Karlov Manor, Precinct One of the Tenth District, Ravnica, Mondayish? Maybe? (Fandom Time)

[deathsmajesty]

For all that the weekend had gotten off to a very shaky start, to the point where Liliana had been very close to decamping from Ravnica altogether, the latter half of it had been a most satisfactory exploration of Ragefest. Their paths had mostly not crossed Summer's (and, more importantly, none of Summer's consquesst) as she was deeply in the thickest, wildest aspects of the festival, while Liliana and Ignis were staying to more...hmm, sedate certainly wasn't the right word for what was basically an entire plane's descent into madness via orgies of destruction, violence, sex, and drugs...but they were avoiding most of the rowdiest elements.

(Most. Even Ignis could occasionally fall prey to impulse and vanity, which was why Liliana had several pictures and a short video of him battling in one of the impromptu fighting pits that had sprung up around the Tenth District. Listen, she hadn't made him jump into the rings, but it wasn't her fault if she also benefitted.)

Now, however, they were firmly ensconced in the opulent luxury that was only possible when one had been wealthy for generations. The wealth on display was only rivaled by the debauchery and hedonism also on display. But this was more than just simply a Ragefest celebration, Karlov Manor was celebrating the return of its most prominent (living) scion, the Former Grand Envoy of the Orzhov Syndicate, Teysa. No expense had been spared to welcome Teysa home--a fact Liliana found very interesting, knowing what she did about Obzedat politics. (Which, admittedly, wasn't as much as she'd like considering the Obzedat was entirely made up of ghosts of long-dead Orzhov matriarchs and patriarchs, which really cut into her preferred methods of spying.)

But her curiosity only acted as a spice to elevate the rest of the experience. Passing bodies clutching one another in various figures and configurations and ducking past platters that held only the purest, most expensive (and some, most illegal) drugs, Liliana made her way over to their hostess. Like herself, Teysa was a tall woman with thick black hair, though Teysa was only half her age - though she also looked to be only in her thirties. As was befitting an Orzhov, she was dressed in black and white--and gold, of course. You couldn't be an Orzhov and not appreciate gold in all its forms--though, Liliana had often noted, Teysa's labret and eyebrow piercings had always been silver.

"Why, if it isn't the lady of the hour! Teysa, darling, hello," she said as she stepped around a triad in the process of losing what remained of their clothing and adroitly helped herself to a glass from a passing tray. From the slight rainbow sheen, it wasn't alcoholic but instead, a liquid narcotic. "Barely home a few hours and what a lavish spectacle you've already created!"

[For, well, me but also the gentleman accompanying her, should time and brains will it!]

Comments

[opulent_oligarch]

"And if it isn't Liliana Vess!" Teysa said, giving Liliana a sharp and assessing once over not at all hidden by the smile underneath it. Not that Liliana minded; Teysa's sharpness was one of the things she liked about the other woman. "I haven't seen you something like fifty years. Have you only just now returned?"

She held out her arms and Liliana moved into them, the two women offering air kisses to either side of one another's face. "Are you enjoying yourself? It took a bit of finagling to pull everything together in time and me just getting out of prison, but there's no magic quite as effective as money."

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana was fairly certain that Teysa could quote the exact date and time that they'd seen each other last if she had a mind to. One didn't become an advokist by being sloppy with details. But, as she had done on Innistrad and every other plane where she had some semblance of a social life, Liliana had withdrawn and departed once she'd started visibly aging post-Mending. And though she had returned not long after she'd struck her demonic contracts, she had been somewhere far, far away from the extravagant wealth of the Tenth District.

She's been undercover for Nicol Bolas, orchestrating a scheme that had gotten Jace tortured only to come away with nothing at the end. Not her finest moment.

She deliberately turned her mind away from the past to sip her drink. It tasted like persimmons and tingled on her tongue. "Oh, I am, darling, you needn't worry about that," she said with a laugh. "I always have a delightful time at your parties - though, I do believe this might be the most excessive party of yours I've ever attended."

When dealing with the Orzhov, 'excessive' was a compliment.

[opulent_oligarch]

"What can I say, I had something pretty substantial to celebrate," Teysa said with very self-satisfied grin. She gestured with her arm, and they the two women began walking together, Teysa's black cane barely making a sound over the expensive rugs that covered floors made of the wood of extinct trees. "One must rise to the occasion when one can."

"And you so clearly can," Liliana said, noting that smile. Teysa was looking far to pleased with herself for this to be simply be a celebration of her release from jail.

"More business gets done in bars than boardrooms," Teysa agreed as they strolled. "It's a poor Orzhovan that can't throw a memorable party with little budget and less time. And speaking of parties--" She canted a smile at Liliana. "Have you already decided on which pretty young thing will be escorting you home tonight?"

[deathsmajesty]

"I came with an escort, actually," Liliana said with a ghost of a smile.

"Oh! Pretty young things, then," Teysa said.

