Xurizu considers.  "Perhaps we are better sticking together.  Two people are better at vouching than one," he concedes just before the groups of workers hove into view.  Xurizu decides that a mining clerk such as himself would be best to find a similarly skilled worker to walk in with, as dangerous as that might be from a revelatory point of view.  A clerk shouldn't hang out with miners, after all.  Therefore, satchel in hand, he stepped out of the shadows and almost right into one of the few clerks coming into the conclave, one close to, although obviously not grouping with, several groups of miners to give Nanaret and Dashu all the choice they might want, and to keep him close enough to vouch for Dashu when they reached the checkpoint.

"Oh...I am sorry," he apologised to the man he had almost sent over.  "I just didn't see you there.  I'm Jenci," he said, picking the name of one of the few childhood friends he remembered.  His voice raised for just a few moments, to let that carry to Nanaret and Dashu.  He was sure both of them had skill in keeping stories straight, and would remember it.  "I haven't seen you here before ..."
[Private to Gatekeeper: Just trying for a straight Manip + Presence roll as I insert myself into a group, making the conversation all about the other person :)  Putting 3 dice in from the first excellency for a pool of 9 before stunt.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Mon 23 Feb 2009.

Nanaret watches the group of miners to ensure they are not immediately looking toward her direction. She stands up with Dashu and immediately starts walking, keeping pace with the men and women just getting off shift. Half-dragging Dashu along, she merges confidently into one of the groups just behind 'Jenci' and starts talking before either suspicion or bewilderment at their sudden appearance can set in.

"Man, I'm telling you, haven't seen men worked this hard since that silver vein a few years back," she starts off briskly 'in character', recalling the event from memory. Improvising, Nanaret doesn't go for exact facts, just talks fast enough that people won't catch a mistake if she made one. "When was that, 81? 82? Everyone was doing overtime, graveyard shifts, might as well have thought the stuff would just disappear if you didn't pull it out fast enough. Shame, too, you never see even a fraction of the worth. Goes to the nobles or the militia, heh, you'd think we're going to war, but who'd be warring with us down here -- come on, Freidr, stop dragging your feet. I won't be doin' the work of two men 'cause of you, you loafer!" She smacks Dashu lightly on the head, figuring they could work out as they go why he's keeping his head hunched down. He could be tired, drunk, infirm or just plain dumb.

"Anyway, I'm Bryn and this fellow's Freidr. Used to work couple floors up, just got reassigned. We weren't always in mining, you know? We were more the packing side of things, but things are starting to get more mechanized, like with all those sentries about. We're not careful, all us miners might get replaced with robot miners and we'll all be out of a job! Haha... I mean, yeah, sounds good to start with but then where'll we get our vouchers and booze, eh?" As the checkpoint looms closer, Nanaret nudges at Dashu's ribs with a well-placed elbow. "All right bro, we're getting at the checkpoint, better be at your best behavior. Next you know they'll be asking for stripsearches too..." she mumbles, looking distinctly cross.

[Private to GM: I'm going for Manipulation+Performance. Basically, taking the role of a miner, trying to 'hide in plain sight' so to speak with superior acting and a deluge of words to misdirect attention. I'll use whatever stunt I get to pay for 2nd manip excellency.]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:04, Tue 24 Feb 2009.

Two Lunars misdirecting in tandem is more than enough to fool this group of mortal men. They don't so much as bat an eye and even seem welcoming of the newcomers in their midst. If anyone recognizes them, they certainly do not say it.

The man Xurizu had run into is wearing a dusty grey coat with a front pocket bearing a nametag: Evorn Cairen. He is a somewhat older man, brown haired, bespectacled. "Cairen is my name. Good to meet you, friend Jenci. Well, I've been working B25 nigh on 8 years, so I suppose you're new folk like that chatty one back there? Not a very good time to be transferring in if you ask me... Recent events have gotten the guard all jumpy. They'll be wanting identification that it looks like you don't have." He glances at Xurizu's breast, though it's not with any suspicion -- more sympathy.

