After looking around her room, she herself heads down to the billiard room. spotting VV, she walks over and sits next to her ginger ail, extra ginger would ya? is her request
"Extra ginger?" The Vixen teases her own fiery curls. "Ain't one o' me enough?"
VV actually prefers the term 'redhead' to 'ginger,' but doesn't dwell on this. She says to Cashara and Rorx, "Truth be told, me powers're meant to hunt criminals. Hunting beast is more Mother's thing, but I do look forward to some action tomorrow. Great way to train up me skills, and Fashion Bug's as well!"
Cashara gives a small laugh at the joke
well then, I look forward to seeing you in action she says as she receives her ginger ale and takes a sip oh, that's good stuff
"Let wi hope all dis ave a gud explanation - mi nuh really like hunting animals fi sport" - Rorx nods at the Cashara and Vixe as he waits for his drinks.
The Vixen says, "I've been forced to kill once, but the fighting style I'm sort o' trained up on's meant to take me targets alive. Granted, I've only been practicing me moves, and me weapon o' choice is me boots... but if ye prefer to catch and release, that's a possibility."
To clarify she's not opposed to killing a beast, she adds, "Mother hunted for food and clothing; never for sport." A sad look crosses her face when she utters the word 'sport.' "The serial killer who murdered me friend probably thought o' killing women as a 'sport.'"
Not sure where VV's going with this, Fashion Bug chimes in, "Whatever motivates Henry to hunt, he never aimed his weapon at me when he saw me. He thought I was simply an animal, yet he freed me and sent me to you, Miss Vixen.
"Perhaps he has a reason for showing compassion to one animal while seeing other animals as potential trophies. It is not a line of thinking I can make sense of. I only know that Henry rescued me from captivity."
Cashara stares at here drink
I killed she says being a cop at the time, I could say it was in self defense or in defense of innocence or my comrades. But for some... I'm not sure she has a solemn, sober look on her face.
But then she half forces a smile but I can say I never shot and animal I didn't eat afterwards
It was obvious that she was still thinking about work.
She seemed to be lost in thought, seanse of what she has seen and done seem to play in her mind as she stairs into her drink.
could I have a whiskey she asks just give me the bottle
The Vixen says to Shivers, "Hold off on that for a sec."
Turning to Cashara, she says, "If ye're gonna drink that much, at least enjoy the flavor."
The Vixen signals for the wine list, but does not order anything unless Cashara wants to share a bottle of something finer (and less potent) than whiskey.
Cashara sighs
your a good friend, you know that she says you pick
She finishes her ginger ale before starting on the wine
The Vixen says, "Let's start with a blueberry merlot. It's refreshing, and blueberry 'cause the blue honors yer police work." She holds out a glass expectantly in Shivers' direction, but her emerald eyes are locked on Cashara's. "If ye want to talk about it, what's one o' yer good days as a cop?"
Fashion Bug plunks her bottom into the virgin pina colada, and takes in the sweet tropical scent of the drink.
When she sees VV and Cashara ready to down a bottle—or perhaps bottles plural—she winces. Looking up to Rorx with a concerned expression, she says, "I hope Miss Vixen does not drink more than she can handle. She has been off the proverbial wagon since Crystalhue." She then asks, "Do you drink to forget as well, Mr. Rorx? Or do you simply like the taste of your oxymoronic beverage."
Cashara holds out her on glass for her fill
it all seems to blur together she says but there was one time my comrades and I where in a tough spot, more than once actually
She sighs
we where investagateing a small drug cartel, we where getting little luck when the doc, as we called him, found that this string of opium that these guys where using was actually of foreign production. So we headed to the docks she takes a sip once her glass was full
we get there, and we find out that someone had been paying the customs officials to keep thair mouths shut. You wanna know how? she asks
The Vixen sips her wine. She nods, affirming her interest in hearing the full details of Cashara's story.
we found them high on opium when wo got there she says with a slight smile, but continues with an almost mater of fact voice
no mater how much they tried to deny it, everything pointed to it
She took another sip
looking around, we figured someone must have tipped them off, because we found nothing there for a little bit until... she took another sip before continuing, it made it a little dramatic
the doc found traces of opium in one of the shipping containers. We now had evidence. But, it seemed some people didn't want us to get away with it, and we where in a fire fight before we knew what was going on she takes another sip with a far away look
Some of the others where hit, and we all dove for any kind of cover.
