t complain about them, madam, but it wouldn’t be my first choice of company, if you understand.

[JNAProductions]

Ms. Silk nods. "Understood, understood... Wow that's a lot of knives. But, ah, let's begin!"

[Lentrax]

Whenever you’re ready, Aine says.

[JNAProductions]

The measurements are taken-Aine first, then Natalie.

Aine drops some leading questions, and gets some (hopefully accurate) information from Ms. Silk. The common folk of the city feel much as ever about the nobles-varied, of course, but the general trends are "They keep us safe, I guess. But they also do taxes, and don't always help." Not exactly thrilled with the current crop, but revolution isn't incoming either.

As for oddities, she's not aware of anything relevant to your interests. She has noticed various perturbances in the realm of fashion and clothing, but that's much more important to her than you.

[Lentrax]

After some more conversation on fabrics, styles and ensembles, Aine comes around to the last of her questions. My dear Ms. Silk. How much do we owe you for your wondrous work? And when can you have the first garments ready?

[JNAProductions]

"Well, I could have something ready by tonight, if it's urgent. Won't be my best work, but it'll do-if you've time, I can have the outfits ready for the end of the week. As for costs," she says, "let's start it at 50 gold crowns. If the materials become too much for that to be reasonable, I'll up the price by the appropriate amount."

[Lentrax]

I don't know how urgent it is. But I doubt I need anything for tonight.

She pulls a purse out of one of her pouches. She opens it, pulls some coins out, and begins counts out a pile of ten, then matches it with four other piles.

50 crowns, my dear lady. I do look forward to seeing your work. Natalie? Are you ready?

[Illven]

Remember my request for the garments~ Natalie says happily, offering her arm to Aine, Magic shop, I always love going there~

[Lentrax]

Aine looks at the proffered arm, and then gives Natalie a sad smile.

I’ve told you, dear Natalie. That would only end in sorrow. You deserve a better end.

[Illven]

Aine looks at the proffered arm, and then gives Natalie a sad smile.

I’ve told you, dear Natalie. That would only end in sorrow. You deserve a better end.

The arm, or the magic shop. Cause I don't think wizardy will give me a bad end. It's just flirting dear~ Natalie giggles.

[Lentrax]

My dear, you are incorrigible.

Aine turns to begin heading down the street.

Now come! The shop awaits!

[Illven]

My dear, you are incorrigible.

Aine turns to begin heading down the street.

Now come! The shop awaits!

Uh-huh. Nat says distracted.

[Alabenson]

Ah, Lord Alton, I'm glad I was able to find you. To tell the truth, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about the laws the kingdom has regarding the kingdom's rules of succession. Given my pending marriage into the royal family, I thought it might be a prudent subject to acquaint myself with, for a number of reasons.

[JNAProductions]

He takes a moment to dab at his face, cleaning a few spots from his small beard. "Succession, eh? That can get tricky, if the royal line is interrupted or challenged, it's normally straightforward. You'd be, once you're married into the family, next in line-there is technically a clause about 'firstborn sons' that would give the king's actual son primacy over you, but right now, he's only got the one kid."

[Alabenson]

Are you really so sure about that? Under normal circumstances I'd imagine that would be the case, but regardless of how grateful the king might feel towards me, I have to imagine that he'll want to keep me far away from the throne. Not that I particularly blame him, for that matter. The question that arises then, would be who would be next in line to take the throne under those circumstances?

[JNAProductions]

"Hm..." he lets out. "I mean, the king's still young, so there's decent odds he'll have a son before he passes. But I believe the current steward of the kingdom would be... Darn it, it's on the tip of my tongue..." he says, thinking hard. "Lockwain! Gerald Lockwain-his family's been serving the throne for generations. This, of course, assumes Sarah is still alive-if she, the king, and you all pass, the royal line would be dead, and so... Well, then succession gets messy. I'd have to crack out the books to see for sure what would happen, but I'm not entirely sure there's even a recourse for that."

[Alabenson]

I'm almost afraid to ask, but what are the odds that someone from the Straken family would have a potential claim under those circumstances?

[JNAProductions]

"It's possible-but then again, I could technically make a claim of my own," he says, finishing up his meal. "If you're not hungry, we can head to the library and see what we can find?"

[Lentrax]

That took some time in there, Natalie. Should we get lunch?

[Illven]

That took some time in there, Natalie. Should we get lunch?

I would love to~

[Lentrax]

Well, then. Let us find somewhere that has decent food.

Aine begins looking for somewhere to eat.

[Alabenson]

That probably would be a wise idea. If the king does decide to declare me outside the line of succession I suspect it would be best to have an idea of who would be next in line.