Avaritia Arrival Log

[cancrymods]

AVARITIA

It's Vegas, baby! Oh wait, I already made that joke on the location page... With Esme's iron-fisted reign brought to an end and the Executors given time to take a very well-earned break, it finally comes down to descend to the next layer of Purgatory. Thankfully, with this being the group as a whole's second descent, things are a little less nerve-wracking this time around... maybe. Hopefully. ... Probably. Welcome to Avaritia. Feel free to use this arrival log to chronicle your initial misadventures in the Greed Layer of Purgatory. As noted in the location page, several locations will require further investigation if you'd like to get some information on them, so get investigating! Drop a comment down to the Investigation Request subheader if you'd like to explore. Get out there and have fun!

Comments

[cancrymods]

The guard looks even more uncomfortable about answering further, shifting a little on their feet before they finally give in and respond.

"Well, they... sent out invitations to many of our regulars. And then people stated talking, and..."

You can probably finish that line of thought yourself.

[twibeast]

[ WELL THAT’S... interesting. If this were part of the show like Chiron suggested then he supposes this would make sense as advertising, but if it’s not then...? ]

You... You don’t think they could be planning to rob the audience do you...?

[cancrymods]

"I'm afraid I can't say either way."

Whether that's because they're not sure or they're not actually allowed to say is a bit unclear, but going by their nervous glances back over their shoulder at the cluster of security personnel still furiously conversing... it's probably the latter. But then they realize they're probably not giving the best impression of the theater's security so they pull themselves up to their full height (which isn't super impressive next to Beast...) and... try to sound reassuring.

"Please don't worry. Whatever this... thief has planned, we'll be sure to intercept her."

[twibeast]

[ SEXY!! PHANTOM!! LADY!!

Beast notes the glancing back and figures this is as much as he’s gonna get; that it’d be best to not push this any more and let the security guard return to work.

He puts a hand on his chest and sighs. ]

I feel better already hearing you say that. Thank you very much for taking this moment to reassure me - I should let you go back to your work now.

[cancrymods]

SEXY!! PHANTOM!! LADY!!

Don't ever say I don't treat you right.

The security officer gives Beast a hasty, relieved nod, apparently not even noticing their own slip of the tongue and without another word they hurry back to the rest of the group.

Anywhere else you'd like you poke around before moving on?

[twibeast]

[ There is in fact! What are our potential suspects up to right now, how they seem to be reacting to all this excitement? Beast is scanning the area for both of them now. ]

[cancrymods]

The older man and his grandson both seem a little wigged out, with the older man keeping a tight hold on his grandson's hand, but the younger woman just looks sort of... bemused? Like she's enjoying a private joke with herself.

[twibeast]

[ Beast eyes them all up for a moment... and then very quickly dismisses anything amiss with the grandfather and grandson. Perhaps it’s the fatherly side of him, but his gut tells him they wouldn’t be this shaken up if they were involved in any of this OR were the authority. After all, the authority is the authority for a reason; why would they be wigged out by a random phantom wannabe? Such a person wouldn’t be a threat at all to someone with the power of an authority, if Esme is anything to go by.

That doesn’t necessarily incriminate the younger woman though. After all plenty of other folks here seem absolutely delighted by all of this. But she seems worth approaching anyway, just to see at least what her deal is.

So that’s what he does, coming up beside her and trying to blend in as just another gossiper. ]

My, quite the pre-show, mm? I must say this is all rather thrilling, wouldn’t you agree, my lady?

[cancrymods]

She looks a little surprised to be suddenly approached by someone but she quickly gives him a polite smile and pushes her glasses up her nose a bit when they slip down.

"It's exciting, for sure." she says with a little nod. "It's exactly the sort of thing you expect to see at the theater."

Seems like, for whatever reason, she's pretty confident this is all just part of the show too.

[twibeast]

Oh? Is it all part of the show then? Security seemed rather frazzled so I wasn’t quite sure.

[cancrymods]

She gets that look on her face again, like he's blundered into being the butt of a joke without being aware of it and it would be very impolite to laugh at him. But she does just keep on smiling.

"It's just a little bit dramatic." she says eventually. "And a few people were sent invitations by this masked person, saying something like this would be happening. If you ask me, it sounds like a PR stunt."

