Zev looks down at the menu for a few brief seconds before looking to everyone else, curious what all they might be ordering.
”I’d like roast beef, medium rare with mixed grains and a glass of red wine please.” Ryn says with a smile after looking over the menu.
Getting too hungry to wait to see what Ulfr would get Zev simply said "I'll have that too, but rare," after Ryn placed her order.
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Seared steak, rare, with rice and vegetables. I have an extra silver in it for you if it screams when I stab it. With Honey ale.
There is a pause.
Please.
Ulfr is clearly not used to being in places like this.
Hmm, steak is yummy, but so is beef. Grains will probably go easier on me. Zev thinks to himself, content that Ulfr didn’t order something better sounding than the others.
The waiter takes your orders with brisk, precise strokes of his piece of charcoal before bowing and scurrying off to the kitchens.
A minute passes before the group led by Terisha gets up from their seats and approaches your table. A feeling of unease sweeps the table as the platemail-clad warrior approaches.
The blonde woman is all smiles and sunshine as she walks up. "I didn't expect to see the lot of you again, after that little episode of cross-purposes. No hard feelings, I trust?"
The robed dwarf snorts and says nothing, but the platemail-clad man next to her grins. "It was quite polite of you to let them go on their way, Terisha."
Mach looks between Terisha and the group, his expression one of confusion. "Wait--you know each other?"
"Only in passing, my lovely." She smirks at Mach, causing the tiefling to narrow his eyes at her in response.
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She was sent to rough us up with some random street thugs. I turned a couple into pulp, Zev cut one in half, and we sent her packing. Ulfr explains. I didn't even have to use my music.
He turns to the group.
Good to see that you've upgraded your friends though. I'd hate for a calistrian on a revenge mission to try the same thing twice.
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"Yeah, people are dead because of you," Zev says nonplussed. "Granted they probably had it coming. Can we at least eat before we fight again?"
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Well. It's only half her fault. They should have recognized a bad plan when they saw one. I mean, assaulting two arena vets plus company such as yourself and expecting to win? he clicks his tongue at their poor life choices, his hand resting on the iron bound death stick people liked to call a greatclub.
Mach blanches (an impressive feat, considering his already chalk-white skin), whereas Terisha laughs it off. "Oh, come now. I have no interest in fighting you."
The man in platemail looks at her askance, but she continues uninterrupted. "We both wanted the same thing, and you prevailed. You earned it. Water under the bridge."
"I just thought it was a simply marvelous coincidence that we should meet here. Oh, if only Nyxra & Dani were here to see this..."
Mach clears his throat. "Terisha. That's enough." He starts to shoo her and the others away. "You too, Darian." He glares at the platemail-clad warrior.
"Sir Darian, kid." He scoffs.
"Whatever. Let's just go back to our table, okay?" The tiefling shoos the three others of his group away. The dwarf rolls his eyes and scratches at his burned face as he turns away.
When the others leave, Mach looks back at the group with an apologetic expression. "I'm really sorry about that, guys. I didn't know you met Terisha on such bad terms--she's really not that bad a person once you get to know her."
No I'm pretty sure she still hires people to kill other people even if she's cuddly in person, Zev thinks to himself but doesn't otherwise say anything. He was hungry.
Ulfr nods to his new friend and doesn't press the question. He does, however take a nice long look at her companions and mentally notes each name and attitude and piece of equipment that might give some insight into who they are.
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Ada nods to Mach. "I'm sure she's quite lovely on a good day. When we met her before it wasn't one of those days. I'm sure we'll be seeing her in the future."
She studies him with a long look. A word of advice. If you are around when that happens, step away. Don't try to help her. You might be the one cut in half." Then she turns to the bread sitting on the table and chooses a piece.
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Zev nods at Mach before the bread catches his eye. ”Ooh, bread!”
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Ryn sits back, watching the exchange with the faintest hint of a smile on her lips as she sits beside Azura. Only the most perceptive person would notice her fingertips on the edge of the bread platter, making for an easy grab and throw if needed, or the slowing of her breathing.
