Setting the record straight

[Deleted]

..He had been resting comfortably, or thought he was back at the rather lush expensive hotel back in the sandy resort that Nautilous had introduced them all to.. but then he woke up in Silverthorn.. he'd only passed through here the once before, so he knew of it.. but had yet to properly experience it.. it was a conundrum indeed.. he stood there upon the stone balcony of the guest room he had appeared in.. looking out over the grassy green valleys and the city in the distance.. scratching his head ..his boat was like.. right there.. in the saffron field.. he scratched the back of his head.. laughing quietly.. there was no real answer.. he figured magic was at play.. probably Nautilous.. though as to the whys he was not sure..

maybe the girls had gotten their claws in really deeply and the Men couldn't stay apart from them for any longer.. his thoughts did wander to his little minx.. and since he was here he was most definitely going to track that sweet little naughty bubble down.. he had an incredible amount of energy.. whatever Nautilous had done had literally shaved the years from him.. he received a note however.. one that was written it was clear with urgency.. from Sy.. he didn't quite understand the duo.. the well he did.. and he didnt.. Sybelle was the face he knew incredibly well.. the one he had helped out when she found herself in quite a bit of danger.. the one who he helped blossom from the years of shrouding herself from everyone around her.. and the one that he would inevitably give that last push toward who he felt she needed to be with.. even in as much as it caused an ache to form in one of the smaller corners of his heart.. he had loved her for years.. admired her strength ..found her bubbly personalty addictive..

her caring for those that most would ignore endearing.. and her compassion ..her empathy was..Belles was just the most beautiful woman he had ever known.. and had the pleasure to be around.. thats not to say he didnt love Caela.. he did.. it was just very different.. it didn't help that Caela was so harsh.. so sharp toward him.. everyone saw the highlight reel.. when it was all smiles and laughter.. happy family moments.. no one caught the arguments.. the disagreements behind closed doors and the coldness that he endured.. he was duty bound.. it because obvious quite quickly that there would be no children but whilst he mourned over that quietly he never let her know.. he spared her the heartache he felt.. for if Caela was happy.. if she was pleased and spoilt.. then Sybelle was given that little more freedom.. for when Caela was upset.. displeased or saddened.. she leant heavily upon her younger sister.. and Sybelle was far to easily lead...the note he received spoke on the issues that had come to ahead.. and how it was being said that Sybelle and him had had an affair.. and it was that that broke up their marriage.. that broke up the family.. he scoffed at the idea.. for in as much as he might well have desired to get close to Belle he wouldnt have ever dishonoured his marriage.. his vows were iron clad.. regardless of the fact he knew she was cheating.. he knew she was fucking other men behind his back.. Ace being one of them though he was sure that was probably a wager gone wrong..

he was given a name.. someone he had to seek out.. now he knew the name Navere.. naturally because of the trade possibilities with Gia.. but he didn't know of a brother?.. he slid on something comfortable.. cotton slacks, a short sleeved shirt.. he was built extremely well.. quite tall.. roguish really.. he was a sailor and it showed.. he made his way down one of the long hallways.. out into the open courtyards.. the letter rolled up in one hand as he moved to approach what could be deemed visitors chambers.. off to the side.. still incredibly comfortable but not in the castle proper.. he rapped his knuckles on the door.. glancing down to the paper once more to double check the name-.. Ahh.. Mr.. Thaylan Navere?.. Im looking for a Thaylan Navere.. -he would call through the thick heavy wood.. waiting for the door to be drawn open before he would offer his hand in a good old fashioned strong hand shake-.. Garafin Aranosse.. -he nodded his head.. a smile there upon his features that was quite infectious really-.. I got word you needed to see me.. something about my previous wifes tall tales?.. -he would enter if granted the access.. -.. Im not going to pretend i know whats going on here.. I dont even know how I fucking got here today.. I went to sleep in a desert villa.. only to turn up in a castle bedroom on the other side of the etheral plane.. -he shrugged his shoulders and laughed a little-.. Got word from a close friend.. or.. well.. -he scratched at his stubble-.. some call them sisters.. I dont know.. dont really get it myself.. Sydel.. Sybelle.. -he waved his hand-.. what is it you need to know lad?

