I am trying to pick up Sleight of Hand and no trait that gives it fits. Closest is antiquities-smuggler I have her sneaking away from her tribe regular to explore ruins and bringing back trinkets, also digging through some peoples belongings, would this trait work. Smuggling to avoid getting into trouble not to sell.
Thought so. I need it for the backstory. Crossing that many mils in the desert alone would be difficult. Most of my funds are eaten up though.
ok this is the fluffy bits. Waiting on a reply for the trait and finishing the gear so the crunchy bits will be a little longer. Her curse will be the Lame one, hehe bad pun. So I can change things if something wont fit.
A quick minded and quick fingered girl Deseri was a menace to her tribe. Constantly wondering off to explore some new wonder wither it was a ancient temple, a pretty lizard that needed to be followed, or someone else's belongings. Prone to night terrors and an over active imagination Deseri has been a problem for her parents since she born.
Deseri is a patience and kind woman. While inclined towards mischief she is also capable of great compassion. Willing to tend to the sick, distracting poisonous snakes and getting bit herself, or spend hours entertains children. She loves children though and watching many of the tribes young is the only way to guarantee her location.
It was this calmness with children that her parents figured out how to tame Deseri. She was to marry Osa, a much older warrior of the tribe. Having already buried one wife due to labor complications Deseri was reluctant and tried to argue the point with her parents who ignored her pleas. Only a two days before she was to wed Croka Deseri's mind was assaulted by visions. The oasis the tribe was heading to was going to be attacked by Susurex the Crystal King, a blue Dragon who rules the Glazen Sheets with his Yerbira slaves. When she brought her fears to her family they dismissed it as another of her nightmares and fear of her bridal bed.
The visions kept assailing her mind growing more and more frequent and increasingly confusing. She spent a day like this growing more and more confused and fearful. Her parents kept her in the tent for much of the day claiming she was ill. In her panicked state Deseri set fire to the tent and in the panic she stole a horse and fled. While trying to keep a grip on the beast and flee the fire another horse in a panic kicked and landed a solid blow on Deseri's left leg, breaking bone. Luck or the visions gifted her with a horse packed with supplies. She raced into the desert. For weeks she traveled tormented by pain in her leg and visions of past and future events that make little sense. The bone mended but she has a slight limp on the left side now.
Despite the damage to her mind the visions and wondering the desert have done Deseri has retained much of who she is. Still prone to mischief, though with a little more caution now. She still cares for people and is ruled by her curiosity and heart. Though the visions have left a little disconnected from the world and she is prone absentmindedness and she gets confused fairly easily. With the visions her sense of self and time are distorted.
Until this point Deseri appeared human but with the awakening of her Divine abilities her Divine heritage crawled out as well. She did not notice any the changes for weeks as she was more focused in her mending leg, survival, and maintaining control of her mind. The Changes to her are that in the moonlight her pale hair has taken on a golden hue which with a strong breeze resembles fire, her ears has developed a slight point, her body temperature has risen, and her once blue eyes have changed to a fiery orange. I was an strong pull much like the one that made Deseri flee her tribe that lead her across the Desert, to the city of Wati, and through the doors of the Tooth & Hookah.
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Thought so. I need it for the backstory. Crossing that many mils in the desert alone would be difficult. Most of my funds are eaten up though.
Maybe you sold it upon arrival in Wati which translated to some of your starting money. Or if you wanted more drama, it could have carried you within sight of the town before dying of exhaustion. The former would allow for the option of getting your old friend back someday though.
Also, now that your characters seem to be shaping up, I wouldn't mind seeing some of that tavern RP that was starting up a few days back.
Woot I can sleight of hand stuff! I has the skills!
She would be disinclined to sell the horse but I doubt she afford to could feed it currently. If she sells the poor beast She will try to get it back, Divination for the win! I will see if the group tries to convince her to sell the horse.
If some one can at least tell me the kind of suits of cards and if there were any 'rules' like the swapping seats. Then I will do things I think might be amusing. and finding a image I even kind of liked was hard and I still do not like this one.
I think I found Deseri's THEME song...:)
Seriously, I suspect a camel would be more useful, but if Deseri is attached to the horse I see no reason to sell it. When she joins the party we could also chip in for stabling and feed for it.
