Red Light Crew
Mirela is not subtle at all at examining the woman ahead of her
it's to be the 'ard sell then, I expected more grace at the places like this, though Devan seems to like it. Ahhh,the spider is what he wanted me to see.
She raises her eyes to Devan and with amusement in her voice says:
Be careful Dear, you may 'ave found yourself a black widow, as this one looks like she may just eat you up. And I'd guess you'd enjoy every moment of it.
She pauses for a moment then continues:
So, if we were interested, just how much is such an experience?
Atticus will first look around for anything getting his interest.
[Dice=Perc]1d20+9
He would maybe look for a game of poker or anything, keeping to cider while gambling. He has set himself a limit of 25gold pieces to invest.
Atticus sees the same kind of things as Nargun above. The games look above board and there is no evident criminal enterprise here. He does see a stud poker game and a blackjack table, after he watches Twilight take her turns on the wheel.
As asked he will stay close to Twilight and her gambling.
The Red-Light Crew
At Mirela's question, Halvara turns and grins and winks lasciviously. "Dear, if you have to ask, you can't afford it." She feels in Devan's pants pockets for his coin purse, taking the long way around to get to it. "If these coins are crowns, you have more than enough. If they are but pinch, you might be in the wrong place..."
Mirela smiles evilly at Devan:
It's your choice dear, do you want to spend that much on my birthday present, or would you rather save some for the tables and maybe a place to stay, so I can show you just how thankful I am for this?
"A double zero wheel? They might not be dishonest with their games of chance but they aren't shy about publicly slanting the odds in their favour."
Twilight places bets on single numbers in the following order: Black 13, Red 28 and finally Red 3.
The musician chuckled at Mirela's spider comment, his eyebrow arched. He shrugged with a smirk on his face. "Of course she'd never replace you, Dearest, but it doesn't sound like a bad time. Of course, that's all hypothetical, since it's YOUR enjoyment we're discussing here. And who knows, this Black Widow might know where we can find other good times with her other friends, if we ask nicely."
Devan blushed only slightly (it really did seem rather silly to be self-conscious in a place like this) as the half-elf dug about for his coin purse, not moving to stop her. Although he did keep a careful eye to see she didn't try to steal any of the mentioned coins. Her price was already phenomenal enough without an unexpected tip on top.
The bard grinned wickedly at the redhead over Halvara's shoulder, that dark brow again extending upward as he replied. "It's been a good year, lover...so why not both? Nothing's too good for you...and wouldn't you want to be even more thankful if I provide the best?" He certainly hoped the gentle shakes wracking his body were mistaken by the half-elf for barely pent-up lust and not the repressed laughter it represented. Well...mostly represented.
The Red-Light Crew
Nodding smugly, Halvara takes each of you by the hand and leads you down a flight of stairs built into the deck of the pleasure barge. Below, the light is quite dim, and gauzy curtains partition off a large room but you are able to see various shapes in the dark corners engaged in all kinds of lustful acts. Halvara moves you along through the main room, through a door in the stern end of the vessel. Inside, is a chamber of surprising size where a large round bed dominates the center.
"I suggest you make yourself comfortable," she whispers to Mirela, working some of the buckles on her leathers loose. She turns to Devan. "Time to pay up, lover. The coin is first then the entertainment." she unties the slipknot of her robe and lets it fall to the floor with a rustle. The dim light makes the view even more erotic. If Devan pays, she moves the far side of the room depositing the coins in a floor safe.
Halvara pulls up a wooden back chair and motions for Devan to sit. "You said you wanted to watch, so you sit here. That's your loss!" she shrugs gamely and moves to where Mirela awaits her deft hands working to pull and tug and remove the various articles of adventuring gear, until very little remains.
The titillation Mirela felt at the suggestive advance from Sabina Merrin at Castle Korvosa feels like child's play as she is subject to the talented ministrations of a true pleasure professional. The money invested in their time together may have seemed a high price to pay, but like an artist painting a masterpiece, Halvara works her craft to exquisite perfection, creating her own work of art.
Finally, when their time is nearly over, and the naked bodies of the two women lie entwined in the sheets of the round bed, Halvara sighs, stretching her long, languid body. "Well, that was certainly fun! Want to keep after it a bit longer? I can certainly make the time if you wish? And there is ever so much more we could do together..." she trails off, her long nail tracing a line down Mirela's back, giving her an involuntary shudder.
The Gamblers
Playing the air-head eye-candy role to the hilt, Twilight places bets on random numbers alternately cheering or pouting as the ball rolls and finally lands on other sections.