The miners in Nanaret's group can hardly get a word in as she goes on, and on, and on. In any case, they are much more focused on her than on Dashu. A lot of what Nanaret says actually resonates with the laborers, and many of the grumble in assent at the truths she speaks, drawing them toward stronger solidarity. "More people disappearing lately, too," says a man somewhat behind Nanaret. "My brother, he got nabbed few days ago. I don't know what for, they just took him and he hasn't been back."

"Heh, it's hard to compete with machines," says another bitter-voiced miner toward Nanaret's right. "We've got more needs, and we've got minds that can think for ourselves."

"Shhh, fools!" hisses a third speaker. "We're getting close to the perimeter. Some of us like our quiet lives."

Dashu silently follows Nanaret's lead, hoping his charm would keep him from attacking too much attention.  He marks out the man who talked about his brother being taken in his head for questions later.  Knowing the reason for the increase in security would be wise.

[Private to GM: Deactivating Ebon Shadow Form since it's Obvious magic but I'm leaving the Easily Overlooked Presence up.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:17, Tue 24 Feb 2009.

Nanaret keeps up the conversation as far as she can stretch it, until she can see that people really aren't giving Dashu more than cursory attention.

"So, you folks are all old time workers in this place? Anything you think I oughta be careful about in the conclave? You know, temperamental foremen, local customs, that sorta thing. I figure I'll get some trouble at the gate, but don't we all? I mean what happens if you've got no ID, they send you to the firing squad?" She grins carelessly, no doubt making that nervous guy next to her even more nervous.

"Seriously though, who'm I supposed to ask for if I'm new in these parts?" Nanaret remembers the names Dashu gave earlier, but thinks she may as well double-check, especially if it helps makes her role more believable. "Think it's a fellow named Ironbeak?"

"H-hey, it's nothing like that. I mean. They'll just bring you in for questioning --"

"And never let you out!" adds the man who'd lost his brother. "I'd be careful if I were you. And yeah, it's Ironbeak for the newbies. Ummir is the master of the conclave, but he's an ass on his best da... ow." A jab from his friend silences him quickly. [Private to Peleps Dashu: The brother-less man's name is Vergun. He's squat, bit of a round belly, but looks strong as an ox. He has black hair and brown eyes.]

The Exalts find their group slowing down now that they near the checkpoint, where the laborers are being herded into single file. The four 'invisible' lookouts Xurizu sees on the rooftops haven't moved from their positions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:46, Wed 25 Feb 2009.

"Cairen," Xurizu nods, committing the name and face to memory.  "I wasn't told anything about any identification when I left but that might have been a while back ... you loose track sometimes, when you're moving, don't you?," Xurizu says.  "How long has this been going on?" he asks of his newfound friend as he listens to the tale Nanaret is spinning behind him, making sure to commit that to memory too.  Less chance of making a slip up, that way.  And she could give him context he'd never recall on his own.  While he's doing this, he tries not to glance too many times at the watchers, but keeping tabs on them is a priority.

Then he finds the line is slowing and the checkpoint getting closer.  Hmm, the scribe curious well above his pay-grade, that might work. he muses to himself.  The idea, of course, was to hold up the line enough that the next few people, Dashu included, would be ushered through quickly.  He readies a friendly, but nervous, smile.

The chattering between laborers quiet down considerably once they approach the checkpoint enough. Assembled in a single file, most of them wear a serious expression and walk docilely towards the detachment of soldiers, unwilling to risk their position - or worse - by appearing suspect in any way. Ahead, a group of five civilian guards, identifiable by their deep brown uniforms and dark berets bearing the crest of the Coils, handle the questioning of the workers. The interrogation proper seems to be handled by what appears to be the group's officer, judging by the gold trimmings adorning his uniform. He is the only one to speak, while the rest merely observe and act as deterrent. From this close, the Exalts can observe that they carry no visible lethal weapons, the only implement they seem to carry being truncheons hanging from their belts. Despite this fact, however, the mood is palpably fearful on the workers' side.

The silence and solemn nature of the situation seems to amplify every sound, from the shuffling of boots and clothes to the coughing of an older worker further down the line. Ahead, the voices of the guard officer and the interrogated workers seem to fill the void slightly, although it seems to build a sense of unpleasant anticipation in those whose turn will soon come.

