"Mm, they're a little new, as far as I know... They go far out on the Black Road, visiting battlefields from the war, trying to curse Amber or something like that? They all wear robes... They've been passing through here more often lately..."

"That is interesting I didn't know about them. Yes let's just put me in robes like that. That sounds good !" She smiles.

Thelik leads Allura to what appears to be a clothing shop. "Um, let's go in here," he says, "and just ask about the robes, and those that wear them... But use your inhuman form, okay? This guy thinks he's a ladies' man... We'll be more likely to get more information out of him that way..."

Goes in, in demon form.

"Say there! What can I do for YO-- oh, Thelik, too! Is this lovely lady a friend of yours, Thelik...?" The speaker is an adult Chaosite, looking about 22 years in human age, House unknown. He's got black hair and a pencil-thin mustache... he seems a bit greasy, though...

"Yeah," says Thelik. "She's a friend of mine. Listen, Charv, she's got a slightly unusual request..." Thelik looks at Allura like go on, ask 'im.

(Charming roll, plz)

"I am looking to attend a costume party and I need a black road robe as part of my costume, you wouldn't happen to have an authentic one would you ?" Smiling.



13:28, Today: Allura Caryx rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Charming.

Charv does indeed seem charmed by Allura's wiles. "I can get a Pilgrim robe for you, certainly... A black one, or one of the others?"

"I didn't know there were other colors," says Thelik. "I've only seen the black ones around here."

"Oh, yes, there are a few colors," says Charv. He glances at Allura... which is interesting. What the glance says is do you want to explain it, or do you want me to, or neither?

And what that means is that while Charv wants to help Allura in whatever way or ways she might allow, he doesn't actually believe her about the costume party. Charv thinks that Allura just wants a Black Road Pilgrim robe for her own purposes that she doesn't want Thelik to know about (and, one cannot stress this enough, Charv is fine with that).

So-- once again-- Charv is really asking Allura do you want to tell the boy what you know about the Pilgrim robes, or do you want me to, or do you not want him to know more than he already knows at all?

"Go on, you can explain Charv. I'm not surprised Thelik here doesn't know beyond the black robes."  Of course Allura didn't know a second ago but is glad she does now.

"Well. Yes. The black robes are kind of the lowest level, but there are others. The black robe Pilgrims, I know, travel specifically to battle sites from the War, collecting, I don't know, some sort of magical energy? Necromantic, I guess maybe? And I know that there are red-robed pilgrims who travel the Black Road collecting something else... I've heard tell that there are ivory-colored robes, too, but I know the least about them. From what I understand, all this is for the purpose of putting some sort of new curse on the Amberites. I admit that my knowledge of it is somewhat vague, but then again, I'm not actually one of the Pilgrims."

"Do you have red robes, I don't want to presume ivory."

"Certainly, I can get you a red one..." Charv quickly goes in the back of the shop. He isn't gone long before he brings out a deep crimson red robe made of some thick material that isn't velvet, but feels about as soft and luxurious. "Here you go..."

"How much would I owe you for this Charv ? Ah it even feels nice."

Runs her hands over it and tries it on covering herself with the hood.

"For you? Ah... let's say just... four blue crystals, and you promise to come in here again soon...?"

Thelik must think this is a fair price, because he immediately hands over four blue crystals.

"I do enjoy shopping, sounds good. Thank you Thelik." She adds as he pays for it right away.

Allura keeps the robes on after trying them on.

"How do I look Charv,  do I look like I would fit in among the Pilgrims ?"

"Certainly," says Charv. He seems just a little nervous, not sure if Allura really is a Pilgrim testing him in some way, or if she's really going to try to infiltrate them as part of some scheme. He's slightly anxious either way.

Allura inclines her head.

"Let's go Thelik, I think we are done here."

Thelik leads the way back out of the shop. "What now?" he asks.

"We meet your friends and check on this murderer, see if they have heard the name."

"Yeah, all right." Thelik leads the way back to the place where they talked to the demon named Safos. Thelik stops Allura outside. "Now, which form you wear is up to you... I also have no idea if you should wear the robe or not... although it really only fits your inhuman form right... but my advice when you ask about this guy is to really, um... don't be afraid to be just a little emotional-- just a little. Like you really want revenge for Squig. Demons love revenge-- they understand it, and appreciate it."

(When you go in and talk to Safos the demon bartender, roll Charming to ask about the assassin's name...)

Allura goes in without the robe in demon form and goes to Safros. She will be emotional as she mentions the killer and wanting revenge.


10:30, Today: Allura Caryx rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Charming.

"...Janos is bad news," says Safros. "This sounds like House Sawall stuff. Serious stuff. ...I can tell you want to get involved in this, but... are you sure you're ready? I mean... no offense, lady, but you seem... a little young. Maybe as young as th' kid, here. And don't think I'm holdin' out for crystals. I'm not. I'm... thinkin' maybe this is over your head? I mean... is it just you an' Thelik here? Or do you have an army in your back pocket 'r somethin'?"

"How serious ? I want to do something but I need as much info as I can get."

"...Just saying... You're Chaosites... but you're young... I don't want to say that two of you might not be a match for even a very capable demon... But... what happens if you know too much? If House Sawall decides that what happened to Squig should happen to you?" Safos eyes Thelik. "What with your father and all, you might be safe... but you might not, either," he says to Thelik. "I'm just saying, are you sure you both have to keep heading in the direction you're heading?"

Looks to Thelik.

"Is it the danger? Is that it? That's why you don't want to tell us? Isn't there some way for her to get her revenge without it having to be so dangerous?" Thelik asks.

Safos stands and wipes down the bar for a good five minutes, thinking. Thelik just lets him think.

"...All right," Safos finally says. "I've thought of a way. The danger is in two forms: Janos is a badass, and even if you nail him, you don't want House Sawall on your asses after that. So here's what you do. Safos is the kind of demon who doesn't do well in sunlight. That's why you mustn't jump him here. You should lure him to some world that has a sun that's up. That means the Black Road. Jump 'im when he's in a world with a sun out-- for best results, think of a way to lure him off the Black Road and into the sunlight at the same time, though that'll be even harder... not as hard as tryin' t' take him at night or in darkness, though. If you succeed in taking him out, then House Sawall shouldn't have any way of blaming you two for it-- if you're lucky, they'll have no idea where he disappeared to."