Walking next to Embyr as Selinda led them from the room Saersha listened to the questions spoken and preened slightly at the response Embyr gave her mother. She let one hand slide along the small of Embyr's back and over to rest on her hip pulling her a bit closer. She stroked the hp beneath her fingers gently as she said, "A good answer Embyr."
She let one hand slide along the small of Embyr's back and over to rest on her hip pulling her a bit closer.
Embyr responds by looping her arm around your back in return.
"A good answer Embyr."
"You expected otherwise, dear?" Selinda arches an eyebrow at the two of you. "If it weren't fun, then clearly something's wrong in your bed."
Embyr clears her throat and turns to you, her blush deepening. "Shouldn't we go looking for Mrs. Heidmarch, Mistress?"
Saersha shook her head at Selinda's question and said, "Of course not Mother, but but it is good to praise your Pet's when they earn it." She gave Embyr a hungry little smile, "As is punishing them when they misbehave." She laughed a bit wickedly but there was affection in her voice regardless.
At Embyr's question of whether they should look for Mrs Heidmarch Saersha considered and stopped walking. She turned to more fully face Embyr and asked her, "Do you want this tonight My Pet? To join me with yet another woman and maybe even her husband? Is this something you will enjoy and desire to be a part of?"
Embyr pauses, her eyes darting about before settling on yours.
"...Yes. I hope so." She replies, her voice starting to waver.
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In your meandering through the halls in search of a quiet spot, you find Vell with a group of party-goers as they make small talk about inconsequential things. She's not contributing anything to the conversation, instead just standing there with her hands folded neatly in front of her and glancing about for an excuse to leave.
Her expression turns relieved when she sees you. She takes a few steps away. "Hi. I'm... trying to socialize." She glances back at the group. "I'm not very good at it."
Saersha noticed Embyr's evasiveness with her eyes and her hesitant, wavering, answer and said softly but firmly, "Look into my eyes Embyr My Pet, tell me what you want. I won't be angry, you should know that, and if this is not something you want to do then you can tell me honestly." She gripped Embyr's chin gently to direct her focus to Saersha alone, "What you want is important to me too Embyr," Saersha said softly, "Now, do you want to do this?"
Embyr swallows. "Well..."
"...it's just that thinking about it now, compared to back at the house--it's real. I'm nervous about this, definitely. But interested."
"I guess I'm just wondering about protection and stuff like that."
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Ulfr chuckles. Join the club. Come on. He's seen several of the men hold out their arms to the ladies at this shindig, so he does this for Vell and leads her away from the group. He doesn't try to engage her in useless small talk or anything. He simply walks with her... it. Two loners being perfectly lonely together.
Ada spends her time talking to the party goers. She finds herself in the library. She's the most comfortable there, and she waits for the party to wind down.
Zev will inquire what will happen to the leftover food, if there is any. Hopefully they didn’t throw it all out.
You and Vell walk together, taking in the manor's many sights. The young librarian relaxes as she walks with you, arm in arm.
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When you wander into the library, you notice that Cassariel is waiting inside, perusing the shelves.
"Miss Ada, was it?" He glances at you before picking a book off the shelf. "The library seems to have been updated since I was last here. Do we have you to thank for that?"
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Your inquiry about leftovers is met with an affirmative--there's several helpings of turkey and oysters remaining.
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Embyr walks with you to find Mr. and Mrs. Heidmarch. They're conversing with a few partygoers on the staircase leading up to the manor's bedrooms.
Saersha nodded as Embyr voiced her concern and said, "That would be a very valid one. Fortunately I have a means of dealing with such unexpected issues. There is a local Calistrian priestess that I am acquainted with who, as Calistrians tend to be, rival my family in their promiscuity. She and I have a deal where she provides blessings from Calistria to avoid the consequences should they come up." She smiled slightly and said, "In point of fact this," she reached out and tapped the charm on the collar Embyr wore, "Is enchanted by her to avoid unnecessary surprises should a man be involved in the fun. I have one as well," Saersha said as she pointed towards one ankle where she wore an anklet. "She can also aid if there are other issues as well but I find it unlikely to be needed."
With Embyr's concern answered Saersha and her maid headed to where Mr and Mrs Heidmarch were chatting with the guests. She could tell that they were slowly attempting to withdraw and head to their chambers and that she and Embyr must act quickly were they to get an invitation to join them. With her arm through Embyr's Saersha led the way up to where the Heidmarch's were and waited for an opening in the conversation to say, "I greatly enjoyed the party, it was pleasant, and..." she trailed off a moment before speaking again, "things have changed in some ways, for the better I think."
