Veilguarding - an open post for DAV AU shenanigans

[smartass_captain]

It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. Masterpost for Dragon Age Veilguard AU overflow + psls

Comments

God that dress is fire.

[smartass_captain]

[Technically speaking, Jim's here to pass as soporati. Which means noble blood means nothing even if he was being honest and Neve is the talk of the town here. But what Jim lacks in magical bloodline he more than makes up for in looks. He's spent days people watching in Minrathous to find the best styling for his hair that matches local fashion, browsed half a does tailor shops in the city before Neve agreed on an outfit that would be appropriate for this sort of event, and worked on hiding his Marcher accent as best he could.

The end result has made him a perfectly presentable trophy partner. All looks and charm with little else. He won't ever be fit to be the altus' husband of course, but plaything? Of course. Why not? He's handsome and fills out the attire he's been spoiled with quite nicely.

A lovely pet anyone could be jealous of.]

Of course, Amatus. [Teasing. But Jim's pronunciation is MUCH better than it had been. He's been practicing.] Smile on, ears open, teeth clenched so I don't give away my expression when the hate crimes start.

right??? it's really good for tevinter formal

[coldjustice]

Keep that up and you'll have me swooning before the night is over.

[ a return tease, as her fingers wrap a little tighter around his arm to show that she appreciates his presence. she's not much happier that they have to be here, among all these venatori and altus supremacists, the slavers and classists and all manner of others just as awful. but at least they aren't alone in this. they have each other, to talk to and get through this with. two heads, two minds of sanity amidst the horror. ]

All right. There should be a dance number soon, if the soirees I've been invited to in the past are anything to go by. We can use that to scout the other attendees, see who might be interesting, skirt by anyone speaking. For now... we mingle. Might be someone who catches our attention or whose attention we catch.

[ neve wasn't born into nobility the way jim was, but she'd had a decent enough education simply because she was a mage. the rest she'd learned by watching.

she turns slightly, guiding him around the edge of the ballroom as she casts her gaze around to find someone who looks interesting enough to intercept. ]

There's a pair in red and white robes off to the side. They've been watching us for a full minute. We can slowly drift over and make it look coincidental, but they'll know it isn't. They want to talk and I'd like to know why.

[smartass_captain]

[He lifts his brows once to acknowledge it but then settles his expression soon after. One deep breath at Neve's side. Two. He purposefully tells himself to relax his jaw and plaster on his best well practiced mannered smile. Every part the lordling he was raised to be, freshly shaved and hair styled. His posture perfect as he is lead by Neve along the outer edge of the dance floor in no hurry to go any which way.]

It's a good thing we've been practicing. Shockingly, my upbringing did not include Tevene formal dancing, but it was easy to learn.

[Stiff he means, compared to what he's already been taught. Though it did make the going easier. Jim has still ensured he took the time to practice in the time he had to prepare for this event.]

Do we need to worry about poison in the wine? I'm resistant to such things but I wouldn't wanna spoil Your evening.

[A quiet murmur that's not even Half tease. It is a little, but only a little. Jim doesn't look at the couple Neve's describing right away. Better not to be obvious. Rather, he makes a show of reaching up to pat the back of her hand where it grips his other arm and gestures for her to lead them on.]

On it. Spotted a couple individuals doubletaking at us so far, but it looks just to be envy for the moment. None of the Help have so much as lifted their gazes to us, so no one's ordered anything rash that I can tell.

[His murmur is just as quiet as her own is, covered by the placid, handsome smile he keeps on his face to bely nothing of what they speak of.]

[coldjustice]

[ for her part, neve knows tevinter and venatori well enough to play the part. body language upright and confident, without being rigid. her tight grip on her companion's arm may well be a show of possessiveness, a warning to anyone else who might take an interest in him that his patron is unwilling to share.

his practice of customs and dances means that their chances of passing through unnoticed are even higher. ]

Always, [ she says, in response to the question about poison. they'd be fools to discount that. ] It won't be enough to kill, but certainly enough to make things interesting. I wasn't planning on drinking anything unless I need to. We can play it as true snobbery if asked.

