A polite smile in return, controlled but calm, "It is very rare for a production to headline a tiefling," tone matter of fact, "have you done many productions prior to the Six Trials?"
A pause, "I've always found that Haatherthan's 'deal with the demons' to be a cheap means of painting him as the villain of the piece. What do you think?" A pause, a look of curiosity on her face. "That role was performed by Thesing Umbero Ulvauno, wasn't it? He was invited." This last almost casually, as if she is filing the information to be looked into later.
Rev smiles at the woman, he's all charm and snake oil. "I'm surprised Thesing isn't here. He's such a talented actor. Quite an inspiration and what an example he sets." Rev tells her very seriously. "The Six Trials was certainly the largest production I've ever been in. I have to admit," He leans over to her in a co-conspiratorial manner, "I enjoy seeing a Tiefling in the hero's spot. I mean, sure I enjoy being a villain as much as the next actor, but I'd hate to be typecast, and I find having the real villain make such chaotic choices, as quite enjoyable. And Thesing was so convincing!"
After a short (or painfully long) time the gong sounds for the next course and the guest file back to the table. The seating rather fluid which allows for interested parties to stay close to the what has interested them.
This course consists of roast peacock, thick broth with salty strips of worg flank, fresh chuul soup served with Chelish black bread, and a roast dire boar of such size that it takes 12 bearers to bring it into the Garden.
Rev makes an effort to continue to sit next to Janiven. "What do you think?" He asks her, about the food, once she's tried some.
General Vourne, stiff and formal, rises. "Lord-Mayor. I did want to give you the courtesy of staying until all of your honored guests had arrived. However, I do need to return to my ship for we are sailing back up to Egorian in the morning." The thin smile is cruel, almost mocking, "Perhaps the next time you want to invite your actors, you should ensure that one of the leads isn't too busy getting drunk in a gutter to attend."
Then, with an absolutely formal bow, the man leaves.
As the military man leaves the house, there is a lightening of the mood. The mayor, rather than being offended, smiles, claps his hands and has the staff bring around more wine for the guest to drink as the table is cleared for the next course.
Rev casually says something quietly to Janiven.
"You know, I think I almost like the General. He's got panache. I bet he'd be quite interesting to talk to."
Arael
With a shrug, "How about this, bring me any of the unbiased people who were in the room - Gravlax, Cassian, Melilot - and if they agree with you, I will re-evaluate my actions."The half-elf bows to Fiosa, "But until then, I wish you both a good evening."
Fiosa - dress
Fiosa listens seriously, face set in kind lines. Then finally, "Other than rubbing people the wrong way occasionally which is probably a matter of approaching a situation from diametrically opposed viewpoints, you are a nice and likable person." A pause, cautious, "And if you are changing, growing, becoming a better version of yourself, maybe it is she that needs to change as well."
"Just because Ailyn and I are friends, does not mean I can't separate personal bias from truth. But it's becoming clear that you don't actually care about the truth as it is, only as you think it is." Rev replies. "Everyone has some bias Arael. It's doing the right thing even thought you're flawed that makes someone a good man. I'm not the only one who needs to work on that." He opens the door for the halfling, while looking meaningfully at Arael.
"I don't know Fi." Perhaps he's become a broken record. He takes a breath, seems to be working through his feelings. Trusting Fiosa to be a sounding board, or to listen, or perhaps to be his conscience. "I just don't think she sees me the way I see her. I... pulled her into a kiss once. And... for a moment she kissed me back." His tone indicating that this didn't end well. "I think about that moment constantly. And I keep trying to forget her. But... I can't." A small sigh. "I must be insane. Maybe Melilot is right. There's something wrong with me." He sits down on one of the kitchen chairs, but he's still taller than the halfling.
Antonio nods, and speaks quietly. He looks closely at the fruit, then shakes his head.
Antonio attempts a snake. That is to say, he gets as far as lifting it from his plate, and when it writhes, he drops it. He tries with another snake, to the same result. He shrugs, laughs, and says, "These must be good spirits -- I could swear these sausages are moving."
Her eyes steal in the direction of the flames, not quite able to look at him, softly, "...it's really expensive. Would have been really wasteful if I hadn't been poisoned."
"I thought it might have been something like that," Gravlax says. He steps up to Mathalen, hesitates, then touches her cheek briefly. "Please believe me when I say that even if the snake never touched you, it was worth it. It was a worry off my mind."
"Wish one, granted," Gravlax says. "And for wish two?" He gets to his feet. "I grabbed one marble too many," he admits. "But I'm sure I can think of something."
