Paoletti's Countship is lovely in spring. The weather is crisp and sunny, the rolling hills surrounding the town lush and thick with vineyards. It would be an ideal destination for a vacation, but that's not why we are here today. Today, we are here and being ushered into an estate on the edge of a private vineyard because of a serious matter. Poison.

The Captain General of the Blades has her hands full with training this time of year and recruitment and has asked a squad of her Blades (that is, 10 NPCs) and a handful of subcontractors to look into the matter.

After a short but pleasant meeting with all of them, they were supplied with an official briefing that reads:

Blades. Lord Paolo Paoletti was poisoned last week at his cousin's wedding that he hosted at his very own estate, just outside of the Paoletti Countship. The Lord owns a vineyard there and produces for his family the bulk of their famous Nebbiolo vintages. The wedding was a normal Lycene affair, though during the reception afterwards the Lord was stricken ill. The poison took effect during the cheese course and made the Lord's bowels move expeditiously and suddenly, without any warning and with a loud "whoosh" sound. It is up to the Blades to investigate and find out who the culprit is. You will meet for an opportunity to ask questions and then examine the scene yourself.

Once inside the main hall, everyone is seated with food and drinks. Lord Paoletti has warmly welcomed the Blades into his home but it's obvious he's both angry and humiliated. He's broody and a little emotional. He's wearing black, obviously to grieve his reputation and social standing in the Lyceum. His tale of the evening, he recounts with clarity and the flair that only a southern dandy could muster up to you all now:

"It's my favourite cousin, Lenora. We have the same birthday and we have always been so close. Practically grew up in the same crib. So, when I heard she would be marrying Lord Longwood, I insisted that they have it here with me in the beauty of our family's vineyards. The day was perfect, and the wedding took place by candlelight near the waterfall at the foot of the hill. Afterwards we came here to feast. Everything was going perfectly. We had aperitif, amuse bouche, soup, hors d'oeuvres, the main - and we were just being served cheese and salad before /it happened/." He ashamedly downs the last of the wine in his goblet and rubs his face with his other hand. "Gods, I had no clue even the faintest thing was wrong. None of the wine tasters had detected anything suspicious nor did anyone else 'evacuate'. It was a sound, unlike any I have heard before, then the smell." He, mortified, grabs a bottle of wine and pours himself another glass, and the Blades are given their opportunity to start their questioning.

Mabelle sits quietly in the hall as the Paoletti lord begins to share his tale. Her eyebrow hikes as her declares the family name of Longwood, looking even more interested than she had before. She listens to the courses offered to see if anything can be conflicting and cause severe stomache reaction but she comes out blank.

Caspian sat hands clasped in his waist, listening intently to the man recount the tale of the evening, his brow arching slightly the man chose to drink ANOTHER glass of wine. Mercifully he kept his mouth shut about that. There was a time for glib remarks, and he had a host of them prepared for later with the rest of the outfit. He glanced to the other official Blades, and then spoke. "That sounds utterly horrific. we can be thankful that the attempt was only on your pride and not your life my lord." he paused a brief moment, "Have you thought of who would benefit from see you have to endure this ordeal?" he glanced quickly to the staff nearby as he asked, looking to see if any of their reactions might also give leads, before watching the Lord closely again.

Zakhar checks perception and medicine at normal. Botch! Zakhar fails completely.

Mabelle checks perception and empathy at normal. Mabelle is successful.

Daria checks perception and survival at normal. Daria is successful.

Mabelle checks intellect and medicine at normal. Mabelle is successful.

"Are you sure it was the wine and not something else," Daria questions curiously as she inspects the table to see if she spots something that stands out as she sits with the others after hearing the story

Zakhar is in the middle of pouring a large mug of the wine, no fucks given if its in the /wrong container/ once a full bottle has been emptied into his mug he looks down the table to the Lord Paolo. With a squinting gaze and small smirk from the tale which matches the briefing he stares down any of the blades which might be itching to snicker at the events which lead to the lord's evacuation. "Sounds like a bad case of indigestion. You ate too much." Zakhar grabs a few slices of cheese and drops them into the mug and takes a large drink.

Zakhar is convinced it's indigestion. Of course it's indigestion. These Lycene nobles and their wine and cheese and rich foods it would never sit well with any NORMAL person. Gods. These people.

