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Post by Chimaera on Jul 9, 2016 5:23:46 GMT
The tavern was quiet and sparsely crowded. Chimaera sat in the furthermost corner with a clay pitcher of drink sat in the center and his own glass half full. Outside the window, over his shoulder, Celis peaked idly at the window for attention which he gave with a soft smile and his fingers tapping against the glass. His attention was drawn away from his companion at the arrivals. His back straightened slightly, he grunted and stood to greet them. "Well, nice to see the two of you haven't died horribly as of yet! How goes the front?"
PARTICIPATES:
Chimaera
Nicholas Dorne
Bob
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Post by Nicholas Dorne on Jul 9, 2016 5:28:53 GMT
"Ah, yes; that seems to be the attempts of the world as of late." The doctor laughed a little bit at that; his tone of voice was mildly nervous and he seemed to be a tad more pale, "I've had to do surgery on our dearest Juniper; she had a wound made by a dagger of some kissing nonsense." Even so, he had to smile a little, "She was a good patient really; I do look forward to working with her more often on the field of battle." He then gave Zandack a slight eyebrow, "Ah, I see that the Scholar is here- I never really got your name sir..."
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Post by Chimaera on Jul 9, 2016 5:50:37 GMT
Chimaera's expression changed to a look of concern at learning that Juniper was wounded to the point of surgery. But, he relaxed once he learned she would be fine at least. The comment about working with her, however, made him a little wary. It could be misunderstood so easily that either outcome could fit. He returns to sitting by the window and leaned against the back of his chair. "So, I hope you two met under friendly circumstances? No one poisoning the other or throwing arcane bolts of light and all that?"
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Post by Nicholas Dorne on Jul 9, 2016 6:34:53 GMT
"Ah, yes, that would be I Scholar Serpenthelm; it is a pleasure to acquaintance myself with you in a more relaxed setting..." He of course laughed a bit, "Poison? Mundane, drugs are far, far better. They are nearly unable to be resisted; and if an enemy you've attacked survives he's obviously a customer you may want." This was an explanation he gave for most people really. Afterall... He was a doctor. Even so; he laughed to himself a bit, "Plus, it's more fun to create drugs~."
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Post by Chimaera on Jul 9, 2016 7:03:17 GMT
"That's a bit ... informative. The drug trade in the New Republic is a far and wide business practice. All the different collection of beings that call it home. Unique drugs. Where I lived, the small town closet to us, had a drug that often would send half-orcs into a frenzy. People used it for a marital aid." Chimaera sipped his drink and looked up at Zandack. His brow raised. "I might invest in a lot of those then. Though, it's good to know that if I ever need to I can easily put down my friends," he said with a thin grin. "And now that I'm able to tame large beasts, that just makes things interesting." |
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Post by Nicholas Dorne on Jul 9, 2016 7:40:35 GMT
Nicholas does however hum a little bit; he then made a chuckling laugh, "Oh my, I didn't take you for that kind of man Chimera. Otherwise I might have had an offer for you when I was researching. Hehehehehe..." That said, he steepled his fingers before peering inquiringly at Zandack once more. His eyes twinkling all the more merrily as he moved his hand about slowly, "Perchance; you own that shop of Scrolls no?" He seemed quite intent now- eyes gazing upon Zandack with a slightly mad light behind those dull eyes.
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Post by Chimaera on Jul 9, 2016 8:18:53 GMT
His smile widened as he swirled the ale around in the glass he held. "Well, Doctor, for a few gold pieces I'll be any kind of man you need," Chimaera said. There was a brief pause before he looked up and added a wink to his jest. He listened intently to the two speak before taking a sip of his drink. He rested it against the table and leaned a bit toward Zandack with an inquiring arch to his brow. "Do you have anything that could enhance Celis perhaps?"
He blinked and looked up at the man, confused for one second before he cracked a smile. "Oh, yes. Let us all head up to the New Republic and get a little cabin in the woods. I'm sure with your charms, my gathering skills, and the Doctor's medical knowledge we can be rolling in the gold by the end of the month. Might even make a better product too." |
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Post by Nicholas Dorne on Jul 9, 2016 8:30:14 GMT
Nicholas hummed a little; before hefting out a small list on a parchment that denoted many, well; rather interesting things. It seemed he was inclined into buying some magical items but. He didn't verbally intone or even denote what they were. Zandack had a list that was... Well, it was something alright, "Oh? Modifications to animals, I have been studying and it would take me ages before I could truly do something to them of any worth." His tone of voice was very sober, "I might even be able to make them sentient, if I am to believe what tales my master had spake unto me. But the research is very slow due to the demands of my surgical expertise. That and the explosions and requirements for fuel with my alchemy set..."
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Post by Nicholas Dorne on Jul 9, 2016 8:45:49 GMT
"Mm, I did say so sir~. There are researchers notes and experiments to run~!" His eyes were gleaming quite brightly in interest in this. He almost grinned too wide at the mention of these animals, "Oh my! I'm surprised... Mm, well now..."
