Talvyra hops up into the cabin and - able to read Priyya's body language if not understand her words - climbs into the seat next to her, where she sits staring at the dark-skinned monk across from her, expression unreadable.
Priyya can't help but be amused by the strange scene in the carriage. Five travelers out for a ride... one of them highly furry and fanged.
Rath regards the jungle cat with an expression he imagines is similar to the look the cat is giving him. He begins to chuckle. "This is crazy world."
The two green eyes are reduced to slits as a deep rumble issues forth from the cat's throat.
Lureene watches Talvyra's response, and says quietly, "I think she likes you, Rath-hun"
Rath seems unbothered by the growl but tries to act towards the large cat as the dark-skinned woman did. "No offense, Talvyra. Was not talking about you. Earlier today was cleaning tables in bar. Now in carriage, with pretty women, all dressed up, going to see important people. It is very strange." What he can't convey with words, he hopes that his gestures to the carriage and women will make sense to the cat.
Know: Geography = 29
Know: Nobility = 27"Very well, Corporal, let us proceed to the Rowan estate. If you would ride with or walk beside us in the lead carriage, please..."
"I will ride with you."
Alexis and Alis allow the gigantic soldier to help them into the carriage and the later notes with some amusement that only when standing on its top-most drop-step is she finally on eye-level with Malandraenas. The two sit facing forward allowing the corporal to see the both of them along with the other two carriages following behind.
With well-practiced footsteps, the big 'ranger' boards with a single step of his long legs yet the motion is smooth and does not jounce the conveyance the way one might thing by the size of him. With a word to the driver and a rap on the roof, the trio of glossy black carriage begin to make their way along the cobblestone streets of Caen Carrinac towards the countess' citadel by the Gulf of Arghal.
Alexis sits quietly watching the building pass by while her sister studies Mal's features a bit longer. After about a minute, she finally breaks the silence:
A guarded look enter's Mal's green eyes as they lock on Alis, and after a few moment's considering, he responds in the same musical language, "You ask about something not so easily spoken of, Princess. I came to know your step-sister personally in the military, but we were in similar social circles in my youth." The hardness in his eyes speaks of some personal pain in the answering of the question.
His head tilts in curiosity, "Why do you ask?"
Alexis perks up and pays attention at tone of the conversation but doesn't interrupt.
Alis give a gentle smile to help put their new acquaintance at ease.
Picking up on where her sister is going, Alexis joins the conversation.
"In essence–"
Alis cuts off her long-winded twin with a wink she cannot see.
Mal abruptly sits forward (and those in the other carriage might notice a slight lurch in its rhythmic sway) and he cuts his eyes between the sisters suspiciously. There is a definite light of eagerness in his eyes now, however, as he answers.
While the hulking man's sudden movement might have intimidated some, neither of the girls so much as flinch when Malandraenas leans toward them.
Alis nods without making eye contact, still studying Mal's features out of curiosity.
Alexis gives her narrow shoulders a small shrug to admit that her sister speaks the truth and returns to gazing out the window.
"For what it's worth, Malandraenas, I do not believe that either of us has had the pleasure of speaking with the princess in several months at least. Truth be told, I thought she was still near Yandral Sharaes conducting a cull within the Dæmonshade with the new military force she has been organizing."
"Well," she looks back at him, "until we read the letter you delivered that is."
She waves her hand as if the particulars are inconsequential.
She gives an elusive smile, sighs softly and seems to get lost in her thoughts for a few minutes.
Mal sits back flustered, their conversational tactics reminding him of a wolf-pack harrying a herd to keep it off-balance.
"For what it's worth, Malandraenas, I do not believe that either of us has had the pleasure of speaking with the princess in several months at least. Truth be told, I thought she was still near Yandral Sharaes conducting a cull within the Dæmonshade with the new military force she has been organizing."
The mention of Yandral Sharaes brings a distant and bitter-sweet expression to Mal's face.
"Of course, between getting stepped on by golems, dog-piled by undead, and poisoned by a lake monster due to... well–…."
"Judging by your lovely companion and your enthusiams, I take it that you are more at home in the wilderness than in a city, correct? It looks like I'll be in need of a new bodyguard with Morgaard retiring so perhaps we'll see what my big sister has to say about it..."
