The people in the portraits are vaguely familiar - Dima might have had dealings with their relations in Morovsk, and would suspect this to be one of the Durst family households. He can't recall where the family is from.
He definitely recognizes their coat of arms on the shield he nearly demolished: A stylized golden windmill on a red field. This would confirm the family name for him.
<.>
Dima notes the information, though he'll keep quiet about it just now, having learned a valuable lesson about noise in ruined houses, and feeling there's something vital he's missing. Better, perhaps, to dig at his own memories before announcing anything; he'll keep the name in mind as they move through the house. For now, he presses Faolan's hand again, nodding forward as if to say, ’Let’s?’
Rin has continued moving toward the closed doors, glancing through the room in search of anything worth snagging on the way out— And, yes, fine, for any signs of watchful eyes or danger, also for those things.
Reaching the door, they pause. If there's a keyhole or crack in the door, they'll peer through it. If not, they'd like to listen for any sounds on the other side.
<.>
There's complete silence on the other side; in fact, aside from the cacophony a moment ago, the house seems utterly lifeless. None of the lanterns or fires are lit, nothing moves, not so much as a creaking stair.
Sen listens as well, and after a moment shakes his head 'no' - he hears nothing either. Pushing the doors open, the party will find a wide hall running the width of the house, with a black marble fireplace at one end and a sweeping red marble staircase at the other.
Mounted on the wall above the fireplace is a longsword with a windmill cameo worked into the hilt.
The wood paneled walls are ornately sculpted with images of vines, flowers, nymphs, and satyrs.
There are five doors leading from the hall to other rooms.
Fae follows the thieves, unresponsive to the press of his hand - but he does look back once at Dima, his eyes full of complicated emotions.
Sen is going for the sword to see if he can pry the cameo off without attracting attention or destroying anything.
[DEX: 22]
The cameo pops off easily and he slips it into his pocket, leaving the sword behind.
<.>
[PERC, r: 3. rin did not see this from sen and so could not be impressed by it alas!]
Rin is very busy prowling the edges of the hall. They're very interested in that staircase. They want to go up that staircase— But then, they're fairly certain monsters are usually found down, and not very often up. (It's a very good reason to sleep in trees! Usually.)
For the moment, they content themself with tracing a clawed fingertip along the sculpted walls, then pausing before the door they're fairly certain leads to the room they saw through that first window.
They're going to gently, quietly nudge it open and peer inside. There didn't seem to be much in there, but caution never hurts.
As they enter the hall, Dima finds he hasn't been breathing much at all, though he can't say whether it's owed to his attempts at keeping quiet, or the look Faolan gave him. He inhales a little deeper, shakes his head slightly, and starts to move toward the mantle. He'd like to take a look at that sword.
He also hasn't let go of Faolan's hand.
<.>
Faolan lets himself be led without protest, giving Dima gentle steering around what might be warping in floorboards. (He is and isn't watching Dima.)
The ceilings of the room - and indeed all of the rooms on this level - are 10-feet high, and Faolan sees nothing worth remarking on about them, or the walls, or - really, this room at all.
Sen meanders to one wall to examine the artwork - flowers, vines, nymphs, satyrs, and -?
He notices something, but says nothing to the group. Instead, he goes looking for Rin and finds himself distracted by what's taken their interest.
Rin will find upon passing through the door the very room they saw through the window. Throughout the room are taxidermied wolves, and before the opulent fireplace are leather chairs and a sidetable between them.
[PERC, d: 19]
"Two padded chairs draped in animal furs face the hearth, with an oak table between them supporting a cask of wine, two carved wooden goblets, a pipe rack, and a candelabrum. Two cabinets stand against the walls."
Inspection of the two cabinets will reveal that the east wall cabinet is locked.
Dima, upon inspecting the sword, determines it's a very nice sword.
<.>
Rin's response on entering the room and facing the taxidermied wolves is a very soft, very sarcastic: “Great.” It's kind of weird having these wolves-not-wolves being dead and close while you're having your fireside wine, right? Right.
Rin would like to check the sidetable for any knick-knacks, papers, or other objects.
They'd also like to get a sniff of the wine in the cask.
