"Is it?" Garielle says with an air of indifference. "I hadn't noticed. We will happily extend our hospitality to young Gentoa and her mother once they arrive."

Althus looks at Garielle, then Gash, before using his Divine Sense, "I think that they are currently preoccupied with other things, right now, so they will not be coming here any time soon." 

Garielle reeks of undeath. It washes over Althus like a rotting corpse has exploded at his feet.

Garielle turns her unwavering tight smile back to Althus. "I suspect they will come along sooner rather than later."

OOC: Can Althus insight check the zombie to see if she means that seriously/as a threat?

Insight if applicable: 2

(Aw heck)

Althus looks at Garielle suspiciously, "Would you mind giving me a moment to talk to my friend privately?"

All that the paladin can think is, "She sure doesn't look like a zombie."

17 v 14

The woman's smile broadens into a sinister smile, revealing two long fangs. "I think not," says Garielle and promptly slams the door in Althus' face. She promptly locks two deadbolts before turning to Gash. "Please, right this way."

The goblin, locked inside the house now, looks up at the slender, pale woman grinning at him with sharp fangs. She is gesturing to the doorway opposite the front door outside which Althus stands..

"Yeah, he's a total square. So what's going on here?" he asks inquisitively. "My protector misspoke, they are on their way here. They are just waiting for word from us. We have had a lot of interference and wanted to make sure it was safe. Once Miss Drahm made her choice The Heavens haven't stopped bothering us. I came here with the oaf to make sure it was safe before we brought her here."

Althus stands at the door dumbly for a moment before lifting a hand and knocking once. If there is no response within a few seconds, he will take out his maul, cast Magic Weapon on it, and begin smashing down the door. 

Before Gash can exit the foyer, Althus raps smartly on the door. Garielle lets out an exasperated sigh and turns around. "What is it?" she says through the thick door. "You are worse than a cat."

Althus looks at Garielle for a moment before muttering, "...what's wrong with cats?"

"Anyways, it was pretty rude of you to shut the door in my face. I'd like to come in now."

(The door was still closed.)

Garielle unbolts the door and swings it open, her hand on her hip. "By all means, come in, puss puss," she says.

She gestures to the doorway straight ahead beyond Gash. "Please. After you."

(Whoops, I hallucinated the door having a sliding peephole for some reason)

Althus moves into the building and through the next doorway, looking back at Gash nervously.

Gash moves forward with Althus, casting message "Don't worry, Friend is outside and we can teleport at anytime."

Garielle leads the pair through a long hallway past several closed doors to a lavish library, generously lit by candles. Several large comfortable looking chairs adorn the open space of the library. The walls are decked with floor-to-ceiling bookcases meticulously packed with what must be thousands of books.

"Please, have a seat," Garielle says.

After Gash and Althus take a seat, finding the chairs are even more comfortable than they look, their host turns briskly and departs. As she walks away she says, "Antonus will bring you a beverage."

A few minutes later, a man in a hooded robe enters the library bearing a tray with two teacups on it. Apparently tea is all that is available. He sets a cup down on a side table next to each chair and then departs wordlessly.

And then Gash and Althus wait.

After almost two hours, Dog, Bulwark, and Martin return to the city watch headquarters on the heels of the hurried and out of breath officers Kete and Kylo. They enter the building as one of the pair is gasping for breath while providing their report.

The desk officer writes everything down as he gives commands to runner boys and the on duty medic to treat Kylo's acid burns. Kete, the one who is apparently giving the report, recommends a bounty put in at a level 4, whatever that means, and the desk officer nods as he writes down more details. He summons another runner boy and sends him off with the report.

Tock, meanwhile, has finished his attunement with his cloak and fills the rest in on the little he learned while the rest were away. Namely, the person in charge of the advertising space outside the city gates is named Huttel. He works out of the Ward District, same as the city watch precinct is in, although being after hours he has probably gone home for the day.

Most curious is that Gash and Althus have not returned from their scouting trip to the "friends of Aucasia" address.

When he sees the man, Althus will use his Divine Sense again.

Althus whispers to Gash, "I don't trust them. Garielle is very undead, though she really doesn't look like it, and she seemed far too assured that the ones we are protecting would be coming here."

The hooded man does NOT appear to be undead, fiendish, or celestial.

“At what point should we worry about Althus and Gash?” Martin says looking to the others.

"Probably always. A few of us should go see if they made it. Not really smart to bring Nev and Genny though. I'll go, can send Stitches around for a look if we don't bump into them. Who else wants to come? And who can stay with Nev and Genny?"

Tock proposes, "We have the sending stones, we can just ask them. Dog, do you know how to operate these?" 

"...Right. Been a long week. I should try the one he gave me." He pulls out the stone. 

Sending through stone: "You need assistance? Should girls come? Dog, Martin, Bulwark returned to HQ. Hells left big trap at other address. Unresolved. Big bounty set though."

Suspicious here. Sexy undead hostess. No help necessary. Don’t send girls. Will teleport out if necessary. Friend in sky. Talk back at HQ. Love Gash

“I don’t either, but we should learn what we can and leave soon after. The first sign of trouble I will get us out of here. Just don’t leave my side. Oh and don’t drink that.”