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Mach is a skald. You're quite acquainted with his work.
Terisha is likely some manner of priestess or inquisitor of Calistria.
Her bodyguard, Sir Darian, is likely some sort of warrior. Possibly a faithful one.
The dwarf is clearly a mage.
Mach cringes for a moment before bouncing back. "Well, once I have a chance, I should at least introduce you to Nyxra and Dani. They're a lot nicer than those three, I promise."
He backs off when the party's bread and meals come around, pushed on a wooden cart covered in a beautifully-embroidered white tablecloth.
"Oh wow, it looks wonderful!" Zev says as the food approaches, ignoring Mach and his companions.
"Goodness. I hope we can let the past lie in the past," says Azura. "So, Zev, I presume that fine dining isn't really part of the Nidalese experience?"
It takes a second for Zev to register that Azura was talking with him as he watched the food, turning to her sheepishly he says "Oh sorry. And maybe? In like the cities probably? I've seen the walls and the... I never went in. All I knew was the Uskwood, and we never had food like this. The city people that came out always wore nice clothes though."
"Be sure to take time to enjoy the flavors. It may be tempting to eat everything all at once, but part of the experience is in recognizing the various tastes and letting the meal play out slowly. And of course friendly conversation here and there simply improves the experience," Azura notes.
Zen happily nods. ”Yeah, I’m in no rush, don’t want to make myself sick. Plus listening to all of you is enjoyable too.”
Ulfr doesn't have much more to say. There is now food to attend to. He will take a couple glances at Mach as he eats. Hopefully this musician wasn't a part of some elaborate plan to stab them in the back. He would hate to shove that guitar up his butt. It would probably ruin the guitar.
Azura pokes at her mixed greens as they arrive and says, "Say, Ada, are you thinking of maybe writing a mystical semi-history about the whole Runelords business? Since we're, well, apparently involved now in that business."
"So Zev, being from Nidal, you've missed out on a lot of things that we take for granted... good meals, culture, even just the experience of having friends and loved ones. How is the adjustment?"
”Oh, this is the happiest I’ve ever been, I’m having so much fun! Get to eat nice food, get to have friends. Don’t... don’t have to be as scared. The exploring is neat too. And books, I get to look at books finally.” Zev tells inbetween eating his meal. Despite his voraciousness he knew not to talk with food in his mouth.
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Ryn smiles, Zev's enthusiasm infectious. "I'm glad you get to have all these new experiences and see that there's so much more to life."
"Thanks! There's a lot lot more, and I'm getting to see it with all of you." Zev responds, smiling back at the Gladiatrix. He was about to follow that up with offering her some of his meal... before he remembered he had copied her order and so they were eating the same thing.
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I must say, I am glad to have fallen in with you lot. We've done more in the past few days than I thought some of you could. You're an impressive bunch. Ulfr raises his glass to each of you, save Ryn.
Well, except for you. I never doubted you.
"Yes, I am honored to have you all as my friends as well." Zev adds as he raises a glass.
"... I hope Embyr is okay."
The night goes on, spent in merriment and with fine dining.
The party returns to Heidmarch Manor (or any other rooms in the city, if they have them)...
----------------
Wealday, 12th of Sarenith, 4714 AR
As the sun rises, there's a *skritch-skritch-skritching* at the window.
"Hello? Miss Azura 'Goldbug' Celestine? Are you in there?" Asks a small voice.
Ada enjoys her meal very much. Eventually she responds to Azura's question. "The Runelords are very interesting. We do have a front line on what's going with the star. Hopefully I can get approval from the Society to write about it after we're done looking into everything."
”Yeah, Embyr’s in an awkward position... seems like she kinda likes it? At least Saersha is giving her the chance to get a somewhat better life. Ish? She has to be allowed to leave if she chooses to. Not that I think she would.”
Azure thinks a moment, then adds, ”And I guess she’d better be okay with multiamory.”