[BadInfluence]

The place he occupied was nice, not too fancy of course but far from the slums, the visitors suites not far from the castle was the residence he held at the moment. It was close enough to tend those who might need it as well as provide information to Adelaide in exchange for his troup being in town, a sort of tet-a-tet, all of this having been going on for years now which suited them both fine. He and Silverthorne went back years and years, trade had been good between them and the drow, Tirithon hadn't been stingy with the gold in exchange for the poisons he wanted and the relationship had flourished. Of course since he joined Harlequin he dealt little and less with that and instead had been a sort of spy, telling what he had seen in his travels in exchange for favors and the like, all around a very a-typical relationship. It was only when Ace had come into power that things had shifted, he worked less and less for the kingdom and more so in it, the taxes on their income was much lighter and as such they visited here more often than others. Aeson was a good King and a reasonable man which was why he had stayed as long as he did, even piecing his new toy though that had been something different entirely, not exactly an experience he had come in contact with for... A very long time. He... Might want to perhaps warn Aeson about that bit lest the king get addicted to the sweet venom of witch elf pussy.

Sitting at the table he was jotting down notes on long scrolls, he'd been at this since the fight with Sydel a couple of days ago and had't really stopped outside of small cat naps, preparing the legalities of what was going on and jotting down all he knew and had heard. His mask hung on a stand not far from him, watching and recording it all between being a sort of intercom between himself and his Krew as well as Harlequin himself. It was in the middle of one of those conversations that he heard the knock on the door and stilled his voice, standing up to answer the door to a man who seemed far too young for the years that he had been marked as, though none of his confusion showed on his face as he returned that smile and stepped back to welcome him in. "Thaylan, please, I left the Navare name some years ago. It is a pleasure to meet you Garafin, forgive me if I forego the formalities, they take up more time than I think either of us wants to waste on common dictates." As in... Lets ditch the Mr. manner shit and just talk like two people because it's going to go a hell of a lot faster if we do. "I believe you are a man of fine whisky and cigars, of which I have procured for you to enjoy while I take up your time. Do come sit, I have warmed you a glass with coffee and have an exceptionally fine cigar from Menzoberranzan itself, a rare treat if I might say so myself." Once he was confident that Garafin was comfortably settled onto the seat with the treats in hand he would begin to explain the.... Events... So to speak...

"I am recording this if you don't mind, it will save me writing down the road." He stated simply before he began to pull out the original contract that Caela herself had written and signed with Harlequin himself. "You were transported here with Nautilous Deathhaze along with Aeson Kohler and Jacob Anikin, your ship, and all the goods you intended to sell when time allowed I believe." Going over the list of things in his lap, shifting between this or that page with incredibly neat, almost typewritten words. "Diovan Fenriil had been kidnapped during his banishment to the surface by my Krew and forced under amnesia and imprisonment while a changeling took on his persona and infiltrated the group. Caela had put a contract on Sybelle Anikin in regards to being the source of the sourness in her marriage, including but not limited to an affair she claims happened over the years, and your inability to devote your life to her." Now that he knew the facts from Sydel? Oh sure, the whole thing was utterly bullshit and he felt shamed for his Krew being a part of this, especially when it seemed so... Blatantly obvious that it was bullshit. "Caela offered in exchange for this contract a Rosamund Bryar Ganeth, Heir of Queen Helbron of Har Ganeth, child of Slaanesh and Silvanus on Hell's Night." Proof had been given to him by someone that had floored him to a state of humility and humbleness that he'd never been before, both in awe and absolute terror of the being before him, unable to process that such a thing existed after all this time... It made him shudder just a bit before he shook it off and returned to the business at hand. "I am here to seek your confirmation and evidence of her falsehood so that I can nullify the contract and return Diovan Fenriil to Arvandor where he can be properly treated and healed." He started all so matter of fact before his persona shifted just a bit and he rested his hands in his lap atop of the papers there. "Sydel is Sybelle, just like a flower is still part of the plant, Sybelle is the flower and Sydel is the stem. They can't exist without each other though they can exist apart each other just as a flower isn't on the stem year around." It was a level enough explanation in it's own right, or at least so he thought, but then again as a Harlequin he could understand things a hell of a lot more than others. "That said, she is my closest friend and this contract is meant to destroy her slowly, to take out everyone she cares for one after the other, until she's left alone and is driven to suicide. With your help we can prove her a liar, call off the contract, and save the life of Rose." Which was the cost of said contract. Caela had pulled no punches and had paid a damned high price for the contract, and while Sydel had been right when no one could use the life of someone else to pay a cost, in this case it was... Different... Caela had 'saved' Rose before she was killed as so many children often are in Har Ganeth, as such the life belonged to her, something Chegorath didn't look too closely at simply because he'd do anything to destroy Slaanesh...