Mabelle and Daria come away with something different. Supplied with a list of all the wines and what was prepared, there seem to be no berry dishes, but the amuse bouche was indeed salmon. And, Daria, you know salmon isn't exactly a native species in these waters, that's a northern thing. And Mabelle, this coupled with the very uncomfortable Lord there make you think he might be holding back a little bit, you know, because he's dying of embarrassment. Maybe there was something else, some... absolutely detestable detail he might have left out.

To Caspian, however, Lord Paolo nods gravely. "Aye, I'm in the wine business in the Lyceum. Who wouldn't be out to poison me? But... I have made more than an enemy or two over the last few years. They would have loved to have been there! LOVED IT!"

Mabelle squints at the way that Paolo is going through his wine bottle. Mabelle than shares a tale, "You know, I was poisoned in the celebration of Lady Lorraine's brithday, the Duke's mother. Someone poisoned the cake and I nearly died and then, I could not eat cake for two months after that", she nods her chin toward him chugging wine, "Odd. Is it not?".

Mabelle checks perception and investigation at normal. Mabelle is successful.

Caspian checks perception and performance at normal. Caspian is successful.

Caspian shoots Mabelle a sidelong grin as she asks the question he had been thinking. he knew it was possible the man simply did not fear the embarrassment since his debacle had been to humiliate not kill, but still... it did seem odd. he quickly followed up, "do always use the same cup to drink with my lord?"

Daria checks perception and investigation at normal. Critical Success! Daria is spectacularly successful.

Zakhar checks perception and smithing at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Zakhar's weird drink combination wouldn't throw any of the blades off. They've seen the old man drink and eat things that would leave others seeking the digestives as fast as finding the latrine. With a squeaky soft chew to the soggy cheese in his wine Zakhar gets up from the table to look at the items around the room, not paying much attention other than to run a finger over edge of a shelf then brushing the small amount of dust off of his finger to look back at the others at the table. A lift of his mug followed by nod to Caspian's question, then curl of his lips to Mabelle as she asks hers. He looks at the cup Lora Paolo is using. "Who washes, or handles your glass Lord Paolo?"

"Then you feel my pain, Lady Laurent." Paolo laments, she could see him aching. "Five days, myself." Five days for a Lycene to go without alcohol is pretty extreme. And that seems to be the truth of the matter, at its heart.

The attendants, two, and both female, look nervous, but are not putting on an act. Their jobs are likely on the line. His glass seems to be made of clear glass. It's fine, clear glass and obviously hand made. Much like your own glasses you have been supplied with. A different one, for every different drink. For wine snobs, this is something that goes along with the territory. Wine from one type of glass, flutes for another, deep goblets for another, and mugs of course for ale.

"The staff... the castellon, Caino, would know who was on duty that night probably. Truth be told I don't visit the kitchen much, but you are welcome to a tour. My home is open to you all."

"As for those enemies... If I had to pick those closest and most recent? Perhaps Ezechiele Sferra, owner of the vineyard next door. I went to Ezech a year ago and wanted to bid on her property. Take it over. Expand. The price I offered her for her vineyards that I would have to rip up and cultivate from scratch was apparently too low for her liking. The second, Valter Seno, a man I fired six months ago - he was a wine taster in my employ for almost ten years. Something happened - lost his sense of smell. I couldn't keep him, but he did not take well to being let go. Mm, then perhaps Messere Atanasia Raccio, she and I were lovers until last year. Autumn."

Mabelle curves her lips for a brief moment, "That is a long list of names. I honestly doubt your permenant staff had anything to do with it, but a tour of the kitchen my not hurt", she casts a reassuring glance to the attendants. She looks at her companions, perhaps they have better ideas.

Daria is looking over the menu when she clears her throat. "Excuse me My Lord but seems All the wine served was proudly made by Paoletti, save for two bottles served that night. One, made by Zefiro Richardi of a nearby vineyard was served as aperitief, and another by Ezechiele Sferra was served with the main course." She looks at the Lord and awaits what he says to this

Caspian looks to Daria, clearly impressed by the observation, and offers a nod of his head, looking to menu to see what she spoke of. his gaze flickers back to the lord then, brow raising slightly. "It does seem odd to serve a win by a competitor, and one you seem to think so poorly of, for the main course."

It's the Lyceum, lets be thankful that the list of names isn't three miles wide and span the whole of Arvum or this investigation could take the rest of the year!