Camel costs 150gp and my starting gold is 140 and the song is ridiculous. And now this horse has no names and I will sing this later.
I'm not quite happy with Deseri's avatar either, DAA. I think that the reason why is there isn't much facial expression there for me to look at. I like avatars that express some kind of emotion...
As for the card game, I was imagining a normal deck of cards with a ridiculously complicated and ever-growing set of rules that we could make up as we go on.
And yes, there would have to be a five player version!
PS There is exactly one other member of the party that currently knows that Harmose is an aristocrat and that's Aleris. Now I'm sure that some of this can be inferred, but he doesn't introduce himself as Sirdar often within earshot of the Discoveries Unlimited group...
Well there is the impressive bosom ;)
this one would work if the skin was darker. I need dark skinned strawberry blond with a zoned out look
*Deseri definitely has Turel's undivided attention!*
Ohhh that avatar is much better, Deseri!
That one gets my vote!
Oh dang...
I failed my guy-simulation here, didn't I?
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Harmose stares at Deseri's bosom... "You have... amazing... eyes."
Then Harmose looks up at the pale-skinned stormy sylph headed his way. "Aleris... Wait a minute! I can explain..."
__________________________
That better, DAA?
BTW, regarding the new avatar: thumbs up!
Its fine no one wants the boobs. I can be more than my boobs... and small fail but I do not judge. Though that is why I tend towards the female PC. The pervy seize life by the mug barbarian will have to wait for another time.
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Deseri cocks her head to the side and looks confused as Harmose seems to panic. She shakes her head and smiles Thank you!
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Once Turel settles into his new seat, he looks over his hand once again. Not being familiar with the symbols on the cards, Aleris' announcement of the next rule of this card 'game' brings a nonplussed look on his face...until he noticed the unmistakable symbol of the...
"Jester you said, Aleris?" He turns to look at her, a sinking feeling in his heart. Now I must sing a song here?? Aleris...I hope you are truly enjoying this...
He reluctantly places the jester on the table and slowly rises to his feet. Glancing once again at the sylph with a meaningful look in his eye, he starts to tap his hand against his thigh, striking a slow measured beat. His voice follows after a moment...
"On the first part of my journey I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and and many amazing things
More than just sand and hills and rings.
The first thing I met was a scorpion with a sting...and the sky with no clouds.
The heat was hot and the ground was dry, but the air was full of sound."
After the first verse is over, he turns to look at Aleris, an amused look on his face. "Is this sufficient to make the King happy?"
Deseri giggles as Turel finishes his impromptu song I do not understand what could be bad about the city people, they are wildly amusing
Even in the shade the heat is oppressive.
Not for the first time, Tam curses his thick, northern blood, not at all suited for this climate. The big man is dressed in a simple pair of thin cotton trousers and sandals. His torso is bare, save for the thick carpet of reddish hair that covers his chest and the multitude of scars that criss-cross his skin like trade routes across a desert map.
For the last week he has taken to sleeping beneath the canopy that stretches out over the rear of a small tavern in the centre of the city. He has tried to make himself useful during that time by moving barrels for the owner and making some minor repairs here and there. Tam had always been good with his hands, a legacy of his time on the farm he supposed, where if he didn't fix the fences when the frosts warped the wood - who else would do it for him?
Despite the help he had provided, he could tell the mask and his scars bothered the owner. That didn't surprise him, they bothered everyone, and the image of a man who stands usually at least a head above those around him and almost half again as broad who wore a leather and steel mask... well he could see why people were intimidated. But if they saw what was beneath... they would soon ask him to replace it.
A boy named Isa had been his companion for most of the past week, sharing with Tam what small amounts of fruit and bread he had been able to beg or, more likely, steal. Tam had warned him against that, telling him that thieves were likely to find themselves short a hand if they were caught, but the boy simply grinned with rotting teeth and told him that I don't get caught, Mr Tam. In return, Tam had offered protection from some of the other street-dwellers who thought they could take advantage of the small boy. In truth, all he really had to do was stand nearby and sort of... loom. That had been enough for now.
But still, this heat...
Stay here, Isa. I'm going to see if the tavern owner will spare us some water, that camel over there almost took a chunk out of me the last time I tried to drink from his trough. Watch my stuff. But don't touch the axe. he says sternly, though not unkindly.