Cairen adjusts his spectacles and lowers his head slightly, responding to Xurizu in a more hushed tone now. "That was set up in the past week, actually. Not everyone is used to it still, and as you can imagine, it didn't have a positive effect on people's morale. Those already paranoid are getting more so, and those who didn't use to be are starting to be afraid that the words of their brethren were true all along." He pauses, looking towards Xurizu for a moment. "You folks from above might not have heard, but down here, we heard that something happened in the district of Water below. They closed it off and keep traffic from traveling there, or so I heard."

"It's been quarantined." Corrects a woman behind them, the only female worker in their immediate group. She seems middle-aged, with cropped light brown hair, an imposing physique and a dour disposition. She raises a gloved hand to her leather cap, adjusting it as she speaks. "There's been some sort of epidemic down there, seems like. They didn't want it to spread, so they've closed the gates until they get the sickness under control." She pauses, regarding Xurizu and the new arrivals with a gaze reminiscent of that of a vulture.

"S'not all though. I hear there's been an intruder recently too." She says, her gruff voice making the matter-of-fact statement seems more harsh than it probably is. "Hasn't been confirmed yet, but there's whispers of it here and there. Just what we need, more to make these hardasses more suspicious of us." She shakes her head, but adds nothing else for now, given that their group is starting to get in line to pass the inspection themselves.

"You got that right," says Nanaret aloud, appearing to agree completely with the gruff older woman. Inwardly, she keeps the name 'Ironbeak' in mind, and 'Ummir' as one to avoid. "Entirely too much suspicion on us common folk just trying to make a living. 'Cause we were born without the Blood. Or born without station. Easy enough to point the finger at us when things go wrong."

"News don't travel far. You know how it is 'round here, they want to keep us dumb. They want to keep us occupied, stagnant. Like the saying goes. 'Easier to move down than up.' Unless you're tough enough to be a soldier, pretty enough to be a concubine, smart enough to work at a desk. Or one of the Chosen." The Lunar-in-disguise counts those off impertinently on her fingers, one by one, lingering on the word 'Chosen'. By speaking so openly and carelessly, she paints herself a fool running her mouth -- better a fool than a scapegoat. At the same time, though, she tries to 'innocently' test the laborers for reactions. What do they think of the Exalted, or their place in the world? "Then it just depends on what kind," Nanaret says, real hushed now that the line's slowed. "You're either on top or scraping bottom. Funny how power works, eh? It polarizes you and then you just have to be involved... by force or obligation...."

She continues to mutter to herself as she adjusts her cap and her outfit, nudging her 'brother' forward and glowering along with the other workers at the looming guards. Her 'transformation' is all but complete; she is fully into the character of Bryn, her commonly known personality fading. "Hmph, intruders... not as if anything can ever intrude when we're all walled in by metal and machines..."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Thu 26 Feb 2009.

"Closed off?" came the incredulous whisper.  "Never heard of them doing anything like that before.  A quarantine might do that though," 'Jenci' concedes, trying hard to make it seem like he had just been about to suggest that.  He evidently fancies himself to be a man of knowledge.  The key word being 'fancies'.  "Don't see how there can be an intruder though, there's too much metal and machinery around here," he speaks a little louder than 'Bryn', for the benefit of those who didn't hear her muttering.

And waited for his turn in the line.

"See, that's what I mean." The woman seems already a bit more amenable, her views seemingly similar to Bryn's. She puts herself in line as well, but she keeps voicing her opinion in whispers, now that she has already been riled up. "They take us for stupid, just 'cause we don't live with big books and fancy desk jobs. Like we'll swallow anything they'll tell us, just 'cause they say it. I don't care what they say, I'm not a dog that sits when it's told to sit. I don't care if you're a machine or a suit or even a Chosen. I don't do tricks."

The word 'Chosen' does bring some reactions in the crowd, reactions that Nanaret can then observe and gauge. Some workers seem to treat the mention as a bad omen in and of itself, muttering to themselves and looking over their shoulders as if Nanaret had just cursed them. Others shake their heads in quiet rage and indignation, visibly incredulous that such a strongly blasphemous concept be thrown around so casually. Yet, a number of workers seem not to have such strong reactions - instead, they seem to react rather mildly to the words.