Shortly after the mayor ensures that none of his prized showpiece guests are trying to disappear from the main hall and embarrass him, the gong sounds for the fifth course.
At each seat a there is a covered dish and, once everyone is seated, the skeleton-disguised servants lift the lids, revealing tiny whole snakes. All of a sudden one of the snakes on Rev's plate moves, it small body writhing around that of another snake's which tries to move away. Near the head of the table, one of the woman picks up a tiny serpent, popping the still moving creature into her mouth.
This last course is accompanied by a quantity of exotic tobaccos and potent liquors. The guests, many of whom had already lost their wits, lose what little decorum they had remaining. There are inappropriate public displays of affection, both for those similarly inebriated, and towards those who have stayed more sober.
Delour is a groper. So is the Lord-Mayor.
Anyone attempting to touch Cassian gets robbed. Anyone trying to touch Calseinica gets a fork shoved through their sleeve and into the table, pinning it in place.
Cassian glances at the snakes in annoyance. He and his monkey share a despairing look and a sad shake of the head.
"Nervous you'll lose me?" Cassian chuckles. "Well, that's good to know, I suppose." He pushes his chair back, dabbing at his face with a napkin and downing another mouthful of wine. He pats his lap. "Come here, jewel."
Cassian colors a bit. "Her, yes... and Janiven as well."
Gravlax grins back. "Youthful priorities," he says. "That would have been a sight to see -- although perhaps not from your perspective."
Gravlax settles back on his stool. "So," he prompts. "All hell."
Rev laughs. "It could have been worse, at least hell is predictable." He adds.
"Well, to make a short story longer, pretty much everyone was shouting, the fat priest squeezed in front to get at me, the attractive if pale girl at the altar winked at me, and before I could get away, I got clocked a good one. I'm not even sure which of them hit me, but was out for a good five minutes, so I'd like to think it was the angry husband, because being given a shiner by a fat priest is just undignified." He grins, mischief in his gaze. "I suppose I could have hexed one of them, but my giant ego thought I could handle the situation on my own. And I had been so sure it was going to be predictable."
"So, the crowd pretty much got ushered out. The angry old guy went home to his wife, after kicking me in the ribs a few times. I found the marble floor was very cool and comfortable. And then the fat priest gave me the hairy eyeball and got ready to throw me out of the temple." He takes a breath, a drink, and then continues, leaving the flask on the table for Gravlax to refill his drink at will. "I think if he never saw me again, he would have been a happy man." A grin.
"But Pharasma saw me. And... well, she came calling." He says quietly. His voice almost low enough now that anyone further away than Gravlax has to strain to listen.
"She... filled me with power. I had never prayed to her, gone to church, or even really thought about her until that very moment. But she had known me all of my life. Everything I had ever done, said, even thought... she knew. And she let me know that she knew. And it didn't bother her that I was the spawn of evil, and far from good myself. She saw me. Really saw me. Defiant to the end, stubborn, flawed unashamed me." He explains further, perhaps muddling things, but certainly offering an insight into his psyche.
"And for the first time in my life, I was home. She made me into her vessel, but she didn't empty me of the power I already held, or got rid of who I was, she just... somehow made me more. Added to me, and filled me. You'll probably think the comparison inane... but... it's like being in love. You don't understand what it's like, unless you experience it. It was both perfect and flawed, it was too much, yet not more than I could take. It is not infatuation, but rather, something deeper, so deep it is to this day, both an ache and a raging fire. ...I know priests who have prayed all their lives for Pharasma to give them an ounce of the power she handed to me. And I had never prayed a day in my life. I didn't see the point in begging for power, because that's what prayer was to me. Begging. And I was too proud for that. And that moment, I knew I could never live without her, and I hated her for it. She took me for her own, when all I wanted was to be my own man. I both despised her and loved her. And she knew that about me, she knew everything. She accepted me anyway." The last few words said with almost disbelief.
"She saw my future. And she challenged me to change it..." An almost imperceptible change in tone, like maybe he's recently discovered that he's disappointed in himself but hasn't quite finished working out how to be a better man yet, "And I've been failing her ever since."
As Amaya starts to get up, the mayor comes over, a smile, his voice dripping with sympathy. "I know it may be a little late, but I would hate to start any course without my special guests."
"I don't suppose I can get you to reconsider?"