He strides into the tavern, noticing again how the dust that permeates everything in this country floats in the air and the beams of light that shine in through the shutters make them dance like fireflies. He could appreciate the beauty in it... if it weren't so damned hot.
Sir. he says. His accent is still strong and foreign, even muffled beneath the mask. I was hoping I could trouble you for some water, just a mug would do.
The barkeep looks unsure and Tam can feel the weight of several pairs of eyes on him. That was ok, that happened fairly often too. Eventually the man relents and puts up a small clay mug of water.
My thanks.
The only ones who don't seem to watch him as he enters, are a group sitting playing cards and laughing on a table in one corner. They are an eclectic group, though well-armed. He takes them for adventurers or tomb-raiders. He hoped it would be the latter because for a while now he had considered entering the lottery, believing that whatever riches lay behind the crumbling walls of the Necropolois could help him and the kids like Isa to no end. The only problem was, which group would accept a vagrant like he?
For now, he just stands at the bar, occasionally very slightly raising his mask to take a sip of water.
"Harmose, where did you learn about this game? It's ridiculous!" she laughs.
"My best friend in town, Meehr Zet, has this as her favorite party game. She loves ridiculous things, and this game can tolerate multiple players. It's great as an ice breaker -- not that most Osirions know much about ice."
As Turel finishes up his song, Harmose claps.
"You know, we should get a fifth! This game gets even wackier in the five person version! If you'll excuse me.... ladies, Turel?" He gives a courtly bow, and looks for a likely fifth player.
The only person he sees not with a group is a man in a mask. Harmose pauses a moment. He looks like a vagrant.
For shame, Harmose. You know more than anyone that the souls of the poor shine as bright as those of the privileged. You've seen the souls of others. What can outer tappings be but meaningless? The world has enough divisions in it without channeling your mother's snobbery.
And more than looking like a vagrant, this man looks hungry.
Resolutely, he says to the man at the bar, "Sir, may I trouble you to have you join our group of cards? I already offered a bowl of soup and some iced coffee as payment to that young lady over there for joining our game." Harmose points to Desi. "I'd be more than happy to extend the same terms to you, if you'll let me."
He reaches out to shake the man's hand. "I'm Harmose Al-Nefer, with the group, Discoveries Unlimited. What may I call you?"
Sir, may I trouble you to have you join our group of cards? I already offered a bowl of soup and some iced coffee as payment to that young lady over there for joining our game.
The big man takes the offered hand in his owned over-sized, paler-skinned mit.
A nobleman. His clothes look like they cost more than everything I own.
Tamhas Morganach. he says in reply, seeing the slight furrow in the man's brow. It is a foreign name, sometimes difficult for people to pronounce. Just call me Tam.
As for your offer, I have nothing with which to wager and it doesn't look like any card game I've ever played, there's not enough ale on the table for a start.
Despite his protests, the rumble of his stomach belies the fact that he is hungry and soup sounds better than part-rotten fruit.
You are with the group Discoveries Unlimited? Does that mean you can explore yonder Necropolis?
"Tam?" Harmose repeats. "I'm very pleased to meet you."
As for the man's comment about ale, Harmose laughs. "One of my teammates prefers ale too, though only Horus knows when we'll see Camus again. I think he may have shacked up with this girl in town that he knows."
"Sorry, I'm rambling. If you would prefer an ale to an iced coffee, I'd be more than happy to order that instead for you." He calls to the proprietor. "Farhaan! Another bowl of your lemon-lentil soup and an ale for this gentleman."
"Yes, we're exploring the Necropolis, but we'll need to potentially recruit some new members first, and that will take time."
Then Harmose grins. "Don't worry about the stakes. We're playing for dried lentils. This is a game for fun, not money. And don't worry about the rules. Everyone at the table is just learning, too. Everyone, this is Tam. Introduce yourselves to him while I deal him in."
Harmose shuffles the cards, and says to the general groans of the entire table, "Now, in the five person game, it gets a bit more complicated... Everyone, pass a card to the left, and say a few words about someone you care about to the person on your right."
Trying to stay in Aleris's good graces, Harmose hastily pulls up a fifth chair between him and Desi, and offers it to Tam.
