Kanon is a bit surprised that the gnome would go to such lengths as to silence the group as they wait. It's starting to feel more and more like the battle with the elf-a-taurs. If this trend continues, it could result in another fight.

Instead of escalating the situation, he decides to wait patiently in the silence.

Portia is unable to read the document Siwel (pronounced SIGH-well) is reviewing, though it does look old an weathered and written in a traditional script rather than a cypher. It does not appear he is simply translating it, though, as he's using a magnifying glass and taking occasional notes on a fresh parchment.

In a matter of minutes, the magical silence wears off...

"That is a fantastic spell Siwel, are you an illusionist too?" Zina asked excitedly the moment the spell wore off. "If you teach me and help me copy that spell into my book, I promise we'll stop annoying you."

"At this rate, Siwel, you'll end up expending all the magic that rod has. Wouldn't you much rather push us off to someone else? Neiklot, perhaps?" He plucks a lute string for emphasis. (Persuasion Roll 1 + 5 = 6)

Pettilaen and Zina both cringe as Kanon uses a phrase similar to "push off" while trying to convince Siwel. While it's a bit archaic and few would know it, in gnomish it translates to a rude reference of an Rated R nature. From the look on Siwel's face, he is apparently archaic enough to find great offense in it.

He drops his looking glass to the desk, sets his jaw, and stares at Kanon with a piercing gaze.

"You've got my vote, Master Kanon," he says, spitting out the name like a curse. "I would like nothing more than to be done with you and your rabble. But you see, there are these things called rules and some few of us are polite enough to abide by them. In fact, it is my very employment to obey and convey the rules of the shop to visitors - even very rude visitors."

He stands on the seat of the chair and wags his finger at Kanon as he continues.

"Speaking for myself, personally, I don't give a fig for your documents or whether the Red Wizards blow you to bits to retrieve them. In fact, I'm obliged to step outside and call for them right now."

"That said," he finishes, taking deep breaths and smoothing out his waistcoat with his palms. "You are a visitor and I welcome you to wait quietly or come back later. Those are your options. If you cannot abide by them, we have measures in place to remove you from the premises by force."

His eyebrows arch as he awaits Kanon's reply.

Kanon is rightly confused by the the gnome's outburst. Rather than try to escalate the matter he merely meant to be a voice of reason.

"Very well. Seeing as you haven't even told Neiklot of our arrival I can only assume these documents mean very little to him. I will send word to Malark that we were turned away at the door. Thank you for your time." Kanon stands, puts his pack on, and with lute in hand, heads for the exit.

Aaaaannnd we're back to square one. Pettilaen sighed, bored out of his mind. He thought meeting a famous cryptographer would be more exciting than this. Climbing down from his stool, he attempts to cut through the tension with the sound of a stool being dragged across wood. It was one of his more favorite tactics for garnishing attention. The screech of wood on wood always brought all eyes on him.

Making his way to the desk, he stands on top of the stool, making sure he is at eye level with Siwel. He forces the best smile that he can, trying to give one last attempt before giving up and leaving. "Dear, sweet Siwel. You'll have to forgive my companions." he waves his hand in the air, as if it was suppose to represent those he was travelling with. "They don't understand the bond that is found between gnommish brothers. But you certainly do... right?" He winks at Siwel, and produces a pair of gold coins. "We're not interested in waiting here for days... not really interested in waiting at all, really. What if these gold coins travelled with you on your way to tell Neiklot that Malark's scrolls are here... right now? I'm sure they would be eager to just climb into your pocket! What do you say, brother?"

"Rules, Master Whoevever-You-Are. That's what I have to say. Rules. I take incoming documents, file them, categorize them, and those that require direct attention by Neiklot are dealt with in turn. That's what I do."

He returns his gaze back to Kanon.

"You tell your loremaster whatever you like. As far proper protocol, as set forth by Neiklot himself, is concerned, you are turning yourself away at the door. And he'll hear of it in the first moment that he is available."

Having fully regained his compusure, Siwel takes a seat, retrieves his magnifying glass, and returns to his document.

"I've never met a gnome so rude," Kanon whispers once he's outside. It doesn't matter that he hasn't met many gnomes, but so far he has been the rudest of the three he's met recently.

He walks over to Zina's pony and leans against the rail. There, he continues to tune his lute as he waits for the others.

Pettilaen storms out of Neiklot's office, summoning Gaia to his shoulder and stroking her feathers furiously in an attempt to calm down. He whistles for Summerbreeze, who trots over to him with his poofy hooves, and Pettilaen strokes her furiously too. The dual-stroking method seems to work, becomes his breathing becomes slower and his face is no longer as frustrated. He mutters, "Just wasted an hour of my life. That's not going to come back to me."

He mounts Summerbreeze, procuring the monetary note they received from the Elturan diplomat, and smiles. "I'm going to cash this in and spend some hard-earned gold. Who's with me!?"