Azhar seems somewhat surprised, brow slightly furrowed. "Oh. Uh, but of course." he sits back down with a small shrug to Amaya. Apparently, not expecting to have been dissuaded from leaving, but willing to sit through a little more since their host obviously desired it...for some reason he is not entirely sure of.
Fiosa moves out the door, a small wave to the half-elf along with a mouthed 'thank you.' Arael, for his part, listens to Rev and when the pair does make their exit starts to move back down the hallway to his small monastic cell.
Outside, Fiosa looks up at Rev, "Well... At least your body feels better, right?"
She looks apologetic for a moment, softly, "I can't really tell you about how Sasha feels, I don't know her and I only have your view of what happened, which is never enough to give decent advice."
She puts a small hand on his knee when he sits, "And maybe you are insane. That's okay. Embrace the parts of your insanity that you like about yourself and work to rid yourself of the parts you don't. And Melilot is not a good judge of when there is something wrong with someone or not. She tends towards sensitive on subjects of.." She cuts herself off with a wince, realizing she was very close to betraying confidences, something she will not do.
Otherwise, why would Rev trust to talk to her.
Her eyes catch his, a little smile growing on her lips, "I recommend saving the wish you know you want for last. That way if the one that you need to make up on the spot isn't as... satisfying as you thought, you still have something to look forward to."
A pause. "And for the record, I could come up with three wishes, if I had to."
She slides onto his lap sideways, her arms going around his neck. Her skin smells softly of her perfumed oil. A serious look in her eye, her voice quiet, "You should always know what gives life value and treasure it, because it can be taken away at any time."
Her brown eyes are far away for just a moment as she looks up at him, until she swallows, mentally burying the memory the words sparked, once again fully in the here and now with him. She moves slightly in his lap, "I came. Now how can I serve?" A playful smile on her lips.
That does surprise her, as her eyes grow a bit larger and she stops eating. "Janiven?" She looks at him, "But I like Janiven. You always end up hurting the ones..." her words fade off, "Except Janiven is tough." She goes back to mulling, thinking about her brother's love life probably in far more detail than she normally needs to.
Finally a comment, a deflection while she tries to decide if she should be happy Cassian is dating someone she likes or upset for the same reason, "Last time you had two women at once, the idiot one thought I was the 'other' woman. She was not pleasant."
Gozran 13/Arael and Fiosa
Fiosa moves out the door, a small wave to the half-elf along with a mouthed 'thank you.' Arael, for his part, listens to Rev and when the pair does make their exit starts to move back down the hallway to his small monastic cell.Outside, Fiosa looks up at Rev, "Well... At least your body feels better, right?"
Fiosa Dress
She looks apologetic for a moment, softly, "I can't really tell you about how Sasha feels, I don't know her and I only have your view of what happened, which is never enough to give decent advice."She puts a small hand on his knee when he sits, "And maybe you are insane. That's okay. Embrace the parts of your insanity that you like about yourself and work to rid yourself of the parts you don't. And Melilot is not a good judge of when there is something wrong with someone or not. She tends towards sensitive on subjects of.." She cuts herself off with a wince, realizing she was very close to betraying confidences, something she will not do.
Otherwise, why would Rev trust to talk to her.
"Thank you for restoring me to health." Rev says to Arael on the way out.
To Fiosa, a moment after she speaks to him, he nods. "Yep. Almost might have been less painful to just suffer though." He grins at the halfling. "Let me walk you home before it gets too late."
"Backstage, Melilot went off on me about how I was unstable, dangerous, insane, and so on and so forth. How I shouldn't be a member of our group. I refused to quit. And then she got into how she'd rather die at the enemy's hand than chance my power slightly injuring her. So then I called her sugar-lips. That really pissed her off even more. Not sure why, it's not even an insult." He shrugs. "And so she turned up the volume on her little torq and then she hurled profanities at me. And then stormed out. And that's been the bulk of my interaction with Melilot."
"Not that I'm one to talk, but you're terrible at relationship and interpersonal advice." He confides to Fiosa. His tone is kind. Then turns a little mischievous. "You might want to watch where that hand travels. I'm a notorious womanizer and you're giving me ideas again and it's doubtful I'll be able to remain a gentleman for long if you insist on touching my leg. And I get the impression you're just not that kind of young lady."
Antonio is chatty, and somewhat polite about brushing off his gropers and steering them toward one another.
Sense motive dc20:
Azhar keeps the unwanted away from Amaya. Diplomatically, if at all possible. "It seems that our fellow Manor denizens have reached the state they were seeking." Azhar picks up Amaya in his strong arms, turns to interpose his body between her and an interested party. "I wonder if now might not be a good time to look for our room?" he glances at Cassian, before his gaze returns to the young woman in his arms, "How are your feet doing, my dear?" he says to Amaya, "are they okay, or do you think we should switch to more comfortable shoes?"