Turel rises to his feet and gives the newcomer a bow, while appraising the newcomer closely. He is not from this area, yet that is not unusual with the lottery drawing people all over. Yet something of his manners speak of a different purpose for his arrival...
"I am Turel of the clan Discoveries United. It is an honor to meet you."
He then sits back down and glances at Aleris, who is to his right. He starts to say something, then stops suddenly. I...I know not what to say to her...
Hrrrmmm... Tamhas grumbles but does not complain.
He allows himself to be led to the table and, though imperceptible beneath the mask, grits his teeth.
As the seat is pulled out between the noble and a dusky young woman. He runs his eye over the others and nods in greeting to the tribesman. Tam had met a few of his kind, the sort of wandering wisemen of the desert, devout to what the people here called the 'Old Gods.' Old or new, the Gods of this region were odd, animal deities and Tam had never understood them.
The tribesman was lean and wiry, likely swift and economic with movement. Tam had met several in the Pits and some were as deadly as any spear-wielding phalanx soldier. He shook his head as if to remind himself to stop eyeing these people up and trying to evaluate their prowess. Old habits die hard but if nothing else it was rude and he wanted to make a good impression here.
Well met, Turel. I'm Tamhas. Tam, if ye like. It's good to meet you all.
Tam is suddenly acutely aware that his toplessness was probably an offence to some of the denizens of the tavern, especially with the scars so visible against his tanning, though still pale skin. That was not to mention the smell of stale sweat that he was no doubt exuding at that very moment.
The food and ale appears in front of him but despite the temptation, he does not immediately wolf into it. He would have to raise his mask only slightly and sip at it.
He takes up a hand of cards dealt to him and, with no idea what to do with them, awaits someone else taking their turn. In the meantime, he says:
So are ye all Discoveries Unlimited? How long have you delved together, were you hear for last year's lottery? I missed it, I was... ummm.... doing other work.
Deseri watches the foreign man get situated with curiosity. Well he is odd looking, so pale? Does he only fight at night? If he can see as well as I can that would be a good thing. The city brings all.. And oh dear I have to say something nice to the warrior next to me. But first to buy sometime.
With a happy smile on her face Deseri speaks to the oddly pale man I am Deseri and currently cl... She shakes her head. I am new in town and what is a lottery? Oh and my nice thing.. umm.. Turel you have a very unique clan name. It is odd and would stand out in time. The happy smile is back in place as she looks at all the people at the table waiting for an answer, a complement, or the strange game to start.
Harmose grins appreciation at Aleris and passes her a pair of hearts.
Then he turns to his right, and says to Tam, "My whole team has become special to me in just a few days. Turel here is the brother I never had. And Miss Aleris -- well, let's say she's my favorite dance partner."
To Desi he says, "All the teams looking to explore sites were assigned those sites in a random drawing, or lottery. Only our team is stuck now because Regina left us mysteriously, Tuneya has to go to Sothis because she got a letter from her wife, and Camus... I think I already mentioned that he found his childhood sweetheart again while working in Wati."
Oh right the cards. Without looking at the cards in her hand Deseri gives Tam a card.
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As Deseri deals a card to the masked man Turel replies to the newcomer s, "Tamhas...or Tam. Very well, Tam. I shall call you by that name." He turns his attention to the petite woman, "Deseri, an unusual name. As for my own, it is considered more a title, one name granted to me upon my passage to adulthood. I was prepared to assume my duties as tribal defender, before...fate intervened." He looks down for a moment, a shadow passing over his eyes. "I now have a NEW clan, Deseri...my Brother and Sister." He finishes, indicating Harmose and Aleris.
Tamhas reaches down and takes a card, sliding it carefully from the table so as not to crease the delicate card - more like stiffened papyrus - with his thick fingers.
It was a Prince of Roses, his handsome face beaming out from a field of flowers.
Figures.
He looks across to Harmose though his face is implacable behind the mask.
And I say something kind about someone I know to the next person? Strange game. Where I am from, dice is the game of choice in taverns like this. he grumbles. Well... I recently met a boy named Isa. He's a street child. No home. No parents. I think his father left his mother when he was small and she died of an infection earlier this year. A lot of the time he steals to eat but eventhough he has nothing he shared some bread with me a week ago. I've been helping him out since then. He's a good boy. A few of the children out there are like that. They just see someone who needs help. I don't think the world has got to them yet... he adds cryptically.