Saersha's arm went around Embyr's waist resting a hand on her maid's hip and said, "We would very much like to show our appreciation for the hospitality and opportunities you presented to us tonight and discuss how that opportunity might prove beneficial."
Sheila tilts her head at you and gives you an enigmatic smile. "Indeed? Well, come. Walk with us, then."
Canayven nods and begins to lead his wife upstairs.
"A sensible Pathfinder never turns down an opportunity--to network or to explore."
Ulfr makes no move to change the state of things. He just leads her around, or is led if something catches the eye of the monster in disguise. This was just about as perfect as the night could go for him. He wasn't getting into trouble and wasn't accidentally causing any.
"Yes my name is Ada. I have been working here for some time. I find organizing the books relaxing, and finding interesting tomes to add to the collection is always fun." She smiles brightly, and speaks confidently about the library. She gives him a short tour, and shows some of the newest arrivals.
Once she's done with the tour, she looks around searching for a topic of conversation. "Do you have parties at your home often? It was fun to watch everyone posing for the painters." She fiddles with the edge of her sleeve. "I wasn't brave enough to pose, but it was fun to see everyone having so much fun."
At some point, while standing before a portrait of an elven woman astride a white unicorn in a forest glade, Vell clears her throat.
"...thanks for having me along. I'd have had no idea how to get by otherwise."
---------------------
Cassariel pays close attention as you give your tour of the library's newest volumes. He pauses when he sees the twelve copies of The Eleven Acts of Iomedae (Uncensored and Graphic!).
"Do you have parties at your home often? It was fun to watch everyone posing for the painters. I wasn't brave enough to pose, but it was fun to see everyone having so much fun."
"When I can fit time into my schedule, certainly. I've found that it's a wonderful way to not only meet new people, but also to encourage creativity."
The radiant man gives you a warm smile. "If you had posed, I've no doubt you'd have shone just as brightly as everyone else there."
Ulfr chuckles, a warm, low sound that comes from deep in him, You and me both, dear monster. This evening has tested my limits in ways I didn't know they could be tested, and that's saying something.
By the way, if there is a time limit for this form just say the word and I'll find us a nice place for you to be yourself.
He smiles and pats her hand in his arm reassuringly.
"Oh, what was planned for them then?" Zev asks.
Once the meal concludes, Azura gently dabs her lips with a kerchief, then slides away from the table after the hosts.
Gently laying a hand on Ryn's shoulder she says, "C'mon, let's mingle."
Saersha nodded in agreement with Sheila and said, "Yes, why don't we." Her arm still around Embyr's waist and fingers stroking her maid's hip she said, "We'll be right behind you." With that she and Embyr headed up behind the pair and she leaned in close to Embyr's ear as she whispered to her.
Smiling, Ryn gets up, joining Azura and looking around at the various guests. "So, who should we go speak to first?"
"Let's go out to the garden," says Azura, tugging as the gladiatrix holds the bard's arm. Azura leads the way to the courtyard and they sidle up near Writingham.
"Hello!" she says cheerfully. "I hope we're not interrupting - if you were looking to be alone with your thoughts, we can move along. I love seeing various estate gardens and it seemed convenient to admire the landscaping while meeting the other guests."
Cristiana looks over her shoulder as the two women approach. "Oh, you weren't, I promise." She runs a hand through her hair and glances back at the garden. "Mrs. Heidmarch's garden is coming in quite nicely, isn't it?"
"Especially the row of narcissas by the fountain." She points to a row of yellow-petaled flowers next to a marble, rectangular fountain.
Ulfr continues to wander about the place with Vell and happily goes with her to investigate anything that she finds interesting.
Cristiana looks over her shoulder as the two women approach. "Oh, you weren't, I promise." She runs a hand through her hair and glances back at the garden. "Mrs. Heidmarch's garden is coming in quite nicely, isn't it?"
"Especially the row of narcissas by the fountain." She points to a row of yellow-petaled flowers next to a marble, rectangular fountain.
"I don't know that many flowers, I just know that I enjoy them," says Azura. "Lovely yellow and orange among those, certainly."
Ada smiles. "If we find ourselves at another party, I'll try to work up the courage to pose."
She nods to the The Eleven Acts of Iomedae. "Do you wish to borrow one of those tomes? I can arrange it. It's not well known that the Heidmarch's sometimes loan out tomes to friends."
Cristiana starts to walk along the cobbled path into the garden. "I'm something of a flower enthusiast. Occasionally, Mrs. Heidmarch lets me tend to her garden--keeping it free of weeds and ensuring the hedges are neatly trimmed." She passes by a neatly-cut hedge.