To Daria, Paolo nods. "That's correct. Zefiro is a brewer that worked for ages with the Paoletti family. He went into business for himself about ten years ago and has his own tavern where he serves it. He makes the best Lemoncello tonica outside of Nilanza." Which, is saying something because the Malespro domain? Liemoncello to die for. "And Sferra, I hate to admit it, her Zinfandel is exquisite and our reserves were running a little low for the numbers we had planned for the reception."

Caspian raises a brow slightly at that, "Pardon my ignorance my lord, but, if her wine is so good, why would you want to rip up her vineyards to start from scratch? Why not simply buy them and keep them as they were?" he studies the man intently, wondering if he had simply been trying to rip off his neighbor... which lets face it he likely was.

Zakhar grins as he continues to drink from /his own tankard/ muttering into his mug, "Perfect. We have a competitor, an ex employee, and a jilted lover." A look is given to Daria with the found information. "Now that is interesting. I'm best upon the fields, though won't say no to a visit of the kitchens." As Daria questions about information found, he mutters further. "Jilted lover and employee left then." Zakhar looks to Caspian, Daria, and Mabelle. "Which would you think would be the more likely culprit? A lover who might be jilted? or an employ? I can't see the two wineries seeking to injure everyone at an event if it only affected Lord Paolo."

Caspian checks perception and investigation at normal. Caspian is successful.

"Quite true My Lord, I am impressed with your selection and of course you would hate to be short of wine," Daria replies sympathetically. "But could there maybe have been a bad batch sent to you since you are not on the best of terms," she questions curiously

Mabelle raises her glass for Zakhar, yet she does not drink from it, "I vote for the lover, but I also vote for Caspian here, something does not add up", Mabelle cares little for being a good guest when she feels she is being lied to, "Why burn the fields?", she echoes Caspian.

Lord Paolo gives Caspian and Mabelle a look that is broadcast very much as a 'grr' but also 'ow my pride quit poking at it please stahp'. "Because it's obviously something in the dirt, or the rainfall that makes it good it couldn't possibly be whatever that harpy has done to the grapes." he mubles that into his glass. "That's why she's on the list of enemies. That... that... dried out old /wendigo/."

Caspian looked to Zhakar then, "i can speak to the staff, see what i can turn up from their point of view perhaps. i'll leave the jilted lover to you" he chuckles, grinning slightly and wetting his lips. he paused then, asking one last question, "Has anyone else made bids for the vineyard of Lady Sferra that you know of?"

"So about that tour then," Daria questions, seeming curious to find more clues. "And perhaps you can tell us more about Lady Sferra," she adds.

"As in which direction to find this wendigo" Zakhar asks directly as Caspian suggests the team set out in different directions.

Mabelle murmurs over her wine cup, "Well if I was jealous of someone's magnificent corps and were trying to buy them out, I would certainly find cause to besmirch them, but that is not what's going on here", she clears her throat, before rising for that tour, wherever it may go.

"Can I see the Kitchen first," Daria questions curiously, seeming intent to go examine where the food and drink would come from before anything else.

Meanwhile in the kitchen....

There are three staff members present. Two cooks. One is rolling out pastry, the other is tending to the meat at the fire, and one is seemingly the supervisor, as she is wearing a more matronly type of uniform and busying herself with ironing linens. It's quiet, but a pleasant atmosphere. Light, busy, and whatever they are cooking does smell divine.

Mabelle quickly moves her hand in front of her face, covering her mouth, "Oh for Fudge's sake, lets burn the room and make something up, this is disgusting".

Zakhar checks composure at hard. Zakhar marginally fails.

Daria checks perception and survival at normal. Daria is successful.

Mabelle checks charm and seduction at normal. Mabelle is successful.

Daria seems to be inspecting the food curiously. "Do you have any left overs from said 'poisoning'," Daria questions as she is inprecting, trash or any hints of what could have been the suspect food or drink

Caspian walks into the room and looks around nodding to the other servants he leans up against the wall shaking his head with a smirk on his face. "really expected this to be a bigger deal when I came but all this just because of humiliation..." he looked to the other servants and gave a shrug and then a smile "benefits of being a lord I suppose. things like this happen often?" he offered his most charming smile that he could muster in the occasion


In the Ballroom

Zakhar takes in a deep breath, and his face curls into a wretched irk as he's quick to pull a slip of leather from around his neck to over his nose. A shared look to the Blades as he points to covering their noses. "Cover up blades. Do. Not. Add. To. The. Scene. If I have to explain why, there will be issues in finding your remains." He pulls out one of the curved knitting needles made from a clavicle and pokes at the remains of a few meals, nodding to the blades to start investigating.

