[Act 1] [Scene 3] [Saint Mark's]

[thirtythr33]

Giacomo's eyes bulge when he realizes what Marco is doing. "Certainly, dear brother." He says through clenched teeth. He is clearly embarrassed by Marco drawing attention in front of his friends. Blasio is apparently amused by the situation, a wry smile covers his face.

Giacomo unfastens his sword belt and hands it to Blasio. He takes a wooden rapier from a nearby rack. "What do you want to talk about?" He asks as he gives a few test swings of the wooden weapon.

[Marras]

Cirillo nods at Marco and then withdraws a bit to draw less attention, if possible. He trusts that Marco knows what he's doing as Cirillo doesn't know him all that well so far.

As he takes his distance from the brothers Cirillo watches all others, especially Rocco. He tries to gauge their attitude towards Giacomo as well as towards Marco.

[Korbel]

"There are some interesting things we could talk about, but first - let's don gambesons. We don't want to hurt each other, do we?" Marco pays for two armors and asks the boy to be a referee. Next he takes off his doublet, gives the rapier and cinquedea to Cirillo ("If something goes wrong, you'll set my bones, right?") and begins to warm-up. He is far from being an expert swordsman, but trusts in his innate abilities. And... he really wants to defeat Giacomo!

[Marras]

Cirillo takes things that Marco hands over to him and answers "Certainly, Marco. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that. Good luck!".

After that, he withdraws to give some room for the brothers.

[thirtythr33]

The two of you get your equipment ready and line up on an available fencing piste. "Gentleman's rules, best of five. No scoring for simultaneous attacks." Giacomo says to Marco and the referee.

Blasio and a couple of others are gathering around to watch. "And I thought it was going to be a dull day." Blasio comments sarcastically.

The referee announces "En garde. Prêt? Allez!"

[See OOC thread for fencing rules in detail. French to English translation: "On guard. Ready? Fence!"]

[thirtythr33]

Giacomo: "Lets see how good you are with a sword, brother."
The referee announces "En garde. Prêt? Allez!"

Giacomo threw White.
Marco threw White.

The two of you pause, trying to gauge the opponent.

Giacomo threw White.
Marco threw White.

Marco: "Oh, you train often - you won't attack?"
Giacomo: "It wouldn't be right if I didn't give you a chance."

Marco threw Red
Giacomo threw White

Marco is the first to strike, using his weapon to favour his head!

Marco: 8 dice thrust at his chest
Giacomo: 11 dice counter
Marco rolls 5 successes for thrust.
Giacomo rolls 9 successes for counter.
Giacomo wins initiative and gets 5 bonus dice for this tempo

Giacomo makes a swing to a random body location (lands on head) for 6 dice
Marco 7 dice parry
Marco rolls 5 successes for parry.
Giacomo rolls 5 successes for swing.

Giacomo uses 7 dice thrust to shin
Marco: 10-2=8 dice counter
Giacomo: FEINT to add 2 more dice (cost 4)

Marco rolls 4 successes for counter.
Giacomo rolls 5 successes for swing.
Giacomo: He strikes you in the leg
It doesn't do any damage through you armour

Giacomo gives up initiative
Marco: 5 remaining dice, thrust to chest
Giacomo: he uses 4 dice dodge

Giacomo rolls 4 successes for dodge.
Marco rolls 2 successes for thrust.

Giacomo dodges back in time and the referee calls "HALT! One point to Giacomo!"
Giacomo taunts Marco "You did better than I expected. I was afraid my first counter would soften your head... even more."
Marco: "And you were more lucky, than I expected!" Marco grins "You know, why we are here, right?"
Giacomo: "I imagine you have come to ask my help concerning the incident last night."

Marco nods at the ref to call the next bout.
Giacomo goes back to the start line.

the referee calls En Garge, Ready, Fence!

Giacomo threw White
Marco threw White

Giacomo: "Come now brother, do you fear me so?"

Giacomo threw White
Marco threw White

The tension in the room is palpable.

Marco threw Red!
Giacomo threw White.

