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Tal raises his hands
"Ladies, ladies, relax, I meant nothing by it. I know Ameiko has different tastes in her partners, so I knew it to be a rumor. I didn't expect it to be such a sensitive area for both of you." Tal looks at Ameiko in particular. He didn't expect her to be bothered that much about it, too much self-confidence to should have been bothered by mere rumors.
"Anything else she said I should ignore?" Tal says with a disarming smile.
"Anyway, the best way to deal with a rumor spreader is to make sure that she has no more credibility. And I will leave that to your imagination and execution.
Since everyone else seems so keen on plotting Shayliss' downfall, Jessica care for that walk by the beach?" Tal says turning to her.
"You know nothing about my tastes, Talwin, and it will remain that way." Ameiko chuckles without amusement, patting Kiley on the shoulder before disappearing once more.
Delendir looks confused at the woman as she leaves.
After a couple of soup spoons more, he turns his head towards Tal and says "We actually forgot to ask Quinn about Aldern's family."
Jessica smiles at Tal, "Sure, I'd like that Tal. " Looking to Vivi sympathetically, "Sorry I'm not much help with your priblem Vivi, the best advice I could give you is do what feels right. " Having finished her food, Jessica moves over to Vivi and leans down to give him a quick hug, "Whatever you decide to do about her, good luck Vivi." Looking to Kiley and Depending, "If you need us, we'll be down at the beach." With that, she takes Tal's arm and goes with him.
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"Ah right you are Delendir. Do you mind asking him about that later today? I have to escort this fine young lady to the beach, see you later guys." Tal says and escorts Jessica outside.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"No problem Tal. I will give Vivi some support, then go to check with Quinn before dinner." Delendir finishes his ale tank and starts pealing an apple with his cold iron dagger. He cuts a little piece with the dagger, then stabs it in the blade and eat it from there. He then repeats the process piece to piece until the appel is finished.
As Ameiko enters Delendir murmur's "Youth hormons. Don't take it him into account Ameiko."
Tal and Jessica exit the Inn, the elf leading the priestess to the choppy sea to enjoy an afternoon walk.
Meanwhile, back at the Rusty Dragon, a man and woman plot revenge while a ranger enjoys his meal.
Her arm still in Tals, Jessica enjoys the walk, slipping off her shoes and putting them into her belt pouch for now. She enjoys the feel of the sand between her toes and watching the rolling of the waves in and out, lapping against the shore. She seems a little hesitant but mostly distracted by the view of the ocean.
"Okay, So you go in, act like you're trying to trap some rats. Meanwhile, I'll come in and get Ven to get something down in the cellar. Ven shows up with you trying to do what Shayliss asked you to, and her trying to seduce you, and we've finally gotten Ven to see that Shayliss really is shameless."
Kiley grins at the prospect of paying Shayliss back for the misery she caused her and her friend.
Delendir again finds himself alone in the Rusty Dragon, eating the remainder of his meal. Ameiko comes out to check on him, grinning widely. "Did you enjoy my dish, Master Delendir? Perhaps I'll have you catch me some trout so we can enjoy a really fine Minkai dish, eh?"
Meanwhile Vivi and Kiley head towards the Ven Vinder's General Store, intent on educating Ven on the nature of his daughter, and paying his daughter back for some previous wrongs.
"Minkai trout you say? Uoo! That sounds delightful." Delendir smiles at Ameiko and lies back in the chair with his right hand over his belly. "The meal was wonderful, and your products are always fresh and good quality. I have to admit your cooking has helped out my home sickness. What is your secret?"
Delendir starts collecting his river traps. "I will see what can I do about that trout Ameiko"
Vivi heads with Kiley in accordance with their plan, cheese in one hand, ground peppermint in the other.
"Haha! Sure I can get a Varisian one easily for you Ameiko. Do not be surpised if I catch a Minkai one though" and so Delendir leaves the inn winking his eye.
The half-elf marches over the Turandarok river setting some of his trout traps. He then spends the evening checking the traps set the day before.
Delendir makes his best of his professional skills to set the traps and get some prey.