"I worked with one." A male worker announces. He cannot be older than his early thirties, with unevenly cropped scarlet air and features that give the impression of a timid, honest fellow. The words he just uttered are quiet, and yet they carry the same effect as if someone had dropped a big piece of metal. Those in range of whispers immediately quiet down, and the shy fellow seems to have suddenly become the center of attention. "He was a collar-wearer, and he was working, just like us. Some of the other guys just treated him badly because of that, but he just did his job and kept quiet. Me and some of the boys, we ended up working directly with him on a few occasions. Didn't seem all that bad. I mean, he talked like a normal fellow, and he didn't seem all that different from us, really. Was trapped just like any of us is. Maybe worse, in a way, 'cause so many are giving them the dirty eye."

"Watch your mouth, you fool!" Suddenly, the timid fellow gets elbowed from behind by a taller fellow with dirty blonde hair and a healthy growth of stubble. "You're so gullible. It's cause of people like you that those devils can get what they want. But see, that's the thing - that demon looked like you because at the time, he was like you! He didn't have any of his powers, 'cause those collars shut them off. So of course he was meek and stuff. You can bet he'd have been different if he didn't have that thing on. If you'd seen him then, you wouldn't have confused him with a human! There's a reason why these things are shackled. They destroyed the world above! And it's because of people like you that they get their way!" Another fellow immediately intervenes before a fight breaks out, leading the red-headed man to start staring at the ground meekly, remaining silent and avoiding eye contact with others.

Meanwhile, Cairen looks towards the checkpoint, and responds to Xurizu with a small smile. "Oh, I think there's ways, if you're industrious enough. I mean, they're not infallible, right? They just want to make us sheep believe so." He adjusts his spectacles for a moment, removing them once he spots a blotch of grease on them. "As much as I hate this sort of situation, there's still a part of me that wouldn't mind seeing someone owning up to them, even if just once. But you know, I'm not a lad anymore. That sort of stuff is only good for novels."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:03, Fri 27 Feb 2009.

Dashu had been quietly observing all the actions and reactions of the workers while at the same time, trying to go completely unnoticed in this crowd.  If it was "him", these guards were looking for, then it was him in a different disguise.  Granted it had been entirely a makeshift one, but he had disguised the color of his hair and blurred some of his facial features so he had no doubt that between his disguises and his new trick, he would pass mostly unnoticed as long as he didn't draw any attention to himself.

When Nanaret had mentions the Chosen, he keeps a straight face and tries to give no one reason to suspect that the new comers were all just that.  He also keeps quiet instead of making any comments on the subject despite wanting to try to dispel thoughts.  He wasn't good at changing opinions of others and he needed people to not be looking at him.

He tried to relax.  He knew from his experience in the Peace Corp. that those people who looked uncomfortable usually got the most attention from the authority figures... unless everone looked uncomfortable.  Then it was the ones who were relaxed.  The nail that sticks up is the nail which gets hammered.  Regardless, Dashu tried to look very much like a tired, slightly disgruntled worker who had little to fear from a what has been instated as a routine checkpoint and fully expected to just be waived on through without any reason for being detained any longer than the others.

Satisfied enough with having riled up the miners this way, Nanaret mostly keeps quiet as well. She grins at the older woman, though, whispering a few last comments her way. "You must be real tough if you've survived this long with that attitude. That's a compliment! Me, I'm just hoping not to piss anyone off here on my first day in B25. Makin' waves just isn't so appealing when you're on an empty stomach..."

That said, she follows suit with Dashu and Xurizu, waiting serenely for the guards to interact with them. She tries to secure a place in the line close to Xurizu for herself and her 'brother', too. With luck, the miners' obvious unrest will distract the people at the checkpoint enough to make them just a little less watchful in general.

The older woman chuckles silently. That's the only way to start out, if you're smart. When you start not having to worry so much about your meals and the roof over your head, that's when you start to think of other things. When you're my age, it's going to be all you think about. She turns around, glancing back towards Bryn before resetting her gaze towards the checkpoint. Name's Hilde. the woman whispers, without looking back. Seek me out once you're in there if you ever feel like it. I'll show you the ropes.

