Festival of Fools

[Theis2]

"Well met Flacks, I'm Mike."
Mike nods at Flacks
"The gnome seemed like bad company if you were to cross him, I would recommend not getting in his way if it is avoidable. I would much rather have a stern cooking lesson from Kent even though they seem to be rather scary."
Mike smiles at Kent trying to see how he reacts before he points towards the royal festival hall (or the way leading there).
I believe we have to go that way to find Maeloraed.

[WearsHats]

"Hello, Flaks. I am Calendil. I'm still not sure what happened with the gnome, but he was the one who was on stage with us." Calendil looks around. "I see no sign of him now. In a city this large, I'm not sure we'll be seeing him again. But one never knows for sure. In any case, if you are joining us, let us go. The sooner we are on the woman's trail, the better chance we have of catching up with her. And she is supposed to be on stage soon. Besides, if we must deal with Maeleraed again, I would rather have it be done."

[John]

Kent laughs whole heartedly and loudly while still turning a shade redder. He scratches the back of his head smiling I suppose I had that coming. But don't be fooled, a taste of my cooking would have you begging to go back on stage again before helping yourself to seconds! Now let's go find this woman before she misses her curtain call.

[lingrem]

The men have no issues finding their way around this time, and are surprised to learn that HectorÔÇÖs description of the Royal Festival Hall was very accurate ÔÇô they can easily see the Circle from it. There is still a large crowd around, but there isnÔÇÖt a line up to get inside the building.

Inside, itÔÇÖs much quieter. There is a woman working behind a counter, who you can see is having a bit of an argument with a tall man with lanky hair that reaches his chin. He is standing up and is clearly her superior. There arenÔÇÖt very many people inside the red room, and everyoneÔÇÖs footsteps echo off the wooden floor. When asked about Maeloraed and Lynthian, the woman behind the counter reluctantly tells you to go up the stairs and down the corridor to the left. She seemed stressed out under the supervision of the scrawny man.

Upstairs you see there is a refreshment vendor and a few people milling about there with drinks. It seems as if itÔÇÖs a quiet location to get a small bite to eat before the shows, although you were informed there isnÔÇÖt any performance until late that evening. ItÔÇÖs curious to see that people came in here anyway, and while you walk past you witness a man bump and spill a glass of red wine all over a very skinny elf.

Down the corridor you find the correct door that marks MaeloraedÔÇÖs dressing room. Mike knocks on the door and is greeted with a very brisk ÔÇ£What is it?ÔÇØ that is clearly Maeloraed. He refuses to open the door until after Kent points out that theyÔÇÖre on business for Hector, and when he does heÔÇÖs reluctant.

MaeloraedÔÇÖs dressing room is meticulous, there isnÔÇÖt a speck of anything out of place. He is busy straightening his hair, to Mike and KentÔÇÖs surprise, and doesnÔÇÖt stop when the men come in. Calendil asks about the whereabouts of Lynthian, and Maeloraed informs you that she has gone to visit an old friend and wonÔÇÖt be back until much later in the evening. He doesnÔÇÖt offer you a seat on his blue velvety couch, yet Flacks helps himself to sitting down anyway, but the others donÔÇÖt join in. When Maeloraed notices, his eyes narrow yet he says nothing.

ÔÇ£What does Hector want?ÔÇØ he says gruffly, leaning in towards his mirror to check that there isnÔÇÖt any hair out of place behind him.

[WearsHats]

"He asked us to look for a woman by the name of..." Calendil thinks for a moment. "... Ilsa Charmin. She's due to perform tonight, but hasn't shown up. Hector didn't know much more than her name. He said you could fill in the details for us."

[lingrem]

"Isla?" Maeloraed says as he inspects his face for any flaws. "Yes, I know her. It isn't my job to know where she is at every precise moment however."

((I feel really guilty writing at Mael... he's so rude!))

[WearsHats]

"Well, what can you tell us about her? What does she look like? What does she do? Where was she last? Where might she have gone? Where does she live?"

[lingrem]

Maeloraed pauses to look at the elf. "You ask a lot of questions. Can't you see that I'm busy here? I don't have the time to sit here and give you someone's entire history!"

Maeloraed turns and opens up his wardrobe, and quickly slams the door shut. "Damn that man!" he says to himself, before turning and addressing the lot of men he's found in his room. "Isla's human, brown hair. Pretty generic. I might know where she is..but as you can see, I'm much too busy to help you track her down. And why should I help you without you helping me? That is how the world works."

He slides over to a desk he has in the corner, takes out a piece of parchment an scratches a note on it. "Take this to Action! on Main Street. The propieterr, Priviett, was supposed to have had a new set of clothes sent here earlier today. He hasn't, and I need them. Go and collect them for me, and then I will help you out. Isla is performing after me, and I need those clothes." He thrusts the note at Calendil and begins to sharpen a knife, presumably for his performance that evening.

[WearsHats]

Calendil pushes the note back. "A woman is missing, and you're concerned about clothes? You promised Hector a performer, and you think you can turn your responsibility to deliver on that promise into a bargaining chip? I am not your errand boy. I am here as a favor to Hector. Where I come from, we do favors for each other to make life better for all. Here we are to see to your duty for you and you would withhold your help, and instead propose to sell it to us for the price of doing your work, as well? No. If you know where this woman is, you will tell us. It is the very least you can do. If you cooperate and we can find her, then maybe we can see about your wardrobe. And you can find a real way to pay us for doing it."

► Show Spoiler

Sorry to monopolize the encounter. I'll take a step back now and give the rest of you a chance to chime in.

[lingrem]

Maeloraed looks at the elf and laughs. "Good luck to you then, I have many other things to do... feel free to help yourselves out the door, if you are all of the mind as this young elf."

