Side Quest.1
THE SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY
There is only one day between the successful retrieval of Trinia Sabor and the dreaded party Nightingale had unwittingly booked Calli and Taylan for. When questioned he explained it had been booked anonymously, a wealthy patron who wanted to keep the surprise until the last moment. The invites arrived, one for Gale & performers, one for Calliandra. The three sat around staring at the impossible feat before them.
Performers: Calliandra:
5:30pm - Arrive at Party + prepare 6pm - Arrive at Party + present gift to Lady Mikayla for her 13th year
7pm - Singing 7pm - Delightful entertainment will accompany refreshments
7:15pm - Fire Breathing, Juggling, Acrobatics
7:35pm - A Light Meal is served, Singing to accompany, ending with Happy Birthday for the Cake Cutting. 7:35pm - A Light Meal and Cake Cutting accompanied by music
8:35pm - Fire Breathing, Juggling, Acrobatics 8:35pm - More entertainment
8:55pm - Presentation of the Dragon Boy 8:55pm - A secret guest will entertain with their unique gifts in a private
9pm - Party Ends audience with Lady Mikayla & her closest friends.
9:30pm - Be gone from premises 9pm - Party ends
Most of the conflicts would be easy enough to pop back and forth for, but Calli was expected to sing through the entirety of dinner, where Calliandra would be sitting next to Daesha and eating. “There’s nothing for it. Calliandra will have to be suffering from some form of illness and take to the loo through the night. Ugh,” Calli laments at the unfairness of it all. The party was taking place at the Crested Falcon in the Heights. A place so expensive they don’t give the prices until after you’ve eaten, meaning more than once a person who thought themselves of means was reduced to working off their debt. It boasted the very best in dining, and even some rooms upstairs for the uber-elite. The upstairs rooms were arranged around a large opening, creating a viewing gallery to admire the displays of excess below. The entire building had been rented out by Daesha’s father: Marcus Endrin, the head of Sable Company. Daesha had confessed to Calli that since the king’s death the household had been on lockdown, not allowed to have any fun to show proper respect. Not only that, this was her younger sister’s introduction into society. Mikayla’s reputation was riding on this party, their ability to get back to some normalcy was riding on the party, and their father’s reputation as guards able to hold such balls again amidst the ongoing riots was riding on the party. It was critical that it all went smoothly! Calli learned of an added complication from her mother. Her, and the other mothers, would be turning up for the cake cutting, to enjoy the last of the party before taking Mikayla’s friends home. Now her own life (as she knew it) was on the line along with her friend’s.
Because of their limited time, Calli sent Nightingale off to pick up the presents. She knew Mikayla was a bit of a budding intellectual, so asked him to find a gilded writing set. He found a beautiful quill and ink set, and himself chose a tasteful leather journal to accompany it. Meanwhile Calli went through her brother Archie’s old clothes and found something for Taylan to wear both on the journey and during his meeting with Mikayla that didn’t look so much like he slept in an alley. “But I do sleep in an alley,” he confessed. Scandalised she pointed out he had earned money from their jobs, and asked why he hadn’t found a room, yet. He said it simply hadn’t occurred to him, but it was a good idea. They found a smart travel suit, though it was clearly a size too small, and a set of dashing black robes with bold red accents to mirror the colours of House Endrin. His white clawed hands would really pop against them when it was time.
Gale returned, and conversation with Taylan continued. They learned more about the young man. He knew nothing of his parents, only that he was found with a dragon medallion around his neck, something he still wears. That the circus he’d been a part of had abandoned him not long after the acrobat he got pregnant had their child. He didn’t know where they were, now. Gale and Calli said they’d see what they could do about locating the circus troupe, they felt terrible for Taylan and all he’d been through. It was impressive that between whatever happened to his parents, the torture he’d endured from Lamm, and the way the circus had abandoned him, he remained a relatively cheerful and easy-going companion. However, it had left him without any sense of decorum, so Nightingale and Calli spent time going over some basic etiquette with him, and helping him practice what he would- and would NOT- discuss with young Mikayla when the time came!
The day came, Calli having not slept very well at all. Before they arrived they were told they’d need to pick up a fellow performer from the Eodrid Circle and escort her, as well. She’d not felt comfortable travelling on her own with the city still so volatile. They only knew that her name was Katrina Brown and that she performed as The Flame. Nightingale had a sign made up and the trio waited at the appointed place and time until a tall, hooded figure approached them. The woman pulled back her hood when it was confirmed she was who the group were looking for, revealing a very attractive red head. They caught glimpses of various bulky items under her cloak, Gale even seeing the familiar form of a rapier, and offered to help her carry, but she insisted she was more comfortable keeping her gear on her. Off they set walking down the middle of the road towards the gig.
