IC: Sun in the Shadows

"We are going to let you in," the guard says. "You have an invitation."

The guard opens the door and makes way for you to enter. Inside you find a beautiful if gaudy atrium. Through double doors you can see a gala in full swing. Closed doors lead to the left and right. A stairway leads up to a second level, or possibly a balcony. There are a handful of party goers, mostly Human, in the atrium, but they pay no notice to you.

OOC: I let you take 10 on your attempt, which means you just assume you rolled a 10. Sometimes you can do this and sometimes you cannot; in this case, I didn't see any reason not to.

Tenah looks for a plug in for his computer that will allow him access to the mansion security systems and information concerning the layout.

When Tenah discreetly points out the problem, Sidralaynu throws a quick thought to Lexa and the two females saunter over to the couple. Sidralaynu wishes she had worn a fancier gown, and after a moments thought undoes the cord that binds her long, dark hair.

The couple look up with little interest as they approach, and Sidralaynu adapts a calm, blase expression.

"Some party, huh? I haven't even gotten a glimpse of our host. Have you two seen the gardens yet, I heard that they're absolutely exquisite."

"We're new in town." She smirks and gracefully waves the smoke out of her face. She had thought that distracting these two would be easier.

"I'm Sidra, and this is Lexa. You are?"

Sidralaynu represses her smile at the noble's reaction and turns to Lexa with an arched eyebrow.

"Well, it's nice to know they don'tinvite just anyone to such parties."

She turns to the countess with a skeptical look. "I wouldn't dare disgrace a ball room in old rags like these. My clumsy maid spilled wine on the one good gown I had left on my ship, can you believe it? I wouldn't wait for the others to be brought out of the ships storage, I told Lexa here that we must go find some good company and fresh food. Ship fare can be so dull after long voyages. Would you two care to escort us to the buffet?"

"That would be lovely, thank you, Countess Avorin."

As they turned to leave she sends Ashur a quick thought, "Ok, all yours, I'll try to get us back in a half hour. Hopefully Lexa and I will be able to get the lay of the land. Also, should I inquire about getting us some rooms for the night?"

OOC: Ok, fixed!

OOC: On Ashur, yes. You can only send telepathic messages to Force sensitive individuals.

Ashur turns to Tenah. "Okay, they'll be back in half an hour," he says.

With Sidralaynu and Lexa having distracted the riff-raff by the computer terminal, Tenah moved in quickly and quietly. He unpacked his computer and hooked it into the mansion's systems. He turned to Ashur, "Cover me." Of course, Tenah wouldn't completely trust a non-Chiss to cover all possible avenues of danger/discovery, so he would just just have to be quick about it. Using his technical prowess and supercomputer, he hacked the mansions layout and security systems, searching for mention of the artifact they sought.

With this disheartening news, Tenah turned to Ashur and asked, "What do you knoe of the moffs of this Empire? Are they thr type to keep priceless treasures close to keep an eye on them or would they keep the treasure away from them to keep it unknown?"

"My experience is rather limited," Ashur says, "but the few I've known wouldn't let something valuable out of their sight."

"Then we must act on that assumption. Ever broken into a moffs private quarters before?"

Ashur grins faintly. "No, but I'd relish the opportunity," he says. "Especially if the moff is inside."

After the Countess had helped Sidralaynu and Lexa into new outfits from her wardrobe, and as they're roaming through the wide halls on their way back to the ball room Sidralaynu inquires after getting rooms in the palace as she sneaks curious peeks down the halls, itching to explore.

"Who do I need to talk to in order to get accommodations here for a day or two? My friends and were just swinging by this planet and decided to stop for a lark, so we have no place to stay."

Memorizing the security measure's for the Moff's office, Tenah unplugs his computer, stows it, and turns to Ashur.

"Let's move out."

"Ready when you are," Ashur says. "Though perhaps we should wait for our friends to return--they may be of some help."

Sidralaynu turns to the Countess with a smile.
"Thank you, I shall do just that. Now, If you will excuse us, I'd like to go find our friends before we head to the ball room. I make it my policy to never step foot in a ballroom without a man I can trust, right, Lexa?"

Sending the Countess a sly wink, she moves towards the door, voicing her thanks, and assuring her that she looks forward to a tour of the city with the lady the next day. She turns to Lexa in relief once they'd left the woman.

"Well, I'd say that was decently successful. We now have a better idea of who's here and where they're all staying, and we got a fancy outfit. Let's go see how the others are faring."

Tenah commended his comrades for their work and apprised them of the situation as they arrived: "We have two options: either the Moff keeps the item safe in the depths of this facility or he keeps it close to himself in his private chamber. Ashur and I believe he is keeping it in his chambers. What say you two?"