At this point, the Exalts are close enough to be put into the file proper - Xurizu, Nanaret and Dashu, preceded by Cairen and Hilde. The whole process gives the impression of a somber procession, everyone falling deathly silent once they stand behind one another. Glance of sympathy are sent the way of the trio lacking IDs - some in a fashion that plainly states that they pity them, or have an attitude of 'better you guys than me'. Others seem more sympathetic to the situation, perhaps also remembering their first interrogation when the checkpoint was established prior. In any case, the new arrivals did manage to leave an impression on the workers. Many times, sharing a burden seems to create bonds, and perhaps that is what the established workers see in the trio: similar folks who happen the same sort of fate, and thus to whom they can immediately relate.

Questioning continues without incident, the line ahead shrinking until it is time for Cairen to go, and soon after Hilde is called. Individuals walk alone towards the checkpoint, where the officer in charge issues questions proper. Two guards stand on either side of him, keeping an eye on candidates while they are being questioned. The line proper stops about eight or ten feet from the checkpoint proper, and the last two guards keep the file from crossing a line marker that has been traced to mark the perimeter of the waiting area.

While the Exalts wait, one of the guards inspects the newcomers, noticing their lack of IDs and looking over them more closely. He is a short, stocky fellow with an uneven goatee and unpleasant brown eyes, and he walks with more importance that his position should grant. "You." He says, sweeping his truncheon towards the three, and tracing a circle in the air as if meaning to ensnare all of them in an imaginary fence. "You don't have proper identification." He states, as if his discovery is an accomplishment worthy of the world's best detectives. "You'll have to go together and clear this case with the Officer." Once again, even though he is only stating the obvious, his tone would almost suggest that he somehow imparted some breakthrough information upon them.

Ahead, Hilde is allowed through, and the officer makes a sweeping gesture signaling the next in line to come in. At this, the guard repeats the gesture to the three Exalts, indicating for them to advance to the checkpoint. Once they have approached enough, the Officer in charge raises a hand to indicate them they have come far enough. The man has black shoulder length hair, tied carefully in a ponytail, and calm but very serious features.

"Well." He starts, after examining the three in turn. "I trust that you are aware of the procedure implemented in this area at the present time. You lack proper identification - but you must have an explanation for this, yes? It would not be a very smart move to walk up here without one. So now, let us hear it. One at a time. And in a concise manner. There are other people carrying proper identification waiting to get inside."

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu; Peleps Dashu; Saina Nanaret: Okay, you're now at the Checkpoint proper, so it's time to make your case. The initial statements will likely color the rest of the conversation, so give it your all! You can consult each other briefly OOC as to the way you will handle this, but  ICly, you are likely going to have to run with the ball and hope the others catch the cues. Good luck!]

Hmm... Hilde. A name could lead to something more. But first, to deal with immediate problem.

"Greetings, Officer." Nanaret says with the utmost of respect she does not feel, making sure to look at the badges of every one of the checkpoint guards she encounters. Especially the one that's rather full of himself and stating the obvious, and the leader that has just asked them to explain themselves. "It's simple enough, sir. My brother Freidr and I -- my name's Bryn -- are transferring here from B23 and we've yet to get our IDs. We were told to go and speak to Ironbeak and so that's what we're doing."

A bold-faced lie, but a Lunar's lie may well be the truth, with how confidently and effortlessly she speaks it. She thinks of including 'Jenci' in her explanation, but since Xurizu is trying to appear more of a clerk she thinks he'd be better off without too close a relationship to the miners. The harder part of course would be how the men react to Dashu. She had some things in mind to make it impossible for them to question him, but decides against drawing over much attention to the man unless necessary.

Continuing to engage the guard's attention, Nanaret removes her cap, revealing a completely normal head of bluish-black hair. No monkey ears, no caste marks, nothing but honest grime on her brown complexion, typical of lower district folk. "We were told we'd have trouble at the gates. But they said Ironbeak would know what to do with us. We're real sorry to trouble you sirs." She hangs her head in a convincing show of remorse.

[Private to Loremaster: Using Mask of White Jade to defend against any attempts at lie detection, I'll use a WP if necessary.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:26, Sun 01 Mar 2009.