About half way to their destination Gale and Calli noticed they were being watched, and before long they were surrounded by various thugs up to no good. A few visible, but others hanging back trying not to be noticed. Something inside Calli went cold at once again being trapped, but held fast to the assurance that they were on a wide road in sunshine, not in an alley late at night. There were witnesses. One of the highwaymen called out to them that there was a road tax to pass through of 40 gold.
“A bit bold to be committing literal daylight robbery when you’re outnumbered like this,” Calli baited.
The man retorted “Outnumbered? Why there are four of you and six, seven, eight of us!”
”Thanks so much for confirming that! What was the point in having them try to hide if you were just going to admit how many of you there are?” Calli sassed.
”OH you’re clever, the tax has gone up to 50 gold.”
”We don’t have time for this today. I’ll give you 20 gold to go away without a fight.”
The man scoffed at her bravado, and indicated he wasn’t afraid of his chances in a fight. Nightingale stepped in, threatening the lot with retaliation from Byron the Bear himself. “This is his son we’re escorting,” he gestured to Taylan, “And he won’t take kindly to anyone who gives him trouble.” He speaks with such cold certainty that the men look to each other in doubt. One of the henchmen call out to the leader, “Ron, I did hear something like that, the description could match!” Calli again offers to pay them off with 20 gold, and this time they accept. The party moved along, without having lost much time at all.
They arrive at Crested Falcon and it’s surrounded by Sable guard. Having presented their invitation they’re directed to the side door for servants. They get through the guards there and meet a gnome juggler named Pennydew the Swift and a pair of twins they know from Ruby’s Rest called Brodie & Jackson. They are the acrobats for the night. Introductions are made, and when Gale reveals he’s Calli and Taylan’s manager Pennydew begins campaigning hard for himself as a worthy talent. It’s clear the man has had it rough for some time. Nightingale’s heart breaks for him, and he agrees to take him on as a client. He even gives him a gold advance to let him know he’s on retainer. The twins then speak up that they’d happily sign on, and Gale agrees the more the merrier. The Flame, seeing everyone crowded around Gale, volunteers that she’s not looking for representation. Gale cooly replies that he wasn’t offering.
The Major Domo of House Endrin arrives, a man named Groon, to ensure that all performers are present and accounted for. Nightingale lets Groon know he’s picking up the other acts under his banner, and has a brief discussion with him to ensure that everyone is getting fair pay for their work. Food arrived for the performers, and Taylan was overcome by the bounty. He started stuffing his pockets with food from the table, and Gale stops him, promising that they can get any leftovers boxed up to take away with them later. Groon sees this and makes a disparaging remark about Taylan’s appearance, but is reassured he’s got something nicer for meeting Lady Mikayla.
Calli, having noticed the time, launches into a small scene with Gale pretending that Gale has forgotten something and Calli needs to go retrieve it for him. They bicker a bit over it, but not everyone is convinced, leaving a few wondering what all that was about. But she departed, rushed down the road, and ducked into a dark corner to change. For the evening she’d bodged together a reversible coat, and with the aid of a few buttons could alter the shape and impression of the garment just enough so that it wasn’t immediately recognizable as the same outfit. She removed the hairclip of disguise, allowing her natural features and colourings to return, and found a coach she’d hired for the evening to ride back to the party in. She made her entrance for the second time, through the front doors, and was greeted by a very monotone coat check attendant. Being instructed to leave any weapons, Calliandra offers up one of her daggers, and moves through into the main room.
Back in the performing area most of the performers were still getting ready. Taylan changing into his robes, and Katrina throwing off her green cloak revealing a bright red figure-hugging costume. As she worked a fire retardant into a long whip Nightingale got a better look at the rapier at her hip. He approached her, apologizing for the earlier comment and trying to get things back on the right foot. They discuss the weapons, and as the conversation progresses others in the room notice what seems like Katrina flirting, but Gale doesn’t react to it. All the performers present get to know each other a bit better, and the Flame admits that while she will remain a free agent, she wouldn’t necessarily say “No” if Nightingale found work for her.
