With a new potion in her belt, next to another one quite like it, and her travelling supplies for catalysts and skin cream, as well as a couple other concoctions made and taken, Pipre was ready to receive her badge. She pinned it on the arm of her jacket, in a place under the stitching that looks made for just such a distinction. She is strangely proud of the badge, huffing on it and polishing it before applying it to herself.

She hears some interesting talk, and moves over to Prudence and Lex, the short pigtails she had put her hair in for the day bouncing jauntily. "I could use some new clothes," she says, "I'll put you in business." She sits down with Prudence to begin sketching out some ideas of the garments she wants, leaving some space over to the side for her measurements, "Maybe you should measure me, right?"

Among the designs are a couple of short, loose dresses- one design hangs from the shoulders and the other features a tall collar and lace ruffles down the front. There are also some small clothes, bikini-like tops and bottoms some made from delicate material and some made from more resistant material to be worn openly. A few varieties of stockings for the cooler months that would go up to the tops of her upper thighs, and with Lex there she also lays out some designs for new boots, finger-less leather gloves, and a leather jacket- similar in design to the jacket she wears, short in the front, a forked diamond tail in the back.

She even gets David in on it, designing metal accouterments that would strap onto the coat at the arms and hands and over the boots. She insists that the leather work be dyed black for uh, you know, camouflage or something.

Basically studded leather armor, but I don't like the goofy armor with little round pieces of metal on it, I would rather have leather reinforced with light armor plates that is functionally the same as the stats for studded leather. I'll sign over all 50gp for the everything, to make it all as nice as can be.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Tue 14 June 2016.

In reply to Zorah (msg # 128):

Lex brings Pru over to meet Zorah, but she departs to go train Wilson after a few minutes and some light pleasantries. Lex stays with Pru and the alchemist approaches them both with very ambitious designs. Lex is excited for more work and lets Pipre know, "I'll need some skins for the gloves boots and the leather portions of the armor and the plates from David. He'll probably need some raw materials as well. I can check with him and we'll put in an order with Borric. It might take us some time to get all of this together but I think we can manage. Would you give half of the coin up front to pay for materials and we'll take the rest when you return and see the progress?"

"I should have around fifty gold in credit and you can use as much of it as the designs require, all three of you. I'll make sure the right people know this is the case. If things aren't going to satisfaction when I return we can just alter things accordingly- that's how you get better at things, after all."

Unless I am mistaken and we have coins in hand, in which case she will hand them over. I'm okay with paying extra for nice clothes and all that.

The rest of Rook's day found him rather busy as he prepared for the next. His first concern was the writing supplies needed to map out the forest. He checked with Oleg to see if he had anything available, still unsure as to whether Bai would have the appropriate equipment. He also did his best to procure stationary to send a message to his family. It was short and messy, but he made sure to give them the location to Oleg and assured them he was well and working hard. He gave it along with 10 gold to the group travelling to Restov with a request to have it sent to his village.

Then he had to prepare for the forest. He didn't know anything about his new sword, but he was able to easily practice with the short bow. It was weaker than his original weapon, but it definitely made up for it by the ease of carry. He wondered how it would handle hunting and then realized he would have more than ample opportunity in the coming week. At the ceremony Rook takes the badge and gives his name, looking at it briefly before putting it away in a pouch. He appears much more interested in helping Svetlana serve the stew to everyone in the camp.

Ari'ta had remained absent for most of the day. At some point, she must have returned, as her mattress was made neat, and her bow and quiver had disappeared. Just before the investiture, she magically seemed to appear. It was clear she had bathed, her hair had been pulled back neatly, pulled so tightly from her face that not a spare hair dared stray from it's hold. Still drying, it curled in soft tendrils at the base of her spine. The only notable difference were the hollows that seemed to have appeared below her eyes and the slightly puffed edges, but she tried not to focus on a single person specifically. She took her badge, but said nothing of it. Much like Rook, it was tucked away and forgotten.

When it came time to eat, she'd been hesitant, especially when she noted Rook take a place with Svetlana. It meant no avoiding the situation, unless she asked someone else to get her food which would only raise more suspicions. Besides that, despite earlier, she had made a promise and she meant to keep it. There was only to hope her nerves were more controlled. She waited until she was one of the last to be served, held his gaze and whispered something for his ears only, then quickly moved on. She did her best to eat, really she did, but after a few meager bites, she abandoned further desire for food and instead offered to help wash dishes. She did so quietly, looking for no help, and working within what limits were allowed of her. It was something she'd always done at home, and though she eventually left to make room for others whose job included the dishes, she at least felt good in knowing she had helped in return for the food.