Dashu tries to look insinificant but really says nothing and lets Nanaret do the talking.  His hope that they simply didn't notice him in the crowd had failed but now he was going to act the part of her brother, and really it was common sense that at checkpoints, one person from a group do the talking.  He would react when spoken to directly but until then all he did was nod when Nanaret called him her brother and prepared several lines to go into more exposition if they seemed to not buy the story.

Dashu also made it a point to not make eye contact with the guards at this point.  He didn't look away from them, but he kept his head bowed in somewhat of a submissive posture with his hands clasped behind his back.  He tried his hardest to make himself look like the paragon of deference.  As much as he knew Peace Corp. training tried to teach its officers not to base its investigotions of suspects on these kinds of appearances, he knew all to often that young officers based their decisions on pride.  Those who acted respectful of their position would not be looked into as carefully as those who's body language conveyed the sense that they believed themselves the equal of the officer.  And while they hadn't been wearing the uniform, Dashu had recognized their training.

Due deference and letting Nanaret do the talking was Dashu's plan to avoid being inspected too closely.

"Well, I-" 'Jenci' started to say before 'Bryn' cut him off, and the naturally meek little scribe was forced to listen to her explanations.  He was obviously a little nervous at this checkpoint, at the need to explain himself, occasionally touching to the papers in his satchel for some reassurance, but it was the nervousness to be expected of any honest (and slightly nervous anyway) scribe to be caught at such a checkpoint.  Eventually though, 'Bryn' finishes her speaking.

"I'm um Jenci," Xurizu nodded.  "It's as er, miss. Bryn said.  I was transfered down from B23.  When I set off they just told me to report to um ... Ironbeak.  They didn't mention anything about um, checkpoints when I was leaving.  In the line they mentioned um .. intruders?  We're not in any danger are we?" he nervously patted his bag again.

"Not that eerr, we've seen anyon-" he immediately tried to be helpful.  And then realised the guard hadn't asked him about that.  He shut up, and waited for more questions.
[Private to GM: If rolls are needed, pool is 9 (with three excellency dice) before stunt.]

Nanaret's observation of the badges gives her the names of the five guards: The two guards next to the waiting line are called Bertram and Arjad - the latter being the one that seemed to be enjoying his position a little too much. Lionel and Dorian are the checkpoint guards. The officer himself is named Janek, although Nanaret cannot tell his actual rank by his badge alone.

"That's right, Ironbeak is the person to see. Once you are past the gates, that is. For now, we are the ones to decide whether or not you will even make it that far." The officer's voice carries a bit of an edge, but he does not seem to be threatening them... yet, anyways. Instead, he inscribes the names down on a form he carries, as well as some information the others cannot quite see.

"Bryn, Jenci, and... Freidr." The officer and soldiers' gaze does rest on the still silent brother for a moment observing his attitude and posture. "I see." The officer writes some more notes on his form, and the next moments pass in heavy, tense silence. Meanwhile, the other two guards continue to watch the group intently, their gaze unwavering.

The man lifts his head as 'Jenci' speaks up, and he watches him intently. Another moment passes, in tense silence, before he finally speaks again. "The checkpoint was built recently to deal with possible health issues that might be brought from other districts. We of the Peace Force have to move faster than the paperwork, for efficiency's sake." He pauses to scribble a few more observations, then continues speaking while writing. "We have to enforce the new laws even if certain people are still unaware of it, I am afraid."

He does lift his head up as Jenci mentions the intruder, however, and seems to watch him for another moment. He raises an eyebrow slightly, then smiles slightly as he write another short comment. "I would not believe everything I was told if I was you, mister Jenci. Miners spend so long in the dark that they often start to see things lurking in there." He smiles a bit at that, as do the two guards next to him. "You have nothing to fear, mister Jenci - as long as your story checks out, all will be well."

Officer Janek watches his sheet carefully, as if scanning to see if he has made any mistake or forgotten anything. His lips quiver slightly as he reads, but since he does not fully pronounces what is written on the sheet, the Exalt cannot tell exactly what is on there. "Well then." He says, after reviewing for a little moment. "Is there anything you would wish to ask to corroborate the statements given here, mister Freidr?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:05, Tue 03 Mar 2009.

