Text; UN: Black Prince

[blackscales]

[ Wrathion reporting in with another scheme, this time one he needs assistance with. ]

Myself, Licyn and Moran were among those who assisted the Lady Arabella to safety during the summit. She discarded a key along the way that her assistant was attempting to give her, claiming it wasn't hers. On inspection this key is old, greasy, and has the phrase 'wake up' engraved into it. A meaningful message, I assume, like the one delivered to her previously with flowers. The key itself appears to be from the Ubiq factory in Eidris, which I have managed to gain myself an invite to tour after some trouble. I have a suspicion the key is for a winding mechanism, perhaps a clock given the engraved phrase. Regardless, it doesn't fit the style of a door or window key.

Licyn and the Doctor managed to track the grease on the key to the Mouse House. We have an idea of where it might have been, now we need to learn exactly what the key is for.

If you have the time, a useful role involving factories, gears, winding mechanisms and the like, and would care to join me on such a tour do let me know. I suspect this will help us piece together the bigger picture of what is happening here. Someone attempted to give Arabella this key for a reason, and understanding what it is for will help unlock why.

[ ooc: some info is available on things they might find already, but we can always ask more! ]

Comments

un: workstormit

[bravelyrunsaway]

If you have a need for anyone sniffing around more, get in touch. I have reasons to move from here to there for my supposed career in metal, jewel, and gear inspecting, so I can carry messages or act as escort if people need a way to the factory. Almost like what I actually do back home.

I'd be practically useless inside, unless you want someone flirting for distraction.

[blackscales]

It can be a useful distraction and, equally, a useful manner of gaining information.

[bravelyrunsaway]

Then my flirtation is here for group use, no hardship. Eidris is more lively on that side of things, less concerned about being pristine!

un: absterge

[downswing]

You have uttered the words before her?

[blackscales]

I have not, the result of the other words being spoken was not known to us until after we had parted ways.

I understand your curiosity, but have reservations given how... unpleasant the previous result was and a lack of understanding over what exactly was happening. I am in no rush myself. I'd rather be sure we aren't enacting someone's plan unwitting, before we understand the consequences.

That said, if you prefer to act and understand the results I would not stop you.

[weifinder]

I'm trying to imagine Lan Zhan speaking more than he has to and am incredibly amused at the thought.

As far as Arabella, I agree. Caution in speaking with her on words meant to shake her out of... the appearance of normalcy?

[downswing]

I see root to your caution.

un: yiling laozu

[weifinder]

This is part of the Ubiq family assets, this factory? Meaning the leading dragonrider here in Minaras? Now that's curious. Makes sense for why the factory is over in Eidris.

Anyone needs a ride, Lethe and I can provide as much.

[blackscales]

So it seems. Your dragon rider is no longer in the family business, although if that is relevant or not I am unsure. Perhaps something for someone with ties to them to investigate.

i keep screwing up the names of each section + citadel DRAGONRIDER OF SERTHICA

[weifinder]

I move within limited courier dragonriding circles, but I do have a few clients for facial hair grooming who I might ask around when they want a touch up.

voice; un: hexonthebeach

[incantates]

I would definitely be up for a tour, especially with your lovely, chipper self as a guide just to hear your enlightening commentary.

[ It's a light tease. He's definitely not a clock or gear expert, so he's not sure how much use he'd be. ]

Suppose you're correct, and it does work on a clock... do we have any inkling of an idea what this clock does? I don't think we need another magical artifact situation on our hands.

voice ;

[blackscales]

[ Wrathion sounds a little tired, which he was using text to avoid being so obvious, but never fear he will always rise to the challenge when baited. ]

I expect most of the tour commentary will be by the factory workers, answering our questions, but I will do my oblige you nonetheless.

[ A thoughtful pause. ]

As for clocks, there's a significant one in the neutral zone and we know the beacon to be there according to our dear friend the Merchant. They call this place the old 'heart', and that clock sets the time at which the cities must move and change position. It feels a significant structure, and if the beacon is there potentially a place of power.

[incantates]

[ Look, sometimes he just likes to hear the sound of Wrathion's voice ...and his own voice. Mostly his own voice. ]

You know I'd appreciate the effort, especially if you include a few fanciful anecdotes. And what are the chances this hastily abandoned key would be the one key that actually controls the city-switching mechanism. That would be suspiciously convenient.

As an old friend once said, [ He'll do his best Freud expression here even though he's sure the reference is entirely lost on Wrathion. ] –there is no such thing as an accident.

un: sizhui

[paperbutterflies]

I have been assigned as census taker, and I will keep an eye on such winding mechanisms. But if you narrow the search to a home, or various homes, in Minaras, I can likely provide access to them.

Did Lady Arabella's assistant say anything more about the key? If not, could that assistant be talked with again?

[blackscales]

A particularly useful role.

The individual in question was one of the Sanctuary's attendants -- at the time, we were evacuating Arabella so didn't linger to ask further questions. They simply seemed to be bundling all her belongings at her, and the key was among them. You're welcome to return to the Sanctuary and see if they might have more to offer.

[paperbutterflies]

It gives access to much, though if one needs to look everywhere, perhaps too much.

I see. I will attempt to find them, then.

un : dappled peals of the parted seas (voice)

[beitangmoran]

I cannot help much beyond this point for now, but I'll keep my ears open in Minaras.

voice ;

[blackscales]

Your access is not inconsiderate, I have no doubt it will be of use given it is likely Remembrance will target more officials in the coming days.

[beitangmoran]

That's unfortunately probable. My students are rather discombobulated about it.

text; un: majortom

[winscenario]

I don't know if it would help, but I spend a portion of my time in the Neutral Zone for my job assignment, I could have a look around and see if the key would fit anywhere. I'm allowed some limited access to the base of the Old Heart too, if you think that key could be connected to a clock.

[blackscales]

Any lead would be useful. My hunch is based off the engraving, and my own personal suspicion that the clock is an important part of all this, but I have no particular evidence. All we can really say is it doesn't seem to match any style of door or window key we've compared it to. So it's something else -- the question is, what?

[winscenario]

If there's no obvious lock, I'd say whatever it opens, it must be somewhere well-hidden, secret or of difficult access. Somewhere exclusive, maybe. The clock tower would track, at least, since I'm not allowed too deep or too high into the tower, and even the winding of the base gears is done with constant supervision. But if I get to see the key, I can at least pay more attention to any locks I see while I'm closer to it. Shot in the dark, maybe, but you never know.

un: spock

[intermingled]

My job as cog inspector has given me an unusual amount of access as well as allowing me to spend time looking at many of the mechanisms in this city. I will assist you in this mystery however I can.

[blackscales]

Your presence is most welcome. Perhaps your access may allow you into places that our tour may find closed to us.

[intermingled]

That is my thinking. I have called little attention to myself, so I believe as long as we are dressed appropriately and behave as if we belong, we will not be noticed.

I, too, would very much like to unwrap the mysteries of this place. It is a fascinating place.