[open]

[lumelume]

WHO: Mado and you!
WHAT: Just a weird asshole causing disturbances in the Gallows and surrounding area, explicitly here to make friends!!
WHEN: Kingsway!
WHERE: Around and about!
NOTES: Possible NSFW depending on who shows up and what their intentions are!

I. The Gallows Courtyard

He hasn't been kicked out yet, so Mado has to make the most of the time he has left. He's not overtly panhandling, but he is busking, with a floppy old hat put out to collect coins while he alternates between doing acrobatic feats and magic tricks, taking breaks to simply shake a tambourine and sing beautiful, plaintive Antivan love songs.
He plays to passersby, strolling alongside them and, at times, offering them opportunities to join.

"A song for you, ser!" he calls, and Maker have mercy on the victim.

II. Lowtown

Hightown being far out of his budget when it comes to entertainment, Mado can be found in some of the slummier taverns, offering services similar to his street busking but with hope of receiving drinks rather than money.

He sits on a table, crooning a drinking song while several of the local boozehounds sway and slosh their mugs around, at least one of them weeping with passion.

His eye is easily caught by a face either familiar or interesting, and it isn't long before he slips over with a bow and a brilliant smile.

III. The Ferry

Periodically, a little brown-and-white spotted dog will hop onto the ferry right behind someone, sitting close and casually looking around as if it belongs to them.
It's the very same dog that been seen wandering around the Gallows, begging and doing tricks for scraps, but the owner, if it has one, has not yet been identified.

Comments

[sulahnan]

"It's not foolish to hope for the best," she assures with a shrug. "But I wouldn't hold my breath on either of them being friendly. Kostos is my friend but I happen to be kind of drawn to arsehole personalities."

Which is very true, looking at her track record. Chalk it up to the curse of being a disaster bi.

"Can't hurt to talk to the division heads and see where you might fit. More often than not, distractions are useful for keeping eyes off other agents."

[lumelume]

Balmed by her words, Mado nods. "You and I may have that in common," he admits, "though I had no idea how much. Something about them!" He waves his hands, theatrically flustered, "you just want to make them smile."
He himself is looking a little happier in turn.

"Where do I find the division heads?"

[sulahnan]

Athessa points up, up, up at the tower looming over the courtyard.

"Eight floors up. Forces, Research, Diplomacy, and Scouting. I'd suggest talking to the Scoutmaster, Yseult, since you're not a fighter and not a scholar, and because you're likely not equipped with words sharp enough for Diplomacy."

Why do they have that in common, anyway? Is it a Dalish outcast thing, or just a soft fool thing? Things to think about later, if he sticks around. She reaches out to put a forestalling hand on his arm, in case he was planning to rush off immediately.

"This might be a weird question, but how much of Dalish funerary rites do you remember?"

[lumelume]

Probably just a soft fool thing, but Mado wouldn't know if asked. He nods as she lists each department in turn, looking up at the tallest tower with an expression that's tricky to read. Either he's thinking very hard, or pointedly forgetting everything as soon as he hears it.

But then, the topic changes, and his face softens.
"Not a lot, I'm afraid," he admits, "I wasn't allowed near things like that."

[sulahnan]

"Figures," She closes her pocket journal and tucks it away. "If you want, I'll take you up to see the Scoutmaster. I have something I gotta talk to her about anyway."

[lumelume]

"Really?" He perks right back up again, but then stops dead.

"She won't think I'm a spy, will she?"

He is, after all, extremely subtle and secretive in everything he does.

[sulahnan]

Athessa gives him a flat look.

"I don't think you need to worry."

[lumelume]

"Oh. Good." This is enough to satisfy him, and he hops to his feet, hands slipping into the pockets of his coat.

"Are we going now?"

[sulahnan]

"Sure," she gives him a lopsided smile and nods for him to follow, setting off across the courtyard to the main tower.

"But pace yourself; it's a looooong way up."