Quest 05 [Player plot, closed]

[newmemorywhodis]

The home and mansion of Lord Willoughby Wigglesworth Pinkerton the Third is ostentatious and sprawling. For those who hail from certain worlds, the architecture bears more than a passing resemblance to a certain British Museum. However, the inside is far more…tacky.

This is the home of a man who has wealth, power, and a certain amount of obsession with appearing worldly and ‘cultured’. The personal belongings of Servants and members of disadvantaged local minorities are mere curiosities and things to be possessed, to be owned, to be controlled.

Lord Willoughby Wigglesworth Pinkerton the Third - known by many who despise him as Lord Pimpersnoodle - is the kind of man who sends his lackeys to steal, to grave-rob, and desecrate. All to build his own collection. This, from the rumours and information from sympathetic staff on the inside, the gathered Corsairs know.

They also know that some of the items the Lord has appropriated are ones rather more…personal in nature. A divine sword. A spell focus. A mysterious gem.

Their mission: to retrieve those items, and make Lord Pimpersnoodle regret having ever taken them in the first place.

Comments

ARRIVAL [Everyone]

[newmemorywhodis]

Lowly tradespeople and other low-class staff of the Pinkerton mansion never enter through the main entrance, of course. That would be crass! But there is an out of the way entrance, around the back of the building, through which the Corsairs can make their way in.

Because the thing with a large sprawling estate like the Pinkerton’s - particularly one with airs of being a ‘prestigious’ collection - is that a lot of hired help needs to come in and out. And it means that it’s not all that difficult for the Corsairs to pretend to have a legitimate reason to enter.

So as you approach the servant’s entrance and the surly-looking doorwoman who stands guard at it - who do you pretend to be?

[freearcadia]

Before arriving, Harlock adjust the lay the flat cap laid on his head, his messy hair covering his eyepatch and most of his scarring which along with the overalls, rough-hewn gloves, and coat, he had a distinctively blue-collar messy look, appropriate for someone who chases after vermin for a living.

An actor he is not, but long as he sticks to the cover story he believes they should be fine, now to wait for the apprentice and the faithful but vicious little creature to be ready to make their entry as believable as possible.

[upupatomway]

Atom walks up to stand next to Harlock, shooting him a sideways glance with raised eyebrows and a smile that gives away the amusement he's trying to hide behind his silence. He looks towards the doorman and puts on his best business poker face, expression successfully tamed, even as he's laughing on the inside.

Like Harlock, he's in a pair of beat up overalls and a cap. He purposely picked out a shirt that had some old dirt stains on the sleeves that didn't wash all the way out so it would look like he had shoved his gloved hands into some dirty nooks to catch creatures before. The gloves look a little big on his hands, but they should pass as something he was expected to grow into. He's doing his best to look like he's trying not to drop the tools he was carrying, including a long staffed net on his shoulder, when in reality the weight is nothing to him.

Ilphyl should be somewhere close by, and the others were sure to show any minute...

[newmemorywhodis]

Arriving from a separate direction from Harlock and Atom, at first it's not Link and Nephenee that are immediately visible.

No, it's the giant piano-sized box that the two of them are carrying.

Holding up one end of the box is Link. Who's also significantly shorter than Nephenee, so the box is rather...lopsided. It's a hold should be supremely difficult. And yet, Link looks like he's not even breaking a sweat.

He's also dressed himself in clothes that give somewhat of a similar vibe to his climbing gear back home: sleeveless shirt, knee-length shorts, all nice and easy to move around in. The only thing it lacked was the excessive amount of buckles.

Harlock and Atom were first to arrive though, so Link stops to wait patiently behind while the doorwoman deals with them.

---

It's a tired, 'I don't get paid enough for this' look that the doorwoman gives the arrivals. It's near the end of her shift, and she's ready for it to be done.

"What's your business?" she asks Harlock and Atom first.

