[Closed] War Table Op: Once More Into The Berg

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Anders, Alan, Ciri, Inessa, Jamie, Prompto
WHAT: The Inquisition needs some information, so it sends in these clowns
WHEN: Right around now
WHERE: Location
NOTES: Warning: Bad recorder playing



It's not every day the First Warden has a birthday party. In fact, it only happens once a year, provided multiple First Wardens don't get offed. It's been known to happen.

But it isn't happening any time soon, likely, which means the big birthday party with a lot of invitees is the best place to crash to try to get some desperately needed information. And while there are certainly dignified ways to do it, by slipping in a few bards or some servants, dignity is low on the list for this infiltration.

Their mission, as they've chosen to accept it, is to gather information while pretending to be entertainers. Let's hope this doesn't self destruct in five, four, three, two...

Comments

Traveling there - make your own headers

[justice_is_blond]

[There are plans to be made and practice to be done. You don't get a one-star circus act by just throwing things together last minute, after all. ...Or maybe that's exactly how you get one.]

[circleprodigy]

[Inessa's been relatively quiet and lost in her own thoughts during the day, but when they pause to make camp for the evening, she'll snap out of it to do her part. Once tents are set up and a fire going, she sets about to making tea for herself and whoever wants it.

Garahel, worn out from investigating simply everything in their path, is a furry lump at her feet but he does perk up and stare hopefully at anyone looking his way. Surely there's some food for this poor, starving soul. That or belly rubs.]

So, I should warn you all that I am neither musically nor athletically inclined. Whatever part I'm given, I'll perform. Whether or not it's performed well is another matter.

[As her mabari barks, she strokes his head and gives him a mabari crunch to settle him down.]

Yes, I know, you'll want all the attention anyway....

[justice_is_blond]

There's going to be mages there.

[He's musing out loud, going over the information they were given.]

Have you ever done any juggling with fireballs? Or spiritballs, seeing as those would be a little less dangerous.

[Be proud of him. He manages not to snicker after 'spirit balls.']

[wontforgetyou]

[Plans and practice are important, to be sure, but so is costuming, and after they've made camp Jamie takes advantage of the relatively quiet period to investigate the various bits and pieces of clothing they've been given to find just the right outfit.

Or, more accurately, he's poking through the costumes to see what exactly they're in for - and as he pulls out a rather garishly multicolored pair of chequered tights a look of dismay crosses his face.]

Och, don't tell me we've got to wear these. Could we not wear something that's a wee bit less...snug, instead?

[justice_is_blond]

[He tries to look serious. He truly does. But the grin breaks forth nevertheless as he leans forward and touches what Jamie is holding.]

Are you sure that's your regret and not the fact that Hermione doesn't get to see this performance? We may turn you into a bard yet. A... interestingly clad bard.

[Anders looks into the bags himself and pulls out something that's just as stretchy, with wispy bits dangling off it.]

Personally, I'm going to wear this for Nathaniel after our mission is done. Granted, he might break something laughing, but it will be worth it.

[ichaer]

For what it's worth, which probably isn't a lot... [ Ciri begins, quietly once things have settled down and the ponder of burning the costumes has mostly left the forefront of her mind. ] I was in a circus once. Dreadful act, really but I learned a trick or two.

[ Tightrope walking, knife throwing and other fun acrobatic works as she explains. ]

I could probably teach some of you something. [ A beat. ] A big maybe, of course but still probably something to help.

[alankazam]

[ Alan bobs his head enthusiastically, or —

Ah. He's not nodding, he's trying to catch the knit pom pom on the end of his long, trailing hat. But also nodding. Because: ]

What sort of something?

[circleprodigy]

[Inessa quirks a small, self-depreciating smile.]

Flexibility isn't my strong suit, I'm afraid. And while I have decent aim, it's normally with a staff. I don't suppose you know any dog tricks?

[Garahel lifts his head and wags his tail, eager to help.]

[justice_is_blond]

I like learning, though I can't say I'm exactly the best learner.

[The expression he gives her is more than a little amused.]

What did you do for the circus? With the circus. Whatever the term is.

[crowncitizen]

"Really?" Prompto has the most incredulous, "you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me" look on his face as he turns over the outfit in his hands. "We're going to go in looking like this?"

[ichaer]

"It gets us close to the First Warden," she says rubbing the fabric between her fingers. "And it gets us in without some of us being recognized."

Like Anders, the celebrity.

[justice_is_blond]

"You could always go in naked," Anders suggests. "It would be even more distracting."

Please don't choose to go in naked, he adds mentally.

