The Gilded Seahorse
The Gilded Seahorse; one of the premier evening hangouts in town, and definitely one of the best places to spend time with friends. Well, if you have the money, that is. Lots of money. That much is clear from the appointment of the place, immediately after walking in. There's furniture that's literally made of gold. The ceiling has gold leaf inlay. The are on the walls is... well, that's a painting of a forest, that one's a couple women playing chess, and there's a marble statue of a naked man, and probably if you were an art afficionado you'd know who made them.
What might be most pressing to Seldan's concerns, however, is the portly gnome with an impressive moustache amd very expensive looking livery that walks up to him.
"Ahem," adresses the gnome. "Ahem. This club is for members only, and with all due respect good sir, I haven't seen you before. Do you have a membership, sir? Or invitation from a member?"
Seldan immediately turns towards the gnome, bowing politely. "No, master." His words bear the lilt of the Myrrish kingdoms. "In truth do I seek the proprietress of this establishment, on the matter of the recent murder of one of its members. Perhaps I could prevail upon a few minutes of her time, that justice for Lady Alenthor be found?" The crescent-and-sphere of Eluna hangs prominently outside his armor, his affiliation made clear.
"Very good sir," replies the gnome, without missing a beat. "If you will follow me, I will take you to her office chambers." he turns, and opens the door into the club proper; or at least, one of the rooms. There's a quartet playing soft, pleasant music, some exceptionally well dressed individuals are serving food and drink, and the obvious money-holders are all lounging in chairs and sofas, enjoying everything the establishment has to offer -- and it really does have a lot to offer.
The gnome walks as theough he simply expects to be followed, and crosses the floor at an unhurried pace, with his hands clasped behind his back. He further walks through a corridor, past several doors, past the kitchen, until he reaches one last door before the one that must be the rear entrance. "In here, sir."
He pushes the door open and stands aside, to let Seldan enter; and within is... well, it's an office, just one that obviously fits with the rest of the place. Seated behind the desk is another gnome, though she looks much more like she's in command of the place, rather than a liveried server. She looks up from her paperwork, and adjusts a monocle as she looks at Seldan, without yet speaking a word.
"My thanks, master," Seldan tells the gnome as he enters through the door to the office, and studies the gnome before him for a breath or two before again executing that polite bow. "Her light upon your path, mistress. My name is Seldan Padaryn, and I had hoped to prevail upon a few minutes of your time in the matter of the murder of Lady Alenthor."
The gnome stares at Seldan for a long moment, before she lets out a 'puffft' and looks back down, resuming the act of scratching words on parchment, with a very large, very flamboyant, and very purple feather pen. "I have already told the city guards everything I know," she replies, "Three times. And submitted all of my staff who were working that night for questioning. I believe I have been over this as many times as I need to, and in any case... you don't look like a city guard. Why should I be going over this again? I am told it is an open and shut case."
Seldan maintains a quiet, polite reserve, adopting a parade rest stance and watching the gnome work. "So the Knight-Captain would have it be," he answers evenly, his tone implying doubt that the case is as simple as it appears. "Did you speak to the guards regarding her associations at all?"
GAME: Seldan rolls diplomacy+5: (15)+19: 34
The gnomes continues writing whatever it is she's committing to paper, and answers without interuption and without looking up. "Extensively," she replies. "And frankly, given that you are yourself not a city guard or a member of the Lady Alenthor's family, I don't think I'm really at liverty to tell you very much at all, wether I want to or not." She dots a series of i's and crosses a couple of t's, before setting down the pen and looking up, clasping her hands in front of her. "Perhaps you should start by telling me your interest in this," she replies. "I get the impression you are trying to... exhonerate this 'Delilah'. Why?"
"Say rather that I think the truth of the matter less simple than the Knight-Captain would have me believe," Seldan says evenly. "He has reportedly said that he will see her behind bars, one way or another, before the murder occurred. He has attempted to falsely accuse her in the past, and," he takes a deep breath, and adds, "I am told that Delilah made two enemies by winning at cards. One is Her Ladyship. The other ... the Knight-Captain. I am suspicious, mistress, and wish justice done. If Delilah is guilty, then I shall not defend her. If she is unjustly accused by one who wishes to use his position to exact revenge for a perceived slight...." He lets that trail off.
The gnome perks one eyebrow upwards, and sits back, steepling her fingers in front of her chin. "Anything I tell you," she replies, "Must remain in the strictest of confidence. You are a paladin," she looks Seldan up and down, "That much is fairly evident. If you swear upon the life of your god that you will only use what I tell you in a court of law, then I will answer your questions to the best of my abilities. Without such an oath, I shall have to ask you to leave my establishment immediately. I believe this is fair."
Seldan's bearing and demeanor do not change as he listens. A beat or two of silence falls, and he nods slowly. "Fair indeed, mistress, for already am I bound to Alexandria's law, and to the path of honor. Upon Eluna's holy face, your words shall be shared with none save an Alexandrian court of law, and then only in pursuit of justice, and of the truth of this matter. I do not engage in revenge, for such is not my duty before Her." The last is accompanied by a very small smile. "Once did Her servant so tell me, and never have I forgotten it, nor shall I."
