Vitalis checked perception + stealth at difficulty 22, rolling 54 higher.

Vitalis checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 20, rolling 21 higher.

Vitalis steps out from between the stacks where there definitely wasn't someone a moment ago. He smiles at those gathered, whether they knew they were gathered or not. "Thank you, good evening, please help yourselves to some beverages and choose a seat." The squeaky wheel of a reshelving cart sounds, repurposed to bear kettles and some bottles, mugs. "Do keep the beverages to the carpeted areas." The associate gestures to where tables are arrayed on long carpets between the tall shelves. There are several large sacks behind him. "If you're not here for the lecture, you're welcome to stay. Else," he grins, "We shouldn't disturb you much because we're going to be discussing a topic near and dear to my heart: Stealth."

Vitalis takes a deep breath, padding forward between the tables, "What is the essence of going unnoticed and why is it important?" He gestures to those gathered to answer that question themselves.

Rhiannon is already there, in an out of the way spot where she can observe. She's getting much better at this sneaky thing in urban areas, and as she does, it becomes more comfortable. She nods at those she knows.

Mabelle slips into the room unnoticed as to not bother Vitalis' ongoing speech and settles somewhere

1 Crimson Blades Sergeant leaves, following Mirk.

Ysbail checked perception + investigation at difficulty 41, rolling 34 higher.

Mabelle checked perception + stealth at difficulty 41, rolling 21 lower.

1 Inquisition Confessors, Scribble, a Delicate Social Butterfly, 1 Bisland pride guards leave, following Delilah.

Rhiannon checked perception + stealth at difficulty 41, rolling 6 lower.

Zeriax checked perception + investigation at difficulty 41, rolling 14 higher.

Ysbail checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Mabelle checked perception + stealth at difficulty 22, rolling 9 higher.


Zeriax felt eyes upon him. Was he just bad at ambushing people? Maybe it had something to do with his snickering. Either way, he continued tippy-toeing his way towards those who were already gathered, and just moved as he normally would've. The snickering died down. The moment beverages were introduced, he made sure to grab himself one before taking a seat, seemingly popping out of nowhere! At least, to those who weren't able to see him prior to his entrance. A few adjustments later, his eyes were on Vitalis...much like he'd had his eyes on Zeriax for longer than he possibly might've known. The thought sent chills down his spine, but also caused him to grin widely. "Oh oh!" His hand shot up. "Making sure others aren't aware of the significance of your presence. It's important, because the more you know, and the less your adversaries know, the more advantageous your position." He made sure not to let his amber gaze linger for too long on the man, looking around to see who was who and where they were...IF the were.


Ysbail inches very quietly over, attempting not to attract too much attention to those gathered, sidling up to a space between the stacks and leaning over. "Was that supposed to be sneaky?"

Vitalis grins at Ysbail having heard her approach. "Game to start, good." He gestures her to a chair, answering, "It was-" Vitalis' lips purse, "A middling effort on my part." He's well aware of how he slipped up on the gathering, or didn't. He nods at Zeriax's appearance, "A good effort. Also game to try. And yes! Zeriax is absolutely right-" he ticks up a finger, "In the field. Why is stealth important in the Archive?" He gestures around, this time, not waiting for an answer, "Courtesy. Simple courtesy. Our only adversary here in the Scholarship is ignorance." He rounds the tables and spreads his hands at the gathering, "There are three important components to stealth." Keen gray eyes look over the small assemblage. "Attention and rapport." He pauses in his stroll, "Now, of those which is most imporant?"

Ysbail chuckles, "Attention?"

While folks are formulating their answers, Vitalis goes to one of the large sacks and unties it, disappearing briefly in the row of books. There's a soft, rattling crunch and the sound of shaking. Rhiannon may be pleased to see, he's brought some of the forest indoors. There is now a bed of crunchy, crunchy leaves. He perks at Ysbail's answer, giving her a nod of acknowledgment, but lifting brows to see what others have to say. He moves to a second sack.

Mabelle wordlessly observes Vitalis. She remains quiet in her seat, intently listening to the lecture.


Zeriax kept his eyes open, grasping the cup in both hands like he were a sickly, frail young girl. He tried to keep his sipping as quiet as possible, looking around to see if he was disturbing any of the Scholars by sipping too loud. It was supposed to be a stealthy gathering as much as it was a lecture, right? His eyes darted to Ysbail for a moment, his lips giving warning to the impending giggles. Thankfully, Vitalis was as engaging with his questions as he was with his presence, and the man pulled his attention back to the lecture at hand. The idea that one could be stealthy as a courtesy to others, rather than a way to take advantage of others had never once crossed his mind, which made itself apparent by his resultant expression of surprise. Then his brow furrowed. "The third one?" It was as much a question as it was a guess. Vitalis said 'three' important things, even though he only made mention of two.


