Annalla and Isabella finish their dance and while Isabella heads over to find a chair, Annalla approaches Orri.
"Hello, Brother Orri," Annalla says with a smile. "Isabella has explained to me recent events. Would you like my assistance in discovering more about them?"
When Ipmeek catches Annalla and Isabella on a break from their dancing, he approaches them cheerfully. Following him is quite the entourage of kobolds, all holding boxes of various sizes. "Ipmeek so happy to see you be married. Today special day. On behalf of Kobold kingdom, we honor you two--you three--with many gifts.". Ipmeek bows deeply, then gestures to the kobolds to approach. One after another arrives, opening their box to show what's inside.
The first set of gifts are quite odd--large boxes of rocks--surely ore. Bags of dried mushrooms. Assorted colorful beads. Collections of undersized tools. But as the boxes become successively smaller, their value becomes greater. Silver cups and platters, bracelets and earrings, even some gems are all placed before the couple, culminating with one most unusual gift. A necklace that appears to consist of silver-plated kobold scales--the scales that were once pried off Ipmeek himself and turned into a necklace by the Stag Lord's thugs. "Bounty from kobold lands, to share with you and your people," says Ipmeek. Indeed, the gifts seem like they would be quite useful in building a new kingdom, and clearly represent a generous transfer of wealth. "Ipmeek always remember time with you in defeating Stag Lord and terrible trolls. Gifts for Bella to remember kobold kingdom Bella saved."
Sophiel and Chrysa come back, and sit near Orri, back in the reception hall. Sophie has set aside some of the food for him, and sits him down to chat with Chrysa, making sure he eats. They watch the others dance and enjoy themselves in the hall as they speak quietly.
Orri smiles as Annalla comes over and addresses him as brother. When she asks about helping he just shakes his head "No, we've got this. If you want to help though, make sure you don't go off alone and more importantly make sure Bella stays out of it until we have a better idea what we are dealing with."
As Chrysa and Sophiel come to sit with him and make it clear they want to talk now he looks over a few glasses of alcohol in with a grin "So my two beautiful friends, what is it you wanted to talk to ol' Orri about?"
After a long talk with Orri and Sophie, the horned woman does excuse herself briefly to talk to Anna and Bella, "Tonight you will be taking my room. It has the biggest and nicest bed I could afford, probably half of the kingdom's coffers went into it, so please do not break it. A tub has been delivered, which should be being filled as we speak." she smiles giving them both a brief hug "congradulations, now be off with you."
When she gets back to the table with the other two, "I shifted them to my room, instead of the original. It might be a thorn to the shadowing man if you are right. Different room, second story, a big stout door with more than a few locks, and narrow windows." she shrugged, wondering if sleep in their old room was going to be safe.
"Your generosity seems to know no bounds, Your Highness," Annalla offers as thanks. "You will have to come visit us soon so you can see how this was used for our citizens and so we can repay your kindness."
"Very well. Thank you, Orri. It is probably for the best that you handle this rather than myself. I think I would have a hard time being ... discrete, as Isabella has asked." She gives him another hug and makes her way over to where her wife relaxes in a chair.
"Our brother has stated that he and the others have matters in hand," she says, coming around to stand behind Bella's chair and leaning down to give her a kiss.
"That is very generous of you, Chrysa. You don't have to do that. The lodgings you have provided are quite sufficient," is Annalla's response. At a pointed look and prodding from her bride, she amends her statement. "Of course we would be happy to accept your generous gift. Is the bed sturdy?" At another noise from Bella, Annalla looks confused. "She said it was expensive. I wouldn't want to run the risk of damaging it."
She helps Isabella up from the chair and with a final hug for Chrysa - "Thanks again, so much," Annalla whispers to her - the ladies say their farewells to the rest of the guests and retire for the evening.
Halfway to retiring, Isabella calls out "We almost forgot the cake! Come my bride, let us gorge ourselves on this truly magnificent creation! We shall eat one piece each from each of the six layers!" she declares as she pulls Annalla back to the cake.