Dima looks after the thieves, looks at Faolan, and lifts one shoulder. Nods in their direction with an unspoken 'shall we follow' query.
<.>
Upon inspection, Rin finds nothing of note other than a few pipes. The wine smells like wine.
Sen's attention drifts around the room, lighting briefly on the wolves before settling on the cabinets. He makes his way to the east one, attempts to open it, and finding it locked, produces a set of lockpicks and gets to work.
Following Dima's suggestion, Faolan joins the others in the room - then catches sight of the wolves, freezes into a stony silence, and shakes his head at Dima. Not staying in here.
He'll try to pull free of Dima's hold, thinking he can just wait in the hall or go inspect one of the other rooms.
Sen snaps two of his lockpicks before tsking in irritation and giving up.
<.>
Dima is. Very torn.
He wants to take a look around the room— He also doesn't want to lose sight of Faolan, or leave him when he looks so suddenly uneasy.
For a moment he hesitates, conflict ticking his lip. He looks at Faolan's hand; he hasn't let it go. His fingers flex, begin to loosen pressure—
Then hold where they are. He cants his head at the man, confused, then nods, as if to say, ’As you say, then.’
A moment later, he Messages Faolan: [I know this family. Or I know their crest. Have you noticed anything?]
<.>
He thinks with a sinking sensation that Dmitri Voronin is going to let go. (He'll leave for something more interesting, and won't that just prove Faolan right about all of them?
Everyone goes. Eventually.)
The renewed pressure almost breaks something vital inside him because he knows it means a choice was made. A small one, true. And it doesn't negate anything else; Dmitri will still tire of the chase eventually. (But it's nice to know his revulsion from what he saw in the room won't leave him wandering this house alone. It's nice to know Dmitri perhaps saw his discomfort.) (Nice to have something like a friend, really, even if that's not what Dmitri is after.)
Once again, the man speaks in a way Faolan is certain only he can hear. He can't reply with the same magic, so he swallows and looks around at the hall, then shakes his head. No, he doesn't know anything about these people. (That's unusual for him - he's come into contact with so many nobles.)
His hand holds perhaps a little tighter. It might be dismissed as Dima's imagination, though.
<.>
Back in the other room, Rin, seeing the lock being very rude to Sen, would like to give it a try if they may. It seems like a good idea to check, and no loCk should keep that idea from happening!
[SLEIGHT: 24]
<.>
Rin easily pops the lock on the cabinet and opens it to reveal a heavy crossbow, a light crossbow, a hand crossbow, and 20 bolts for each weapon.
A quick inspection will reveal these are normal weapons with no magic to them whatsoever. But they are in good shape.
<.>
Rin is immediately taking the hand crossbow thank you very much. They lost their last one to an, mm, to a disagreement a few years back and they've missed it very much. Looking over the weapon, they gesture for Sen to take one or both of the others if he likes; after all, this is their joint discovery, and the elf should reap the rewards too!
...Actually.
Actually. Sen saw the cabinet first. Which means, in all fairness, Sen's got dibs. So Rin, after a moment's think, nudges the hand crossbow in his direction; it's only fair.
That's heartening, the way Faolan takes his hand a little tighter (maybe?) (Dima wants to believe it's true) (Dima doesn't know whether it's true, but why not let himself believe, for now?). Dima cants his head at the man, and now he *does* smile; slightly, encouraging. (Trying to set Faolan at ease after whatever caused him to back from the bare sight of that room.)
And, realizing he ought to have explained the magic, realizing there's something he would like to make clear, he Messages again: [When I speak like this, you can respond to me. It's a little like a whisper, Faolan, but no one else will hear... And I'll hear only what you direct my way. Would you like to try it?]
<.>
Sen nudges away the hand crossbow and shakes his head; he can handle the light one just fine - he thinks, anyhow. He's never used one, but how much different from any other bow can it be? In any case, Rin ought to have one sized for them.
(Rin ought to have anything they want. Anything in the world.)
With a nod at the large crossbow and another at the door, he asks without words if one of them ought to be given another weapon. He's content to let this one sit untouched, really, but it's up to Rin.
