"Perfect!" Morgana says, seizing Vaisa's hand. "Right everyone, we're off. See you later!" With that she practically drags Vasia away from the group and sets off down the street.
"So, what sort of colors do you like?" She asks as they walk. "And what are you goals for this picnic? Clothes can say a lot about you. Think about Amethyst for example, her clothes show clearly that she is confident in her appearance and sexually available. Melody on the other hand dresses to avoid notice, and practically too - her tunic and trousers mean its easy to run if she ever needs to. So, do you want something that's going to be alluring and encourage Mr Foxglove? I think we could get you something really wonderful, and Ryn is a mistress of fitting!"
Walking down the street, it is obvious that many men and women are staring in admiration or curiosity at Amethyst, whispering to others as she walks by. One gentleman walks up to Amethyst with confidence, as if Sabriyya did not exist and offers her a lovely bunch of colourful tulips. "Ms Swan, these flowers are for you. A thankful gift for all that you have done? Perhaps you may have time for dinner some point soon? I would just love to get to know you better." He is not the only one, there are many hungry eyes as Amethyst walks through the street, disregarding the fact she is joined arm in arm with Sabriyya.
Jenica speaks up when all that Vasia offers in response to Morgana's questions is an informative, "Uh ..."
"Yes, some color please," the phantom woman declares as they walk along. She's gliding backwards in front of the ladies, not even trying to appear mortal. "Something earth-tone, but bright to match her gorgeous eyes," Jenica continues. "Somewhat demure, but promising more if one could persuade her. We don't want her to look like a harlot."
"Bunica!"
Jenica ignores the outburst of protest. "We can save the exotic stuff for the second or third date. We definitely want to let him know that more dates are possible if he's not a complete cad. No trousers. Something open at least to here on the sides." She gestures to about mid-thigh. "She's got incredible legs and should show them off a little more."
The phantom slows a little, just enough to bring her close to Morgana. "And please tell me you can do something with her hair?"
Amethyst accepts the tulips and breathes in their scent. ”They are lovely, thank you. Dinner sounds lovely as well, if I am not otherwise occupied. Thank you, Mister...?” She waits to learn his name.
Sabriyya giggles, again, at Swan's suggestion. She walks down the street holding their hand. When the flowers arrive, she frowns, looking for her competition. When the man tries to hand them to Swan however, Sabriyya reaches out and takes them instead. Holding them in her free hand, she clears her throat looks to the man, waiting for him to look back at her. When he does, she says "Excuse me. Thank you for the flowers for one of Sandpoint's saviors. You may have missed it, but I am also a savior of the town. The goblin raid yesterday? Yeah, that's me too. Oh. And. I'm sorry. Swan is busy. Have a great day."
She pulls Swan along, moving her forward past the man.
Amethyst laughs and waves at the man as Sabriyya leads her away. ”I see you are laying your claim to me. I like it...”
Flustered by the attempts to claim her prize, she scoffs "You don't want Charles, he doesn't even bathe! Couldn't you smell that pungent odor back at the Boneyard? That was him approaching!"
”Ah, I see. Thank you for the rescue, my brave knight,” Amethyst says, kissing Sabriyya on the cheek.
Melody smiles at her friend's possessiveness. She does have a habit of getting attached. Free from the attention the lovely others bring, the little halfling disappears without notice, finds a comfortable rooftop (the bakery is one of her favorites, the Smells_ and starts sewing an army of goblins.
"I'm sure we can arrange something!" Morgana says with a laugh. They soon arrive at 70 Pickleback Lane and Morgana barges into Vernah's Fine Clothing as though she owns the place. The proprietor, the beautiful Rynshinn Povalli is fending off the advances of a young man who is ostensibly asking about being measured for a new codpiece and the half elf strides over, completely ignoring him.
"I came back in normal hours." Morgana greets her with a grin. "This is Vasia and she needs a new dress for a picnic with a young man this afternoon." In short order Ryn has Vasia on a stool and is wrapping a measuring tape around her in every conceivable direction while Morgana politely ushers "Cod-piece man" out of the shop and shuts the door firmly behind her.
