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Post by enchilada on May 14, 2019 21:41:50 GMT
“Why bribe him? There are plenty here in line with tickets, and, although it pains me to even suggest it, if they cannot be coaxed with coin, perhaps they might be... coaxed with... ah, slightly... I mean, if a ticket were to fall out of their pocket, clearly they didn’t want it anyway!” He whispered back, hand over his mouth.
Dhaunmyr hated the idea of stealing, or theft, or anything of the sort. In terms of morality, it made him feel bad for businesses only, regular people were fair game, but what actually made him cringe from it, was that it was just so... oh, the dark elf thief. Of course. He hated feeling that way, that people might consider that he was just a product of all the barely decent things that dark elves could ever produce.
The crowd of people was a pretty sight, however, and there had to be at least one person in there who would not mind parting ways with a ticket for a healthy sum. Or, even, favours. He was more inclined to ask favours before asking money.
“Or perhaps they may even have good enough taste to barter with something less tangible than gold. Or, at least, I hope that would be the case. I fear the further we head into this mess, the more we will want to rely on the money we’ve been given.”
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Post by moralhazard on May 14, 2019 21:53:06 GMT
Kara made her way back out onto the street. She looked at the stone steps, at the enormous half-orc in his black and white suit, then down at the line of unmoving people stretching down the street. Kara frowned. It didn’t look like getting in without a ticket would be very easy.
Kara looked up at Solstice, then slightly less up at Dhaunmyr. She thought Solstice was probably right that he couldn’t be bribed. She scowled outright at Dhaunmyr’s suggestion that they steal a ticket from someone; the people in line, Kara thought, didn’t have tickets, but it seemed wrong to steal one from someone walking past. Dhaunmyr’s suggestion of bartering seemed better, but Kara wasn’t exactly sure what the three of them could offer.
Kara would suggest something, she decided. She would – have an idea. She glanced around, looking at the line again, then back at the half-orc. Her mind worked, hard, ticking through the available options, bringing to bear every bit of cognitive power she had.
“I could arm-wrestle him,” Kara suggested, arms crossing over her chest. She scowled at the large half-orc. She could take him. She was sure of it.
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Jarovbees
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Post by Jarovbees on May 14, 2019 22:24:28 GMT
Dhaunmyr had a point, but Solstice seemed ill at ease with the notion of stealing from someone. The stakes would have to be a lot higher for her to consider it, and didn't they have other options? If not bribing the bouncer, then stealth or...the firbolg perked up suddenly, nodding.
"Yes, bartering. If the bouncer can't be bought, perhaps someone else can? Someone who cares less about being here than us. Look around...." Solstice leaped on that as an alternative. Maybe it would work, and it was certainly worth trying before any less savory options were seriously considered. Before agreeing to Kara's suggestion, she looks over the line, hoping to spot someone who seems bored or at least less enthusiastic, someone who might be willing to part with a ticket.
(Perception or Insight check?) na4NxIvl1d20+31d20+3
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Kestrel
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Post by Kestrel on May 14, 2019 22:39:32 GMT
(Insight, I think! I assume the roll is the same either way.)
The bouncer was quite firm. The line was still and completely unmoving. Near everyone within it seemed unhappy. It was not hard, then, to conclude that tickets were sparse in the line itself. Maybe nonexistent. It seemed as if most of the would-be-attendees were simply hoping to score entrance into what some would consider one of the biggest parties in the city. A fruitless endeavor so far, unfortunately!
However, that was for the line. The pair of half elves arguing near the bouncer were separate from everyone else, huddled in their own whispered conversation, and the half-orc seemed reasonably comfortable with their presence behind the gold chain divider. Not enough to let them in but…enough to let them stand there for now.
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Jarovbees
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Post by Jarovbees on May 14, 2019 22:42:32 GMT
"...over there, those two." Solstice gestures to the half-elf pair, lowering her own voice so as not to draw attention. "Maybe they have one, or know something? It's worth asking, at least."