Chrysa laughed to little too loud, her cheeks a rosy red from too much to drink "Solid oak, I promise it can handle almost anything, except maybe Bella Jumping on it" she shot the bride a look as Bella piled a plate full of cake. "I have a cat, a dappled grey, it will scream all night long if you don't let her in. Other than that, have fun"
Sophiel yawns and stretches, ”well, I had a long day. Turning in early.” She intercepts Annalla and Isabella as they approach the cake, ”I have to turn in, my ring is acting up Isabella, I think I need to sleep tonight - not sure. Good night to both of you, and congratulations. I am happy that you are both happy.” She curtsies, and retires to her room.
Isabella is confused by all of the chaos going on that she doesn't think any more to Sophie's statement than normal. She turns and gives her a huge hug "Thank you, Sophie, for everything. For being here, for cooking, for tolerating my mood swings, all of it. I'll never forget what you've done for me out here, thank you, you are a true friend."
She plants a big fat kiss on Sophie's lips before letting her slip away.
she declares boldly, moving to that table and not letting anything stop her this time.
Annalla tips her head and looks curiously at Chrysa. "Chrysa, there's something you're not telling us. What is it?"
Chrysa just smiles and winks this time at Annalla. "Sorry, I have to keep an eye on your new brother, no time for questions by blue ladies. Look Bella just put her face INTO the cake!" she slips away when Anna looks.
Annalla frowns at Chrysa's strange behavior, worries that she's pushed aside since arriving at the town taking center-stage in her mind. She follows her wife over to the cake and partakes, putting on a smile.
Once they're finished eating, she leads her wife to Chrysa's room and shuts the door firmly. The sound of a shifting chair follows.
Orri sits there watching the chaos of the others while he waits since he had to stay around other people. By this point he has drank enough that he has kind of forgotten why he has to stay around others, but he remembers it is important. When it is finally time for cake he calls out to Bella "Save some for the rest of us sis!" He shoots her a grin, but quickly sits down with another glass of wine when she sends a death glare back his way.
Isabella cuts the cake the slides a large slice onto her plate and then cuts the cake and slides a less-large piece onto Anna's plate. She hates the plate and fork to Anna and picks up her own. "Okay Anna, here's how this works. We both are going to scoop a piece of cake onto our fork and then stick it into each others mouth. It's a sign of trust that the other person will not shove the whole plate of cake into your face instead of the just the offered fork."
She smiles and says "It's okay if you want to be silly and put some cake on my face." she says with a wink, knowing the android does not understand and there is zero chance she is going to do so.
She lifts her piece of cake onto the fork and raises it to Annalla's mouth, waiting for Anna to do the same.
Annalla looks down at the cake and frowns. But seeing the look of anticipation on her wife's face wipes away any ambivalence and she mimic's Isabella's movements. When she raises her fork to the woman's mouth, she very gently puts the cake inside.
At some point, the Raspberry Baker brings out a few buckets full of a strange fruit, milk, and sugar concoction, something which is apparently supposed to compliment the cake. It is extremely cold, but delicious. It’s amazing they were able to keep it cold so long.
Isabella raises her fork to Annalla mouth and when she is just about to put it in her mouth, she raises it and smears a little smudge on her cheek instead. She burst out laughing as she quickly gobbles up the bite that Anna had offered in front of her before she could smear it on her face.
Annalla smiles at Isabella as she pulls her fork from the woman's mouth. She reaches a finger up and wipes the cake off her face before slipping her finger into her mouth and slowly sucking the cake off, her eyes never leaving Isabella's.
Isabella laughs loudly once the fork is gone. She bends over and has to support herself by placing her hands on her knees. She looks up at Annalla as she smiles, glad that she at least was understanding if not playing along with her silly antics. As she stood back up she asks "Anna. Would you like to smear a little piece of cake on my face too? It's okay, I give you permission."
