Dompag in a butler suit would look absolutely dandy wouldn't he?

Dompag should get a chance to meet our guest, it's a rare chance for a meeting of such minds and hopefully a reason to return

>>1105499
Hmm, and when WAS the last time he was there? I hope it was during your father's reign. That would make him a good deal more trustworthy.

>>1105499
We should ask about his companion's Boss.
Not just the lovely lady, but also the little guys that look like mannikins.

Muschio 2025/03/28(Fri)13:52 No. 1105521 ID: 46e818
File 174319513144.png - (18.92KB , 800x600 , 2284.png )

Very well, I'll send for Dompag as well, once the others have arrived.

"When was this?"
>"Oh, during your father's reign, some years ago. It was a high honor to be invited to the royal court! You know, the castle reminded me a bit of a keep I'd once visited just North of Tela Cruz. Beautiful little hamlet, it was. Ah, me!"

He gets into his seat with a little effort, and his second seats herself beside him.
>"You know, Prince, we've met before."

>>1105517
The little guys are sprites, minions summoned via a monster portal. It was one of them that delivered the message of his arrival.

>>1105521
"Truly? When was this? It had to have been when I was but a child."

Muschio 2025/03/28(Fri)14:00 No. 1105525 ID: 46e818
File 174319561583.png - (14.04KB , 800x600 , 2285.png )

"Have we?"
>"Oh yes! Though I don't blame you forgetting me. You were only a babe! Sat upon your dear mother's lap.
>I had brought you a little... well it was hardly a trinket, a mere toy, but it cost quite a coin, and I'd brought it all the way from the North Pass, near the Mesas. Speaking of them, I heard the bugfolk-- oh look at me, I'm all over the place this afternoon. It's that excitement to be here. And in your presence, no less, all these years later!
>As I was saying, you were but a little child. I heard you had quite a temper in your youth, though I mean no disrespect in saying so. It appears you've calmed since, of course! You shine such a true regal demeanor, now.

>Where was I? Ah, the toy, yes. I hoped it would leave a good impression. But you held it only for a moment, and then threw it into the fireplace!
>Oh, you should have seen me! I turned white as a ghost! I thought that reception would mark me by some grave insult to the court, but your mother, bless her kind soul, she laughed with such mirth, and all the tension was broken."
>"Lunch is served!"

>>1105525
While we wait for the others to join us let's segue the conversation to Mondegreen to gauge his reaction of her name. Make no mention that she said they've met.

If he does know her, give him her regards.
If he and his second do not, then we need to assume he's a spy, play it cool and try to pump him for info while giving him none.

>>1105525
"I am pleased to know that my family left such a lasting impression. What was the nature of your visit to my father's old court? Was it mere tribute as king? You are certainly dressed as a foreign dignitary. Or was there something bargain the two of you had conducted? I assure you if it is within my power, I will gladly follow in my father's example."

>>1105525
O-hoh!
Firey tempered lil muschio sounds adorable.
Summon a memory of yourself
lets see how cute you were

>Prince with toys
Why does this sound familiar and why does it feel like you made the right call?

Ask what the toy looked like.

Is there a fireplace nearby to throw into whatever he intends on giving you?

>>1105525
At this point, it would be rude Not to ask for him to introduce us his companion's Boss.

Asking him to introduce his companion is a good idea, yeah.

I’m very wary about the “toy”. Something or other about a witch cursing us as a child with a very fancy-looking ball…

Either way, ask what the toy looked like. Hopefully it was wooden.

It doesn't take much to get him talking, he's clearly an honest and open book.
Suspicion is unwarranted and a drag on the mood, just relax and enjoy the company.

Don't forget to introduce your companions too, might be a good way to prompt him to introduce his.

>>1105525
One of those wind up fairies, right?

Arent all fairys wind up ones if you find a place to put the key?

Cmon visions of youth.
Bubble up from the memory gumbo and let us see what we remember.