"Doubtful," Liliana said, then reconsidered. "But possible," she allowed. "I arrived with my fiancé, though he's been spirited off by a charming young advokist--I believe he said he was your apprentice...? Thomas, or something."

[opulent_oligarch]

"What?" Teysa was so startled by this news that she didn't even bother correcting Tomik's name. "You're getting married? Since when? To whom?"

[deathsmajesty]

"Yes, several weeks ago, and obviously I'm going to introduce you," Liliana said, sliding her arm through Teysa's to lead her to where she'd left Ignis all but oblivious to the rest of the party going on around him.

"And, darling, you needn't sound so shocked."

[opulent_oligarch]

"Apologies, Liliana, but you just never struck me as the settling down type," Teysa said, openly looking around to see if she could spot the likely affianced in advance.

[deathsmajesty]

"Of course I didn't," Liliana said with a toss of her hair. "Darling, I assure you, I never settle."

[chef_chocobro]

Truth be told, Ignis' proclivities toward the fighting pits had been a very grounding anchor for him, because, as suited as he was for these sorts of things, as much as he eagerly and compentently had taken to the lifestyle that being with Liliana had granted him, it was not entirely the most...comfortable state for him. Yes, he'd grown up in the Insomnian court, but Lucis was a firmly austere nation on the struggling side of a decades-long war. His time there was either spent chasing after a bright-eyed young prince or dealing with intel, with strategy, with tactics. And then after that, of course, it was nothing but a brutal struggle for survival, an endless battle against daemons and the night, the only respite from which was time warmth of a campfire or the glow of a floodlight, the only thing keeping them going the visionary promise of a return of the Light...

So the fighting was....instinctual. He was skillful at it without much effort, and while working for something would never be something he would shy away from, there was a particular comfort in that ease when so much else about Ragefest was a new, albeit thrilling and welcome, challenge for him.

Although not, it would seem, in that moment. In that moment, he was handling it with as much deftly ease and grace as in those fighting pits. Sure, yes, a part of that might have been the influence of that particularly potent added effervescence to the drinks, but, really, the majority of it was simply the fact that this was a party with the Orzhov Syndicate , which meant it hadn't taken very long at all for Ignis to find himself deeply embroiled in a fascinating and stimulating conversation about finance and the economy.

Who needed all those designer drugs, anyway, when one could merely feast on speculative investment markets and the potential rising inflation of the common zino?

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana did. In fact, she needed more drugs because of that question.

She approached with Teysa in tow, deftly weaving through the crowds of people, both those eager to talk to their hostess and those too caught up in their own various pleasures to notice their passage.

"And here you are, my darling," she purred, amused almost in spite of herself. "Right where I left you. I brought our hostess over to say hello."

"Liliana, you didn't tell me your fiance was Orzhov!" Teysa exclaimed, taking the seat that Tomick, her former apprentice and Ignis' current conversation partner, had immediately vacated for her. "I don't recognize you, though. New? Or from another district?"

"Neither, he's Gateless," Liliana replied, and for all that she would rather pull teeth than participate in a conversation about the rising inflation and its affects on commodities futures or whatever, she still sounded very smug about Teysa's confusion. "Teysa, darling, may I introduce my fiance, Ignis Scientia. Ignis, love, our esteemed hostess, Baroness Teysa Karlov."

[chef_chocobro]

And certainly nothing against Kristoff, but the more robust and intricate ways in which money (and specifically debts) moved on Ravnica was almost endless more fascinating than the honestly quite stagnant, settled-in-their-ways fuedalism of Innistrad. Here, there was a vitality to it, a real synergy, and it was all very thrilling.

Yes.

Thrilling.

A feeling that was reflected well in the effortless of his grin (those nearby could also confirm that there may have even been a laugh or two) as his attention shifted.

"Ah, yes," he said, "of course! " His head dipped in reverent greeting. "A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Baroness. And to be here for such a momentous occasion, as well. Excellent timing, really."

[opulent_oligarch]

"Charmed." She even sounded so--or, at least, intrigued. Which, for Teysa, were close enough to be interchangeable. "Sadly, while I prefer Advokist, the Ghost Council stripped me of my rank and titles, so just Teysa is fine," Teysa assured him. "Especially at one of my parties. And yes." That little smile was back. "It's quite the thrilling occasion, isn't it? Freedom, finally, after so many years."

"How long were you imprisoned for, Teysa, darling?" Liliana asked, taking the opportunity to take a seat. In Ignis' lap, of course.

"Five years, give or take," she said, as if the events leading up to her imprisonment hadn't been etched in her memory by acid. "My official sentence was only eighteen months, but bribery and corrupt officials are just as present in the Azorius as they are amongst the Orzhov. If I hadn't had Tomik here smuggling me information, I wouldn't have had even the slightest notion of what's been happening in Ravnica during my absence."

[chef_chocobro]

"Mmm." That smile grew with soft contentment as Liliana settled into his lap, and as Ignis settled in around her in kind. Just as it should be, just as if they'd practically been like that the whole time. Arm sliding around her, fingettips brushing against her elbow, lips pressed into the bared skin of her shoulder.

