"I try to avoid wine myself. It... doesn't agree with me." the Brawler replied with a gesture of one hand. The glint of steel, gold, and platinum giving it a true baroque impression as she moved towards the table at her host's invitation. The soft tread of boot solid and practical in the way of her school and style. The grace equally practical and, in a way, brutal in the way of some great hunting canine rather than the prized feline grace of the edged schools.

"Not that I'd turn it down." she added as she gently lifted and pulled the chair back. That worming impression of some noble heritage working it's way into the back of Alessandro's mind as she seated herself, quietly glanced over the arrangement of utensils, plates, and glasses with a practiced sort of awareness of each's purpose and place in the course of a meal.

"I'm glad someone enjoyed the show. Most don't care for the... aesthetic of the School. It's too variable and doesn't have that same sort of elegance they always like to ascribe to the Steels. I could probably show you a half dozen other brawlers and they'd all have their own equally unique way of fighting. Lawless as anywhere else." she offered with a chuckle that some again somewhere between noblewoman and good humored dock hand.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:55, Fri 13 Apr 2018.

"Its not their ability or lack there of to heel to the law I find interesting.", Alessandro replied as he picked up the utensils beside his plate.

"To be frank I've only really paid attention to the Brawlers since that impressive display against Sir DuBois. I can see why traditionalists of the Steels might be bothered by your style's unorthodoxy but its that same difference which intrigued me. It made for a very interesting match-up and a lively part of an otherwise dull evening." Alessandro replies with an answering smile as he cut into his dinner.

"My own style is more orthodox. Twin shortblades of the Coltello affilato."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Fri 13 Apr 2018.

"Tradition has always been a tightly held thing for us even when we like to present ourselves as lively and dynamic. My family doesn't really approve of my associations." Chiara offered with a faint chuckle as she continued through the meal with all the grace of a proper noble woman and not the scarred and reconstructed woman that she was in the instant. There was certainly the impressions of an interesting story to her as she glanced up in response to the declaration of his style.

"May I ask which master you trained under? I've known a few to prefer two short steels. One even so luck as to foul up my left arm by embedding the blade just so." she offered in a remarkably candid demonstration with the point of her knife. "I've had my maestro somewhat alter the design after a bit of, ahem, a discussion." Chiara added with a laugh and a small gesture of hand to emphasize the understatement.

Alessandro chuckles at Chiara's story, "I've heard of maestro's going out of business because they stubbornly cling to their 20 year old designs...as some rising star dislodges them with their new designs! I am not surprised to hear this."

Pouring more wine for himself and whatever the Brawler fancies he waves his cup around wine splashing in his enthusiasm, as he imitates his club's shield of crossed vertical and horizontal daggers, "My master is Stelio Barsotti, a knife-fighting dockhand whose skill with a knife is too good for the aristocracy to ignore! He's all fancy and polite these days but get him drunk an he cusses like the stevedore he used to be! He'll never admit it while sober though."

"I like the dueling daggers. The hand guard makes a handy set of brass knuckles when you need them."

"A man who lives by the sword's liable to die by it. A maestro isn't any different with their designs. I was afraid I'd actually have to hit him over the head with the fruits of his own labor." Chiara elaborated with a laugh that had that same mix of proper nobility and some good natured dock hand. It was clear enough that unlike most she seemed to have a broad circle in which to strut and run when it came to station and character.

"I think I've had a chance to rub shoulders with him actually... Yes, he called me a clock work thug! I had to usher out half my hangers on before things got, well, out of hand. A word can sting but knives and fists do a better job of it." the Woman added with a careful sip of wine. The motions of her arms still seemed precise but there was just a hint of sluggishness there. Exaggerated almost as if the alcohol was having an affect far earlier than it ought to. Her diction, however, remained clear and eyes bright and focused.

A gesture was made towards her nose with an extension of one pinky.

"Been on the receiving end of that... Upward angle too. Few extra degrees and wouldn't be sitting here talking."

