At The Theatre
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Deo and Lan were heading off with Zach, our Mercurian of Stone, to the theatre at Blackfriars."
The streets are lively and full of interest. Food-vendors, beggars, furniture-sellers, knife-grinders, ballad-singers, carters, porters, servants, dogs, cats, smell.
Lan . o O ( Lots and lots of smell. )
Deoradhan glances around interestedly, but tries not to look _too_ much like a tourist. And works on ignoring the smell. _Knew_ she liked the modern era for a reason...
As you come to the River Thames, you see Tower Bridge. Not a bad piece of work, for the period. Of course, in the twentieth century they didn't have those small round objects on spikes atop it.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan dies.
Zach prattles along as he walks with you, mentioning items of theatre importance, current politics, etcetera. (Which your GM will explain if necessary later.)
<<OOC>> Leti says, "No, no. Someone ELSE died. Thus the round objects."
<<OOC>> Deoradhan snrk!
Deoradhan occasionally asks questions about the theater stuff, so she has a better idea of how to fake it. And pays attention to the current politics etcetera, for the same reason.
Zach adds, more seriously, "Of course, even if you have just come from Spain on some mission, it would not be politic to say so at the moment."
Lan absorbs the information quietly, keeping his eyes and ears open for interesting things.
<<OOC>> Lan mutters. Language (French/3) was one of the skills he sold off.
<<OOC>> fade is so glad we don't have a Seraph along.
Zach comes to a halt, pointing at the ... well, really rather small, compared to modern buildings, but not too unimpressive a playhouse. "And behold! Our wooden O! Ah . . . I had best introduce you to Master Burbage and Master Shakespeare myself, Lan -- what name shall I give, again? And then I can take young Dee round to show him the ropes.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan ...hee!
<<OOC>> Deoradhan <s>has Language (Spanish). Should probably not mention this ICly. ...wonders if it's her fault that Zach thinks they're from Spain.</s>
Lan says "Allen, if you please. And yes, I think that probably to be best."
Deoradhan blinks at the Spain-comment, but gets distracted by the building. "Agreed. Should I wait around here, or wander?"
Zach says, "Oh, follow me -- but we must make it clear that Sir Allen -- Allen Michaelson? Allen Warson? Allen Miles? here is our social superior."
<<OOC>> Deoradhan hee!
Deoradhan nods, lips twitching a little. "Of course."
Lan considers. "Campbell. Allen Campbell."
Zach says, "Ah, that will do well, and it will explain your accent nicely." He turns to lead the way inside.
Lan follows, hands behind his back.
Deoradhan follows behind Lan, like a good little social-inferior.
Inside is a busy scene. The theatre itself is roughly circular, with a round stage towards the back of it, low seats/standing area, upper balconies, and people currently wandering round shouting at each other. Several young apprentices are being drilled in tumbling on the stage. Behind them, a couple of stagehands are arguing about who holds the door so that they can get some scenery painted. Near the middle of the auditorium, a well-dressed man is arguing with a shorter, bearded man (who on visual inspection looks like all those balding busts of Shakespeare) while several poorer-dressed actors are waiting for a chance to speak, and arguing in the meantime.
Zach cheerfully leads the way towards Shakespeare and colleague, shouldering aside or slapping on the back the other people in the way. Others turn to see who is entered. There are many eyes on Lan, and a hushed buzz of conversation.
Lan looks around, still taking it all in and following Zach quietly.
Deoradhan looks cheerful and curious as she follows, glancing around. Her eyes widen a little when she recognizes Shakespeare, but she doesn't say anything, just following.
Zach waits for an opening in the discussion, then interjects quickly, "Master Burbage! Master Shakespeare! I have brought this gentleman, Sir Allen Campbell, at his request to see the theatre -- he is most interested in it, and is considering patronage and suchlike, and wishes most particularly to attend the performance of the Dream this evening."
Burbage is tall, well-built, really quite handsome, and spends decently on his clothing, though it is not as nice as Lan's. He turns from Shakespeare, smoothing his face from a frown to a smile hastily, and offers his hand. "Sir! A pleasure to meet you."
Shakespeare pauses, then quickly jots down something on the bit of paper in front of him. It seems to be the draft of a first scene for something called LOVE'S LABOURS WONNE.
Lan takes the proffered hand and shakes it briskly. "A pleasure, Master Burbage. How do you do?"
Deoradhan lurks behind people, and tries not to look too much like she's listening.