(He thinks - he might like to follow Rin's whims anywhere they take them.) (Lovely Rin.) (He really would like to run a caress along their horns -)
He's just going to go inspect that other cabinet and stop thinking about Rin's horns.
The way Dima says 'Faolan' - a voice, omnipresent in his ears and mind, unknowable by anyone else, and maybe a little possessive - unsettles him. It's not a good idea to let Dima - Dmitri - get accustomed to ...well. Him. Nearness with him.
He never should have offered his hand.
He does reply - softly, with shuttered eyes: [ I don't know them. ]
And, without challenge (does he have it in him to challenge anymore at all?), he adds:
[ And you don't know me. ]
He looks down at his hand in Dmitri's and back up again.
[ Stealth. Nothing else. ]
<.>
Rin won't argue; if Sen's all right with the light bow, they'll just keep this one, thank you very much! Maybe even put it to use against the monster! If there is a monster, which Rin is still not sure about. (Sometimes people make up monsters. Sometimes Rin makes up monsters. Monsters make for good stories!)
They'll grab the large crossbow after a moment's thought, intending to hand it to the human who has... Not joined them in the room? That's all right; more space for Rin and Sen to seek and take what they please!
Rin will join Sen at the other cabinet, intending to help with the inspection.
Dima—
Well. Dima thinks maybe, maybe he shouldn't have explained the spell. He doesn't know why that went wrong, or what brought what he takes as regret to Faolan's eyes; he only knows that something tenuous seems broken.
Not beyond repair! He thinks. He tells himself. (Was his mistake in mentioning the Durst family? Did it seem a slight to mention such a family, when, when... Gods, he can't fall down those thoughts right now. He has to keep some focus on what's happening. For stealth's sake, if nothing else.)
There's an impulse to withdraw his hand at those last words; it's an impulse Dima fights off, though his hand stiffens slightly, and he looks at their joined hands. Nods, looks back at Faolan: [ Stealth, then.]
A breath. A nod to himself. And: [ Please. If you see anything of note, let me know? I admit it's taking half my focus to keep from knocking over everything I see. Even with your guidance. ]
no subject
The people in the portraits are vaguely familiar - Dima might have had dealings with their relations in Morovsk, and would suspect this to be one of the Durst family households. He can't recall where the family is from.
He definitely recognizes their coat of arms on the shield he nearly demolished: A stylized golden windmill on a red field. This would confirm the family name for him.
<.>
Dima notes the information, though he'll keep quiet about it just now, having learned a valuable lesson about noise in ruined houses, and feeling there's something vital he's missing. Better, perhaps, to dig at his own memories before announcing anything; he'll keep the name in mind as they move through the house. For now, he presses Faolan's hand again, nodding forward as if to say, ’Let’s?’
Rin has continued moving toward the closed doors, glancing through the room in search of anything worth snagging on the way out— And, yes, fine, for any signs of watchful eyes or danger, also for those things.
Reaching the door, they pause. If there's a keyhole or crack in the door, they'll peer through it. If not, they'd like to listen for any sounds on the other side.
<.>
There's complete silence on the other side; in fact, aside from the cacophony a moment ago, the house seems utterly lifeless. None of the lanterns or fires are lit, nothing moves, not so much as a creaking stair.
Sen listens as well, and after a moment shakes his head 'no' - he hears nothing either. Pushing the doors open, the party will find a wide hall running the width of the house, with a black marble fireplace at one end and a sweeping red marble staircase at the other.
Mounted on the wall above the fireplace is a longsword with a windmill cameo worked into the hilt.
The wood paneled walls are ornately sculpted with images of vines, flowers, nymphs, and satyrs.
There are five doors leading from the hall to other rooms.
Fae follows the thieves, unresponsive to the press of his hand - but he does look back once at Dima, his eyes full of complicated emotions.
Sen is going for the sword to see if he can pry the cameo off without attracting attention or destroying anything.
[DEX: 22]
The cameo pops off easily and he slips it into his pocket, leaving the sword behind.
<.>
[PERC, r: 3. rin did not see this from sen and so could not be impressed by it alas!]
Rin is very busy prowling the edges of the hall. They're very interested in that staircase. They want to go up that staircase— But then, they're fairly certain monsters are usually found down, and not very often up. (It's a very good reason to sleep in trees! Usually.)