Once the groping really begins in earnest, Cassian holds a hand out for Calseinica. "Come on. If this @$$hole comes after me one more time, I'm airing out his femoral artery."
He wraps his arms around her, agile hands slipping into her robe to caress her belly and thighs. His eyes are tender, for a moment his hard heart melting. "I'm here now," he murmurs to her.
At her question, he grins. "Robe off. I want to see how you dressed. Then, please kneel in front of me and take me out. You're going to give me a blowjob, but I'm going to teach you a fun trick. Well, fun for me anyway."
"I know, Tarv. I'm probably going to end up hurting them both." He shakes his head. "I don't want to... I like them. But it's inevitable. I hurt women. It's what I do." His tone goes from sad to resigned.
"Oh... Jan and I are supposed to be a secret. We're not really together together... uh... you know how it is."
I got clocked a good one. I'm not even sure which of them hit me
"Probably the pretty girl," Gravlax smiles. His expression turns serious when Rev goes into the details of his conversion.
Gravlax listens attentively. When Rev reaches the end of his monologue, Gravlax sits quietly for a minute.
"I think that answers my question," he says, finally. "Although ... she is inevitable, she sees your future, she gives you some power and challenges you to change it...." Gravlax shakes his head. "That's rough," he says.
"And for the record, I could come up with three wishes, if I had to."
Gravlax smiles brightly. "Of course you could. You think fast on your feet, and it looks good on you."
Gravlax gets to his feet, removes his last small piece of clothing, and starts to gather up the marbles as he talks. "Whereas I am good at thinking in a straight line, but not so adroit at thinking quickly and around the corners."
Gravlax spreads the marbles carefully across the cloth of the marble bag. The pattern is reminiscent of two numbers. "Wish number three," says, the flush crawling back across his face. "If this means anything to you. If not, I will explain it ... more thoroughly."
"Probably the pretty girl," Gravlax smiles. His expression turns serious when Rev goes into the details of his conversion.
Gravlax listens attentively. When Rev reaches the end of his monologue, Gravlax sits quietly for a minute.
"I think that answers my question," he says, finally. "Although ... she is inevitable, she sees your future, she gives you some power and challenges you to change it...." Gravlax shakes his head. "That's rough," he says.
Rev shrugs almost noncommittally. "She seems to think I can handle it." A small self depreciating smile. "I used to think the gods were just like us, people, but with a ton of power. And for most of the gods, I think that's still true. A lot of them are people or creatures or... whatever, and they are very powerful, but they are not infallible all knowing beings. They are worshiped, and that gives them more power, and most of them, they seem to think pretty highly of themselves. But Pharasma... she's different. Maybe it's because everyone eventually passes through her realm. But I don't think she ever tasks anyone with more than they can do. If she thinks there's something I should be doing, then she's probably right."
Rev smiles at the woman, he's all charm and snake oil. "I'm surprised Thesing isn't here. He's such a talented actor. Quite an inspiration and what an example he sets." Rev tells her very seriously. "The Six Trials was certainly the largest production I've ever been in. I have to admit," He leans over to her in a co-conspiratorial manner, "I enjoy seeing a Tiefling in the hero's spot. I mean, sure I enjoy being a villain as much as the next actor, but I'd hate to be typecast, and I find having the real villain make such chaotic choices, as quite enjoyable. And Thesing was so convincing!"
One of her white eyebrows lifts, "He does have an outlandish reputation, but... chaotic... he has hidden well." She smiles slightly, "That seems more reminiscent of the shell becoming the truth, which is the theme of many of Nevezandius's works."
She looks around, "I do hope you enjoy the cornucopia, the Lord-Mayor has ordered all of his favorite dishes, heavy on exotic spices that heighten the senses and drink to liberate the tongue."
She smiles briefly at the skeleton-clad servants moving about the larger banquet room, "And if you need anything, so ask any of the servants. All that have worked under my direction are quite well-trained." A pause, then very quiet, almost apologetic, [smaller]"Although there is a new servant, Sian, who I worry will not be with us for much longer." A distrust of the the servant's actions clear in her quiet tone and the look in her eye.
Rev makes an effort to continue to sit next to Janiven. "What do you think?" He asks her, about the food, once she's tried some.
