[7thsea] Bert says, "Log on."

[7thsea] GM asks, "Any questions before ggg gets here? XP, etc.?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "On my sheet it says '5xp (or 8?)' and I can't remember why"

[7thsea] GM says, "Ha."

[7thsea] GM asks, "In what context? Cost?"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Leftover?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "It really says 'SaporB'. You just have really bad handwriting."

[7thsea] GM says, "We decided at the end of last session that you all have gained 32 XP over the course of the adventure."

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "OK!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "And since the table says -24 in Remaining Hero points, that means I have currently 32-24=8xp left"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Was it decided whether we were going to elide or play the bit where Penelope meets Fulgencio and lets him go?"

[7thsea] GM says, "We can ask ggg if she has an opinion, but I prepared a thing in case."

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Talbert), "Mystery solved!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(although HP are not technically the same as XP, but if you've been keeping track, you'd be good."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "That's the idea, yeah, everytime I put in the xp cost of something it comes out as negative hero points because of how the table was set up"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Works for me!"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Was there a knack anyone wanted added to a skillset?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Maybe popcorn? Or some ginger snaps?"

Penelope arrives, looking for booty.

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Oh, wait. You said *k*nack."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Heya"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Yay!"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Hey!"

[7thsea] Talbert waves

[7thsea] GM says, "I'm pretty sure there's a song whose lyrics include "Heya yay hey""

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "So!"

GM exclaims, "When last we left our intrepid adventurers!"

GM says, "The Vago Trio had finally joined together again, managing to orchestrate a walkout of the more-civil Montaignian soldiers from the Infirmary just before it exploded--with Don Miguel underneath! But with enough time to escape."

GM says, "Don Miguel chased after and eventually caught up with the man who apparently set up the place to blow: one Fulgencio de la Mora, known to the Inquisition as a capable demolitionist, and known to the townspeople as a terrible human being. But when caught, Fulgencio demands to be released, as Penelope 'owes him some favors'."

[7thsea] GM says (to ggg), "If you're OK with it, we can start with a scene with you all and Fulgencio, where your backstory is revealed! To everyone including Penelope's player! But if you want to keep it vague we can do that, too."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Sure"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Great!"

[7thsea] GM asks, "But before that, a decision: it might be possible to claim that some or all of Talbert, Tristand, and others in the infirmary 'died' in the explosion, and secret them away to a safer location. Do you want to do that?"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Depends, were those guards who saw us traipse out killed?"

[7thsea] GM says, "They were not, but it was late at night and confusing, and many of you were in disguise."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Fair enough"

[7thsea] GM asks (of Talbert), "This most strongly affects you--do you want to be declared dead by the military, or not?"

[7thsea] GM asks (of Penelope), "And does Penelope want Tristand out?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Hmmm, on one hand Talbert is becoming more and more native, on the other hand he might lose value as a spy"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "On the gripping hand, he might get to attend his own funeral."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I like the idea, and I assume as an NPC, he can go either way. But I guess it was useful having an "in" with Talbert"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "So I'll leave it up to him"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I like the idea of leaving the musketeers (via fake death). That's one step closer to being with Floriana anyway ;)"

[7thsea] GM says, "You can mix and match if you like, too. Tristand and a couple others could be 'dead', and the rest survived."

[7thsea] GM says, "oooh, doing it for love is nice."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "indeed :)"

[7thsea] GM says, "OK, I like the idea of giving up your 'ins' with the musketeers in exchange for love enough that I'd be happy to give you both a drama die for it ;-)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Woo."

Talbert Yay!

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sold!"

GM tosses drama dice to Penelope and Talbert.

GM says, "In the confusion of the escape and explosion, Talbert, Tristand, and a few other soldiers who were more scared of further repercussions (seeing as they were already apparently targetted for assassination) slipped out the back with you, with the other few awake ones solemnly agreeing to cover for you."

GM says, "Scene one! An undisclosed Los Vagos safehouse. Don Miguel is there, in-mask, Talbert is in a generic mask in the background, and Penelope is there as herself."

[7thsea] GM says, "As for the meta-setting: Fulgencio's story is not news to Penelope, but is news to ggg. As such, she's still in charge of how much of Fulgencio's story is literally true vs. how much he's exaggerating vs. how much he's leaving out vs. how much is only true in his own head, and should feel free to come up with her own version of 'what really happened', either as we go via improv, or later on after thinking about it (or never, and it's just implied!) The upshot is that Penelope definitely owes Fulgencio some favors, but everyone has their own spin on that."

[7thsea] GM says, "Also keep in mind that Fulgencio has, from Penelope's perspective, changed over the years that she's known him, entirely for the worse, though he himself thinks of himself as unchanged."

Fulgencio peers into the backlit shadows of the safehouse, trying to discern outlines. "Penelope? Is that you?"

Penelope steps out, looking amazing as ever. "Fulgencio," She says, expressing about as much disdain in the name as one can.

Fulgencio lets out an involuntary 'phew' of a whistle of appreciation. "You always did know how to make an entrance."

Penelope asks, "What do you want, Fulgencio?"

Fulgencio exclaims, "I want you to let me go!"

Penelope says, "Even if we did let you go this time, favors eventually run out."

Penelope says, "And I don't control what the others do."

Fulgencio says, "Ha! And yet, I always seem to come out in front, wife of mine."

[7thsea] Penelope waits for shocked gasps or whatever from the others in the room.