"As resourceful, then," he said, his voice warm and complimentary, "as he is erudite. Hardly surprising, though, even in the brief time in which we've had the chance to get to know one another."

Or, well, their thoughts on finances, at least.

[mtggarystu]

"Oh yes, of all my apprentices, Tomik is the best of--"

There was a commotion at the front of the large room as Jace, the Living Guildpact, and several Boros legionnaires burst into the room. For a moment, all was cacophony as people flailed around in a panic, grabbing for clothing or coverings, wrenching apart, attempting to hide those very few drugs that were actually illegal in Ravnica...

Teysa stood up, full of regal authority. "Who are you, Guildpact, to come bursting into my home uninvited?" She smirked a little, adding, "You could have just knocked."

"This isn't a social call," Jace said, eyes widening slightly as he spotted Liliana and Ignis sitting next to her. Of course they were also here. Because why would this go easy for him? "I've come to inform you of a murder, Grand Envoy. Or, well, multiple murders. The entire Obzedat is dead."

[opulent_oligarch]

"Well, yes, you're a little late with that news," Teysa said impatiently. "They're not called the Ghost Council for nothing, Guildpact. You should see the room where their bodies are entombed. It's a grand chamber practically wallpapered in diamonds."

"Sounds terribly gaudy," Liliana murmured.

"Oh it absolutely is," Teysa muttered back. "'Terribly gaudy' is their preferred aesthetic."

[mtggarystu]

"And now even their ghosts are dead," Jace announced, trying to get their attention back because, hello, important news here? "Assassinated."

"How can you kill a ghost?" a voice in the crowd asked.

"I don't know," Jace said, narrowing his eyes at Liliana. "I guess we could ask the necromancer."

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana just rolled her eyes right back. "If you're making an accusation, Jace, do so. Save the passive aggressive digs for other people, you're terrible at it."

She smirked at him. "Bold words for a man who was eating breakfast in my home just the other morning." Several gasps of surprise at this new twist and people began murmuring to one another. "Remind me, darling, where had you spent the night before?"

Don't play these games with her, Cloak Boy. She was an expert and you'd barely learned the rules.

[opulent_oligarch]

While Jace sputtered out increasingly unconvincing denials (and privately made a note to remove the memory of that comment from the minds of everyone present), Teysa cleared her throat to command the attention of the room again.

"Why are you here, Guildpact?" she asked. "Is this meant to be an accusation? Because I assure you that I, like my esteemed guest here, have been present all evening. We do have many witnesses to support that fact." She waved an elegant hand around. "You can ask anyone. Guests, servants, whomever. Feel free to interrogate however you'd like, mind mage. I've been here the whole time."

"Well, no, not exactly--"

"Besides," Teysa continued with a smile. "I can prove very easily that I didn't kill the Obzedat."

"You can?"

"Of course." The advokist's smile only grew. "There's a loophole in Orzhov law that decrees that whoever takes down the reigning guildmaster of the Orzhov becomes the guildmaster of the Orzhov. Feel free to use your powers on me, Guildpact. You should be able to tell who holds the full weight of a Guild."

[mtggarystu]

Jace ground his teeth together. Teysa was right, he would be able to tell and she was not the guildmaster. "You could have ordered it done," he pointed out.

"But I didn't," she said. "So have fun proving that."

Jace could tear out his hair in frustration, but remained outwardly calm. Illusions were very handy that way. "TEYSA KARLOV," he said, invoking the full power of the Guildpact, his eyes glowing blue. "MURDER AND CONSPIRACY OF MURDER ARE VIOLATIONS OF RAVNICAN LAW WITH A CHARGE DEPENDENT ON JUDICIAL RULING. LYING TO CONCEAL A CRIME DURING A LEGAL AND AUTHORIZED INVESTIGATION IS A CRIME. DID YOU KILL THE OBZEDAT?"

"No."

"DID YOU HIRE SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT?"

"No."

"DID YOU ASK, COMPEL, DEMAND, OR OTHERWISE INFLUENCE ANOTHER PERSON INTO MURDERING THE OBZEDAT?"

Teysa's smile only grew. "No."

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana had been enjoying the show immensely until Jace's glowing blue gaze swung to her. "WERE YOU, LILIANA VESS, INVOLVED IN THE MURDER OF THE GHOST COUNCIL OF THE ORZHOV?"

She felt magic seize her, the full might of Ravnica's law magic backed by the full force that was the living Guildpact. It was like the time Jon had asked her a question and she'd been forced to answer by the his powers; she could chew off her own tongue before she was able to lie in the face of this direct question.

"No," she snapped. "I didn't even know they were dead until you came barging in and ruining a perfectly good party."

The glow - and the overwhelming compulsion - faded. "I'm sorry, Liliana," he said. "But I had to be--"

"Unless you want your successor to also have to investigate a murder," she said through clenched teeth, "you'll take your investigation and your leave while you still can."