Murph gives back the majority of Dart's coins and gems (did we ever count and apportion them all?), leaving only a few to hide in the barrel. "Don't want to give the impression he was very wealthy, and you deserve it. I was going to leave the wealth, but we almost died. Anyhow, yes, I think giving the copies to my jeweler contact. And perhaps we meet this Magnus? I have only heard of him..."

(I don’t think it was specifically divided up evenly. I more meant what I was handed as we were hightailing it out of the shop)

“Seems a fine an idea as any to me. Unless Blair is of a different mind. I say lead the way to this contact of yours.” I say, accepting back what Murph opted not to put in the chest. “I think leaving this place as is may be the better idea. Trying to move some of this stuff and keeping it organized the way it is. Would be nearly impossible I think.”

The rogue beamed in delight at what she was able to put together, her very own custom healing kit. She was ready to use it, and excited to show it off to Bea next visit. She'd be proud...

As per Murph's insistence, Blair would tend to the expectant Dart. And for someone who was ready for treatment, he showed the most resistance. 'Ouch. That hurts woman.' Brows would pop challengingly in response to the only audible thing he gets out. It'd be easier if he didn't put up such a fuss. Biting her tongue, the woman would finish her work. Plucking two of her tea packets from her pouch, she'd drop them in his lap.

Murph was sweet, so Blair returned a mirrored smile and gentle tending of his wounds. "You're welcome, Murph." Considering the extent of them, he didn't seem to fuss. "Of course there's only so much I can do, the rest is up to you." Her dexterous fingers worked away to administer disinfectant and bandaging accordingly, hoping to at least hold him over until he can get some proper rest. Tugging her last packet of Bea's healing honey tea from her kit, she'd hold it between two fingers to him. "For the morning after." She'd wink.

Tidying up after patching, Blair would listen to the plan. Each time Dart prompted her, she'd hmm and haw while looking over her manicures hands, considering her options. Eventually she'd break her silence. "Unless you need my assistance with Murph's jeweler, I have some work to do."

Murph spends this time analyzing Blair preparing the equipment, her sure fingers deftly, but ever so gently wielding the bandages, the needle, the thread, the impromptu cleaning supplies. His mind tries to piece together the functions, the boundaries, the necessities, the potential of the specifics of her skill. “This is really excellent work. Never seen anything like it. Maybe doctors are this good. But I have some ideas. For equipment. To make this even better. Keep things cleaner, to accelerate the healing process, to amplify the effects of the things you used here. One day soon I’d like to try some things out. Thank you, so much for the help, and also for an astoundingly fun problem to solve!”

He’s ready to go, though he asks Blair if she’d like to leave through the house or through the Undercellar. He could use the help in talking to the proprietor, and she could be off on her own business before boring herself with the jeweler. He’s also curious if there’s any chance of meeting this Magnhs person.

Blair's eyes and hands were so focused on mending Murph's wounds, a genuine smile would break her lips from his overly kind compliments. A chuckle would even escape when he'd compare to a doctor. "I'm flattered. Though, I only play doctor or nurse." The dancer would wink. "There's no prestigious training here." She'd confess. "There were enough situations where I had to learn on the job." She'd add a little solemnly. When Murph mused his ideas for improvements out loud with such enthusiasm, it was difficult for her not to light up with intrigue. "I'd welcome a taste of your enhancements." She'd say simply with her signature smirk.

When Murph would speak up, asking for her help to speak to the proprietor she'd look up from her nails. Green eyes would light up mischievously when she was reminded his target was a jeweler, and they did have some gems to trade perhaps? Glancing back to her hands, she'd wiggle her naked fingers, smirk growing into a grin. Blair would stride to the gnome with some extra bounce in her steps. She'd lean forward to dust off and adjust his attire. "How sweet of you to take me ring shopping, darling." She'd wink playfully.

Blair was content to commit to her offer to help Murph when he'd ask for it, but now there was an added reason for her to go. One that would benefit her and her plans to take over the shop front. For now she kept those thoughts a secret from the pair in the room. It wasn't because she didn't trust them, it was because she was having fun making them guess what she was up too.

