>>506468
no decision should be made without consulting dahlia, and we shouldn't let ourselves become assassins.
but we cannot offend him either. go with him but try to make it obvious that the nature of your discussion is detail gathering and not answer giving.
i support sending her a text. also tell her that was an awesome show. see if she wants/can join in.
one final note, you're going to a back alley with a criminal mastermind and his kneecap-busters. this is a situation most people don't survive. not that it's likely to help, but try and keep your guard up. you'll be way safer if dahlia is with you.

He's not going to murder his little girls boyfriend- specially not in the open, very obviously, with a witness that knows he left with us.

Consulting with her now is more about our needs than hers- and it's clingy. Very clingy. Just go with him.
>>506485
She can't come, she has to prep for the final. He JUST said that.

you can tell Dahlia later. let her revel for now. it'S not like you need her permission and you can ask her later if she'll be joining you.

go with il Padrino.

Brom 2013/04/19(Fri)02:02 No. 506591 ID: 0a3546
File 136636213215.png - (9.28KB , 800x600 , 43.png )

"Ok, kid," says Euro, steering him into a hallway. "I have a little proposal for you." He folds his arms and leans against the wall. His voice suddenly snaps into Dio's head, as clear as if he was inches from his ear. [You were born Furlaia, right, Dio?]
That's right, thinks Dio.
[What do you think about maybe going back there?]
Why do you ask?
[I won't beat around the bush. I need you to steal something for me from some bad guys. It's called the Scepter of Drif, and it's an enchanted weapon. You know about those?]
Sort of.
[Then you know they are basically the most illegal and dangerous contraband you could possibly produce or procure, and leaving it in the hands of a bunch of Furlesian goons is a very bad thing. Now these guys are dangerous, but hardly as dangerous as a demon horde, which I understand you dealt with pretty handily on the divine plane. They won't give you any trouble.]
Are you sure about that?
[So sure I'm gonna let you take Dahlia, if you want to. And whoever else you want. I'm told the scepter's in a lockbox in a Mob-affiliated bank. Four, five mages should be able to knock it over no problem. You do it right, you probably won't need to kill anyone.]
And then who gets the scepter?
[Obviously me. Don't worry, kid, it wouldn't let me do anything to anyone I couldn't easily do to them myself. Furlesian mobsters, on the other hand. Well. Best to take care of this as soon as possible, don't you think?]
Is that why you don't want me to tell Orpheo?
[Yeah, kid, basically. That and the fact that, although this little sting is fully known and endorsed by several of the Arcane council, it's nnnot exactly legal. Yeah, but nuts to that, right? It's a chance to do some easy good with people you know and trust. Whaddya say?]

>>506591
This sounds like a good job. We'll take it.

>>506591
Huh, so this is actually a political job? I mean, sure, Euro gets it, but sheesh sounds like weird cold war deterrant ops. Is this the type of bullshit that got the Wastes turned into the Wastes? We don't want the other continent to get turned into a wasteland.

Does he have a suggestion for a team? Dahlia's one of them, but I'm unsure who else would be good for a heist. Pyramus and Jai... aren't the subtle type. Everett might be good, or Wendat, or Ephraim. Random's right out.

do it. you want to be on his good side.

>>506591
sounds good and interesting to me.
ask who they guys are, do some research on your own later.

Dio, Dahlia, Wendat and one or two more. not sure who. Jai maybe? we could use muscle.

i'd get confirmation from the arcane council if possible first. its not that i don't trust Veltkrik... well no its that i don't trust Veltkrik. also the odds are very good this is a test to see how far we are willing to go, we say yes the next job he offers us is going to be just a bit more gray.

Brom 2013/04/19(Fri)18:43 No. 506758 ID: 9fa9cb
File 136642221143.png - (9.29KB , 800x600 , 44.png )

I'll do it.
[Excellent.]
Mmmaybe. I'm trying to think of a good team. Jai and Pyramus are a little... unsubtle.
[Unsubtle ain't bad. You may have some use for the unsubtle type. The Scepter of Drif gives its user phenomenal combat expertise. Drif himself used it to become basically undefeatable in a duel. A mage could probably best a nonmagical with the scepter, but a little muscle might not go amiss. Mobsters respect muscle.]
What about Wendat?
Wendat? That Arker? No. You ain't taking any of those red eyed freaks on this mission after they tried to kill my baby girl. And you. No, one of the reasons I'm keeping this under the radar is so the Ark won't find out about it. So come on, Dio. Keep it a secret.]

Brom 2013/04/19(Fri)18:43 No. 506759 ID: 9fa9cb
File 136642221980.png - (88.42KB , 800x600 , 45.png )

[We're illusionists, after all. Keeping secrets is our specialty.]