Muschio 2025/04/02(Wed)02:56 No. 1105712 ID: 46e818
File 174358778056.png - (23.64KB , 800x600 , 2286.png )

"Ah, I'd like to introduce my trusted officer, Marjani Openda. A deeply skilled and knowledgeable woman, who, by our great fortune, is also a world-class chef. As I'm sure you're about to find out."
>"A truly heavenly scent! An honor to meet you, Miss Openda. I must thank you now for what I'm sure will be a great feast. I fear I may be entirely too sated to do so later.
>Ah, and where are my manners? This is my great friend and honored traveling companion, Lily Tee."
>"Pleased to meet you, Lily Tee! You can call me Ona."
>"And you can call me Lily, you little darling. Thank you for making our lunch. I'll be sure to savor it."

Muschio 2025/04/02(Wed)03:17 No. 1105713 ID: 46e818
File 174358904708.png - (16.75KB , 800x600 , 2287.png )

"Please, my new acquaintances. Let's not stand on ceremony -- help yourselves. We have an open service practice here, so do just take whatever you see that looks appetizing."
>"I'll raise a toast when I've whetted my appetite, then."
>"Thank you, Highness."

"You know, as luck would have it, I was just speaking with the Lady Mondegreen recently--"
>"Moira? Then you've met the old busybody, have you? Well, I'm sure she wanted something. And I'll bet she got it! Ha! She has a gift, that girl.
>Next time you see her, you tell her old Rabas is still bringing her that gift."

>>1105713
What's that being spooned into his cup? Some part of the food? Not poison, surely. She wouldn't be so brazen as to do that in front of you. Right?

>>1105714
Pretty sure they're drinking from the cordial glasses seen here; >>1105712
So that must just be a serving bowl she's taking food out of.

He's quite the giver of gifts.
For some reason that nickname has... connotations.

Aside from that, do we have something to reciprocate with?
A gift that is.

Is that Boba?

>>1105725
Do we have anything we can gift him?
Other than those raw magic crystals I can't think of a lot. We haven't really had the time to gather anything but raw materials for the most part.
And I hardly think he'd want any of those creepy idols we recently unearthed.

Muschio 2025/04/02(Wed)23:18 No. 1105751 ID: 46e818
File 174366108874.png - (15.19KB , 800x600 , 2288.png )

>"Ah, and of gifts, forgive me forgetting. I have something else for you here, with me, Prince.
>This trinket was difficult to acquire. I regret that in purchasing it, I was rewarding the man who'd plundered it. But I hope by bring it to you, that deed's evil is now lesser."

Muschio 2025/04/02(Wed)23:25 No. 1105752 ID: 46e818
File 174366155095.png - (16.66KB , 800x600 , 2289.png )

>"Here. I have it.
>This necklace belonged to your great, great grandmother. Pure, flawless platinum. The gem, I have heard, is green garnet -- your family stone, I believe.
>When your throne was lost, your castle was not officially sacked, but much went missing when Rimontaggio's soldiers and mercenaries stormed the grounds. History disappears into hungry pockets.
>I wish I could have salvaged more, but let this be a gift to the new Malto kingdom."

Ah, another gift to screen. It's probably safe to touch since he's touching it just fine, but I wouldn't put it on until one of our trusted mages examines it. Is it even your style to wear jewelry? Also I guess Finesse could check it for hidden mechanisms.

Thank him warmly, if you can remember enough to consider it genuine. If not, then I guess you'll just have to thank him amicably and admit you do not remember seeing it.
We really should give some sort of gift of our own at this point, what do we have that would be appropriate?

I have a bad feeling about this...

Does that thing spark any memories boss?

>>1105754
>>1105755
This man makes my skin crawl like crazy, but I don't think he's going start handing out poison or cursed jewelry.

>>1105752
It is...an incredible honor that you would think so highly of us. That must have cost a small fortune, for a man you last saw as a babe, without an army or even defined kingdom. One with only hopes and a few loyal allies. True, a few powerful beings that we either owe much to or will in the future, but who is to say what their desires really are?

In any event we thank you from the bottom of heart for this gift.

>>1105752
A Grant gesture indeed. But caution above all, be sure to take it with your wooden hand Boss.

