Brothers Separated By A Single Channel

[paladin_robot]

[1]

...I'm going after Isaac.

[Richard makes his intent pretty clear and simple as he starts packing some of his stuff, food and supplies already stuffed into a backpack. At his workbench, he briefly hesitates as he picks up his sword... but straps it to his side anyway.]

I've got some idea of where he might go, and I've things to check on anyway.

[Richard seems pretty determined, anything you might have to say?]

[2]
[Locked]

For a place being fortified, wasn't that hard to get in...

[Richard muses as he steps towards the Sinclair household, though admittedly even Britannian special forces did not typically have the might of magic at their command.

He stares up at the aged building for a bit, wondering if the people inside had ever really met a - as they would call him - 'Norman' before...

Well, as he knocked on the door, time to find out.]

Comments

Re: 2

[armored_fruit]

"Yes, mother. Immediately." Gloriana rushes inside. You hear a sudden 'woosh' of flames, and a howling teakettle.

Re: 2

[armored_fruit]

Isaac's mother extends her hand toward the open door. "Would you join us in our parlor, Richard Chevalier, that we may discuss this more comfortably?"

Re: 2

[paladin_robot]

...I can't imagine your gas supplies would last a siege...

[Richard remarks as he steps inside, probably going to try and find a place to both sit down, and take off his stuff.]

Re: 2

[armored_fruit]

"We use solar power." The Duchess replies simply, as you step inside.

The parlor of the Sinclair family is...sturdy. There are few guilded fripperies or lacey doiles, or fabulous curtains.

But the thick oak furniture and fur rugs look comfortable and aged. A few tapestries and hunting trophy animal heads adorn the place. It's much less dusty than you'd expected.

With a clatter of dishes, and a set of very Anglo-Saxon curses, Glorianna emerges with a China Tray of tea, biscuits, and lemon, setting them on the small table before you.

The Duchess takes a small, slurping sip of her tea, then exhales.

"Now...perhaps we should start by asking you how you came to know little Isaac in the first place?"

Re: 2

[paladin_robot]

[Richard looks around, slightly awed, before wincing at all the swearing and crashing. He seems apologetic as Glorianna emerges, and with some caution, takes up some tea.]

I worked with him. Ever heard of the White Chalice? Perhaps a giant robot by the name of Ideigi?

Re: 2

[armored_fruit]

"Isaac spoke quite a lot about the people of the White Chalice and their travels across the land." the Duchess replies. "And he spoke quite warmly about the various adventures and mishaps they'd get up to. "

She smiles warmly. "I believe it did him much good to experience the wider world beyond the Britannian Isles. But as for this Ideigi..."

She takes another sip (btw: the tea is DELICIOUS). "He did mention at several points a young spirited fellow, who fought the Demon Kings of old with a mystical robot that he could summon at will. A valiant fighter, he said, which is quite the compliment from him."

She cocks her head to the side. "I'd ask you if you were that person, but there is certainly the air of sorcery about you: wisdom learned too quickly in your eyes...tell me, what has happened to my son?"

Re: 2

[paladin_robot]

You don't say...

[Richard is... surprised to actually hear Isaac apparently thought so highly of him. In private at that. The tea is certainly helping to lift his spirits, although...]

As for him... I don't know. There was a mission in Pendragon, after you called him regarding the court decision. He disabled an ally and released a hostile creature, before fleeing without explaining himself. His whereabouts, unknown... Had kinda hoped he might stop here.

Re: 2

[armored_fruit]

"...I see." the Duchess says, lowering her cup of tea and setting it on his plate. "Gloriana, could you check the perimeter for breaks in the wall?"

Gloriana strides out, and you and Isaac's mother are alone for the moment.

"Isaac has not shown up here." She says quietly. "Nor has he responded to any message I've sent. Not even my spies have been able to locate his whereabouts."

She stirs some sugar into her tea.

"But just a day after the Pendragon incident, a certain..thorn in the family's side was promptly and forcibly removed. Our estate has been granted the status of a Royal Protected Nature Reserve under our stewardship. And certain families from the the Royal Court have sent invitations inviting us to take part in some joint financial enterprises–out of the blue, as it were."

She keeps stirring. "Curious, no?"

Re: 2

[paladin_robot]

...Very. I'd talked to him about potentially talking to members of the royal family weighing in with some support for your claims, but that goes beyond anything we discussed.

So that's what he got for... whatever he tried to do.

Re: 2

[armored_fruit]

"So it seems." Isaac's mother says, starring at the tea in her cup.

"I hardly dared to hope...but he did it. My little son Isaac saved our family home." She says softly.

Yet with clear pride in her voice.

Re: 2

[paladin_robot]

Yeah, at the cost of risking friends, allies, and possibly the wider city of Pendragon if we hadn't stopped what he set loose. Seriously, it was like, a cyborg dinosaur.

Re: 2

[armored_fruit]

"...What?" Isaac's mother says, her carefully Britannian poise and restraint fluctuating.

She pulls out a fan. "What for? No, a pointless question. Who."

She leans forward. "Who was Isaac working for?"