Calliandra is met by Daesha, and immediately she begins her deception. Calli explains she’s not feeling very well, and may need to run off to the facilities from time to time, and she’d really feel better if no one made a fuss over her for it. Daesha is sympathetic, assumes it’s her time of the month which Calli simply agrees to, and Daesha says one of their other closest friends Oriel hasn’t made it at all due to being under the weather. This is a bit disappointing, as Oriel is currently the only one of her peers who knows anything about her double life. Oriel is the daughter of a rich merchant family, and is the one who helped her procure the vital hair clip. She had hoped to have Oriel’s help with the deception, but her absence has thankfully still provided strength to her claim. They go through into a side room to meet with Mikaylah and mother Endrin. It’s a private reception room with a long table laden with unopened presents, and the birthday girl clearly holding court over those in attendance. Calliandra says and does all the things required, Mikayla loves the gifts, and they’re able to return to the main room. This is just about all the time she has, so she detaches herself from the crowd and heads off to the toilets, where she locks herself in a stall, changes back into Calli, and then leaves out a servant’s door to the rear of the loos. She finds there’s a long hall that leads around the outside of the rooms into the kitchen, and has to cut through it to get back to the performer’s area. As she does the head chef begins screaming at her, “GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN!” She makes it back to the group just in time, as she needs to take to the stage.
The corner of the main dining hall adjoining the servant’s entrance had been turned into a performance area, and as Calli made her grand (re)entrance to the room (that she’d only just left) Gale used the spell Dancing Lights to give it an extra something. Not that she needed it. Calli’s performance was on fire, showing exactly why this was what she did. In the audience she notices the last of her closest friends, Nif, had joined Daesha in the crowd. Her set having ended, she leaves the stage.
Pennydew, the twins, and the Flame replace Calli in the spotlight and also do a fantastic job. The crowd is delighted. During their set, Calli asks Taylan for his help during the dinner set. She would need him to go into the loos and using his magic make Calliandra appear to briefly leave so that the two are seen in the room at the same time. He agrees, and makes his way around, past the chef who continued to shout “GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN.” There was no other way through, they’d been informed, he was just like that! The performers come back off stage and Pennydew immediately starts doubting whether he was actually any good. Gale focuses on soothing his ego.
Calli returns to the stage for her long set through the meals, stealing glances at her friends occasionally, and manages to notice the exact moment it all falls into place for Nif. Thankfully about that time Taylan uses silent image to make it seem as though Calliandra starts to leave the loo, only to shake her head, hold her midsection, and run back inside. Nif looked between the two and narrowed their eyes at Calli on stage. They stand and march off into the toilets. Taylan had hidden inside one of the stalls, and as Nif questioned whether it was Calliandra inside tried to make affirmative, yet pitiful, sounds. It doesn’t go as well as he hoped, and Nif returns to their seat with a smug grin. Taylan, having done the best he could under impossible circumstances, leaves to rejoin the performing area. (GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN!)
At some point in the performance Calliandra’s mother and the rest of the moms arrive. Behind them is then announced another visitor: Lady Melyia Arkona. Melyia had not been on the list of people expected to attend, but as one of the second richest houses would never be turned away without good cause. Calli makes a calculated decision to try and demonstrate her support of the working class by making her next song a very pointed one about miners who asked for a raise, work themselves nearly to death, and are given only a fraction of what they’re owed. She knew it’s horribly inappropriate at a birthday party like this, but honestly she felt many of the uber-rich could do with hearing it, anyway. Calli finds Melyia does take notice, and tries to figure out when and how to try and talk to the woman. She goes back into more pleasant party music afterwards.
Meanwhile behind the scenes Nightingale and Taylan notice Katrina has gone missing. They go looking for her, first having to shake off Pennydew’s abandonment issues, then through the kitchen- “GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN”- which became a most spirited conversation with Gale trying to ask the chef if he’d seen her walk by, increasingly matching him shout for shout, until finally the chef relents, “I respect you.” They learn he hadn’t seen her pass. At the other end of the performer’s area was a spiral staircase up to the next floor, so they ascend hoping to see her watching the show from above. What they found was one of the hotel room doors open and ransacked. They cut through it and see Katrina walking down the viewing area towards another staircase at the far side. The guys notice they’re all in full view of anyone below who would choose to look up, so Gale acts like a manager simply looking over his talent, while Taylan drops like a sack to the ground out of sight.
This catches Calli’s attention, and not being sure why they were all up there, calls out to the audience, “Everyone, a round of applause for the tallented Flame!” The crowd looks up, and having been spotted Katrina plays into it, doing a quick burst of flame and a small bow to the applause below. Seeing something familiar in Gale’s face, she then made her next song infused with power to give Taylan and Nightingale a little extra should they need it. And, ever the performer, she included Mikayla and her mother in the spell, too, thinking the small boost couldn’t hurt. The two men gave chase once the crowd’s attention was firmly back on Calli.