That said he also did produce a sack of; at least, 3/4ths of a thousand gold. Yes, it was mindboggling why he had this on him. But he set that right before Zandack; giving the man a cool, quiet; glare. A broad smile on his lips at this, "Well?"
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Post by Chimaera on Jul 9, 2016 8:53:43 GMT
"Will that hurt the animal? These modifications to them. That sounds a bit unnatural - but to make them sentient? Is there any drawback for that?" His brow raised as he turned his head to regard Zandack. "I don't know - if it is a danger to the animals under my care, as lucrative as it is, I don't want to intentionally hurt them." He trailed off as he looked down at the sack of gold that was placed on the table and then looked sharply at the doctor. "You carry that around with you? Really?" |
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Post by Nicholas Dorne on Jul 9, 2016 9:05:41 GMT
"Well, marginally yes- the first injection to put them under to insure they are not pained by the other processes." Even so, he had to tap his fingertips on the counter before giving Chimera a strange look, "Although, truthfully; enhancing animals is quite the endeavor for ones such as ourselves. With little money, with little power..." He laughed bitterly at that again. Before just moving his shoulders back and grinned, "Of course, don't you?"
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Post by Chimaera on Jul 9, 2016 9:14:36 GMT
"The gnome?" Chimaera asked. His attention was drawn from Zandack and replaced with a slightly worried expression. "So, it would be like a numbing agent? I can understand the first injection hurting." He scratched the back of his head and looked down at his ale. "Little money, and little power seems to be a running theme around a lot of people who aren't halfway up the ass of King Oliver."
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Post by Nicholas Dorne on Jul 9, 2016 9:14:55 GMT
Nicholas pointed to the list he'd so helpfully provided Zandack, "You may well guess; but, as a knowledgeable person in the arcane arts I can create formulae based on the arcane secrets within each scroll; which you may well find a bit 'cheaty' but... Alas." HE laughed a bit, "I would use these to create my extracts. I have no intent of selling potions. For I am no potion maker; I am a doctor- not some half-arsed apothecary."
That said, Chimera got an eyebrow, "Why are you so worried anyway?"
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Post by Chimaera on Jul 9, 2016 9:19:01 GMT
He blinked and glanced back at Nicholas. Slightly, he shook his head. "Worried for the animal is all. If I put, say Celis, through that I wouldn't want her to show any ill will against me." He took a sip of his ale, and finished it off. He decided to pour himself another cup while attempting to get the attentions of a nearby bar wench. "After all, she would be sentient? I would hope she'd understood I did it merely so she could better protect herself even without my aid in battle."
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Post by Nicholas Dorne on Jul 9, 2016 18:09:54 GMT
"The notes I have, unfortunately; only detail a temporary process; the permanancy of the effects are still beyond my capabilities; hell, even the normal mild-anthropomorphization of the creature itself is beyond me. The notes are, simply put; above me until I have experience enough using animals as test subjects." He frowned mightily at this, "Namely because all of my research was caught in the fire that I fled... But; again, with how the New Dawn operates I shouldn't have an issue getting more research done~!"
Zandack however got a small grin, "Well, the issue is; I don't often go to shops other than to buy my supplies for surgeries. Although I am shocked I still have to pay full market value- considering that this is a rebellion and use of divine magic is somewhat harder to come by even with four clerics and a scholar of some knowledge in the arcane arts." He was already admiring those scrolls... His eyes almost sparkling as he touched their surfaces. He wasn't casting them; admiring them yes; but not casting them, "I shall inscribe these into my Formulae Book in time..."
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Post by Nicholas Dorne on Jul 9, 2016 20:06:14 GMT
"Eh, it just seems arbitrary; it is not as if one could not go out; find a way to insure themselves good pay and come back. Our rebellion seems to be paying quite well too after all. And those we help seem more inclined to pay us with currency we really can't spend than in supplies. Which, again; arbitrary and silly- we need the supplies and we need the items- more than money really." He just grumped a bit, "And the invisible hand here is truly invisible; I've not seen our illustrious leader since that whole 'orientation' thing." Nicholas just sort of started to grumble now, "Which is mildly troublesome as bringing my worries up to anyone else seems to get me 'oh you don't know what you're talking about'."
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Post by Chimaera on Jul 9, 2016 21:01:26 GMT
Chimaera ordered something that all three of them could eat while they had their conversation, and a meal for himself. Once they were alone once again, his attention was drawn back to the other two men. His hands folded in front of him and his chin rested against the knuckles. His brow furrowed. "I wouldn't feel comfortable with providing animals for experimentation - beyond that of small vermin. They could at least help you in your research in this field, correct? I figure this could also be asset to us and the group we represent."
He looked up at Zandack, and smirked. "Ah, discounted rates. The friendship discount; when it comes to Alexius or any country, you'll have empty pockets before you know it. It's best, I found, to just join forces in some manner and double your money." Chimaera's brow raised slightly, "which is essentially what we're doing, you and I, with those dire crocodile eggs."