Annalla shakes her head in negation. "I think your face is beautiful enough as it is, no cake needed," she says as she finishes licking the cake off her finger.
Isabella smiles and finishes the cake before taking Anna's hands and leaning in to whisper "My feet and ankles are killing me and I need to get out of this dress. I'd like to retire to take a hot bath now."
Bidding everyone goodnight, she walks towards their honeymoon suite (Chrysa's bedroom) where Anna locks them in and wedges the door for the night.
Isabella is overjoyed to find the secret slices of cake waiting for her that she paid some young lad to deliver to her room.
As his, now, two sisters head off for the night and things start to wrap up at the reception, Sophie already gone and people clearing out. He looks around a bit concerned, remembering he was supposed to stay around other people. He spots Chrysa and calls out "Uh... everyone is leaving... what am I supposed to do now?"
"Hmmm..." Chrysa considers, the danger seems to have drained out of the night, though there are still worries to consider. Spying a bottle of something sweet but heavy, she grasps it and lifts it for his inspection "You wanted a drink and to catch up, so Lord Lebeda, let's go find a secure room, and have that drink... or seven." she gives him a smile sloshing the amber liquid inside.
Orri grins and nods "Sounds good to me." He picks up a couple glasses and follows behind Chrysa, teetering a bit.
Once they get somewhere and drinks are poured he looks over to Chrysa with a smile "So I told you about some of my help back home. How are things going up here. Oleg and Svetlana ok with you basically taking over?"
Only really empty place that Chrysa can think of at the moment is the room she had set up for Bella and Anna. But it does have a table and a couple of chairs. Chrysa stretches out in one of them and sighs "Oleg grumps about everything he can, but I think he is happy. At least Svetlana says he is. He wanted nothing to do with running anything other than his stable. But he works it fine and talks with just about everyone that comes in. Even though he complains about 'Too Many People, Left To Get Some Quiet, Then You Showed Up'"" she switched to her Oleg voice, which sounds nothing like him. "Svetlana is a gods send though. She knows people. Yes, she seems to think everyone should learn to relax way more, usually through radishes or mushrooms, but she can turn an angry merchant to a happy warm understanding mush like no one else."
Orri chuckles at Chrysa's impression of Oleg not because it is off, but because she knows exactly what she means about the grumpy man. "Ah good, yeah luckily starting from scratch I didn't have to worry about previous residents, but I'm glad I was able to get Isla and Lily to come along to help out." He rolls his eyes as he continues "The two women bicker all the time, but they at least do a good job at their work. Overall, we've got a pretty booming economy. Think Abadar would be proud of the work I've been doing."
Orri takes a seat across from Chrysa kicking his feet up on the table as he looks over to her "I've got to say though, all that stuff is a lot. It's nice to be back with friends again and take a break from it all." He pauses a moment then smiles "I'm glad to be here with you again."
"Both of them!" Chrysa erupts in delighted and impressed laughter at his declaration of having Lily and Isla working for him "Orri you are insane, or amazing, or both. Probably both." she wipes her eyes, doing her best to contain her chuckles. Chrysa does manage (eventually) and then smiles softly at his comment, she pours herself another and leans across to do the same for him.
Orri takes the next glass and sips on it with his friend. He stands to add another log to the fire crackling in the fireplace as the flames have started to burn down then comes to take a seat again. "So, I've got to ask what are your plans for all this craziness we've found ourselves in? I mean, I know we are just starting out, but I'm sure you have dreams right? Where do you see yourself in a year from now?"
He leans back to listen intently to what Chrysa has to say.
"Saphie wants to know the same. My plans!" said dramatically, extending her arms (and losing a good deal of that drink). She sits back down before she falls, and shots back the rest of her glass. Nestling into her chair in front of the fire, she admits "I don't know if I'll be alive in a year, don't know if any of us will be, so I take it one month at a time." her dark eyes move from the fire to her friend "Listen to all I can, learn things here and there, and simply live, now, why we are able." her eyes, a little glossy, look down to his lips, before she pulls them quickly back to the fire, color blossoming on her cheeks. "I may have had too much." she admits, setting down her glass and then after a moment of indecision, gets up, stumbles just a touch "I think I should retire."