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Or not :)"

[7thsea] GM says, "Hee"

Penelope says, "Every dog has its day, my darling *husband*." She practically hisses the final word.

Talbert holds up a quick sketch on his pad of Fulgencio on fire

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yay"

Fulgencio laughs again. "Oh, my, you're still as wonderful as ever. That night we ditched the Caligari was the most fun I've had with any woman, before or since. And we didn't even have sex! You remember the look on that porter's face?

Penelope permits herself an amused smile, but it doesn't reach the eyes.

Penelope says, "He'll never forget that night, and apparently I shant either, even if I try."

Fulgencio says, "Oh, it's worked out well enough for you. Nobody in town even knows we're together. I let you keep your stuff, you let me do what I want, sometimes you sleep with a priest to change his mind about condemning me as a heretic, and sometimes I save your life from one of your scummy clients. Mutual protection! It all works out."

Fulgencio says (to Penelope), "So, what about it, babe? I need to go report to my client before he spooks or fails to pay me. Hell, might even kill me. What do you say? Make it a slightly-more-even 5 to 4? This Vago chap seems a reasonable sort; you might not even have to sleep with him."

GM says (to Penelope), "He grins at you, and you struggle to not grind your teeth at him--you both know it'd actually be 6 to 4 in his favor, not just 5, and he's trying to get you to correct him in front of your allies. Or, worse, do you *another* favor by making them think you owe him less than you do."

Penelope says, "As I said. I don't control what he does. But I... will attempt to plead your case to him." She is being so sincere right now.

Fulgencio says, "Well, time's a-wastin'."

Fulgencio whistles off-key as the rest of you huddle out of hearing distance.

Penelope nods to the others. "Watch him like a hawk," she says to Talbert, and takes "Vago" to a dark corner.

DonMiguel's mask is, conveniently, expressionless.

Penelope drops her composure for a moment once we're out of sight/hearing distance.

[7thsea] GM says, "Ha, yay"

Penelope asks (of DonMiguel), "What do you want to do?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I imagine that he thinks he saved my life, but mostly he got in Ricco's way."

DonMiguel says (to Penelope), "I'd like to know more about who hired him. But it occurs to me that keeping him here and interrogating him might not be the best way to go about that."

DonMiguel says (to Penelope), "If we let him go, he might lead us straight to them."

Penelope nods. "That would certainly be helpful. And he would'nt even know to count it as a favor!"

[7thsea] GM says (to Penelope), "as long as the obligation is real, I'm happy with whatever. I thought he might have been involved in Ricco's backstory as well, which he also counts as leverage over you."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Makes sense"

DonMiguel asks, "..Penelope Should I send Floriana out, in disguise, to watch him when he leaves here?"

Penelope says, "That's a good plan."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(I'm not sure if it's actually plausible for any of the three of us to discreetly follow him ourselves without being spooted.)"

Penelope says, "You know, he wasn't always such a <something in Vodacce slang>."

DonMiguel says, "I wonder what caused him to change."

DonMiguel asks, "Is it true what he said, that the two of you are...?"

Penelope says, "Money, power. The desire for both. ...." She lowers her eyes and mumbles, "Yes. It's complicated.""

DonMiguel nods.

DonMiguel steps out for a moment to explain things to Floriana before returning.

Floriana nods smartly. "Got it. Give me three minutes."

DonMiguel asks (of Penelope), "She needs a few minutes. Should we argue for a bit, to make it look like you had to work for Fulgencio's favor?"

[7thsea] GM asks, "End scene? Anything else someone want to add?"

[7thsea] GM says, "(timing!)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Let's say we did and move on :)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Sounds good to me."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "idem"

GM says, "After a quick argument with gradually raised voices to make it look convincing, you eventually let Fulgencio go, who smirks and blows Penelope a kiss before leaving. "5 to 4, then!" <obvious wink>. Floriana slips after him, unseen."

[Setting the zoned flag.]

Penelope rolls her eyes.

DonMiguel asks, "So, now that everyone seems to be safely alive for the moment, while we wait to hear back from Floriana, what other points of order do we have on our plate?"

DonMiguel says, "We know that someone has been regularly using substantial bursts of sorcery in a certain area around the town, although we haven't identified the exact location yet. We should try to scout that out before the next incident occurs."

DonMiguel asks, "What else is there?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "A new, Castilian identity for Talbert? :D"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Ooh, yes."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "But yeah, sorcery stuff sounds serious"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Does Talbert presently have any facial hair?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Let me check"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "On the PDF it says 'simple mustache'"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Time to grow a full beard?"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Sounds like a plan!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Also, getting a suntan"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Hey, you know that fake identity we were setting up a little while back, as an Aldana employee? Do you think Talbert could pass for that guy?"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Oh your fake identity for yourself?"

[7thsea] GM says, "(also, typing Floriana's update in another window)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Yeah. If he took on that identity, we'd have the advantage that he 'existed' even before Talbert 'died'."

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Preemptive genius!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Truly, Don M is a chessmaster"

[7thsea] GM says, "Hee."

[Crows-Nest] (from DonMiguel) DonMiguel asks, "How do the horsies move, again?"

[7thsea] GM says, "The other thing was 'try to join the Tide', but that's waiting for their next move."

