Alaric pays the innkeeper, accepts the key and reaches for Mel's hand. His grip is soft, firm, his palm hot. He leads the way to the room, closing and locking the door, then placing the key on a nearby piece of furniture.
Looking over at the shy Melinda, he smiles. "I'm nervous too."
He nods.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Alaric has begun to look a little worried, but he sits down on the bed and closes his eyes.
Shalelu is a natural blonde.
Assuming that he obliges, he feels something move onto the bed in front of him and settle. Mel's voice, nervous yet with an odd note of calm. You gave me a gift, and I had nothing to give you. So I thought, but I couldn't think of anything but this. He feels her take his right hand and carefully place it on her abdomen, which is noticeably not cloth covered. Then his left hand on her collarbone. So that when she speaks again, he can feel the vibration of the sound as it leaves her. Her voice very shaky, I don't know if I can do this, or at least I don't know if I can do this well. I don't... Not when I know people are listening, and with you so close, I don't know if I can make you go away from my mind. So I'm sorry if this is wretched.
She sits up very straight, air expanding lungs, and she plays for him.
It's not the same as playing himself, but it's as close as she can make it without merging. Her song is probably not as good as it could be, because when she finishes long moments later, she apologizes.
** spoiler omitted **
Keeping his eyes shut, Alaric breaks into a dreamy smile at the first notes. He listens raptly, and when the music finishes, he wraps his arms around Mel's body, drawing her into his lap. His eyes still closed, he whispers into the crook of her neck: "That was lovely. Thank you."
"Better than okay. Perfect, in fact." Between soft kisses on her neck: "Do I get to open my eyes now?"
Reluctantly, he lets her move away, leaning back on the bed. "But what?"
Being a turtle, his conversation is primarily concerned with turtle-related matters, such as the available quantity and quality of insects and crustaceans, and whether you happen to have seen any sexy female turtles around.
** spoiler omitted **
Alaric can't help but look a little disappointed at the sight of a clothed Melinda. "How about you come back over here for a little while? See what I can do to convince you that you're a tad overdressed?"
After a pleasant evening and morning spent in Roderic’s Cove, the Caravan once again lurches forward towards the north. The route being taken is little used these days, as most Caravans heading north take the coastal route through Riddleport now, rather than the inland one. Both routes, however, see more traffic than you might expect, even though the tracks eventually lead to the dangerous Nolands and the frozen Lands of the Linnorn Kings. These northern routes, however, also eventually lead to the ancient, far-flung trading route that stretches across the Crown of the World to the far East, and brave, daring, and foolish merchants risk the long and difficult mountain journey in search of the fabulous profits that it can bring.
But the road is still less well-cared for, rutted and bumpy. And this is made worse when, a few after leaving Roderic’s Cove, your luck with the weather finally ends. A furious rainstorm lashes the Caravan, and your pace slows down to a crawl. While you continue forward, travel is difficult as the road quickly turns to mud, and more than once a fallen tree must be removed from your path. The notion of a quick 10-day journey to Brinewall begins to seem like it was extremely optimistic.
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Lio responds in the long dead language, trying to explain her position. "When I was... a slave, terms of respect were insults. I would rather not feel insulted, which is why I am so insistent. However I understand your position and I believe I have a solution. I will need to take a day off from my duties, and I would ask you to do the same."
Hrithik bows deeply to Liothonae, though when he rises, his face bears a big grin. "I just spent today away from my duties, while we were stopped, making the evening's beverage while Kalimac and Attatoq split my scouting duty. I don't want Master Vhiski to think I believe myself too good to actually work for his caravan, so I don't wish to request another day off immediately."
Hrithik continues, "I would be much obliged if you were the one to make the request for our time off. Perhaps a day or three out of Roderic's Cove, after I've had the chance to buy some stores for Chef Rhost to make up for both of us refraining from gathering food for the same day."
"Thank you for your time and consideration," Hrithik says. He hoists and uncaps the flask he had been touching. "All of the Asmodean Fire has been passed out, but I have some less potent libations available if you should wish for refreshment of the evening."
"Enter, if you would dare to seek knowledge of the mysteries of your Future!" Koya intones dramatically from within the wagon.
Hrithik enters the wagon, ever a seeker of knowledge. He greets his Fortune Teller in an old-fashioned, traditional manner, incorporating Desnan iconography. "Bună dimineaţa, Seer Fel. Acest Călător pierdut solicită steaghidul de înţelegere a învrednicit să vă."
Melinda is who Rhost will attempt to follow.
"Good weather for warm soup," Rhost says to whoever is driving the wagon today. "Except fire hates rain."
He places his hands on her hips. "Whether or not you're green all over. My money's on yes, but as a man of reason, I felt it was something I needed to determine with my own eyes."
Myri quickly and efficiently picks up her shopping list and returns to the Caravan.
Can I also add "wood stain" to that list?
diplomacy?:
knowledge local?:
...and another copper of catnip for later. ;)
After returning, Myri briefly wanders around camp to get an idea of who has not decided to spend a majority of their time in town. ... ...
She is actually specifically looking for Ameiko. Though she would also ck on Koya....and pretty much anyone else that is their.