Dashu tried his hardest to seem very meek was he replied, "Not really, sirs.  Bryn, pretty much said everything important... We're just here to do our part.  Didn't mean to cause a ruckus or anything.  An' I we've been feel'n fine." Nothing Dashu says is really a lie.  Nanaret did say what was important, they were there to do their part...in something at least, they didn't want to cause a ruckus, and they had been feeling healthy.  He just presented it in such a way that he thought the guards would find to be likable enough while maintaining the character of his disguise.

[Private to GM: Don't know if I'll have to roll but if so, I'm aiming for a charisma based roll of somekind so I'm avoiding lies and trying to put forth the character traits they would find to be socially acceptable given my disguise.]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:05, Mon 02 Mar 2009.

"He's a good man, my brother," Nanaret nods, smiling fondly down on 'Freidr' as she speaks on his behalf. "Never once done nothing wrong." Not necessarily a lie, other than the 'brother' part -- after all, Nanaret has no idea of Dashu's actual record, and with luck the guards here wouldn't either.

"Let me tell you a story, Officer..." And she segues into a long-winded tale about Freidr's good deeds, starting with a stranger who had been caught in a cave-in and trapped with his legs crushed. As Nanaret tells it, Freidr stayed with the man, bringing him food and water, keeping him talking to take his mind off the pain, encouraging him should he give into despair, until the machinery and manpower could be spared to free him. As she continues on to another anecdote (this one about a widow whose life savings was stolen, and Freidr's unprecedented generosity toward her), her eyes glow with a deep pride for the man she calls brother, and the honest but simple good deeds he has done.

The intent is of course, partially to bolster opinion about Freidr, but also to distract and misdirect the guards so they will be impatient enough to simply push them through.

[Private to Loremaster: I'll let you figure what is most appopriate... though I don't think this is an outright lie, but more of a fabricated story. So I'll probably go with Manipulation+Performance if I can. :) 10 dice + 3 sux bought with excellency. I'll get back motes with whatever stunt I may get.]

Officer Janek listens intently to both Janci and Bryn's stories, his features unreadable the whole way through. He purses his lips as both relate their parts, and once again, he takes a few notes as Bryn relates her anecdotes concerning her brother. In time, however, he does let his gaze stray from the talkative woman to the line behind her, then back at Bryn.

After a while, he starts scribbling once more, and clears his throat before interrupting Bryn's recollections. "I believe that will be enough, thank you." He finally says, finishing his writing and tearing off the page. "Your story seems to be in order, so I will be handing you your Checkpoint confirmation. You have to hand it over to Ironbeak, or he will not give your your ID. It is your proof that you passed the checkpoint." He hands the piece of paper over to Bryn, but pulls it back when she reaches to grab it.

"Do remember, however, that you are still newcomers. You have passed the Checkpoint and are allowed in, but you better keep in line once inside. Make one misstep, and you'll be hearing from me again sooner than you would like, I am certain. Do I make myself clear?" He waits for the assent, then hands the paper back to Bryn, and signal for them to cross over.

"Welcome to the B25 Laborer's Conclave." He recites in a monotonous tone, now writing again. "Next!"

The conclave proper is not necessarily an impressive affair as it is a convenient one. Rugged and functional, its plainly cut buildings almost seem to merge with the cavernous landscape, a grimy portrait in almost monochrome tones. From rough estimates, it seems that the settlement could house several hundreds people, perhaps a thousand if pushing. The sound of people talking, boots on hard stone, clanking metal and rolling wood - all become amplified by the gigantic cave in which the settlement sits, mixing the cacophony ahead into a mishmash of various tones and timbres.

Not many workers are actually congregated in the square at this moment. Those who are seem to be paying little attention to the newly arrived trio, instead conducting their business without much gawking around. From here, many options are open to the Exalts.

Ironbeak's office stands close to the checkpoint entrance, and is marked by a plaque on the wall next to a heavy mahogany door. Further ahead, they can spot the more luxurious-looking B25 Foreman's Office, sitting next to double doors who apparently to some sort of common room or mess hall. Further down, a couple shops can be spotted - one is a Mining Supply Store, while the other seems to be a distributor for food, drugs and alcohol. Close to the shop is a humble looking building that bears a white sign upon which is painted, in stark letters, 'Information Center'.