[7thsea] GM asks, "Next day? Floriana's report and other updates?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Sounds good"

Floriana reports in the next morning, and says that after muttering stuff like "Hot damn!" and "Gah, gotta keep my numbers up; she's amazing." to himself and shaking his head, he went straight to the beach north of the lighthouse, where he retrieved something from an alcove, then spent some time apparently writing something on papers there, then left. Figuring it was more important to find out what was on the papers than know what he did next, she snuck in to read the papers, but only read as far as "The newer building materials seem to be made primarily from pine, and the effect of the explosives on them are" before another figure approached, and she had to hide.

Floriana says, "He grabbed the papers, and headed south along the beach to those caves, again. Someone was guarding them, so I couldn't follow directly..."

Floriana hesitates.

Floriana says, "I... I know some of the caves pretty well; Felipe and I played in them as kids, despite mother's warnings. So I knew another entrance, and tried to find him that way, but couldn't. I'm sorry."

DonMiguel says, "Hmm."

DonMiguel asks, "It seems these caves have many entrances. Do you think we might be able to put together any sort of useful map of them?"

DonMiguel asks, "Something that might help us figure out a way that we can get in without tripping over their guards?"

Floriana shudders. "I don't like going in there any more. As a kid it was fine, but as I've gotten older... I've never heard actual words, but it sometimes feels like there's something whispering just outside my skull."

DonMiguel says, "...oh."

Floriana says, "But I can at least write down what I remember."

DonMiguel asks, "I don't suppose you've mentioned that to your mother?"

Floriana looks at the ground. "No. I just stopped going."

DonMiguel nods.

GM says (to Penelope), "Also, you know where Fulgencio went after the beach: straight to the Jenny's guild."

DonMiguel lays out some paper on the table and hands Talbert a pen. "You have the best drawing hand of any of us, I think."

Penelope offers up that information.

Penelope says, "He's easy to find, if we need him again."

Talbert says (to DonMiguel), "My pencil is at your service, I shall not disappoint"

Talbert flips his sketchpad open.

Floriana describes things as best she can. It's awkward to make a 2D version of a very 3D place, but the basic connections are there.

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "And then we somehow end up playing a Thean version of D&D"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel asks, "Who's going to make the minis?"

GM says (to Penelope), "Also! On your way here this morning, unable to get the image of Fulgencio's leering face out of your head, you ran into your friend Sylvia."

Sylvia asks, "Hey, Penelope! You've been busy; I've hardly seen you since that night you woke me up. But I hear things went further with Tristand?"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says (to DonMiguel), "Obviously the minis are all from the Aldana family heirloom collection"

[7thsea] Sylvia is who you took refuge with after that first night with Tristand.

[7thsea] Sylvia says, "(with the 2nd story apartment)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Right"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "So looking at the map, can we identify the places where Miguel was when he heard the two men, and from there, where the two men were?"

Penelope smiles, trying to turn her mind towards more pleasant things. "Oh, I guess word travels, eh?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Wait, shoot. He's "dead" now, huh."

Sylvia grins wickedly. "That pastry shop ownere would *not stop* talking about how cute you two were.

[7thsea] GM says, "He is! But word of that isn't out yet; just that some people died in an explosion at the base last night."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ok. I can fake that I didnt know yet, if it comes up later."

Penelope blushes, despite herself.

Sylvia says, "So, um, my client last night was kind of weird. Not in a bad way, just a weird way. Paid me extra to give this to you."

Sylvia hands you a small neatly-folded envelope.

Penelope raises her eyebrows questioningly.

Sylvia raises her hands in a 'Men, right?' sort of way.

Penelope opens it?

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "I wasn't sure if it was for me or getting passed on, or?"

GM says, "As you open it, you realize that the rest of the envelope unfolds, with no separate paper enclosed, but the following written on its inside:"

GM | The tide is turning.  Remove the sirens from Sailor's Rest.

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Roll Notice (keen senses/wits), TN 25!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I am going to go ahead and spend a pre-emptive drama die on this, because with my luck, I'll roll like a 17."

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 5k4: 10+3 9 2 5 3 | 30

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I have my OOC thoughts about what this means, but I'll wait and see what I'm told now :D"

GM says (to Penelope), "Your keen senses catch a faint whiff of smoke, and by peering carefully, you see a small spark in the center of the note."

Penelope crumbles up the note suddenly, trying to douse out the spark before it spreads.

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Burn after reading, indeed."

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Penelope), "Finesse/something, TN 15!"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k4: 2 1 1 7 | 11

[7thsea] Penelope says, "oof"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Anyone want to share a die with me before I damage my gorgeous hand?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Ha"

[Crows-Nest] Penelope cries, "I just had my nails done!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Or I'll use my other one, but thought I'd ask."

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Sure!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Thanks"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "No problem."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Whew"

GM exclaims (at Penelope), "Your lightning-quick reflexes manages to put out the spark before it spreads!"

Sylvia asks (of Penelope), "Uh, bad news?"

Penelope asks measuredly, "Sylvia, who gave you this note?"

Penelope shrugs, "I've seen better."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "OH"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Sorry, I missed that whole line from before"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "About the client."

Sylvia says, "My weird client last night! Didn't know him, and he wore a mask. Had one for me, too, which isn't super unusual."

Penelope says, "Huh, ok. Thanks for passing it along!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Is sailor's rest a place? Because my OOC thinking, which could be IC if I'm on the right track, is that it means clear out the girls from the guild house."

[7thsea] GM says (to Penelope), "Oh, probably pasted the two lines in too fast."