[ only the best for this tevinter mage and her pet. whatever's offered here just isn't up to her standards. ]

Let them be envious. One of them might approach later to talk to you and we can twist information out of them then.

[ she guides him around the edge of the room, taking in the dance floor with the proper aloof interest. the two who caught her eye initially lazily meet them halfway. ]

Drink? [ one of them asks her, holding out a glass of what can only be wine.

neve sniffs with distaste, nose slightly wrinkled, but doesn't bother to even lift a hand in dismissal. ]

What they serve in these "parties" can only be described as mud. Our interest stems from a curious rumor. Haven't heard anything, have you?

I hear the host plans on presenting something to his esteemed backer tonight.

Hmm. Well, they're certainly doing a good job of making us wait.

[ she huffs slightly. the conversation soon turns to her companion and neve switches on the jealousy and protectiveness before extracting herself and jim to continue on their walk around. ]

That tells us something but not enough. Could be our relic, could be another.

[smartass_captain]

[Neve's perfectly manicured nails have been filed into near points. Each one presses creases into Jim's perfectly fitted formal wear to make her grip seem even more vice-like than it is. She knows that her pet looks good, knows that his manners show he's well trained. This 'Venatori Magister' is unwilling to lose her plaything to some rival or worse--someone she's never even heard of before.

Jim spies one of the other Venatori moving to try and bump into Neve 'on accident', no doubt to start a fuss. Jim pulls her out of the way at the perfect moment, his eyes sparkling with interest for a particular opulent sculpture on display.]

Look, Amatus, I've been thinking of something that would go well by the side courtyard. What do you think of this Style? We'd need something that would match of course...

[He doesn't have to look. The 'tch' behind him tells him the man would have been trouble. He defaults back to Neve leading. All charming smiles when he's introduced icily. Perhaps too charming since the jealousy in Neve's voice is palpable. Her touch though, that's telling him he's doing just what they practiced.

'Tiberius' is charming, but not seemingly bright. To be expected of a mere pet soporati but my he must be quite enjoyable entertainment to be showcased on her arm out here. If nothing else he does clean up remarkably well, doesn't he?]

I dont know...when they say esteemed backer Here I've no idea if they're talking about the gods or just some other more powerful magister.

[coldjustice]

[ the way he practically purrs out that pet name sends a barely concealed shudder down her spine. were it anyone else at this soiree speaking that word to her, the temptation to cause a scene would be real. at least she knows jim, knows why he's playing this part and that she asked him to.

something else buried in the depths shifts like something shuddering under desert sand, but she kicks it back down.

trusting him fully, she swerves as he directs, grateful that he saw the incident before it even happened. it allows her to avoid even glancing at the potential offender and her lips curl upwards with amused disdain at the annoyed sound he makes behind her. she gladly continues parading him about, letting her pet be the lower star to her constellation, the fascinating distraction to her main attraction. ]

Could work. Wouldn't be too hard to find a match in the right spaces.

[ her voice remains mildly disdainful, slightly interested in the conversation or something attached to the conversation. they move a little farther away from the crowd and she dips back into the deeper conversation. ]

Likely both. A magister backed by the gods. You know how it is. [ her smirk turns a little annoyed, like a proper magister who's feeling ignored and dislikes it. ] Couldn't be easy. If this is our relic, we'll want to grab it before the hand off. If it's not...

[ her head tips slightly. theoretically, they could take the relic after the pass, but that would be harder to pull off. worst comes to worst... they make a scene. as a couple. ]

Either way, they'll have it under guard. Likely by a nasty spell in a safe room or on the host's person. Let's see if we can stir up some more rumors. There's a couple in the corner looking surly. Want to try our luck there?

[smartass_captain]

I do, but I wish I didn't. This whole place makes me feel on edge, like I've clipped a tooth against another.