Brom 2013/04/19(Fri)18:43 No. 506760 ID: 9fa9cb
File 136642223665.png - (54.73KB , 800x600 , 46.png )

[Anyway! Ask around, see who's interested in coming with you, and let me know, arright, kid? I've been wanting to work with you a long time. This could be the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.]

Yes sir. I expect that we will not need to tell them the details of the operation until the job starts?

I think if he's already found out your own secret, well, he's subtly hinting that you keep it forever now.

Poke and prod at Epraim, Pyramus, Jai, Eulind.... nooooo... Everett might be good too as I stated earlier. He was a friend you helped get out of the box, though we should count Py and Jai out in that case.
Damn, who else do we know? Any of the people we do know might know other trustworthy people.

You know even though we are planning to keep the knowledge of being part of the family hidden for now we still should learn more about who our family was. Knowing what relationship our parents had with Euro will be important.

Most importantly need to know if he would be happy with the news or if he was part of how we ended up how we did.

If there was some big crime family squabble that ended up with our parents dead it would be good to know.

>>506764

maybe we shouldn't announce the mission to everyone we are acquainted with- especially the ones we barely know, really.

I say talk only to Dahlia about this first. then we'll see about the others.

who the fuck thought WENDAT was a good idea

>>506824
>>506832
I never said to give out full details. And I'll admit to being the first (wasn't the only one) to possibly suggest wendat but I was just listing off people we know that are smart and capable while not being too upfront in personality. I didn't measure trustworthiness at all then.
I'm still technically just listing off people, mainly because we hardly know anybody. The only one with stone lips for sure is Epraim.

>>506832
i did. other than being an Arker he'd have been perfect.
he is an Arker though, so he's out.

Brom 2013/05/01(Wed)01:01 No. 508302 ID: 400dc8
File 136739529487.png - (27.01KB , 800x600 , 47.png )

"I suppose we won't need to really go into details until after the job starts?" asks Dio.
"If you want." Euro gestures down the hall, and the two mages head back toward the arena. "This op is all yours, baby. I'm just here to give the general direction and maybe some support once you're in Furlaia. Oh, and to pay you, of course."
"You're gonna pay me?"
"Well I can't really give you university credit for this shit, can I? I got other rewards in mind for you. Don't worry, Eregiorium. Stick with the Veltkricks, and you're gonna go far. Now let's go watch my daughter kick ass."

Brom 2013/05/01(Wed)01:01 No. 508303 ID: 400dc8
File 136739530056.png - (66.47KB , 800x600 , 48.png )

"We kicked ass." Dahlia nearly somersaults into the locker room, where Dio awaits the conquering heroes.
"Was there ever any doubt?" Jai pulls her helmet off and stretches the combat out of her spine.
"It was a close-run thing," says Pyramus. "That Epraim, he's a little better than you might think, just looking at him."
"Not better enough," says Dahlia. "Spirits, that was sick. Same team next month?"
"Unless Dio wants in," says Jai. "Then we put yo ass on the bench, girl."
"I wanna do double illusion," says Dahlia, kissing Dio on the cheek. "No one ever does double illusion."
"You know what I want?" says Pyramus. "I want a great big steak. A winnersteak. Maybe we can talk about team cohesion or whatever over one of those."
"Let me just go talk to my dad real quick and then we go somewhere," says Dahlia. "My treat, of course."

>>508303
they fought epraim and WON? poor guy, having to lean back and hide his powerlevel all the time.

okay. let's eat some yummy shit.

Wait I thought you were against Everett and Farquad?
When did Ephraim join?

>>508327
That was last fight. The final bout was a bigger matchup.

Maaaaybe we can ask them now if they want to come on the mission?

Brom 2013/05/29(Wed)20:27 No. 513515 ID: 0eef61
File 136988442959.png - (16.46KB , 800x600 , 49.png )

"I do not fuck around when it comes to mozz sticks," whispers Jai.
"Aand actually make that two orders of mozzarella sticks," says Dio. "Thank you."
The waiter leaves, respectfully drawing the curtain to keep the rest of the restaurant from eyeballing their eyeballs.
It's an arcanopolitan thing.

"Sooo next time," says Dahlia, "I say black uniforms."
"That's thaumaturge," says Pyramus. "None of us are thaumaturges."
"Yeah, but that guy with the beaky helmet had, like, a cape," says Dahlia.
"I want a cape," says Jai.
"So obviously uniform modifications are okay," says Dahlia.
"I want a cape," says Jai.
"And hide that arse from the world?" says Pyramus. "Ye can't censor art like that."
"Plus it could catch on fire," says Dahlia. "As we all saw."
"Damn right we did," chuckles Pyramus.
"I'll settle for a fog machine and some theme music." Jai scooches closer to Pyramus. "Can we smuggle that in?"
"I'll disguise it as a weenie cart or something," says Dio. His phone buzzes. "Oops, I'm blowing up."