[7thsea] GM says, "You do know a Sailor's Rest as a tiny 'island' (not much more than a rock with some grass) due west of the lighthouse. It's about twice as large at the lowest tides than it is at the highest tides, and sirens (monsters that vaguely resemble women if they don't open their mouths) are known to infest the area, sometimes luring unaware sailors to their deaths."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "A ha"

[7thsea] GM says, "But now I want it to be the guild thing because that's brilliant."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Hehe"

GM tosses Penelope a drama die.

[7thsea] Penelope says, "We lure men to their little deaths, or something."

[7thsea] GM says, "snrk"

Penelope pockets the note, and carries on conversation as if that didn't happen.

Sylvia chats with you some more, then bids you farewell, and good luck with Tristand.

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "So, to recap!"

[7thsea] GM says, "As You Recall, the pattern was 'every 13 days' for the last two months. If that holds, the next event would be just before midnight the night of the 20th. You saved the soldiers at the infirmary the night of the 17th."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "From earlier:"

[7thsea] DonMiguel | [7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "So looking at the map, can we identify the places where Miguel was when he heard the two men, and from there, where the two men were?"

[interludes] Floriana says (to DonM), "Interestingly, no! Floriana says she's been in the area you found, but never saw anything through the cracks, and can't figure out any reasonable place from the places she knew that would be there-ish."

[7thsea] Floriana says, "Er, except here."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Interesting."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(And so it's now the 18th, right?)"

[7thsea] GM says, "You figure it's going to take at least two days to cover all the ground in your circle outside town."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Correct!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Then we'd best get started!"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Detective work!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I imagine we were probably preparing while waiting for Floriana's return."

[7thsea] GM asks, "Do you want to search during the day, night, both?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Is there any obvious reason not to start immediately?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Talbert will take the night shift. He needs to work on his beard before he can blend in daylight"

[7thsea] GM says (to DonMiguel), "Just your normal responsibilities each day, and the difficulty of slipping out/in of the town at night without missing the nightly curfew sign-in."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Are the tunnels still full of those toothy creatures from the first few sessions?"

[7thsea] GM says, "There are indeed probably more of those, uh, Boca, I think. That was a bit unusual in that you *had* a plan, but had to improvise something else instead because of Reasons."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "And if so, would a little bit of book-ish research in my library clue me in to any good techniques to avoid them? E.g., a favorite food we can toss them to sate their hunger before they attack us, or some particular pungent odors that might drive them off, etc.?"

[7thsea] GM says, "So yeah, you can probably search 24 hours at a time if you want; it's just going to increase suspicion a bit that you're not doing your normal stuff."

[7thsea] GM says, "(though not Talbert; he's dead so has all the time in the world.)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "haha"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "And spending a few days outside would be a great way to work on that tan."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "True, true"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I'm sold"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(AFK briefly.)"

[7thsea] GM says, "(The only other thing I have a slight preference for is that it'd be nice to have the party all together when Stuff Happens so I don't have to come up with different things for all of you to do at once. That's fine if I prep, but more awkward on the fly ;-)"

[7thsea] GM says, "The upshot is that if you would like, as a group, to focus on finding the location of the fire magic activity, that's great, and we can skip ahead to when you find Something Interesting."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I'd love that"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "How about we have shifts where we're together (when it's convenient) and shifts where one of us is alone (when the other members have things they need to do), and it just happens that the interesting stuff happens during one of the times when we're together?"

[7thsea] GM says, "(also, Penelope spent two drama die to save the note from being burned, so doing something with that also seems apropos.)"

[7thsea] GM says (to DonMiguel), "Exactly what I was thinking; yeah."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "We can analyse the handwriting on the note"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Oh, I thought I was keeping *myself* from getting burned :D"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Ha."

[7thsea] GM says, "Oh! Ha."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Heheh"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Well, you succeeded at that, too!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "If we set the scene for where we're scouting, then we can chat about the note while we look."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "True"

[7thsea] GM says, "Got it. OK, here we go:"

GM says, "Talbert starts from the south and works his way north in an arc, following Don Miguel's map. At times, the other two of you join him, making the search faster."

GM says, "You generally use horses, though a lot of this is in somewhat thick woods, so it's not super fast."

GM says, "You proceed methodically, and are sure by the end of the day on the 18th that there's nothing you missed, and that you haven't found the site."

DonMiguel asks (of Penelope), "So this note you found... do you think it's literal?"

DonMiguel asks, "Or do you think it's some kind of cryptic metaphor?"

GM says, "This happens again the day of the 19th, and it's going slower than you had hoped, so you all head out to help that night, after signing in for curfew."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Er, sorry. Not found. Were given."

GM says, "The weather has been geting steadily worse, as well: it was raining the 18th, and starting to storm on the 19th, making the search even slower."

Penelope ponders, "I'd say literal, except.. how are we meant to accomplish that?"

[7thsea] GM says, "(and go ahead and chat; let me know if you need something on my end or if you want to roll insight or something.)"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "What would the tides be like on, say... the night of the 20th?"

[7thsea] GM says, "OHO"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "And do sirens exist in this world?"

DonMiguel asks, "Maybe if we rowed out there, we might find something. A taxidermied siren that someone left there as a message drop? A stone in the shape of a siren?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I'm guessing yes"

[7thsea] GM says, "Sirens do indeed exist in this world."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ok"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "And, as I recall, they aren't safe to eat."