[Jim doesn't dare drop his wide eyed and handsome smile even when his voice drops to more normal tones. Alert. On guard. Paying attention to Everything around them. He's out of practice in watching People quite the way Neve does, but once upon a time Jim knew this dance. He's only been on guard for Darkspawn for so long lately, is all.]

I'm not....sensing any Taint nearby, at least. If our relic is going to turn up tonight, it's not been brought topside Yet.

[Could be good news for them. Could be very bad. With Neve's jobs, it's never obvious how sideways things will go before the night's over.]

Which one looks more amenable to flattery? I don't mind playing the flirt if it'll help.

[coldjustice]

I know what you mean.

[ if either of them drop their guard or their acts, that may well be the last thing they do. they can't take that chance, not here, not with venatori practically breathing down their necks. so he keeps his smile plastered on and she keeps her chin lifted and her smirk in place. ]

Hmm. Might be hiding it for an opportune moment, but at least that means there's no darkspawn.

[ because at this point, she wouldn't be surprised to have those crash the party. but he's right to expect things to go sideways. they always do for her. ]

Not sure. I'd say the woman, but you might make her partner jealous. Worth a shot. Maybe they can both be flattered into giving up secrets. Let's swing a little wide, see if we can't make it look like an offhand comment as we walk by.

[ she turns them a little, setting them up to walk by in half a minute so their path gives jim a direct line to the pair and whichever one he thinks might be more responsive to a little more-than-harmless flirting. ]

[smartass_captain]

Mmh, if it's Venatori me flirting with the man might be taken offensively too. Magisters need their blood lines...

[Which makes the woman the safer bet. Though Jim's not above giving the man an obvious up and down sweep with his eyes as though he's very pleased by what he sees before shifting to his date and pulling up a charming smile that's a little more full of intent than the wide eyed demure date he's been plaything all evening.]

Now, I'm not sure this has been a waste, dearest. There's so much.... [Another not-so-sneaky glance at the pair.] ...to admire about the evening. Ah, the Venue, I mean. You never take me out to socialize anymore.

[The barest of put upon pouts in his tone. Not that he would Dare complain to his patron, of course.]

[coldjustice]

They're odd about what they will and will not agree is acceptable attention, but we are in public.

[ so jim's likely right on the money there. better not to risk causing too much fuss too early. as he slips more into the act they've both been playing, she steps into the other side, giving the couple a disdainfully appraising look, like she can't agree with her companion's assertion. ]

Which is why I brought you out tonight, [ she points out with the air of someone who is annoyed at having to share a prize. ] Thought you could use the enrichment.

[ her eyes follow his to the pair he has "chosen" and her chin rises slightly. the woman's head tilts almost imperceptibly, as she looks them over. curiosity perhaps. the man's eyes narrow. jealousy? hmmm... ]

Come now. Don't give me that look. Let's make a game of it. You find me someone worth your time and I'll bring you out more often.

Handsome companion you have there, [ the woman's voice rings out. not loudly, but pointedly, enough for jim and neve to hear over the crowd but not enough to draw extra attention. ]

Isn't he just? [ neve's possessive smile flicks to their two targets as the pair rise and meander over. ]

Pity, really. If he were altus... [ the woman gives jim another appraising look. neve, still playing the part despite the way her hair stands on end, shifts to hold jim's arm a little tighter. possessive but also comforting for them both. ]

If any of us were altus enough, would we be at this soiree? [ neve gestures around at the gathering. it certainly has the look of high society, but given the relic she and jim are here to find, and what she suspects it's here for, well... ]

Oh, we're all here for the same thing, [ the woman purrs, her eyes back on jim. ] Connections. So, tell me. How can I help your socializing today?

[smartass_captain]

[Jim brightens to be Noticed by a pair of mages. Evokes as much of an aura of a companion hound being told they've done a good job as is possible to do in human guise. Had he a tail, it would be wagging right now, etc etc. The line about pity makes his gaze flicker downward meekly. A lesser knowing when to defer to his betters, surely. So well trained he is!