Empty canisters, crates, anything. And it seemed like the world would just close around you and nothing mattered but surviving.
She was starting to sweat and she took a slightly bigger sip, the edge in her voice growing a day as she continued
the ringing of bullets hitting metal, the gunshots she shakes her head and takes a deep breath
the fight is a blur, being shot at and looking for the right chance to shoot back. Because we all knew then how it was. It was him... her eyes narrowed or me... I remember, walking over, and finding one one the guys that was shooting at use, 10 holes that he was bleeding from... her voice started to crack and the worst part was... that he was just a boy, no more than 17, that they had put into a suit and handed a gun to.
She says this last bit with almost a shriek, at tears at this point.
Starting to cry with the memory
The Vixen puts an arm around Cashara. Though she had actually asked about a good day as a cop, it was really an invitation to tell what story Cashara needed to tell. She needs to talk about her bad days. I get that.
VV says, "It ain't yer fault. I'm sure ye heard it before, and it don't make the memory any less horrifying, but the fault lies with the men who put guns in boys' hands.
"When we get back, ye let me know if ye need a hand takingdown this kind o' scum."
That's why I'm here isn't it? she says I want it to stop.
She sits back up, still sniffing a little trying to calm down.
I want to rid the world of the evil that I can she says.
She takes a moment to calm down a little more.
on a better note she starts again we picked up a drunk for disturbing the peace, some of the guys decided to have a little fun with him, giving him jokes and riddles, trying to see what answers he came up with. she cracks a small smile it was a little funny to watch.
Latter, he accidentally let slip a supplier that gave him all his goods.
And it turned into the easiest drug bust ever
Rorx listens intently at the conversation, while waiting for his drink.
and to top off my little walk down memory lane she says we once had a coworker come in drunk because we where low on hands and needed the help
she giggles its was sort of funny watching him stumble around the crime scene, trying to act like the detective, he was so drunk
she laughs
The butler seems to have a mini panic attack each time someone comes into the the room and another every time someone talks to him. Despite this he quickly makes and serves every drink that was ordered.
As Cashara reminisces, loud cracks of the pool balls striking each other can be heard in the background.
As Mr. Minkins waddles up to the bar to get a refill, the double doors swing open to welcome Lance and Hank into the room.
"Two large glasses of whiskey and whatever straitlaced wants!" Hank shouts to the butler who is so startled by the sudden noise that he reflexively grabs the candelabra be for breathing and pulling out a small bottle of whiskey.
Suddenly the room, the whole house even, no longer feels so overbearingly fancy and rich. The shouting and laughing, the sound of pool in the back, and the odd but quick bartender all remind you of the usual, slightly dingy, bars that you have grown accustomed to, even if the floor is velvet carpet! Even the moose head on the far wall no longer looks dead and intimidating, but instead it looks impressive and classy.
@ Cashara
You notice Lance looking at you with a puzzled expression out of the corner of your eye.
He then nudges Hank with his elbow and signs something at him.
Hank looks at you, then back at Lance, then back at you, then back to Lance and then he just gives a shrug before grabbing a bottle of whiskey and begins to chug it down.
Cashara seems to be looking out of the corner of her eye at the elf as she sips he wine.
not to obvious unless your looking
VV says to Cashara, "I'm sure ye noticed ye've eyes on ye. So if ye wanna strike up a conversation, I ain't stopping ye."