"I like these," The paladin says, stepping up besides Rynshinn and holding up some swatches. Jenica floats in behind and nods approvingly as the two women hold a rapid technical conversation.
"She's got a perfectly good figure, we just need to show it off."
"Agreed, perhaps some boning or structure towards the waist? You made me a lovely one a few weeks ago. And her legs, we need to give them a little room to show off."
"I can dart the waist certainly, lower hem at the back then? You'll need shoes."
Morgana's laugh has the tailor rolling her eyes. "I forgot. Now be quiet or I won't be able to work properly!"
Vasia's attempts to make her opinions known are brushed aside in the conversation until Ryn takes the swatches and disappears into the back. Morgana hands Vasia her dress back and waves her down from the stool. "Ryn is going to have your dress done in a couple of hours. Should be just in time for the picnic, and you are coming with me. Your Bunica was right, we need to do something about your hair!"
Vasia keeps giving sounds of surprise as a tape measure is placed in places she's never been measured before.
"What's wrong with my hair?" she asks softly, placing a hand up on it defensively.
"Oh, Child, what isn't wrong with it?" Jenica says, reaching up an incorporeal hand in an attempt to brush some of the chaos out of the girl's face.
She turns to Morgana. "It's clean and the color works, but style-wise ... it's clearly a disaster. So lets talk hair ... and shoes. I wouldn't give her anything with a heel because it is a picnic after all and she'd be risking a twisted ankle on sure ground, much less wherever he's taking her. Hair-wise, we need to get it out of her face. It's not long enough to braid; she cuts it off whenever it starts getting too long."
"When was it last cut?" Morgana responds, "And when was it last brushed?" She sounds quite stern now. "I can understand that you have been focused on other things but all women can be both effective and beautiful. Not just because men expect us to be but because we deserve to be. Taking care of yourself is a right, and you should look beautiful, if only to prove to yourself that you can. The world wants us to be what they make us. So the only way to stand up is be what you wish to be, and to do it while showing everyone that you can be what they expect and what you want to be at the exact same time."
She breathes deeply. "Sorry, this matters to me. A lot. But I'll try to lighten up a bit. Either way, come with me."
Not taking no for an answer she escorts the spiritualist up the road above town to where four fine manor houses sit on the buff above town. She marches into the finest with a casual wave. "We need a bath, as quick as you can please Sara. And I'll need a pair of scissors too, as sharp as we have."
Vasia is treated to an hour and a half of hot water in a stream of regular buckets, a thorough hair-washing and a reasonably quick, but well practised hair cut, that leaves her hair thinner, neater and a lot better shaped than it was before. "There," Morgana says, looking pleased with herself. "I'm no expert but that looks much better, don't you think Jenica? Now we should have just enough time to sort some shoes out before Ryn's work gets here, come on sweetie."
Morgana leads Vasia into a room that seems to be devoted to clothes and shoes in almost every hue and style. "Hopefully your feet are a similar size to mine as well. Pick something you like, but your Bunica is right, avoid the heels. Some sandals perhaps, over there."
As the girl is pulled along again through the village, she begins to gain a little more will. "What's the point of going through all that effort, though?" she asks. "People only see what they want to see and if you don't match up with what they expect then you're dismissed without a second thought. So I don't see the point in trying to meet anyone else's expectations. They're going to find something wrong with me no matter how I dress myself up."
She doesn't resist, however. Enjoying the treat of the hot bath immensely, she actually groans in pleasure when Morgana moves her soap-covered hands through the girl's raven hair. "Now that feels good," she says in a husky voice. With closed eyes, she revels in the pleasure, but then sinks down lower into the water to hide her physical reaction.
Almost overwhelmed at the selection of shoes, she still manages to choose a pair of lace-up flat sandals with straps that climb her ankles.
"Good choice," Morgana says. "Now this arrived when you were picking them out, do you want a hand getting ready or should I leave you and Bunica to do it?"
The parcel proves to hold a dress in a soft russet color, it emphasises Vasia's slender waist, although the sleeves are mid-length and the neckline relatively demure. It does have a slit up to about knee height, which ensures that Morgana's sandals are shown off to their best effect however.