He almost opens his mouth at the woman's invitation, but a dig into his sleeve makes him turn to look to Never for permission first. It's only when she gives a dismissive nod of her head that he whips his head back around, positively beaming for any kind of enrichment. He can't know what's going on here, but really isn't that for the best?

His kind are to be seen and little more unless making their pretty voices ring out is part of the entertainment. ]

My lady. My lord.

[Jim sweeps a practiced bow with all the grace of a once-lordling.]

I do hope there's to be some worthy entertainment here this evening. My most gracious patron hasn't let slip a single thing about the details of tonight. She's been having too much fun teasing me while I try to guess.

[He gives them both the biggest eyed pleading look he can muster. Don't you just pity the simple fool?]

I've always wanted to attend a real altus gathering though, and my lady has been so very gracious to allow me in as ah. As an honored attendant of course. I am here by her pleasure and generosity. There's so many things here I haven't ever had the chance to try before.

[coldjustice]

[ somewhat shockingly, the pair listens to the soporati talk, though they retain their aloof expressions. ]

Well, if it makes you feel any better, [ the lady says, her eyes glancing towards one of the side doors, ] they haven't told any of us much about what to expect tonight.

[ her companion slips an arm around her waist. possessively? no. to guide her away. likely so she'll stop flirting with jim and possibly to stop her from saying more. ] They have told us enough, my dear. It's a celebration, after all. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise.

The surprise, dear is just what kind of relic is being presented. We all know that it must be something important or we wouldn't be here. A godly gift, perhaps?

[ the soft purr on the word "gift" at least brings a smile to the lord's face. something to note there. the lord might have a similar "gift" presented from her or he might have presented one to another himself. ]

Very much so. Now, come along. We wouldn't want to take up all of the lady's time.

[ the hand on her waist tightens and the pair heads off, but not before the lady gives jim another approving look-over. ] If you ever get tired of your plaything, I'd be happy to take him off your hands.

I won't, [ neve responds immediately. ] But it's cute that you think you have a chance.

[ the lady huffs, but says nothing in response. neve notes the pair as two to keep an eye and ear on later, turning to find another lead —

— and suddenly catching the eye of one of the elven servants across the room. a slave, more likely, someone with good reason to want to disrupt things or escape. the slave boy watches her for a moment before ducking through a doorway with the air of someone who wants one person to notice but not the whole party.

neve doesn't immediately respond, her eyes flitting around the room for a few moments longer to keep up appearances. she turns to face jim, leaning in against his ear with her hands high on his chest, on the pretense of adjusting his clothes — she has to be the model of a patron, after all. this is easy enough to pass off as gossiping about the pair they just parted from.

even though this time it's not. ]

We're headed across the room. Look casual. Elven slave caught my eye intentionally and disappeared. I want to know why.

[ and if they can free a slave during all this or maybe after? that will be a win, too. ]

[smartass_captain]

[It's physically painful to keep up his eager smile, forcing himself to look a little excited even, when his skin is crawling. Everything from their tones to their gazes to the mask-off intent only those who believe they are in like company with an excuse to be their worst sets him on edge.

Was a time long, Long ago he would have avoided people like this. Killed them with kindness and a well placed rumor if he had to engage at all. Playing a part he's long since left behind is difficult enough Without having to do it in a den full of Venatori.]

Why do I feel like I just narrowly avoided being Eaten?

[Jim grumbles around grit teeth. His smile turns even more into a forced grimace for half a moment but then he's breathing deep and settling his expression once more.]

Rather talk to the slaves any day of the week. Lead on.

[A conversation and maybe breaking some slaves out of this shithole? It'd be a silver lining in this supremely shit day and plan.

[It's a solid plan even, Jim just hates everything about it.]

