After being granted admittance, the squad walk through the typically gaudy Orzhov estate: lots of gold leaf, marble floors, sculptures of previous luminaries of the church of Orzhova as well as those of noteworthy angels, etc. The group is eventually ushered into a lush sitting room where Bishop Gildebauchs is already recounting his tale of woe to a quartet uniformly clad in white. A young man dressed in an ivory version of the standard Combat Butler uniform stands at parade rest beside an elegant overstuffed stair that sits opposite of the one occupied by the bishop. His female counterpart clad in a similarly colored Magic Maid uniform silently observes the proceedings and acknowledges Squad Obsidian's arrival with a slight nod. Interviewing the bishop and seated opposite to him is a striking young women dressed in an Edwardian jacket with matching shirt, and skirt - all in similar shades of white. Her auburn hair is pulled back into a bun and crowned with a white pillbox hat. With gloved hands steepled, she listens intently to the bishop.
Bishop Gildebauchs: "I do so very much appreciate the quick response. And the discretion, Miss...?"
Lady in Fancy Dress: "Mildred. Call me Mildred. And I assure you your dilemma will be handled with great expediency -
Mildred's amber eyes shift slightly upon detecting Squad Obsidian's arrival, but return to focus on the client.
I want it to be known that I was in marching band when I was in high school, so I'm imagining that style of parade rest. Feet shoulder-width apart, hands (since he's not holding an instrument) behind back and head down... Awesome.
Whimbly puddles onto the floor and rises into the form of a barrel-chested private investigator, including monocle, pipe and large moustache. In a heavy (heavier than normal anyway) British accent, "Well, well. What's the situation?"
I had a very short stint in marching band. It wasn't nearly as enjoyable as concert band was during the previous three years, so I left it in favor of visual arts.
Seeing as Aurora has been consigned to indefinite Jeevescake detail and HKT's status is unknown, let's continue.
The handful of masked attendants posted at the door tense up momentarily upon witnessing Whimbly's theatrics, but soon enough they resume their silent vigil. They subtly trace the movements of their guests, in particular the fourth member of the alabaster quartet - a curious figure dressed in a frock coat, neck tie, matching slacks, and shoes appears to peruse the various artworks on display in the sitting room. The figure makes little sound outside of the occasional thud of an alabaster cane meeting the marble floor. A head of shoulder length black hair makes discerning the individual's gender challenging; the donning of a full faced ivory mask makes it even harder.
Gildebauchs: "My, my you have two crews working my case? I didn't expect your employer to be this generous. Considering his history with the...
"But I digress, you need information to find my sweet precious Bullion. Let's see, my kitty and I were at Butcher Horde's meat stand debating on which succulent pig to take home as an afternoon snack, I caught a whiff of something very pungent, and before I knew it Bullion was gone!"
"Pungent in what sense? The musty Golgari kind of pungent or the fresh out of the meat locker Rakdos kind of pungent? Or perhaps something else entirely?"
Gildebauchs: "It has to be foul play. My Bullion couldn't have wandered off on her own due to having the gout. Someone definitely abducted her. But I haven't received any random notes! Surely whoever stole her must want some money! Or...something!"
Ivory Mask's head tilts at the mention of hunger, then resumes perusing the bishop's artwork.
Mildred: "Though Bullion vanished almost two days ago, there is still a chance that some evidence may remain at the scene. Examining the scene would be prudent."
Gildebauchs: "Butcher of the Horde's stand is in the bazaar, right across from that Boiling Angst shop. You know, the place where they peddle that horrible sacrilegious music and those 't-shirt' things. Very scary. Were it not for the exceptional quality of the Horde's meats, I would have steered clear of that section of the bazaar.
"Oh, if you have a bloodhound it could track Bullion's scent from her ceremonial frock.
One of his attendants promptly retrieves a smaller facsimile of the bishop's attire, except it is clearly designed to be worn by a quadruped. The attendant hands the pet garment to Pikachu.
"Normally I would not entrust such a sacred article to a non-member of the church, but if it brings Bullion home, I'm willing to make an exception."
Their meeting adjourned, the joint task force take their leave. Appearing as if she's endured a less than satisfying night at the opera, Mildred slowly rises from her chair, using her pearly white parasol like a cane.
