Stark held back while Zi questioned the botanist. He could wait. He leaned against the wall and fished around in his jacket pocket. He smiled and pulled out a cigar. He bit the end off and then fished in other pockets for a match.

 Nessa watts came over to Elsa the scent of chocholate and rasberries waftin on the air as she started brewing her preparations for her own experiments. the senior student was a few years younger than most." Good moning miss Slosberg. I see they have you busy to day." She smiled and then frowned as she read the notes she had taken.

Al joined Stark leaning against the wall. He grimaced a little as he pulled out the cigar, and moved himself further away from the man. Taking out one of the knives from his belt and began cleaning and sharpening it.

Stark lifted one of his boots and struck the match to light on it. He lit the cigar with relish and puffed out a circle of smoke that drifted towards the ceiling. Ahhhhhh, nothing like a good cigar, he thought. It was finer than he could afford but the commission he'd delivered to a judge last week had offered him a few after they'd discussed the merits of a fine stoogie. The judge certainly had excellent taste in his opinion.

  " Well No the exidition is an unrealted matter. I have certain tasks I must complete before I am free to "indulge in personal matters"." Rosh replied with a hint of bitterness." I would happily be willing to allow you to examine the masks if they are recovered. I hoped to finish with this expidition, and secure more reliable assistance in finding the men who took them as soon as possible."

Elsa smiled and nodded at Ms. Watts- the student's intelligence having given the room a sweet-smell that made Elsa crave...well, her lunch.

"Good day, Ms. Watts. Yes- a bit more busy that usual..."

She paused as she noticed the expression on the student.

"...is there something wrong?"

Zi processed the information that Rosh had and looked back at the other two.   Returning his attention to Rosh Zi continues "Please provide any relevant facts discovered so far.  I will require access to the scene of the murder and a list of any changes made since then.  If any other investigators have been used their names and locations would be useful.  This makes the assumption you feel they have value to add to my research."

Clearly listening in on the conversation, Stark raised an eyebrow and blew another voluminous ring into the air. There's always more to the story, he thought.

  " I'm afraid I really don't have much ot go on. My father was killed in the street by two men who stole his belongings. He was going to his Office her on campus with the masks to show them to an associate." Rosh spoke with a good deal of difficulty and bitterness.
  " I have retained a private investigator but he has not returned from a trip to a nearby island where he hoped to speak with an informant. I spoke with his secretary and she says he took the files with him. In the main time I have been occupying my time with my duties. I was hoping he would retunr while i was in the field and I could speak wtih him then."
    He motioned to the group, including Allisair and Stark, with only a slight glance to his escort who seemd to be watching the exchange with interest.

  "I'd be happy to engage your services in the main time. If for nothing else to assist in my studies while we await Mister Jorg's return and assist me since my students are well, talented but not seasoned researchers. I can pay your fees, That is no problem our family has funds from several investemnts over the years and owns shares in a shipping concern hear on the island."

  " I can discuss the masks with you in the main time and show you what notes I have. My father was quite taken with them and had done considerable study into thier origins and several odd qualities the mask showed.  I have enough room at my home for the team to stay until the Expidition leaves and I would enjoy having guests if you all are willing to stay. I'm sure the food and accomidations are more comfortable than the Chapter house."

Zi’ha’na considers the proposal before responding.  “What is the nature of your studies?  While my abilities at research are well rounded, my skills pertain not to botany.  In regards to the investigation, I could also review the local authority report on the crime.  The information you have on the masks I would like to review, as well as any insights you have to on the items.  You may consider me at your disposal.  I will need to have my things moved from the chapter house with your approval.”  Zi nods his head and steps back slightly.

 Nessa handed the notes to Elsa the writing smeared with what looked like jam. The formula was partially obliterated with several key componants missing.
  " I can't figure out what the formula is for, and this formula looks unstable. Can you figure out what it is.?" Nessa asked looking up with a smile as she asked for helpp. " chemistry is not my strong suit. I mesed u last semester and accidently created something that smell like rotten eggs and bad milk....it stunk up the lab for days."

Ah, yes. The "Brimstone in a Bottle" incident. Elsa knew for a fact that some of the more mischevious students had copied the formula that Ms. Watts created to be used in their own pranks.

She nodded.

"Its nothing to be shamed of- I'm sure with some more study such, ah, incidents won't happen again. In the meantime, let me look at the equation..."

Elsa moved to Ms. Watts and stuck her hand out. The smell of Raspberries and Chocolate was...quite noticeable.

 Nessa hands her the formula and then looks sheepish." I admit, It was funny to see the expression on Master Wallecks face but since then he looks at me very..harshly." Nessa looked at Elsa for a moment. then raised an eyebrow. It's a new perfume my mother gave me. It's not very good, but she thought it maid me small less like a chemical vat. I'm really not sure rosewater and lavender is my scent."


OOC: the formua is a complex solvent used for cleaning bones and other organic materials. It is very unstable if prepared incorrectly.

Chemistry Check 20 to brew correctly without the proper notes..

She nodded, as if that was why she was smelling the student.

"I was curious about the scent. Well, I'm no expert. Though, have you tried essence of coco and raspberries? I think they would suit you quite well."