She had a little bit of pork on her plate. She rips off a small chunk of black bread, popping it in her mouth. With a quiet shrug, "All well prepared. And all far more than is needed." Her green eyes watching the other guests, spending a little time on each one.
As the military man leaves the house, there is a lightening of the mood. The mayor, rather than being offended, smiles, claps his hands and has the staff bring around more wine for the guest to drink as the table is cleared for the next course.Rev casually says something quietly to Janiven.
Her eyes follow the general's retreating form for a moment, green eyes hard jewels. Quietly, she replies,
Antonio nods, and speaks quietly. He looks closely at the fruit, then shakes his head.
Mathalen looks at Gravlax, the start of anger smoldering in her eyes.
Anyone attempting to touch Cassian gets robbed. Anyone trying to touch Calseinica gets a fork shoved through their sleeve and into the table, pinning it in place.
Cassian glances at the snakes in annoyance. He and his monkey share a despairing look and a sad shake of the head.
Antonio is chatty, and somewhat polite about brushing off his gropers and steering them toward one another.
Mathalen is far less polite about keeping groupers away. Apparently delicate slippers and shoes do not protect from a well aimed high heel. And when she sees others escaping the banquet hall she pulls at Gravlax's arm.
Azhar keeps the unwanted away from Amaya. Diplomatically, if at all possible. "It seems that our fellow Manor denizens have reached the state they were seeking." Azhar picks up Amaya in his strong arms, turns to interpose his body between her and an interested party. "I wonder if now might not be a good time to look for our room?" he glances at Cassian, before his gaze returns to the young woman in his arms, "How are your feet doing, my dear?" he says to Amaya, "are they okay, or do you think we should switch to more comfortable shoes?"
Amaya is quite happy to leave the large if seemingly oppressive banquet hall.
Once the groping really begins in earnest, Cassian holds a hand out for Calseinica. "Come on. If this @$$hole comes after me one more time, I'm airing out his femoral artery."
She takes his hand with a thankful smile.
Janiven, who didn't seem worried about offending anyone, had taken to slapping the few hands that came her way. When Cassian and Calseinica slip off she lifts one eyebrow, turns to Rev. "Ready?"
Fiosa, who had been almost lifted at one point, seems quite eager to leave as well.
The servants, far more polite than the nobles at this point, are able to direct any who wish to turn in to a upstairs, to a plush hallway with five rooms. Each room contains any overnight bag you brought and has a fireplace, a bed, a dresser, and a sink with a cold and hot water tap.
"I thought it might have been something like that," Gravlax says. He steps up to Mathalen, hesitates, then touches her cheek briefly. "Please believe me when I say that even if the snake never touched you, it was worth it. It was a worry off my mind."
Amaya looks away, towards Azhar's feet as Gravlax steps up to Mathalen, trying to give the pair a little privacy, even if it is more imagined than real.
Mathalen swallows, her head ducking slightly at Gravlax's words. Her voice quiet, not arguing, but trying to explain, "I figured I could take it if I got poisoned, to help get it out of my system." A small shrug, her ears darkening.
Amaya looks away, towards Azhar's feet as Gravlax steps up to Mathalen, trying to give the pair a little privacy, even if it is more imagined than real.
Azhar chuckles nearly silently in his throat. One arm encircles Amaya, pulling her a little closer. He kisses her temple and whispers to her in a lowered voice,
History dc20:
Perception dc23: FE, FT included
Janiven, who didn't seem worried about offending anyone, had taken to slapping the few hands that came her way. When Cassian and Calseinica slip off she lifts one eyebrow, turns to Rev. "Ready?"
Azhar approaches Janiven and Rev, Amaya still in his arms. Maybe he has had a little more wine he should have, or maybe he's just using that as an excuse. "heading up to your room?" Assuming they answer in the affirmative, he waits to walk with them up to their rooms.
One of her white eyebrows lifts, "He does have an outlandish reputation, but... chaotic... he has hidden well." She smiles slightly, "That seems more reminiscent of the shell becoming the truth, which is the theme of many of Nevezandius's works."
She looks around, "I do hope you enjoy the cornucopia, the Lord-Mayor has ordered all of his favorite dishes, heavy on exotic spices that heighten the senses and drink to liberate the tongue."
Rev or Sense Motive DC 20:She smiles briefly at the skeleton-clad servants moving about the larger banquet room, "And if you need anything, so ask any of the servants. All that have worked under my direction are quite well-trained." A pause, then very quiet, almost apologetic, "Although there is a new servant, Sian, who I worry will not be with us for much longer." A distrust of the the servant's actions clear in her quiet tone and the look in her eye.
