1228.etc: Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Retired Play by Post Campaigns Ars Magica 5th Edition: In the Ruins of Bibracte
201

I think Markoko botched his copy/paste roll and left off half of the post
:mrgreen:
He is knocking on Fiona's door

Sometime, whenever, in the midst of the emotional drama; just before the expedition, or just after he returns, or somehow magically ressurects and transports here and now (time-bifrocated stories);
Carlos Gutierez comes knocking on Fiona's door with guitar slung over his shoulder and bottle of wine in hand.
[color=blue]I hope I am not disturbing you. You just seem so upset as of late, and I cannot help noticing the tears in your eyes. It pains me to see you so. I have to admit, you have always intimidated me a bit. I am a man of small frame and you are a sturdy lass. But to see you in such pain, it humbles me. You are a woman, delicate and compassionate. We men are corse and insesitive beasts, and we tend to be ignorant of the feelings of those around us.
I hope you can forgive me, and to apologize I have brought this bottle of wine and a song to share with you.
I know that players are not bound by the influence of the characteristics and ability rolls of other characters (only NPC's are). But for the record...

  • Venus' Blessing
  • Presence +2
  • Charm 4 (ladies)

As for Language, he has French 2 (talking to women) and Latin 3. So communication is a little clumsy. Hopefully that will help make it cute :smiley:

If allowed, he will play an old ballad and sing a sweet song in Spanish...

202

((I had a feeling when I saw the bit about the tears and the small of frame that Fiona was involved somehow :smiley: ))

Fiona smiles as she checks him out, her hair...it almost looks like it's blowing in a stiff wind, except it still pours over her shoulders, and it looks like a couple of sparks fly from her noggin. Not bad, she thinks. Too bad he came the one time I'm really not in the mood to fles.

[color=blue]"I don't think I've ever been sung to before, sir," she says in Latin, [color=blue]"and I would desperately love to have my spirits raised. I will be right back." She doesn't shut the door on him, but goes back into the kitchen and returns with a pair of glasses, then leads him out into the garden. There are a row of beechnut trees lining one side of a plot, under which is a good-sized bench. She sits down and motions him to sit beside her.

203

Moire accepts the soup politely. "I know Fiona can be a handful sometimes, but her heart is in the right place. Maybe when you return the tureen, you can talk it out?"

204

Carlos sits next to Fiona, smiles, and pours two glasses of wine. He sips, and then plays a little Spanish Romance...
Then Asturias
And on that second one, somehow he channles the spirit of Jim Morrison and sings the lyrics to Spanish Caravan :mrgreen:

205

Pinchas smiles. "I would be glad to hear more about it, and if there is any advice I can offer on the machinations of the, as you call them, Infernal, you are welcome to it. As to supper... I would be glad to join you, assuming we tell Mordecai in enough time to be able to prepare something I can eat. Or perhaps you can -- tomorrow -- stop by wherever Korvin plans on putting me."

206

((Whoops. I forgot that it's dead of winter after a bad snowstorm. So. Before she sits down, she will touch the snow that's covering the bench and cast a spontaneous Rego Aquam spell to move the snow off. Base 1, to "control liquid in an extremely gentle way", i.e. like brushing it off completely. R: Voice +2. D: Concentration +1, T: Individual, for a final target level of 4. Her CT is Sta 3 + Re 10 + Aq 5 + Rego-aligned Aura 10 = 28 ÷ 5 = 6. Cast without fatigue. She then touches the bench and warms it to a comfortable level. CrIg, base 2 to "heat an object to be warm to the touch," R: Touch +1, D: Sun +2, T: Individual, for a target level of 5. Her CT is Sta 3 + Cr 6 + Ig 5 + Aura 5 + die roll of 8 = 27, halved is 14. Mmm mmm toasty.))

Fiona smiles as he plays, her hair continuing to almost shimmer, lifting slightly in an unfelt breeze, as she closes her eyes and lets the music wash over her. When he's done, her eyes open and she graces him with a sultry look.

[color=blue]"Thank you, sir. I do feel much better. You are very talented."

She leans forward and kisses him gently on the cheek, whispering in his ear. [color=blue]"If you wish to return tomorrow night to sing to me some more, perhaps we can see in what other ways your nimble fingers can bring me pleasure."

207

Calos smiles, a warm soft smile with eyes full of gentle kindness.
I do appreciate an audience, and pretty ladies are my favorite audience.
But do not misread my intentions. Though I am most agreeable to other sots of..."intentions", that is not my goal. My true intention, honestly, is the smile I brought to your pretty face. He reaches over and caresses her cheek softly, tracing the curve of her smile with his finger to the corner of her mouth. My goal, if I were to have one, is not what is under your skirt. It is what is under your blouse. I seek to touch your heart.
I apologize for speaking lewdly. We are not children. You are a powerful wizard and I am an uncouth old soldier. And I am by no means pure. I have made many a bed and left many behind.
The corporeal is transient, ephemeral. But Love is eternal.