Once Vasia emerges fully dressed Morgana applauds with an expression of delight. "You look lovely sweetheart. I don't think Mr Foxglove is going to deserve you! Be careful or he might decide to try and eat you rather than the picnic!"
Vasia blushes and looks away at the compliment, her olive-colored skin darkening as she reaches up and nervously twists a finger through a loose strand of hair. "Thank you," she says softly.
Jenica leans in close to the paladin. "I think she'd rather you ate her up rather than Foxglove," she whispers. "But there's time for that later."
Morgana rapidly finds a smile at Jenica's comments. "Now you're teasing me Jenica, and after all I've done for your granddaughter - that's not nice!" She does walk over and take advantage of her heels to place a kiss on Vasia's forehead. "You are very welcome sweetheart. Now, do you know your way to the Old Light well enough or would you like me to walk you there? Don't worry about returning the shoes, I can always pick them up from the Rusty Dragon tomorrow if you find that you're occupied tonight." She finishes with a wink.
"And leave the ringlet like that Vasia, it makes you look..." She pauses, apparently unsure of the right word. "Charming."
There's an intake of breath when Morgana kisses her forehead and Vasia freezes for a moment before looking up at the paladin. She licks her lips and her eyes drop down to Morgan's. She starts to lean forward, but then pulls away, nervously wringing her hands in front of her.
"So ... uh ... what should I ... I mean, it's our first date. Should I let him kiss me? Should I let him ..." She shrugs. "I've never been on a date before. I don't know what's expected."
"Don't worry, Dear," Jenica says in a placating tone. "I'll be right there with you."
Vasia gives Morgana a pleading look, her bunica's assurances not helping.
"Well, I'd think carefully about what you want first." Morgana says, guiding Vasia to a seat. "Would you like to kiss him? Consider yourself first, and never let him push you into something you don't want. If you want to kiss him, then do it. As to... anything else, that's a bigger step. Kissing does not have to lead to more, but there is no going back once you share a bed with someone. It can be little, simply a pleasant act between friends, but your first is always something more. That is not something to simply give up because a man suggests it." She puts a slender hand on Vasia's cheek and turns the young woman's gaze to her own.
"My first time was a young man the same age as I. We were both young and had heard tales of the wonders of love. We both wanted to know what that was like." She smiles ruefully. "The first time was... not exactly as the songs made it, but he was and is, a dear friend to me. The second time was better and the third time... well... that was the first time he managed to better what I could do for myself and that was an experience."
"Anyway, that's probably more than you wanted to know." The paladin continues, a blush rising into her pale cheeks. "I'm rambling. Sorry. Anyway, dating. Hopefully a date is simply a pleasant time between two people who enjoy each other's company. It doesn't have to be anything else. As I said, you have to think of what you want. If Mr Foxglove is a real gentleman then he will respect your boundaries. He might well hope for another date and to make you more comfortable with him, but you mustn't put any pressure on yourself to do anything if you don't want to." Morgana nods firmly. "If he does push you too far then I will bring Beylor and the entire Sandpoint constabulary down upon him! And that's only if your bunica leaves me anything to deal with." She adds, trying for humor.
"Just... try to have a nice time Vasia, and don't let him try anything you don't want him to. If he does then tell him to stop, and then let your grandmother out." There's a line on Morgana's forehead that makes her look concerned, ever so slightly. "If you want to talk about it afterwards, then I'll happily listen." She squeezes the girl's hand again and then glances out of the window. "But you'd better get going, being a little late is good - it builds anticipation, but too late is rude. Do you want me to walk with you or not?"
Vasia's hand closes over Morgana. "Thank you for all you advice," she says with sincerity. "There ... uh ... is one thing you ... uh ... Could you ...?" She glances at Jenica and then looks shyly back at Morgana. "Could you teach me to ... to kiss someone?"
"You really don't remember last night do you?" Morgana says, smiling even as the blush on her cheekbones deepens. "Well... the first thing is eye contact, whoever initiates the kiss will probably make some other contact, like a hand or cheek." Her own hand finds itself almost naturally on Vasia's soft cheek. "Keep your eyes on them as they lean in." She continues, closing the distance slowly. "Eye contact is very intimate. When they get closer you'll probably want to close your eyes, that's fine, that's natural."