She sighs
I don't know She says I've been out of the loop for so long, I don't think I can she takes another sip of her wine you'd probably have more luck
"I wouldn't call it good luck," the Vixen replies, "seeing I've no such interest in men." She takes a sip of wine, then goes on, "Even if finding love were a possibility for me here, I came for adventure—to try out me abilities that're, at the moment, trained but've yet to be field-tested."
"Nuh surprise mi dat yuh observe by males - yuh both beautiful an sturdy" - Rorx chuckles, finishing his drink and signaling for another.
thanks for your vote of confidence I say you think he wants me to sit with him?
"It don't need to lead to nothing, necessarily, but yeah... I think he would."
Fashion Bug isn't sure the virgin coloda was a good idea. She can't possibly drink it unless she really does bathe in it.
Hmm...
She then asks the Vixen, "Would you kindly take this to our room? I will gladly enjoy my drink there, while you converse and consume alcohol."
The Vixen assures Rorx and Cashara she'll be "back in a bit."
Cashara gives a reluctant sigh
wish me luck I say as I get up and walk over.
do-do you mind if I sit here? she asks the elf prince
By the time the Vixen returns from escorting her fairy friend to their room, she sees Cashara striking up a conversation with the prince.
To Rorx she says, "Good o' ye to encourage her. Not sure if Lance wants more than a conversation, but he eyed the right lass. Martha's married, which she fortunately told me when we met two years ago. Else, I'd've propositioned her." At this admission, the Vixen downs her wine. "F&&#, I did just use proposition as a verb now, didn't I?
"Next I'll be quoting me Grampa Lane whene'er there's a chip on me shoulder." Thinking a bit, she asks the barkeep, "Hey, Shivers. Ye serve chips here? I've the need for something to munch on."
"Mi just sey things as mi si dem" - Rorx nods, looking at Cashara as she moves to join the elf - "Any male wud find har a strong mate mi tink" - he adds, then turns his attention to VV again - "Chips or sup'm fi nyam gud thinking. An yuh wi ave no problems inna finding anotha mate"
The Vixen admits, "I do have the problem that most women ain't looking for a girlfriend, but I think ye've the right way o' thinking. Ye're most likely to get what ye want by speaking yer mind."
The Vixen might not really be used to drinking this much wine without food. She turns to Martha and—nope, nope, nope. Ain't drunk enough—swivels to Shivers instead. "I want chips. Hot chips. With cracked pepper sprinkled atop. Generously." She ever-so-lightly thumps the bartop.
She then confesses to Rorx, though not so loud Martha can hear, "What's really on me mind's that Martha's husband's a weenie, and she oughtta spend the night in me room. But honestly, it'd end up like and innocent slumber party. I can't hold enough liquor to ignore her ring, and I've a fairy roommate who—dinky as her body may be—is powerful enough to stop me if she thinks I'm acting stupid."
Lance seems a bit shocked at first before he gives a small smile and nods. Hank, on the other hand, looks at you oddly before shrugging and translating for Lance.
"Hello, Miss Aivion. Is there something you needed?" Lance sings with an embarrassed smile, probably realizing that you noticed him looking at you.
You walk through the dimly lit hall to your room where you leave FashionBug. as you walk back you can hear the sound of hard and heavy rain falling on the house.
well, no, not really Cashara says as she takes a seat just thought we might talk. you guys seem close part of this is directed at Hank as well as lance.
Lance gives yet another small smile before 'saying'
"Well when you need someone to say everything for you, you kinda have to become best friends! "
Hank stops translating and says,
"What aboot you, Missy? Ya seemed ta know redhead and orc feller. How'd that odd group come together?"
You notice that when Hank translates he seems to almost lose his accent, and he speaks in a softer voice, while is own voice is loud and a bit hard to understand.
Shivers pops back from under the counter with a bowl of chocolate squares, and places it in front of the Vixen.
"Here you are, ma'am, from the finest chocoteir."
Suddenly a bell on the wall begins to ring. Its one of those service bells use to call the butler, of course. Shivers give a startled jump before grabbing his candelabra and checking what looks like a clock face tied around his wrist. He gives a slight simper before muddering out an apology and quick darting out the room.