For the moment, they content themself with tracing a clawed fingertip along the sculpted walls, then pausing before the door they're fairly certain leads to the room they saw through that first window.
They're going to gently, quietly nudge it open and peer inside. There didn't seem to be much in there, but caution never hurts.
As they enter the hall, Dima finds he hasn't been breathing much at all, though he can't say whether it's owed to his attempts at keeping quiet, or the look Faolan gave him. He inhales a little deeper, shakes his head slightly, and starts to move toward the mantle. He'd like to take a look at that sword.
He also hasn't let go of Faolan's hand.
<.>
Faolan lets himself be led without protest, giving Dima gentle steering around what might be warping in floorboards. (He is and isn't watching Dima.)
The ceilings of the room - and indeed all of the rooms on this level - are 10-feet high, and Faolan sees nothing worth remarking on about them, or the walls, or - really, this room at all.
Sen meanders to one wall to examine the artwork - flowers, vines, nymphs, satyrs, and -?
He notices something, but says nothing to the group. Instead, he goes looking for Rin and finds himself distracted by what's taken their interest.
Rin will find upon passing through the door the very room they saw through the window. Throughout the room are taxidermied wolves, and before the opulent fireplace are leather chairs and a sidetable between them.
[PERC, d: 19]
"Two padded chairs draped in animal furs face the hearth, with an oak table between them supporting a cask of wine, two carved wooden goblets, a pipe rack, and a candelabrum. Two cabinets stand against the walls."
Inspection of the two cabinets will reveal that the east wall cabinet is locked.
Dima, upon inspecting the sword, determines it's a very nice sword.
<.>
Rin's response on entering the room and facing the taxidermied wolves is a very soft, very sarcastic: “Great.” It's kind of weird having these wolves-not-wolves being dead and close while you're having your fireside wine, right? Right.
Rin would like to check the sidetable for any knick-knacks, papers, or other objects.
They'd also like to get a sniff of the wine in the cask.
Dima looks after the thieves, looks at Faolan, and lifts one shoulder. Nods in their direction with an unspoken 'shall we follow' query.
<.>
Upon inspection, Rin finds nothing of note other than a few pipes. The wine smells like wine.
Sen's attention drifts around the room, lighting briefly on the wolves before settling on the cabinets. He makes his way to the east one, attempts to open it, and finding it locked, produces a set of lockpicks and gets to work.
Following Dima's suggestion, Faolan joins the others in the room - then catches sight of the wolves, freezes into a stony silence, and shakes his head at Dima. Not staying in here.
He'll try to pull free of Dima's hold, thinking he can just wait in the hall or go inspect one of the other rooms.
Sen snaps two of his lockpicks before tsking in irritation and giving up.
<.>
Dima is. Very torn.
He wants to take a look around the room— He also doesn't want to lose sight of Faolan, or leave him when he looks so suddenly uneasy.
For a moment he hesitates, conflict ticking his lip. He looks at Faolan's hand; he hasn't let it go. His fingers flex, begin to loosen pressure—
Then hold where they are. He cants his head at the man, confused, then nods, as if to say, ’As you say, then.’
A moment later, he Messages Faolan: [I know this family. Or I know their crest. Have you noticed anything?]
<.>
He thinks with a sinking sensation that Dmitri Voronin is going to let go. (He'll leave for something more interesting, and won't that just prove Faolan right about all of them?
Everyone goes. Eventually.)
The renewed pressure almost breaks something vital inside him because he knows it means a choice was made. A small one, true. And it doesn't negate anything else; Dmitri will still tire of the chase eventually. (But it's nice to know his revulsion from what he saw in the room won't leave him wandering this house alone. It's nice to know Dmitri perhaps saw his discomfort.) (Nice to have something like a friend, really, even if that's not what Dmitri is after.)
Once again, the man speaks in a way Faolan is certain only he can hear. He can't reply with the same magic, so he swallows and looks around at the hall, then shakes his head. No, he doesn't know anything about these people. (That's unusual for him - he's come into contact with so many nobles.)
