The Master Of Zooz

[Malchik]

OOC> I'll move you to the beach shortly so finalise any details in the next 24 hours please.

[phawk69]

"I have an idea for a backstory, who I'm supposed to be. I will be from Kolokon, from the palace there; as it is so secretive there it will be hard for Armiger to prove or disprove. One of you should let it slip to her servants that I am quite old, say a couple hundred years, and then we will wait to see what happens. Does anyone know a good name that would sound like something from Kolokon? Or even an old name, something like Anastasia, that isn't in use much any more? As for the youth tonic, we will likely have to give her some, so a decent backstory for it would be that it is an old receipe found only in the palace at Kolokon. Some of the ingredients are very rare, and there are three families that hold the receipe, each one only knowing their portion. If she demands that we give her some, I will try to use my magic to convince her that it works: hopefully I can make her see what she wants to see." T'skar looks at the rest, "Does anyone else have a better plan, or see where we can improve this one? We need to go."

[DragonDudeAW]

Turning to T'Skar, "Perhaps I can be the servant that lets your age slip".

[Malchik]

Face leads you by a rather circuitous route to the beach as T'skar is not really dressed for the market district.

 

As you join the road that skirts the beach to the south you can see there is clear class segregation in operation. Nearest to the dock the board walk is part rotted and difficult to walk on. There are no examples of 'beach furniture' and only a few scruffy food stalls. When this is just about out of site, the boardwalk is mended and firmer. There are a lot of stalls with better variety here. There are loungers (chairs that is) on the beach and several umbrellas. A few youths are walking around selling tickets to use the facilities. In the middle of the beach is the rather ugly exit to the temple you have been informed of. Two bored guards are standing by it.

 

At the far western end of the beach there is a gate and a man checking passes/selling tickets. The cost is a staggering 50 nipin but only T'skar has to pay as servants and advisers are allowed in free as long as they spend most of their time on the boardwalk.

 

The sand here is being raked. The umbrellas are bigger and more colourful. There are no stalls but servants are running backwards and forwards. Five groups are using the umbrellas. One other group is lying on loungers in the sunshine. Of the groups beneath the umbrellas one is exclusively male, two have families with them, one is a single and very beautiful young woman and one is an elderly woman in a wheelchair being attended by a posse of flunkeys. The group on loungers is three women wearing almost nothing but conveniently placed stars. They are 'of a certain age' but are making every effort to appear younger.

 

You can position yourself close enough to any group to be overheard by them but not by others. Face is indicating that La Sagrami is one of the women on the loungers.

 

Your arrival has caused a bit of a stir among those who have noticed. The male group, the single girl and those on the loungers have not yet seen you. The woman in the wheel chair has clearly told one of her flunkeys to find out who you are. He is waiting to talk to one of the 'servants' as soon as T'skar has settled and sent them up to the boardwalk.

[phawk69]

"Oh, it's only a beach," T'skar rolls her eyes, "Well, it is a bit 'provincial', but I suppose it's the best you have?" She querries Face, and without letting him answer she points to an umbrella near the men "Kalmer, be a dear and check if that is enought shade for me." Kalmer gives a smirking bow and heads to the indicated umbrella, he reports back "It seems a little too shady, your Excellency." Scanning the beach again, she scowls "Who would let children run around on an exclusive beach?" Kalmer answers "Indeed, Your Excellency," his eyes rolling slightly.

 

"Ah, how about near that young woman? Is there enough sun there?" Kalmer heads off again, and comes back with an unfavorable report. "Well, I HOPE that this last spot has SOME redeming qualities." T'skar tosses her head, and begins to walk with her entourage toward the dowagers. Selecting a nice umbrella, she says to Aldheim "Remember, I need more cream every half hour. Don't be late." With that she settles for a pleasant tan, removing her wrap and handing it to one of the others.

 

ooc> Don't shoot me Kalmer, but it seemed the easiest way to play this, if it doesn't seem right, I'll change it.

[karkarinus]

(ooc> Sounds wonderful, darling! A veritably exquisite performance! ;) )

 

 

 

ic> Kalmer gestures towards where Sagrami and company are on the loungers. "I feel that such a sun-drenched spot would be appropriate for the parasol, Excellency." Says Kalmer stooping slightly in a bow. (OOC> assuming by dowagers you mean Sagrami et al)" Thus, thou canst make the most of the beautifying properties of the sun's rays, whilst still being shielded from the direct light that might be harmful to thy cutis. Ma'am. Isn't that right, Aldhelm?"