<Ahem!> Anyway. Isa, he's the kindest boy I've met.
Satisfied that he has taken his turn, he replies to the question asked by the pale-skinned woman.
I have never delved. As you can tell I am not from this land so the lottery is something new to me. I earned my keep as a soldier and a farmer before I... came... to this land.
A look of embarrassment over comes Deseri and her cheeks darken. Oh dear I seem to have misunderstood the rules. I was to tell Turel someone dear to me, not complement him? Should I do that now?
Harmose's hand stills over his cards as he hears Tam speak of Isa.
A street child? And this man, surely a street person himself?
Harmose pauses, and says gently, "This Isa sounds very special indeed. Tell me, is he nearby? If so... I can buy him as much soup as he can eat tonight -- and yes, I know how growing boys eat. He shouldn't have to steal his meals. I don't have much, but I have enough for that. If you'd like to bring him here, I'll talk with Farhaan and clear it. I can be very persuasive."
Harmose gets up to talk with Farhaan. "Go. Unless you need to eat first, to steady yourself? Our game will can keep going as a four person version until you come back."
To Deseri, he nods. "Yes, please do. I'll be back in a minute."
To Farhaan, he says, "I've invited the man in the mask to bring his little boy in. I think they are both very hungry. If needed, I can clean them up so they won't offend your other clientele." To make his point, Harmose prestidigitates a bar spill right off the countertop of Farhaan's bar. Then he grins, "Of course, this is the same clientele that all cheered when Camus did his strip tease... so maybe they can put up with my guests?"
He lays a tip down, and pays for Isa's meal in advance, plus extra bread for the table.
He returns to the group. "Anytime any one joins or leaves the game, we have to prepare the cannons to fire in their honor."
Harmose fishes out a ten of spades. "Now we go in order. If Aleris has a nine, she plays it. If not she'll have to forfeit and blow a kiss to someone at the table -- and pay a lentil into the pot. If she forfeits, the next person has to play a nine. Then we go through eight, seven, etc. until we play the Ace, at which point, we all jump up and say 'Booom!' Got it?"
Deseri watches Harmose simply command people and clearly expect the to obey. I suppose he would be the leader of this clan, though he is a slight man. And the city is truly a hurried place if that Tam speaks the truth on how children are cared for.
Deseri shifts to look at Telus, My people name their children and themselves from the world around us. Deseri is for the Desert. For kind words about someone I knew I will pick a man I once knew who was always kind to me, Dune. Can you guess what he was named for? His parents where dull people and he died before he could earn a better name. Dune was the man who taught me to catch lizards when I was a child and how to handle a horse. He had a almost magical skill with horses but he hated camels. He died in a sand storm... Is that sufficient?
Tam bristles as Harmose rises to buy him and Isa the first proper meal he has had in days.
Sir, I appreciate the sentiment. Isa begs because he has no other option. But I have always earned my keep and been capable at doing it and in truth have longed for better days for myself and all the boys like Isa. But my throat can no longer make such empty noise as those words that talk of better days. It is choked with dust and sentiment of spite that I dare not spit at those passers by who see us and yet look through us.
I did not approach you for charity, sir. But to seek employment in your group, for me and the children who have been so kind.
He draws himself up from the table to his full height, standing well above the others. His body, though lacking sustenance is hard and lean and broad still.
I earned every one of these scars and more besides fighting in the Witch-Queen's war, against her Giants and Trolls in the frozen north and later in the Arena, wetting it's sand with tears of my own blood for the glory of 'better' men. But now I look to fight for myself, and put to use those skills I honed for better purpose than to line other men's pockets.
Harmose looks up at Tam, coolly assessing him. The sorcerer is all of 5'6, but he stands with confidence.
"We have need of a warrior. You seek employment? Very well. Consider this not as charity, but as your employment interview with a very eccentric employer who likes to see his employees and their families well-fed and well-clothed before they start their work. Bring in your child, and we'll talk further of our company and what we need."
Very well.