Once they were satisfied with how they were going to leave the area, Blair would respond to Murph's inquiries. "May as well familiarize ourselves with the Undercellar." She'd gesture to the maze of tunnels. The redhead remembered him mentioning his superior eyesight in the dark where hers was poor. With an encouraging smile, she'd reach her hand out to him expectantly to lead the way with her. With her freehand, Blair would bring a finger to pat her nose with a thoughtful face. "I normally like to take my time and not take things so hasty..." She'd let out a playful sigh. "But suppose if we hurry with these tasks, and return in time so I can try to align some things..." Her eyes would shift as she'd try to calculate series of events. "I suppose we can arrange a meeting with Magnus somewhere between." She'd suggest with her smirk.

Making sure to leave the trap door hidden, with a bit of wealth stowed away in the chest, you extinguish all the candles in the hidden room below the storefront, and start making your way through the tunnels. You tie a small string between you, so you can feel the way that Murph leads you, but despite that the trip in the darkness is bothersome, as his diminutive stature means that he misses one or two low ceilings that Blair unfortunately doesn't.

The smell isn't great, but it's better than what you'd have expected from these tunnels, but judging from the sounds and the slimy surface to either side of you, there are plenty of creatures making these tunnels their home.

Nature: 8

(He's not trying to get lost here -- if the sewer tunnels seem far too complex to navigate, he'll return and attempt the journey aboveground. But he'll give it a shot. He'll also try to grab some chalk or charcoal or something before they go to leave markings for himself, a version of thieves cant he's taught himself when making notes, to allow him to retrace his steps with relative ease.)

HD: 7 8

Murph is still trying to get a bead on Blair. He finds her kind, and intriguing, though he's not able to read her very well. He agrees that working together in the future could be fun!

He misses all double entendres. 

As they're walking, he points out, a bit too late at first, any place the ceiling seems low to him (obstructions that the taller folk would run into).

(Added the 6 to my hp to put me back at full health thanks to Blair’s treatment.)

As the packets of tea fall into my lap I look up at Blair, “Thanks. This tea is pretty great.”

Later...

I do my best to follow Murph and keep Blair from hitting her head on anything. ‘Wouldn’t want her getting any bruises on her money maker’.

It quickly becomes clear that the tunnels leading away from the hidden underground room will need extensive mapping before you can use them to your advantage. Maybe a map exists, somewhere within Parker's records, or maybe some other individuals making use of them could help. For now though, you head back and make your way to the Wide above ground. Though your group is an odd one, you don't draw too many glances, and thanks to a small glamour, Murph appears to be a fairly average-looking gnome, in case anyone should look too close. It takes you about forty minutes to cross town and get to one of the alleyways that lead into the undercellar. Murph, having learnt the signals, gets you all past the guards, but it doesn't take long for the three of you to be greeted by Ribbons, an affable, if oily gentleman with slicked back hair and an unwavering smile that somehow seems to be equal parts accomodating and menacing.

"Ah, back so soon, and with friends no less! Well, if you're always going to come with such beatiful company, who am I to object? And honey, you'll let me know if you're looking for work, right? Plenty would pay good coin I tell you..." As his eyes fall on Dart, he measures the halfling carefully, before saying with a smile: "Welcome to the Undercellar, den of disrepute and delights. Don't cause any trouble now..." 

With that, he winks over a scarred halforc with a leather colla around his neck. "Lucius, bring them to the gemsetter. This one has business there. If the others want to enjoy any of the other... activities... give them the tour, will you?" With that, you are being led further into the Undercellar.

While Murph is less surprised by what you find, the vast array of sounds, smells and colours is disorienting. Lit with wall sconces and flameless lanterns, an entire market is built into what probably used to be a storage room once. The entire thing is three stories tall, with storefronts stacked ontop of each other, connected by a maze of stairs, ladders and walkways. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to the arrangements of shops, with a dwarven dentist being squeezed in between a loud halfling offering dumpling soup and an old and sleepy elf promising the relaxation of a lifetime at his massage parlour next door. A gnome is offering to wash and clean fabrics, while two human bakers are shouting over each other to sell their pastries across the gap. You figure that most of what's going on here would be legal, but that the shop owners are unwilling or unable to come up with the guild contributions each month and decide to sell their goods and services down here instead.