 

T'Skar raises one eyebrow and makes a sidewards glance as if to say 'don't overdo it' and ushers the lackeys over to the indicated spot, just within earshot of Sagrami's group. Áni stands in a defiant stance several yards behind T'Skar

 

Having taken their places at a respectful distance from Lady Taskara - and within earshot of Sagrami - Kalmer and Aldhelm strike up an impromptu conversation, while the others try and act like servants, organising Her various chattels and preparing to spring to Her beck and call.

[Malchik]

Kalmer was also rather amused by some of the comments he overheard.

 

The young woman merely tutted loudly and muttered 'noisy beast' in a stage whisper.

 

Among the men one exquisite youth says langourously to another. "So 'yesterday' that outfit, don't you agree?" He is referring to Kalmer not T'skar.

 

Arminder Sagrami pays no attention but one of her companions looks across in a calculatedly bored way.

 

You can guess that this apparent lack of interest is a mask.

 

The flunkey of the elderly woman approaches Ani.

 

"Excuse me, my mistress Ranee Fatapuri Aloogobisag wishes to know if your mistress is someone she should know. I mean she knows thousands of people in one sense but that is not to say 'knows' them as most of those she knows she doesn't 'know' if you know what I mean. She is giving a big party tonight and everybody she knows will be there. She is worried that your mistress may be someone she ought to know, so wishes to know who she is."

[karkarinus]

(ooc> Sorry to butt in on Red Plague. Feel free to post a reaction here, I just feel that we should have very strict roles in the "convince Sagrami" mission :) )

 

ic> To the surprise of Lady Ranee's lackey, he is suddenly aware that Kalmer is standing right next to him in an authoritative - but inoffensive - posture. "Be so kind as to refrain from addressing Lady Taskara's chief of security, good sir, while he is on duty." (OOC> had we decided on a name yet? Shall we go with Taskara?)

 

ic> "I am Kalwen Neomar, Prime Courtier to Lady Taskara. How may I be of assistance?"

 

'Kalwen' proceeds to explain that Lady Taskara is a wealthy citizen of Kolokon who is on holiday in Ippikander for the first time, due to suffering 'acute boredom' and needing a 'change of airs.'

 

"Of course, at her age it's no wonder she's bored" He remarks in an off-hand tone. "Nigh-on seven-score years of Kolokon is enough to bore the shell off a giant tortoise!" He chortles in what he considers to be an 'upper-crust' fashion, and motions for his interlocutor to walk with him. He deliberately veers slightly towards the group of men, and comments in an apropos manner, "And being who she is, she considers it of extreme insubordinance for her entourage to be dressed as fashionably as her, so we are given this meagre indumentary. It's just so last week! So tell me, good sir, does your mistress know everyone in Ippikander?"

[Malchik]

The flunkey frowns at 'Kalwen'. Whilst the delivery is very convincing, Kalwen has made a faux pas in not recognising that Ranee is a title not a name.

 

"My mistress knows few people who live in Ippikander. Does anyone she would wish to know live here? There are those she knows who sojourn here and may have second, third or fourth houses. But as for living here? She does not even know Governor Peemore. "

 

He pauses before adding "Kolokon? She knows no one from there either because they lock themselves away from the rest of us. What can have brought your mistress to break with the tradition of millennia?"

 

Flunkey the man may be but the Ranee clearly listens to him.

 

The young men ignore 'Kalwen' and continue their discussion on the latest fashion for youth.

[karkarinus]

Fortunately, the aforementioned faux-pas went completely unnoticed, as it was merely a fleeting thought in Kalmer's mind. (ooc> in an ooc ;))

 

"As I said, dear fellow, boredom. Lady Taskara has been cooped up in Kolokon for well over a century, and is rather the capricious type. She insisted that we escort her to on a 'leisure trip' and Ippikander seemed the obvious destination, given the somewhat 'ethnic' alternatives. But who knows? Maybe we could instill some culture into the old girl yet." At this point, they are strolling near where Sagrami is positioned. "Of course, we love her dearly, don't you know. She is good at heart - not your average tridecagenarian, you know - and is ever eager to make new friends, especially amongst those younger than her. Just have to get on the right side of her."

 

He motions hurriedly to Aldhelm that it is time for Lady Taskara's cream.