More Than Bargained

[tuo]

Lukas grinned at that and hugged her close. "Really? I'll have to keep my eye out for more chances like that.."

[Kender Bard]

With how closely Lukas held her, he could feel her heart beating rapidly in Sashi's chest as she grew more nervous again and pulled away from him, gently, hoping not to upset him again. "We really should go though," she said with all seriousness.

[tuo]

Lukas coughed nervously and nodded. "Oh yeah..we should try to remain professional.." Though he did wish they weren't on the job right now so they could go sight seeing together..

[Kender Bard]

Sashi flashed him a tight little smile before turning and hurrying, no-nonesense like, to the residence of the Yonwin family.

With land space so limited and crowded on Ronduin, nobody (not even the very wealthy) could afford to have a sprawling mansion as a sign of wealth. Ronduin was a land of the people, for the people. Nobody would dare take up precious landspace that could be used to house a neighbor instead.

And so they built up.

The Yonwin mansion was a towering thing, several stories high. Though it was made of sturdy stone, it was built with an eye to please and the outer facade was carved painstakingly to give the impression that the home was actually fluted, delicate, and spiraling. Rare, expensive flowers from the mainland grew alongside it - climbing ivy and blooming vines added to the feeling of majesty and delicacy. Sashi got dizzy just looking at it.

"Wow," was all she could say for a moment.

[tuo]

Lukas gazed up at awe at the building. He tried to think of something appropriate to say but couldn't come up with anything so just resorted to a business like approach. "So, is this the place?"

[Kender Bard]

"Aye," Sashi confirmed, going to the door and knocking loudly. After a bit of a wait (there were many stairs to descend), the door was opened and a young woman peered out. "Yes?"

Sashi cleared her throat. "We are here to see Lord Yonwin?"

The woman's demeanor instantly went icy at Sashi's words. "Lord Yonwin is dead."

Sashi was considerably taken aback, thinking she'd lost a job. "Lord Thomas has been killed?"

The woman's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh, you want Thomas. You should have said. Lord Yonwin is our eldest brother, and he is dead. Thomas is no lord of this house."

"Elly!" an older woman's voice called out shrilly. "If we have guests, don't keep them out in the cold, for heaven's sake woman!"

Looking obviously displeased, the girl - Elly - left the door open and flounced off.

"What a little bi-" Sashi began to mutter as she walked inside but abruptly stopped and plastered on a smile as the older woman came into view and ushered them in to the pleasant warmth of the home.

"I'm sorry about that," the woman said hurriedly. "Elly hasn't been very pleasant. She's still grief-stricken over the loss of our older brothers. You're here to see Thomas? I'll fetch him." She gestured to a small sitting room near a spiral staircase where a fireplace crackled merrily. "Please, be seated, and make yourselves comfortable." She turned and hurried away.

[tuo]

Lukas nods to the older woman as she walks away. "Thank you." He goes to sit on one of the chairs as comfortably as he is able.

[Kender Bard]

Sashi plopped down in a nearby seat as well and crossed her arms, enjoying the heat of the fireplace. She scooted a little closer to it. "What do you think so far?" she asked Lukas.

[tuo]

Lukas was already thinking about what Elly has said. ~Well, so far it seems there are those still alive in the house think he is guilty..that other woman though didn't seem to express any opinion one way or the other..~

[Kender Bard]

Sashi gave a small nod. I can sort of see why Thomas might be a bit paranoid.

As though thinking of him conjured him, Thomas quickly descended the last of the steps and came to the sitting room. Sashi rose quickly and shook the man's hand, which seemed to surprise him a little. He was used to curtsies from women.

"Thank you for coming," he spoke while shaking Sashi's hand. "It's really a relief. I just would like someone to watch over me, lest my brothers' killers come for me."

Lurking in a corner near the stairs, Elly snorted and muttered, "Don't look in a mirror then." Thomas cheerfully ignored her.

[tuo]

Lukas stood up carefully and offered Thomas his right hand while shifting his left arm to slightly brush his mind sign. Using the mind sign he carefully tries to pick up any stray thought that may be 'floating around' either Thomas or Elly.

[Kender Bard]

Thomas's mind was abuzz with thoughts; he radiated them loudly now that Lukas was in 'listening' mode. Mostly he gave off thoughts of worry and fear. Loudest of all was the thought, "I hope to Etaf that these two can keep me safe."

Near Elly was a quieter cloud, the thoughts hard to pick up from her. She thought moodily things of resentment, of hatred, and anger. "Look at him, putting on this act, while pretending his hands aren't drenched in blood."

"Let me show you around," Thomas offered, and headed up the stairs with Sashi close behind.

The house was a mansion, all right, if not in size. Sashi found herself really wishing they had built out and not up by the time the bedrooms were being reached and the end of the tour concluded. Thomas narrated the entire tour. "And here are my chambers - I wasn't sure how many of you were coming so only the room here is vacated. I will have another done so as well immediately."

"We can share a night," Sashi offered indifferently. "We camped together the whole way here, after all."

"Er, right," Thomas muttered, flustered, his refined senses a bit offended at the thought but he brushed it away easily. "Are you in need of anything? Any questions?"

[tuo]

Lukas blinks and tilts head thoughtfully. "Is there anybody else who lives or works here?" He wanted to know of all potential threats..as well as who he might get the chance to investigate later.

[Kender Bard]

Thomas nodded quickly. "Aye, you met Elly and Brenda. I have five other sisters."

"Holy!" Sashi couldn't help herself from sputtering. She'd been an only child her life. Thomas chuckled thinly.

"We were a big family," he conceded. "Still are, really. Elly is the youngest, at nineteen. Then there's Karin, the oldest, at nearly sixty."

"Somebody's father got around," Sashi thought loudly, glancing at Lukas and resisting the urge to grin.

[tuo]

Lukas' eyes widened in surprise. ~Yeah..I mean..wow..~ He looks around at the room a bit. "Ah..so what are the sleeping arrangements going to be captain..?"