He has 2 texts waiting for him.

From: Epraim
To: Me

Sorry, can't. Maybe next time.

From: Random Sterro
To: Me

wut r u odin are u doing an op i want in u cant hide from me bitchh
also have u seen my id anywhere

"So Dio:" says Jai. "Before the sticks show up and my attention is fully in their sway, you had something you wanted to talk to us about?"

looks like Random is in so that's one. Start off by saying something like since I'm dating Dahlia how long until you think he starts asking me to 'work for the family'... well guess what happened to me today.

if you can come up with a more tactful response by all means use it but it is kinda hard to say hey guys I'm do a little snatch and grab for a mob boss who want's in?

>>513520
But we don't want Sterro in on this one. He's a loose cannon. This op requires finesse. We're gonna have to deal with him later.

I don't see why we can't just say, "Welp, Dahlia's pa asked me to do an op for him, and I need a team. Who's in?" Then we give details and ask again.

>>513522
Random could make a good distraction though should we need one. Hell if this is a gang then it likely has a rival gang, We could disguise Random (via dream magic) to look like on of the group's rivals or even look like a large group to try and cover all the damage he will most likely do. I think it would be safe to assume that Dahlia will come with so she could just turn invisible or something and grab the Scepter of Drif then get the hell out of there. of course planing is still a long ways off but just saying he could be useful, and if we don't bring him he is our roommate and I bet he would be hell to put up with if he learned we did this without him.

>>513515
Yeah, say that you're gonna go steal some magic doohickey from some bad people and you could use some backup.

Also Random lost his id, anyone seen it?

But Id and ego is all random ever is, he should be looking for his superego. How did he lose his Id?

Anyone want to tour Furlaia? See some sights? Bust mob skulls or freak them out and take powerful cool artifacts? Maybe get a chance to amplify your powers with it for a small while on the job? We got commissioned to nab one from a mob. One of a kind mission, probably unforgettable. It's a field trip with no chaperones, ladies and gentlemen.

>>513515
we don't want random. he's not one for subtlety.

Eeehhhh, Random is a bit TOO unsubtle for this.

Also, the spin you put on how you lay the job out to your prospective team will likely determine if they decide to go along. Better to have a magical relic in the vault of someone who doesn't need to use it, rather than someone who has the inclination to abuse it. Not to mention the under-the-counter approval from the Council.

>dude with a penchant for fully flooding large rooms with hellfire

>sensitive mission involving stealth and subtlety given to you by the wizard mafia

>nope.jpg

but maybe tell him you're sorry and that you're all filled up on team members but next time he's definitely in.

I think the four people here should be enough. team up one illusionist with one non-illusionist and go in from separate entrances and you've already got a half-decent plan for pretty much most sneaky ops.

also ask everyone (except Euro) who already knows- who the fuck told Random goddammit

I thought Veltrick said unsubtle was fine. The only reason we might not random is that he'll probably go crazy if he toys with the scepter. Veltrick basically gave us pass to let Jai or Pryramus play with it for a little while on the mission, and freak mob people the fuck out probably.

true, he did say that. being sneaky is only my personal preference on this. the reason being that the louder this operation gets, the likelier the arkers will hear of it. which Euro said would be bad.

Brom 2013/06/02(Sun)15:01 No. 514129 ID: 0eef61
File 137021049471.png - (118.77KB , 800x600 , 50.png )

From: Me
To: Random Sterro
sorry random, next time
check yesterdays pants pockets

Dio flips his phone closed. "So Dahlia's dad asked me to recover a relic," he says.
"Ooooh," says Jai.
"Oh," says Dahlia.
"It's called the scepter of Drif and it's in the hands of a bunch of Furlesian gangsters right now. He thinks it'll be safer in Arcanopolitan hands."
"Like his?" asks Dahlia.
"Mmmore or less," says Dio. "So anyone want to take a field trip to Furlaia? Break some bones? See some sights?"

"I'm in! I was born in- hold on." Jai's eye widens as the curtain is opened and the appetizers are brought in. "MOZZARELLA"

"Aye, me too," says Pyramus. "The in thing, not the born thing. Scepter of Drif, huh?"
"Just once," sighs Dahlia, resting her chin on her fist, "I'd like to introduce someone to daddy and not have him try to recruit them into the mob. He's always trying to get me to go be a gorilla for him."
"Sorry, Dahl."
"Don't worry about it. I'm in to come along. Only 'cuz it's you."

"Tho- excuthe me." Jai swallows. "When do we go?"