This way. Make it look like we're watching and judging those on the ballroom floor while we stroll past.

[coldjustice]

Because it's a Venatori with interest in you, [ she points out evenly. any venatori interest is bad news, but in this sort of case? definitely bad news. he probably did just narrowly avoid getting eaten.

at his encouragement, she begins gently guiding him around the dance floor, taking it slow and easy to make it look like they're simply discussing the last few people they've run into here. ]

Down a side hallway's a little more dangerous, given the host likely doesn't want anyone leaving this room or the immediate area. We'll have to be careful. Might need a distraction a few times.

[ meaning they might need to act like teenagers dipping into a side room to makeout if they're "caught".

the dance floor has begun to pick up by now and the majority of the attendees are looking elsewhere than their small, dimly lit corner. the door is just within reach. they just need the right moment. ]

Ready?

[ ready to go through and ready for a trap. there's no telling if the slave wants to help or if they're being threatened or coerced. anything could happen on the other side of this door. ]

[smartass_captain]

Remind me to check myself for curses when we're done here.

[Jim mumbles. As though the Venatori were ticks or mosquitos with leanings toward his blood. At Neve's warning, Jim can feel her tense. He sets his jaw.]

How convincing? If I need to get handsy is up top or the back better? Tongue or no?

[This is a job and Jim's being real clear that whatever happens, IF it has to happen, will be consensual and agreed upon beforehand.]

As far as I go, just don't touch the scar on my neck. Anything else is fair game, including degradation. I know the part I'm here to play and I like to think I know what you do and don't mean right now.

[He sucks in a breath and squares his shoulders. His smile is charmed and charming once more.]

I'm ready to slink away with my...gracious patron. Perhaps be reminded who I belong to.

[coldjustice]

I'll have Bel and Emmrich help.

[ between bellara, emmrich, and neve, any curse he might have picked up will at least be easily found and hopefully dispelled.

she appreciates his immediate business-like tone and questions. they don't waste time on theatrics between them. both knew what this might take and it's good to have confirmation that they are still thinking along the same lines as to what is necessary to get this dangerous relic out of venatori hands. ]

Back and no tongue to start, but if we have to really sell it, then hands at my sides and tongue.

[ they haven't known each other for long, in the grand scheme of things, but jim has earned her respect. and varric trusted him, which means she trusts him at least enough for this. besides, if he ever pushes her too far, she knows her magic can handle him. ]

Noted, [ she says in response. she doesn't want to have to really sell the venatori mage side of this relationship unless she absolutely has to, but he's placed his trust in her hand and so she has to place some of her trust in his.

feeling him shift back into his part, she leans into her own, the grimy sort of i own you smile crawling its way back across her lips as they near the door. like she wants to remind both him and anyone who might be watching that this toy belongs to her alone.

they still have some small distance to cover before they reach the door and once they do, she waits for an opportune moment to slip it open and get both of them through as quickly as possible and as quietly as they can. the slave she'd seen is down the hallway by now, making a motion through another open door leading to... a staircase? might be the servants' stairway down, which means they won't have to worry about being caught by the host or another guest if they're quiet enough. no proper man or woman of station would be caught dead in the servants' hallways. ]

Eyes open, [ she says, nodding in the direction of their quarry. they'll both need to be on alert in case someone else decides to make their way down this hallway. she keeps one hand slightly lifted, testing the air around them for anything magical that might be a trap or an artifact, anything that could hinder them or blow up in their faces.

she trusts nothing. ]

[smartass_captain]

[Jim's under no disillusion that he and Neve are doing anything here because they Want to be. The mission is the only reason they're here. If Jim could he'd evacuate all the Help and set this place alight. But he knows it would be the people he's trying to fight for who would suffer if he did.

That said, Jim relaxes tremendously when he sees where they're being lead to. Even IF it's a trap, it'll be one he doesn't have to pretend to be a Venatori's soporati whore for. He doesn't have his bow on him, and in quarters this cramped he wouldn't even have use of it if he did. But he has a fancy hidden blade Bellara had given him strapped to his calf beneath his trouser leg. If they have to fight, he won't be unarmed.]