Morgana's own eyes are fluttering as she tries to resist the urge she's describing. [smaller]"On a first date you'd expect a gentle kiss, lips closed."[smaller] She whispers, her breath warm on Vasia's lips. Almost of their own volition her lips close the last small distance between them and press themselves against the pair opposite them.
The kiss goes on for a long moment before Morgana's tongue slips between her lips and traces Vasia's gently, seeking permission to enter.
Vasia moans as the passion in the kiss increases. Not knowing what to do with her hands, she reaches out and brushes along Morgana's arms before sliding one hand behind her neck and pulling her closer. When tongues become involved her other hand joins the first.
A moment later and she pulls away, gasping to catch her breath. "Is ... is it always like that?" she manages to ask.
"It is if you're doing it right," Jenica says with a satisfied grin as she watches the two. "I'd leave you two alone for an hour or two, but Vasia does have a date already."
Well, I like to think I'm a good kisser." Morgana replies, her smile falling a little when Jenica reminds her of Vasia's date. "But yes, if its done well then kissing should be something very special. Jenica is right though, you really have to go!"
As Vasia leaves Morgana stands at the window, watching her depart and reliving the phantom feeling of Vasia's lips on hers.
No sweetheart, kisses aren't usually that good!
Jenica delays just a bit as Vasia takes her leave.
"I don't think my nepoata was the only one that felt something there," she says with knowing look at the paladin. "She's blossoming into a wonderful young woman and if someone was desirous of becoming close with her, they shouldn't wait long."
She winks at the woman before slipping through the wall.
The Old Light is Sandpoint's most significant landmark and, from what people know of it, one of the oldest structures in town. It has mostly collapsed, but the stone ruins still extend up 50ft in height. It is perched atop a high cliff looking out over the choppy sea.
There is a cool breeze coming from the bay as Vasia arrives. She can see Aldern's lounging upon a woolen blanket with a wicker picnic basket, gazing out across the sea, unaware of her presence.
----
At dinnertime this evening, the Rusty Dragon is humming with chatter and laughter with the people of Sandpoint back to their normal ways after yesterday evening's attack.
Tonight, the second free dinner of the week is served up by a thankful Ameiko. It smells divine and consists of a sumptuous sharing dish of Absalom fondue; a mixture of finger foods from around the Inner Sea all designed to be dipped into two centre pots, one of broth and the other of a creamy melted cheese.
In the mid-point of dinner, there is a loud crash as the tavern's door slams open and a surly visitor enters barking out a demand in a foreign language, shoulders hunched with anger.
The other locals in the tavern grow quiet and all become very interested in their meals.
"Mr Lonjiku, calm down please." She asks sternly. "People have paid good money for the food they are eating. If you wish to speak to your daughter then I'm sure there is a better and more private place to do it than the common room!"
In a fit of misguided anger, Lonjiku approaches Morgana's table.
"And I assume you are the lot whose misguided antics nearly got others hurt!" The old man exclaims, over pronouncing his consonants, spluttering as he speaks loudly. "You should have left the defence to the trained professionals I'll have you know."
"Am I not permitted to stand in defence of my home?" Morgana replies. "My family have just as much of a stake in Sandpoint as you do Lonjiku. So I will fight with my family, for my home. Now please, calm down. No doubt your daughter will come out in a moment. You are embarrassing yourself and your family."
Her tone is stern.
"A Pot full of CHEESE" a voice small and filled with awe says from the edge of her seat. "I've heard of this, Sweets, dreamed of this, but never..." she looks around at the dinner companions, their SECOND dinner together. This is almost too much for her poor brain.
Ignore the butterflies, hide the worries, SMILE, and please don't screw this up she tells herself in a voice awfully like she remembers her moms to be. Then smiles, a nervous but happy one, she hopes, and goes to dip something in that cheese... but she can't reach. Hmmm... tall people never think. Melody quickly pulls off her boots and climbs on the table itself, sitting crosslegged on the wood to REACH.