It is possible that this man is exactly what he claims to be, and we're just being worried because we are surrounded by enemies and nobody has ever been this friendly before. Certainly not someone so rich.

Ask him, how did he hide his loyalty to your family? He seems to have done well for himself, and being loyal to a fallen king would have caused trouble for him.

Muschio 2025/04/03(Thu)15:50 No. 1105768 ID: 46e818
File 174372061382.png - (10.91KB , 800x600 , 2291.png )

E N O U G H.

Muschio 2025/04/03(Thu)15:57 No. 1105769 ID: 46e818
File 174372102227.png - (13.63KB , 800x600 , 2292.png )

I understand the importance of wariness. I know that I have foes to watch for, even assassins.

But dinner parties and hosting guests -- these are things expected regularly of nobility such as myself.

At the least, wait until we have been given reason to be suspicious. This man has been vouched for by Lady Mondegreen, verified by my own passing questions about her (which you insisted I test!), and warned only as generous and talkative to a fault.

If this is not enough to put me at ease, what will be? Wariness is one thing, but I simply will not survive jumping at every shadow. If I cannot sit calmly through a single dinner with a single puffy, loud old man, then my future rule will be difficult indeed.

These two have not yet given me anything but assurances of trust. I would not trust him with my life, but surely we can save our fears for when we have been given reason, not merely when an old woman helps her companion to some currants.

Well, ok then.

Does it spark any memories though?
It looks like the kind of thing youd have reached for as a child if being held while it was worn.

Oh, if he comments on or reacts to you psychotically staring into space for a moment, you may have to partly explain the orb and the shards.
So you dont look like a nutter.

>>1105769
Right. (I forgot we asked Mondegreen about him, so that would mean we're in the clear) So, do you remember it? And do we have anything to give in return? Such a gift cannot be accepted without *something* in exchange, even if it's relatively minor.

>>1105769
Introduce Finesse and Pendle
also, dang, were they so hungry they ate even the plates and cutlery?

>>1105776
They eat fast indeed ;D

Who could be afraid of dis fluffy boi accept his gift and hug him like a giant teddy

>>1105769
Well, the man has good taste in ladies at least, you have to grant.

Muschio 2025/04/04(Fri)14:57 No. 1105841 ID: 46e818
File 174380385545.png - (10.02KB , 800x600 , 2293.png )

"My apologies, Mr. Rabas. I was lost in thought.
I do not recognize the necklace, but I thank you for recovering it."
>"Ah, well I can't say if your mother ever wore it, but I know an heirloom like this belongs with its rightful owner, not some scoundrel who sacked the castle. I do wish I'd not had to pay him for it, but to see its reunion, a small price."

"Ah, and here -- I've asked two of my finest officers to join us for dinner."
>"A pleasure to meet you."
>"Good afternoon."
>"Ah yes, lovely! Greetings to you both!"

Muschio 2025/04/04(Fri)15:04 No. 1105843 ID: 46e818
File 174380426379.png - (17.89KB , 800x600 , 2294.png )

>"Prince, you certainly keep an interesting--"

>"..."

Okay, before he asks, Pendle was possessed by a demon but Muschio ripped it to shreds.

Finnie, what did you do.

Muschio 2025/04/04(Fri)15:07 No. 1105845 ID: 46e818
File 174380446687.png - (16.89KB , 800x600 , 2295.png )

>"...pardon me, but are you Finesse seng Barr?"

Barr was her father's name, wasn't it?

Ask if there's a problem.

>>1105841
Ask only that he shares the name of the cad at some point.
So you can treat him accordingly if ever you happen upon hi-
>>1105845
-...
Huh.
This is going to be interesting.
A loquacious fellow like this will have tales to tell and ive always been interested in finesse's lineage.
Lets see how this goes.

I think we're about to learn how old Finesse is

Also can we have a quick mental inventory of anything we could gift back to this guy? If he went through all that trouble to return a family heirloom we are bit obliged to give a reciprocal gift.

>>1105845
This is the first time he's stopped smiling since he got here.