Sad that I'm almost hoping this is a trap so I have something to stab. [Jim mutters quietly.] We deserve something nice when this is over.

[He darts forward to follow the servant, his fine shoes quiet on the floors as he creeps along. His hand holds the door open when he gestures to Neve.]

Heading down by the looks of it. It's not lit though--best be careful.

[coldjustice]

I know the feeling.

[ neve shares that sentiment. it's why she has an uneasy feeling deep in her as they cross the corridor and follow the servant down the stairs. they're now in an area that no guest should be seen in, and most wouldn't be seen dead in, but there's always a chance the owners might turn up. they're hardly unarmed. he has a blade and she, being a mage, has magic at her fingertips and a half staff at her hip.

helps to be the upper class in this instance. few bat an eye at mage's accessories.

she does her best to keep her footsteps quiet, but the thing about her prosthetic is it's never truly silent. quiet is a luxury she doesn't always have. she nods to rook's caution. she could pull up some magic to help light the path forward, but in a place like this she may as well just shout out their position. no one where they are going should be using magic at all and it would be very obvious that anyone who is shouldn't be there. ]

You're after the relic, [ the servant whispers once they've reached the bottom of the stairs.

taking a chance, neve nods. ] Do you know where it is?

Down the corridor. Other set of stairs. It's directly below his study.

[ neve glances over towards jim. ] Bet that's how they plan to bring it in later.

If you take it now—

[ neve inhales sharply, her gaze going back to their helper. ] If we take it now, they'll know we had help. I don't want to do that unless we can guarantee your safety. Take you all with us. You don't deserve to suffer their wrath.

[ her eyes once again flit to jim, asking him without words what his opinion is. above them, soft footsteps cross the hall they just left, moving from close by to the other side, likely where the relic is supposed to appear later. they're running out of time to decide. ]

Been on a bit of a Gustave kick but we back. I can't abandon The Boy for long

[smartass_captain]

How many guards?

[Jim's voice is calm, despite the pressing urgency. The servant shakes his head.]

None living. Mages have other security measures at their disposal.

[Jim lifts a brow toward Neve. A considering tip of his head to one side.]

How confident are you in breaking those warding runes and curses? I could go with him back to the servant's quarters and get everyone we can out. I've got a few favors I can cash in, see to getting them somewhere safe to stay if you think you can handle the relic. Not too keen on splitting up, mind. If this goes south for either one of us...

[There won't be backup to call soon enough.]

both boys deserve attention!!

[coldjustice]

I can handle them.

[ the concern isn't in the wards themselves so much as the time it might take. they haven't much of that, but at this point... it's split up and maybe one of them has a rough time or stay together and risk the servants who told them where to find this. ]

Get them out. I'll do what needs to be done.

[ and if that means waiting until the host has fetched the relic and is partway to delivery, then that's what she'll do. hopefully, it won't come to that. she has plenty of experience with wards. this should be little different.

she won't hope for him to come back for her if he gets everyone to safety in time, nor will she ask him to; she's not in the habit of hoping. instead, she'll plan for a timeline where things go well and where things go horribly wrong for her. ]

Ready when you are.

[smartass_captain]

[Neve may not be in the habit of hoping, but Jim's not in the habit of leaving a man behind. Or woman, in this case. He leans over closer to Neve and touches at her shoulder far more gently than he has above when they were playacting like mistress and pet.]

Hey. I'll be as quick as I can then make my way back here. Try to leave me some sign of the way you took so I don't accidentally trip over any runes you didn't Have to disarm, alright?

[He twitches a faint smile her way. Jim trusts her enough not to say 'be careful' but it's there in the gaze he gives her anyway before he pats her shoulder once in a sort of farewell then pulls back with a nod.]