"I am certainly happy to be here at this event, even if I am merely an actor." He tells her with a small smile. "What could a servant possibly have done to displease you, madam? You are quite lovely and kind." He says.
She had a little bit of pork on her plate. She rips off a small chunk of black bread, popping it in her mouth. With a quiet shrug, "All well prepared. And all far more than is needed." Her green eyes watching the other guests, spending a little time on each one.
Rev grins at Janiven. "You're way too practical for your own good."
[/b]Her eyes follow the general's retreating form for a moment, green eyes hard jewels. Quietly, she replies,
Rev nods, listening. "He's probably right." He tells her in response.
Janiven, who didn't seem worried about offending anyone, had taken to slapping the few hands that came her way. When Cassian and Calseinica slip off she lifts one eyebrow, turns to Rev. "Ready?"
Rev channels snake oil quite well, as he and Janiven take their leave, he assist Janiven out of her chair chivalrously, deflects several gropes, and nods to Fiosa with an amused smile. "The boudoir awaits my dove." He suggests to Janiven lewdly, his manner letting her and their companions know that he's joking around, while the drunks probably think he quite sincere. He also nods politely to the woman he was speaking to earlier and wishes her a good evening.
Azhar approaches Janiven and Rev, Amaya still in his arms. Maybe he has had a little more wine he should have, or maybe he's just using that as an excuse. "heading up to your room?" Assuming they answer in the affirmative, he waits to walk with them up to their rooms.
Rev nods at Azhar, then turns to Janiven, after seeing Azhar is carrying Amaya. "You'll forgive me if I don't carry you up the stairs, won't you?" He asks her with a small smile.
She looks at the sky, "We should hurry then, don't want you to get caught out after dark on your way home." Knowing him well enough to not argue about the escort. And she does indeed pick up her pace. However, with her far shorter legs than Rev's he is still able to stroll.
With an almost defiant look, she leaves her hand were is it, innocently on his knee. "You are my friend and would not take advantage of that." She says with probably more confidence in him than he sometimes has in himself.
Quietly, "Meli had a really hard time up until just a few months ago." She shrugs, "That isn't an excuse for her to take out her issues on you but I think she believes that anyone who injures her is her enemy... and may have a hard time believing that it is not a intentional act." A pause, "She is not a trustful person."
With a apologetic smile, "Sorry. I don't think you deserved her doing that."
She nods, mouth serious, eyes happy, "You are here now."
She grins back at his grin, standing and slipping the robe from her shoulders in the same movement. She pauses in front of him, letting his eyes take in their fill, then turns on her toes, encouraging him to look at her all over. The chocolate merry widow covers just enough to make one think about what it hides, the thong matching the color perfectly as are the high stocking held up by the sleek lingerie.
Once she is absolutely positive he has seen everything she is wearing she sinks to her knees before him. Her hands start at his knees, running up his thighs, to his laces, pulling carefully at them. Her hands are gentle once the laces are done, pulling him out, delicately moving her hands over in a soft caresses.
Her lips curve up in a smile as she looks up at him, "A trick?"
Her eyes grow sympathetic, "It might be different this time." Thinks about the simple fact of both Calseinica and Janiven. As an afterthought, "Although it would probably be easier if there was only one woman."
"Secret?" A pause, "Because you have to work together with the others to get rid of the shadows." She nods, "Which means she doesn't know I know?"
As you get up to the room, her whole body seems to breathe a sigh of relief. She shudders slightly and quietly, "I don't want to ever come to one of these again." Her voice fervent.
She smiles at him, "At the end there, I only keep from screaming by remembering what you promised me for after." Her smile falters, "But I need to wash off those looks first. One of the servants mentioned a bath off of the upper ballroom." A soft smile, [smaller]"Do you mind?"
She looks down at the pattern Gravlax created on the marble bag. "Six and nine?" Her voice questioning, clearly not understanding why the numbers cause his color to rise.
She does lean forward, chasing the blush on his neck with a soft kiss. "Sorry, I can make up something, but... I'd rather know what you really want."
Antonio looks up at Mathalen, and gives an elaborate shrug.
Antonio offers Mathalen his arm. "Shall we retire to the rooms?"
He does not really wait for her answer before he is steering them out of the banquet hall.
Gravlax starts to speak, stops. Tries again. "Just ... don't be so blasé about your safety, in the future, please."
His brow furrows, and he frowns. "That sort of attitude becomes contagious."