Mal's eyes reflect a changing opinion of the tiny women in front of him.
As he finishes, a stray lock of long black hair falls in his face, and without thinking Mal tucks it behind his lobeless elven ear, revealing fingers that end in wickedly sharp claws. He catches himself, irritation and self-consciousness flashing across his features, and his clawed hands retreat to the shelter of their overly-long sleeves. Then, his eyes find the letter and curiosity calms his irritation, as if the revelation that they hadn't read it makes him all the more interested as to its contents.
"Mal's fine."
Alexis looks up and shakes her head at Alis' teasing.
In a more gentle yet initially playful tone, Alis continues.
"At any rate, it sounds like there is no love lost between you and... your step? father. Alexis and I experienced similar– ah... difficulties with our deeeeaaaar uncle after our parents passed away at sea. At least we have the satisfaction of now outranking him. I suspect he is far more uncomfortable in Silverwake now than we are..."
Alexis sighs at the mention of their parents and uncle.
Alis tips her head a bit in acknowledgment.
Alis gasps and holds a dainty hand to her bosom.
Lureene watches Talvyra's response, and says quietly, "I think she likes you, Rath-hun"
Priyya looks at the monk/cat interaction and says, "Only if Rath there is mostly dark meat." Despite the threatening look of the cat, Priyya is pretty sure Talvyra is too disciplined to attack anyone in the carriage.
A pothole in the road causes the carriage to lurch sideways. Priyya accidentally bumps the large beast. She says amiably, "Excuse me, Talvyra."
Lureene smiles at Priyya's comment, and with a wicked gleam in her eyes, replies, "Oh yes, Priyya, I can personally attest to that!"
When the vehicle lurches, Lureene finds her wings pressed uncomfortably against the side of the carriage and she winces in pain. How do these people stand this?
Alis' joke elicits only a small smile from the tall hunter.
Mal dips his chin in a small bow before saying...
"I think for my dear sister, most of her bodyguards have found the challenge to be keeping up with her rather than yawning in boredom!"
A truly predatory light enters Mal's eyes.
There is no arrogance in Mal's words; simply confident assurance.
He studies the twins for a few moments.
Talvyr, ever out of place in the carriage, hisses as they are all tossed about. She does, however, answer Priyya's words with a look far less acidic than that shown to the monk, then returns to her vigil.
Rath emits a 'Ha!' at Lureene's bawdy jest and notes her wince of pain. His brow furrows. To the other passengers he says, "Please excuse. Lureene's wings are not in good position." Rath extends a meaty brown leg parallel with their seat and uses his toes on the carriage wall near Lureene to lock his leg in position - almost doubling the width of the bench. Lureene slides forward, half sitting on the bench and half on Rath's sizable calf... giving her wings a little more room. He looks at Lureene. "Better, Meri Devi?" He seems untroubled by the additional weight on his leg.
Sense Motive:
Lureene favors her Knight Rath-hun with a hug, and, not wanting to mess up her makeup, squeezes his hand tightly instead of bestowing a kiss on him, at least not yet. He always knew the right ways to help her out. "Thank you, kind sir! You are indeed a true knight!" The look in her eyes speaks of many other favors she wants to bestow on him, later.
She bites the corner of her lip a bit as she continues listening to the rest of what Malandraenas has to say.
A sly grin lights her pretty face and her blue-violet eyes seem to sparkle like amethyst.
Between the hissing cat, bawdy talk, and rocking carriage Priyya glances over at the unusually silent Felmor. She can't tell if he's fixated on Lureene or trying to stave off his discomfort from any number of elements in the carriage. She squeezes his arm trying to bring him to the here-and-now...
"Thank you, kind sir! You are indeed a true knight!" The look in her eyes speaks of many other favors she wants to bestow on him, later.
Rath blushes at her glance and replies with mock earnestness, "Think I will need hat like Felmor's to be true Knight." He lifts his foot and wiggles his large brown toes for the edification of his fellow passengers. "... and shoes. Pretty sure knights wear shoes."
Alexis' eyes go wide and she crosses her hands before her chest.
Between the hissing cat, bawdy talk, and rocking carriage Priyya glances over at the unusually silent Felmor. She can't tell if he's fixated on Lureene or trying to stave off his discomfort from any number of elements in the carriage. She squeezes his arm trying to bring him to the here-and-now...