Caspian checks charm and seduction at normal. Caspian is successful.

Zakhar checks perception and survival at normal. Zakhar is successful.

In the Ballroom

Mabelle stares at Zakahr, "I'm not touching that. Any of it. I dont care who poisoned him", she protests at first and then says, "I will look and someone else will pick it up", compromise.

In the Kitchen With Daria and Caspian...

"Afraid not love," the cook tending to the pastry says. "All of it's in the ballroom and we aven't been permitted to touch a thing." Which sounds like it could very well be a nightmare.

"This is the first time it's ever happened on my watch," the matronly supervisor says to Caspian. "I have been here for twenty three years, taken on the year before the master was born and it's never happened. Never, ever." She tuts, shaking her head. "We do have sample bottles of all the wine, however. Just over there." She points to three caskets of bottles of various makes, mostly Paoletti but the other two are there, too.

Daria, it doesn't look like there are any particularly poisonous plants in the area. Everything looks... normal. What you would expect in a kitchen.

Daria checks perception and empathy at normal. Daria is successful.

Caspian moves over to the bottles, crouching down to examine the seals on the wine bottles. as he does he asks of the matronly maid "you've been here so long that's impressive. you probably know more about this family and this house than anybody else. and yet I'd wager no one has asked you what you think happened. so what do you think happened?"

Caspian checks charm and seduction at normal. Botch! Caspian fails completely.

"Pity, I almost feel badly for Lady Mabelle and Zakhar," Daria muses. "Tell me how do you like working for Lord Paoletti, doe he take good care of you," she questions, seeming sympathetic with the servents

Caspian checks perception and investigation at normal. Caspian is successful.

As for Daria, they seem to be very amicable with the young Lord and his family.

Caspian, the seals are unbroken and the bottles in pristine condition. Whatever is in those bottles is likely what came from their respective vineyards without being tampered with.

Mabelle checks perception and investigation at normal. Mabelle is successful.

Zakhar checks perception and smithing at normal. Zakhar is successful.

"Well I think it is safe to say the staff most likely where not responsible, shall we try to go help the others or perhaps we should go ask this Lady Sferra some question," Daria says after so far everything here in the kitchen checks out

Zakhar checks perception and investigation at normal. Zakhar marginally fails.

Caspian looks to the cook then "Everyone is focused on the wine, but what about the food? did you have to use any exotic spices or new ingredients that somebody could have tampered with? and did the Lord have anything different than the rest of the guests?"

"What about mushrooms," Daria questions curiously after Caspian on asking the food served

In the Kitchen...

The supervising maid helps them pull out the caskets and she offers her best help. Earnestly. And the other two are instructed to keep to their tasks, but those two cooks both definitely give Caspian and Daria sympathetic looks, as if they wish they could help in some way. But really, even after listening in to their gossip, there wasn't even a shred of evidence to suggest they were guilty.

Both listening in, none of them even had any suspicions about the /guests/ which.. could be considered rare for a Lycene shindig.

"I'm afraid absolutely no new spices. The Lord put together the menu with very specific details. These were all favourites of his, and we have made it a hundred times. Aye the soup had mushrooms in it. I think we do have some of those left in the pantry."

Caspian and Daria, feel free to roll Perception or Intellect + Survival and Intellect + Investigation or Alchemy.

Or Medicine!

Daria checks perception and survival at normal. Daria is successful.

Caspian checks perception and survival at normal. Caspian marginally fails.

Caspian checks intellect and investigation at normal. Caspian is successful.

Mabelle checks perception and alchemy at normal. Mabelle is successful.

Kitchen Team: After inspecting the wine, the mushrooms, all the food, you can reasonably start to piece together that it is the work of Alchemy, as absolutely no combination of food or any alcohol that you two could even fathom could combine together to make anything to have the reported effect of... cleaning out a whole person all at once without any other "after effects" or nausea, or general malaise.

Caspian, though, those turnips man! They still seem a little sus. Like who the fuck actually eats turnips, amirite?