Vitalis shakes out the second sack of leaves, leaning around back into view as Zeriax makes his answer-by-query. "Attention." He nods to Ysbail, and then at Zeriax, "And good of you to note there was a third thing unmentioned." He dusts his hands, glowering at a fragment of leaf that's in his hair and defies efforts to brush away. "Rapport has two components." He ticks up a finger, "Mental and Physcial and the key to both-" he grins at Rhiannon, "Lady Rhiannon will know the answer." He doesn't supply it, but goes to the third sack, "While you are waiting, look around. Play a little game I call, 'Notice Something New.'" He straightens with the last bag, "And if you care to master stealth, never stop playing." He disappears momentarily before returning. "When you've never been somewhere, it's easy. When you go home tonight, or to a place you're very familiar with, try it. Now. What have you noticed? " He purses lips to blow at that stubborn leaf fragment, eyes crossing, puffs of airs flipping the loose waves that fall across his forehead.

Ysbail checked perception + investigation at difficulty 50, rolling 2 higher.

Ysbail sits silent, staring at everything.

Mabelle swivels her eyes left and right, unsure

Mabelle checked perception + investigation at difficulty 50, rolling 1 higher.


Zeriax's eyes turned to the leaves. "Attention, hmm?" He turned to peer over at Rhiannon, wondering what the key might be. He was fairly preoccupied with his drink, still sipping. "Well, the simple answer is there are now leaves on the ground. That's something new." He also seemed to be more mentally preoccupied by the theory of the lecture than what was already in front of him. Attention, for the moment, Zeriax was lacking.


Rhiannon settles back on her heels, crouched down in the corner, her back against a shelf. "You have to fit. You don't always have to be the most quiet, but you have to fit. You have to be comfortable, like you're a piece of the furniture. You belong."

Vitalis squats down next to Rhiannon, arms cantilevered out on his knees. "Right. Scholars here in Arx don't sit like this. But there's an order of Godsworn at a remote settlement on the plains south of Arx between the Crownlands and the Lyceum who sit like this for /hours/ reading holy texts. If you were trying to be stealthy among them, this would establish both mental and physical rapport." He pushes up to his feet. "So. What have you noticed?" There are folk who haven't spoken up yet, he's inviting them to do so.

Ysbail grins, something mischevious sparking, "I noticed that you've got a particularly lovely shade of lipstick on your collar Lord Vitalis, and would remind you that the stacks are not an appropriate place for a tryst." She's joking, possibly. Maybe.

Mabelle scans the room perceptively as she squints here and there looking for things, she recalls the noise from the cart at the beginning of the lecture, and mentions, "I think that wheel is not well hinged", she motions toward the squeaky cart, flashing a smile at Ysbail's words and distantly scanning Vitalis' collar.

Rhiannon looks over at Vitalis, glances for the lipstick. "Too bad I don't wear that shade." Said so deadpan, it's almost hard to tell if she's serious. Rhiannon isn't wearing any kind of lipstick. "Clothes matter, if they make you stand out, either in sound or color or design."

Vitalis checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.


Zeriax watched as Vitalis squatted next to Rhiannon, still sipping his cup. The mention of lipstick on Vitalis' collar made him look first to Ysbail, and then over to Rhiannon. "He's wearing lipstick?" He hadn't noticed himself, his eyes narrowing to see if he could catch a glimpse. "Where? I don't see it."


Vitalis blinks, looking at Ysbail with mouth falling briefly open. He's Lycene, so there's no blush only a sly spreading smile, and hands flared. Guilty. At Zeriax's question he tips his head and pulls his collar open, where a ruddy shade is lightly smeared. He shrugs the collar back into his coat, resettling the pelt on his shoulders. "Truly. It would be fetching on you, Lady Rhiannon. A piece of what Rhiannon and I have discussed before is 'love.' Belonging and love are intertwined." He laces fingers together, held before his face. "To belong somewhere you must know it. There is a reason that intercourse is called 'knowing.'" He grins at Ysbail, "And I do love knowledge." He makes an appreciative dreamy sound in his throat, eyes sent off into reverie. He straightens, "Now. I need volunteers to listen and volunteers to sneak."

Belatedly, Vitalis coughs a laugh, "Yes. The leaves are new. Even - or perhaps especially - the obvious is important." He looks alarmed at the mention of the cart and crouches, examining it. "Oh, Scholar, would you mind bringing another cart? That could have sent beverages spilling everywhere." She smiles and nods, disappearing.

Zeriax checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 6 higher.

Rhiannon tips her head toward Vitalis. "I can sneak, if you desire. Is the point the lipstick or the kiss?" So very deadpan. She slides up to her feet and stretches before she shifts as though to disappear.

Mabelle checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 28 higher.

Rhiannon checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 17 lower.

Ysbail checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 22 higher.