Burbage says, "Very well, Sir Campbell. What think you of our theatre?" He retrieves his hand (having failed the Bone-Crushing Handshake attempt) and gestures dramatically.
<<OOC>> Lan has. no. pockets.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Sorry?"
<<OOC>> Lan says, "I just have nothing interesting to do with my hands now that I'm not shaking Burbage's!"
<<OOC>> Deoradhan laughs!
<<OOC>> fade giggles.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "I think you can tuck your thumbs into your swordbelt."
Shakespeare, in the background, murmurs, "To your duties, Zachariah; you are needed backstage."
Zach gives a hasty nod, and sidles away, tugging Deo with him.
Deoradhan is tugged unprotestingly.
Lan looks around. "It is well-constructed, and seems quite excellent for both audience and players. Tell me, for I've been out of the world for a time - is it true that this is the largest theatre in all of England?"
Burbage preens. "It is indeed, sir. A pox on those who claim that Edmund Alleyn's is better. His father funds him, sir! He buys him writers, he buys him patrons -- he would buy our Shakespeare if he could!"
Shakespeare puts in, "But he cannot." <I>A blasted heath</I>, he scribbles on his manuscript, then crosses it out.
Lan says "Fortunate for us, then! I look forward to seeing your Dream tonight."
Burbage says, "But where have you been travelling, sir?"
<<OOC>> Lan says, "Curses! I got rid of History, too."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You were listening to Zach earlier."
<<OOC>> Lan . o O ( The only thing I know is that I know nothing. ... no, really. )
<<OOC>> Maya says, "It's probably fair to say "the New World"."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Then babble securely in the knowledge that they have no way of knowing what America's like. :)"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Savages. Strange animals. Dinosaurs. Whatever. ;)"
<<OOC>> fade hee. Talk about the giant sheep! And the lions!
Lan eyes Burbage, then leans in close. "The New World," he says, "as you look like a man who can be trusted. An acquaintance has spoken of starting a colony there, and I've been across the ocean for many moons, as the savages there would put it."
Burbage's eyes widen. "Not -- the savage Americas? The Queen's colonies there? Sir, I had no conception!"
At the desk, Shakespeare gets the look of One Who Is Hearing Possibly Useful Material.
The waiting actors completely fail to look unimpressed, despite attempts to do so.
<<OOC>> Lan hee.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You are getting the sort of look and admiration that astronauts get today. ;)"
Lan says "Indeed so. I have, in fact, only returned to England today - and I can tell you, it's good to be back in a proper city again. I am glad of my experience in the American jungle, but I dare say I can't remember the last time I saw a proper carriage - or sat for a show, for that matter. Do you know, they have no theatres in the New World?"
All look properly stunned. Burbage clicks his tongue. "The poor benighted savages."
Shakespeare asks, "Do they not even have any crude stories or story-tellers, Sir Campbell? Or rustic arts of that nature?"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You realise, Lan, that if any modern Creationers or Dreamers found out that you had talked to Shakespeare, you would have Ultimate Bragging Rights. :)"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Or at least Serious ones. ;)"
Lan says "Oh, they do tell stories, 'round a fire at night. And the savages have dances that they perform - but I am given to understand that they dance mainly to speak to their heathen gods, if they have not been brought the light of the Son. But surely nothing on the scale of your productions."
Burbage shakes his head in amazement. "Would that we..."
Shakespeare cuts in, "No, Master Burbage, we cannot travel thither."
Burbage gives him a glare. "And no, Master Shakespeare, you cannot pester this gentleman for their tales so that you may use them for our next play." He turns back to Lan. "With such history, sir, let me guess -- you intend to use today's performance to see the Queen, among other things?" He gives a knowing look.
Lan pretends to not have heard the byplay between the two. "If God and Her Majesty will it, such would indeed be my desire."
Burbage gives a half-bow. "We will be pleased to assist." And hope for a bit of appreciation later, goes unsaid. "Her Majesty's entourage will of course have the best seats in the house, but we can ensure that you have a stool nearby, sir. Of course . . ." He pauses, glancing around.
Lan says "I would welcome any assistance you might render." He follows Burbage's glance. "Tell me - where does the Queen sit, when she attends?""
Burbage gestures to the balcony area directly facing the stage. "There, sir. But --" He pauses to gesture the waiting actors farther away. They drift off, with expressions of disappointment. "But," he says more quietly, "I hear the Spanish delegation will be attending today, as well."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You will recall from what Zach was saying that England was recently at war with Spain, a few years ago. (England won.) Spanish Armada, etc."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You could plausibly claim to have fought in that, if you wanted."