Korbel: so... no favoring, but if breaks my nose, I'll kick his ass

Marco: 8 dice thrust at belly

Giacomo is pre-empting
11 dice to speed. 2 dice to beat.
Marco: oh OK, so 8 dice to my contest of speed
Giacomo: Giacomo has 4 speed but I have disadvantage

Giacomo rolls 9 successes for preempt.
Giacomo: wooooow

Marco rolls 3 successes for contest.
Giacomo goes SOOO first
Marco: yeah, I act tomorrow, fuck this

Marco: 0 succeses, please
Giacomo: so beat for 2 dice
Giacomo rolls 2 successes for beat.
Giacomo: your weapon is restrained this tempo and cannot be used in next tempo
Giacomo: you need to roll your 8 dice attack
to see how many bonus dice giacomo gets for tempo 2
Marco rolls 4 successes for reasons.

Giacomo thrust to arm for 4 dice
Giacomo rolls 2 successes for thrust.

Marco: I probably told you before, but I hate this roll20 dice roller
Giacomo: 2 mos + 0weapon + 3str -2 armor -2 stamina = level 1 wound

Giacomo: the referee calls "Hault! Second point to Giacomo!"
Blasio shouts from the sideline "Owch! That one looks like it stings!"
Marco: Marco looks at Blasio "Yes, a bit. Good blow, Giacomo." Marco says through clenched teeth
Giacomo: Giacomo stands back up straight. "Thankyou. Have you had enough yet brother?"
Marco: "No, let's finish this. But to answer your question..."
"I didn't even know you're here, I'm not looking for your help. You know we are looking for one guy, a coward and a bastard, who attacked Franscesca"
Giacomo: "Yes."
Marco: "It happened nearby, we wanted to ask, if someone heard or seen anything, maybe."
Marco is speaking a little louder than he should, to make sure everyone can hear him.
Giacomo: Giacomo gestures to everyone around. "Well you heard him. Did anyone witness a girl being raped nearby last night?" More people are being attracted, including Rocco the Red and some instructors.

Nobody speaks up.

After a moment Giacomo continues "I didn't think so. If one of us saw that, the bastard would be floating down the canals."
Marco: "That's great to hear! And I'd like to know, if there was anyone here, training and staying late?"
An instructor answers. "There is always people here late."
Marco: "Very interesting, I must say"
Instructor: "We allow life-time members to stay after dark, we trust them to lock up after they leave."

Thirtythr33: Asking about the lion/cinquedea?
Korbel: yeah, maybe I should roll for his memory?
ThirtyThr33: If you like. You can have advantage for it.
Marco: OK, so set Ob, I'll roll
ThirtyThr33: Ob1 seems to fit

Marco rolls 2 successes for memory.
Marco: "And what about cinquedeas with a Lion of Saint Mark?"
Giacomo replies "What do you mean? The school gives them out along with their letter of recommendation when you graduate their classes."
Marco: "In this case - maybe there was a life-time member of your school, with a cinquedea, practicing yesterday evening?"

ThirtyThr33: roll manipulation Social Ob3
Marco: ups, no such skill on my list, so I've got only 2 social... and maybe 2 from SA?
ThirtyThr33: sure
Marco: OK... my dear roll20, I know I was not kind to you, but now I really need 3 successes...

Marco rolls 1 successes for manipulation.
ThirtyThr33: The GM introduces a minor complication.
Marco: I think I must burn a SA
for "Yes, but..."
ThirtyTh33: ooooh
you sure you want a Major Complication? *grins evilly*
Marco: major complications? yes, I have no choice, I will never succeed with my rolls
ThirtyThr33: So your doing it?
Marco: yes. I feel like after a deal with a demon...

ThirtyThr33: The instructor says "Well, I don't know who stayed very late, but I can tell you who was here when I left a few hours after sundown."
He nods to your brother "Giacomo stayed back. Rocco aswell and..." He gets cut off mid-sentence by the SHINGGG sound of a steel blade being drawn from a scabbard.
Rocco has drawn his weapon and yells out over everyone else "Now listen 'ere! I see where your mind is goin' an' I don't like those kinds of accusations! You best mind your tongue now and leave."