Mildred: "We shall...pursue this lead posthaste, bishop. Your beloved pet will soon...feel your warm embrace.
"Let us be on our way, Squad Alabaster."
Her squadmates quietly follow her lead, but as soon as the group clears the front gates George exclaims "Let's eat!"
George hoists his picnic basket enthusiastically as he ushers the rest of the group into the white carriage. The nameless Combat Butler holds the door open for his squadmates who slowly file into the cab. Head shaking in disapproval, Ivory Mask takes up the rear.
A. Join Squad Alabaster in their fancy carriage.
B. Have lunch in your own carriage.
C. Take it on the road and eat on the way to the crime scene.
Bishop Gildebauchs: "I do so very much appreciate the quick response. And the discretion, Miss...?"
Lady in Fancy Dress: "Mildred. Call me Mildred. And I assure you your dilemma will be handled with great expediency -
Mildred's amber eyes shift slightly upon detecting Squad Obsidian's arrival, but return to focus on the client.
"- and discretion."
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Whimbly puddles onto the floor and rises into the form of a barrel-chested private investigator, including monocle, pipe and large moustache. In a heavy (heavier than normal anyway) British accent, "Well, well. What's the situation?"
I had a very short stint in marching band. It wasn't nearly as enjoyable as concert band was during the previous three years, so I left it in favor of visual arts.
Seeing as Aurora has been consigned to indefinite Jeevescake detail and HKT's status is unknown, let's continue.
The handful of masked attendants posted at the door tense up momentarily upon witnessing Whimbly's theatrics, but soon enough they resume their silent vigil. They subtly trace the movements of their guests, in particular the fourth member of the alabaster quartet - a curious figure dressed in a frock coat, neck tie, matching slacks, and shoes appears to peruse the various artworks on display in the sitting room. The figure makes little sound outside of the occasional thud of an alabaster cane meeting the marble floor. A head of shoulder length black hair makes discerning the individual's gender challenging; the donning of a full faced ivory mask makes it even harder.
Gildebauchs: "My, my you have two crews working my case? I didn't expect your employer to be this generous. Considering his history with the...
"But I digress, you need information to find my sweet precious Bullion. Let's see, my kitty and I were at Butcher Horde's meat stand debating on which succulent pig to take home as an afternoon snack, I caught a whiff of something very pungent, and before I knew it Bullion was gone!"
Mildred: "You don't say."
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Mildred: "With all due respect, herbs are not exclusively used by the Conclave and the Syndicate.
Gildebauchs's facial expression conveys disapproval.
"...Apologies, the 'Church of Orzhova'. Besides, we have yet to discern what kind of herbs and whether or not they are significant."
A. Ask questions.
B. Let Mildred handle it.
C. Go check out the artwork with Ivory Mask.
D. None of the above.
scratches head confused
No matter. I suspect we should investigate at this meat stand. Also, I am hungry.
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Mildred: "Though Bullion vanished almost two days ago, there is still a chance that some evidence may remain at the scene. Examining the scene would be prudent."
George: "And so would be nomming on this basket."
*pats the lunch basket*
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"Oh, if you have a bloodhound it could track Bullion's scent from her ceremonial frock.
One of his attendants promptly retrieves a smaller facsimile of the bishop's attire, except it is clearly designed to be worn by a quadruped. The attendant hands the pet garment to Pikachu.
"Normally I would not entrust such a sacred article to a non-member of the church, but if it brings Bullion home, I'm willing to make an exception."
B. Ask more questions
C. Step outside and have some lunch / get to know the other squad
D. None of the above.
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Mildred: "We shall...pursue this lead posthaste, bishop. Your beloved pet will soon...feel your warm embrace.
"Let us be on our way, Squad Alabaster."
Her squadmates quietly follow her lead, but as soon as the group clears the front gates George exclaims "Let's eat!"
George: "Aw yeah! Sammich party's in here!"
George hoists his picnic basket enthusiastically as he ushers the rest of the group into the white carriage. The nameless Combat Butler holds the door open for his squadmates who slowly file into the cab. Head shaking in disapproval, Ivory Mask takes up the rear.
A. Join Squad Alabaster in their fancy carriage.
B. Have lunch in your own carriage.
C. Take it on the road and eat on the way to the crime scene.
D. None of the above.