Lan frowns. "Still too proud, even after we took them at Gravelines," he says quietly. "At least they're not so glutted on ill-gotten gold these days."
Burbage nods soberly. "And the Queen has a new favourite, who takes every occasion to put them down." The twist to his mouth, however, suggests that he does not particularly like this new favourite.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Lan, hm. Give me a Per roll."
<<DICE>> Lan rolled 1+3=4 CD 5 vs. 7 - SUCCESS
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You are, in fact, picking up that Burbage violently dislikes this favourite."
<<OOC>> Lan says, "Gosh."
<<OOC>> Lan hm.
<<OOC>> Lan pings Burbage idly.
<<DICE>> Lan rolled 6+1=7 CD 4 vs. 7 - SUCCESS
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Let's see, 3 most noble and ignoble in the last year."
<<OOC>> Lan succeeded on a resonance roll OMG.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Noble: took cut in pay in order to keep theatre afloat, helped prentice who was in trouble with a local gang, selflessly spent time and effort on the theatre. Ignoble; betrayed wife with prostitute, persuaded Shakespeare to write sonnets for Lord Bacon in order to raise money/patronage for the theatre, got into violent brawl with Will Kemp (another worker at the theatre) over political/Catholic situation."
<<OOC>> Lan says, "Do I know which side of the Catholic situation he's on?"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "At the moment, most people are publicly Protestant, because Spain is Catholic."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Anyone who is Catholic keeps their heads down."
<<OOC>> Lan nods. Just checkin'.
<<OOC>> Maya nods. Hopes she isn't being overly complex.
<<OOC>> Lan says, "Not at all!"
<<OOC>> Lan says, "I just wasn't sure which of Kemp and Burbage was the Catholic. (Or the sympathizer.) :)"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Neither was really sympathising; it was more political/religious discussion + alcohol = brawl. And shame the next day."
<<OOC>> Lan ah.
Burbage says, "In any case, sir. Would you care to see round our little theatre?"
Lan raises his eyebrows. "Who is this favorite? Do you know his name?"
Lan says "Oh, indeed! Perhaps we can talk while we are on tour."
Burbage says, "One Lord Terence. A charming fellow, witty and delightful, always ready with a merry quip." Through gritted teeth. "And certainly, sir. As you wish."
Lan follows Burbage. "I shall have to find out more about his Lordship. He sounds like an... interesting fellow."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "We will leave Burbage giving Lan the gladhanding tour in hopes of later patronage, and trying to get him to tell stories about his adventures in the wild Americas. ;)"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Just for the record, Sariel; what pitch is Deo's voice? High? Medium? Low for a woman?"
<<OOC>> Deoradhan says, "Hmmm. Not sure exactly, so split the difference and call it medium? [grins]"
<<OOC>> arcangel suggests Deo say that he's castrato? But only if he can sing well. *ducks*
<<OOC>> Deoradhan cackles!
<<OOC>> Deoradhan has no Singing, though! Per 9, but no Singing!
<<OOC>> Maya snerks.
Zach leads Deo towards the actual stage itself, where some apprentices are practicing tumbling, and several of the minor actors are arguing over something. He's making for an older man, one with an air of authority.
Deoradhan follows, glancing around curiously and taking mental notes of the layout of the room.
Zach comes to a stop by the older man, who turns. "Master Condell," he says. "Forgive my lateness, I beg you."
Condell is in his fifties; his grey hair is receding, despite all attempts to comb it into place, and his eyes are creased into wrinkles. "Zach," he says. "What have you been about, man? You look as if you've been in a fight!"
Zach sags a bit, looking obviously exhausted. "Aye, sir. I was set upon. Had it not been for my friend here, young Dee..." He grabs Deo by the arm, pulling her forward, "I had been left for dead. As it is, I am not at my best."
Deoradhan starts at the grab, but doesn't fight it, nodding politely to Master Condell and nodding again at the rest. "I offered to take Zach's place until he finishes recovering, sir, if that's acceptable to you?"
Condell laughs. "That's a noble offer of yours, lad. Your name's a famous one -- are you any relation to Her Majesty's astrologer?"
<<OOC>> Deoradhan LAUGHS. I was wondering if that might come up...
<<OOC>> Maya chuckles.
Deoradhan's eyes widen, but she goes with it, shaking her head quickly. "Oh, not I, sir. It's a nickname, is all, and the coincidence amuses my friends." She smiles, a bit embarrassedly.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan ...also pauses to wonder, ICly, if Dee-the-astrologer is a Kronosian. Then decides to not be paranoid. Really. <s>Yet.</s>
Condell says, "Oh? Then what is your real name, lad?"