[relentless_sentinel]

On the other end of the heavy box is the aforementioned Nephenee, also effortlessly carrying her side, and also in somewhat similar clothing - sleeveless blue shirt, brown shorts with several pockets, boots, fingerless gloves, boots, and a hat; it's all really practical and keeps her limbs and strong lithe muscles free, so it's perfect for this. There's also a bag slung across her back, the better for holding tools they need to unbox this sucker. That's her story and she's sticking to it!

For the moment, she stays quiet, happy to play the part of the quiet, obedient pack mule, and her long ponytail bobs as she nods to Atom and Harlock.

[freearcadia]

Harlock rolls his shoulders. "Extermination." He replies with the bluntness of a man who has a lot of things to do and so little time. "Me and the boy are here to get rid of some ratties before they start thinking of chewing on Lord Pinkerton's things. Or falling into the stewpots."

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl elected to go with one of their normal wild shapes, and then had to add some cosmetic details. So a black and white tomcat who just spent a bit of time rolling around to get the required amount of disheveled (not enough to worry staff that Ilphyl is tracking more dirt in than expected, but enough to look like they are a working cat, not a pampered pet, and at least partially trouble).

[upupatomway]

Atom gives a single nod to the doorwoman accompanying Harlock's explanation. He looks calm on the outside, but between the visual of Link and Nephenee's lopsided piano hauling and Harlock's character acting, he's still cracking up on the inside.

He shoots a glance down to check that Ilphyl is nearby, and sees that they're following closely. His AI labels Ilphyl as a cat upon visual scan. Should be good enough for human eyes too. All seems good for their rat catching trio so long as the doorwoman lets them in.

[newmemorywhodis]

"Bloody rats in the stewpots again?" the doorwoman says, with a long-suffering sigh. She doesn't seem to be particularly surprised. Perhaps rats in the kitchen are a common occurrence.

"Alright, you better get a move on then. You better have those rats sorted before the Lord spots one," she says, gesturing for Harlock and Atom to enter.

The cat she ignores entirely.

Link and Nephenee, meanwhile, are getting a baleful eye. Link more than Nephenee - she seems to think that of the two, he's more likely to drop the crate.

"Alright, what's this then?"

---

Link returns her baleful eye with a blank, placid expression - and a one word response.

"Piano," he says.

[freearcadia]

He gives a curt nod as he leads 'ratcatcher' group in. "We will make it quick." He puts a hand on Atom's shoulder, "You get to learn how to handle a cat today," name - name.... "Now don't lose Professor Fusspot in the place, alright? A cunning cat is hard to find."

[upupatomway]

"Yes sir." Atom nods at Harlock as he follows him inside the mansion, and looks down at Ilphyl. "Come on Professor Fusspot."

Is Fusspot a common cat name where Harlock is from? He'll have to ask later.

They're in. Now to see how it goes for Link and Nephenee.

[spacetogrow]

So far, Ilphyl is posing as a moderately well behaved cat. They are using the excuse to inspect the surroundings from the floor level, but do register that they are being addressed, and saunter over.

[newmemorywhodis]

The doorwoman gives the three 'pest catchers' them one more tired look as she sends them outside - but as he attention shifts to the others, it's clear that she's not paying them much attention anymore. They've been given permission to enter; they're not her problem anymore.

"A piano?" She echoes now, looking at the box. "What, another one?"

---

Link nods. Yes, a piano.

Although he does wonder at the fact that pianos, specifically, are apparently a frequent delivery item here...

TEAM DISTRACTION [Atom, Ilphyl]

[newmemorywhodis]

Lord Willoughby Wigglesworth Pinkerton the Third likes to casually stroll through his collection, taking a moment to admire the many items he has acquired. He is accompanied by a guard and a harried-looking secretary.

His movements are erratic and unpredictable, and it means that while he strides through the mansion, the risk of him discovering the other team - or that items are missing is high. For the greatest chance of success, he needs to be distracted.

How will Atom and Ilphyl proceed?

Re: TEAM DISTRACTION [Atom, Ilphyl]

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl is considering this. Because the trick is to cause enough trouble that Lord Pinkerton is preoccupied with watching the cat to keep it away from anything priceless, but not enough that that Pinkerton decides the rat-catchers are more trouble than they are worth.