The first spin of wheel, Twilight places a single gold sail, and she bounces on the balls of her feet, crying out as the wheel spins. When the ball clatters onto red 9 on the opposite side of the wheel from her number, she pouts prettily, earning an apologetic nod from the croupier.
The second spin ends up with the same result and a old bravo with a hook for one hand celebrates his win, but Twilight loses four more gold sails.
One the last bet, she rolls out a single platinum crown, placing it on Red 3. The last of her low stakes are swept away as the result is black 6.
The priestess stamps her foot in mock frustration as Atticus watches playing his role, and Nargun gets a second free drink. Twilight is surprised when she feels an arm encircle her waist familiarly. Looking over, she sees the man with the red veil smiling at her. "Don't fret pretty lady," he says. "The night's festivities are just beginning. Perhaps you will do me the honor of assisting me?" His smile shows off perfectly straight white teeth, and his scent is pleasantly intoxicating, a very expensive cologne. He gives her a little squeeze and waits for her reply.
The Red-Light Crew
Devan followed Halvara belowdecks, thinking the duo would start questioning the half-elf once they were in a more private setting. He fumbled around with his purse when prompted, smirking until he had counted out the 100 gold coins, handing them over to the now nude courtesan, thankful that the dim lighting likely hid his flushed features. He sat in the proffered seat, his desire to question the woman quite forgotten at the moment as she helped Mirela with her clothing. He was a young man, after all, and this seemed like an experience he shouldn't waste with only words.
The musician slipped out his lute, playing softly in the background as Halvara started giving Mirela her expert attentions, his dark eyes soaking up the scene. His attention otherwise distracted, he repeated a lot of his measures more often than was called for in the music, but none of the parties in the room seemed to really take notice. Having nothing better to do at the time, Devan took some mental notes as to what caused the most fervent cries of passion...maybe they'd come in handy one day.
As the session wound down and the two women lay encircled about one another, the bard regained some of his mental faculties, stowing his instrument and coming to sit upon the bed near them. "Wow, Dearest...surely the money was worth it, right?" He reached out and gave Mirela's thigh a fond rub, grinning in the dim light.
He turned to Halvara, keeping his hand in place on the Erastilan as he addressed the half-elf. "Since we have a few minutes left, have you had any movers and shakers come through here lately? It's no fun to splurge on a night of fun if you can't compare yourself to some rich nobleman when you speak of it to your friends. Otherwise they'll think we went to some two-copper street wench, and we most assuredly did no such thing!"
Nargun was carefully drinking.
He might have to fight sooner or later, and no alcohol he had drank so far was worth the intoxication of the battle, the blood of his foes and the screams of a dying slaver.
That didn't mean there wasn't somewhere an alcohol worth of all that.
Just that he never drank it so far, and kept searching.
He asks the bartender, out of curiosity
Do you have some spiced wine?
Wizard 0: Mage hand, prestidigitation, open/close. 1: Mage armour, Magic weapon, (S) Colour spray. | Subtle misdirection 6/6. Bonded item 1/1.
"Oh!" Twilight exclaims, her eyes going wide as the man puts his arm around her. She smiles and laughs nervously "This is so exciting!" and accompanies the man.
While she does so she chatters on. Among her talking she gently probes for information "My friend, Angie, told me about this place and I just had to come. She said that she knew of a certain merchant noble that enjoys frequenting this place. You must get all kinds of important people here. Oh! Have you ever had any royalty here?" she looks around for a moment as if expecting to see the queen herself at one of the tables. She giggles and asks conspiratorially "Who has been your most prestigious patron?".
Mirela lean body shudders from the unexpected touch in the middle of runing her hand gently up Devan's arm. She's still flushed, her hair is mussed and a cockeyed smile is still on her face.
She seems totally unconcerned with her state of dress as she replies: Oh Gods no, she is not that.
Her hand slides down and she seems to unconsciously grip on Devan's hand keeping it in contact with her as she rolls over to looks at Halvara.
I tried to keep track of what you were doing for future reference, but you drove everything out of my mind much to quickly to remember more then the first few moments. It was...
She smiles even bigger as she pauses for a moment then she continues.
Amazing.... I don't know that I could do more right now, I worn out.
But Dee is right, since he says we have a few minutes left surely you have some good stories to tell.
Keeping an eye open for Twilight Atticus will stay close by.
I hope she doesn´t overdo it. But I wouldn´t be surprised if she does.