”Mmm?” mumbles Azura, then sits up in bed. ”Who is it? How did you hear that name?” She hikes her nightgown back up on to her shoulder and glances at Ryn, asleep next to her. With one hand she brushes back her golden hair, which obligingly falls perfectly into place.
"I'm here on behalf of your father. I have a message for you." Says the voice at the window.
Sitting on the ledge outside the window is... a cat. A black cat with grey stripes, violet eyes and an unusual white blaze on its chest. It's scratching at the window quite insistently.
Azura whispers to the cat, ”Oh my goddess, you’re so cute!”
She opens the window to let the cat in.
”So Daddy’s here? When can I see him?” she whispers excitedly.
The agathion hops in through the opened window. Around its neck is a scroll of parchment, tied with a red ribbon.
"He's quite interested in seeing you today, if at all possible." The silvanshee nods at the parchment around its neck. "The message for you can tell you more."
I sincerely hope your thirst for adventure hasn't led you into too much trouble as of late; your grandmother would have a fit if she knew. Anyway, I'm currently staying in Magnimar for a few days--and I thought I'd see if I could get some aspiring artists together for a life-drawing seminar or two.
You know me--I'm always looking to inspire others into improving themselves. <3
The seminar-goers will have a chance to be enlightened in the artistic mysteries of our Spirit of Abandon, and I thought you might appreciate a chance to meet others of Arshea's faith. If you wish to attend--or participate, as an artist or model--please come by the Bridgeward neighbourhood of Magnimar's Capital District a bit past noon. Look for 93 Palette Street.
I miss you so much. I would love for a chance to catch up with you. Feel free to bring a friend or two!
Sincerely,
Cassariel Celestine, Patron of Magnimar
Azura takes the note and quickly reads it while idly petting the “cat.” She rolls it back up and says, ”I’ll be there!”
She waits for the courier to leave, then leans over to kiss Ryn’s shoulder repeatedly. ”Wakey wakey, gorgeous,” she murmurs.
The feline courier swishes its tail. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything. Toodles!"
Then it disappears in a puff of grey smoke.
”Nah, just waking up,” she says to the cat just before it vanishes.
At the kisses on her shoulder and the dulcet tones of Azura's voice, Ryn awakens turning her head to smile up at the dazzling bard through a curtain of raven-black hair. "Mmm...morning beautiful. How do you manage to look so perfect this early in the morning?" she asks with a grin.
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”It’s because you see me through those lovely eyes of yours,” says Azura. She holds up the paper and says, ”Got a letter from daddy! He’s organizing an art festival today, for painters and illustrators to practice with live models. I definitely wanna go. You should come too unless that makes you uncomfortable.”
She slides her gown back off her shoulders and says, ”I’m not going out today until I’ve had at least one orgasm, so good morning...” and she climbs back on top of Ryn.
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"I have no intention of stopping at one," Ryn says with a giggle as she pulls Azura down onto her enthusiastically.
”You know just what to say to a girl...” says Azura with a grin of her own as she shimmies her gown back down around her waist and then leans in for more kisses.
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Anyone outside the room Azura shares with Ryn can hear the sounds of pleasurable sighs, giggles and moans coming from within.
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"Mmmm, that's a pleasant way to wake up," Zev happily and sleepily mumbles without bothering to uncurl from the ball of covers he was in.
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After a little over an hour of bumping, giggling, panting, moaning, groaning, and sighing, Azura finally cracks the door open and glances down the hall. She's managed to squeeze back into her blue dress with silver girdle for the day, and she blows a lone errant strand of golden hair out of her face as she finally steps out into the hallway to see if anyone else is awake yet.
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Ada wakes up freezing. Zev has managed to steal all the covers overnight. She spent most of the night pushing the sleeping wolf man to the other side of the bed. He didn't stay there long so she finally gave up and just slept along the edge.
"I'm glad you slept well." She bats him to the wash room to clean up.