[twibeast]

[ Well that expression is interesting. Beast continues on, looking back up at the spot where their little masked friend was and tilting his head. ]

Ah, I see. It does make sense like that... may have been a bit too effective though; I fear my companion may have been spooked off.

[ He then looks back down at the woman. ]

Have you also been abandoned by a skittish companion, my lady?

[cancrymods]

"Oh no, I came here alone. I was just curious to see what all the fuss was about so I wanted to see it for myself. It's been a little underwhelming so far, but I'm sure they have something more interesting planned for the actual show if they've gone to all this trouble."

She's very good at saying things that are a little rude without sounding rude, huh?

[twibeast]

[ VERY good.

That’s interesting though. Did he identify the wrong person from Lion’s descriptions...? ]

Is this your first time here as well then?

[cancrymods]

For what it's worth, she's definitely the younger woman from Lion's description, which she more or less confirms with another shake of her head.

"No, I'm... it's a bit presumptuous sounding, but I'd call myself a regular. I visit as often as I can – I've never gotten bored during a show here, so I can never bring myself to miss too many of them."

[twibeast]

Ah, I see. It’s actually my first time so this is all quite a surprise.

[ He pauses for a moment, thinking back to their first interactions with Esme, trying to think of what tipped her off to what they were, what he could use now to maybe do the same. It could be a bit risky but... ]

They certainly didn’t have anything like this in Invidia.

1/2

[cancrymods]

She blinks at him, owlishly surprised behind her glasses. Whatever she was expecting him to say, it apparently wasn't that.

[cancrymods]

Then she smiles.

"Ah, I understand now. Welcome to Avaritia, Executor."

[twibeast]

[ Bingo.

He smiles back wryly, before moving an arm over his chest and doing a half bow. He’s still got his manners after all... though a closer look will reveal his wings have gone tense and risen slightly like a beast’s hackles. ]

A pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Authority. Or would you prefer I call you something else?

ok im switching to action tags bc it makes my brain hurt less

[cancrymods]

Greta is fine. I don't think we have to be formal with each other at this point.

[ Curiously, considering how... well, everything went with Esme last time you all confronted an Authority, there doesn't seem to be any hostility at play here.

For now. ]

Am I right to assume the companion you spoke of is a fellow Executor of yours?

[twibeast]

[ Oh he should. Probably give a name as well. Except it would likely not be too smart to just give his current name to a possible enemy (no matter how fine she seems now) and he’s not even thinking of keeping his current name much longer anyway. So he thinks quickly—

And finds himself thinking of Patroclus.

“—the man I loved beyond all other comrades, loved as my own life...” ]

...Achilles.

[ ...Wait actually he... likes how that one sounds? Huh. ]

And they are entirely unrelated. [ not.... exactly a lie?? ] It is just me tonight, so I hope the disadvantage I am putting myself in right now makes it clear I mean no harm.

...Of course, not that I could do much of anything anyway.

[cancrymods]

Oh, certainly. I don't mean any offense to your abilities as an Executor, Achilles, but... well, if you've managed to make your way down here from the upper layers, you already have some idea as to what disadvantages you've placed yourself under.

[ She's not being hostile but she definitely has some 'has never been punched in the face and you can tell' energy going on. ]

But you must have approached me for some reason.

[twibeast]

What, it can’t just be because you’re a lovely young lady?

[ He laughs a little but it’s clearly half hearted. Man, did he know someone like this when he was alive? It’s a little familiar. ]

All jokes aside though, I was honestly just trying to get a handle on this whole “masked guest” situation. I simply began to get a hunch while talking to you and decided to take the risk and see how you’d react.

[ Again, it’s not a lie but there’s no way he’s telling her he had a literal list of potential suspects. ]

Let me ask you: do you know what it is we’re really aiming to do? Invidia’s Authority said a “little birdie” told her and considering you already know what I am I would imagine you’ve also received similar information?

[cancrymods]

If it's anything, I would imagine you're aiming to repair the Cogs on the lowest level. That would allow us all to pass on and leave Purgatory behind.

Am I correct?

[twibeast]

Yes, that’s right. In order to let reincarnation happen again.

So all we actually need is to be able to pass through Avaritia and onto the next layer. That’s it. You wouldn’t have to give up your authority - you just need to let us pass.