“Please, call me Celine. And thank you, Zilfie. I'll see you later.” Celine nodded to the dark elf and moved away, certain that she would not learn anything more here. The elf leaned her back against a wall, away from the other people visiting the guild, as she considered her options. So, how do I get evidence that Natalie's cheating when she's not? I guess the best way would be to get her to cheat and then give the evidence to her husband. Easier said than done, though. Hmm, maybe I should first have a look at Natalie and her husband and then decide what to do about this task... With her mind (sort of) made up Celine left the guild behind and went looking for her target.
Not saying anything back to the dark elf, unsure of what would be a proper response, the pirate walked out and thought about her target. She could be just about anywhere. But somehow had to know where she was hiding. While the report was that the Coldarrows now wanted her taken into custody, her crimes were as far as Catherine cared, mostly petty. Point being, she still had likely made friends in her stint among their group and one of them probably had some idea about where she would go. With that in mind, she went off to look for that adventuring party, her instincts telling her that she would have at least talked to one person in her time there. Somebody knew something, even if they didn't realize it.
The woman had clicked her tongue and crossed her arms under her bust. "I wouldn't say that I understand those dimwits, and that they obey my teachings. On the contrary, actually." She scowled unhappily. "What do you want, Mr..."
He gives her a sympathetic look. "Ah, yes. Of course, your pupils must be spoiled by weak minded parents and teachers, who let them do whatever they please". He makes a gesture of distaste. "I have the honour of being the esteemed Baron Rogriss of House De Veere, the Estmouth De Veeres, not the Darbry De Veeres. The Darbry bunch are a gaggle of uncultured swine. But, alas, you are of course not interested in the quality of the country gentry. You want to know what I can do for you". He smiles. "I am in the midst of founding my own educational institution, for the disadvantaged children of the city. We nobles must be benevolent towards our inferiors, of course." He gives a coy grin. "I'm looking for remarkable educators, who understand properly how to instill discipline in their students. Unlike schools like this one", he gestures towards her school, "in our institution, educators such as yourself shall be given free reign to discipline students however they see fit. No bleeding heart fools looking over your shoulder in our school! No, sir!" He tilts his head a little bit. "I appreciate the skills of a talented and intelligent person such as yourself, and so, I'd like to offer you a position in our school, once construction has finished. I assure you, you'd received far, far, superior renumeration to what you're currently being paid".
"See you around, Celling-line!" The dark elf waved goodbye. As Celine left, she realised that the only place she knows where here target could be is her house. As she arrived at the place, she saw the woman through the window, as she walked around the house.
Having no idea, where to look for her target, Catherine finally found herself in the only place she was sure she would find adventurers - to the adventurer's guild.
After hearing the first words, Rogriss can see that Sieglinde looked about to interrupt him and just walk away, it looked as if she hesitated more. "A work with students that you described is something I really don't want to experience." She finally answers. "I have enough of fullish students at the moment. And even though money sounds nice, I am sorry but I have to refuse. I would simply not stand that kind of students." She was about to finish and walk away but paused. "Why did you approach me- I mean, why me?"
The adventurer’s guild was crowded with all the hustle and bustle, but it gave her an interesting thought of how to get at her target. While it seemed she apparently fell off the face of the earth or perhaps people just weren’t willing to disclose the information to her, there was still a straightforward plan. Odds were, the girl would still try attempting the same stunt a couple more times if the reward was big enough. Catherine determined that it was best to approach the counter and explain the situation. “I’m here to catch a thief. That’s bad for the guild’s image to have someone pocketing loot. Perchance, would you consider allowing a posting to draw out this problem child?” She didn’t wait for the answer before allow her voice to pipe up so other people could hear her. I’d like to make a request in need of a bodyguard for travel.” Appealing to practical sense, Catherine chose an escort job specifically since it would allow her to reject the wrong people without needing to find clear reasons. Nobody expected the people with money to pay for guards to defend themselves, so it would look like easy pickings for an over ambitious thief.