When Chrysa suddenly gets up Orri stands, nearly falling but catching himself and grabs on to her hand "Wait..." he has a concerned look in his eyes "I thought you said I shouldn't be alone?" He asks this honestly without any suggestion of anything else.
Still holding her hand he notes "You could take the bed and I guess I could just sleep on the floor, would be a step up from sleeping on the bumpy ground like we used to at least..." he jokes.
Chrysa stares down at their hands "Yes, I did say that, didn't I?" her color has risen brighter, looking back up into his, she bites her lip, then lowers her eyes again and shakes her head, trying to clear it. Moving over to the table, she pours herself another, smaller this time, and downs it. "It is a big bed though. It was for Bella, so you know." she chuckled lowly. Turning back toward him leaning her bottom against the table, she states as innocently as her muddled mind can muster "We can share it, without any worries."
Orri, a little too plastered to pick up on any innuendo if there is any, nods as he laughs "Hey I won't complain, the bed definitely looks more comfy than the floor." He goes and flops down on the far side of the bed kicking his shoes off and then laying with his arms behind his head, starring up at the ceiling.
He looks over to Chrysa and smiles "You know, when I'm back in Orrville running things I don't really get the opportunity to crack jokes and just relax, so... aside from the amazing work you've done putting this all together for Bella and Annalla, I appreciate you giving me somewhere I can just be myself for a bit."
He pauses a moment and then gives her a wink "Plus, all the booze has made for a pretty fun night!"
Chrysa doesn't know if she is disappointed or relieved that Orri doesn't try anything. Him being her friend is more important than a roll in the hay, no matter how much her imagination is detailing how good the roll would be.
"It is nice. Around someone you trust enough just to be yourself." she lifts her leg to the chair in unlace her books, the hikes her gray skirt to her thigh to unbuckle the dagger sheath. "Maybe our kingdoms should host a holiday, in a rotating schedule to make sure we have something like this, more often." she repeats the process with her other leg. Boot, then dagger. She pulls off her short black coat, leaving it with the other bits on the table. On her side of the bed, she unbuckles her sword belts, looping them on the bedpost, within easy reach, then climbs on to the bed, on her side facing him.
"I am a tad knackered so Good Night, Orri." she smiles at him.
Orri sits up and removes his cloak then pulls of his shirt, leaving his trousers on. As Chrysa climbs into bed and lays down facing him he reaches over and moves some of the hair in her face, to tuck it behind her ear. "Good night Chrysa."
He stares into her eyes for a few moments before his start to gently close, a smirk on his lips.
Chrys closed her eyes as soon as Orri started disrobing because if she intended on sleeping that image would not help. She just murmured something incomprehensible when he ran his finger across her cheek to her ear, nuzzling in just a bit. Then to la-la land she was off to.
The next morning, Sophiel knocks on Chrysa's door, or where she thought Chrysa was staying. "hey, Chrysa, is everything okay? Come out when you can - we can chat."
Sophiel waits outside, stretching, and checking on her nails, looking at the folds of her clothes, for something.
Chrysa wakes to a soft knocking and Sophie's voice. Her eyes linger on a still sleeping Orri for a moment, a little smile on her lips, before she rises. Smoothing out the creases of her skirt and blouse, slipping on her jacket, attacking her various sheathes, then lacing her boots, before opening the door enough to slip through.
"Good morning, Lady Medvyed. How was your evening?"
”Uneventful by any important standard. I assume by the fact that Orri is still breathing that everything is fine?” She peeks into the room, and nods. ”Maybe we should all leave for Candlemere this morning - get away from the border with Brevoy. What do you think? Their enemies wouldn’t dare do... whatever... so far south, right?” She spits out some hair, ”blech. And we could keep 24-hour surveillance without me having to... do that... again.” She blanches.