Elsa frowned as she looked at the notes. Her area of expertise was in Alchemicals, rather than actual production chemistry itself (though she hoped to attend classes some day). However, she knew the theoretical groundwork and so she got to working it out...

[Private to GM: Well, Elsa has Knowledge: Physical Science at +16 which she could use to decipher the formula...and Craft: Alchemical to craft the formula or give it to the student to make herself if that wouldn't work. With the formula, Ms. Watts should be able to craft it herself.

Also, please feel free to roll the dice.]

In reply to Zi'ha'na (msg #27):

With Zi stepping back, Stark pushed off of the wall and took a step towards the botanist. He pulled the cigar out of his mouth and held it in his left hand.

"Sir," he said in a gravelly-voiced drawl, "I believe you posted a commission for a pilot at the Traveller's Chapter House. I would like to learn the particulars of the job if you've still a mind to make the journey. I believe that the young gentleman here is also interested but pursues matters more martial than I."

Alisdair, seeing that Stark had introduced him already, stood up and saluted.
"Alisdair Valentine, sharpshooter. I heard you might want some armed backup. My expertise is in long-range tactical elimination, but I can hold my own in a gunfight or a melee. If any of these skills might be of use to you, I offer you my services."

" I am a botanist, I specialize on mobile, and carnivorous varieties. There have been some reports of unusual activities in the gardens around The main island and I was selected to head up an investigative team to determine the nature of the abnormal flora."

     Ah excellent, I would appreciate an educated opinion on the information we have available." Rosh wrote down an address and instructions to his staff to allow Zi'na'ha into the house.
  "As to the expedition I need a pilot willing to deal with several swarms of largish Gadflies that have taken up residence. They are unusually aggressive and have attacked craft in the area. I feel it might be wise to secure a pilot who has his own armed aircraft to deal wit the airborne menace since these gadflies are at least three hundred kilos and have inured several armed men recently.
  Which is also why I have been allowed enough budget to secure an armed escort who has weapons suitable to large aggressive creatures. If we encounter any aggressive plant life I can deal with those. It's the aggressive animals I can't deal with alone...It's not my area of expertise."

Zi'ha'na nods to Rosh as he takes the note.  "I will await you at your residence and begin any research needed at your discretion." Zi turns and heads for the door.  As he reaches it he stops and turns again.  "Thank you for the opportunity to review what you have." Thinking of no further pleasantries he heads out of the academy and back towards the streets.

In reply to The Creator (msg #34):

"Well, sir, the gun I currently use primarily was designed to take down elephants at range. I should expect it would be powerful and accurate enough to take out most animals. And, though I do not wish to oversell myself, I am skilled enough with it to take out most animal that might seek to attack you. I have all my equipment back at the Chapter House, should you wish to inspect it."

He shook his head. Bess was a good vanship, fast and agile, but she was no fighting vessel. Sure, he'd flown one years ago in the military but that seemed a lifetime ago... Hell, it had been a lifetime ago. He wasn't the same man now, thank God. Swarms of giant insects, Bess wasn't equipped for that or for multiple passengers. One, maybe two small at the most...

"Unless you have some sort of university flieger, a vanship isn't going to cut it for a job like this," Stark said pointing at Rosh with his stogie.

  "I've secured a Skiff for transport, I don't know if I can afford a Flieger on the budget I have, but I do have access to a heavy vanship it should be enough for the job."<blue> Rosh spoke up after a moment. <blue> It's a newer model military Vanship, It's equipped with heavy guns so it should be faster and better armed than your own ship."
  "I have little experience with standard firearms I will leave the decisions on their fitness to your judgement, after all it is you who will be in the most peril if firearms are called for." He replied to Alisdair with a slight apologetic smile" If you were asking about herbicides, flame dispensers or defoliants I might be able to help."

---

Nessa smiled slightly as Elsa suggested a scent." I've always liked rassberry essence. though my mother insists it isn't refined enough for a Lady.
  She looked at the formula and scrunched her nose. slightly. "this isn't that complex after all. I guess he was in a hurry, he always scrawls when he is trying to get out of the class room."

"Flame dispensers?" Al raised an eyebrow, his face showing genuine interest, "I would be quite interested in seeing those, although I don't know how capable I would be with them. If you do wish to hire me, I would be most interested in learning what your offensive capacities already are."

He didn't like the idea of leaving Bess behind but he liked less the idea of bugs poking holes her.

"What does this dangerous venture rate for pay? You'd have us risk life and limb... my time for such risk doesn't come cheap," he responded to Rosh.

  I have a 500 geld per man budget, with sufficent supplies and an expense account for fuel, ammunition expenditures." Rosh seemed hapy that the subject had progressed to the subject of pay." If the expidition proves to reveal anything of scientific or practical value I happily share any proceeds from our efforts."

Elsa just smiled and nodded as Nessa spoke of her mother and the various acceptable and unacceptable scents. The truth was that, while Elsa had a very good sense of smell, the scent of people tended to overpower any perfume. And so, she had little idea of what was acceptable or not for smells.

After giving the completed equation, Elsa just smiled.

"Yes, well....Professors do tend to be busy people."

And then she went back to her own work. She had been asked to, after all.