"Yup, I got nothing," Daria muses as she sniffs a mushroom as she inspects it closely. "Not the poisonous kind here but this is not the food left over in the Ballroom," she says. "What say you Capian," she questions curiously

Caspian can't help it. the turnips, they call to him. he moves to the box and rummages around the turnips, then picks up the box, "I'm taking these... they are involved. I know it. my gut is telling me.."

Daria and Caspian, and a case of turnips, all head to the Ballroom where Mabelle has tapped out and left, sickened. By.. the state of the ballroom.

It's.. in a word, horrific. All the guests' plates and glasses have been left behind and the food is still there. It's easy to see /that/ is where Paolo was sitting, because there is a now dry trail of dark brown from that seat to the door. There are also pools and splashes of vomit clearly everywhere, where guests got real squicked out. Four of the ten Blades remain, for Mabelle now has a hunk body guard all to herself escorting her out of the room.

Feel free to roll composure, Daria and Caspian.

Meanwhile, Zakhar is present in the ballroom making a Blade do something horrific involving a napkin and that brown trail.

Daria checks composure at normal. Daria fails.

Caspian checks composure at normal. Caspian is successful.

Zakhar is at the end of the Ballroom, standing over a trail of shit and volutelling a Blade to collect some of the very shit which Lord Paolo left as evidence. There's a small discussion between the Voluntold and the Lieutenant which makes the collection go a little faster.

Daria gags noticaly when they enter the ballroom. "Well now I feel Poisoned, I don't think I can eat after this, this is disgusting," she says, zero hiding she is digusted

Daria checks perception and survival at normal. Daria is successful.

"Put on or slip a piece of fabric over your mouths and noses." Zakhar comments to Caspian and Daria, then to point at the glasses. "We found part of the mystery. The Zefiro's lemoncello was off. Enough that I would not believe a true maker of the stuff would do on purpose. However, I have a theory." The old man looks perfectly at ease in the room.

Caspian winces and scrunches his face "it's like a 2bit tavern after shore leave..." he looks to zakhar " did you find anything in this mess? oh and I'm fairly certain these are involved" he motions to the turnips

The turnips look very suspicious in their crate, yes.

"Though we needn't have the conversation in here." Zakhar eyes the crate of turnips and is quick to hide the few newly missing piece of sliverware from the table in his satchel.

Daria is putting a piece of fabric over her nose and mouth. "Are you really collecting his poop," Daria questions. "Got an off yellowish color no," she asks

Zakhar checks wits and medicine at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Caspian looks at the turnips. then puts them in the corner, eyeing them. he looks to zakhar " what's the theory? rival vintner?'

"Umm I think you need to take a closer look at this glass, this Lemoncello is not right at all," Daria muses, looking closer at the glass where the Lord was sitting, trying not to step in anything or touch anything. "Add this to evidence," she states, pointing at the glass like anyone will listen

A blade jumps to Daria's aid and.. with a glove on and two fingers picks up the glass and proceeds to follow her around with said lemoncello glass.

Zakhar steps away from the table, grabbing a cleaner napkin and a glass with remnants of the aperitief within it. Pointing at the glass. Then looking at Daria, "Yes. I believe that the lover and ex taster are in on the /attempt/ upon Lord Paolo's life."

Caspian looks to zhakar and the raises his brow in Surprise "what leads you to that conclusion? the taster wasn't even there that night was he?"

"Yes, how did you come up with that conclusion," Daria questions curiously, waiting to see the proof

"A well planned attack wouldn't need either of them anywhere near the event." Zakhar grins. "Or at least it's how I would have done it. Mix a bad batch of lemoncello and label it to be served along with the others." He points at the glasses being collected, "Everyone had the aperitief, each glass has the stench of the bad batch in it. I'm guessing our Lord had more than the others."

Daria checks perception and empathy at normal. Daria is successful.

Caspian frowns slightly surely at least one other guest would have been impacted by such a broad attack like this. and if all the batches were bad surely someone would have noticed

"I want to speak to the person whom crafts the Lemoncello and how is he related to the lover," Daria replies. "I am not convinced we know enough," she states. Waiting to be joined by the others

Caspian pauses then adds "we should ask the staff what they thought of valter seno. get their take on him"

Zakhar looks between Daria and Caspian, a small shrug. "I'm only looking at this as a contract hit. The Lord paolo might very well be lying to cover his own issues. However, a bad batch of lemoncello. That wouldn't come from the vinter. It would ruin them even if people though Lord Paolo didn't deserve it. Now. Sferra has reason, and so do our Seno and Raccio. My gut tells me that Raccio was jilted, and sought out Seno, who in turn went to Sferra. A quick test of this would be to have our Blade Kippy here run the napkin and gift it contains over to the dried up wendigo and see what her reaction is. My guess, is she'll start laughing."