Zeriax's eyebrows rose up when Vitalis showed off the lipstick. It was difficult not to laugh, but a grin would do for the time being. The man's explanation was rather fetching, causing Zeriax to nod along. "Fascinating." He said, eyes narrowed on the man. "I can volunteer to sneak. I'm likely not the best here," He said, looking around, "but I tend to like acting." He spied the scholar who wheeled the new car in, his eyes darting back and forth between her and Vitalis. That grin probably wasn't going away anytime soon.


Ysbail remains quiet, though Smug, eyeing the cart and it's attendant for a moment before shifting her attention back to the room at large.

Mabelle squints lengthily at the scholar that just left the room, she stares almost suspiciously at Vitalis and wonder aloud, "Did that woman had the same shade of lipstick that's on your collar, my you are na..". She hears herself, blushes furiously and digs her body into her seat.

Vitalis grins at Rhiannon, eyes glittering. "Either. Both?" He begins shifting the tea service and bottles from the cart to the table. "Why don't-" Vitalis looks at Mabelle. "I never introduced myself. I'm Lord Vitalis of House Mazetti, an Associate of the Scholarship. Why don't we go around. Lady Rhiannon, Messere Zeriax, please do the honors." He gestures them to go to the end of leaf-strewn rows so they can work their way back to the tables quietly. "You, Lady Ysbail and-" he pauses for Mabelle to introduce herself, "Please close your eyes. You'll be listening for our volunteers." He passes behind each of the Listeners, murmuring to them.

Ysbail closes cobalt blue eyes, a smirk still curled on her lips her breathing slow and deep as she filters out sounds, chuckling softly under her breath before stilling completely, almost creepily so.

Rhiannon checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 30, rolling 1 lower.

Rhiannon checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Zeriax checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Ysbail checked perception + investigation at difficulty 29, rolling 37 higher.

Mabelle checked perception + investigation at difficulty 29, rolling 16 higher.

Rhiannon moves to the end of the row, looking up at Vitalis and waiting for the signal before she starts to move. this isn't as easy when they know that you're doing it.

Ysbail checked perception + investigation at difficulty 31, rolling 15 higher.

Vitalis checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Mabelle lowers her eyelids obligingly, she throws her words into the wind, "Lady Mabelle Laurent, by the by" she shushes at herself and begins


Zeriax, at Vitalis' prompt, got up and moved to the end of the row as well. When it was time, he began tippy-toeing along the aisles where the leaves were strewn.


Mabelle checked perception + stealth at difficulty 31, rolling 3 lower.

Ysbail checked perception + investigation at difficulty 60, rolling 20 lower.

Rhiannon checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Ysbail holds a finger to her lips and hisses with a shush like a tea kettle. "So very noisy you two." Nevermind that she's a shaman, and as such has honed her listening skills to be aware of sneaky sneaks who choose to sneak up on her while meditating. For once however, she does not hear Vitalis.

Mabelle contorts her face while she listens very carefully, she scrunches her face here and there, completely forgetting that someone is looking at her, likely alarmed or amused by the faces she's making. She then puts her finger over her right ear, lowers her to her mouth and says, "Well, breathe quieter".

Zeriax checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.


Zeriax was being as quiet as he could. Which, apparently, wasn't as quiet as he'd originally presumed he was. Unable to fit in with his surroundings, He snapped his fingers when both Ysbail and Mabelle called him out. "Maybe I should make love to these leaves..." He uttered quietly to himself. One more round! He got back into position, and assumed a crouching walk. Be the leaf!


Rhiannon looks up at Zeriax and her lips twitch as though she might smile. But when she starts to move again, it is much more quietly than befor.

Ysbail checked perception + investigation at difficulty 53, rolling 10 lower.

Mabelle checked perception + stealth at difficulty 60, rolling 42 lower.

Ysbail checked perception + investigation at difficulty 26, rolling 30 higher.

Mabelle checked perception + investigation at difficulty 26, rolling 48 higher.

Ysbail:doesn't hear Rhia at all but Zeriax, maybe it's the leaves comment because her nose scrunches and she shushes him.

Mabelle kinda wonders if Vitalis is still in the room, but she can still hear the ones at the back, so she shushes them. Shushing is quickly becoming her favorite activity

Zeriax checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Rhiannon checked perception + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.


Zeriax was getting shushed! Repeatedly! He frowned. "Shush yourself!" He said, before looking around. Hey, where did Lord Mazetti go? Zeriax had no idea. Couldn't see him. Couldn't hear him. Was he right behind him?! Zeriax spun around, checking to see if he was right behind him, ''definitely'' crunching more leaves.


Rhiannon checked perception + stealth at difficulty 60, rolling 3 higher.

It's a good thing to wonder, what they wonder, because Vitalis is nowhere to be seen. When Rhiannon and Zeriax make their way back to the tables, he's simply gone. On the table, a note:

'Thank you all for coming. I hope
you enjoyed it. Remember: Attention and Rapport.
The key to stealth is (a pefect lip print).'

Ysbail is overheard praising Vitalis: Creative Closeting and stealth

Mabelle is overheard praising Vitalis: That was interesting and enjoyable!