 ""You saved many lives that day!", Alessandro rejoined with good humor , "Master Barsotti is exceedingly proud of his school and his good sense disappears in proportion to the number of cups he has had!

Chiara's notable difficulties, subtle as they were, becomes apparent to the Godbound's perceptions as the conversation continues. Alessandro puzzled on the matter before guessing it was a conflict of the wine with the efficacy of her prosthesis. Unfortunate but such extensive alterations to a person's body was likely to result in unintended consequences. Well...no matter. Chiara was evidently clear-headed.

When Chiara draws attention to her nose's past encounter with a knife-fighter's basket he nods in understanding. Broken noses were a common training accident among Barsotti's school, underscoring how effective it was in close quarters. She had indeed been lucky.

"No doubt! But you sit here and you have survived more than your fair share of encounters if your reputation is anything to go by. Skill more than luck sustains you!", Alessandro says while downing the last of his wine. He felt the turning of the hour and could see the growing fatigue in loyal Leobardo. It was time to let him clean up and retire for the evening. Turning to his guest he adds, " I've not had so many encounters but consider myself a fair representative of Master Barsotti's school. Would you indulge me in a contest of arms?"

"If you'd like though I'd like to know the terms first?" the woman replied with a thoughtful frown as she set down the glass and gently worked the fingers of one mechanical hand. The faint clicks audible across the table as she forced a certain alacrity back into the limb that alcohol had seemed to play havoc with. Her manner remained affable though in the moment as she kept an eye on Alessandro even as she continued to quietly check over her prosthetic limbs.

Alessandro bounces up from the table, waving for Leobardo to clear the dishes. Affection is clear in his voice as he waits for his guest to join him. "Let's let Leobardo clean up and retire for the evening. He's had a long day."

"Just a test of skill. Nothing too serious, Chiara. Plus I'd like to show you something if you will follow me."

The evening is sultry as Alessandro leads his guest down the stairs and out of the big house's sidedoors into the estate gardens. Signs of recent renovation and renewal are everywhere in neatly stacked boxes of seed, tools, and other things needed to revive the garden's beauty. For now the garden was quiet with only the walnut trees arching overhead to lend a sussurus of leaves in the night breeze. Eventually the descend into the lower gardens down a paved path.

The freshly minted dueling halls gleam in the moonlight as a the central fountain in the taining yard merrily splashes water into its basin. A few lanterns set earlier cast a ruddy glow over the frescoes adorning the walls and pillars surrounding the sandy yard. Ancient saints and villains cast their empty eyed gaze upon the man and woman as they enter. A few boxes of equipment waited to be unpacked for the otherwise bare halls.

"I had this recently...uh...constructed. Its based on a ancient Patrian style but I found it suitable for a fighting style's main school."

Turning he gestures to the open yard. a touch of humor is in his voice. "As I said this is for fun. I'd rather not be perforated before going to bed."

Stopping at a rack loaded with a few practice weapons he draws two dueling 'daggers' and turns to Chiara.

The woman considered the arena with something like a thoughtful frown upon her features; measuring the place for the little hints of advantage that an environment might provide. It showed a shrewdness as she shrugged aside the outer jacket she wore to reveal the full extent of the clockwork arms. Each a work of art in their own right with careful etchings of steel, gold, and the black of some other exotic material that no doubt played an integral part in ensuring their integrity.

She bounced lightly from foot to foot then before removing her boots with a frown to reveal yet more of the same diligent clockwork. Each toe working individually with careful clicks of gear and cable. A hint of that familiar precision and alacrity returning as she no longer was taking in the wine but still just sluggish enough to present an edge to a skilled appoint. A fact she seemed to note with a soft sigh as she bounced again from foot to foot with what would be envious grace in one possessed of their original legs.

Eventually, she assumed a fighting stance with one hand beckoning her host to come at her.

Alessandro bounced on the balls of his feet while testing the weight of the practice blades. Satisfied with the balance of both he turns to face his opponent. Excellent training and experience from a few past duels allowed him to read Chiara's discomfort with the alcohol. Any remorse he might of found in the unasked for advantage is brushed aside under the purity of his focus. Only the fight mattered. Only how to defeat her.