"It's a privilege to be allowed to care for her flowers. She has some rare specimens here--some that are said to be impossible to find in the wild!"
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"...there isn't a time limit for my shapeshifting, thankfully." Vell speaks up. "But I think enough time has passed for the two of us to excuse ourselves without making too any waves, don't you?"
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Cassariel lets out a light, melodic chuckle. It sounds like the gentle ringing of chimes. "I think I've already read that particular volume all the way through. But thank you for the offer."
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The servants notice your hungry look and respectfully back away from the leftovers.
Ulfr nods. I have no idea. We'll go with your gut. If this were a drunken brawl at the Pitt I could be of more use. I'd be in the middle of it. But here... He sighs and shrugs.
Cristiana starts to walk along the cobbled path into the garden. "I'm something of a flower enthusiast. Occasionally, Mrs. Heidmarch lets me tend to her garden--keeping it free of weeds and ensuring the hedges are neatly trimmed." She passes by a neatly-cut hedge.
"It's a privilege to be allowed to care for her flowers. She has some rare specimens here--some that are said to be impossible to find in the wild!"
"Truly!" says Azura. "Would you mind perhaps showing us a few of these rare specimens and telling us about them?" She follows along as Cristiana moves through the garden, her hand still entwined with Ryn's arm.
----------------------
Vell looks back at the party guests before she turns back to you.
"Let's... let's get out of here, shall we? Maybe somewhere more quiet?"
----------------------
Cristiana leads the pair around the back of a hedge, to a raised planter of marble. Within the planter is a plot of roses--but the petals of these roses are a silver colour.
"Those look unique enough, yes?" She starts before stooping down to inspect the roses more closely. "These roses are said to have been grown from seeds collected from the boundaries of the First World. Mrs. Heidmarch calls them 'Argent Memories'."
The young woman's expression becomes fraught with disappointment. "Unfortunately, it's a difficult plant to care for. They grow slowly and require more water and sunlight than a normal kind of rose would. At least it's easier to pollinate."
”Do you have anything I could transport all this in?” he nonchalantly asks the servants.
"Um..." One of them ponders.
"We DO have a wagon."
He blinks. "Or did you mean something like a box?"
Ulfr grins and looks for a quiet place to retreat to without breaking the glass that is social etiquette.
Perhaps it's your own discomfort with such formal gatherings that drives you, or perhaps it's concern for your companion, but you manage to deftly navigate your way upstairs and back to Vell's room without any of the guests even taking notice of you.
Vell clings to your arm as you open the door to her room. "Oh thank heavens--it's quieter in here."
----------------------
Cristiana leads the pair around the back of a hedge, to a raised planter of marble. Within the planter is a plot of roses--but the petals of these roses are a silver colour.
"Those look unique enough, yes?" She starts before stooping down to inspect the roses more closely. "These roses are said to have been grown from seeds collected from the boundaries of the First World. Mrs. Heidmarch calls them 'Argent Memories'."
The young woman's expression becomes fraught with disappointment. "Unfortunately, it's a difficult plant to care for. They grow slowly and require more water and sunlight than a normal kind of rose would. At least it's easier to pollinate."
"They are absolutely beautiful and lucky to have someone like you to care for them. Such beauty deserves to be properly cared for so it can be shared." Ryn says with a smile taking in the dazzling silver roses.
"What makes them easier to pollinate than regular roses?"
"Well, it's like this..." Cristiana stands up and looks back at the pair.
"These roses can accept pollen from any other type of flower without developing into a hybrid of two plants. Normally, when two different varieties of flowers cross-pollinate, the result is a hybrid. It's how some roses can have more exotically-coloured petals than red, yellow or white. So no matter what sort of flower pollen an Argent Memory receives, the result is going to be more Argent Memories."
Cristiana looks back at the plot of silver roses. "Of course, that goes both ways. If pollen from an Argent Memory is collected and used to pollinate other varieties of flower, the end result is more Argent Memories. I haven't figured out how to properly hybridize them yet, but until I do, they're technically an invasive species--albeit one that's considerably smaller in scale than others."
”Both would nice,” Zev happily says.
Ulfr lets her in and breathes deeply. Yes. Yes it is. I'm just glad I managed to not cause a scene in there. The others really seemed to be enjoying themselves, which I'm glad for. Not everyone is made for a life like mine, especially outside the Shoanti.
"Well, it's like this..." Cristiana stands up and looks back at the pair.