Later tonight or in the morning. Gives everyone a chance to grab what they need and get ready. The longer we wait the greater the chance someone will find out about this or talk us out of it.

>>514129
"If it makes you feel better, Dahl, I should probably tell you I said ok because your dad is worried the Arkers will make a move for it."

>>514129
wait. waitwaitwaitwhat. she isn't an assassin for her dad? we're doing this for her, and she's not even in that world??

>>514224

I dunno about anyone else, but I'm doing this to not get killed by Euro for fucking his daughter.

we should mention to them that restraint is to be shown and hush-hush is to be kept.

>>514248
obviously we're gonna need to have a chat with Daliah about the whole assassin business.

>>514129
This doesn't sound like mob work really. More like, mercenary work. Something out of an archeological adventure serial, the part where action takes place away from ruins and deals with the shady present of humanity as our lowly heroes get a relic from the bad guys, potentially to save the world.

We go... well when is everybody available? What's best for us all?

Brom 2013/06/03(Mon)23:12 No. 514427 ID: 0eef61
File 137032637075.png - (11.01KB , 800x600 , 51.png )

"Maybe tomorrow morning," says Dio. "Does that work for everyone?" The table is all nods. "Cool. And that'll give everyone a chance to get packed and such."
"Phrasing," Dahlia whispers into his ear, putting a hand on his knee.
"Shuddup. And we can meet tomorrow morning at the, uh, hold on."

The curtain reopens and the entrees are carted in by a harried waiter who smiles patiently at Jai's request for maybe another thing of sticks.

About twenty blissful, steak-filled minutes pass before Pyramus goes, "the what?"
"Hmm?" asks Dio, his mouth full of broccoli.
"Where are we going to meet, again?"
"Oh." Dio swallows. "I guess not my suite, because Random is probably going to throw things and also fireballs at me for not bringing him along. How about Jai's?"
"Sounds like a plan, man." Jai sinks a few inches into her seat. "Seven thousand spirits, I am absolutely stuffed. Pyramus, babe, if you poke me one more time I'm gonna throw up on you."
"Sorry."
"Ok, who's picking up the tab for this?" she asks, perking up again.
"Obviously the one who's asking us to go risk our lives for him," says Dahlia.
"Me?" asks Dio.
"No, ya doof." Dahlia opens her purse and flashes a shiny black card. "Euro Zer Veltkrik."

>>514263
After they sort the check out and everyone's getting up to go, Dio asks Dahlia to hold up for a second.
"Sure!" She scoots back into the booth. "I don't think I'm ready to go walking anywhere just yet anyway."
She sighs heavily and falls into Dio's lap. "That was a hearty meal."
"A hefty repast," says Dio.
"A dense din-din."
"A bulky banquet."
"An effusive engagement."
"A fuckhuge feast."
"A big thing." Dahlia yawns and closes her eye. "Jai can really put it away. Friggin tall people. Why do they get to stay so skinny too?"
"Magic."
"Down with the magocracy." She reopens it. "You're getting taller, I think."
"You're imagining things."
"Am not."
"You have a low vantage point."
"Oh noooo."
"You look like a little ant from up here."
"Chitter chitter buzz buzz." She squirms further into his lap. "Ugh. The only thing getting bigger on me is my friggin butt. What did you want to talk about one-on-one?"

>>514427
are you really not your father's assassin? because i kinda accepted the job to get closer to you. well, that and fear. he called you "his little assassin" and everything. in hindsight i probably should have talked to you first, but you were fighting..

>>514427
"Ah, right on to the mood-killing.
While we were talking, your dad used something as a segue to sneaking up behind me and whispering 'keeping secrets is the illusionist specialty' in my ear all creepy and shit.
He was even more intimidating than when he was all 'have fun, but if you knock her up they'll never find your body'.

So my question is, was he in an acting troupe when he was younger? Or is he big on comics and B-movies? He goes so far over the top I'd be laughing if he wasn't so absolutely terrifying."

Use your mind-link to tell her "Pretty sure he was saying he knows my lineage. Either way, I'm never mentioning it out loud ever again."

Brom 2013/06/06(Thu)01:29 No. 514798 ID: 0eef61
File 137050738198.png - (10.43KB , 800x600 , 52.png )

"Are you really not your dad's assassin?" asks Dio.
"Naw. I had a little rebellious phase against the business when I was like, 12." Dahlia props herself up. "And then it just sort of stuck. I think he's okay with it. Why? Was that part of the appeal?" She grins and shakes her tush. "Dahlia Zu Veltkrik, ninja assassin?"
"I already know you're a ninja," says Dio. "Assassin or no. But I will admit I mostly took the job to get closer to you."
"We'll be plenty close," says Dahlia. "Pulling a heist together'll do that."
"That and also because of fear." Dio winces. "I think Euro might have his suspicions about... you know. He was acting really, uh, theatrical. Sneaking up behind me and stuff."
"Oh, that's daddy," says Dahlia. "He loves spooking people like that. Look, Dio, you're cute when you're worried, but don't stress about him. I'll take care of it. You just worry about, like, not getting us killed. Speaking of, if you're worried about Random getting medieval on you, you're welcome to sleep over tonight. Oh! And there's some stuff I want to get for the mission at the supermarket at some point."
"Like what?"
"Chips, snacks, maybe a crossbow," says Dahlia. "C'mon. Let's get going before Jai and Pyramus think we're making out or something. Unnnless you want to make out or something."

while making out does sound tempting, supplies are a good idea.

