Swift looks at the kid "I have to say I have never been much of a fisherman. I don't think I could sit that still for so long." she says as she shifts back and forth.

Haakon smiles, "That is true Swift, but if entertainers and street vendors also gather there, then it may be a place to visit.  Perhaps they have Phoenician food.  I've heard it's lovely."

"Aye, I would not mind going to see it. Maybe we can arrange it sometime if the Lady approves. I do love entertainment. And to dance, not that I am particularly good" she says with a smile.

With the dangerous talk temporarily quelled by the boy, Florian let the volume he played that offensively cheery tune slack.  Even with the verbal insurgent temporarily distracted, Florian doubted very much that talks of fish would distract Armeus for long.  If luck was with them all, no prying ears had caught the earlier bout of dissent, but none who knew the city should take that luck for granted.

So, Florian lied, and yet he spun it so well.  He pretended to be genuinely happy.

Lowering his pipes, he gave Armeus's shoulder a jovial squeeze and flashed a wide - and rare - grin.  "I feel like music, sir.  They tell me it's rude not to pay the piper, so I would take my fee from you in dance.  There was a lady who mentioned dance to me...."

The faun quickly glanced around the room, finally gesturing at Gondioque with his pipes.  "There she is!"

Gondioque awaits a response to her possible gig question.

[What did they call a gig before the 1920s? I think the use comes from harpoon...to spear a fish]

The remaining family members of House Palantus do not understand what Gondioque is talking about, and defer whatever issue it is to the new members.

"Attendants are no longer our concern," Armeus explains, "and we shall be leaving shortly anyway, no time to make any new hires into the house."

They chose a luncheon for the event as the ship is leaving on the afternoon tide.  It's the start of a voyage that will take over a month.

Remus thinks that Swift and Haakon... and anyone else... should go to the Breakwater.  It's one of the nicer places.  There are other places to go to for fun in Massilia, but they are more adult fun and less young fun, so he doesn't see them as fun.  There's the beach just west of the Pharo, for example.  It has a big tavern with entertainment.  But it's a place just rich people to.  The Breakwater area is for everyone.  And the beach north of it, but that doesn't have the advantage of lighting.

Remus wonders if there is anything else he might tell about Massilia before he goes.  Not that he's been everywhere.. but he's had some time in the town.  So has Florian, really, but Remus has had it as a child of a free, upper class human family and has had substantially more freedom.

In reply to Florian (msg # 78):

She looks at Florian "I can dance a little if you want to strike up a tune. I am fine with going where ever everyone else wants to go too"

Seeing that time is short, Remus decides there are a few things he's picked up that he must pass on, other than the Breakwater area.

First, a lot of the poorer humans, especially those in the northeast area of the city, make offerings not at the temples but at the aqueduct reservoir.  They say that there are gods who listen here, and not at the temples, because the temples are controlled by Orcs.  They also say that people have signs in the water there, so they know it's true.

Pressed to elaborate on "signs" all Remus can say is "You know... things."


He also has some advice on the areas in and around old burial grounds and cemeteries.  The old ghosts there sometimes still watch over their families.  Therefore, if you want to go there, or even very close to one for some reason, especially at night, it is good to have someone along with an ancestor buried there.

Haakon makes a note to go to both the Breakwater and the Aqueduct.  He is not very religious but signs are important, in his experience, always.

"So are we going to the Breakwater then? That should be interesting" she says as she looks around.

Why not? Gondioque replies.

[I don't know about the availability of a horse or carriage to rent.]

Early afternoon, and a messenger informs the Palantus's that their ship is waiting.

"Fairwell, so long, goodbye!"

"Best of luck!"

"We left you some smoked duck in the pantry, and a few bottles of Italian elderberry wine!"

And then they are off, leaving the party in possession of the townhouse, the warehouse, the books... and the future of House Palantus trading operations in Europe.

DRAFT

Gondioque picks up the document that cedes all assets (and maybe liabilities) of House Palantus to those at the luncheon. She reads it aloud.

Haakon, you doubtless have some business experience. I enlisted one Druk, an able Oc, to start a messenger service...and maybe a conveyor of small packages. I think he should be involved in this. Also, we met Titus Mercator on the boat. He's quite able, and I think he should be kept informed. For now, that's all I have to say.

Haakon nodded, "I have some.  I used to run a shop in Besontio until I sold it.  I also set up the Burgundy Highway Patrol along with a gnome called Tinker Dee Tall and it was a while ago but I think Titus Mercator may have been involved as well.  I'm not that much of an expert though.  Couldn't we hire a Computantis?"

To Swift he said, "Let's go to the breakwater as soon as possible, but let's get the business locked down first, shall we?"

She grins at Haakon "Well, I am use to unlocking things but I can help. Lets get it done so we can head out."

OOC:

Some of the party would like to visit the breakwater!  So, it will be a new thread.  But all I need to know is the timing:

Would they be visiting:

As Soon as Possible  (Drop the luncheon and hurry over!)

Later on in the day  (Why waste the food?)

Evening  (That is when it turns into the fun hub for Massilia, especially at dusk)


Tomorrow  (Why rush?)

Gondioque thinks the group shoudl have lunch, discuss any business, and try to contact Titus (ties to House Mercator) and Druk (NPC). Then  Breakwater in the evening after discussing what to do in case of provocation or other trouble.

Florian tapped his hoof shyly at the stones.  With the family departing and hopefully the boisterous drunk settling, his role was currently coming in to function, or he would otherwise have been elsewhere.  "If you would like, after we lunch I can show you around....  I'm supposed to help you get settled.  But I won't rush you."

Despite any strain he may have felt from playing or especially playing loudly, the faun seemed quite...resilient.

Thank you, Florian. All this is quite a surprise, and the more information we can gather this afternoon, the better.

Those who've interacted with Gondioque probably notice that she's treating Florian, in this context, as a familiar colleague, an equal.

My plan is to visit the breakwater when it's the fun hub (evening) that's the point in visiting.

Anyone wanting to skip ahead to the Breakwater may hop on over to the Breakwater By Evening thread, which has been revised for said purpose.

Gondioque will suggest a carriage with instructions to wait. She also want to contact, if possible, Titus before the evening.

Gondikoque looks around her. Her question about finding Titus hangs in the air.

Sure, when ever everyone else wants to go.

Gondioque finds out that the business of House Palantus is bound up with that of House Mercator, so she goes to House Mercator along with whoever wishes to go. Finding that neither Paulus nor Titus is there, she goes in search of them.