As you're being led further down and into the tunnels though, some of the more permanent and illicit shops and stores come into view: an old crone advertising all manners of potions and poisons, teahouses with adult entertainment catering to all sorts of proclivities, and dens for moonflower addicts, or loan offices and pawn shops where to truly desperate are able to raise the income necessary for the next month. Plenty of tradesmen are also selling their goods directly to passersby, from crates of wine or brandy that "fell off a waggon", to dealers offering thieves' tools and other implements for illegal activity. Among all this though, you still find small taprooms and other non-illict businesses. 

After the short foray into the sewers, I make a mental note to come back another time and search Parker’s things for a map.

On the way to the undercellar, I keep my eyes out for any particularly easy targets to relive of a few coins or other valuables.

I have at least half a mind to ask Ribbons to define what he means by trouble. As he motions for someone to take us to this chap Murph needs to see, I hold my tongue and refrain from asking.

Not having any specific business to attend to myself. I take mental notes of a few of the shops. Of particular interest to me are the two competing bakeries. Perhaps they’ll have need of some of the produce from the farm.

Despite that I keep quiet unless asked a question directly by someone and stick close to Murph. Trying to look as intimidating as I can. (Think bouncer)

Murph greets Ribbons again. "Hello. I think you'll like my new friends. Here's their entry fees," and he hands over the coin. He asks Ribbons or Lucius if the Undercellar has any storage spaces for rent, and what the price and security might be.

When they pass by the halfling with the dumpling soup, he gets closer, and whispers in his ear to save him a bowl or two of his good stuff, assuring him he'll be back later.

He keeps an eye out for anyone interested in their passage, and anyone watching the jeweler's storefront. He thanks Lucius for guiding them, and waits for them to leave before he enters. He then escorts Blair and Dart inside.

Perception: 8

Although the adventure through the passages proved to not be worth it, especially for Blair, she still emerged without dampened spirits. Brushing herself off, she'd take the time to clean herself off and tie her hair up for now if she had too. And once they were off again, she'd bounce along.

When they'd reach the undercellar, Blair would greet their guard with a sweet smile, walking right up to them. She'd admire their attire, running her nails along their chest as she looked them up and down. With a little giggle she'd push herself off them, skipping off in the direction they were supposed to be directing her. Green eyes would be wide and innocent as they took in the new sights. Finally, they'd land on the slick gentleman at the counter.

With smiling eyes, she'd bat big lashes before strutting forward to the counter. Blair would pop up on her tip toes, bending over it to personally greet Ribbon. Leaning on her elbows, her chest pressed together as she reached out to fix his shirt. She’d give a little wiggle of her hips for those behind her. "Honey," She'd smirk, eyes fluttering back up to meet Ribbon’s. With nails plucking at his chest, she’d let out a playful sigh. "The question is, are they worth the coin?" The redhead would nip her lip with a wink before pushing herself off the counter. "Lucky Lucious." She'd purr back stepping before turning to trot off to meet their escort.

Finding the scarred half-orc, Blair would look up to him with a grin. She'd walk some fingers up his arm and hooked her arm in his, resting her other hand on his forearm. She'd squeeze to feel his muscles as he guided them, occasionally switching to light petting with her fingers. Along with the others, she would admire the assortment of shops, taking note and making sure to remember some of the truly interesting ones, and the ones she'd most likely consider frequently.

Ribbons smiles at the interest. "Why that depends: We don't rent storage without a shop front, and security is your own business. Down in the lower levels, a stand'll cost you 300 gold pieces a month, on the upper floors we can go as low as 50. If you fail to pay though, everything in your spot belongs to me. Think it over, come find me when you've made a decision!"