He looks disappointed. "I approached you because you were said to have the attitude I was looking for. And besides, when I was told by the people at the teacher's union of the most phenomenally gorgeous teacher they'd ever seen, I had to see for myself. Of course, now I find that their extravagant description of you pales in the face of your beauty. I should have them horse whipped for failing to capture in prose or verse how perfectly your visage appears." He smiles. "Forgive me, your looks temporarily took away my composure. I shall stop embarrasing myself". He taps his cane. "I fear, though, that I've given you the wrong impression about the students." "When I say that they are disadvantaged, you must conjure up an image in your mind of rowdy ruffians tearing apart the classroom. I assure you that nothing could be further than the truth. The students at our school have been at the mercy of their betters since birth. They are, I assure you, entirely docile, and completely obedient. You would not have to tame an unruly class, you would simply have to prevent the lowly creatures from slipping back into their animal natures." The half-orc straightens his back, and prepares to walk. "Why not come with me to see the site where the new school will be constructed? Afterwards, even if you still don't like the place, I'll pay for you to have dinner at the most luxurious restaurant in this town. My presence at dinner will be completely optional. If you like, I'll pay for your meal, and then leave you in peace to enjoy it." He offers her his arm. "Shall we?"
As she walked towards the house of the Rubio family Celine tried to come up with a plan. Unfortunately that proved harder than she was willing to admit. The first two ideas that came to her mind were needlessly risky and she designated them as a last resort, in case all else failed. Trying to get help wasn't any better, and in some ways was worse. That left her with option number four: Approach Natalie on her own and... improvise from there. Not the best of plans, but it would do. The question was how to do it. Once the elf reached the house she immediately saw Natalie through the window. At first glance she appeared to be alone, but there was no way to be sure that was really the case. Still unsure what the best course of action would be Celine decided to take a walk around the area without attracting attention. She wanted to get familiar with the surrounding streets and buildings, as well as any guards or other people that could possibly get in the way. And maybe, just maybe, she would get lucky and Natalie would go out for some reason, such as shopping or visiting someone. Approaching her on the streets would be (somewhat) easier.
"Excuse me..." The receptionist spoke to her before she had even chance to finish. "Are you speaking Camila Gayoso?" She inquired.
“You’re correct. I suspect the implications of not being reliable have ill connotations that you’d prefer to be avoid with said wench.” Despite the manner of sophistication that she spoke with, she was still a pirate. It was probably a more mild case then what the dark elf had. “It would do ‘ye well to divulge any such secrets, that come in yer possession. What do ‘ya know of this lass?”
The teacher hesitated a little, but Rogriss' words seemed to sway the woman. "Very well. I guess it wouldn't hurt to at least check the site... and I won't refuse a dinner." Sieglinde said as she took the half-orc's arm, a light blush adorning her cheeks.
It was only in the evening that Celine finally noticed Natalie leaving the building. She put the empty bag on the ground, turned around and started locking the door.
He leads her through the streets, regaling her with strategic complements, and garish stories of his fabricated life, all the while debating whether to just deliver her, or to seduce her first. Judging that she's bored of tedious work as a teacher for students she despises, he decides to inject a little adventure into her life, making his alias seem like a bold swashbuckler, whilst he caters to her sense of entitlement by making it seem like he thinks that the two of them are members of an elevated social class, better than everyone around them. Despite his character being of higher class than the teacher, her treats her like an equal, reaffirming her belief that she's superior to everyone in her day to day life. As they walk through the streets, he asks her "Tell, me, my dear, is there someone special in your life? Someone you come home to?"
If she was reckless or desperate enough Celine might have tried attacking the woman right then and there, while she was distracted with the door. But so far that was both risky and unnecessary. Let's see where she's going... The elf waited and then followed Natalie from a close but safe distance, using her skills at stealth to remain unnoticed and not attract any attention. She wanted to know where the woman was going and who she might meet with before trying to approach her.
The woman shook her head. "The girl you are looking for, you will not find her here." The receptionist sighed. "There were rumours about the woman, that she stollen from many other teams. But it's the first time she made such a bold move."
The teachers seem to be enjoying their walk, and the talk they are having - the usual Rogriss' charm at work at it's best. As he asks about someone special she stares at him for a moment not comprehending the question. "Someone special?" then her face changes, showing slight embarrassment and blush. "No," She answered lowering her head. "There is no one." She then quickly changed the subject. "How far we have to go still?" She asked.
Celine follows her target, to the marked. She observes undetected, as the woman goes around the stands, buying groceries of various type, smiling, talking with the shopkeepers...