The Gamblers
Nargun pacing himself might still imbibe more alcohol than a normal man, but he knows enough to keep his wits about him in this place. The grumpy dwarf snarls inwardly when the Vudran man with the red headdress latches on to Twilight, but he holds his peace for the time being, seeing what might play out.
Atticus, a little taken aback that his date was swooped on by the host of the casino, follows the couple at a respectful distance.
The Vudran man leads Twilight towards the long, empty table in the middle of the gambling floor. He smiles at Twilight as she babbles about this and that, but its clear he's not really listening. As they get to the table, he grabs the priestess, and bodily hoists her atop it. "Your attention ladies and gentlemen!" cries the man loudly, gathering the notice of the gaming hall patrons, who look at him (and at Twilight especially) with interest. "The Twin Tigers is pleased to present, for your gaming pleasure, the newest craze that is sweeping Kovosa. Direct from our pirate friends up the coast in Riddleport, a game of skill, a game of danger, but most importantly, a chance to make a quick coin. Let's have a round of Knivesies!" The crowd cheers and begins to move around the table, clapping rhythmically.
From the back room of the casino, a small wiry Varisian man with no shirt appears and jogs quickly to one end of the table, vaulting upon it in one smooth motion. His olive-skinned body may be small, but is corded with muscle and his movements are skilled and graceful. "May I present the reigning Knivesies champion of the Tiger! Ladies and gentlemen, winner of a record 12 straight bouts, our very own, Alexei!" Hoots and whistles greet this announcement. "And now, as is our custom, we open the floor to any who would challenge our champion. The winner gets this..." he pulls a red-velvet pouch from his robe and tosses it up to Twilight who still stands atop the table. "One hundred gold sails, and a kiss from the lovely lady! Tell us lady, do you see a champion in our midst?" The floor is now open for either a volunteer or for Twilight to choose a champion from the crowd.
The Red-Light Crew
The courtesan drapes her robe about her and touches up her hair and make-up at a small mirror and table. "The pleasure was all mine...well almost all. If it's stories you want, I am sad to say, one does not kiss and tell in this business. But I will say this, one night I entertained Blackjack himself. Or at least a man in a costume like his. He was very bold and impetuous, I can tell you!"
She rises and strides back over to the bed, escorting you to the door. She whispers, "The Archbanker, Tuttle himself, came here but the miserly prick refused to part with the coin for a turn with me, so we set him up with one of the young boys instead. Imagine! Devargo still laughs about that!" She tosses her hair, and kisses each of you deeply before sending you back on your way. "A wonderful experience, lovers. You know where Halvara is if you choose to return. Until then!"
Atticus takes a second to think about Knivesies before shrugging. Not my type of game.
Having meant to only tease the redhead with his touch as they played out their act, Devan was mildly surprised when she gripped his hand and pressed it against her flesh as she regarded their hostess. The surrounding and proximity to her in that state (to them both, really) suddenly had him wishing he had perhaps joined in their little exercise, but what was done was done, as the saying went.
He was thankful the dim lighting covered up his disappointment as Halvara got up and readied herself for other guests, refusing to indulge their questions and curiosity. The tidbits about Blackjack and the Archbanker were interesting, at least, so at least they wouldn't return to the others completely empty-handed of information.
As the courtesan busied herself at her mirror, Devan's gaze returned to Mirela, taking in her 'natural' form before his dark eyes met her own. He smiled, patting her leg, "Let's get you dressed back up so we can see what other offerings are to be had here, shall we, lover? And don't worry, I was taking notes for the both of us." He grinned sheepishly, and assuming she consents, he proceeded to help her gather up her clothing and equipment, maybe being a little handsy with her but otherwise helping the priestess get clothed and decent once more.
As the half-elf escorted them to the door, then kissed them both before excusing the pair, the musician extended his arm to Mirela as a gentleman would offer a lady. "Shall we then, Dearest? Where to next?"
What this stuff, Atticus? Some knife fight?
Nargun looks at the game and the crowd.
Wizard 0: Mage hand, prestidigitation, open/close. 1: Mage armour, Magic weapon, (S) Colour spray. | Subtle misdirection 6/6. Bonded item 1/1.
"Knivesies? I've never heard of that, but by the name and its origin it sounds rough."
For a moment she considered Atticus, but in the end Nargun was the more practical choice.
"Oooo, Knivesies sounds dangerous. I pick my bodyguard!" she says excitedly pointing to Nargun.
All eyes in the casino turn to Nargun, who is sipping his spiced wine, contentedly.
"Well, sir dwarf, your lovely mistress has chosen you to take on Alexei for the purse she holds, plus the usual winner's stake. What say you?"