Caspian clicks his tongue, "i dont know.. seems flimsy. i think ANYONE who dislikes the Lord Paola would laugh because.." he glanced around and chuckled, "its actually quite funny. but i dont know if it senough to make such a bold claim. Whats the link to wine taster? al we really know is that there was bad wine served, and that it went to all the guests correct?"

Caspian checks charm and seduction at normal. Caspian fails.

It all comes back to those turnips, clearly. Turns out they were bought from lands farmed by the Seno family!

"Also The Lord Drank more then the others. "I feel Zefiro Richardi has the most to loose since it was his wine," she states. "I want to go see his Vineyard, even if the wine was switched, our best lead and it's just a turnip...really fet over it," she says

Daria checks charm and seduction at normal. Daria fails.

Daria, those turnips are innocent. It's all about those fucking mushrooms!

Zakhar stares at Caspian and Daria with a squint as one of the Blades steps over and taps his shoulder to have a quick word with him. There's a nod then his squint is back to both of the Not-a-Blades. "Call it old fuckery. I have a feeling in my gut and it's not the digestives I took this morning."

Caspian returns from questioning the Maida and nods "yep. the sano. it was good turnips"

Daria leads the way to the Richardi Brewery and Tavern right in the heart of the Paoletti Countship. The fresh air is a BLESSING after the ballroom and.. well it truly is a beautiful place. The brewery is in the back and the Blades? Well collectively, they are praising their luck. Once they announce who they are looking for, though, they are brought into the brewery itself to meet with a man, Zefiro, or Zef as he insists you call him - looks like he may be in his 60's with salt and pepper hair and dark brown eyes. There's plenty of places for everyone to sit and convene and even sample liquiers! Zefiro offers, "Can I get you some of our famous lemoncello to sample? What do I owe the pleasure?" He says, very warmly and in a grandfatherly manner.

Caspian raises a hand, "I'll take some" he gives a warm smile and then let's Daria ask her questions

Zakhar nods to the Blades an unspoken word between them and the Lieutenant and three of them break off to go try a sample while the others stick closer to doorways and start to take up a defensive positioning in case the old man tries to run. Turning his stare upon 'Zef' he looks to Daria for the questions she wishes to ask.

Daria checks perception and empathy at normal. Daria fails.

Daria checks perception and investigation at normal. Critical Success! Daria is spectacularly successful.

Daria checks charm and seduction at easy. Daria is successful.

Caspian checks perception and investigation at normal. Caspian is marginally successful.

Zakhar checks perception and empathy at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Zakhar checks perception and streetwise at normal. Zakhar marginally fails.

Caspian checks perception and empathy at normal. Caspian fails.

"Well, I am just going to come out and say it all the Evidence points to you and your Lemoncello, it is not looking well for you at all," Daria states, no sympathy shown as she is inspecting all the samples of wine with a sceptical eye. She then turns up the charm last moment. "I would hate to see your spotless reputation stained so, can you think of anyone whom might have a gudge against Lord Pailetti or you," she questions sweetly

Zakhar checks luck at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Daria checks luck at normal. Daria is successful.

Caspian checks luck at normal. Caspian is successful.

"Evidence? Am I under investigation?" Zefiro looks between everyone at the table, looking genuinely surprised. "I would have for my spotless reputation to be tarnished as well. And just as you suggest, our reputation /is/ spotless." He nods to his son, who looks just like him, "Please Sergio, a bottle for our friends."

Sergio nods and, having been prepared! Moves to pour the company samples of this lovely, beautiful Lemoncello.

His hands are shaking just a little. Must be a nervous lad! And then, when you all go to taste it, luck you! You stop just before you actually put it in your mouth! It's that same yellow liquid with that very pungent smell. Subtle, the way it lies under the smell of lemons but lo, it is there. This is DEFINITELY what was in Lord Paolo's cup and not any of the other aperitief glasses.