Performances - one thread, no tag order

[justice_is_blond]

[People are here for a show. It's time to give them... something resembling one.]

[justice_is_blond]

As they're introduced, Anders realizes for the hundred and twenty-fifth time that he truly wasn't made to be an entertainer. He can joke, he can carry a small crowd with a good story, but being up here and working for the pleasure of all of these people who are both rich and powerful turns his stomach a little.

But there's a mission to do. He glances over at the group and nods. Someone's up, but it probably shouldn't be him. They should open with a performance that's at least on the more positive side of tolerable.

[wontforgetyou]

While Jamie's still not at all fond about the outfits they have to wear for this, at least he's had enough experience with playing in front of others that he knows can ignore how ridiculous he feels and focus on the music instead. So when Anders nods, he bobs his head once and brings the recorder he's brought along up to his lips.

It's been decorated for the occasion with ribbons, one end knotted around the base and the other left to dangle and move along with his movements. For now, though, he's keeping those relatively small, his intention to provide a bit of light and cheery music as a backdrop while the others put on the first part of the show. Later on...well, he'll deal with that when it comes. For now, there's music, and that's a start, at least.

Ciri and Inessa

[justice_is_blond]

[Claimed: "The First Warden will mention dissenters among the Wardens being subdued."]

[circleprodigy]

The evening isn't over and yet it already feels like the longest one she's ever experienced. Inessa, not at all comfortable either in her garb or as the center of attention, welcomes a break at earliest opportunity. Even Garahel the attention sponge is tiring and in need of refreshment, so she'll lead him away for some water and mabari crunches.

She'll glance back for Ciri, of course, better able to get through this in her company.

[ichaer]

Ciri is certainly living the role. She's charming, cheerful and engaging the audience. Even the audience, full of people she detests, seem taken with her act. It is tiring and she is happy for a chance to relax.

And so, with another brilliant smile, she leaves the company of a small group of nobles to hurry over to Inessa's side with a sigh. "If I smile anymore, I fear my face may be stuck like it."

Anders and Prompto

[justice_is_blond]

[Claimed: "The difficulty and potential logistics of transporting cargo from the North all the way South through Orlais now that the War of the Lions has stopped will be discussed at length, with no agreement reached, but ideas that include trying both the Deep Roads and sailing as far as the Frozen Seas to then cross the uncharted territory south of Ferelden instead."]

[justice_is_blond]

Between sets, Anders circulates. He offers a joke here and there, a part of the act and the ridiculous outfit he's in, but soon finds himself near Prompto as the crowd moves around. Under cover of getting a drink of water, Anders approaches the man.

"Going well?"

Alan and Jamie

[justice_is_blond]

[Claimed:

-"There are a lot of mentions of a particular project with a Tevene name nobody quite hears clearly enough to figure out what word it is (but they'd all know it if they heard it again)."

-"The perceptive will note that nobody is really fully confident they know what Corypheus is up to or planning next, even if they're pretending to be bffs with him to impress the others in attendance. This includes King/First Warden Vidal."

-"The network of contacts they're discussing sounds like it's throughout Thedas, and like growing it is a major project at the moment, with new agents being recruited constantly."]

[wontforgetyou]

So far so good. No-one's called them out on their performances (yet) and while there hasn't exactly been a lot of down time, at least there's been breaks where he's been able to slip away from the main crowd and do a bit of scouting, although he keeps his recorder at the ready in case he runs into someone unexpectedly and has to put on a mini version of their show.

It's given him an idea of the layout of the palace, and a possible idea where they might be able to go to do a wee bit of eavesdropping. It's not necessarily the best place, though, and he decides while there's still a chance to do so it might not be a bad idea to see if Alan's had better luck there. The question is where he's gotten off to, and as he circulates through the party he keeps an eye out for the hat he saw Alan with earlier - ridiculous pom-pom and all.

In theory, it'll make it easier to find the other man. In practice? He'll just have to wait and see.

The Gallant Departure - one thread, no tag order

[justice_is_blond]

[They've gotten a few odd looks. Are people actually suspicious, or was the performance just not inspiring enough for immortalized acclaim sung by the bards? Either way, it's probably time to scoot out of here and try to be dignified on the way out.]

[justice_is_blond]

[They gather in one of the two small rooms assigned to them later that night, and after discussing what they've heard, one thing is clear: they need to get out.]

How do we slip away? There's guards, obviously, a lot of them, but I don't believe our cover is blown. Yet.

Aftermath - toplevel away!

[justice_is_blond]

[They're alive. That's awesome. Maybe now they can compare information and get wounds healed up and decompress after all of that subterfuge.]