Now, keep in mind that Carlos is not as well spoken as Marko Markoko :mrgreen:
And he is going to have a thick accent, primarilly speaking in Latin but often having to resort to Spanish then French before he can get the word right. But then there's Venus' Blessing :slight_smile:

Now, why is Carlos doing this? What is he up to? I don't know. Sometimes characters take on a life of their own.

208

If tomorrow suits you better then so shall it be.

209

(( You want to play this out, or handwave it? I'm OK with either. Would slightly prefer handwaving if Roberto's questions would touch on Infernal Lore to the extent that we need to pull JL in for answers. I don't have RoP: I, and can't really get it before next month at the earliest.))

210

Handwave or put it off until Sunday night :slight_smile:

211

Fiona covers Carlos's hand with her own. [color=blue]"Tomorrow night, then. Is there someplace you like to perform, that's out of the weather? Or would you be content to perform in my bedroom?" After he answers, she kisses him gently once more. [color=blue]"Until tomorrow night, then," She then gets up and heads back to her cottage, making sure he enjoys the view, her hair drifting in every direction. She undresses and goes straight to bed, but lays there awake for a long time. It's been a very trying night for her – first, with the surprising outburst from Tranquillina (which at this point still has her hurt and confused), and then with Carlos's professed desire to love her and win her love...which is something that has never happened to her (on either count).

It is quite some time before she finally falls into a restless sleep, and she doesn't feel very rested the next day.

212

Once Fiona leaves Korvin's, she returns to her cottage, exhausted but in a good way. She grabs a pot and fills it with dirt before headed inside. [color=blue]"Moire, I'm going to take a nap. Wake me for lunch, please. You'll probably have to sweep some of the dirt off my bed to do that...you'll see when you come in to wake me. But don't sweep it off until lunchtime." She then heads into her room, slips out of her clothes and tosses them in a pile by the door, and kneels on the bed with her pot of soil in her hand. She carefully pours the soil in a circle on the bedspread around her as she casts a Rego Mentem spell to put her into a deep and restful sleep.[sup]1[/sup]

Once she's awakened and has a quick lunch, she spends a couple of minutes deciding what to wear; she finally decides on a relatively short (knee-length) skirt and a short-sleeved blouse with a deep scoop neck. She then opens one of the trunks from Durenmar and decides what order she's going to go in. Alexei first, she decides, removing his gift from the trunk and sliding it into a cloth sack.

She quickly makes her way to his cottage and knocks on his door, hoping to catch him at home (his 1228 is still blank on the planner, so I'm not sure what he's doing or where she would likely find him). If he's not there, she will try the training grounds.

Regardless, she politely asks if he has a few minutes to spare. [color=blue]"While I was away at Tribunal, I couldn't stop thinking of my sodales here at Mons Electi, and how much you mean to me. So I got you a little token of my...affection."

She hands him the bag and watches him intently as he removes a sword in a reddish-orange scabbard, with an amber set in the pommel. While not an Item of Quality, it is definitely of above-average quality.

[hr][/hr]
Next, she makes her way (after a brief detour to her own cottage) to Tranquillina's suite in the manor house, knocking on the door and asking Loys if Tranquillina is available. He invites her in and goes to let Tranquillina know that she has a guest.

[color=blue]"I hope I'm not interrupting your studies, Tranquillina. I just wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you when I was at Tribunal, and brought you a little something while I was there." She hands Tranquillina a box, inside of which is a copper looking-glass of exquisite workmanship.

[hr][/hr]
Next on her rounds is Roberto, whom she doesn't know as well as some of the others. [color=blue]"I was thinking of my sodales when I was at Tribunal," she says, [color=blue]"and missed you all. So I got you a little something, a token of my esteem." She then hands him a cloth sack. Inside the bag is a finely-crafted sword, with a ruby set in the pommel. The scabbard (which is also a masterpiece) is white and engraved with a gold cross.

[hr][/hr]
She then moves on to Isen, whom she also doesn't know as well as some of the others. [color=blue]"I was thinking of my sodales when I was at Tribunal," she says, [color=blue]"and missed you all. So I got you a little something, a token of my esteem." She then hands him a cloth sack. Inside the bag is a finely-crafted sword, with an Alexandrite set in the pommel. The high-quality scabbard is ice-blue.