I don't think there is a correct answer to that question.

>>514798
how is making out prohibiting us from getting supplies? do one then the other, simple.

also, let's try to stay out of the business after this thing. i kinda like the freedom and the fact that you're not cold blooded.

Grab the scruff of her neck and pull her in for a deep kiss, but cut it short and join your friends. Tease her a little bit.

Well... maybe a little making out.

>>514798
Get a little kissing in, but save some for later.

Brom 2013/06/06(Thu)18:33 No. 514885 ID: 0eef61
File 137056882169.png - (5.20KB , 800x600 , 53.png )

Dio doesn't think there's a right answer for that, so instead he pulls her the rest of the way up and leans in for the kiss.

Right as their lips are about to meet, he whispers, "Okay, let's get out of here."
"Fuck yooouuuu." She punches him in the shoulder.
"Laterrrrr," he says, kissing her on the forehead. "Tonight. Come on. Let's go to the store so you can buy me stuff."
"Freeloader," says Dahlia.
"I'll pay you back somehow."
"Gigolo."
"You're into it. Let me up?"
"Eventually."

Brom 2013/06/06(Thu)18:33 No. 514886 ID: 0eef61
File 137056883090.png - (53.66KB , 800x600 , 54.png )

Dio and Dahlia catch up with Pyramus and Jai in time to pay for everything, then Dio creeps cautiously into his room while Random is still in class to collect his things. Dahlia's little daggers, his focus rune necklace, the essentials. He is on Tervis' Too Many Damn Sudoku Puzzles Vol. 16 by now.

In a drawer he finds his old Alienation cloak. This thing has some powerful absorption enchantment built into it, that will give him a measure of protection against conventional weaponry, but for a heist operation like this one it is quite the conspicuous shade of purple.

He has enough money to either go get it refitted into an undershirt, a tricky thing to do without disrupting the innate enchantments woven in, or get one other enchanted item of some sort to help him.
He's had his eyes on a pair of muffling slippers, and Jai's told him there's a pair of trick silk gloves for sale at Erisycthon's Antiquities that lets you turn whatever you hold in them invisible without having to keep a spell up to do it.

All these options go into the range of hundreds of gilt. Dio's been saving up just in case he needed any of them. He supposes he could ask Dahlia to just get him all of them, but he always feels kind of funny asking her for charity like that. The bad kind. He doesn't like reminding people, especially her, that he is one of the poorest mages in the Arcanopolis.

>>514886
leave the gloves. it's tricky, the slippers will help you not get caught but if you do get caught you could use the cloak.
i'm voting slippers.

couldn't you just throw and illusion around the cloak to make it look less conspicuous then?

as for things to get I think the silk gloves sound useful, especially since you're trying to steal something.

get the slippers. and something ninja-ey to wear.

I say go for the refitting yourself and have Dhalia pay for the slippers. That way at least you're coming halfway in the costs. Also she can keep them when you're done with them, if she likes. Hopefully they're, like, super comfy too. The gloves are nice but when you get down to it, you're a goddamn illusionist and can keep the spell up when really needed.

And make a mental note to try and not be so damn poor in the future.

>>514886


What? No, Dio. You don't understand how these things work.

You don't need to ask Dahlia to buy you anything as charity.
You have been hired for a mission, and it is very reasonable to request an advance on your payment to cover mission expenses. Typically people don't even have to ask, but Arcanopolis mages are basically all well-off enough that it doesn't even occur to them that a Cyclops might not have enough ready funds to fully prepare for a mission.

So, Dio, you are going to ask for an advance to cover your mission related expenses, then get all the equipment you think would be important for this mission.

To get your advance you need to ask an agent of your employer who has the means and authority to provide you with an advance from your employer's coffers. That means you are going to ask Dahlia for the advance.

You are not going to say "Hey, can you buy me these things?", because that is not what is happening.
You are going to say "I need to get some things, could your dad give me an advance so cover my expenses?", at which point she will say "I don't even have to ask; you can totally get an advance for expenses. Sending people on missions under-equipped is a thing dumb people do."