[7thsea] GM says, "(They are known as monsters)"

[7thsea] GM says, "I have a picture; hang on."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I wasn't sure if they were real or like.. fairy tales basically."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(I say this because I believe that my first 7th Sea character thought we should cook the one we killed, but he was quickly shut down by the GM.)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Haha"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "High in mercury?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Pasted in the Discord!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Perhaps!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Also, ew ;-)"

Penelope says, "Yeah, possibly."

Penelope says, "Or we--and I mean y'all--have got some monsters to kill."

GM says (to DonMiguel), "Penelope asked about the tides, and you have the Sailor skillset. So, give me a wits + 1k0, TN 15."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "What distance is Sailor's Rest from the church?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Say, relative to our circle of interest that we're scouting?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Closer than your arc!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 4k3: 7 5 10+5 3 | 27

GM says (to DonMiguel), "You explain to Penelope that the tides actually follow an interesting cycle--there's generally two low tides and two high tides a day, but one day's lowest low tide is going to be slightly higher or lower than the day before."

GM says, "And that cycle generally but not always follows a... uh... 13 day cycle."

[7thsea] GM says, "Except this week, when it's 12."

GM says, "Except this week, when it's 12."

Penelope oh!

DonMiguel says, "So the cycle will will reset... tonight."

GM says, "The rain pours down on you all as you, on the night of the 19th, take in this information."

GM tosses Penelope a drama die.

[7thsea] Penelope says, "aw yiss"

DonMiguel looks up to the horizon, if it's visible. If not, to the sky.

[7thsea] GM says, "(tonight is the lowest of the generally low tides.)"

GM exclaims (at DonMiguel), "You see rain!"

GM exclaims, "About this time, Talbert calls to you all. He's found a clearing!"

DonMiguel hurries toward him!

Penelope follows

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "When I checked Sailor's Rest on the map, did I notice if there was anything out *past* the island along the arc line, in the sea?"

GM says, "It's clear without much extra investigation that this area had a *lot* of people in it, at one point. And there's a sort of make-shift wooden stage at one end of the clearing, which is slightly singed."

[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "Nope, just more ocean."

DonMiguel says, "I think we've found our spot."

GM exclaims, "You can investigate for more details!"

DonMiguel says, "And if tonight's the time... we might not be alone for long."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Based on what we know about examining the sorceromograph and the tides, can we estimate when things are likely to go down?"

DonMiguel investigates the stage. Among other things: is there room to hide under it, if need be?

[7thsea] GM says, "The time was consistent in the past, and would be 'in about an hour' if that persists."

[7thsea] GM says, "(just before midnight)"

GM asks (of Penelope/Talbert), "What would you like to investigate?"

[7thsea] GM says, "(though it's hard to get the exact time without the stars)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Hm."

Talbert says, "I'd look for hiding spots"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "One sec. I'm at the computer, but setting kiddo up with my phone."

[7thsea] GM says, "Sure."

[7thsea] GM says, "In the meantime, wits/something (feel free to be creative), TN 15 for DonM, TN 10 for Talbert."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ok."

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Is there anything else in the space? Just nothing worth mentioning, or it's pretty much just an empty room with a stage?"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 10+7 9 | 26

[7thsea] Talbert says, "boom"

[7thsea] GM asks (of Penelope), "You can look around the outskirts in the forest for more stuff, perhaps?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Sounds good"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "OK, Wits/something, TN 15 for you!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "keen senses, I guess"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k3: 5 7 2 1 | 14

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Whelp."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Welp, even. Not whelp."

[Crows-Nest] Penelope finds a puppy!

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 3 2 4 | 9

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Ugh."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(I was hoping I could find something reasonable under Performer or Sailor, but no such luck.)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I'm using a drama die or two."

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 1k1: 4 | 4

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 1k1: 5 | 5

GM says (to Talbert), "As you look around for a good hiding spot where you could see the clearing but not be seen from it, you find a nice tall climable tree... and since you're looking for that exact sort of thing, you see there's a platform in the tree itself, sort of treehouse-like, but just a floor."

[7thsea] GM says, "(then Penelope, then Don)"

GM says (to Penelope), "As you search the outskirts of the clearing, you lose your footing and slide down an unnoticed embankment! You take:"

[7thsea] GM rolls 1k1: 9 | 9

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "9 flesh wounds!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(but find something at the bottom)"

[7thsea] GM says, "Roll a wound check! And, sigh, I forget if that's Str or Resolve."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Brawn."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Roll Brawn, try to get >=9!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Resolve determines how many times you can fail a wound check."

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 1k1: 7 | 7

[7thsea] GM says, "Got it."

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Oh no! The nails!"

Penelope yelps.

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "That's a dramatic wound, unless you want to spend a drama die!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I do!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Go for it!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Try to get a 2 or higher."

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Drama (die) queen"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 1k1: 10+5 | 15

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Pfft."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "That's greater than a 2!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Woo! Now you have 7 flesh wounds that will go away at the end of the scene if you don't get hurt again, but no serious (Dramatic) wounds."

GM says (to Penelope), "You slide down the embankment and catch your foot on a root, which twists you around, but you manage to stay upright, just as you slam backwards into some sort of small makeshift hut. Your ankle and back are bruised, but you think you'll be able to shake it off."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "And Don!"