"These roses can accept pollen from any other type of flower without developing into a hybrid of two plants. Normally, when two different varieties of flowers cross-pollinate, the result is a hybrid. It's how some roses can have more exotically-coloured petals than red, yellow or white. So no matter what sort of flower pollen an Argent Memory receives, the result is going to be more Argent Memories."
Cristiana looks back at the plot of silver roses. "Of course, that goes both ways. If pollen from an Argent Memory is collected and used to pollinate other varieties of flower, the end result is more Argent Memories. I haven't figured out how to properly hybridize them yet, but until I do, they're technically an invasive species--albeit one that's considerably smaller in scale than others."
"Fascinating," murmurs Azura. "So, given sufficient time, Argent Memories would colonize and convert any area of flowers into more of the same. How strange! I wonder how they get their color. Metallic colors like that don't really show up in flowers... at least, in my experience."
The servants look at each other and shrug before boxing up the leftovers and leading you out to a wagon in the nearby stables for transport.
---------------------
"Well, for what it's worth, I think you did a better job of fitting in than I did." Vell exhales and sits on the edge of her bed. "I saw you and that little boy at dinner--he looked so happy to sit there and listen to you talk."
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"From what I understand, Argent Memories are a species of flower that comes from the First World--the realms of the Fey. There, the laws of Nature are somewhat downgraded into being 'suggestions' of Nature--you definitely wouldn't see a metallic colour on a flower on this plane, outside of preserving them in gold or some other precious metal."
Cristiana runs a hand through her hair. "A Pathfinder team brought some of their seeds back from an expedition out in Sanos Forest. I always figured there was some sort of connection to the First World there."
"Much appreciated, I will return the wagon when I can," he happily says before hauling the food off to the nearest people that need that. Barring finding no one immediately in the city he'll take it to the mites.
Ulfr smiles at her compliment. I think you're underestimating yourself. I was just talking to the only person who'd listen. Besides, conversation at these things is worse than charging through volleyed arrows. And I know, I've done it. He points to two short, thin scars, one on each shoulder. That was proven with that lady that engaged Saersha. She was more poisonous than a rock snake, I guarantee. I'm just glad Saresha didn't bet bit. I would have, that's for sure. A suppressed laugh twinkles in his eye. Then I would have punched her.
"From what I understand, Argent Memories are a species of flower that comes from the First World--the realms of the Fey. There, the laws of Nature are somewhat downgraded into being 'suggestions' of Nature--you definitely wouldn't see a metallic colour on a flower on this plane, outside of preserving them in gold or some other precious metal."
Cristiana runs a hand through her hair. "A Pathfinder team brought some of their seeds back from an expedition out in Sanos Forest. I always figured there was some sort of connection to the First World there."
"So how do you keep them from spreading to take over the entire garden?" asks Azura.
Cristiana taps the side of the marble planter containing the Memories. "A few homemade arcane wards inscribed on this beauty. They're designed to keep wayward Argent Memory pollen from escaping."
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"...I'm just glad she ignored me." Vell sighs. "I don't know if I should've come, now."
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Your trek with the wagon leads you down a side alley where several of Magnimar's homeless are crowded. When you start dishing out the leftovers from the party, their eyes light up and they tuck in with several profuse proclamations of gratitude.
Ulfr's head chicks to one side like a curious puppy. Why do you say that? They seem to have worked things out just fine.
Vell shakes her head. "It's--it's just that I feel like I'm going to be found out at any moment."
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Cristiana taps the side of the marble planter containing the Memories. "A few homemade arcane wards inscribed on this beauty. They're designed to keep wayward Argent Memory pollen from escaping."
"Ohhh, I see - fascinating!" says Azura. "Well, they are quite beautiful. I do like having the other colors around, though. Wouldn't want these to get out." She squeezes Ryn's arm briefly, then says, "Show us another one? I'd love to learn more."
"Certainly. Right this way, please." Cristiana leads the duo over to a far corner of the garden, surrounded by hedges. A small plot of freshly-fertilized earth sits in that corner.
Within that plot of earth are several lilies, their petals spreading wide and drinking in the night air. The colour of their petals is decidedly odd--they seem to be simultaneously deep blue and black. "Mrs. Heidmarch calls these ones Stygian Lilies."
"They aren't nearly as invasive a species as Argent Memories, but they're said to be far more magical--their petals and pollen are key ingredients in elixirs designed to interact with shadows."
"Fascinating. Are they as otherworldly as their name claims? How do they react to daylight? Are they toxic?"
Azura's questions come in a rapid-fire patter until she suddenly realizes that she needs to stop long enough to get answers.