Alaric stands, kissing Mel softly on the mouth. Whispered: "Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to set about finding out."
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Needing no further encouragement, Alaric sets about answering his question.
Suddenly, there is a horrible thumping crash as something heavy thuds into the door to your room from the outside.
Alaric lurches to his feet, doing his best not to spill Mel all over the ground. He looks around for his morningstar. The caravan. Turning to Mel: "Are you armed?"
Kalimac, Rhost has decided to go on a People-Watching expedition where he follows a PC around surreptitiously to see if they are doing anything interesting. Since you were with him in town, you can come along if you like, or not. Please let Rhost and I know. Until you let us know either way, I will mark posts you might or might not also be in on as “Rhost (K)”.
Kalimac is game for this. And since he's shopping, and hence not armored up, his Stealth doesn't suck. (1d20+4)
Rhost has chosen to follow Melinda, who is walking somewhere purposefully, looking both excited and nervous.
You follow Melinda to an Inn called the Duteous Pseudodragon, and watch unobserved from a corner as she waits with a certain nervous intensity. After a time, Alaric enters and greets her. The two talk briefly, then Alaric pays the Innkeeper some money, receives a key, and the two of them slip upstairs to where the rooms are.
Perhaps you might have left at that point, coming to the obvious conclusion (or perhaps you would not have left, coming to the obvious conclusion), but suddenly, you are surprised by the faint sound of beautiful, haunting, unearthly music drifting down the stairs. It is utterly transfixing, and like no music you have heard before – except once, when Melinda was practicing a similar piece in the Caravan. Clearly it is her playing, but the improvement is a thousandfold.
Rhost, at least, makes his way up the stairs to listen more closely. Kalimac can decide whether or not he does as well. Rhost listens until the music stops. Then he pauses, waiting for it, perhaps, to resume.
At which point, leaning towards the door, he trips and falls against it with a thunderous crash.
Alaric accepts the weapon and stands protectively in front of Mel.
Hrithik enters the wagon, ever a seeker of knowledge. He greets his Fortune Teller in an old-fashioned, traditional manner, incorporating Desnan iconography. "Bună dimineaţa, Seer Fel. Acest...
"Oh, it's you," Koya responds cordially from inside the wagon, in Taldane. "Sorry, thought you were another customer. Come on in."
Sheepishly: "Right. One of the many reasons I like you so much." Alaric readjusts to meet the threat side by side.
It is easy to get Ameiko's attention on one of her breaks from playing. She takes the frequently, as she is far from the only performer and they all periodically yield the stage to each other.
"Good weather for warm soup," Rhost says to whoever is driving the wagon today. "Except fire hates rain."
The driver of the wagon you are currently on, is Vankar, the Varisian man you can never recall hearing speak. He nods solemnly at your words, as if you have shared with him the wisdom of the ages.
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"Fair enough. I have some decent wine, thank you though." If he has anything additional to say, she will wait, otherwise, she will take her leave.
Hrithik had nothing further. He retracts and caps his flask, then nods into a respectful bow.
Furthermore ... Hrithik started addressing Lio as aristocracy, suggested high Thassilon ranks as an alternative, and is now not naming her at all rather than lack an honorific. All emphatically not the behavior of someone addressing a peer. "Master Vhiski" and "Chef Rhost" are much more utilitarian by comparison.
Rhost has chosen to follow Melinda, who is walking somewhere purposefully, looking both excited and nervous.
You follow Melinda to an Inn called the Duteous Pseudodragon, and watch unobserved from a corner as she waits with a certain nervous intensity. After a time, Alaric enters and greets her. The two talk briefly, then Alaric pays the Innkeeper some money, receives a key, and the two of them slip upstairs to where the rooms are.
Perhaps you might have left at that point, coming to the obvious conclusion (or perhaps you would not have left, coming to the obvious conclusion), but suddenly, you are surprised by the faint sound of beautiful, haunting, unearthly music drifting down the stairs. It is utterly transfixing, and like no music you have heard before – except once, when Melinda was practicing a similar piece in the Caravan. Clearly it is her playing, but the improvement is a thousandfold.
Rhost, at least, makes his way up the stairs to listen more closely. Kalimac can decide whether or not he does as well. Rhost listens until the music stops. Then he pauses, waiting for it, perhaps, to resume.
At which point, leaning towards the door, he trips and falls against it with a thunderous crash.
Kalimac is as much a fan of beautiful, haunting, unearthly music as anyone, and so would also try to get closer for a better listen. Being aware of the half-elf's obvious ungainliness, Kalimac will be trying for a perch somewhat away from Rhost (in case Rhost trips and falls on Kalimac).
And after Rhost does trip and fall against the door, Kalimac will be attempting to hide and not be caught with him.
Stealth:
Myri does approach Ameiko at one of her breaks, she is still a little subdued, "Hi Aunty, I...I feel so out of place here. I've always been able to help you out with the orders and tables...and...and now, I don't even know what to do. Is there any way I can help out?
She looks around to see if the two drivers are here too.
Perception:
and if there is anything she might be able to help out with.
Perform(Dance):