Deoradhan says "Daniel, sir, but only my mother calls me that."
Condell says, "We'll call you Dee, then. You understand, lad, that we cannot pay you Zach's full salary, even if he does vouch for you?"
Condell adds, smirking, "Perhaps when you are old enough to shave."
Deoradhan nods, and blushes at the last comment. "Ah--yes, sir, Zach said you'd likely say that." .oO(Thank God Zach isn't a Seraph.) "--about the salary, I mean, not--ah. Yes, sir, I understand."
<<OOC>> arcangel snickers.
Condell claps her on the shoulder. "Very well, lad. I'll set you to lifting and carrying, for the moment. Zach! Show him your duties."
Zach says, still somewhat limply, "As you say, Master Condell. Dee, come with me."
Deoradhan stumbles at the clapping, only mostly deliberately. She nods to Condell, then follows Zach off obediently.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan grins at Beth. (...also eyes her Strength. Um. Str 2, less than human average. ...Hopefully this is lifting and carrying _light_ things...)
<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Dee's clearly a kid, yup! Tall and gangly and not yet shaving..."
<<OOC>> Deoradhan says, "Clearly! [laughs]"
<<OOC>> Deoradhan says, "With a voice that hasn't changed yet, or hasn't fully changed yet..."
Zach takes Dee on a tour backstage. He shows her important things -- such as the ropes for the trapdoors, the location of the smoke bombs, the costumes, the stage sets, and so on. She also gets briefly introduced to Will Kemp (playing Bottom, trying to get the ears on his donkey-head to wobble), several of the boys playing female parts and fairies (currently jointly bullying Puck, who is acknowledged to have the best part), some of the other stagehands (suspicious, but willing to accept her because Zach vouches for her) and so on.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Yup. ;)"
Deoradhan pays attention on the tour, especially to the trapdoors and smoke bombs. (Hey, you never know when that sort of thing might be _important_ to know, for quick exits or distractions...) She's polite and friendly to the actors and stagehands, and generally tries to act young and impressionable but useful.
After half an hour or so of touring, Zach draws her aside. He says, more quietly, "Is there anywhere in particular you want to see?"
Deoradhan is drawn obediently. She rocks on her heels, and murmurs, "You know the place better than I; if the--mechanism--was hidden, where do you think it would be? Or _could_ be, perhaps? Use this as an excuse to investigate..."
Zach frowns. "I know little about gunpowder. There are the cellars, and there are the attics, but both are full of other things, used for storage. Would you put gunpowder in a high place, or a low one?"
<<OOC>> Deoradhan is not sure if she'd ICly have a clue. (OOCly vaguely suspects low, if you're using it for explosives? Deo's experience with destruction and explosions is more via entropy than via bombs, although that's still more experience than _I_ have... [laughs])
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Um, roll the dice and let's see."
<<GAME>> Deoradhan rolls the d666 and gets 1 3 CHECK: 4.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan says, "...wow, that makes Int! Unless I'm at a -5 or more."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You're fairly sure that it explodes _upwards_, so putting it at the bottom gets a better reaction."
<<OOC>> Deoradhan whee! [grins, nods]
Deoradhan worries at her lower lip, thinking. "Low place, I believe. I think the explosions go upward more than down or level. It could be hidden among the things in the cellars, or hidden somewhere near where--she--will be seated?"
Zach frowns again. "We may have a problem; some parts of the cellars are kept locked, and the area under the best seats in the house is one of them."
Deoradhan mutters, "My kingdom for a Windy." She frowns herself. "I don't know if the others are any good at picking locks, though our--servant might be." .oO(Techies are good with things like this, right?) "I do know I don't have experience. Who would have access to the keys?"
Zach says, "Master Burbage."
Deoradhan says "Only Master Burbage? Hm. A pity it doesn't seem like a place Allen could ask for access to." She rocks on her heels again, thinking. "Well, it can't hurt to go down to look, can it? And perhaps Jin or I can figure out a way to break into that part more discreetly."
Zach says, "A good thought. But one will be less obvious than two, and you can claim to be lost if you're spotted there -- it's down that flight of stairs I showed you, and on the corridor to the left." He nods to a particular doorway.
Zach says, "I'll see if any other person has heard aught to help us."