"Oh, I'm doing fine, it's a little strange to be so well known, but I imagine I will live. If nothing else, it will help me spread the good word of Shelyn more easily."
She frowns a little, "As for Kiley, it's good of you to ask, though you should ask her...no...wait...that wouldn't be a good idea, I remember how my brother come off when he did that, I think she'd take you doing it the same way. She just needed someone to listen to her and give comfort, I imagine she has used Ameiko in the past when things piled up. But with her so busy lately, Kiley probably didn't want to burden her and distract from festival preparations." She looks back to Tal again, "I'm only guessing of course."
She leans against Tal's side as they walk. "So, how are you holding up with all of this?"
Not seeing Shayliss, Vivi turns to Kiley.
"Well, what should we do now? Perhaps we should just approach the father and tell him his daughter said they had rats in the basement, did not want to bother him with it, but now is not here to show us where they were... and ask that he lead us there to see what is there so that we can help if need be. Would you think this wise?"
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"Well the attention is new. And though I'd hate for people to get hurt, the excitement of combat is a nice change of pace. Normally, there isn't a thing to do in town. Now we are running around fighting goblins and undead, I like the thrill that comes with it. I guess adventuring just suits me better than being a shop owner like my parents." Tal responds while looking at the sea, seeming a little lost in his thoughts of the past.
Mmmm... not bad, a couple of nice preys there.
Delendir sets the traps again and gives a walk around Sandpoint's countryside while the others do their things in town. He gives an extra look trying to locate some wood able to produce a good composite bow.
I need a new bow, just another valuable thing lost in that terrible house fire.
"That or see if she's inside." Kiley says with a shrug,
"So your parents are shop keepers? What kind do they run?"
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"They have a big magic shop, where they sell all sorts of magical equipment, scrolls and the like. Why my mother even makes love potions for young girls on rare occasions. It was from them that I learned my own skills. My father said I had quite the knack for it, it had something to do with the alignment of the stars during my birth. That in turn gave me these eyes that give me a keen understanding of magics.
However, I never wanted to study and spent most of my days enjoying myself in the city with other youths. Eventually I had to leave the town and ended up here taking care of my aunt." Tal says offhandedly.
"Well, I'm glad you came here because otherwise I wouldn't have met you." Jessica smiles up at Tal, "So, how long have you been here anyway? From what I can tell it's been a couple."
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Tal smiles back down at Jessica. "It's been a little over two years now. And over that time the only excitement there was, came from the festival every year. I'm also glad you came here. It would have been a boring two days without some real femininity in the group.
Could you imagine a group with just the boys and little Kiley, why she is almost one of the boys herself, hehe." Tal laughs.
"Why thank you Tal, that's a sweet thing to say. I bet Kiley'd surprise you if she had a reason to get dressed up, and a little help. She had a great deal of potential."
"Well, let us go inside then... I will follow your lead though if she is inside."
With a smile, Vivi heads for the door and holds it open for Kiley.
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"That girl needs to get her first crush and soon. Shame there aren't a lot of suitable boys around. Unless you are thinking about hooking her up with Vivi?"
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As Kiley comes closer, Vivi whispers to her, "I know you were hurt by this woman, but remember what Ameiko said. The father likely doesn't really know, and he seems like a decent man from my dealings with him earlier. Try to be compassionate."
Delendir gets around the small forest east of the Turandarok river and into an animal trail. He follows some boar tracks, though he might be confused and the tracks just be from other middle sized mammal.
After half an hour or so, he finds a good place just next some berries shrub below a chestnut tree to set a nice trap. The half-elf places it on the forest underlayer and sets a chain around the tree to fix it. The basic trap springs open as a whirling breeze moves the tree leaves letting the Sun pass through the canopy hitting Delendir's face.
I like this season days. What climate will we have next month? The house and Sandpoint's attacks have distracted me so much and I don't want to be surprised without the work done... His home thinking makes Delendir sad again. I really want go there and check but it might be not a good idea after all...
Once the trap is set, he places some of the berries over the metal, trying to remove the humanoid smell. A small ranger's trick. Picking up wood and leaves he covers the chain and other metallic parts of the trap.