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Post by moralhazard on May 14, 2019 22:46:44 GMT
Kara looked at the two half-elves who seemed to be talking to one another. She looked back at Solstice and Dhaunmyr. She nodded, gripped her biceps, and… stepped back, waiting for her two much more charismatic friends to go make an attempt. At least Kara knew her strengths and weaknesses, and if they needed to arm-wrestle the bouncer, she would do it. She could definitely take him.
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Post by enchilada on May 14, 2019 23:06:46 GMT
“I don’t want spook our chances away. Miss Solstice, if you would be so kind, perhaps I can... Uh... look pretty... over here...”
Dhaunmyr was all up to teasing information, until he saw those half-castes. For some reason, that gave him an unusual feeling. He shook his head, fists balling, half clenched at his sides, as though he were stood to attention.
“If you desperately need a second silvery tongue... I’ll try. I just... I don’t know if...”
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Jarovbees
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Post by Jarovbees on May 14, 2019 23:17:16 GMT
Solstice nodded, confident enough in her own ability and not wanting to pressure anyone else. Of the three of them, she's probably the best choice. That knowledge quietly amuses her a little, since she's so out of her depth when it comes to the intricacies of Waterdeep's social scene. "Understood. Kara, keep a lookout? And Dhaunmyr, just...watch them. I wouldn't mind backup in other ways. If they seem shady, give me a silly excuse to leave? We don't need more complications."
Perception, to maybe overhear before she gets too close? jRws59ZB1d20+3 1d20+3
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Post by moralhazard on May 14, 2019 23:35:02 GMT
Kara nodded, firmly. Lookout, she could do. She looked from side to side, keeping a wary eye on all the party-goers and revelers.
Perception to see if anything else shady is happening: CbZpnLBM1d20+31d20+3
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Post by enchilada on May 15, 2019 11:03:16 GMT
"Can do." Dhaunmyr nodded, and then he took a second look at the situation, this time with the eye of a man who'd unfortunately sat and watched about half of Waterdeep go past him, who understood, usually quite quickly, who would and would not give him a sale. Dhaunmyr felt that he knew people.
st2SysV21d20+2insight? :31d20+2
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Kestrel
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Post by Kestrel on May 17, 2019 9:35:52 GMT
There was nothing unusual or shady or dangerous about anyone in line or otherwise to Kara. She could be pretty sure, though, that the two arguing close by were indeed half elves. Not entirely! But a good, solid maybe.
In contrast, everything about the scene was known to Dhaunmyr. Literally…everything. With an eye for body language, tone, and intent which only an experienced merchant (or perhaps dark elf from the Underdark) could have, the tension of the situation was almost palpable. Simmering. Those in line were ready (and dressed) for a good time, many were already tipsy or even straight up drunk, and most were clearly unhappy at being left to stand outside in the cool dark. Ticket or no ticket. The bouncer was also quite pissed at…the line? The half elves? No, at something else. His glare was being cast more and more toward the ground and his feet, distracted by unknown thoughts, than at anyone else around him. His muscles, though, were tensed and rigid as he stood by the door – he was ready for a fight if anyone tried to force their way past. Finally, the half elves were hunched together, heads close, though only one of them, the taller of the two, did most of the angry whispering. The other seemed positively miserable. However, they seemed comfortable enough with each other – by the occasional shoulder touch and held hand – to have come together as a pair, and the argument gave the impression more of frustration than hostility.
An argument which Solstice was able to overhear as she drew closer. First it was only snippets – an emphasized whisper here and an almost shout there – but then the entire conversation began to get clearer:
“ – I told you – not by an open window – “
“ – find it – “
“ – unbelievable! – is it even still there? Without it we can’t get in! You do know this, right?”
“I know! I know. I messed up, I just…”
“Just…what? Forgot? We planned this night for months! You were even more excited about it than I was! Now what are we going to do?”
“I…I don’t know, babe. I’m sorry.”