The crowd cheers excitedly, urging Nargun to opt in. Those around him slap him or push him playfully. Some call: "My monies on the dwarf!" while others say "No one is quicker than Alexei. This is a game of skill not brute force." The reaction among the bettors seems mixed -- which is how the house likes it.
Atticus carefully looks at Alexei, trying to get an idea how the man plans to fight against devan.
After listening to Halvara and Devan, Mirela gets up and starts to get dressed smiling as she accepts her clothes.
Back to work I guess.
After the Courtesanleaves them Mirela whispers to Deacon.
That didn’t go as I ‘ad ‘oped.... I mean it was wonderful and... umm thank you.... but I wanted to get a bit more information. Can we see in the other workers ‘ave spider tattoos too? I ‘ad wanted to talk shop with whoever we picked but with the Madame I knew that wouldn’t work..... I mean I did like and ummm... let’s just go talk... I want to see about that spider because it isn’t umm what’s his name supposed to be like a spider?
She trails off with a blush as the full impact of what he might think of her occurred to her.
For a moment Atticus is worried but then he remembers the hidden strength of Devan."Well this is a game. Where can I place bets?"
Let's try this. What could go wrong? It's only a game, after all...
Quicker and younger than me, I think. But can he hold his ground in a long fight? We'll have to see.
With a grim and confident, eerie smile, Nargun prepares himself for the "game"
Let's find out how much money you'll be able to pick with your two arms broken.
Just outside the door to Halvara's room, Devan listened to Mirela's whisper, nodding to begin with at the woman's assessment. He had indeed been disappointed at the end in the relative lack of information gained from the madame, regardless of the other...activities that had taken place. Hearing the recently confident woman start to stammer and pause, he looked at her and saw heat rise to her face in the dim light. He reached down and grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Yeah, I kind of got carried away, when I should have let you handle the arrangements. I saw the spider tattoo and jumped to conclusions." He leaned over and attempted to place a kiss on her cheek, then, feeling the burning skin beneath his lips. "I won't say I was sorry for the experience, though, and you seemed to enjoy it, so it wasn't a complete waste. Right?" He smiled at her gently, hoping the lack of judgment on his features would put her more at ease.
The young man had thought about adding that he wouldn't mind such a situation occurring with the redhead and himself, but was wise enough to keep the thought to himself. She was self-conscious enough, and it would probably just seem the rampant desire of a man on edge after witnessing such things. Did he even really know what he wanted? He felt the ring on the chain against his chest, but felt a surprising warmth there. He had avenged his lost love and had a token of remembrance. She'd always be there, but he was excited to find that he hoped he had a lot of life left to live. And plenty of possibilities, he noted as he looked at the woman beside him.
Still smiling, he added, "Yes, the King of Spiders. Let us go find another to talk to...and I'll follow your lead this time, I promise." He winked at Mirela, then turned forward, still holding her hand in his, allowing her to lead him where she thought it would be best to go.
The Red-Light Crew
Awkwardly uncomfortable with each other now, Devan and Mirela make their way off the pleasure barge, back to the central pier, while they wait for their compatriots to return.
The Gamblers
By rule, Nargun is required to remove his armor and weapons, leaving them in a pile on the floor. People start to throw money, mostly gold sails you notice, on the table and move to the side that of the fighter they back to win.
When disrobed to his britches and boots, Nargun clambers aboard the table, opposite the Varisian man. Calling out to the wiry man, Nargun tries to get a mental advantage, but the man just stares at him coldly.
The red-veiled host removes a small dagger and sticks it point down in the center of the table. If you get a good look at the dagger, you can see the hilt and pommel are a stylized representation of a spider... Another attendant fastens a belt pouch around the middle of each contestant.
The casino boss then helps Twilight from the table, with polite thanks for her assistance. When the fighters are ready, hte man begins the match.
Knivesies - Round 1
As the game starts, Alexei springs cat-like to where the knife is embedded in the table top, and scoops it up, grinning and holding it backhanded, like a professional knife-fighter. He makes small feints in the air, as he beckons Nargun forward, filled with confidence.
The Alexei side crowd cheers their man's quick reactions, and there is a muted silence from Nargun's backers, as they wait for his next move.
Atticus with a smile puts down 20 golden crowns. "On the dwarf."
Mirela stays calm and accepts the kiss the heat slowly fading from her cheeks.
then Grabs Devan's arm and whispers.
Follow me and look for more spiders.
Mirela stays calm and accepts the kiss the heat slowly fading from her cheeks.
then Grabs Devan's arm and whispers.