Chrysa chuckles lightly, "Sorry you had to go through that... though I am happy there were no further complications." gesturing to the now closed door "Orri is fine, sleeping like a baby."
The little woman stretches, trying to pop the shoulder she slept on. "My people are ready for me to leave. Are the others?"
Sophiel nods, and says quickly, "it's fine. I'll tell King Sootscale, Annalla, and Isabella, and let them know we're leaving soon. I am always ready - I had my wagon packed, and Alidar should be ready to go. He's usually up early." She exhales, slowly, and says "alright..."
She wanders off to where Sootscale was staying, and knocks on his door, "King - we're leaving for Candlemere this morning, we have pressing business outside of Shadowfall. As soon as we can."
Leaving his door, she wanders over to Chrysa's master bedroom, and knocks on the door, saying through the closed wood, "Annalla, Isabella - we leave for Candlemere this morning. Chrysa and I would like to get out of the city as soon as possible. Please get ready as soon as you can. I hope you both are well."
She returns to Alidar's room to let him know, and after an hour, they are both waiting with the bison and Sophiel's cart. They are each reading a different book as they wait, sitting on the driver's bench.
Chrysa arranges breakfast for everyone first, coffee, juices, and various expected breakfast bits. "We're dropping him off at your place, I'd imagine" the rogue gestures at Alidar.
”Indeed. It is on the way. Were he and I going alone, or if there was less equipment to take, then I could get down there in half the time, but we move at the speed of everyone else - I cannot take everyone quickly.”
"Still so full from last night! King Sootscale nibbles lightly on the breakfast being served as the group discusses further plans. "Honeymoon party at Candlemere? Ipmeek think strange choice."
Annalla rises before her wife and notices a pleasant soreness from the previous night. She smiles and wonders if Isabella feels the same. With a quick kiss on the sleeping woman's cheek she hops out of bed to attend to physical needs before retrieving a book from her luggage and returning to read until Isabella wakes.
Isabella is awakened by Annalla leaving, but lately she's been struggling to get herself out of bed in the mornings. She groans and puts a blanket over her heard, Chrysa's bed proving to soft for her to try and escape. She murmurs something nonsensical and resumes snoring.
Later when everyone has decided it is impractical to allow her to sleep much longer and four suggestions by Sophie to rouse the bride, Anna returns to get Isabella on her feet. Of course she grumbles about oversleeping, claiming she ate too much dinner and it knocked her out for the night. She winks at Annalla when she says that, suggesting something else knocked her out (It was probably the cake).
Quickly dressing and donning her uncomfortable armor, she joins the others with yawn, hobbling over to the horse. She tries to pull herself up, but her additional weight and bulk are making it challenging. No one comments, but she knows they are all watching and she would never ask for help. It takes her five tries, but she eventually climbs aboard her mount. Clearly uncomfortable, she says nothing of the sort and declares "So we're heading to Castle Candelmere? Are we planning on discussing what exactly our plan is or are we winging it like old times and playing it fast and loose?"
Sophiel puts down her books, and smiles at Isabella, ”good morning. We have a few days of travel, so we can certainly discuss it on the way.” She smiles, ”however, Sootscale and I are the only people who can change our spells in any reasonable way. So in that regard, we cannot prepare much. Are there any consumable items people need? If you can think of a druid scroll, or a wondrous item, then we can have it made along the way.”
”Beyond that, Chrysa and I can scout, if you’d all like to hang back. There’s not much else we have in our bag of tricks. Though... I suppose I could flyover the complex once and see if there are any enemies. That’s new.” She shakes her head, ”administratorship is dulling my instincts.”
"I think we've discovered that complicated plans have a tendency to fall apart as soon as actual events put everything into motion." Chrysa shrugs "Did you bring any ranged weapons, Bella?"