“Look – I know you are. But we’re standing out here and not in there and – “
As one of them noticed Solstice standing there the whispering stopped, they stood straight, and the taller of the two took a step toward her. His straight brown hair was long, down past his shoulders, and an almost obnoxiously large ruby earring dangled from one ear. The other half elf had short and cropped black hair and a thin silver chain around his neck. Both seemed quite young, early twenties at most, and were dressed in matching gray suits, leather boots, and green bowties. The half elf immediately in front of Solstice frowned and furrowed his brows.
“You seem lost, so let me help – the line is over there. Far over there. Or do you just make a habit out of interrupting private conversations?”
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Post by moralhazard on May 17, 2019 14:46:53 GMT
There were - humanoids. All around them.
Mostly in line. Kara was fairly sure they were in line. Those two arguing might have been half elves. Or they might have been humans with weird ears. Maybe they were using a disguise kit to pretend to be half elves! Kara scowled. Very suspicious. Kara turned her gaze back to the bouncer. In case this plan failed, she wanted to be ready. She did her best to pretend they were in combat. How would he move? What would he do? If they were arm-wrestling, would he try to slam her hand all the way down and end it quickly, or would he go for slow but relentless pressure? Kara’s eyes narrowed and she frowned further, contemplating these very important questions.
((I’m largely fooling around while Solstice and Dhaunmyr do the conversational lifting but let me know if you want me to make a check re: Kara discerning any of this))
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Jarovbees
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Post by Jarovbees on May 17, 2019 15:27:29 GMT
"I'm aware, aye." Solstice flashed the pair a smile as though they had welcomed her with open arms, as confident as ever. Why answer rudeness with rudeness, especially when rudeness stemmed from very understandable frustration? The firbolg stepped in closer, trying not to loom but not wanting everyone around them to overhear either. It paid to be discreet, and she had a feeling they might appreciate that consideration. And if they didn't, she was still going to give it to them anyway. She lowered her voice a touch, though didn't give in to outright whispering.
"Sorry for the interruption, but I couldn't help but overhear. You've lost a ticket? How awful, the bouncer seems to accept no other means of entrance." Her expression was genuinely sympathetic, hating to see people denied a good time. The oath she had sworn demanded no less than immersing oneself in the beauty of the world and using that to fight back despair. She doubted the pair would see it in such terms, but they were trying to preserve their own light and she could find some kinship in that.
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Post by moralhazard on May 17, 2019 17:26:08 GMT
Swolness check (athletics): MAhV4nd61d20+51d20+5
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Kestrel
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Post by Kestrel on May 17, 2019 19:54:55 GMT
The half-orc was…swol. How swol, exactly? It was hard to tell. Even though his muscles bulged from underneath his suit their tone, and their extent, were hidden, and the only movement from the bouncer himself was the constant cracking of his knuckles. So…not much and not strenuous at all. Still, Kara could be sure of one thing – it would not be an easy victory for any type of physical contest. He was large. He was muscled. He was angry. He was ready for a fight.
The taller of the two half elves, frown deepening, eyed Solstice as she stepped forward. He placed an arm in front of his partner. She was…big. Big and quite bold. He lowered his hand, though, as the firbolg quieted her voice, and he sighed when her face betrayed no sign of hostility or ill intent. His shoulders relaxed as he listened to her speak.
“Look – I’m sorry. Half of that line would happily cut our throats if they knew we even had one ticket, I just…had no idea what you wanted.”
He shrugged. The shorter of the two, the one with the silver chain, wrapped his arms around the taller’s waist.
“Still don’t, I suppose. But it doesn’t matter now. My, uh…”
He clicked his tongue.
“…clumsy but loving partner here dropped his ticket somewhere back home. I’m not about to head in without him, so that’s our entire evening. Gone. It’s just got me in a bit of a mood is all.”
He gave the shorter half elf a tender jostle. He then turned back toward Solstice, gave her dress an approving nod, and smiled.
“A lovely dress, though. I might even be bold enough to ask what tailor you use – Gods know I could do with a new suit. Both of us could. I suppose you’re here for the event, then? I hear it’s quite the night.”
The bitterness in his voice at that last line was high.
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