A moment of balance holds between them and then Alessandro takes the woman's taunt and moves in a blur.

[Using Master level Stirfe fo the Bitter Rival: can roll twice and take the best number, and attack twice against a single opponent.]

07:05, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  2nd reroll.

07:05, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  2nd knife strike.

07:05, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  reroll 1.

07:04, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Knife strikes.

07:07, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 7 using 1d10+2.  2nd kinfe damage.

07:06, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 12 using 1d10+2.  1st knife damage.

Rolled a 21 and a 12 for strikes without her AC.

Damage is 4 damage for first knife strike and 2 for the 2nd damage.

The first practice knife connected with steel and sundry metals in a dull thud, the limb barely yielding but giving just enough to imply she had to flex with the blow. The second, though, went wide of it's mark as she hooked an arm in just before the full speed of the quick slash could develop and turned it off course with surprising strength of her own. The metal of her arms was cold and pitiless as she came back around. Her balance recovered and a hint of that mechanically precise speed and control evident as she weaved and moved.

It was clear enough, however, that whatever interaction between alcohol and her clock work limbs had transpired... It was still putting her off balance. That much showed in her features and the expression of frustration at her own imperfection as her blow was turned aside and her own quick foot work brought her back a pace to buy breathing room to get a better evaluation of her opponent.

The momentary pause lengthened as Alessandro allowed his opponent a chance to recover her footing. He could only admire her skill even as the exchange had clearly gone in his favor. It quelled any hesitation he had about his plan for the Brawlers.

He crouched in his knife fighter's crouch, the exotic grace imparted by his near fanatical training in the Strife of the Bitter Rival evident in every movement. It was time. Moving with fierce speed he moved under his opponent's metallic guard with his stabbing practice knives. This time his opponent proved a tougher nut to crack.

6:39, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  2nd reroll.

16:39, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  2nd Strike.

16:39, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  1st reroll.

16:38, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  1st strike.

Pretty sure i missed.

Chiara was still feeling out her opponent and it was showing. There wasn't quite the aggression one might expect of a brawler but an almost measured, surgical quality as she snapped out low suddenly with her leg after a quick spring forward. There was a deceptive amount of commitment but when she failed to find traction against Alessandro's own defenses and agility. She retreated again... but not so far back this time. Her estimations after that initial hit slowly dialing in as she had a greater sense of his striking power and ability.

A rapid series of cunning feints draw Chiara out of her defensive posture enough to strike a telling blow.

21:58, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 6 using 1d10+2.  2nd Damage.

21:58, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 6 using 1d10+2.  1st damage.

21:57, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  2nd reroll.

21:57, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  2nd strike.

21:56, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  1st reroll.

21:56, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  1st strike.

Each strike did 2 HD of damage if they hit.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:00, Fri 18 May 2018.

Another thud, another limp swept aside. It seemed she was still soundly off her game even as limbs built up speed and the impression of momentum showed through. She didn't seem panicked, however, to her credit... Just blunted and perhaps a fraction frustrated with the way things were playing out. The sudden speed, however, came as a surprise as two rapid punches met against Alessandro's fancy footwork. Almost catching him off guard but just a fraction too sluggish to actually put him on the back foot.

Alessandro has seen enough now and raises his weapons with a elated grin at the sharp contest,"Enough! I've seen enough!"

Panting slightly he nods,"You live up to your previous example. I'm impressed."

The Brawler bounced back lightly on her feet and began to look over the extent of her clock work limbs for a moment. An understandable gesture when one considered that unlike Alessandro's own... They would not simply heal with time if there was damage or defect.

"Your master's done well, I'll give him that but you've done a better job putting it to use." she added with a chuckle as she gently turned the gears in one arm with a steady click, click, click. She raised her right hand then and worked the fingers and seemed satisfied but to the perceptive eye there was still a slowness there.