Gozran 13/Just Fiosa again
She looks at the sky, "We should hurry then, don't want you to get caught out after dark on your way home." Knowing him well enough to not argue about the escort. And she does indeed pick up her pace. However, with her far shorter legs than Rev's he is still able to stroll.Fiosa dress
With an almost defiant look, she leaves her hand were is it, innocently on his knee. "You are my friend and would not take advantage of that." She says with probably more confidence in him than he sometimes has in himself.Quietly, "Meli had a really hard time up until just a few months ago." She shrugs, "That isn't an excuse for her to take out her issues on you but I think she believes that anyone who injures her is her enemy... and may have a hard time believing that it is not a intentional act." A pause, "She is not a trustful person."
With a apologetic smile, "Sorry. I don't think you deserved her doing that."
"I suppose I could always impose upon your hospitality. But I think your cook would probably object." He grins at her.
He takes her small hand into his own much larger one, removing it from his leg. "If you had any idea of how stunning you are, and, what having the hand of a beautiful woman, such as yourself, touching my leg does to me, you would not be so confident in my ability to resist taking advantage of you." He has completely not heard a word she said about Melilot. He has also not let go of her hand.
Azhar pays a visit to Arael. "By any chance would you know anyone who speaks the language of the earth?"
"I will explain that," Gravlax says, the heat still pulsing into his face and neck. "But I take your advice -- it will be the third wish."
"Second wish?" He sits at the edge of the bed, and ducks his head. "It's been a very physical day, and I would love a bit of a back rub."
"I will go see Arael. Could you ask Jask for me?"
"I could." Rev replies.
"Why... pray tell, do you want to speak with a gargoyle? Have you become touched in the head?" He asks, his tone actually more concerned than his words indicate.
"Well, if he can chase it off by berating it, maybe he can talk to it." Rev replies, not entirely convinced, but having taken part in dumber ideas... he offers, "If someone could hold it still so I can touch it, I could probably cast share language upon it so it could understand and speak Taldane. Once I've prepared the spell... so after sunset."
His brow furrows, and he frowns. "That sort of attitude becomes contagious."
Azhar tries to hide a small smile. He does not say anything.
...until later. "So once we do or do not find someone who may be able to speak to the gargoyle, how do we get in touch with either of you?"
"I am certainly happy to be here at this event, even if I am merely an actor." He tells her with a small smile. "What could a servant possibly have done to displease you, madam? You are quite lovely and kind." He says.
She shakes her head, a harder look in her pale eyes than there was previously. "She disappeared two days ago. A very valuable bust of Lord Asmodeus went missing at the same time."
Rev grins at Janiven. "You're way too practical for your own good."
She looks at Rev, a slight smile playing on her lips, "Realistic." A small shrug, "'Sides practical means you are rarely disappointed."
Antonio looks up at Mathalen, and gives an elaborate shrug.
She looks back at him, "Antonio, you are a far more forgiving soul than me." Picking another small berry from the tree.
Rev channels snake oil quite well, as he and Janiven take their leave, he assist Janiven out of her chair chivalrously, deflects several gropes, and nods to Fiosa with an amused smile. "The boudoir awaits my dove." He suggests to Janiven lewdly, his manner letting her and their companions know that he's joking around, while the drunks probably think he quite sincere. He also nods politely to the woman he was speaking to earlier and wishes her a good evening.
She puts a hand on his arm, "Lead on, darling." She is neither a good actress nor a good liar, but most of the people in the room probably don't notice.
Rev nods at Azhar, then turns to Janiven, after seeing Azhar is carrying Amaya. "You'll forgive me if I don't carry you up the stairs, won't you?" He asks her with a small smile.
Azhar approaches Janiven and Rev, Amaya still in his arms. Maybe he has had a little more wine he should have, or maybe he's just using that as an excuse. "heading up to your room?" Assuming they answer in the affirmative, he waits to walk with them up to their rooms.
With quite a bit of amusement as she watches Azhar and Amaya, "Not to worry, my legs work just fine."
Azhar chuckles nearly silently in his throat. One arm encircles Amaya, pulling her a little closer. He kisses her temple and whispers to her in a lowered voice, he gives her a little squeeze, still looking at her adoringly. His face remains close, possibly uncomfortably close (depending) to hers.
Anyone pay attention closely to Amaya sees the happy smile.
Anyone who is paying attention to the cooking snake thinks it should probably be turned over to prevent too much char.
Gravlax starts to speak, stops. Tries again. "Just ... don't be so blasé about your safety, in the future, please."
