Brother Galen had been enjoying his reunion with the lovely woman seated next to him when Anu entered.  He continued to converse with her, trying to convince her to come and see his monastery, now that she had finally come to Milath.  He gave her his full attention; it was not necessary to watch the rest of the room.  Events would unfold in their own time, exactly as they should. And so when Anu approached them, he was not in the slightest surprised; he had been waiting.

Putting his hands together and bowed his head to Anu, gazing at him silently, and then a smile spread across his face like a spring sunrise.  To both Anu and Mariasha, the respected monk looked very much the same as the last time they had seen him.  As always he was relaxed, a calming presence to everyone around him.  He still refused to dress in a master's robes, content to don the simple black robes that denoted a wandering member of his order.  And yet no one would mistake him for a humble novice... he carried himself with a quiet assurance that spoke volumes for those who knew how to listen

"Greetings Anu, it is always a pleasure to see my students.  I do wish to speak with you later, since you have asked.  I do not believe you have met Mariasha as yet.  She is a friend that I spent time with during my many wandering days.  She has a kind heart, and is most skilled in the healing arts.  You could learn from one another, I suspect, and as she will be staying here also, it may well be that you will."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:08, Wed 10 Aug 2016.

In reply to Brother Galen (msg # 19):

"I am at your disposal anytime you wish Master Galen." Anu lowered his head slightly His normal confident, and commanding stance one of deference toward Gaeln.

"I am Anu, It is a pleasure to meet you Mariasha." Anu inclined his head to the woman and smiled slightly. It was obvious smiles did not come easily to his face.It almost seemed as if he had to remember how to smile.." I am pleased to meet anyone Master Galen Speaks well of."

A balm to a fevered soul, she had forgotten how it was to be in the presence of her old friend and mentor ,Brother Galen. Her slight apprehension at the unfamiliar assemblage settled somewhat and she allowed herself to give him her full attention.  She smiled in response to his attempts to have her come visit his monastery.
Perhaps She spoke softly, There is much I wish to speak with you about.
She did not offer more, yet a shadow of something lurked for a moment behind her eyes before they settled back into tranquil pools of soft violet.  Smiling, she turned to greet the man that had approached Brother Galen.
I am pleased to meet you, Anu.  I would be honored to share what knowledge I have with you.

His smile, though somehow hesitate as if foreign to him , seemed to transform his features and she could not help but find herself responding in kind. The smile that touched her lips reflected in her eyes and she found herself curious to know more about him.


22:15, Today: Sadina, on behalf of Mariasha, rolled 16 using 1d20.  perception.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:17, Wed 10 Aug 2016.

" I am afraid I can offer little in the way of knowledge in return" Anu admitted his  smile seemed a bit less forced as he  spoke." I am a warrior so what I know is mostly in the way of war. My... obligations to the Empire have left little time for scholarly pursuits"

as he spoke his hand moved to where the insignia of a Janissary one been affixed. Now bare except for the outline that hadn't faded yet. He moved his hand away quickly as he caught himself in a reflex gesture.

"I am familiar with the city and  the lands around it. I would be happy to offer my assistance in finding your way about.The city is grand but it can be confusing to new arrivals."

Perceptions

OOC
00:46, Today: Anu rolled 18 using 1d20+10.  perception.

In reply to Anu (msg # 24):

Anu Paused and then knelt down to pick up the ragged looking kitten. Gently stroking it to keep it calm as he moved to brush away the matted fur fro te tiny jewel it wore.

"An odd jewel." Anu commented his attention torn away from conversation by the gem." After the last... adventure, I am leery of the hidden and out of place "

"so little ragamuffin where did you come by this bauble?"


Perhaps too leery after the assassins and Fey Anu did not touch the gem or the collar it was attached to instead he turned the kitten to Show it to Mariasha and Brother Galen. Putting out a hand to still anyone who might reach toward it."Is it my imagination or is this jewel...odd?"

Mariasha was about to say thank you for his kind offer of showing her the city when a ragged little ball of fur diverted both of their attentions. The twinkle of something caught in its fur had caught her eye but it was Anu who bent to scoop the little scamp up. She rose from her sit to get a better look at the bauble he pointed out careful not touch it, his caution duly noted.