After a quick trip to the tower to relieve unwanted equipment, she moved outside, eager to make the most of what was left of the day.

-->Around Oleg's--->

Pru remained quiet, with wide, watchful eyes and a hopeful smile. She nodded pleasantly when spoken to, sometimes unable to get a word in edgewise thanks to the help of Lex, though to say it was embarrassing to hear such praise was certainly cutting it short. As Pipre speaks, Pru fishes into a pouch at her belt, pulling out a thin, long, rolled piece of cloth. To the naked eye, it looked like a blank line of thickened material, but removing a small sliver of coloring after it, she was able to make her measurements while Pipre moved about, calling others into the making including Lex. She smile over Pipre's head and she repeated her measurements for a second time, carefully notching and making a small mark near each mark to indicate what it related to. She liked the woman, she knew what she wanted and Pipre could easily find herself losing herself in designs of this fashion.

"Have you ever considered boning for your corsets?" Pru asked, looking over the design Pipre had made and indicating with finger the shape, "They offer more support and less wear on the back. Your clothes might last longer," as she considered the intricacies and details not seen in design.

The young cleric smiled as he helped dole out the stew to the numerous people now residing within and around the outpost. It was hard to imagine that less than a week ago it had only been the old couple trying to fend off a gang of bandits. And now here were many of the same bandits being fed by the pair. The warmth in him was tempered when he imagined how the two must feel after everything that had happened. Relief, I'm sure. But maybe also resentment or fear. He was distracted when he saw Aris'ta, barely registering the words until she had long moved on. Stammering noiselessly, he gestured at nothing and then returned to the work needed to clean up after the meal. After about an hour he left directly with a hand on the still foreign-feeling blade on his left hip.

> Around Oleg's

Pipre had taken off her coat and after the corset question she began sizing her waist up against her hips, there was quite a ratio of difference. "Well, I never had a nice one built for my body specifically. The ones I ever came into contact with either was too loose at the top or dug into my hips." She punctuated this by once more grabbing herself by the waist and then the hips. "And I do move around quite a lot." The petite, bottom-heavy alchemists twists thick red lips in thought, head tiltling slightly. "What do you think? You're quite pretty, I'd value your thoughts on the matter."

Pru grinned and admired the figure. It was a shame her work took her far and wide, Pru could easily have seen her flouncing around the main cities in outfits like this.

"You've had the wrong seamstress," Pru remarked, coming up behind Pipre and placing a hand on each hip, pressing down firmly before nodding. "They often make the the mistake of boning laterally too high. This creates friction on top. If we have one placed here" she indicated under one breast, " and here, " then the other, "You'll get a nice lift. The problem in your wait comes down to lacing error. The lines are crooked, you'll never get a good fit like this. " she pulls back and bites on her thumb, a design working on her mind.

Pipre scintillated at the firm grasps along her hips and her slender, soft rib area under her breasts. She knew she shouldn't be, that it was business, but hey, she was sensitive and those were pretty erogenous areas. She let out a long breath before continuing, turning and looking up at Prudence through long, feathery black eyelashes. "I've never had a seamstress," she admits. The fact that her shoes consist of cloth and thatch wrapping probably could have told anyone that. She lifts her half-eyebrow and a slight curl comes to the outer corner of her excessive lips, "I'd certainly be willing to try one for taste, though."

She excitedly relents to adding the boning to the designs.

25 on armor, 25 on clothes. Sounds legit.

"That was apparent, I just wanted to hear you concede to one." she grinned from ear to ear, "I think, Miss Pipre, this could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. " she says with another flash of her winning smile. "With any luck, we'll find a cobbler to fix up some dainty shoes to match the outfit I've planned for you. Then you'll be a sight for all eyes. Do you have any specifics of color?" she added quickly as an afterthought.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 05:21, Tue 14 June 2016.

"Taupe? It's kind of a grey purple." She gestures to parts of her coat where the purple of a noble's coat has worn down to a stained grey. She moves a little closer, sidling up next to the seamstress, "Speaking of beautiful relationships, were there any measurements we ought to do in private? I did ask for some pretty intimate things in those designs."