[hr][/hr]
She then tracks down Jacques, and knocks on his door. [color=blue]"I hope I'm not intruding, sodalis. I just thought I'd pop by for a minute. I did some thinking while I was away at Tribunal, and realized how much all of you, all of Mons Electi mean to me. And I don't know if I've ever properly apologized for my part in all the shenanigans that went on when we first met. So...I brought you a present from Durenmar, as an apology and a token of my esteem and gratitude for your being a part of my Hermetic family." She hands him a long, narrow sack. Inside the sack is a finely-crafted longbow made of yew. [color=blue]"I hope you like it."

[hr][/hr]
Next on Fiona's itinerary is Gerulf. [color=blue]"I appreciate your teaching me what you could, and trying to prepare me for the Grand Tribunal. I just hope I didn't make too big an ass of myself while I was there...although if I did, it was entirely my own fault. So, as a token of my appreciation and esteem, I would like you to have this." She hands him a book wrapped in a cloth and tied with string. ((I have no idea what kind of book Gerulf would like, so I'll let you decide what kind Fiona thought he might appreciate. It's a book on a mundane topic, of whatever Level and Quality you can get approved :smiley: ))

[hr][/hr]
Fiona then heads to the tavern where Renaud most frequently holds court. [color=blue]"Good afternoon, sodalis," she says as she looms over him, holding a canvas bag under one arm. [color=blue]"May I join you for a few minutes?" She sits down and motions to the blonde serving girl (whom I've decided to name Annette) to bring them both a glass of wine, and appreciates the view for a long moment as she walks away. She then turns back to Renaud. [color=blue]"I know that many magi make the mistake of taking you for granted, of not showing you the regard and respect that you've earned many times over. Unfortunately, I count myself in that group. For, although I've always respected and admired the tireless work you do for the Order, I've been remiss in letting you know how I feel."

She pauses as Annette brings their drinks, paying and giving her a generous tip. [color=blue]"As I was saying, I've been remiss in showing my appreciation, so I bought you a token while I was at Durenmar." She hands him the package, which contains a finely crafted and monogrammed leather messenger bag, inside of which is a set of exquisite dice.

[hr][/hr]
Her last stop of the afternoon finds her at Stultus's cavern. [color=blue]"Hello? Stultus, are you home, handsome?" Assuming he is (possibly having just returned from Korvin's laboratory where they're working on his Longevity Ritual), she will ask if she can come in for a few minutes.

[color=blue]"I see the covenant didn't burn to the ground while I was gone," Fiona says with a teasing smile. [color=blue]"Thank you. But, anyway, I do want to let you know that I appreciate your...company and the witty repartee we have. So I got you a little something at Durenmar." She hands him the canvas-wrapped box with a smirk. [color=blue]"I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed getting it for you."

When Stultus unwraps it, the box appears to be just that...an empty box, well-crafted and made of beechwood. If he shakes it, though, it sounds like there's something inside.

[hr][/hr]
Shortly before dinner, Fiona goes to Sheelagh's room (assuming that where she is) and stands with her hands behind her back as she speaks. [color=blue]"I just wanted to let you know that I'm proud of the way you behaved at Grand Tribunal. A lot of young women..." Fiona chuckles. [color=blue]"or even not-so-young women wouldn't have had the first idea of how to comport themselves their first time there. Especially with everything that went wrong, there. If you continue the way you have so far, I will be proud to call you filia. I have something for you." She pulls a gold and pearl necklace from behind her back and offers to put it around Sheelagh's neck for her. [color=blue]"It's beautiful...just like my apprentice. And when the time comes, it's eminently enchantable." She gives Sheelagh a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

[hr][/hr]
After dinner, Fiona grabs the last two presents and heads to Korvin's cottage, knocking firmly but politely on his door and accepting their invitation to enter. [color=blue]"Ah, good, I caught you both home. Saves me the trouble of tracking you down later," she says to Abigail with a playful grin. [color=blue]"I bought you a little souvenir when I was at Durenmar. I hope you don't mind, Korvin, but I thought it would be remiss if I didn't get your apprentice a little something."

She hands Abigail a wrapped book. [color=blue]"I hope it's what they told me it was. I don't read Hebrew, so I had to kind of take the bookseller's word for it. It looks right, though." When Abigail unwraps the book, she finds that it's a European atlas, in Hebrew. [color=blue]"I thought it might come in handy for her," she says to Korvin with a little shrug.

She then leans in and whispers to him, [color=blue]"Do you want your present now or in the morning?' with a nibble of his earlobe.

[hr][/hr][sup]1[/sup]Base 4 to "Control a target's mental state (for example...asleep...)", R: Personal, D: Ring +2, T: Individual, for a Spell Level of 10. Her CT is Sta 3 + Re 10 + Me 5 + Aura (Rego-aligned) 10 + die roll of 9 = 37 ÷ 2 = 19.