Now, you wouldn't want to upset Dahlia's dad by going on a mission under-equipped and putting his daughter at risk, would you?

So yea, go get all that equipment.

I'm way against asking Dahlia for dough, by the way. you gotta have some pride.

>>514993
except she will totaly will say "what? what advance payment? it's on the house" and then she'll be paying for you. or her dad. whatever.

i support this course though, just be adamant and refuse to let them cover it. when you need stuff to lower the risk to you and to your friends (and girlfriend) you buy those things.

>>515013
No, Dahlia is smarter than that. She knows how important it is to Dio to be able to make his own way. She wouldn't say it's on the house, she'd say expenses are included. That turns it from charity into part of the job he was intimidated into.

Well, if we are particularly worried about having things, but do not want to beg, we could just ask the mage's school itself. The alienation office gave Dio some decent carte blanche to request whatever he wanted after the success of the alienation. Requesting to rent something from something akin to an armory, or get extra runes, or somesuch should be within his asking power. We also have Orpheo, who probably would be fine with letting Dio borrow something.

Brom 2013/06/11(Tue)01:15 No. 516188 ID: 0eef61
File 137093854828.png - (11.43KB , 800x600 , 55.png )

Dio buys the alteration and the slippers from the same place. It's a little corner tailor's Jai recommended, staffed by Pasha, one of the oldest Furlesians he's ever seen and her winsome/apologetic daughter.

"Here are items you purchase," says Pasha, handing over the newly compact cloak and the slippers. "You try on. If no like, cry about it. If you turn invisible and try to steal things, I cut off hand."

"Mother doesn't mean it," says her daughter hastily as she ushers Dio to the changing rooms. "Honestly, we're very glad for your service."

"He is illusionist. Not to trust," chides her mother. "Very sneaky people."
"Mo-therrr," hisses her daughter as she sharply draws the curtain.

The slippers are a little pointy on the end, in the style of Furlaia. The cloak's been turned into a lightweight vest, with a bit of a collared trim.
Dio notices that his arms aren't quite as ropy as they were once. This battlemage thing is starting to pay dividends on his physique.

He has just nearly destroyed his savings, and there's certainly no more money for magic items, but while he's out in town he may as well mop up if he has anything left to buy.

As of right now he's taking along his books, his brace of knives, his camera (of course), a foldable hand crossbow he got from his alienation, his focus necklace, and that's just about it. Furlaia is a humid, tropical country. He doesn't think he needs to pack much winter clothes.

Looking classy Dio, even the straightest of men will be giving you looks AND the curviest of women.

Strut your stuff and watch yourself. You don't need money or names. You got the touch. YOU GOT THE POWER!

Hmm, something to help hide your identity might be a boon. You have sudoku with your books... fake ID? Maybe some quick field medical supplies.

still might want something incase it rains, unless you can just glamour something into a rain coat then never mind you're probably good.

great! also buy an alternate mask so everybody doesn't know it was you.

ps id do you

Brom 2013/09/23(Mon)00:52 No. 541680 ID: 5a2deb
File 137992273971.png - (11.43KB , 800x600 , 56.png )

Dio brings his purchases to Pasha at the front desk, who brusquely takes his money without an offered receipt or bag.
"No refund," she says. "Repairs yourself."
"Motherrrrr."
"I do not like the boy."
"She likes no one. It's fine, mister. Thank you so much for your business."
"You guys did great work," says Dio. "I dig the shoes."
"I do all work." Pasha folds the cash into her robe. "This one sit around, not get married ever. I keep her around, why?"
"To keep you from scaring off all the paying customers," says her daughter. She smiles apologetically, with the steady expression of someone who has to smile apologetically a great deal. "Come again, sir!"

Brom 2013/09/23(Mon)00:52 No. 541681 ID: 5a2deb
File 137992274401.png - (9.33KB , 800x600 , 57.png )

Dio thanks Pasha and her daughter, and opens the curtain to leave the store. He looks outside and a slithery jolt of shock twists around the base of his spine.

Two arkers, all in black, are standing outside Pasha's. Their gaits are relaxed and loose in a you-can't-fuck-with-us-and-we-know it sort of way. They are talking in low tones to one another.

It's probably nothing, and the arcanopolis is, of course, theirs as much as it is his.

But his foot is still frozen on the threshold.

Slip on the shoes and go invisible. Problem solved.

Brom 2013/09/23(Mon)22:19 No. 541831 ID: 5a2deb
File 137999999309.png - (97.86KB , 800x600 , 58.png )

Dio slips silently into his new shoes, then shimmers out of sight as he leaves the store.
"Always to show off," says Pasha, as he leaves.