[Deleted]

he wasn't sure what to expect if he were completely honest, not knowing a brother existed, and since male drow were not quite so high on the totem pole.. well this whole affair was intriguing to say the least.. he rapped upon the door there.. calling out to you.. full name, or at least what had been written on the letter from Sydel.. his brows furrowed when you told him it was just Thaylin and he nodded.. a quiet laugh sounding in response-.. Sure thing Thaylan it is.. Pleasures all mine lad.. -he nodded his head..making his way into the small guest quarters as he turned to close the door behind him-.. I can never be too sure when it comes to formalities.. some.. especially in big places like this feel its their right..

-he gave a light shrug-.. but you are indeed right.. I dont have time to worry about silly niceties.. honesty and respect.. thats all anyone needs these days.. the rest can settle in the background.. -he sunk down to sit there.. tilting his head when you mentioned the whisky and cigars-.. Well now.. you're speaking my language Lad.. Whisky, rare cigars and hot coffee.. Damn.. -he slapped his hand against his thigh-.. You are a man of fine tastes Thaylan.. Thankyou.. -he reached for the whisky.. pouring a sizeable amount into the warmed coffee as he listened to you.. -.. Ahh. record away I have nothing to hide from anyone..do what ever makes it the easiest.. -slicing through the tip of the cigar..he had mentioned he was unsure on how he had gotten there.. how they'd more or less just arrived suddenly.. you were able to fill in a few blanks for him then.. and a spot of surprise floated across his features.. -.. Figures.. That Nautilous is a crafty fucker

-he laughed as he lit the tip of the cigar on a flickering candle there toward the edge of the table.. sinking back then.. settling in.. he watched as you pulled out a few different scrolls.. some paperwork .. things that looked like contracts and the like.. before you began to speak on Diovan.. he nodded as he listened.. though he exhaled slowly when it turned south.. hearing about the kidnapping.. how a contract had been placed on Sybelle.. before he groaned at the affair remark.. and the rest.. he shook his head lightly.. -.. Im both shocked and appauled at all of this.. I ..sincerely hope that Diovan is alright.. I knew nothing about any of this.. I figured something was wrong with Dio back at the sandy villa.. he seemed very much out of sorts.. and I guess now that you have said all this it makes a lot more sense.. it wasn't him.. the boy was on edge.. very flighty and toward the end was quick to lose his temper..-he took a drink of the coffee then.. grimacing a little as he had put in a little too much whisky but it tasted too damn good to pass up-..

Sybelle and I have been close friends for years.. I'd actually known her longer than Caela.. the two of them were.. -he paused.. choosing his words wisely.. -.. neglected and abused as children.. and even into young adults.. sold as slaves to travellers that moved through Arvandor proper.. I guess I always knew something wasn't quite right.. the random bruising.. how quiet she was.. little bit shy.. Caela was a bit older.. bit more brash.. strict.. very protective of her younger sister.. almost to the point of madness.. but i guess everyone just put that down to the pair of them pretty much being on their own.. no one ever saw their parents.. or family.. there were rumours of a brother.. but.. i dont know.. anyway.. Im rambling.. -he waved his hand a little-.. I run an Inn back in Arvandor.. and one evening I heard a commotion in one of the suites.. a few guests had come forward to alert me to the fact.. I found young Belles in a compromising position with one of the newer guests.. he was hurting her.. I chased him out.. found out it had been set up by their Father.. Caela turned up a little later on.. ready to lay into her sister for what I figure was.. the date wasn't completed in a financial sense.. so I blew it all wide open.. I had the parents run out of Arvandor.. I took the girls in.. I had plenty of room afterall.. I wont deny that I cared for Sybelle.. I did and still do.. I always will.. she's an incredibly special person.. Belles played cupid and kind of laid the foundations to Caela and I finding each other..