Pru has the grace to flush, but she collects herself well and nods her head. "Some would be a bit more uncomfortable for those of present company. If you wish me to get them now, I'd be happy to oblige. It's been awhile since I've been able to make nice things for people, especially the style you prefer. " she remarks, honestly.

Pipre was pink around the ears and bridge of her nose, as well, her dark eyes glittering and luminescent. She looked around the trading post, noticing activity everywhere. She stopped Svetlana politely, "Ah excuse me, is there anywhere private I could borrow? It would be scandalous to be walked in upon," she adds.

Svetlana looks at Oleg, who shrugs his acceptance, and then she shows Pipre and Prudence into a private office in  her house.

Lex considers offering to help with Pipre's shoes, but she seems much more interested in clothing and happy that Pru has found her first and very valuable customer, he moves on. He finds David and lets him know about the need for some armor plates and then asks Borric to pick up the leather and iron they will need to make the studded leather, boots and fingerless gloves Pipre showed him. He also mentioned that Borric should check with Pru before she leaves to find out if she needs any cloth and to take it out of Miss Pipre's line of credit.

After that he finds himself a bit tired but wants to see if he can learn any more animal tricks from Zorah before she leaves for a while so he follows her to the stable to see what she is up to.

Having spoken with David regarding the forge, Cyrus returns to the group he is going to be traveling with. He hears Lolli's warning about the Stag Lord and takes note of what she says about killing a man with a gauntlet and thinks they should steer clear of him for a while until they are better equipped. He wonders if they are even traveling in the direction of his base, or if he has one, he asks Lolli if she knows where his base of operations is before turning his mind to other topics of interest.

Despite his earlier words, Perch is a bit disappointed in the lack of ceremony around the investiture, but of course is too much of a gentleman to let even a hint of that show, instead showing good grace as he collects his badge and makes sure his name is spelled correctly.

The rest of the evening passes pleasantly enough, though he politely declines any final calls for orders for items to be fetched back from Restov.  The stew is certainly tasty and the honey cakes after a pleasant treat.

Andalon enjoys the simple ceremony and is obviously very pleased to receive his deputy's badge from Henry. He fastens the badge onto his studded leather armour just above his heart.

Then he talks to the guys going to Restov for supplies. He asks them to obtain the particular inks, paper and pens he will require to scribe some clerical scrolls. If they can only get some of them from the temple of Abadar in Restov they will need to quote his name and explain that they are for his own personal use to obtain trade prices on the deal. He wants them to use all of his 50gp share of the treasure on these purchases.

Having kept quiet and to herself for most of the evening Bai sat apart from the group shifting from writing in her journal to eating spoonfuls of the stew. Every few minutes she's stop and finger the badge she'd received. It was a reminder of how, in her opinion, things were supposed to work. If a person was going to set about asserting their will as law, they should be appointed to that position. The anarchy that seemed to fill the lands out here, and to some extent the outpost around her, grated at her. Getting away from the outpost would probably do her some good. She muttered to herself and put her hand to her temple, rubbing.

When she'd had her fill of the stew the small woman stood up and return the bowl to Svetlana, smiling politely. "That was quite good, I'd love it if you'd be able to show me the recipe sometime." With that she went looking for Jack, she'd made a short shopping list and hadn't seen him do much. If he was going to be working for her, he should be working and perhaps this trip Restov would be a good way to put him to work. When she found him she pulled him to the side and gave him a paper as well as a small pouch of coins. Finally satisfied with what she'd done she made her way to the tower she slept in and prepared for bed.

"Thank you." Svetlana smiles back at Bai's complement.

Valoria noted the badge, taking in the details of the thing before fastening the badge onto her black robes. She greatly enjoyed the rabbit and the bird meat as it was one of the best meal she had had in some time. She smiled and gave a nod to Cyrus as he lift the table. She made note to show Pipre some spells as she requested. Still, that would have to wait until later.

She looked over to her cousin and spoke about something he would enjoy, business.  “Cousin, I was thinking of having five gold pieces of my share moved over to you. That should pay for the next few times the group needs healing. If that is agreeable?” She paused and quickly moved onto the next topic. “How did your talk with  Cyrus go? Well I hope?”