Odd indeed... However, I am afraid that I am at a loss as to what it is. Perhaps, Brother Galen... She paused to turn and look at her friend.

Once all who passed posts I will post results of perception checks.

Stardancer was not sure exactly who the other people were, having never met them.  However she had hardly ever let that stop her from meeting them.  Still she was under the impression that the manor and island was for the companions.  "Hello..I am Stardancer.  Who are you?" she asked with a calm smile.  She kept calm hoping they were not a threat to her, Rinaldo, or her friends.  She wanted to follow up with 'why are you here', but thought it may have been rude to ask

 She bent closer to lilbug and studied the cat closely, frowning slightly. She didn't offer to touch the collar, but she did notice 3 very regular tiny round holes in each ear as well. One hole was ripped out and scabbed over with a faint odor of chaos around it, as if it were trying to get infected. There were 5 other holes, and a tiny clasp was tangled in the hair on the cats head. She reached out and softly rubbed the cat behind the ears, slowly and gently teasing out the clasp that seemed to have come from a tiny ear ring perhaps.

 "Well well dear little one. What has become of your owner? Have you become lost perhaps? Did you fall out of a window or a caravan by chance? It seems as if someone has cared very much for you, that they gave you an ear ring or maybe more than one, and mayhaps a matching collar? Is there a story you can tell us if we discover how to ask?"

Rinaldo Scyffia at yer service Lady Mariasha." Rinaldo stood close to Stardancer, a hand moving to her side as he spoke. We weren't expecting anyone else to be in residence. Will you be joining our little band of merry misfits?"

And if so Welcome to the Menagerie, we have Ladies, Lords, slaves, dashing rogues, glowering warriors, and an ample supply of scruffy little furballs." He finished with a flourish ad a bow.

"Speaking of which why has this little fellow drawn the attention of our resident guard dog."

"Lady Fairaday is most certainly correct," Brother Galen answered his friend in turn.  "This beautiful animal is owned by someone who cares deeply about his welfare.  Perhaps there is someone in the city who seeks him even now, saddened by his loss.  It would be right to inquire around, for he belongs with his family, that is clear.  The Lady is also right in that this story seems incomplete.  If he was so well cared for, why is he lost and alone?  Only by finding his owner can all be understood and made right."

Kneeling respectfully once more, lilbug bowed his head to his wise Mistress.  "Please my beloved Mistress will you allow me to help our friends to find this poor cat's owner?  I cannot bear the thought of someone pining for their lost pet, it is too great a sorrow to imagine him being parted from his Mistress...um, or Master of course."

Upon entering the manor, Crow immediately noticed a familiar face sitting at one of the tables.  He quickly hurried over to greet his friend, "Brother Galen, it's been a while, hasn't it?  It's good to see you again."

Crow remembered the last time he met Brother Galen at the temple.  The seven stringed zither he received from the monk was slung across his back.  The instrument had served him well and he was grateful for the gift.

The young bard had entered just in time to hear a bit of the conversation happening.  He glanced down, noticing the little kitten for the first time, whose owner was apparently still a mystery.  He wondered if perhaps there was a way to identify the little critter's owner.  Motoko would probably be better at doing something like that.

OOC:
17:17, Today: Crow Reeds rolled 13 using 1d20.
With Listen, that's 23.  With Spot, that's 14.

Shortly after Crow entered the Manor, Motoko stepped in through the entrance as well.  She was immediately awestruck by the beauty and size of the estate.  She told herself that she was going to live in one of the cottages no matter what, but she couldn't help but feel tempted to retract that statement.

Of course, she too had noticed Brother Galen at the table and walked over to greet the monk who gave her Tadashi and Shohenji.  Those two blades served her well over the course of their travels, especially against the dark fey.

"Brother Galen, it's been a while," Motoko bowed respectfully to the monk, palm clasped over fist in greeting.  "How have you been?"

The swordswoman immediately noticed that all attention was on the ragged looking kitten.  Felix, the other little kitten, sprang up from Motoko's arms and bounded down onto the floor.  The small critter glanced about, curious about this new environment.  He noticed the other kitten that had the attention of everyone else and immediately became curious.

Motoko walked over upon hearing that the mysterious kitten's owner was unknown.  She tilted her head thoughtfully as she examined the kitten, wondering if there was a way to identify its owner.