GM says (to Don), "Your search of the stage area reveals that there is indeed a crawlspace underneath, and also that it hasn't been used as such; there's still intact bushes/shrubs/grass everywhere as if this was placed here before anyone else started tromping through the clearing. A single makeshift stair allows egress from the back of the stage, right next to a large tree; you can see in your mind's eye someone emerging from behind the tree to take the stage with a dramatic flair."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "And now followups!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Feel free to ask questions, and I'll also chime in with more infor."

[7thsea] GM says, "er, info."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "From the crawlspace, how much could one see?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "I assume that if this stage is 'makeshift', there would be cracks and such between the boards that one could peek through?"

[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "There's cracks everywhere, so you could see what's on stage and/or the audience pretty easily; might take a bit to find a place to see both well."

[7thsea] GM says, "Right."

[7thsea] GM says, "But anywhere would afford *some* view of both."

DonMiguel also checks the stage for loose boards or weak spots, in case one needed to quickly make an impromptu exit from the crawlspace.

GM asks (of Penelope/Talbert), "I assume you further investigate the hut/platform?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yes!"

Penelope limps around the hut, looking for windows or a door or anything else.

DonMiguel says, "It might be worth at least one of us hiding out underneath here. It'll be an awkward angle view what's going on, but presumably the closest one."

Talbert exclaims (at GM), "Indeed, I ascend!"

GM says (to Penelope), "Inside the hut is some, minimal protection from the rain, and you shake out your hair. Its dirt floor has the remains of a campfire in it, and the conical roof has a hole, presumably to let the smoke out. To one side of the fire pit is a metal pole, the arm of which holds an iron kettle, that can be swung over the fire."

[Crows-Nest] Penelope asks, "Why do I get the feeling a Witch lives here?"

GM exclaims (at Talbert), "The platform has a *perfect* view of the stage, while remaining out of sight of the main clearing. You poke around, and find a bit of twisted branches. Wits/something, TN 10!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 5 4 | 9

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "arr!"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Check underneath for chicken feet."

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Is it funnier to fail? A drama die would be an autosuccess"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "I wonder if the roll is to realize the fact that if this platform is here, it means someone else built it."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "You could get stabbed by a bit of pointy branch ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "And might be planning to use it."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "It is not! You can probably work that out yourself ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(this is 'what is this twisted branch thing?')"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(you could also give it to someone else to check)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(but getting stabbed by it is funny)"

Talbert is stabbed! 'I am stabbed!' he exclaims. 'By a dastardly-- oh wait that's a twig'

[7thsea] GM rolls 1k1: 3 | 3

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "You take 3 flesh wounds!"

Talbert says, "False alarm, everyone, sorry about that"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Wound check?"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 5 8 | 13

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "I do not take dramatic wound from this"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "You take no permanent damage! Yet!"

GM says, "As you turn the bundle of twisted branches in your hands, a thorn pierces your thumb! Startled, you drop the bundle, and stick your thumb in your mouth. And wait--the way it fell. It looks kind of like a little person. In fact, your younger sister used to make figures like those when she was bored."

[7thsea] GM says, "(giving you a younger sister; you can make it a cousin if you want to be the youngest or something ;-)"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Make it a cousin!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Cousin it is!"

GM says, "As you turn the bundle of twisted branches in your hands, a thorn pierces your thumb! Startled, you drop the bundle, and stick your thumb in your mouth. And wait--the way it fell. It looks kind of like a little person. In fact, your young cousin used to make figures like those when she was bored."

Talbert picks it up gingerly

Talbert says, "(using a handkerchief)"

GM says (to Penelope), "Your hut isn't really large enough to live in--it's barely larger than the fire pit. It does look like a stone was put inside to sit on, next to the fire and the kettle."

[7thsea] GM asks, "Any other questions?"

DonMiguel says, "If our calculations are right, we might be in for a show."

Penelope sits on the stone, and looks to see what she can see from here.

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Can I wrap up the Blair Witch doll in cloth and tuck it away for evidence?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Ha, sure."

Talbert does so, and readies his pistols, hiding in the tree.

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Twig Doll has been added to the Court Record."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I've rubbed out the Muskeeteer filigee on the pistols, don't worry"

DonMiguel positions himself under the stage, looking for the spot where he has the best view of everything.

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Nearly cut myself with a penknife but now no one will suspect me"

GM says (to Penelope), "You don't see much other than the walls of the hut. You close your eyes, imagining the fire in the pit, and realize that if the fire was any sort of size, it would get uncomfortably hot pretty quickly."

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "They'll never realize that you, Random J. Castillian, bought black market weapons that were stolen from the occupying military forces!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "pffft haha"

Penelope hms.

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Unless..."

[7thsea] GM asks, "Yes?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Well, if one were attune with the flames or whatever"

[7thsea] GM asks (of Talbert), "Are you hanging out on the platform itself, waiting for someone to climb it, or are you climbing higher in the tree and lookig down at it?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "*d"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to Penelope), "Mmm."

[7thsea] GM says (to Penelope), "Do you want to ask Floriana? She's probably here, along with the rest of your useless-until-called-upon retinue."

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims (at GM), "Climbing recklessly high!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Talbert), "Climbing, TN 15!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(Finesse or Brawn, your choice)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yeah"

[7thsea] GM says, "Actually, TN 25 if you want a drama die for being reckless."

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "I do!"

GM tosses Talbert a drama die for being reckless!

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 7 5 10+8 2 7 | 37

Penelope hobbles back up to find Floriana and asks her what she thinks about the hut and the hypothetical fire and all that.