The Vixen thanks Shivers. "Chocolate and red wine. Ye've excellent taste. Mmmm... and so does the chocolate!"
The reaction to the bell seems odd, but then Uncle Henry always was an odd duck. [iiNo odder than the girl in the mirror,[/i] the Vixen admits to herself, though even me oddest aspect—pet fox turned fairy roommate—that's thanks to Uncle Henry.
She savors another chocolate along with this thought, and before washing it down with a sip of merlot, she raises her glass and says softly, "Here's to ye, Uncle."
ha well, we sort of work together She said I think I would trust them with my life
She took a sip from her glass
Lance lifts his hands to sign something but he is interrupted by a loud AHEM.
Shivers had slipped back into the room and was clearing his throat. Once he had everyone's attention he took a deep breath in and quickly said
"Dinner is ready. Sir Splorer asks that you all join him in the dining room. Er, its across the hall... Oh and I've already alerted the others so they will join you there. Thank you."
With that he gives an awkward bow and slips back out of the room.
The other guests finish whatever they were doing and fallow Shivers out.
Lance stands up and offers Cashara his arm, another small smile plastered on his lips.
Chashara smiles back as she takes the arm and allowes lance to leader her to the dining room
'maybe I should learn sign' she thinks as they walk
Unconsciously, she starts to lean on Lance a little bit, as her head seems to be propped up on his shoulder.
But then lifts her head back up once she realizes what she was doing
I'm sorry, she says with a blush I must be getting a bit to comfortable
The Vixen offers her arm to Martha, though she does not intend the gesture to be nearly as romantic as Cashara.
Fashion Bug finishes her pina-colada bath with a quick dip in a water bowl VV left for her.
She dries and dresses, and takes a seat on VV's shoulder on the walk to the dining room.
Lance's face changes as you pull away a bit. His face and ears have turned bright red and he had a large embarrassed smile on his face. You realize this was the first time you saw him with a full smile it and truly suits him. It seems to bring life to his face, actual emotion, instead of the sad plaster that it was before.
He signs something that you get the feeling means "no problem" and he leads you under the arch into the dining room, Hank close behind.
Martha came quickly down the stairs, and you noticed that she changed into a much plainer outfit and was no longer wearing makeup. She stumbles as she gets to the bottom but catches herself at the last minute.
Now no one else would have noticed it, and your not sure if even you did, but for a moment she seemed to have a look of pure terror on her face.
But before your sure she looks up and flashes you her biggest smile, then she takes your arm.
"Can you believe how big this place is?!? My house isn't even this big! And the library is even bigger than Arthur's!!! Oh I do wish Arthur was here, don't you? Ohhewouldloveithere! Andthedecorationsareabsolutelyamazing! OhandIsawa..."
Sometimes it was hard to understand her when she got excited...
As you enter the dining room its safe to say you are amazed. The archway is at the top of a large staircase going down to a large tile floor. The long table sits of the center of the room with a wonderful display of familiar and unfamiliar food! The chair closest to the door has a high back and is adored with gold designs all across it. The chair on the other end is similar but had silver designs instead.
The next thing you see is the walls. One wall was covers with thousands of insects, all pined up with needles. You see beetles, ants, spiders, and bees, but more than any other there is butterflies of all shapes, colors, and sizes. On the other wall are four gigantic pictures of groups of people,all of them vaguely familiar and all of them with Henry and a tall woman with a gigantic pair of goggles on her face. Along with these pictures is one huge empty frame.
But the most notable detail of the room is the huge statue of a beautiful woman with large angel wings. The statue seems to be made from iron as her long flowing dress is engraved with scenes of man hunting animals throughout the ages...
And it seemed Cashara blushed all the more at Lance's blushing, and a bit more at his smile, and it seemed to almost reach the top of her elvish ears when he signed
But she went on holding his arm, allowing him to continue to lead her.