His brow furrows, and he frowns. "That sort of attitude becomes contagious."
She ducks her head a bit but her hand brushes against him. Quietly, "It isn't blasé just..." She shakes her head, not able to find the words.
Azhar pays a visit to Arael. "By any chance would you know anyone who speaks the language of the earth?"
Arael looks over at the large ranger, "Terran?" Not sure, "That's the language most commonly spoken on the Plane of Earth by elementals and such."
She shakes her head. "Nope. She likes you and we do have an empty servant's room or two." She looks up his substantial height, "But you would be quite uncomfortable, since all of the servant's quarters are properly sized."
.
The small brunette looks at him closely, trying to see how much of this is him trying to push away her friendship or how much is truth.
She puts her other hand on the outside of his, her voice serious, "Are you trying to scare me off with how much of a big, bad person you are?"
.
Curiosity mostly. A tad of annoyance, but that could be because she assumes ditching the actress so they can tackle finding the vault and the Crux will be difficult.
She comes up to him, brushing a kiss on his forehead. She nods, "Lie down on the bed, face down." A pause, "The floor would probably be better," she glances down his body, a little color stealing to her cheeks, "But far less comfortable for you."
If he complies, she moves onto the bed after him, straddling his thighs, leans forward and uses the full weight of her upper body to help with the pressure of her hands as she tries to work the knots and tension from his back. () It is not a great job, but an adequate one. Maybe she is distracted...
Almost the instant that the door closes and they are in the opulent room by themselves, Mathalen stretches, then leans forward, hands on the floor then wrapped around her legs, working the stiff muscles and the stress from her body.
She looks over at Gravlax, "If you can help me get naked, I'll put on clothes I won't worry about getting bloody and we can go find the vault." Turning so her back, with all those buttons, is to him.
Anyone who is paying attention to the cooking snake thinks it should probably be turned over to prevent too much char.
Azhar blinks, giving her a very genuine smile, "I'll be right back." he tells her softly, then brushes her lips with another quick kiss, attends to the cooking snakes before returning.
Arael looks over at the large ranger, "Terran?" Not sure, "That's the language most commonly spoken on the Plane of Earth by elementals and such."
"And gargoyles, I would assume." he looks away, thinking for a moment. "Okay, maybe spells then. Thanks for the information."
Fiosa alone again
She shakes her head. "Nope. She likes you and we do have an empty servant's room or two." She looks up his substantial height, "But you would be quite uncomfortable, since all of the servant's quarters are properly sized."Fiosa Dress
The small brunette looks at him closely, trying to see how much of this is him trying to push away her friendship or how much is truth. 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 She puts her other hand on the outside of his, her voice serious, "Are you trying to scare me off with how much of a big, bad person you are?"Gozran 20 - Janiven @ mayor shindig
Curiosity mostly. A tad of annoyance, but that could be because she assumes ditching the actress so they can tackle finding the vault and the Crux will be difficult.
"Imagine how hard Azhar's life must be. He's even taller." Rev grins down at the halfling. "Think it's too late for a carriage?"
It's probably a little bit of both. He's certainly trying to push her away at least to some extent. It's very hard to be a gentleman when a beautiful woman one likes is touching ones knee. Even if they are only friends, and she isn't his one true love, it's still incredibly hard not to notice how nice she looked in that dress, and how lovely her legs were shaped. He doesn't want to loose her friendship, but his body is certainly responding. And he really isn't that good of a man to be able to resist if she persists. So his words were meant to give him the distance he needs to be able to retain control. "I think you know just what kind of person I am." He replies. "Is it working?" He asks, meeting her eyes, his own haunted with internal struggle. Maybe it's because he knows she would never want a one night stand. Perhaps that's what makes her so attractive. He tries to rationalize it. Wanting what one couldn't have. The story of his life.
"Should we jump up and down on the bed and make moaning and screaming sounds in case someone is listening at the door?" He asks her softly after he washes his hands and face free from any grease from the dinner. He then goes through his things, to make sure nothing is missing. "I hope you don't mind if I change out of this costume and into real clothes? I'll try not to flash you."
She looks at Rev, a slight smile playing on her lips, "Realistic." A small shrug, "'Sides practical means you are rarely disappointed."
"And here I took you for a romantic. After all, you defied convention and reason to attend this gala with a Tiefling. Our entire relationship is based on a lie. A lie! Oh how tragic." Rev gets very dramatic. There are gestures and fake swooning. It might even be funny... bluff!