Which probably means finding an actual rodent as proof of their legitimacy and that Pinkerton needs to put up with them a bit if he wants to keep his stolen loot intact.

Re: TEAM DISTRACTION [Atom, Ilphyl]

[upupatomway]

Atom is thinking something in the same vein. They'll need to really sell it by making sure a rodent is clearly present, even if at some points they are chasing after a pretend one.

"Think you can do both roles? And switch when I catch their attention?" he whispers to the 'cat' next to him. "Even if they only see the rat once. The more confusion, the better."

He has put the bag of tools he was carrying down at the end of the hall of curiosities that's towards the south, away from the locations on the map the others are visiting. He has the long handled net in his hands, and is scanning the floor to create the illusion that he's hunting.

Re: TEAM DISTRACTION [Atom, Ilphyl]

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl considers, then shakes their head. Too many changes in a short period is too tiring.

They decide that they might as well see if they can find an actual rodent; otherwise, they can use some magic to summon one, but they will have to pop back into elf form and then return to cat form.

Re: TEAM DISTRACTION [Atom, Ilphyl]

[upupatomway]

If they weren't under the pressure of sneaking around, Atom would have been amused seeing what looks like a cat shaking its head. As much as his sister talks to cats, they weren't going out of their way to make gestures like a humanoid.

If Ilphyl is staying a cat, they might need a real rat or mouse then. Maybe, in an ironic twist, searching for rats really is what they should do.

Atom waves Ilphyl out of the hallway and into one of the rooms of shelves and displays. His eyes start glowing green, as he scans the walls for heat signatures. When he spots something small and warm blooded he points out the site.

"Right here, something is living in the wall."

Re: TEAM DISTRACTION [Atom, Ilphyl]

[newmemorywhodis]

Even better than something living in the wall, is the hidden little hole behind one of the display cabinets. To anyone current people-sized, it's out of view - but for a cat like Ilphyl, low to the ground, it's much easier to spot.

It'll be a tight squeeze, however, if Ilphyl wants to try and crawl inside. But their sharp cat ears just might pick up the sound of faint squeaking...

Re: TEAM DISTRACTION [Atom, Ilphyl]

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl is used to moving fighting as an animal, so this is not impossible. And the sound is unmistakable. They do cautiously pad over to the hole, judging if it would be best to dart in with a paw or try to wriggle back there.

On the other hand, the cat chasing a mouse would probably be a better distraction than them catching the mouse, at first. So into the hole they go, ready to pounce on whatever is back there.

Re: TEAM DISTRACTION [Atom, Ilphyl]

[upupatomway]

Atom watches the infrared signature of Ilphyl moving behind the wall. Looks like they're going to find the creature living back there without issue.

Re: TEAM DISTRACTION [Atom, Ilphyl]

[newmemorywhodis]

Atom's infrared sensors will spot another signature - one smaller, and still at first.

Until suddenly, it bursts into movement.

It's a rat, making a desperate attempt to escape Ilphyl by running past it. But with a quick swipe of a paw, Ilphyl could catch it...

CW: slight description of killing a rat

[spacetogrow]

And Ilphyl does, with cat-like reflexes, then quickly goes in for the killing bite at its neck while it is disoriented. Combat skill, but the normal set of skills a hunting cat might develop.

Rats are dangerous when cornered, and while Ilphyl can take more hits than the average tomcat, they also will lose concentration on the wildshape if they are critically injured AND they can't use their normal means of magical protection, because those are obviously magic. Hence going in quickly.

[upupatomway]

Atom watches Ilphyl's shape lunge and catch the small animal. At the same time, he hears movement from elsewhere in the mansion getting closer. He turns to look around, and infrared reveals the shapes of humans approaching. It doesn't sound like their allies either.

This must be it.

"Ilphyl, we're getting company soon," he says towards the wall.

[newmemorywhodis]

Ilphyl is quick, and the rat doesn't stand a chance. It squeaks, loud...and then falls limp in the cat's jaw.

Something which does not not unnoticed by the new arrivals that have just appeared on the scene.