Lucius, definitely not used to the attention he's getting, is mumbling some explanations along the way, but mostly just tries to look interesting or cool before Blair. His efforts go... poorly, but because of Blair's levity, he allows himself a terrible shy smile, showing his broken teeth. It's almost cute if it wouldn't be so disturbing. You take a note of the shops, and Murph, you notice that some of them were not here the last time you came to see the gem setter, probably indicating that there's quite a fluid arrangement for a lot of the shops on the upper levels. You are somewhat caught up in all of the displays and the hustle and bustle, leaving you unsure whether you're being watched. The halfling looks at you with an odd look, not sure what you meant by "the good stuff" and instead just gets ready to put some soup into a bowl, but seeing you head on already, he pours the soup back.

The trip takes around ten minutes, before you reach the office of Dagmar, the Stone-Cutter. Dart and Blair, you're surprised by how simple the shop before you seems.But you have paid enough attention to gather that the fact that this place is built into the surrounding structue and has a heavy door means that this is likely one of the more expensive places to rent. Entering the small room though, you're thoroughly surprised by the minimal decor. The room seems barren, with only a small table and a wooden chair at the end of the room. In the corner, there is a large iron strongbox, with an old dwarf currently kneeling in front of. As you enter through the door, he gets up, and with a sense of recognition at seeing Murph, he goes: "I hope it goes well. Ye got the plans?"

I enter the shop, but only just far enough to lean against the wall next to the entrance. Arms folded across my chest. Watching. Waiting. 

Murph gives Dagmar a friendly nod. "Hello Dagmar. These are my two associates. I'll let them introduce themselves. Yes, the plans. Well, it was an interesting, and nearly fatal, attempt. I did get the plans." He shows him the copies, but does not yet hand them over. "The shop, well, the shop tried to attack us. There was a glyph on the box with the plans, which detonated. And we had to defend ourselves against the automata, which was almost fatal until we found their code words. The shopkeep will assume there was a normal break-in, not a targeted industrial espionage attempt on his technology. Which I suppose is good for you. That's my side of the bargain. What about your side? How did the stonecutting go?"

Blair would pad along contently with Lucious, finding his efforts quite sweet. She'd reward his attempt to smile with a charming one of her own and a playful bump of her hip against him. "If you're ever feeling lonely and want company, I welcome extra protection or muscle around." The red head would purr, a hand reaching up for her nails to graze his chest. "Think about it." She'd wink to him before slipping off into the shop after Dart and Murph.

Humming to herself as she struts into the shop, Blair looks around with a sweet smile, hands tucked behind her back. She'd walk by, extending one hand out to run it along the table but would remain standing. "Blair." She'd offer a polite nod to the dwarven gentleman when he looks her way. Keeping her sweetened smile, her green eyes would watch for how he interacts with them in his establishment and how he first responds to Murph.

“You can call me Mark.” I say in an even tone, thinking it unwise to give this man I just met my real name... the whole thing could be a setup...

Dagmar's eyes widen at the tale of the heist. "Crafty sunnova wereboar! It's rare ta see glyphs as a failsafe. In this case literally for the case the safe failed, eh? Har Har.  But whassat 'bout a code word?" As "Mark" and Blair introduce themselves, he looks at you both in turn, his eyes exaggerated to a ridiculous degree by some sort of whirring ocular device with variable lenses that is sure to help him in his craft. "Well met. I guess yer the other two that the stone's is for. Gothem all here, all three of'em. Was quite sumthin' cuttin' em without destroyin' the stone, but tha's why ye came to the best, aintharite? Anyways, I wanna see the plans, 'fore I give ya the stones, fer all I know these are empty":

I make a grand ‘after you’ gesture and point towards the plans. Feeling this would be perfectly fine. Since that’s the whole reason we are here. While Dagmar is inspecting the plans, I’ll try and get a closer look at his ocular device to see if I can determine what it is.

Murph nods, and indicates the plans he was still holding out. Once he sees the stones split into three, he smiles and hands him the plans to review more closely.