Floriana enters the hut and looks around. 'Hmm. You're right that sitting right next to the fire wouldn't hurt me. It might even help, if I had been using my powers a lot--it's sort of like hypothermia.'

GM exclaims (at Talbert), "You are super high up in the tree!"

Talbert is so high up that he's sharing his weight between two branches, and if he were to put more weight on one foot, he'd break them

Talbert says, "(break the branch under that foot)"

[7thsea] GM says, "(right)"

Penelope would, if she could find the other two, report back about what she's found and learned.

[7thsea] GM says, "Any other questions? If not, I'll push forward the Plot Clock."

GM says (to Penelope), "You can, yeah."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I'm ready."

Penelope does so!

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Otherwise, I'm good"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Plot Clock! Clot Plock!"

DonMiguel asks (of Penelope), "Interesting -- do you think it's safe to hide in there, or are you going to watch from someplace else?"

GM says, "I was going to have you roll for a thing, but that was before Talbert was Ridiculously High in a tree, so now nobody has to roll after all."

Penelope says, "I do not think it's safe, no."

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Previous session: Talbert makes porn. This session: Talbert gets high"

[7thsea] Penelope was so excited about the hut that she failed to find a place to hide :D

DonMiguel says, "Feel free to join me under the stage, unless you see a better place."

Penelope says, "I think I'll do just that, thanks."

[7thsea] GM says, "Being 'nearby' is fine."

GM says, "The wind and rain is picking up, making the tree sway dramatically in the wind, which fills Talbert with so much glee that he doesn't even worry about getting soaked or struck by lightning. This is what he was born to do."

GM says, "And back closer to the ground, DonMiguel and Penelope try and fail to find spots under the stage where rain isn't dripping down their backs."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I expect I brought my usual cloak which maybe helps a little."

GM says, "Talbert has a great view of the surrounding forest--the clearing is on a slope, so he can see across the valley towards town from here."

[7thsea] GM says, "Oh, of course."

GM says, "Tristand offers his own cloak to help Penelope, too, but while a sweet gesture, it would be very unlikely to help much."

Penelope awws a little.

GM asks, "Then, Talbert sees a flash from the hill across the valley. A lightning strike? No, just a large flame! And in among the sounds of the wind, is that... shouting?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "And, the plot clock has advanced!"

GM says, "In fact, if something were supposed to be happening here, wouldn't it have happened already? It's very hard to tell the time, but it sure feels pretty late."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel checks his wrist sundial, but its lamp went out in the rain.

[7thsea] GM asks (of Talbert), "You're the one who sees stuff-what do you do?"

Talbert says, "Damn! We're in the wrong spot"

DonMiguel asks, "What?"

Talbert says, "It's happening over there! They must have changed locations"

DonMiguel climbs out from under the stage and looks where Talbert is pointing -- can he see or hear anything from here?

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Can I jump onto my horse from this high? :D"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "R.I.P. Monsieur Ed."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Only someone with keen senses could possibly hear anything in this wind!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "TN 25!"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "To say nothing of starting a family with Floriana"

[7thsea] GM says, "(Talbert can see things from his vantage point, but nothing can be seen from the ground)"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Ha!"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert asks, "Unless I landed standing up... which would scare and/or injure the horse?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Is Talbert pointing toward a place we've already looked? Toward a place that's even on the arc?"

[7thsea] GM says, "He is not, for either! It is a place maybe halfway between where you are and town."

[7thsea] GM asks (of Talbert), "Anything else you want to look for while up here?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Waiting for Penelope to roll Perception before running off that way.)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "(TN 25)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Oh, sorry"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "No problem"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k3: 5 6 1 6 | 17

[7thsea] GM says, "Yeah, I probably should have called that out specifically."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Also yes Talbert would like to see distinguishing landmarks that'll help us get there"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "and will donate a drama die to Penelope if needed!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Talbert), "Wits/investigation, TN 15!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Sure, thanks"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[7thsea] Penelope says, "AUGH"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 1 7 | 8

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Drama die!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 3 | 3

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Wasted"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "unless someone wants to donate"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Sure, I've still got mine"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Thanks :)"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 3 | 3

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I literally needed a 4 on this :/"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Or you stay up there a little too long?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Sure! (I was thinking about how funny it'd be if after spending 2 drama dice, Talbert ended up falling from the tree)"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "I'm going to say that the lightning strike that hits the tree returns the drama dice to their respective owners. Talbert, Climbing/Resolve to hang on, TN 20! But you know exactly what landmarks to look for!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(the two dice you just spent that weren't enough)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "thanks"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 4k3: 6 2 3 4 | 13

[7thsea] GM asks, "Crash down onto the platform?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "The scene is too funny and dramatic for me to even want to spend a drama die on that :D yeah"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "You take falling and electricity damage!"

[7thsea] GM rolls 3k3: 3 2 9 | 14

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Wound check vs. 17!"

Talbert *zzzappp* *aahhhhh* *thud*

[7thsea] GM says, "(with your 3 from earlier)"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 3k3: 4 2 6 | 12

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Drama die"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 1 | 1

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Why did I even"

[7thsea] GM says, "Who knows ;-)"

Talbert is frazzled.

[7thsea] Talbert says, "On the bright side:"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "now my simple mustache is gone, I'm unrecognizable"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Ha!"

Talbert lurches up to his feet, swaying on the platform

GM says, "So! You all gather your horses and companions and take off through the woods as fast as you can! Penelope keep straining to hear anything, and finally hears the single word, 'REVENGE!'"