"Ach, sorry about tackin' off thar, me Desert Rose. I was jes thinkin' 'bout this function, 'n me meetin' all these nobles. I be a bit nervous, 'like Lureene 'ere."
"'like Lureene 'ere."
Priyya regards him with a very soft look and gives his arm another comforting squeeze. "I'm nervous too. I suspect Talvyra and Lureene's Big Brown Boyfriend(tm) here are the only ones NOT nervous. You just be your normal charming self and you will be fine."
Rath looks to Priyya at the Big Brown Boyfriend reference and says matter-of-factly, "Thank you. Your skin tone is pleasing as well."
Lureene looks over at Felmor and gives the ruggedly handsome sailor a wink, "Well, Sir Felmor, I believe we certainly can agree on this, we both have fine tastes", giving a throaty chuckle.
Felmor sits back and chuckles at Lureene's comment. "Aye, when ye 'as found th' perfect woman, or in ye case, th' perfect man, 'taint no need ta worry 'bout it." He gives Priyya a brief kiss on her neck, not wanting to mess up her makeup. When he breathes in her fragrance, his breath catches in his throat, and a welling of desire erupts anew.
Sense Motive DC 25...
Priyya isn't sure whether it is the breeze on her exposed shoulders, or Felmor's kiss on her neck, or being called 'the perfect woman'... but goosebumps crop up across her body. She blushes furiously and pulls her hair over her shoulder to cover the portion of her face visible to everyone but Felmor. If there weren't others in this carriage, I'd...
She melts against him, snuggling close, and whispers in his ear.
Even from the second carriage you are able to hear a loud trilling laugh as Alis throws back her head and gives her best impression of maniacal laughter! After a moment it ends leaving you to wonder what could have provoked such an outburst and wondering if the giant man you encountered earlier is going to be alright stuck in the same carriage with the high-strung young bard and her analytical twin.
Felmor squirms a bit, suddenly relieved that he's traveling with a disciplined black hunting cat rather than a pair of golden-maned vixens. Syrene he'p tha' poor lad. I dinnae envy 'im!
"Thank you. Your skin tone is pleasing as well."
"It seems you would know so much of me, and yet I only know your names and connection to the Princess. Am I to be taken as a member of Alis's team, then? If so, what is it that you do? You carry yourself with capability, but i don't know what that is. And what is the goal of the assignment on which I might find myself? And those others, are they all coming?"
After having fun living up her infamy, Alis leans back, settling into the corner of the bench seat, back against the side of the carriage and muses,
She thinks for a moment, tapping her index finger on her lips.
Alexis rolls her eyes and gives Malandraenas a look that says, You have my sympathies! The look doesn't escape Alis and she waves her hand in the air dismissively.
"As far as the others go, Felmor is a cagey fighter and quite the capable helmsman. Priyya shares an uncommonly strong bond with her goddess, Alcarienne, or Alíta as she is known abroad. Without her abilities I'm quite certain we would not be having this conversation. Lureene... well, we have yet to actually adventure together, but she seems to have a talent for the supernatural. Speaking of which–"
She lays her left hand on Alexis' right arm.
Turning back to the 'ranger' she asks:
She gestures to the scroll he's been holding.
Sense Motive 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4.
Mal gives the scroll one more look, clearly trying to divine it's contents, then hands it over.
Seeing the other couple having a private moment, Rath smiles slightly and turns his attention fully to Lureene, ensuring their privacy. "So, Meri Devi. It seems good luck that you and I have other employments since the Inn collapsed. I do not think we will be serving many drinks there in near future. Still, will miss it. It is unlikely places where we find love sometimes."
"Thank you. Your skin tone is pleasing as well."
Lureene tears her gaze away from Priyya and Felmor, she immediately recognized the looks in the couple's eyes and knew they were both passionately in love with each other. She felt good for both of them, and when Rath-hun commented to her, she sits back, and enjoys his attention. "Yes, Rath-hun it is funny that way, although bartending is fun, it is not what I want to do with my life."
As Lureene sits back and turns to Rath, he take the opportunity to move one of her feet onto his lap. He removes her shoe and starts massaging her foot with a well practiced and strong hand, kneading stiff muscles to pliancy. "So. What do you want to do with your life?"