[John]

Kent snaps up the note and looks at it, and in a very cool but emotionless tone that is not typical of Kent states Hmm missing clothes from the tailor you chose and a missing lady that you recommended. My proposition to you friend is that you provide my friends here with the information about Ms. Isla as you did recommend her to Hector, and this poor professional conduct with only prove to mar your business recommendations and credibility in the future. I am more than happy to attend to the matter of your clothing, and then both yours, and Hector's issues are being taken care of at the same time.

Kent leans in a bit after placing the note in his pocket Call me a sucker for being efficient, but I think this best suits both parties in getting this business done. After all, it would be awful if an unfortunate hole or muddy stains were to be found on your new clothes - on account of poor work by the tailor naturally. A dashing fellow like yourself can't be in anything but the finest quality I'm sure.

While playing a bit on what he sees as Mael's narcissism, there is a bit of a bite behind Kent's words. Not one of posturing but simple fact that life will just be harder for the entertainer if he doesn't comply, and the entertainer get's what he wants anyway. (Not sure how you want to rock skills, but I am happy to use this as a chance for an intimidation roll. How would you like that resolved?)

[Theonewhoisodd]

(OOC: Why did Flacks sit down??)

Flacks will stand up and stand behind Cal and back him up on whatever he chooses to do.

[Theis2]

Mike looks around the room to find anything of interest or value trying to just look like he is distracted by the whole thing.
"Call me a sucker for being efficient, but I think this best suits both parties in getting this business done. After all, it would be awful if an unfortunate hole or muddy stains were to be found on your new clothes - on account of poor work by the tailor naturally."
Mike suddenly shifts focus to the conversation "Well, that would be most unfortunate if such a thing were to happen."
He then distracts himself to the surroundings again, certain that the rest of the group are focusing on Maeloraed.

[lingrem]

((Just for aesthetics Odd))

Maeloraed, somewhat intimidated by Kent's voice, but more annoyed than anything else, stops what he's doing. "Not that any of this matters to anyone of you, but fine. One: Isla is not my responsibility. Hector asked for my recommendation on any new talent that I came across while travelling during the year. I passed along Isla's address and that was the end of that. Two: Isla is my follow-up act for tonight. It's to be her debut here in Tydale, and it is solely her own fault if she misses it. The show will go on if she misses it, as I will simply make my own act longer. Three, if I do not have those specific clothes, which were made with my specific act in mind, the show will in fact not go on whether or not you find Isla, and if you are more concerned about the show in general, that set of clothing is indeed more important than her. A magician does not reveal his tricks, or I would explain it to you more fully. Four, I do not know where she is at, but I was going to send a message on your behalf while you were running my errand for me as I have a few likely guesses for her whereabouts, so that I would have it here for you when you got back. Five, do not insult or imply any insult towards the tailor who made my clothing set, or you will quickly find yourself in dire straits with all the local guilds. Finally, if you are just going to idly threaten me then you are of no use in this town and you may as well leave. I did not need to let you in here. If you will retrieve my clothing then head to Main Street, you most likely travelled in on that road, and if you are not planning on do so then get out."

ETA: Mike sees various items on top of dressers and tables that would likely be of some value, but also likely to be easily identified as Maeloraed's. They are in plain sight where anyone would see him take them.

[Theis2]

"What is her adress? And I'm sure the clothing will be fine."

Edit* removed non applicable stuff.

[lingrem]

"Her address was Room 2 Holding House, Larkwood. Which is two week's travel from here. If you think she is still there, by all means..."

[Theis2]

"I assumed she had one here aswell even if it just were an inn. Since you were the one to meet her and presumably send her here, you might have given her a place to stay or an advice where to seek one."

[lingrem]

"Why? I gave Hector her address. What they talked about during their communications is none of my business."

[Theis2]

"Then give me the note." Mike reach out to Kent for the note
"Have the information ready for my return or give it to them right away."
Mike points at the rest of the group

[lingrem]

Looking down the note says:

"Priviett,
These men are collecting my outfit for me. I am not impressed that it isn't here yet"
It is signed with a rather eloborate renditition of Maeloraed.

[Theis2]

"Are you coming along, or will you wait here and go off when you get any useful information?"
Mike looks at the group trying to determine who is and who isn't coming along.
"It was Action! on main street right?"
Mike waits for confirmation or correction and then turns around and exits the room. He then waits a bit to make sure everyone that felt like joining him on the laundry run is with him.

[WearsHats]

"Well, it seems your clothing will be seen to, after all. Will you send the messages now? Perhaps I (and maybe some of my companions here) can take one or more of those messages?"

[John]

Excuse me gentlemen, but I seem to be overly hungry and it has placed me in a unfortunate mood. I'll just step down to the common area. I will wait down there Cal. Kent isn't overly hungry at all, but is quite full of dealing with Mael for the evening and takes this chance to collect himself before making the job for him and his compatriots even harder.

[lingrem]

Maeloraed shrugs at Calendil. "If that's what you want, sure. Why not run to the Casino and check if she's there? It's in the Red Light District. Lots of people from a smaller area find themselves staying there a lot longer than they planned too. Now if you don't mind, you need to leave. I do have other work to do and I don't need or want others watching over my back every second. I'll get the other messages sent." He indicates the door that Mike has left through, and waves at it with one hand while he pulls out some more paper.

[WearsHats]

Calendil isn't sure what a "red light district" is, but he doesn't feel like asking Maeloraed about it (and he can tell he wouldn't get a helpful answer anyway). He leaves the room and heads back to the front of the building. Maybe that receptionist who directed them to Mael's dressing room will be able to direct him to the casino...