Quote from 10_30inDutch >>

'It reads: Dear Nari, how could you have forsaken me? I thought we had something. I had something, anyway. Was I wrong to love you' she skims, reading out 'blah blah blah. Oh wait, what's this? You are not gonna believe this. Count Dexen of the Noble House of Lightpaw, aristocrat turned gentleman thief, is now living as an outcast in the Pohaku City sewers. Should I feel bad?'

 "Well was the Count Dexen kind? If not I wouldn't feel bad."

'Oh, he was kind. Maybe I left him because I feared I was gonna fall for him, okay? But I'm sure he's doing great. Apparently he's not on his own, is living with a kind scavenger down there who's taken him in.' She wrinkles up her face, unsure that Dexen is doing great

Quote from 10_30inDutch >>

'Oh, he was kind. Maybe I left him because I feared I was gonna fall for him, okay? But I'm sure he's doing great. Apparently he's not on his own, is living with a kind scavenger down there who's taken him in.' She wrinkles up her face, unsure that Dexen is doing great

 Therens eyes twinkle. "Well why were you afraid you were gonna fall for him?"

'He was cute, okay. And caring. And very funny. But master thieves cannot fall in love with their partner in crime. That's basically Rule 1'

Quote from 10_30inDutch >>

'He was cute, okay. And caring. And very funny. But master thieves cannot fall in love with their partner in crime. That's basically Rule 1'

 Theren smiles. "Well sometimes you have to break the rules, no?" He then sets down a glass that he was wiping. "You cant always play by the rules you know."

Jaskal heads outside and holds out his hand. With a flash of black-and-gold fire, a white door appears on a nearby wall. The seems to have been purely aesthetic, since nothing was lit on fire or even singed.

'You do have a point there Nari Two! Hey, what's that door that just appeared?'

'You telling me to be careful of you?'

Jaskal enters the white door, leaving it wide open. Inside is a decadent dining hall with intricate golden silverware and full view of an advanced kitchen.

'Wow, that's gotta be an illusion!'

'I guess...' Nari goes and throws a rock though the entrance to see whether it is a trap

Quote from 10_30inDutch >>

'I guess...' Nari goes and throws a rock though the entrance to see whether it is a trap

 It falls to the floor. An animated broom sweeps it up.

'Doesn't look like a trap. Let's go in'

The dining room is even more beautiful once you are inside. A single plate sits at the end of the table, and upon it sits a bone-colored round of jelly with some sort of red cream in the center. It has a small salad surrounding it on the plate.

A note next to it reads: "For whoever is hungry."

'Do you think that means us? Who cares? Or is it poisoned? Do I have to be on my guard? Yes. I've made enough enemies'

'Sounds like a deal!' Nari takes some anti-toxin, and then eats some of the food. 'Mmm, good!'

Quote from 10_30inDutch >>

'Sounds like a deal!' Nari takes some anti-toxin, and then eats some of the food. 'Mmm, good!'

 It tastes amazing. The small jelly is savory with hints of dark sweetness, like strong bone broth with potatoes, mixed precisely. The cream is thick and tastes like tomato, but closer to a cherry tomato than the more common condensed Roma or Steakhouse.

The salad is bright and refreshing, an excellent contrast to the dense jelly and cream.

Make a perception check.

19

Quote from 10_30inDutch >>

10

 Nari doesn't even notice Jaskal as he walks up and places another plate on the table.

The plate contains a cooked animal, most likely roasted. The actual species is impossible to tell, but the skin is crispy-looking and oozing butter. It is garnished with microgreens and a grainy, light orange sauce.

Nari tucks in, delighted. She can't help thinking Dexen would have liked it, but she very much enjoys it