-he took another drag from the cigar-.. I am nothing if not a loyal and honest person..the moment I was tied in courtship.. the engagement.. the marriage.. I never touched another soul.. The marriage wasn't easy.. she was gone a lot.. disappeared for long lengths of time..I stayed at the Inn and continued to work.. I kept Belles company..she swept away the lonely cobwebs that developed every so often.. when Diovan came into the picture I could tell Caela Hated it.. Belles adored Diovan.. the two were thick as thieves.. best friends before anything ever came of it.. but Caela was a roadblock at their every turn.. I dont know if it was jealousy.. or she was trying to keep Belles from being hurt but.. to me.. it was too much.. I often helped her steal away in the middle of the night to go and see the young man.. until the night Caela struck her for it.. and it just about crushed me.. I felt to blame.. I felt responsible.. I was taught from a very young age that you never hit a woman.. I guess as I grew a bit older I just came to the realisation you're best not to hit anyone if you can avoid it.. Caela had a series of miscarriages.. I would have loved a child.. I had always wanted to be a Father.. but it was just never meant to be.. I know she had lovers.. I was no fool.. I saw it with my own eyes.. I had people tell me.. I dont know.. I guess Im a little old fashioned.. but it was not to give me permission to go and do the same.. so no.. there was no affair.. I devoted my life entirely to her.. I was always there for her.. waiting for her.. until my heart grew cold and the lonliness eve with her in the same bed became to much to bare..I'm positive you'd be able to tap into memories.. or.. something.. im an open book.. you can peruse if you need concrete proof.. Ive nothing to hide.

.-he exhaled.. his brows furrowed when you spoke on what Caela had put up in exchange for the contract.. that being Rose-.. Well I know of a Rose.. that sweet pop of sunshine that young Jacob has fallen head over heels for.. but I dont know of any Queen Helbron or children of slaanesh.. that sounds all rather important.. I struggle with hearing the idea that Caela would do this to her younger sister.. maybe the jealousy ran deeper than I thought.. Whatever I can give you to get Diovan back to the family.. is yours..anything.. -he sat up a little on the chair.. listening as you explained the Sydel/Sybelle story int he easiest explanation he had ever heard.. it just made so much more sense that way..-..Its an interesting way to look at it.. -he nodded.. - Belles is one of my closest friends.. and with that comes the ivory beauty.. I dont want anything happening to either of them.. destroying her slowly through taking out everyone she cares for.. No.. Id give up everything I have to make sure she was able to live her life.. without interruption from a woman I happened to be tied to.. once upon a time.. let me help you if I can.. please.. -he loved and adored Belles.. and in a round about way that meant he did Sydel as well.. and he would not stand for any of this-

[BadInfluence]

"True enough but I prefer to be more comfortable around my friends and those I see as equals." Formalities were a mile long in Menzoberranzan that just went without needing explaining. More often than not all that was just wasted wind and time no one was ever going to get back. "Let's leave the time wasting to those who have the money for it, shall we?" Royals had nothing BUT time, he'd let them waste it all they wanted, the two of them had better things to do. Seeing the satisfaction on Garafins face at the offers on hand, he nodded his head and grinned a bit, taking his own seat though he had neither cigar and whisky for himself. Harlequin did not indulge... At least, not many. "A man knows what another needs is the saying I believe?" He said before he mentioned the mask hanging on the stand, it would be recording the entire conversation, including any sudden spikes in heart beats or temperature. "Thank you, yes, it makes it a deal easier. Writing doesn't convey emotion or pitch and it can be misread far too easily. I want to make this as concrete and genuine as I can." And it would make sure that nothing was missed, no words slipped in that were forgotten on paper, no loopholes left open for anyone to take. He already knew just from what he had seen so far that Caela was a crafty bitch of the first order and she would take any slight error, no matter how minute, and run with it to serve her own ends. The mentioning of their arrival to the castle was easier for him to explain as he had seen the whole damn thing and talked to Nautilous himself after it, mostly to cuss him out for ruining the saffron as that shit was worth more than gold per ounce, and drows paid highly for new and exotic spices they can't grow underground. Nodding his head at the comment he couldn't help the grin. "Mmm. We go way back to when he was a youth and he was just as flamboyant then as he is now. He probably sees this place as being far more lively than the other considering King Aeson is back in residence." Things like the Princess Run which... Really the Drow would have NEVER done such a thing, it was beneath a female to do so and it was strange to see it, so many of royal blood contending for one man... But from what he had seen? That was all just smoke and mirrors. Aeson had made his choice.