GM exclaims, "Finally, you burst onto a another, rougher 'clearing' (which has smallish trees in it), and see churned mud everywhere, and scorch marks on a stump to one side of the clearing. Talbert looks for a similar spot across the clearing where you could see the stump, and sees another not-quite-as good tree there!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "I.e., one analogous to the platform he found before?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Correct."

[7thsea] GM says, "(assuming the stump is analogous to the stage)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Are there obvious tracks of a crowd storming away from here?"

GM says, "The stump is still smouldering, actually."

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at DonMiguel), "Indeed!"

DonMiguel points. "Let's follow them!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(unlike the other clearing, where there was no obvious single place of arrival/departure.)"

Talbert exclaims, "Let's -- *cough cough* *eyebrow sparks electricity, twitches* -- ride!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Hee"

[7thsea] GM says, "OK SOMEONE LOOK AT TALBERT'S TREE"

[7thsea] GM says, "Or so help me I'll have an NPC do it."

Penelope looks at the tree?

GM exclaims (at Penelope), "You see a figure in the branches!"

Penelope points, "Look! Hurry!"

DonMiguel asks, "What?"

Penelope doesn't take her eyes away, and says "There's someone in the tree!"

DonMiguel looks up?

GM exclaims (at Penelope), "The figure totters, and starts to fall!"

DonMiguel will try to catch them if he sees this in time.

Penelope says, "Oh, look out!"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "It's gonna be another doll, isn't it."

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "I think so"

GM exclaims (at DonMiguel), "Ride/Finesse, TN 20!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 4k4: 4 1 3 1 | 9

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Ha ha."

[7thsea] GM says, "Oh, for..."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "This hasn't been the best dice day."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Ilac."

[7thsea] GM asks, "Do you want to take damage instead of the figure?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "OK!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(I'm out of drama dice, so.)"

GM says, "In what seems to be slow motion, you spur your horse forward over a fallen log, but the horse has to twist out of the way to keep its footing. You dive off your horse, just managing to catch... a young girl. You fall *hard* on the forest floor, slamming into a rock."

[7thsea] GM rolls 3k3: 3 3 5 | 11

[7thsea] GM says, "(well, not *that* hard, I guess.)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 2k2: 4 6 | 10

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Hard enough!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Unless someone has a die they want to share.)"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Penelope has one that was returned to her!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Take Johann's-- or that, I guess"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to Talbert), "Hee."

[7thsea] GM says, "(she donated it, but it was returned in exchange for the lightning.)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Oh! Then yeah, use mine"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Thanks!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 1k1: 7 | 7

GM says (to DonMiguel), "As you catch your breath, you realize the girl is *freezing*. You sit up, and pull away the hood from her face, revealing closed eyes."

Floriana shrieks, "Estela!

DonMiguel's spine is nearly struck by the rock but for a few inches.

DonMiguel holds the girl out to Floriana. "She's frozen."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Do we remember the name Estela?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "She's Floriana's younger sister!"

Estela stirs slightly. "Floriana? Is that you? Felipe said..."

Estela's eyes roll back again and she slumps into Don Miguel's arms.

GM exclaims, "Thunder booms, and we fade to black!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Eek!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I did not see that coming"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "None of us would have if the GM hadn't forced us to look up."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Haha aww"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Floriana would have seen it"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "she's the one with the highest Wits"

[7thsea] GM says, "Hee"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "By the time the lights come back on next session, we'd better have started a fire for Estela."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Speaking of which! It looks like someone is busy every week until at least September 10. Does that week work for everyone?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Any post-session questions? Hopefully a few things are clearer now or at least figure-out-able."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "For all we know, Talbert may already be on fire"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "from the lightning"

[7thsea] GM says, "Ha."

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims (at GM), "Things are less clear than ever for me, but that's OK, because we will no doubt learn more next time!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to Talbert), "Yay."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Did Fugencio mean we didn't have sex *that* night, or that we never consumated? Was it a marriag eentirely of convenience? I have questions!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Ah, the warm of Floriana's love--- wait no that's real fire"

[7thsea] GM says (to Penelope), "Given how randy the two of you are, I can't imagine you didn't have sex many many times. Just not that one night ;-)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ok!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "So yeah, I'm going with "used to be a better person""

[7thsea] GM says, "(it was supposed to be a 'it'll be like Budapest' reference-to-shared-past moment)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I don't know the reference!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "ThougH it pops up a lot in Google"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks (of GM), "Budapesh?"

[7thsea] GM says, "The Avengers! Hawkeye and Black Widow."

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Oh, Marvel?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Timing"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I haven't seen it"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "No problem"

[7thsea] GM says, "IIRC, the lines are something like, 'It'll be just like Budapest' 'You and I remember Budapest very differently.'"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims (at GM), "BTW, thanks for the game!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "We'll always have Budapest"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "(I'm mixing refs now ;D )"

[7thsea] GM says, "And yeah, my general background idea was 'both of you are nth sons/daughters of minor houses; an arranged marriage gave you both your ticket out of your stultifying life'"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "A ha"

[7thsea] GM says, "Neither of you were really one-person-for-life types, and you both changed in time, and by the time you both moved to La Reina, you didn't even tell people you were together. And, for all intents and purposes, you weren't."

[7thsea] GM says, "And what used to be a helping each other out thing devolved into keeping score and trying to one-up the other."