"Thank you. I can say I've found reserves in myself of late that have greatly aided me in a trying time", responds Alessandro as he racks the practice weapons.

"But I think its time I come to the point of this evening." Alessandro turns to the Brawler as she checks her machinery. A sober expression replaces the excited duelist of earlier.

"As you have noted this training ground is rather large for a single son of nobility, at least one with any sense of modesty." Alessandro jokes before continuing on,"...thats because I had it built expressly to house a dueling master and their students. The place is fully furnished in the basic equipment."

"I am considering offering these grounds to you."

"Well that's the hook but may I ask the catch?" the Brawler asked with a canniness that was becoming of the woman as she finished her inspections of the self and relaxed into that easy posture once more. The mechanical limbs hanging at her sides with an unpleasant stillness that struck at odds against the natures and instincts of the flesh.

There was little point in wandering around the truth so Alessandro states bluntly,"I'm sure you asked around about my family and its fall from grace. I'm starting to turn that around but I'm running things with a barebones staff. A rising house will always need armsman to protect its people and interests and I'm hoping that you and some of your fellow Brawlers will see fit to be become da Vigo armsmen."

Alessandro paces about the exercise yard,"I'll pay well of course and return loyalty with loyalty. This facility will be available to your society of course but its useful as a means to see who is a good hire."

If you prefer not to join my house yourself that is entirely acceptable. I would just like your discretion and advice to those who would."

The brawler sniffed at the air, perhaps the only break in noble composure in the moment, as she considered that and glanced over the gym that had been set up. Her lips pressed into a smooth line in deliberation. She seemed one that preferred her freedom to whatever bonds of favours owed that played out between nobles.

"I'll take you up on it and pass the word along. We don't typically have big academies like the bladed schools, though... So don't expect a proper garrison out of me just yet. Bit more wits involved in beating a man with your fists than your blades." She offered with a moment's pause as she thumbed gently at the bare metal of one clock-work arm as if it would remove the scratch that seemed to have formed there.

Alessandro grants a short bow to the woman's decision,"I am delighted to here it. The training yard can  be accessed from the street entrance and you have the run of the lower gardens. We can work out details of payment for services at a more opportune time."

"You can contact me anytime. Leave a message with Leobardo if you can't contact me directly."

"I'll keep it in mind and try to keep it to a few of the more well heeled of them. A guard works best if people can respect their restraint as much as their ferocity. Or so father used to say." Chiara concluded with an amiable nature as she took in the sights around her and truly considered the nature of the arrangements. The thought was clear enough in her scarred features that she would have to step up the number of students she took under her wing else a lot of space was going to be wasted.

With a reminder to contact him if anything important comes up Alessandro leaves the handling of her new dojo to his staff for its more mundane aspects. With that out of the way Alessandro can now concentrate on the things he will need for his adventure into the wastes claimed by the Howlers.

[Alessandro uses Prophetic Insight to prophecy his Household, its people, and the new dojo and its students remain untroubled and prosperous during his absence (I understand that important NPCs or events can void this. Its just a bit of insurance).

Alessandro makes plans for the da Vigo estate to continue on its course, make arrangements with bankers and other necessary people, etc. Will make judicious use of Prophetic Insight to make sure things run smoothly.

Every day at sunset Alessandro will use the invocation Trumpet of Far Utterance
to contact Leobardo, or another if he is unable to be contacted, for reports and instructions on day to day operations that require his presence.

For the trip:
Camping gear, clothing, and other such goods for a month.
A substantial quantity of coin.
A number of texts dealing with Howler customs as well as the deep history of the area, including its ruined civilization.
Etc etc etc. ]

Prophecy was a tricky bit of work even for the godbound but all that Alessandro saw of his latest effort painted an encouraging picture even as he worked his sorcery to summon the loyal Leobardo to draw up a list of resources he'd need for the coming trip. A task the old stable master was well suited for so that by morning all was neatly arranged in saddle bags upon his loyal steed. The old horse nervously swishing at flies and stomping at the path as it waited for it's master to come and the adventure that was to come.