Down the stairs and through the kitchen again, Gale tried to enlist the help of the people in the kitchen to stopping the red menace. He cried out that she had an illness, but instead of making them want to stop her they all recoiled from her. Taylan and Gale struggle to lay hands on her, she’s just too quick and nimble. Nightingale manages to hit the door back to the performer’s area with a tanglefoot bag, gooping it up so that she wouldn’t be able to open it, and to their surprise instead of stopping she simply ran through the swinging double doors into the dining hall.
Calli is able to think fast and begins crafting a song to narrate the action, leading the audience to believe this was all a part of the show. Taylan manages to send a perfect placed Grease spell to slow her enough for Gale to Daze her. Even so, Katrina presses forwards, and the two make it seem like their attempts to get the better of each other are a part of a skilled and sensual dance. He notices that she takes care not to harm anyone in the crowd as they push through it, not even him. Taylan, keeping his hood up, slides out to join them, and the three take turns grasping and slipping grapples to the music until Nightingale is able to lead them into the reception room Calliandra had met Mikayla in earlier. Taylan shuts the door behind them, and the crowd bursts into applause.
Inside the room they ask her what she thinks she’s doing, and she admits she’s making a living. Nightingale begs her not to do it to Calli, to which she says she’s doing it to the Endrins. She goes to make a run for it, but Gale uses his Close Door spell to cut off the servant’s exit out of the room, and begins to grapple her again. Between him and Taylan in the small space, they’re able to finally restrain her. Katrina asks if he really cares that much about Calli, and then says maybe she does want a manager willing to go the extra mile. Taylan’s impression of the chasing-dance was that she had enjoyed the whole thing, and that she was definitely flirting, but Gale stayed focused and professional. Nightingale offered a bargain. She would return what she’d stolen and finish their performances as booked. In return they wouldn’t warn anyone about her and she could come back after the party and take whatever she liked, as long as it wasn’t one of the birthday girl’s presents. This really surprised the thief, and she accepted. Taylan and Gale took her pouch full of stolen goods, and as leverage the Flame offered her sword to Gale to hold until after the party.
The trio then went through the servant’s hall back through the kitchen, Gale reassured everyone they’d managed to cure her and apologized for the trouble earlier. The chef was grateful he’d contained a possible outbreak, and told him he could come eat there for free any time. They used some pickle vinegar to help break down the goop on the door to the performing area, and made it through just in time for the next troupe show. As they came through the door, Pennydew burst into brief relieved tears that they hadn’t abandoned him, but then pulled it together for their next set. Calli came off stage, passing the Flame as she went onstage, and Calli’s narrowed eyes were met with a cheeky smile and arched eyebrow.
”What was THAT?” The guys filled in Calli on what had transpired, and her heart-rate shot up. To have everyone robbed during the party under the noses of all the best Sable guards would be catastrophic for the Endrins, not to mention the blame would likely fall on all the performers together. Groon entered the room, and Calli snatched the bag of stolen goods and held it out to him. She played up her distress, “Groon, there was a horrible intruder who was trying to make off with this but these brave men got it back before they could leave with it! Please see that these are returned!” Groon thanked them, and said that he would do so at his earliest convenience, but that he needed to take the Dragon Boy to get ready for his private audience, and Calli’s presence had been requested on the main floor. Lady Arkona would like a word.
Taylan was lead back into the reception room, this time full of young teenagers and the Endrin matron. His time had come. He fell into his old routine like it was second nature. His hands became white-scaled clars, and he produced a small ball of light which he proceeded to do the most clever tricks with. Everyone was charmed by his showmanship and dexterity. When he had finished, questions flowed from Mikayla like water. From the superficial, to the personal, to the philosophical. Her mother tried in vain to cut her off, pointing out some of the questions she’d told her not to ask, but Taylan was an impeccable gentleman and answered all he could to the best of his knowledge. She was especially interested in magic, and how to obtain such power. He allowed her to touch his scales, and at the end of the allotted time she presented him with a precious stone to thank him for his time.
Meanwhile Calli and Gale made their way back out on the floor, and approached the cluster of mothers with Lady Arkona. Everyone peered closely at her, remarked how there is a similarity to Calliandra from a distance but that up close it’s much easier to tell them apart. Her heart was pounding so hard in her ears she nearly missed what Melyia said next to her mother. “Speaking of Calliandra, you must be so relieved that Lamm has been dealt with. I heard about Kroft’s new recruits taking him out and turning in his ledger. I remember that dreadful business with Archidendron, and later when he tried to have her killed for speaking out against him. Didn’t you lose some people in that attack? A couple of guards and a coachman? Just horrible business.” Lady Arkona turned to lock eyes with Calli. Calli’s heart, previously racing, now stopped cold. “She was so brave for seeking justice for Archie, but if only she’d left Lamm alone then those poor souls would never have been caught in the crossfire. One must be careful…”
The other mothers made agreeing noises, some comforting Mimsy. Calli managed to keep her voice still and offer, “I agree. Lady Arkona, I have heard such wonderful things about you, I had been hoping we could meet for a talk at some point. I feel like we have things in common.”