Seldan is experienced and well known. It is possible that the gnome may have heard his name. Had she connected the name with the man, she might realize that she knows who he is. She must have missed his name the first time, and wouldn't suspect that a guy that well-known is taking the time to poke his nose into this - he must smell a serious rat. A man who, in fact, he just told her outright in polite terms that he smells a rat.
The gnome woman readjusts her monocle, and leans forwards, perhaps seeing Seldan clearly for the first time. Her eyebrows rise once more, and she looks like she's having... a moment of revelation. "I, well, yes of course," she replies, leaning back in her seat. "Please, my apologies for being difficult. I am entrusted with a good many... secrets, by nature of who frequents these walls. You understand." She bobs her head. "Please, ask your questions, I will help as much as I can."
"You are not difficult, mistress. You but guard that which is entrusted to you, and no shame lies upon you for that." Seldan's smile returns, a boyish thing when it is genuine. "I would not take up more of your time than is needed, but I would understand Lady Alenthor's relations with both yourself, and with others. How frequently did you deal with her?"
The proprietress shrugs her shoulders lightly. "She came here... usually once a week," she replies. "She was always such a sweet girl. Honestly. She tipped my staff generously, and was a gem amongst the other clientelle." She pauses, tapping one finger against her chin. "Well. Usually. She did slap Lord Cardin right across his face when she misheard him and thought he hand insulted her, but that got sorted out amicably enough afterwards."
Seldan's eyebrows lift at this description. "Were there any who disliked her, that you knew to be so?"
"Just that ruffian, Delilah, and her sister," the gnome replies. "None within the noble community, at least, none that I know of. Understand that I am not a confidant, and generally if there is intrigue, I am not privy to it. At least, never officially." she adjusts her monocle once more, and folds her arms. "She was unmarried, which was somewhat unusual for her age I suppose, but that's hardly a crime is it? Her family had wealth, and I know she had... suitors. But none of //them// were the murdering sort, I can assure you."
"Did she often frequent lower-class establishments?" Seldan listens intently, and his question comes after a moment of thought.
the gnome just shakes her head. "I couldn't answer that question. I don't keep track of where nobles go when they're not here, that certainly is not my place."
Seldan merely nods his understanding, accepting the response in stride. "Is gossip on such matters customary among your clients?"
"Gossip amongst my clients? You have met nobles before, I presume." The gnome sighs heavily. "Sometimes it seems that all they do is gossip. If there is something to talk about, they will talk about it. However, my staff are trained well enough not to pass on what they hear, not even to me." She sucks in a deep breath, and taps her bottom lip. "The Lady Alenthor did enjoy gambling, though, and we do host games here. Not usually the sort of games played in... lower establishments, mind you."
"I have, although between the training required for my calling and the study of magic that was required of me, training in the intricacies of court life was not deemed required of me." That's interesting - Seldan Padaryn is a magician as well as a paladin? He says nothing further of that, though, instead returning his focus to the matter at hand. "Did she fare well at such games?"
"Sometimes." The gnome shrugs her shoulders. "I did not keep track of who won or lost in such games, honestly. But she often played, and nobody -- //nobody// -- wins all the time. I have seen her get... withdrawn, sometimes, after losing, but usually she'd be herself again soon enough. Occasionally she might withdraw for a day or two. But," she adds, "She was always a gracious winner, and never outright impolite."
Seldan absorbs this information in silence for some moments, deep thought written clearly in his demeanor and on his face. "Even so? Her Ladyship must have been quite the model lady, then. Tell me, is Knight-Captain Norrington among your clientele?"
The gnome shakes her head. "No. His position pays well, but he's not wealthy, nor is he nobility. He could afford a membership and there are a couple of Knight Captains who do come from time to time, and they are welcome, but... Norrington is not among them." She shrugs her shoulders lightly. "He brought his daughter here once, for her sixth birthday. I made sure none of the... more uptight sorts were here that day."
Seldan inclines his head at that, his understanding clear. "I see." He thinks, for a long moment, then shakes his head. "You have answered all of the questions that I had, mistress, and you are kind to spare me your time. I would not further disturb you."
The gnome sits back, and picks up her pen. "Certainly," she replies. "Please, come again and speak to me if you have any more questions. I appologize for not recognizing your station at the start of our conversation; my... brief adventuring days left me blind in one eye and deaf in one ear." She gesticulates in the air with the pen. "I know Lady Bethany had her faults, Ser Paladin. But who doesn't? I don't think she deserved to die. If this Delilah killed her, then I hope she meets justice. And if she did not, I hope you find who did."
Seldan smiles, and spreads a hand palm-down in a gesture of acceptance. "Your skepticism was well-placed, mistress. Not idly do I ask, and I too would see justice done. I take no offense, for power or not, I am yet a humble servant. Should I have need, I will seek you again, but until them, may Her light illuminate your path."