Listing off the contract that he had been given, he went through the grievances claimed against Sybell Anikin, and while there were several minor ones the main ones had to do with the destruction of a marriage. He went on to explain the disappearance of one of their group, the real one having been stolen away on the surface and banged up a bit, a doppleganger having taken his place. "He is alive, just a bit worse for wear, nothing that can't be fixed." With time, anyways. Memories when they get stolen are... Tricky... They couldn't be returned without the death or consumption of flesh of the one who stole them and given it was a member of his own troupe? He wasn't about to do that. But how far back and how many memories were stolen? Now that he didn't know and it could cause some serious ramification. That part wasn't exactly a fine science, it was a bit touch and go at times without a doubt, but they'd see what they could do. After all it was their fault for being so misguided in the contract. The mistake? Was on them. "The farther the dopple is from the original the better... In Arvandor it was easy for him to slide in but on the surface where the original body is it becomes far more difficult." He caught that gimmance and just smiled but said nothing. He didn't go cheap on the whisky, and the stuff in Silverthorne was always high end because of the Kings preference for it, so naturally what was in that glass was some of the best. He listened as it was all explained, even if it was in surplus it was better than being stingy, and hearing the extra would only strengthen the case as it came up. Every now and then he made a note on paper, certain things needing to be investigated a little more, something wasn't quite adding up... Not that it was his fault, moreso that Caela had left a lot out, specifically the miscarriages... He knew Caela bought from the Drow various poisons and given the current state of Sybelle being pregnant with one of Garafins children?... No... Things were not lining up indeed... The offer to tap into memories made him pause a moment. It was a way to refute it all without any doubt and it would have made things very easy to pick apart. "I can yes, it requires a bit of magic, you'll feel a bit of a tingle but it's bearable..." Just having him wear the mask for a few minutes would be enough to scan and record the memories of those years. "Caela is suffering from a sort of dementia and she sees Sybelle as the cause of all her harm and misfortune. She's gone to extreme lengths to try and deal back all the pain she feels she'd been dealt." Talk about leveling the score to an extreme over kill point.

"It's the same woman, Rose is Rosamund Briar Ganeth, heir to Helbron herself. It is very important and why Caela was able to get the contract she did. It is best this information stay between us though if you don't mind? It will come out on it's own soon." He wasn't about to drop that bomb on anyone. At least with the information it made Rose's run through easier given she had a purer blood line than anyone else in the castle. He explained the parts of Sydel as best he could to Garafin for a moment, knowing it could be very hard to understand how a person could be split into two or more parts, but the way he broke it down he felt suited it perfectly. He'd stand then and bring the beautifully ornate mask off of it's stand and over to Garafin. "You don't have to give up anything thankfully. We are not that type of group and we simply seek to right a wrong caused through misinformation. I am just glad we were able to catch it before anyone else was hurt." He said easily as he slowly lowered the mask over Garafins head, the sudden hum of magic crackling around his head, a myriad of colors before the screen cleared and he could see out the eyes. "It's quite intense I know... Just breathe deeply and think back to the moment you met Sybelle and go from there. Recall in as much detail as you can the moments with Caela, good and bad, anything that stuck out to you and even the things you didn't think were important. Go from there up to your divorce and her banishment from Arvandor if you can." He laid his hands on Garafins shoulders and gently began to work the knots out there with a knowing hand, knowing relaxation helped the mask work better in these situations, and the more relaxed Garafin was the less it would sting. It was a bit like a low electronic charge, half pleasure and half pain, you weren't sure if you wanted to yank it off or roll with it. It would last for several minutes, Garafin had a long chunk of his life with Caela naturally it took a while, but at least the sensations didn't get worse. They just held even until it was done and it cut off, he'd lift the mask up off Garafin's head and return it to it's stand before passing the coffee back into Garafins hands to take a drink.

"Drink up and brace yourself." He said gently before there was a rapping at the door. "Right on time... Quite punctual for a gypsy." He said with a bit of a raised brow before he'd go to the door and open it, there stood his little Daetaru, dressed in an adorable little sun dress and flower pattered parasol with a picnic basket on her arm. "I took the liberty of calling your promised one for you so you two might spend the day together while all of this is sorted. Thank you very much for your time and if you feel odd don't hesitate to contact me. Sometimes these things have unique side effects that can crop up suddenly." He wouldn't say what they were though if only because they were... Well utterly random. Sometimes people saw others as walking hats, others were where they heard someone singing even if no one was around, and others... Well others ended up developing a very strong primary arm and he'd leave it there. "Enjoy yourself and thank you for your time. I'll have all this sorted before you know it."