”And what might that be?”
”We’re both very concerned with the plight of the people, and we both want to do right by them. To do Good.”
Lady Arkona waved her away, saying, “Thank you for coming out, we’ve seen you now. Lovely performance. You may go.”
They made it back into the performer’s area, door shut behind them, before Calli’s legs gave out and she dropped to the floor. Nightingale immediately tried to slow her descent, calling her name and holding her by the shoulders. Her voice was unusually cold, and kept low so the performers on the other side of the long room wouldn’t hear. “Nightingale did you know?”
“Your parents ordered me not to tell you, I’m so sorry, you were never supposed to find out.” his voice was honest and caring.
”That I got Rose killed?!”
”You didn’t get her killed, Rose would never have wanted you to think any of it was your fault! We all know this is our duty, and any of us would die to keep you safe.” Gale was more desperate now, not knowing exactly what to say but wanting badly to comfort her.
”But it was. And because no one told me I continued to put everyone in danger! All those times I tried running off! If I had known I’d have never! And now… have I just done it again?”
Calli stood back up and pushed him away. “There’s more to this conversation, but for now I think I need some distance from you. I’ve got to get back out there.”
Calli left through the kitchen to get back to the loo, not looking back, at the same time as Taylan and Groon returned. Groon called all the performers over and congratulated them on a job well done before passing out their wages for the night, plus their share of the generous tips for the evening that doubled their pay. It was more money than most of them had ever seen in one place. Gale drew up some contracts for his new talents, and Pennydew in particular wept with joy. They gathered their things and exited the building. Pennydew and the Twins took their leave, and Katrina turned to Nightingale and put out her hand for her sword. He complimented her talents, and asked if she’d ever been formally trained. She said she couldn’t afford such a thing, and he asked if she’d be interested. He said Orisini was in need of students with real talent, and that he could offer a letter of introduction. She found herself confused and surprised once more by this generosity in spite of what had transpired, and said she’d certainly think about it. She took her rapier, indicated she looked forward to seeing him again, and vanished into the nearby trees. Taylan and Nightinale end the evening by heading to Ruby’s Rest. Taylan happy to have the beginnings of a troupe again, and Gale pensive, in need of someone to talk to about the evening.
Calli, having changed once more back into Calliandra, used a moment in the stalls to throw up before heading back out to face everyone. She left the loo and was caught first by her friend Nif. “You have some explaining to do, but I must say, I’m very impressed!”
Calliandra laughed, and replied,”I had a feeling you’d figure it out. Did Daesha suspect?”
”Not a thing!”
”Oh she’ll be so cross when she finally learns.” The two embrace, and Nif departs.
Calliandra steels herself and returns to the table of mothers. Her mother hugs her and offers sympathy, having heard she was a bit unwell. Lady Arkona immediately speaks up, “You must be Calliandra. So nice to meet you.” There was no doubt that the woman knew exactly who she was. Calli replied politely, and asked her mother if they could leave. They said their goodbyes, Calli retrieved her dagger from the coatcheck, and they went together back to the family home.
Once there her mother asks if she knew anything about Nightingale doing work for Commander Kroft. Calli says that since she’s spending more time in her University classes at the moment, which are well guarded, that he has more free time to do as he pleases. Then Calliandra confronted her mother. “I’ve heard some horrible rumours lately, you know how people love to talk. Tell me the truth. Was the attack on my carriage an attempt on my life?” Her mother was clearly uncomfortable with the conversation. “Is this why you never let Archie come back? Because it wasn’t safe? Why not send me to live with him, then?”
Her mother found her voice, “Why would we send you away? Nightingale stepped up to be your guard, you were as safe as we could make you!”
”Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you let me carry on like I was if I was putting everyone in danger?”
”We wanted your life to stay as normal as possible for you, we didn’t want to burden you.”
Calli looks around the lavish room and thinks about the places she’s been over the past couple of weeks, “The more I learn the more I realize nothing about my life has ever been normal. I’m going to bed. Goodnight, mother.”
What should’ve been a night celebrating a great success was instead spent doubting everything she’d done, everything she was doing, and feeling very much alone.