If I don't see you, I'll circle back and meet up at the usual spot.

[By the Eluvian, he means.]

where did this month even go

[coldjustice]

[ something in that touch helps ground her for a moment, pulling at her in a way that makes her want to trust his words, a part of her desperate for that small hope to be real. it's something she hasn't felt in a long time. foreign. but not unwanted.

she nods once, firmly, in answer. leaving signs won't be hard. she has plenty of ice at her disposal, after all. ]

See you soon, [ is all she says in response, though the slight upturn to her lips at his words says that she appreciates the familiar touch to her shoulder, much more personal than anything they did upstairs.

squaring her shoulders, she turns down the corridor that will lead her to the other set of stairs, pulling her staff out of its spot at her hip and moving cautiously forward. as jim starts searching for the remaining servants and slaves, neve quietly sends the ones she runs into down towards him. they won't catch all of them. she knows the chances are high that one will be missed, but she does her best anyway. neither she nor jim wants to lose anyone if they can help it.

turning the corner at the end of the corridor, she spies the other set of stairs. pausing to listen carefully, she hears some noise above. footsteps, voices she can't quite make out, and then both retreat away. she takes a slow, deep breath to steady herself and steel her nerves before she climbs the stairs. luckily, the steps are padded with carpet. not the best carpet, not the soft kind they would use for the upper levels, but enough to muffle most of her prosthetic, if she's careful.

she takes another moment to listen at the top, judging that the voices she needs to avoid are away for now. a glance around the corner shows her an open corridor, polished and clean. definitely one of the main areas, which means she should be close. letting out her magic as far as she dares, she finds herself drawn to a door on the right. directly below his study. her mental map tells her this door should lead to a room that would be around that area in a normal mansion. and the runes and wards she can sense on the door suggest the same.

she doesn't have much time and she knows it. jim could be gone the whole time she's here; she might not have back-up. if something goes wrong, and she knows it will, she's on her own. no one's here to watch her back.

she darts forward as quietly as she can, reaching her magic towards the first ward. it's tricky, wants to explode, and takes all of her mental concentration to shift into place and then unlock. she manages it, without setting anything off, but the length of time it takes makes her start to really feel the time limit. still, she sets to work on the next one, her teeth gritting and arms shaking as she dismantles it. there are 5 in total and 3 runes inside that she has to dodge. and is that a secondary door? clearly marked with more runes and wards. charming. but her magic tells her the relic is behind the second set, so she gets to work again.

unfortunately, it takes long enough for her to get those down that someone is on their way to get the relic for the show by the time she's even ready to look for the damned thing... ]

Time is attacking us personally

[smartass_captain]

[Jim can at least ask the servant who first assisted them who all is missing as well as anyone they get sent so he can sneak through wherever necessary to find and recover anyone they're missing. It requires careful timing; Jim sends one of the serving girls out with wine at the very last moment to pass along a message to the other servers on which door has been unlocked and where to go once an excuse is made to refresh the beverages.

Now the time is really ticking down. No one may notice The Help when they're flitting about underfoot serving their betters, but they'll sure as hell notice when their cups run dry and there's scarcely an elf or a branded human to be seen to remedy that.

Maybe though....the server said something about the 'show' being about to start. Maybe they'll be distracted. Good news for him and the elves. Bad news for Neve Gallus. Jim darts off and grabs up the first charcoal he can and charts out a rough map of where the elves need to go (rough pictures only, he knows they can't read) and hands it off to the leader.]

I'll take you off the grounds safely, but then I have to go get my partner. You're going to stick to the alleys and follow along the shore road until you find a little incense shop next to a news stand. You'll take that up. Just keep going straight until the shop I told you about. Ask for Fletch. Tell them Kirk sent you. Alright? If you get lost, I made a rough guide there for you.

