Planescape
ASTER AMONG THE HARMONIUM
After Aster is freed from his mandatory confinement at the Great Foundry (not that he doesn't have to pitch in to work on a regular basis thereafter), he sets out to befriend the Harmonium. A typical Godsman type of thing to do, as it happens. And, fortunately for Aster, the Hardheads think the Godsmen are a bit barmy, but otherwise harmless.
The Harmonium's receptionist, Diana, greets Aster kindly and takes the packages to be sent to Violet and Angel, promising to pass them along after the two are out of training. Diana is warm and friendly but firm; Aster's innate charm and diplomacy will please her, but won't persuade her to bend or break any rules on his behalf, should he ask her to.
Aster does his best to wheedle his way into the Harmonium's good graces by offering his services as a 'police sketch artist' and otherwise running small chores for the officers, like fetching them drinks and food. He isn't permitted into any but the public areas of the City Barracks, so he must meet Hardheads in the street. Aster gets a mixed reaction from most of them -- the Hardheads are innately suspicious of any basher who seems too helpful -- but the worst he gets is a rough cuff across the head and a stern order to move along, and that from a dark-countenanced, brooding-looking human planar called Measure Three Sut who patrols in the Lower Ward where the Great Foundry is located.
On the other hand, Aster does manage to become a tolerated tag-along of two Hardheads who usually take a Clerk's Ward patrol. Measure One Friedrich Mensur, a young planar half-orc, and his partner Measure One Miyoko, a young female prime human, both find Aster amusing and treat him somewhat like they'd treat a favored nosy nephew, letting him come along with them when there's no danger but sending him packing as soon as they need to go into action. Neither will be patient with Aster if he tries to interfere while they pursue or apprehend a criminal, even if his interference is helpful. ("You want to help us, join the Harmonium; otherwise, stay the hell out of our way," Friedrich says shortly at one point during an arrest. "Outsiders mess up our strategy." Later he buys Aster an ale to make up for his irritability, but warns the young satyr never to interfere in Hardhead business.) Both are warriors; Friedrich uses a nasty-looking battleaxe and Miyoko uses a tripartite staff that Aster has seen a few monks use in Glenzor.
