"Morning party girl!" Sora waved to Nemeia as she made her way downstairs. If Cali is with her Sora would try to urge the mechanical panther to come to her so she can pet her and give her a good morning hug.

( Would that be Animal Handling or Arcana? :D )

She was about to answer Kal's question when the other redhead from the night before approached them. Sora turned towards her as she carefully gauged this new person's intentions, "Sure, by all means, have a seat." She immediately seems somewhat agitated by the other woman's presence but remains calm, more curious about what she has to say.

( Insight: 7 )

Lynn-Marie flushes a bit under the scrutiny of the eyes suddenly all trained on her, feeling as if all her thoughts are just written on her face. "I'm just here to help. If I can. You would all stick out like a sore thumb at a Royal's gala, honestly, and if I can help you on this Duke's request, there must be something I can get out of it, too!"

"Thank you," she says softly, placing her tea on the table and taking an empty chair to sit, "I don't wish to intrude, but I overheard you talking and I was just curious. I will be at the gala as well tonight, by personal invitation. You know more about the new Queen?"
As she talks she directs her attention mostly to Sora and 9, but she looks around the table at the others as well. A stab of nerves shoots through her system as she locks eyes with the Kal'dorath, simply intimidated by the man's presence. "Ah, apologies, Lynn-Marie Verine-Wintercleaver, pleased to make your acquaintance. Who..." she pauses for just a moment, the knuckles of her hand turning white as she tightens her fist nervously, "Who, may I ask, is this Duke, your patron?"

Hello, says Witt to the new newcomer.  It's, um, nice to meet you.  Do you know this fellow?  and he points to Khorzik.  We just met him too.  Or at least I did.  I'm Witt.  Goodness, you have a very long name.  And you said it so quickly, did you have to practise that a lot?  Our patron is sort of a Duke.  To be honest, opinion seems to be a little mixed on that one.  His name's Hakon.  Is that right?  he ask the others for confirmation.  Yes, Hakon, I think.  Why, do you know him?  Did he invite you to the gala?

Khorzik stands again to welcome the newcomer with a outstretched hand. "Greetings, Lynn-Marie. No, Witt, we are not acquainted." He sits back and addresses Sora. "I leave our roles in this endeavor up to your discretion, as Captain of your company."

"To be clear, Hakon is not actually a Duke." Sora speaks up, expanding on what Witt has said. "Probably a Count or whatever the noble equivalent is. The man is a walking delusion of grandeur." She looks back over at the others as she continues, "As for the current queen, everyone says she's responsible for her mother's death, but no one actually knows. Everything's just rumors, no one seems to have any evidence, one way or the other. So that's what we're after."

 "Nice to meet you, Witt." Lynn-Marie replies, smiling at the excitable Halfling, but unsure what to make of his comment about her name. She also stands to take Khorzik's proffered hand, then quickly sits back down again, put at ease by the many and honest welcomes.
"I was invited through a business contact of my father's, but no, it was not this Duke, or Count, Hakon."

She nods, intently focused on Sora as she speaks, deferring to her leadership status in the group. "I see. Well, perhaps I can help? I am not from around here, but I was hoping to speak to the Queen at the gala anyway, or at least get an audience with her in the next few days. I am certain there will be opportunity to find out what parts of these rumours are true. If not from the Queen itself, then from some of the local nobles that will attend tonight. Most nobles do enjoy a bit of gossip once you get them to speak."

“Great, so Moira, Nemeia and you are certainly remaining at the gala. Sora and I, and I suppose one other person can join us in delving deeper into the castle. So, that leaves Witt and you two.”, as she speaks 9 considers what might she wear to not attract unnecessary attention, but still look presentable. Her cloak was of fine material itself and covered most of her. Maybe a brooch?

"If you know your way around a Royal gala that will be really good to have!" Sora replied to Lynn, "Bonus points if you don't mind helping us pick out something to wear tomorrow." To Khor and Kal she turns as she adds, "You guys can decide if you wanna work the gala to try to help finding evidence another way. But I think we first got some shopping to do." She stands up and leans forward, holding out her arm towards them, palm up. "Welcome to Summer's Treason."

Kal looks to his long time comrade, "You will re-enact 'Widow McMirron' and I will play 'Councilman Kurst'" He turns to address the others, "We have done many jobs in the past and those experiences will help. Councilman Kurst needed an escort to help him navigate through a public forum without incident. I was able to keep vigilance over his safety as an 'aid'. I suggest that I accompany one of you as an aid or bodyguard. People of status tend to forget the accompaniment."

The swordsman pulls his cowl up over his mouth to shield half of his face. Then subtly sends a message to Sora, "I can also communicate secretly among those around me without notice due to the nature of my garment. You may make a brief reply."

Pulling down his cowl, "Khorz was integral on finding the details of the death of a widower in a small town down near Brightplain. If he can get into the area with you, I'm sure he will be able to discover the information you are looking for."

"Are these suitable roles for your...err our endeavor?" Kal seems confident this is how the party should split up.