[His hand is squeezed by several of the servants as they pass by. Jim wishes he could appreciate it. Wishes he had time to see them off all the way, then come back. Wishes he wasn't counting the seconds he's not moving. The elves vanish from sight of the gate. Jim darts back inside. Pads through the marble halls using the servants corridors as swift as he can manage quietly.

Down. Down.

Down. Until voices can be heard. Jim leans against the servant's hidden door and listens while catching his breath.]

--Rather droll that you've kept this a surprise all this time, Germund.

[A smug chortle of a man who Jim knows has committed unspeakable sins in the pursuit of power.]

Our Lord has been so gracious to entrust Me with such gifts and it wouldn't do to let the rabbit out of the sack too soon, would it?

[Neve will be further in yet, but they'll soon find evidence someone's been breaking in. Jim readies his bow and takes a deep breath. He'll only have the element of surprise once. His foot nudges the door open. Jim leans out, bow drawing taut. A clean shot at the back of the neck. But it's the trailing magister Jim had been able to hit. Which means when Magister Germund turns Jim knows he's about to face whatever full force of the house the man can muster. But he turns to an empty corridor. Jim has retreated back along the servent's hall to cut around back to the main hall.

The confusion ought to buy him a Little extra time. What can he set on fire? What Neve Gallus needs is a Distraction.

But Neve's well aware of a lot of shouting now, for one thing.]

TRULY i'm ready for it to stop

[coldjustice]

[ neve has bypassed two of the three final wards by the time she hears yelling. almost there is not close enough and she swears softly under her breath. taking a moment that she knows will out her fast, she closes the door she's just come through, freezing it shut to buy herself some time before going back to the last ward. it takes precious time and she hopes that whoever is out there isn't about to trip upon someone who doesn't deserve their wrath.

in her experience, no one ever goes back for her and not for a split second does she think jim will. not so much as a passing thought. she's on her own, which is why she'd frozen the door. hoping that it would stall them enough to give her time to get the relic. after that... well, it's time to pray that she can get out with it or else she'll become the first sacrifice of the night.

the ward finally clicks and goes dim, opening the second set of doors. the owner was careless. he'd placed all of his protection on the outside and none of it on the item itself, giving her a direct line to it. neve isn't stupid, though, and checks it over with her magic. appears clean and so she gently picks up the case it's in and tucks it into the small bag under her coat.

turning, she scans the room, either for somewhere to hide or another escape route. a quick look around doesn't find any other exits, which she expected. so it's either hide or try to make a break for it. stealing herself, she moves back to the first door and listens closely, hoping whoever has come for the relic is distracted by whatever caused the yelling and that she will have precious moments soon to drop the ice barrier and get out of there. ]

I'm never happier than when I can writ Jim Kirk making a Scene

[smartass_captain]

[Well, technically speaking, she's correct. The moment Rook realized that the Venatori were close to discovering her, he gave up on trying to catch back up with her. But not because he intended to leave her behind. With one of the magisters shot dead, the alarm's being raised. Panic is spreading up into the grand hall where Jim has plucked up what embers he could from the kitchen's fires and thrown them into the pantry and storage. The result is smoke billowing into the high ceiling of the main hall and throwing even more into a disarray. Eager to attract the magisters back up rather than down.

It's only a temporary fix. Sooner or later Germund may decide to deactivate the wards himself to use his gift on the miscreants who dare to strike his event, but for just a few moments more he must think it's safest right where he's left it.

Sooner or later someone will think to check the servants' corridors Jim has been darting between. Though few but the master of the house will even know where to look for them. They are designed to be out of sight. Out of mind.

He watches at a crack in one of the doors as the Venatori and other well to do churn and shriek demanding answers. He takes a deep breath and in his best attempt at the high born Tevene calls out,]

What?! Spies???? Here?!?!

[Just to let that worm brew contempt among the guests where it may. He has to stop to cover his face with a cloth the more the smoke begins to build and sting at his eyes and lungs. Come on, Neve... nothing for it. He has to double back down and hope he can find her along the way and take her toward the side door the servants had shown him.]