He pads by the two Arkers, who are moving in the opposite direction toward Quayside.
"That's the issue, isn't it?" asks one. "He's the issue. The wild card."
"Don't let Wendat hear you talking about him," says the other. "It wouldn't do."
"Wendat?"

Wendat. That's the name of his Ark comrade from the attack on Getlx. Dio wheels round and carefully walks after them.

"He'll be there. Him and Aarno, too."
"He's brought Aarno over?"
"He has. You hadn't heard? After Wikus and the others got themselves killed going after the Zu Veltkrik girl."

Dahlia?

"Shut up." The arker looks over his shoulder, straight through Dio. "No talking business until we're inside."

Following them would be a bad idea, of course. Of course it would. Extremely ill-advised.

>>541831
Either Wendat is going to betray you or they're going to do something Wendat won't like. Follow them and find out which it is.

>>541831
An utterly terrible idea. Really, you should have yourself committed to a mental asylum for even considering it.

...You can do that after you're done following them and eavesdropping.

>>541831
Follow and listen but wherever they are going sounds well prepared to deal with spys. Make sure you physically hide if you see another arker. A gaurd might be equipped to see through your invisibility.

Doesn't Dio have a certain someone waiting on him, though? It wouldn't do to be off having adventures and never showing up, right? Besides, wouldn't she be the sort that'd get mad about not being brought along for the snooping?

Brom 2013/09/24(Tue)22:46 No. 541979 ID: 86b8be
File 138008800272.png - (8.50KB , 800x600 , 59.png )

The Arkers walk for about ten more minutes, over toward Quayside.
It's a poorer, dingier part of the Arcanopolis. A lot of old warehouses left standing from the old cargo boom a decade ago, when importation spiked then crashed back.

They arrive at a darkened factory, and the one in front hammers on the door.

It opens on Wendat, sans helmet.
"In," he says. "The others are here, already."

>>541943
Good point.

Let's send her a quick text.

>>541979
I just realized there was no indication these guys were up to no good. This could actually be something innocent.

If you go in there, you won't be able to just walk back out the door. Wait where's Dahlia? Wasn't she in the store with you? Maybe you can send her a message that you're checking something out and you might be delayed a while. Then go in.

>>541983
They're arkers being sneaky. Even if they're not up to no good, something worth knowing about is happening.

You could just show up and see how they react. I mean maybe not take your shoes off, but illusion yourself walking around the corner and wave at Wendat. Watching their reaction would give you some insight into how much this secret meeting has to do with you, or how much personal animosity these guys have, all with reasonably plausible deniablility. And hey, if they try to jump you and murder you in a dark abandoned alley, its just a glamor.

think you could just listen in through a window or something without going inside while remaining invisible. I mean these guys probably have some way to detect people but I bet they wouldn't be as observant with the places perimeter as they would be with it's interior.

I'd like to clarify that when I said send a message I meant more along the lines of an illusion-based magical message. Operating a phone is noisy, so is receiving texts. I guess if you turned your phone to silent mode it could be ok though.

Brom 2013/10/01(Tue)01:50 No. 542705 ID: 5c9e53
File 138061743028.png - (19.41KB , 800x600 , 60.png )

Dahlia: There's something going on quayside with the Ark. I'll be careful.

Dio slips through the door and follows the Arkers inside. They duck through a low hallway and out into a wider factory floor.
There's about a dozen black-clad young members of the fraternity here.
"Diometricus Phrale Eregiorium," says one, and Dio's heart freezes for a split second.
"You were going to tell us about him, brother Wendat," he continues. "Devlin. Avi. You are both late."
"Sorry, Aarno."
"Our apologies, Aarno."
The two arkers shuffle into place and leave Wendat in the center of the ring of mages.

"Diometricus," says Wendat. "Dio."
"That is what they call him, yes," says Aarno. "You went to Hell with him. And?"
"And he didn't strike me as anything particularly special," says Wendat. "Average illusionist combat mage of no astonishing skill. Shy side."
"He could be deceptive. Wikus was-"
"Wikus was careless," says Wendat. "Wikus was stupid. And I see no reason to waste any more time on any notions of vengeance."
"He was your brother, Wendat. If Diometricus is as harmless as you say-"
"It's not about him, anymore, you silly ass."
"You will watch your tongue, Wendat."
"The girl. He took the girl too, dammit. Dahlia Zu Veltkrik. Now she's tied up in all this."
"The Zu Veltkriks are a known variable."
"If you know their variable," says Wendat, "then you know they could kill all of you as easy as breathing."
"All of us, Wendat. Diometricus is not a Veltkrik. Perhaps the daughter likes him, but he remains a valid target. And a tempting message, wouldn't you say?"
"He's just a boy, Aarno."
"He's a murderer. And a confirmation to everyone that you can bloody the Ark and sail away free as long as he's alive."
"And who do you propose kill him, then, if you're so cavalier about it?"
"You, Wendat."