On the western side of the square, a squat round building stands. The lintel bearing the mon of Pasiap, as well as the Immaculate monks standing in proximity seem to indicate that the building is a temple. It would be impossible to tell otherwise, the structure almost indistinguishable from the rest of the habitations scattered around the conclave.

From here, where to go and how to proceed rests solely on 'Bryn', 'Jenci' and 'Freidr'.
[Private to Saina Nanaret: You got a +2 Stunt for your last post, so you can recover 4 motes or a Willpower as requested.]
[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: You got a +2 Stunt for your last post, so you can recover 4 motes or a willpower as you see fit.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:16, Tue 03 Mar 2009.

"I understand, Officer Janek," is Nanaret's immediate reply when she accepts the paper the man gives her. "Thank you." She commits his name and that of the other guards to memory. Keeping track of names is something important, whether she uses it to enhance the authenticity of her character, or to point out who to blame should the guards have made a blunder.

When she, Xurizu and Dashu have stepped toward the interior of the Conclave, Nanaret exhales a deep breath, then straightens her back purposefully. Though they have surmounted the most difficult part of entering the Conclave, the dark-haired 'miner' does not let down her guard. Janek had very nearly suspected them, and so she expects the man would have some way to keep an eye on them. Even if not, always better to give the people around them as little as possible to find suspicious.

"I think we should go straight to this Ironbeak, first... deliver our paperwork." She points out the form in her hand, which she guesses includes checkpoint confirmation for all three of them. "Once we have our identification we won't have to deal with the guards so much. Only problem is..." Nanaret waits until they have moved out of direct line of sight of the checkpoint guards, who appear preoccupied with the next set of laborers. She leans casually against a nearby building to appear as if she is conversing quietly with friends. "We must act as workers here to keep IDs valid. Means we must really work, and show up regularly at whatever job we are assigned to. And keep minimal our association with the others. Maybe even better if only one of us go back to report after IDs are gotten, then return... what do you think?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:06, Tue 03 Mar 2009.

Now that they were out of earshot of the guards, Dashu spoke in a whisper to his two friends.  "We'll do what we have to... lets face it, with this sort of security, we might not get another chance at coming back here.  If we stay then we need to work.  If we leave, they'll notice and our disguises will be useless in keeping us from suspicion.  When we left, our general plan was to just present ourselves as unremarkable workers.  Now we have names, notable faces, a backstory, jobs, and personalities.  We aren't unremarkable anymore.  The sooner we can fade into obscurity, the better.  Maybe the bookkeeping is lax when it comes to keeping track of who's in what shift, but even then, that can only take us so far.  From here on in, we have pretty much one shot at it so lets make it count.  We go get our I.D.'s first, but after that lets get to gathering intelligence, if this takes time, then we'll put then we'll put in, but we need to do this right the first time."  Dashu then turns and begins to make his way towards Ironbeak's office.  Once the papers were out of the way, he fully intended to find his mark from earlier and find out about what the guards were doing.  He also knew that he needed to help Xurizu find his answers as well.

Nanaret frowns slightly. "The IDs we will get mean we can come and go for short time, at least, until our documents are examined in detail. I still think is best to return at least once. I will go. Otherwise our friends wonder where we go, and they come after us, not good."

"A shame to not have friend in higher place who give us permanent identity." The wiry, dark-haired woman shakes her head slightly. Well, nothing to do about it for now. Even if Dashu insists on staying, she could return to inform the others they would be in deep cover for a time, if need be. Just one quick excursion there and back; as long as she keeps an eye out for any sentries trailing her, she is confident she can make it. And if she is discovered -- Dashu and Xurizu would still be in the Conclave, and she could distract whoever discovered her from finding their camp. Better her than everyone.

Silently Nanaret resolves herself to this course of action, and follows Dashu to meet with Ironbeak.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:40, Wed 04 Mar 2009.

"That sounds like a good idea, 'Bryn'," Dashu says with a small smile.  "We'll come up with a rendezvous point and time before you leave."