Deoradhan glances that way, then nods to Zach. "That should work, yes." She smiles, and then heads in the indicated direction.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan .oO(Times like this you wish your resonance did specifics well. "Symphony, where is the nearest barrel of gunpowder? Oh, behind that door? Thank you. LAN, ZACH, IT'S HERE ALREADY!")
<<OOC>> arcangel laughs!
<<OOC>> Deoradhan .oO(On the plus side, I can find the nearest firehouse or something if it goes off and doesn't kill me?)
<<OOC>> Mikki cries. Can she invent force field devices and protect everyone?
<<OOC>> Deoradhan oooh, forcefields!
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Firehouse? What's a firehouse? :)"
<<GAME>> Maya rolls the d666 and gets 4 2 CHECK: 1.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan says, "Fire station! Something. Whatever equivalent they had back now. If they had something back now. Centralized place to start passing buckets from? Thingy. [snickers]"
<<OOC>> Deoradhan's brain is possibly still slightly fried, thus the forgetfulness of 'fire station'.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Deo, are you making your way down there obviously, or more quietly?"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "In this period, alas, it's a case of "River Thames and bucket brigade". :)"
<<OOC>> Deoradhan is trying to be quiet. Although hopefully not so sneaky that, if she gets seen, she can't convincingly argue that she got lost.
As she turns into the corridor on the left (which bends round a short distance ahead, to where presumably the door to the cellars in question is) she hears a groan from ahead of her, and a creaking noise, as of someone shifting on their feet.
Deoradhan freezes. .oO(Drat.) She glances to either side, quickly, to see if there's anyplace she can duck into and hide (eavesdrop) until the person is gone. If not, she creeps ahead, trying to look harmless and lost -- and hopefully to peer around the corner at whoever it is before they spot her.
<<OOC>> arcangel . o O (I'm looking for a good place to snog my girlfriend, once I find some wench who's suitably impressed by me working as hired labor at the theatre.)
<<OOC>> Deoradhan cackles!
<<OOC>> Maya snickers.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Give me a roll. ;)"
<<GAME>> Deoradhan rolls the d666 and gets 6 1 CHECK: 1.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan sulks at the dice. Swaps the first and last digits? (^^)
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You should be so lucky."
<<OOC>> Deoradhan ohwell. [grins]
As she peers round the bend in the corridor, she sees a man standing in front of the cellar door, in what looks like uniform of some sort. He's propped his pike against the wall, and is paring his nails with a sharp knife. He doesn't seem to have spotted her.
<<GAME>> Maya rolls the d666 and gets 4 4 CHECK: 4.
Deoradhan pulls her head back, and decides to backtrack. Quietly. If that's a demon or a Hellsworn who takes offense, Deo is unfortunately probably screwed; if it's a normal human, it's just inconvenience, but it'll be faster if she just goes back and lets Zach know.
There are no sounds of pursuit. It seems she got away with it.
<<OOC>> Leti .oO(Or he cel-tongued his compatriots who are waiting around the corner.)
Deoradhan backtrack backtrack backtrack, then looks around for Zach once she's back at the point she left him. Failing that, she looks for one of the random other people she can make embarrassed noises at and ask if they've seen him.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan admires the use of to seem, paranoidly. [grins]
The actor she buttonholes points her towards the back alley. "Went out to do his business, lad."
Deoradhan blushes a little. "Right. Thank you!" She heads in that direction.
The back alley is empty apart from Zach -- who is crumpled in a corner, eyes closed, blood seeping from under him.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan ...DEAD. I _knew_ it!
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Heh heh heh."
Deoradhan strangles a cry in the back of her throat, darts to Zach's body, and checks for a pulse. If there's any, she Sings Healing; if not, she screams rather than risk making the disturbance.
<<OOC>> Deoradhan was actually contemplating an OOC comment of "I have a bad feeling of deja vu" after Deo posed, only then the desc showed up, and... [cackles]
There's no pulse. This vessel is definitely dead. The bleeding seems to be coming from a wound in the back, though it'd require rolling the body over to look at it.
Deoradhan screams, "ZACH!", and emotes fear and disbelief for all she's worth (not, really, all _that_ hard to manage) while rolling him over. And prepares to bolt if whoever killed Zach wants to kill the person who found him too. (This will screw his Role over, but even if he gets lucky with Trauma he'd be away too long to help hide the body, and she doesn't think she can hide it effectively on her own. So.)
Actors and prentices come streaming out of the theatre, while passers-by come crowding down the alley to take an interest. There is confusion. There is turmoil. And it's quite clear that Zach was stabbed neatly in the back, in a professional sort of way.]
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