213

Um, thank you. Thank you sodale. I shall take good care of it.
After she leaves, he shows it to his cat.
Fine piece of work, very well crafted. Why do people keep giving me swords? Hmmm.... Perhaps I should start a new armory collection. I need a display case.

214

Korvin rests his and on her bottom giving a playful squeeze. A very tough decision. Is the gift so exciting as to distract me tonight or will I be too tired in the morning to thank you properly? Hmmm. I must risk the exitment of the gift and say now so I can then properly thank you tonight.

215

Fiona smiles, then hands him the package. It contains a finely-crafted leather satchel/messenger bag, suitable for enchantment, with his initial (or something reminiscent of his sigil, which I couldn't find anywhere) carved onto the flap. When he picks it up, he can hear a wooden clacking from within. Upon opening the satchel, he finds a toy rooster and a cat. When he looks at Fiona, he sees a playful grin on her face.

She leans in and murmurs, [color=blue]"That way, even when we're apart, your cock and my pussy can still be together."

216

((His sigil is 3 apples. I just added it to his OP page.))

Korvin grins at the comment and then gives Fiona a passionate kiss. It is a beautiful gift. He picks up the rooster and looks at it. I thought my cock would have been bigger but that is what magic if for I guess.

217

Tranquillina beams when she sees the looking glass. "It's beautiful, Fiona! I'm so touched," she says in Gaelic, her brow furrowing slightly as she smiles up at the giantess. "I can certainly take this anywhere I want, and when I'm home it can stay in the lab, be a tool for Imaginem work ... hmm, I wonder what sort of enchantment this could hold." She holds it up to the light, declaring the words for Eyes of the Eagle so she can better take in all of the details of the craftsmanship.

"Thank you, my dear," she says, still smiling as she places the mirror on the anteroom's central table so that she can hug Fiona. "It's such a lovely gift, and thought. How was Grand Tribunal? Do you want to stay for some wine? - Loys is doing well, well enough at least, learning about the equipment in there," she says, motioning towards her laboratory, "but I'm sure he'd be happy to run an errand that doesn't require so much thought for a bit."

218

[color=blue]"I think it's the perfect size," she says as she reaches down to give it a friendly squeeze. She then leads him back to the bedroom (silently and without gesture casting La Petite Masquerade on herself, letting her robe fall to the floor around her. (It's a spell she pretty much always casts when she spends the night at his place, mainly because if she didn't, she wouldn't fit on his bed very well.)

[hr][/hr]

[color=blue]"I'm sure you know much better than I what kind of enchantments it's suited for. I just wanted to give you something that will let you see what the rest of us do...what a beautiful maga you are."

Fiona returns the hug warmly. [color=blue]"If I never have to leave Mons Electi for a Tribunal again, I will be happy," Fiona says with smile. [color=blue]"I would love to stay for some wine. Give me a chance to unwind a little bit. But I can't stay too terribly long, I've got more presents to deliver before I forget." She grins. [color=blue]"I feel like Father Christmas."

Fiona will tell Tranquillina about the Tribunal meeting itself (and about the Lotharingian Tribunal not passing, which seems to have disappointed Fiona somewhat), and about the attack of the oak on the library tower. She won't mention the meetings with Ra'am, with Maris and Poena, or Bilera and Valerian. Nor will she mention her participating in the ritual. [color=blue]"And all the parties and social activities! It's a wonder I could keep my eyes open for the meeting!"

219

Reflexively Tranquillina begins to say something about mirrors being useful for enchantments that interact with spirits in addition to the obvious applications with visual Imaginem; but she stops herself when she realizes that it would be much more polite to acknowledge Fiona's compliment, which truly does make her happy.

As the wine is poured and poured again, Tranquillina listens intently to Fiona's tales. (Tranquillina is imbibing a bit more than she normally would, since she is feeling not only very comfortable near her sanctum but also rather close to Fiona right now. Fortunately she is handling the drink reasonably well.) Already with the stories of the Tribunal results and machinations, she is fully engaged by Fiona's report, reminding the giantess that Tranquillina is not just some self-isolating researcher. But Fiona's description of the attack at Durenmar has Tranquillina literally on the edge of her seat, breathlessly asking for more details; it is obvious that she holds her House's Domus Magna in near-reverent esteem.

All in all, even though Tranquillina is usually perfectly social, this is probably the most riveted that Fiona has ever seen her.

220

When Fiona notices how firmly she has Tranquillina's attention, she smiles to herself, then gets up from her chair. She then, probably much to Tranquillina's surprise, starts singing the Ballad of Bonisagus's Tower. And what she doesn't know (or was in Twilight for), she will either piece together from what she heard later, or will make up out of whole cloth. ((Com 2 + Music (Singing) 3 + die roll of 9 = 14.))

And she will mention her Twilight episode, mentioning that was when her hair started floating and drifting about her head like she was underwater.