>>542705
Wait, who's this Wikus guy? I don't remember Dio ever actually killing an Arker.

Man, what are they, a petty gang?
Hardly a professional secret society.
Where's even the sacred paddle for new members! And the beer!
It just looks like it's all peer pressure and looking tough.

...just see where this goes and bug out, we can fill people in on what happens here when we get out and can plan accordingly.

>>542709
Probably Dio's first kill. Remember the Arkers that tried kidnap him and Dahlia?

>>542705
Psychic message Wendat.
"The problem is with what you don't know. Orpheo sees him as his adoptive son, and rumor is he got secretly engaged to Dahlia after their pilgrimages. Even if her dad didn't take it personally, she would when she took power. He doesn't even have a beef with us; we could make him an asset, and use that to neutralize the Velkirks. If we're willing to sabotage our efforts out of petty spite then we've clearly lost sight of our purpose.
You asked what I know, and what I know is Dio isn't going to be a problem unless we make him one. Don't make him one."

>>542727
Or just make a note to tell him about the secret engagement later. Should probably let Dahlia know, too.

>>542727
>>542728
I don't wanna reveal our presence or start some false rumor about Dahlia, and I certainly don't want to have Dahlia perpetuate the lie.

Instead, we might be able to get away with sending Wendat a message that he should wait a day. The situation is changing.

>>542736
>Illusionists
>Not wanting to deceive people to achieve their goals.

Lets not call it a lie. Look at it in a practical sense: as far as the Arker's plans are concerned Dio and Dahlia might as well be married. It's not incorrect so much as imprecise. The key here is that "Dio is marrying/has married into the Velkirk family" is two lies.
The first is, of course, that he and Dahlia are not actually that far along in their relationship, but that's mitigated by the second lie.
The second lie is the implication "Dio is not already a member of the Velkirk family". If they killed Dio before he and Dahlia became involved enough for him to count as family then his heritage would be 'discovered', and the Arkers would find themselves in the untenable position of having assassinated a Velkirk 'prince' out of what can charitably be described as petty spite.

The net truth is what matters, and it's the same either way; Dio IS a Velkirk, and it's in everybody's best interest if the Arkers know that. Lets not sweat the details.

And, really, lets be honest here. The only three people who care about the ACTUAL truth are Dio, Dahlia, and her father. A rumor that scuttles an assassination plot without making anybody commit to anything is perfectly acceptable.

>>542740
The problem is starting a rumor *about Dahlia*. If you want to tell Wendat Dio's already in the family, suggest that. Otherwise that secret only matters if Dio is DEAD, and I don't think plans that require the PC to be dead are good plans.

Also stop arguing in the quest thread.

Well I'd say this gives a bit of initiative yeah?

Maybe the one who'll be sending a message tonight is Dio.

Maybe I should actually post a real plan.

These guys came together, so lets hope they leave together. Once they are away from other arkers, we run an illusion that looks like Dio walking out of an alley in front of them. If they take the bait and give chase we let that illusion go once it's out of sight in the alley, and simultaneously put on illusion on whoever's behind the other to make them look like Dio, and futhermore silence them (we have silence, right?). One of them kills the other, we kill them.

Hopefully one of them died to I'm assuming thaumaturgy, and we'll make a point of not killing the other with a stab, which would be Dio's MO by this point.

>>542751
I fail to see how shooting the messengers is going to do anything but aggravate the situation.

How about we just listen for now, and meet with Dahlia and her father to work out a plan later?
Or text Dahlia with the message "It's a bunch of Arkers trying to convince Wendat to off me. They think the Velkirk family would let it slide. Think your dad could show up outside here and do that intimidating implications thing when the meeting gets out?"

I don't think we should be calling in favors with the mob boss until he owes us some favors.

Also, they aren't the messengers. Wendat told them going after Dio is pointless. It is not the only opinion that Dio needs to die, so when we have such a golden opportunity to off two future problems it'd be a waste not to.

Unless you wanna argue Dio is a moral person and this is an immoral thing to do, I suppose I could go along with the reasoning, even though I don't really think that would even be immoral.

>>542805
The messages are that the Arkers have a grudge against Dio, that they don't consider Dio under the protection of any power players, and that they are willing to act on it. Killing these Arkers is only going to make the underlying issues worse.
As far as calling in favors from a mob boss goes, that's not really applicable here. Killing Dio would be a serious insult to the Velkirk family, and would terribly hurt Dahlia. That means it's not a favor, just normal operating action. Family looks out for family.
Besides, that's why Dio should have Dahlia ask.

O shit. Did you set your phone to silent?! If not do it now.