"Oh, that is utterly disgusting!" cries Lord Willoughby Wigglesworth Pinkerton the Third himself. He is wearing a truly horrendous amount of ruffles, and a hat that he clearly thinks is roguish and mysterious...but in reality looks more like an amateurish costume. He's accompanied by a dour looking man in spectacles, laden down with large journals and notebooks.

"What is that creature doing in here? Carrying around such...such foul remains! It's going to bleed all over my priceless Fifth Age Maikrechtian cabinet!" The Lord exclaims...as he apparently takes just as much offence to the cat as to the rat.

"I believe it's a cat, my lord," says the spectacled-man, with a long-suffering sigh.

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl meanwhile is quite happy to drop the rat at Atom's feet, and saunter off to find the next one in the walls. Let Atom make the case for why getting rid of the rats is a priority, while Ilphyl intends to cause some extra disruption -- hopefully keeping it to 'Lord Fancypants feels he needs to hover over them to make sure nothing gets bled on or knocked over' rather than 'Lord Fancypants asks them to be removed before the others retrieve the artifacts'.

It is very tempting to do the feline thing and decide this clearly cat-hating man was their new best friend, but Ilphyl does not trust that the man won't get violent to animals (the asshole).

[upupatomway]

Atom turns to address the new arrivals and almost immediately has to remind himself not to stare at Lord Pinkerton's overstated cravat.

"I'm with the rat trapper, Sir," Atom explains, grabbing the brim of his hat and giving a nod like he had seen in movies. Ilphyl drops the rat and he picks up with his gloved hand. "Thanks Professor Fusspot."

He holds up the dead rat for extra effect as he explains, "There's an infestation in the walls. They've bore a hole over here..." He points towards the hole in the wall tucked out of sight, hoping at least one of the men will lean over to examine it and keep their eyes occupied. "Luckily our cat is able to fit inside to hunt them down."

"I suggest you check every cabinet and item in this room for signs of them, Sir. They're known to chew holes in fabrics, for example." He nods towards the closest clothing hung up for display.

[newmemorywhodis]

Lord Willoughby Wigglesworth Pinkerton the Third gasps.

"An infestation!" he cries. "Not in my Special Blue Room! Reginald - Reginald, check the cabinets! Check the tapestries!"

The Lord gestures wildly towards the spectacled man, 'Reginald'. Clearly, the man certainly doesn't intend to check the cabinets and the fabrics himself.

There's a faint twitch of Reginald's left eyebrow. But other than that, his composure is calm and unaffected. "Yes, my Lord," he says, before beginning such a search.

Meanwhile, in the walls Ilphyl will have to work a bit harder to find a second rat to chase. Because after all, there isn't actually an infestation.

TEAM SNEAK [Link, Harlock, Nephenee]

[newmemorywhodis]

While the Lord Willoughby Wigglesworth Pinkerton the Third is kept busy, it’s time for Team Sneak to get to work.

Fortunately, they aren’t going in blind. A sympathetic maid has given the Corsairs a detailed map of the entire estate. The map actually looks more like a printed tour guide, but the maid has scrawled some more specific notes for them.

To the north-west, a large hall labeled WEAPONS AND ARTEFACTS OF WAR. In the maid’s scratched handwriting, a note reads:

Sword with purple hilt. Can’t be drawn by anyone? Vexes the Master!

To the east of the building, a large wing has been labeled as MARVELLOUS AND MISCELLANEOUS CURIOSITIES. This section contains multiple rooms, but the maid has written several notes in various places throughout:

Magical eyewear?
Wooden paraglider. Very pretty!
Big black gem. Mysterious!
Magical focus???.

Then, in a small room to the north - one that doesn’t have any label on the printed map - the maid has written:

Many bits of dead things. So many.
Why.
Please take them away

Three locations. Where will they go first?

[freearcadia]

Harlock had a perfect excuse with the way the group split up. "I'm here to check for rat holes and set a few traps - The boy got the cat, got to let him get a feel for handling a trained beast, besides, this stuff requires an experienced touch." He explained to a cautious maid, giving Nephenee time and cover to go in ahead of him.