--------------
NEW DAY
--------------

After breakfast the various expeditions set out.  Bai leading one group of deputies southwards, Andalon leading another group to the east.  Borric leaves soon after with Oleg and Rusty driving the wagons, Jack riding along as a passenger, and Adoven bringing up the rear.  Then finally Tib and Big Job leave - However they are on foot leading a horse with a pack saddle, their aim is to fetch back enough game to keep Svetlana’s kitchen running for a while.

Then Henry calls everyone who remains behind to the tables by the fire.

”While Oleg and Svetlana are kind enough to allow us to stay here, it is beholden on us to provide something in return.  Some of you are aware of my plans already, but for the rest of you, this will all be new.  I have given my word that that we will help repair and improve the outpost, and you, as you prove your worth to society, are going to fulfil that promise for me.  We have already started to make the four corner towers habitable and, during this next week, I want to see that job completed.  Under Lex’s supervision you will install a floor half way up and fill in the wall gaps with timber.  I expect the basic construction to be finished by the end of the week, although we will have to use a lot of green timber to complete it in that time.  Rikka will oversee work schedules and specifics, Lex is responsible for overseeing the construction, Brother Bart will deal with issues, concerns and administration – as well as any spiritual concerns that you might have.

Zach, I understand that you have experience with horses and stables, so you will be responsible for the horses and corral as well.  Anderson, I heard that you made the blinds and hurdles for your previous camp, and I will ask you to put those same talents to use when you are working on the buildings or helping out strengthening the corral.  Prudence, you will help Svetlana out when she needs it.  In between times, you will all be have some time to work on your own projects and tasks.

Keston and his men will help out as well, but they are also responsible for patrolling and policing the area, so if they ask you to do something please be cooperative.”

---

OOC:  This is here primarily as a scene setter for those NPCs left behind.  If two player controlled NPCs wish to RP they can – if both participants want to.  Ask if you want something serious from a DM controlled NPC :)

You may use 'empty' locations for NPC / NPC encounters.

PCs in those locations - just one or two posts to close those session out so you can go 'exploring'
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:34, Wed 15 June 2016.

In reply to Valoria der lin Lebeda (msg # 150):

Andalon bowed to his cousin as he accepted her offer.

"Thank you, Valoria. Your donation is greatly appreciated and will cover those occasions when no one else remembers to thank Abadar appropriately. Cyrus did indeed speak to me and I will say the same to you as I did to him. I have no right to say yea or nay in that matter but would certainly give my blessing, as long as both parties are in accord."

He smiled at her and stepped forward to embrace her, then kissed her on the cheek before stepping back again.

In reply to DM (msg # 151):

Lex almost jumped when he heard Henry mention his name in his announcement after the deputies had left. He'd been put in charge of the construction efforts. He'd been put in charge...

He thought for a minute about what his dad would do. His dad had been such a good teacher. He'd shown Lex how to carve wood frames, how to cut wood and leather, to measure twice, three times when it really mattered, how to sew leather. What had he done that had made it so easy to learn from him...

Lex was in charge of building a new level in each of the towers. They would need stairs to get to the second level as well. He had a week to do that. He guessed once they did one, the other three would be easy. But he couldn't assume that...

He thought about how he'd approached the saddle for Zorah. He still needed to finish that. Would he have time for that and Pipre's studded leather armor all while building all of these levels...

He looked up and the others had scattered.

He had to keep it simple. That's what his father had done. He'd kept things simple. He broke it down into the smallest steps and then he took them. One by one.

With that realization, Lex took off for the first tower. His first step, was to see the space the new floor would go. Were the walls straight or curved ever so slightly? Was the width of the room the same on both ends or had the builders widened or narrowed the walls as they worked? Did the walls go straight up or did the lean in or out? All of this mattered in building a new level...

After pacing the interior of the tower, twisting his body in numerous odd angles and poses to get answers to his questions, after sketching out the placement of the stairs and the hole that would be needed as an entry to the new level, Lex felt satisfied with his work and walked back over to Svetlana hoping to find Pru. She knew a sketch and he thought she might be able to tell him if he'd forgotten something. He also wanted to hear what the final arrangement was she'd reached with deputy Pipre. That conversation had gotten away from him when he'd left to put in the order for the leathers and iron for the plates...