Portia smiles at the gnome and in gnomish says, "He obviously has no clue what he was saying there. I think I know what phrase was bad and quite distasteful. I'll come back later though I'm not the one with the scrolls, but definitely a known associate of Malark since he raised me. The gnomes have never met Malark and the bard was hired as the courier. Good day, Siwel."

Portia walks out to hear Pettilaen claim he was going to get the money. She clears her throat. "You aren't the one with the writ, but that would be a better use of our time for now."

"And Kanon, I'm not positive, but I think the phrase 'push off' is not a good one to ever use around old gnomes. I don't even want to know what it made him think."

Kanon plucks a string and raises an eyebrow at Portia, "Push us off." He thinks for a moment. "What would that even mean to offend an old gnome unless he's just looking for an excuse to get angry."

He plucks another string, "Is Zina coming? Or is she determined to camp out there until she meets the code-breaker? I figure we can return another day when the gnome has replaced his pipe weed with something more potent."  

"Just, one second," Zina sighed, addressing Siwel before darting outside after the rest of her party. 

"Look, I plan on staying here," the gnome said once she got outside. "I don't really care about going shopping or getting our money, but I do care about this. Besides, I think I can smooth things over," Zina grinned. "I'm a very likeable person. So you guys can go on, and I'll meet up with you later."

With a divisive nod, the illusionist turned on his heel and went right back inside. "I'm sorry about my friends," she said, in gnommish, to Siwel. "I'm going to have to have a talk with him tomorrow about how to speak our language. They may come off as strong, but it's just because they care." Zina sighed, returning to her stool. "I'm just getting to let you be, and I'll wait here and just do my own reading. I'm done trying to annoy you, I'll just have to be patient for a little while. But like I said before, I'm going to wait here until I can see Neiklot." With that, the scholar opened up a book from her bag and began to leaf through its pages.

Kanon gives his lute one final strum before slinging it onto his pack, "Lead on, mighty Pettilaen!"

He has his doubts that Zina will be seen before nightfall, but he'll be sure to return to see if she's ok. The gnome's words must have snapped some internal discipline in her because he's never seen her so compliant. He only hopes that she'll be willing to share what she learns. He gives Zina's pony a little pet on the head before he begins following Pettilaen and Summerbreeze. 

Siwel nods politely at Zina before returning to his document.

Bullden, who's remained outside Neiklot's place of business, addresses Kanon when he returns.

"I've been thinkin'", he says, "I can't let that young man Roe run that business all t'his own. My callin' is with my people."

He claps Kanon on the shoulder.

"It's been brief, friend, but I feel like we've been through enough to call you... well... friend. You and the group be well. Know I'm lookin' after the lad to make sure nothin' bad happens."

With that, Bullden returns to Orst's warehouse and retires from Beregost Blues.

Portia smiles at Bullden. "May your travels be safe and your endeavors fruitful. It was a pleasure knowing you." She watches the dwarf head down the street. "That I think would be a great thing for Roe." 

"Anyway, Pettilaen, lead on to the bank. I'll come check on Zina when we are done with this short trip. Hmm, Bullden left before even getting his share. So Pettilaen, you get more than you expected due to it's down to three. Unless you want to toss a little bit Kanon's way just for the jaunt here." She grins at the gnome. "On a good note none of us have to buy mounts now though I have no idea where things will lead. We still have other things to figure out." She doesn't mention the genasi, but that is the only other thing they need to figure out. Zina was already doing the wait for Neiklot act. "Maybe we can work things in for figuring out the one thing while we have to wait for the other."

Pettilaen furrows his brow, examining the piece of paper. Scribbled across the back of it were the words, "Nice try, Pettilaen. - Portia" He swore to himself, then started laughing.

"Oh, that was clever, Portia! Putting a fake somewhere you'd know I'd search for it." he exclaims, giving a slow round of applause and a wink at her. In truth, Pettilaen now knew where she hid it, but he wasn't about to go and reach down -there-. He valued keeping his head on his neck, above his shoulders.

With the rest of the crew in tow, and the -real- monetary note with them, Pettilaen lead the group towards the exchange office, riding his beautiful pony, Yellowflower.

OOC: 25 on Sleight of Hand (natural 20), but chose to fail the skill check anyway.

Portia winked at him. "I really didn't want to have a fight with you. If you really did pick something useful off of me, I would probably have pulled my warhammer and we'd be having at it. I don't mind pranks, but no stealing from each other regardless." She smiles.

"So I'm wondering what we will really end up doing next. It all depends on what we can learn and if we can do anything about it."

Bullden's departure saddens Kanon. He didn't have much interaction with the dwarf and he would have liked to have gotten to know him better. He'll be a useful asset to Roe though, and perhaps will be instrumental in keeping him safe on the young dwarf's runs.

"Please," Kanon says, "I had no part in saving this prince. There's no way I can accept a share. I will accept a delicious dinner with my new friends though." Kanon smiles as the two talk about thievery and smashing heads in with warhammers. He also checks his pouch nonchalantly... and is relieved to see it's still there.