Daria checks perception and survival at normal. Daria is successful.

Daria checks composure at normal. Daria is successful.

Daria pauses as she is about to drink. "Um, really when what this batch made," she questions, sniffing it and smiles sweetly. "Would you please take a sip for me," she questions handing her cup towards Zefiro

Zakhar proceeds to slam the drink back, he makes a squint of a twisted face as he tastes the foul lemoncello.

Caspian hesitates then smiles " an excellent idea! a toast then! to a spotless record!" he frowns then "oh but you don't have a drink . here take mine. I have a flask." he holds the glass out to man, pulling his flask out.

Zefiro takes Daria's glass. And you see, it is the Lycene tradition for the pourer to have the first sip! So of course he is not offended at all when he reaches for the glass and is /just/ about to take a sip when he stops /dead/ and looks /right/ at Sergei, "My boy I thought you detroyed this batch!" He looks at all of them, just in time to see Zakhar downing his drink!

Horrified. The look on his face is pure horror. "Don't drink --" too late! OH WHY OH WHY! He suddenly stands up and grabs a large wooden ladle from nearby and proceeds to beat his son with it about the head and shoulders. "STUPID STUPID BOY!"

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO USE THE TURNIPS IN THE LEMONCELLO!" He yells, getting in another hit on Sergei's shoulder. He flinches visibly as his father hits him. Repeatedly. "OW Dad stop!"

Caspian checks perception and performance at normal. Caspian is successful.

Caspian jumps up at that " I knew it was that turnips!!"

Daria checks strength and athletics at normal. Daria is successful.

Daria checks perception and survival at normal. Daria is successful.

Zakhar lets out a long belch and looks at Zef while he beats his child with the spoon, taking the bottle to look at the liquid a little closer, and to pour another glass. "Turnips can make a good drink. Better in a vodka or gin. Not so much here." He looks to the Blades, waving his hand at them with the glass sloushing the foul drink about. "Step in and pull them apart will ya."

Zakhar takes Braided rope with satin flags from Alteration and Modification toolkit.

Daria is seen leaping into action to protect the son and restrain the lord, expertly hog tieing him. "None of that, now answer for these crimes before I hall you off to the Iron Guard or Inquisition," she states to the tied Lord

Caspian chuckles " think this might be a situation of laziness and miscommunication. more mistakes then malice "

Daria finds the man easily disarmed and hogtied, but he's also old and fragile. But very angry with his son, who... makes a run for it.

Daria checks dexterity and athletics at hard. Daria fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and athletics at hard. Caspian is successful.

Zakhar stares at the /children/ in the room. His new drink, yes, he's still pouring out the lemoncello, sloushes in his hands as it is put down. "I don't see what the fucking problem with the drink is. It's foul, doesn't taste like lemons. Sure. But is still good. Now. Daria. Let the Blades do their job and they can separate the two. And let's talk with the kid first."

Daria is to busy with questioning the Lord to react fast enough to catch the fleeing Son

Caspian jumps up as the kid breaks for it " I don't think he likes that idea .." Caspian dashes after the man, "get back here! you only look worse by running!"

Daria crosses her arms as she says, "Told you so." Sh leaves it at that and awaits the Blades to do their jons and prep the kid for questioning

Zakhar checks command and intimidation at normal. Zakhar fails.

The Blades are currently, very busy sampling the lemoncello.

Lets hope they got a different bottle, eh? They are a little belated in action when Sergei decides to flee too, giving the opportunity right to Caspian to take.

Which, well you gotta pause to open a door right? Sergei has to and Caspian LEAPS into action and takes him right down. He's also, easily tied up.

The Blades take thigns from there, sitting them both down for questioning once they are tied up and settled down. Zef is sitting with dignity and seriousness. His son Zef is slumped and looking like a kicked puppy. "You have ruined us. The whole family! Lord Paoletti will not /rest/ until he finds us. Seven generations of lemoncello and /you/ are the one to wreck it all! Oh... Oh Sentinal help me... Help us all..." he laments.

Daria checks perception and empathy at normal. Daria is successful.

Zakhar attempts to yell at the child as he runs and stares at the blades that appear to be all busy sampling the lemoncello. The old man drags his hand over his face and plops back into this chair, continuing to drink and toast to the hired soldiers. "Great job!" He looks at the others as they take to tackling and stopping Zef and child from getting away. As each are tied to their individual chairs, Zakhar pulls a chair over to sit down in from of Zef's son. "Who put you up to it?"