With his dagger he makes a sign over the tree marking the location of the trap, so no citizen or unaware traveller sets foot over the nasty thing. I hope it goes good. I don't like setting traps that close to Sandpoint, but the wilderness is bumpy nowadays.
As the couple walks by, and the lady gives Kiley a thumbs up, her cheeks redden, but the corner of her mouth twitches up in a half-smile more felt than seen. Vivi snaps her out of her reverie and she goes to open the door.
"Okay, we'll see how things go." And hope we don't wind up getting the tables turned on us.
She walks past the monk to the door, pausing when he whispers to her.
"I like Ven. It's Shayliss I have the problem with." Kiley whispers back before opening the door.
Kiley enters the General Store, Vivi behind her. Ven is busy stacking some sticks topped with pitch (surely what he is selling as torches these days) when you enter.
Shayliss is behind the small counter, ostensibly organizing some smaller items behind her, but not really doing much anything. Her eyes widen at the sight of the small, compact girl, an uncertain grin coming to her face as she sees Vivi.
Ven notes Shayliss' look, then turns to the both of you. In his characteristic gruff voice, "Afternoon, Kiley. Young sir." You observe that he has stopped his activity and is now standing, not quite in the line of sight between the two women, but close enough to react should there be trouble.
"I think that would be an interesting match Tal, nut I have a suspicion that Vivi is far more interested in Ameiko. Maybe it's just that they share similar origins." Jessica shrugs her shoulders at that, and continues the walk.
Vivi bows to Val and nods to Shayliss, indicating with his eyes the cheese and peppermint his carrying. He notes the position that Val has taken between the two women, and chooses to let her make the first move and act accordingly.
I hope this does not backfire...
Delendir takes some time making a nice mark in the tree. This is a kind of mark Varisian trappers use to let unaware people fire their traps and identify their traps from those of other trappers, so they don't erroneously pick their prey.
Delendir sign is an oak leaf with a beer tank inside. He used the oak leaf from his childhood following the sign of his tutor. Once entered into age and an independent professional, he decided to add the beer tank as a joke. It came from a past history everybody was laughing, himself included, about the day he trapped himself after Sandpoint's butterflies celebration and got unconscious during all night.
Next day he was found laying over her trap, but strongly grasping a beer tank in his hand, totally refusing to let it go even slept.
"Afternoon Ven. My friend here was told you had a certain, ah, problem, and when he informed me about it, I felt that it was only right to come help you with it. Do you mind if we head to the cellar?"
Kiley keeps her tone pleasant and sincere as she talks, hoping to avoid angering Ven, and Shayliss, at least until it was too late for her to do anything.
Here's hoping I'm as clever as I think I am.
The middle-aged man's brow furrows, a look of confusion crossing his face. "Well I appreciate your help, Kiley, you never can get enough help these days." He casts a reproachful glance at his daughter before continuing. "Wait, the cellar? What have you heard about the cellar?" Recognition comes to the man as he looks at Vivi again, followed by even more confusion as he notes the items in the monk's hands.
Meanwhile, Shayliss's creamy pale skin has blanched to white, her jaw clenched as she looks at her father, obviously hoping he will disregard the young woman's request.
"Um, It's not something that should be mentioned in the open, lest rumors get started. Vivi, my friend here, was asked by daughter to help with the problem. I was asking if we could go to the cellar so we three might be able to discuss it without ears that might be attached to flapping gums hearing."
Kiley's unease is not at all feigned. She doesn't want rumors that could ruin Ven to get started, although she did give a mental chuckle at Shayliss's expression.
After a few uncomfortable moments, the man finally nods an assent, turning to Shayliss. "Watch over things a moment, hear?" He proceeds to follow you outside, taking the lead around the side of the building, producing a key from a pocket and unlocking the cellar door. Without further ado, he wanders inside, descending the short flight of steps to the bottom.
In the gloom at the bottom (the sunlight filtering through the open door gives the place dim lighting), Ven turns and asks, "Alright, young man, what's this all about?" Again he looks at the items in Vivi's hands curiously.