His hand holds perhaps a little tighter. It might be dismissed as Dima's imagination, though.
<.>
Back in the other room, Rin, seeing the lock being very rude to Sen, would like to give it a try if they may. It seems like a good idea to check, and no loCk should keep that idea from happening!
[SLEIGHT: 24]
<.>
Rin easily pops the lock on the cabinet and opens it to reveal a heavy crossbow, a light crossbow, a hand crossbow, and 20 bolts for each weapon.
A quick inspection will reveal these are normal weapons with no magic to them whatsoever. But they are in good shape.
<.>
Rin is immediately taking the hand crossbow thank you very much. They lost their last one to an, mm, to a disagreement a few years back and they've missed it very much. Looking over the weapon, they gesture for Sen to take one or both of the others if he likes; after all, this is their joint discovery, and the elf should reap the rewards too!
...Actually.
Actually. Sen saw the cabinet first. Which means, in all fairness, Sen's got dibs. So Rin, after a moment's think, nudges the hand crossbow in his direction; it's only fair.
That's heartening, the way Faolan takes his hand a little tighter (maybe?) (Dima wants to believe it's true) (Dima doesn't know whether it's true, but why not let himself believe, for now?). Dima cants his head at the man, and now he *does* smile; slightly, encouraging. (Trying to set Faolan at ease after whatever caused him to back from the bare sight of that room.)
And, realizing he ought to have explained the magic, realizing there's something he would like to make clear, he Messages again: [When I speak like this, you can respond to me. It's a little like a whisper, Faolan, but no one else will hear... And I'll hear only what you direct my way. Would you like to try it?]
<.>
Sen nudges away the hand crossbow and shakes his head; he can handle the light one just fine - he thinks, anyhow. He's never used one, but how much different from any other bow can it be? In any case, Rin ought to have one sized for them.
(Rin ought to have anything they want. Anything in the world.)
With a nod at the large crossbow and another at the door, he asks without words if one of them ought to be given another weapon. He's content to let this one sit untouched, really, but it's up to Rin.
(He thinks - he might like to follow Rin's whims anywhere they take them.) (Lovely Rin.) (He really would like to run a caress along their horns -)
He's just going to go inspect that other cabinet and stop thinking about Rin's horns.
The way Dima says 'Faolan' - a voice, omnipresent in his ears and mind, unknowable by anyone else, and maybe a little possessive - unsettles him. It's not a good idea to let Dima - Dmitri - get accustomed to ...well. Him. Nearness with him.
He never should have offered his hand.
He does reply - softly, with shuttered eyes: [ I don't know them. ]
And, without challenge (does he have it in him to challenge anymore at all?), he adds:
[ And you don't know me. ]
He looks down at his hand in Dmitri's and back up again.
[ Stealth. Nothing else. ]
<.>
Rin won't argue; if Sen's all right with the light bow, they'll just keep this one, thank you very much! Maybe even put it to use against the monster! If there is a monster, which Rin is still not sure about. (Sometimes people make up monsters. Sometimes Rin makes up monsters. Monsters make for good stories!)
They'll grab the large crossbow after a moment's thought, intending to hand it to the human who has... Not joined them in the room? That's all right; more space for Rin and Sen to seek and take what they please!
Rin will join Sen at the other cabinet, intending to help with the inspection.
Dima—
Well. Dima thinks maybe, maybe he shouldn't have explained the spell. He doesn't know why that went wrong, or what brought what he takes as regret to Faolan's eyes; he only knows that something tenuous seems broken.
Not beyond repair! He thinks. He tells himself. (Was his mistake in mentioning the Durst family? Did it seem a slight to mention such a family, when, when... Gods, he can't fall down those thoughts right now. He has to keep some focus on what's happening. For stealth's sake, if nothing else.)
There's an impulse to withdraw his hand at those last words; it's an impulse Dima fights off, though his hand stiffens slightly, and he looks at their joined hands. Nods, looks back at Faolan: [ Stealth, then.]
A breath. A nod to himself. And: [ Please. If you see anything of note, let me know? I admit it's taking half my focus to keep from knocking over everything I see. Even with your guidance. ]
It was a joke. Or an attempt at one, anyway.
<.>