[Korbel]

Marco is listening carefully. When the instructor says the name "Giacomo", he raises his brows in disbelief and disgust. The next name is Rocco and Marco is waiting for the third one, but this is when Rocco enrages, which leaves the younger of Acerbis clearly frightened and stunned.

[Marras]

Cirillo takes a step forward keeping Marco's gear on his left hand while moving his right hand to the handle of his short sword, just in case.

"Calm down Rocco! Nobody has accused anyone here. It just seems like you and Giacomo could have been here at the time the rape happened nearby. Maybe you heard or saw something that could help us? Certainly there is no need to draw steel at this point.", Cirillo says in calming voice that everyone can hear hoping to defuse the situation and looks at Rocco to be able to react fast, should the situation deteriorate even further.

[thirtythr33]

At first everyone takes a step back to give you some room then Rocco continues. Speaking to Marco he says "You asked your question and you got your answer. No-one saw anything."

He turns to point his sword towards Cirillo but speaks to the crowd "And nobody listen to this lying sack of shit. He's a cheat and a welch. More likely than not this is a fucking scam."

[Korbel]

Marco girds his loins.
"I'm Marco Acerbi and my father, Claudio, asked me to take care of this. And... and so I'm here, looking for any information potentially useful. I asked one question, but then another - and you were so kind to interrupt. I'm not accusing you. Will you attack me with sharp steel, in front of witnesses, for asking questions? Do it and we shall see, what happens next".
Marco turns to instructor, but keeps an eye on Rocco.
"So, what is the third name? That's all I need to know".

[thirtythr33]

The instructor looks like he is going to say something, but then Blasio steps forward before he can reply. "Me. I was training here with Giacomo while we were discussing the latest Cervia trade agreement. We finished up several hours before midnight, walked back over the canal to the Acerbi household where Giacomo had a copy of the documents." Giacomo folds his arms and nods in determined agreement with Blasio before adding. "We didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary. I offered Blasio to stay the night as it was late, but he had business early this morning and declined. I was in bed for no more than an hour before I was awoken by the servant and was informed of Francesca's misfortune." He ponders a moment. "As I recall, Rocco stayed here later than we did. Come to think of it, I did think it strange for a man to stay to train alone."

Rocco's face is turning red with fury. "What do you think you're doing saying shit like that?"

[Marras]

"How dare you call me a cheat and liar, Rocco!", Cirillo answers. "I am an honest physician, the one who tended to the poor girl and spoke with her about what happened and where it happened."

Cirillo feels his palms wet with sweat as he's not too sure that he can beat the big man if he chose to attack. Cirillo pauses for a while to gauge the situation in the audience and use it to calm his voice "Now, put that blade away. You're not going to attack me in front of these gentlemen, are you?".

[thirtythr33]

Rocco's question is ignored by Giacomo and he turns his attention back to Cirillo. "Not a liar and a cheat ay? An honest physician are ye?" He puts his short sword back in it's scabbard and keeps his hands down by his sides before taking a single step towards Cirillo and squaring his shoulders threateningly. "I guess that means you came in here today to pay me the money you owe and settle your debt... Because if not, then that's what you are. A Liar. And a Cheat." He stares Cirillo in the eyes and extends his hand palm up expectantly. "Well?"

[Korbel]

Oh, what a day!
"Cirillo... you really owe him coin? How much?"

[Marras]

As Rocco sheathes his sword, Cirillo slowly moves his hand from the handle of his sword.

"How did I cheat in that game? I didn't have to cheat to win as I can handle a loss as well as a win in a game of Frussi. Or did you rig the game so I was not suppose to be able to win fair? Because if that is the case, then you are a liar and a cheat!". Cirillo takes a quick look at Rocco's open hand and continues his speech while changing his posture to better prepared for Rocco's assault.

"We can play another time, if you like but now I am too busy helping my friend that I can't spare time for that."