Follow me and look for more spiders.
”As you wish, m’lady.” Grinning in amusement at Mirela’s statement, Devan followed the woman through the pleasure palace, keeping close so she doesn’t have to tug him along. As promised, his dark eyes search out both the male and female ‘merchandise’ on the way, looking for other signs of arachnids. He glanced at the redhead, suddenly feeling a bit guilty about letting his eyes linger on the eye candy around them. Sigh.
Nargun tries to grab some cash, expecting to get hit by the dagger
Mirela tries to keep a lookout but her thoughts keep wandering back to the man who's arm she is holding.
Gods, what does 'e think of me now? I know most people are shy about sex but maybe 'e understands? I definitely need to bring 'im 'ome so 'e can see...
The Red-Light Crew
Mirela is too flustered to notice much as they wind their way through and off the pleasure barge, her thoughts on something else, despite suggesting they look for other marks that might mean something about Devargo Barvasi, the King of Spiders.
Devan, however, is more perceptive. As he follows along behind the red-headed priestess, he sees the spider-motif show up several more times among the staff. It may be a ring, or a bicep bracelet, or perhaps stitching on a robe, but many of those who work at The House of Clouds wear the sigil in one fashion or another, though none so dramatic as Halvara's ink.
The Gamblers
Atticus and Twilight cringe as Nargun is easily beaten to the single blade on the table. The burly dwarf reaches for some coins off the table, knowing that the blade would likely be headed his way.
Alexei, the Varisian fighter, slashes down at Nargun, but the knife only cuts the air. In the next round, the Varisian grabs a share of coins, his dark eyes watching the dwarf warily, ready to spring.
Atticus smiles at the game, then he shouts.
"Look at the dwarf, tries to play the game like an elf, instead of playing like a dwarf!"
Wizard 0: Mage hand, prestidigitation, open/close. 1: Mage armour, Magic weapon, (S) Colour spray. | Subtle misdirection 6/6. Bonded item 1/1.
"This isn't getting us anywhere" Twiligh fretted.
She clapped her hands excitedly as the knife was grabbed and Nargun went for the coins. She then gasped as Alexei's swing goes wide.
"Well, he's got a pretty good lead in the gold department"
As the pair walked through the House of Clouds, Devan found himself continuing to have to nudge the distracted priestess as he noticed the various employees wearing their different spider insignia. When she would look at him, he would smile at her in the dim light and then flick his eyes to the appropriate spidery item he had just noticed.
After a few times of this the musician looked over at his flustered companion, noting she was looking about but not really seeing anything. He stopped their progress, gently turning her to face him. "Everything ok? I probably should have left the room, but I figured we would talk to her, and...well, I should have left. That was personal, and I apologize. I think you're a great person, and we'll definitely keep that whole experience between the two of us, if you're worried about me telling the others."
The young man gently took her hands and squeezed them, hoping he'd at least somewhat assuaged her feelings. He had a hunch that they would find little of note in this place that would help them with the King of Spiders, but he was willing to try, nonetheless. They were here, after all, so might as well. He hoped their companions were having a bit more success in the Gambling Hall.
Nargun once again tries to get some coins.
Of course, there was a dagger involved.
But that never stopped a dwarf to get more gold.
As the others watched, Nargun again dove for the coins piled on his half of the table, grabbing and trying to make himself as small a target as possible. However, the other fighter's knife skills come to bear, and he drags the blade across the back of the unarmored Nargun, leaving a welling wound there.
On his turn, Alexei eschews coins and goes right for the attack, swinging again at the wounded Nargun. This time the blade sticks in the ribs of the burly dwarf, hurting him as the Varisian twists it when withdrawing.
Twilight takes a quick look at how many coins are on the table. "About 40 coins left, that's a lot to be grabbing while being cut up."
She shouts excitedly to her champion "Shove him off the table if you have to!"
"I really wish I had gone to the House of Clouds. I wonder how Devan and Mirela are making out". She chuckled a bit at her own pun.
Tired of being stuck like pin-cushion, Nargun changes tactics stepping up and punching at the knife-wielding Varisian. Closing to hand-to-hand distance opens Nargun up to another opportunity attack, and Alexei stabs deeply into the guts of the dwarven fighter, hurting him badly.
The deft Alexei then is able to just shuck and jive away from the fists of Nargun, and avoids any damage.
Circling the wounded dwarf, Alexei feints with the knife, but scoops up gold coins instead, confident that he will be able to fell the dwarf soon enough.