He exits the tavern, returning moments later with a small boy and a large sack over his shoulder that clangs as he walks, a long axe held in one hand.
Tam pushes the shy boy slightly ahead of him.
It's alright, Isa. Don't let shyness steal your voice.
Ummm... hello... everyone. the boy says.
Harmose goes down on one knee to greet Isa. "Welcome to my table, Isa. I'm Harmose." Very quietly, pitched so that only Tam and the boy can hear, "Tam tells me that you have clever hands, and have used your skills to keep both yourself and him fed on many nights. Well tonight, Tam has arranged for your meal. He's applying for a job with my team, and if I'm going to get him, I need to make him happy with me."
Harmose says quietly, "Now there's one thing you need to promise me, Isa. You cannot steal while in here. Understand? I've given my word to Farhaan that you will be good, and if you aren't, Farhaan will never serve me his lemon-lentil soup again. And that lemon-lentil soup is the BEST in all of Wati."
Once the boy is seated and eating, Harmose says to Tam, "So you have no experience with dungeon-delving. None of the rest of us did when we started. But you'll do me no good if you don't eat." Harmose pauses, and pushes the bowl of soup towards Tam. "It's gotten cold. I can reheat it, if you wish?"
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No it is fine as it is, thank you, in this weather anything cool is a blessing. Is, heed the man's words now. Tam replies, sternly.
He puts his sack down with a loud clang and leans his bardiche against the wall. Reaching in to the sack he withdraws a relatively clean white shirt before retaking his seat and tackling the soup once more.
Rather than use a spoon, he lifts the bowl in one hand and between sips, tilts his mask ever so slightly to drink.
No I have never delved a dungeon. What dangers have you faced there so far? I hear people gossiping occasionally about what the lottery winners find in the tomb, mummies and ghouls and such though I would have no idea how to tell one from the other. Is, eat slower boy, your stomach isn't used to it, you'll cramp.
The boy grins at Tam flashing a smile of missing teeth and tears a chunk of bread regardless.
Grrrmm... Tam growls in frustration. Still, I am hale and hardy and possessed of the strength of my people. I feel I would serve the company well.
Harmose smiles at Isa. "How old are you?" The child looks no more than seven... but if he hasn't been eating, he could be a lot older.
Turning back to Tam, he says, softly, "I hate the heat as well. Turel taught me though that drinking cold water -- lots of it -- helps. If you'd like I can get you some water to go with that ale. I can even ice it, if you want."
"As for dangers..." Harmose raises his eyebrows. "It's run the gamut for us. There is a giant pit a block from our site filled with smacking lips. We don't know what it is there for, and we'd really rather not find out."
"Other troubles we've encountered... traps. There's something about us Osirions and our tombs. My ancestors loved their traps, the nastier the better. It's a national flaw, I think. We've also encountered scorpions, giant bugs, and creepy animated dolls with tiny spears. One thing you can say, there's been variety."
Deseri shifts to look at Turel, My people name their children and themselves from the world around us. Deseri is for the Desert. For kind words about someone I knew I will pick a man I once knew who was always kind to me, Dune. Can you guess what he was named for? His parents where dull people and he died before he could earn a better name. Dune was the man who taught me to catch lizards when I was a child and how to handle a horse. He had a almost magical skill with horses but he hated camels. He died in a sand storm... Is that sufficient?
Turel nods in acknowledgement of her story. "I would say he did impart some useful knowledge to you before the desert claimed him for its own. Finding and trapping lizards before they bury themselves in the sand is quite a challenge." He chuckles softly to himself, as he remembers a fond childhood memory. "Be fortunate, Deseri, you were not required to hunt desert scorpions for sustenance. They have a STING to them!"
"How old are you?"
Isa stops eating, the spoon hovering between the bowl and his open mouth. He looks over at Tam as if seeking reassurance. Even with the mask he seems to be able to read the big man who currently just shrugs.
Ummm... I don't know sir. he replies honestly. I had a big brother when I was really small. But I don't really remember him now.
Aye, but now you've got me for a big brother, lad!
Tam says with a deep voice. GRRRR! he growls, flexing one of his big arms to which Isa falls about laughing. Tam chuckles beneath his mask
He turns to the woman ostensibly known as Desi then;
Are you new to this group as well m'lady?