OOC:
17:33, Today: Motoko rolled 15 using 1d20.
With Listen, that's 19.  With Spot, that's 29.

 He enjoys the attention and the petting. ((He is actually a full grown tom cat with manners!)) When lilbug rubbed under his chin, he pressed his chin against his fingers with all his might. The jeweled collar was tangled in his somewhat matted hair and was pulling and itching. He was proud of his collar but he wished it wasn't tangled.

 "Meourrr Meh? Meh eh eh eh!"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:03, Thu 11 Aug 2016.

The others seemed to pay her no mind to her inquiry.  Rather than mope it was time better spend on other matters then.  She moved to the new rather bedraggled cat in her friends arms.  "It seems to be scratching himself quite a bit, and his fur is matted quite badly.  Let me fetch a bowl and water I have some herbs that may help him" She looked to find a basin to use, finding one in what looked to be the kitchens area.  Returning she poured some water in the bowl and used a few leaves that lots of oils in them and mixed them in the water , gathering a rag she dipped it in the water and wrung it out until it was damp.  "Here we go little one....This won't hurt you" she said quiet and gentle, rubbing about the head and neck.  She let the oils coat some of his fur, letting it loosen.  Only the toughest of tangle knots would remain, and they would be able to be easily cut.  "Easy, easy....be calm" she spoke to keep the animal from panicking.

Kneeling down beside Stardancer, lilbug watched as she carefully worked the mats free from the ragged tom's fur.  She was being very gentle and worked with practiced skill, so he did not interfere, especially since the poor cat did seem to appreciate it.

"Stardancer," he whispered to her very quietly.  "Can you carefully loosen his collar, and work it free, so we might examine it?  His name or his owner's or both could be inscribed there."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:26, Fri 12 Aug 2016.

He barely had time to smile towards Motoko and Stardancer as well, before the ragged kitty had warranted their attention.  The humble monk hoped he had not seemed rude.  That certainly was not his intention and he would apologize to them both later.   If there was one thing that Brother Galen was a master in, it was patience.  There would be time later for reunions and introductions.  It was more important by far to find the poor lost tom's owner and reunite them if possible.

And so he remained quiet as was right.  He would make certain to introduce himself and Mariasha, at the appropriate time.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:48, Fri 12 Aug 2016.

Xi watched carefully as the others fixated upon the animal.  A slim dagger she offered, to cut the fur...or the collar if need be.  "If this animal had an owner then perhaps we should see the owner first then decide if the tom should be returned....Such cruelty for a defenseless creature is intolerable."

Calm as the placid surface of the temple well... That is what Mariasha had to remind herself to keep her mind as so many strangers converged in one place. She did not want to appear rude by not responding and the situation at hand seemed to leave little opening at the moment. What was most important was the health and well being of the lost cat and it would seem the mystery that surrounded him.
She moved to offer what she could for the cat, but stepped back with a glad heart as the beautiful centaur took charge of the situation. Mariasha watched with interest and respect as Stardancer eased the tangled hair around the cat's collar.

What mysteries do you hide little one?... She mused as she watched quietly from the sidelines, on the edge of the little group a part of them and yet not.

 "I doubt anyone giving a pet such jewelry would be likely to mistreat it. Stardancer if you can work the collar free perhaps I can see who owns the poor dear. I fear misadventures or misfortune may have befallen him or his owner."

 She held her hand over the cats head briefly not touching him. She frowned and gave lilbug a glance then slid her eyes toward Brother Galen meeting his eyes a look of concern on her face.

 "Brother Galen, what news around the area? How have thing been going? We are new returned to town and have not had time yet to hear the news. How are people responding to Empress Sidi? Or the death of the Chancellor?"

 "Stardancer, would you mind sending out for a Broadsheet? Maybe we can find a clue in there. Crow or Motoko can go out to get one too if they would. There has to be an answer and the cat can't tell us."

 She considered sending lilbug out for one, but instead sent him into the kitchens to see about getting some tea and sandwiches for the people and some snacks for the cats.

"Lilbug, fetch us tea and sandwiches if you can. Fruits and cheeses, and something nice for the cats. Shaved meats and sliced cooked eggs."