Words trailed off as he looked back at the good doctor, and frowned. He thought back when they had gathered together to hear the speech after arriving to the grounds and then to present. His hands rested on the table now to gather his cup, Chimaera's frown deepened. "You're right - we haven't seen Odessa since - not a good way to run a thing like this, is it? At least for moral. Hiroshi is just the middle man really in all this. She's the figure head. It's a bit troublesome that she, at least to us lowly little commoners, hasn't made an appearance to us since then. You can't start something like this up and then distance yourself from it as soon as you have the numbers. That's almost as if she's throwing us to the wolves." |
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Post by Chimaera on Jul 9, 2016 21:52:44 GMT
"If one doesn't learn from the past, they are doomed to repeat it," Chimaera said. "Her father was the same way - and within a year it found him dangling on the end of a rope with the rest of his people. As optimistic as you are, to me this whole rebellion sounds like a whim she had after having a bad dream. She was, what, four when her father was killed? Now, personally, I can understand her taking a step away from this. A group calling themselves the New Dawn causing trouble? She'd be the first suspect. Which makes me think of a totally different worry: why hasn't there been someone at the New Dawn estate already? If a rebellion was even sensed, a leader would check all those at the top of the list of suspects - properties included. Unless records have been forged that this little vacation hamlet was sold right after Dawn's death."
He pulled his plate to him, taking a moment to catch his breath and take a bite of his food. After being chewed and swallowed, he took a sip of his drink and licked his lips as he went on. "The Natives are a liability more than help at this point. Not an asset. As Doctor Dorne can attest since he was there, we told the bastards that we were against the government and so on. All the Elders knew, expect for one. We go back, bring the missing Elder to them and they stand there like fucking morons as this man who we just saved rudely demands who we are? No. We'd do a lot better without the thick fucks." He shook his head and looked up at Zandack, "but you're right. He delegates missions clearly not meant for someone of our level of expertise and allows his nitwit of a niece to run around giving orders because he's 'her uncle'. This is a rebellion, not a club for little girls that have dreams of playing hero. He's had questionable decisions." |
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Post by Nicholas Dorne on Jul 10, 2016 5:12:04 GMT
"Personally a lot of this feels as if it were ripped straight out of one of my dirtier novella that I have in my room." He snorted a bit at that before just leaning in to look curiously at the food. That was before he started to go ahead and take a few nibbles of it to be polite. He never really ate much if anyone noticed; sometimes for days at a time. It might account for his thin form; or maybe it just proved he was a little crazy. Who knew?
"Ah, yes; children; speaking of- that Aiden boy isn't right... I would know, I am a tad unhinged- I have to be you know. But... He's strange. He was so upbeat when I spake with him last. It was... troubling." His mouth turned into a bit of a frown, "For such a friendly lad too."
"What worries me though, about those who are clearly not meant to do what they are delegated to do... It's not surprising those of us with rather high intellect would be given such tasks. I may not be a strategist but I can figure out a supply list and quartermaster it quite well... So I have been told. Or Zandack, being a Scholar means you're prime material for an advisor- and even Chimera is a good example of an advanced scout. We've all got merits- but we're not experienced." He stresses the last bit a little, "After all, the new recruits can't really be the ones to carry this venture, or expected to... Otherwise it truly was a whim of an angry little girl... Which is immensely fucking worrying."
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Post by Chimaera on Jul 10, 2016 6:52:31 GMT
“Most of what I’ve heard is Oliver being called a savior,” Chimaera replied bitterly. He looked between the two while his tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek, and shook his head. “When I’m not around sheep would blindly walk right into the wolf den that is,” he continued, “the fact that most still idolize the little brat is sickening. The bombing was Zeen’s doing, and Oliver’s men let it happen. No jurisdiction they said, in their own city. The entire country is ran by fucking idiots. Not that the New Republic is any better.”
Chimaera took a bit of his food, and chewed slowly. The ale was perfect to wash down not only the food but the rising twisted sickness that the topic brought him. He paused though, the sickness ebbed away, when Nicholas brought up the subject of Aiden. A brief laugh and he shook his head. “My theory is that Aiden is either cursed to have all his friends die or has gone insane months ago from it. When I went on my first mission with him, he had to watch his friend Kirah die. Then Vicros died. After that it was Gregor and most recent was the monster I put an arrow in,” he said.
His brow raised, and slowly he shrugged his shoulders. “I’m sure there are other people out there doing things for the New Dawn. But, most of the things given to a small number of us … would be better handled with a large number of us.” He leaned closer and raised his finger, “for one? We should of had multiple people in the city from the start - or even a team or four already in the city. Posing as civilians that lived there. We could have easily controlled the situation if it wasn’t just five rookie soldiers. And I understand we all have our merits. I’m not doubting our skills - it’s just like you said. We’re not experienced yet. Fuck, I lived by myself in the woods for years. This is the first time I’ve had actual human conversation for years.” |
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