CH. 5: The Sending is Coming from Inside the House

[Jenara]

"Then we are looking for... Wallflowers, quiet thoughtful young ladies. Our killer gives them some attention, makes them feel special, and gets their trust.." she muses, "Quiet hard working girls, that no one would notice. Until Maronna, they slipped up there."

[Nuke]

"Hmmm, I might fit that, but I doubt my heritage would draw much attention." Val says.

[HorizonsDream]

"Yes, I heard that Brock, the owner of the inn came here to make funeral arrangements for his daughter," Jocelyn says. "Is he still busy?"

[JadedDM]

Paragon Inn

"I can't help but feel like we're missing something important; something we've overlooked, somehow," Ouragana says, tenting her hands in thought. "We've interviewed people, we've searched the scene of the crime...but what else is there?"

The waiter returns then. "Will you three be staying in the suite again tonight? If so, that will be another five gold," he points out.

Temple of Gonto

"Oh, I believe he and the kohen are still downstairs in the crypt," the acolyte says, gesturing to a doorway that leads to a descending staircase. "Right down there."

Following her directions, Jocelyn descends down into the crypt. It does not resemble a crypt, though. It's well-lit, immaculately clean and quite sterile. It resembles more of a hospital than anything, albeit one where the patients are all stored in coffins that are placed in slots in the walls.

In the center of the area is some kind of table. A body rests upon it, covered up by a white sheet. Judging from the shape underneath it, it's likely a dwarf or gnome. Brock and Dalaim stand nearby, speaking in quiet tones. The cleric pats the innkeeper on the shoulder in a consoling manner, and Brock nods sullenly.

[HorizonsDream]

Jocelyn clears her throat a little bit, and slowly approaches the pair. "Excuse me for interrupting," she says softly.

[Nuke]

"Yes, we will be staying." Val fishes out the fee and pays this time around.

[Jenara]

"If I knew what I'd do it." Arei says curiously, "We should look at the bodies, that is where our young cleric has gone, but perhaps... Oura, you are the smartest, perhaps you should go and see what you can find out."

"Thank you Val."

[JadedDM]

Temple of Gonto

The kohen and Brock both turn to Jocelyn. "Ah, Miss Blaine," Dalaim says. "I did not expect to see you again so soon. Is there something I can help you with?"

Paragon Inn

"You wish me to examine the body at the temple?" Ouragana asks Areilon. "What will you and Val be doing then?"

=========

Val pays 5 gold pieces.

[Jenara]

"I actually have no idea." Arei says with a shrug of her shoulders. "I'm at a loss if I am honest, my only thought is the bodies of the victims, I wish I knew the answer."

[HorizonsDream]

Jocelyn walks towards the Kohen and Brock. "I don't mean to interrupt," she says. "I wished to say a prayer to Octhanus in honor of Maronna. Also, there was one question I would like to ask about her, if that is all right?"

[JadedDM]

Paragon Inn

"We may as well all go then," Ouragana points out, before standing up. "In any case, I will go and investigate. You two are welcome to join me, or not, as is your whim."

Temple of Gonto

"She has already been blessed by Gonto," Dalaim says. "But being blessed by two different gods can only be a good thing. Feel free."

"What did you want to know?" Brock says. Jocelyn notes that while he has cleaned himself up a bit, he still smells fairly strongly of liquor and his eyes remain bloodshot.

[Jenara]

"Indeed, we might as well." As she has finished her food she stands with her, "Val?"

[HorizonsDream]

"I just wished to know who some of Maronna's close friends were," she asked. It was the only question she wanted to ask Brock.

[Nuke]

Val stands and tags along. "Might just as well join you.. We can always have another drink later."

[JadedDM]

The other three women leave the inn and head to the temple. They, too, are greeted by an acolyte who directs them downstairs into the crypt.

"Her friends?" Brock repeats. "Right, right. I've been trying to remember them so I can send invites to her funeral. There was the blacksmith's granddaughter," he says, counting them off his fingers, one by one, "the ugly one with the big glasses, the bitchy one with the high-pitched voice. Damn, can't really remember their names." His eyes light up in remembrance. "Oh, yeah. That halfling minstrel who has been staying with us the past couple of weeks. Those two were always gossiping and hem-hawing about....well, whatever it is young ladies talk about."