Zakhar checks charm and intimidation at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Sergei looks very shamed by his father, and now by Zakhar. In fact he looks like he might be sick he's so ashamed. He shakes his head and answers blandly, "No one."

Zef, however, pipes up. "No go on and tell them what you did so we might get away with our heads. You see them swords and arrows boy this isn't fooling around. They mean business." He scolds, as only a father can.
Sergei sighs and hangs his head. "I really wanted to be an apothecary." He mumbles. "I wanted to improve the lemoncello."

"You cannot IMPROVE lemoncello! It's perfect the way it is!"

"YEAH well Dad I HATE IT. And I don't want to work at your STUPID BREWERY anymore."

Caspian shook his head as he looked between the man and the boy, "well, whether or not your RUINED depends on what happens next. we need some answers." he paced back and forth as he spoke. "look, everyone makes bad batches.. it happens. but how did this batch slip past testing? how did it get sold. and how did it wind up in lord paolo's glass.." he looked to the pair, eyes going hard "speak quickly. your legacy may depend on it"

Zakhar looks at the boy sternly. "How did you seek to improve the lemoncello. Be very specific in what you did to it."

"Ah, yes creativity needs room to grow, I think you need yo come clean and apologize. Maybe offer some free -turnip- free lemoncello for the mistake," Daria states. "Also probably best to never let your son near your brewery again," she adds. "Now do you wish us to ensure all the contaminated Lemoncello has been distroyed," she questions

Zef leaves the answers to his son - to either free them of condemn them both. Secretly, he is praying to the gods for a quick and merciful death because he has no faith in his son. And it's glaringly apparent at the moment.

Sergei shakes his head, "I thought I could get it past my father. I thought it was fine. I mean I had some and it was just fine! But then the next day we had that order on such short notice and all the bottles got mixed up. Dad found out, I came clean but the bottles were all mixed up still so I just... threw a few cases away and hoped I got them all. I guessed." He winces, feeling his father's scowl.

"I don't... exactly remember how I made the turnipcello. A little bit of this.. that..." That, easily seems all very honest enough.

Zef adds to that, sighing. "This years work.. ruined.. Ugh.. Gods. Yes we will have to destroy... everything."

"Hold up." Zakhar looks pained that the whole stock will be tossed. "The Blades will take it off your hands, no need to dump it out." He looks back to Sergei, "You didn't work with anyone else? And you didn't feel any ill effects of the drink?" There's a look to Daria and Caspian, "I'm not convinced that this is the real cuplrit."

Caspian looks around the the stock, "So was it just bad luck Lord Paolo got a cup of the ill stuff and no one else did? thats seems... VERY unlikely." he looks to Zakhar and nods, "at least.. maybe not ALL of the story." he looks to Sergei, "Did you tell anyone about the mixup? anyone at all? anyone you trusted to confide in that you wee unsure if you got all the bottles, someone who would know some ill ones could be around?"

"That stuff is foul, I do not pity your stomachs at all," Daria muses, looking disgusted

Then again, Lord Paolo *did* have a little bit more to drink than everyone else, didn't he... If we think about this, maybe the other guests didn't feel the ill effects because they did not have as much, and also they were puking on their way out. Lord Paolo was... unfortunate indeed, wasn't he.

Zef and Sergei look between themselves and come up with the same answer. They had told no one, and no one knew to their knowledge. The lemoncello sat in their brewery for less than a day, too. So it's not like anyone could have 'discovered' it and built a nefarious plot.

Caspian crossed his arms, then looked to Zahkar, "he drank to much. thats the only thing that makes sense. unless we want to get extremely elaborate with what would ultimately be a prank... this seems a comedy of errors and ill luck." his eyes flickered between the other two, "thoughts?"

Zakhar gets up from his seat and goes to pour out more of the drink, taking the bottle with him. "The Blades will take the batch, in full. This will be your only warning in making bad alcohol. If we have to come back this way, then there will be a head or two hung over a pike as warnings to others. Got it?" He looks to Caspain and Daria, "Then we go tell our Lord Paolo that he had bad luck and should shut it."

Daria nods seeming pleased with the outcome

Caspian nods, giving a smile, "sounds good to me and as you are the Senior Blade here, its your call. Glad we could help"