Nemeia is wearing her dark brown leather armor this morning that is covered in small scales of metal that overlap each other and provide additional armor to the more critical areas. Along her armor are several eye bolts that have various small tools attached to them. At her side is a small gnomish designed satchel with several gears along the side that seem ornamental. Strapped across her back is a heavy wooden crossbow that has several odd adaptions to it including upgraded gears and and extension to the stock for additional stability and accuracy. Attached along her thigh is a small scabbard carrying a dagger that looks rather unused. The shield attached with several straps to her back also seems rather unused but well tended to. 

Her hair is brushed back and reaches down to about her shoulders. Her dark red horns sweep toward the back of her head. Her light red skin hides under her layers of clothing and is only visible on her face and hands. The long tail that follows her is a darker red similar to her horns. Nemeia's physique, while covered, leads you to believe that she has lived a more scholarly life and wouldn't be much use in lifting heavy things or fisticuffs. 

Cali on the other hand is hardened steel. Designed to look like a panther, the metal plates cover the creature hiding the interior mechanical workings that are powered with arcane power. Cali is rather playful with people she's been familiarized with but takes a more defensive stance if Nemeia seems stressed. This morning, Cali seems in good spirits as she nestles next to Sora for attention. Nemeia seems more interested in breakfast than the planning going on. She only had one thing she needed to do once the shops were open and that had her highest attention.

"Hey Gus. What do you know of artificer Krin? I need to talk with her today and want to make sure I go in with at least some level of understanding of her talents."

"Oh that brilliant morsel?" Gus happily answers Nemeia's question, "She's quite the eccentric genius, I'm told. Supposedly the town's foremost artificer. Though I'm afraid I don't know her well enough to tell you about her in great detail. But from my brief meetings with the Lady Timbers she seemed like someone with a good heart but a short fuse."

Over the course of the morning, for anyone who asks, Gus also happily provides suggestions and directions to various shops around the Merchant District that can provide whatever you might need.

I'm happy to go wherever you think I might be useful, says Witt.  I don't really know how I can help at the gala, other than to talk about farming.  I don't really think nobles are very interested in farming.  Perhaps I can join with Sora and 9 to investigate the castle, but I'm not particularly sneaky or particularly good at finding secrets.  I dunno.  I'm good with animals, if you need a getaway driver?  He looks a little worried.  You're not going to need a getaway driver, are you?

"Oh hey that's really cool!" Sora responded to Kal's message. However the response was very loud and obvious so it did not have the subtle effect that was intended. Still Sora clearly understood with both the intent and the advantages of Kal's spell. "That sounds great, you guys can help work the room with a setup like that." She looked back over at Witt to reply to his concerns, "I doubt we'll need a getaway driver. If things get that bad we're better off losing any chasers by going down a tight alley. You don't have to go to the gala if you don't want to, but I'd hate to think you'd get bored outside the castle while we're all having fun inside."

I'll come to the gala, says Witt unenthusiastically.  Maybe I can help by causing a distraction.  I could start preaching loudly about the Harvest Watcher.  That often sends people running. But in any case, yes, shopping first.  I want to find a few things, and I suppose if I'm going to the gala I definitely need some clothes for it.  

Nemeia smiles at Gus and says, "Thank you. You've been very helpful as always. A good heart and short fuse seems to be common in the profession." 

She then turns to the others making their plans, "Much to do. Anyone coming with?" She seems rather rushed in her movements toward the door like their will be a grand gift on the other side. 

"Oh yes, before you head out, there was a letter that arrived for master Witt." Gus says as he claps his hands, sending one of his servers off to retrieve the letter in question. Moments later the server returns with a simple rolled up parchment tied with a tasteful ribbon placed upon a silver platter. He moves quickly over to Witt, presenting him the letter. One look at the parchment and it's clear it's not the most refined stock it seems somewhat out of place compared to its surroundings. Perhaps Gus tied the ribbon on it to provide a better presentation, it certainly looks lovely at least.

Moira

"Yes I am ready to go. I'd like to have plenty of time to find something and would also like to see if there are any arcane shops around."

9 follows others out of the inn, walking to the shops with them. She will first look for a brooch for ~8 gp and then will look for an arcane shop with Moira.

Nemeia has one goal on her mind and she makes her way toward the workshop Orijen had told her about the night prior. There's excitement in her step as she moves quickly through the streets with purpose. Cali follows closely by her side. 

Lynn-Marie smiles when Sora suggest she help pick out appropriate formal wear, giving her a nod, then listening to the others speak with interest. She is very curious about the metal and red-furred animals, but refrains from rushing over to interact with them, not wanting too appear too informal with this band of travellers. As the group makes to leave she excuses herself and quickly rushes to her room to strap on her two short-bladed rapiers before they head out.

As they peruse the shops, Lynn-Marie will do her best to find dresses for the women and fanciful suits for the men, making sure the colour-schemes would not clash with her own formal wear, of course. As her own dress has also been adjusted so she can move about freely without a constricting hoop-construction around her waist and legs she does understand and insist that the dresses the women pick out also suit any special needs they might have.