The bread inches closer... and the yelling man enters, making her scamper off the table, and behind Sweets for the first part of the conversation.
Morgana's tone embolden hers though, a little at least "The... the... trained professionals were on the wall, the goblins... were in the center. And there... there were children there."
"Isn't it delightful!?" the shaman says, "What is better than cheese mixed with more CHEESE!" She giggles playfully with Melody until the old, rude man blunders in.
"MISGUIDED ANTICS?!" Sabriyya shouts, rising from her seat. "I respectfully request an apology, Mr. Kajitsu. If it were not for us, you may not have a daughter to come demand to see right now! Why!?-"
Sabriyya is clearly conflicted. She has the utmost respect for elders, but she cannot tolerate being wrongly accused or labeled for doing misjustice. Flustered, she folds her arms across her chest and glares at the man expecting an apology and hoping she doesn't need to say anymore.
With the commotion and shouting in the common room, Ameiko comes bursting out with a ladle dripping with cheese from the kitchen. Any remaining noise in the tavern stops. For a moment, Ameiko takes in the sight of Lonjiku and the silence is deafening.
Lonjiku, ignoring Morgana, Melody and Sabriyya's outburst turns to his daughter and begins speaking fast.
Ameiko at first looks taken aback before her cheeks flush red with anger.
"Abandon the Rusty Dragon to return to that place? What are you talking about you old fool. Don't you know how much work I put into this place? Of course you don't, because you never visit." She spits out in common, forgetting her patrons surrounding her.
The idea of closing the Dragon makes the halfling poke her head around Sweets big skirts "No, please don't close the Dragon! It has the best food, the nicest people, everyone loves it, except maybe Viskalee- --- no -- Viskalai, he has the Deer right? I mean most everyone loves this place, it is always full except first thing in the morning and when it is closed, but... please, I love it here." she tries the puppy dogs eyes that works on Sweets, unless she's grumpy.
Amethyst scowls at Lonjiku's rudeness but let the other women speak out against him.
Sabriyya shuts you when Ameiko engages with Lonjuku, clearly A family dispute. Though she doesn’t vocalize her displeasure, she still stands firm with her arms crossed should the old man look her way.
She takes a deep breath and straightens her dress before speaking. "Good afternoon, Lord Foxglove," she says and, having seen it done before, attempts a curtsey. "Thank you for inviting me out today and to such a beautiful view."
She approaches the blanket. At that point she realizes that she has a problem. How to sit without looking like a total klutz or displaying more than she'd like. With caution, she slowly lowers herself to her knees and then with something almost but not quite like grace, she leans to one side, putting her hand down on the blanket.
"I hope you haven't gone to too much trouble."
Show a little more leg.
Entirely lacking subtlety she reaches down and shifts the skirt of her dress to expose a little more.
You weren't supposed to be obvious about it.
~~~~~
Vasia had heard about Ameiko's father, but this is the first time she's seen him. In a matter of moments, it's clear to her why Ameiko is here rather than staying with him.
"This was no trouble at all, it is always worth it to get to spend some time with someone as interesting as you. I'll be honest, I was most impressed by you. Your companions are fine women, excellent warriors and spellcasters. But you, you are unique. I've never seen someone with your skills, you cast magic without words and you can summon a spirit of some sort." He pauses, smiles brightly and gently takes Vasia's hand, lifting it to his lips. "And you are beautiful. I am enchanted. So, please, tell me some more about yourself. Where does such a beautiful woman come from?"
----
Both Ameiko and Lonjiku continue to argue, in Minkain making it impossible to interpret for any of you before Ameiko bursts out: "Just leave this Inn and go to Magnimar without me."
Enraged, Lonjiku tries to grab her by the hair to drag her from the tavern, but she dodges and brains him with her soupy ladle, spattering
melted cheese and potatoes all over his hair and outfit. This act of public defiance wounds Lonjiku’s pride more than anything else, and after he sputters for a moment, he finds his voice, breaking the silence and utters, “You’re as dead to me as your mother,” before leaving the tavern.
The cruel comment that almost brings Ameiko to tears, yet as her father leaves, she bravely picks up her ladle, inspects it, pulls a hair out of the mess, and says, “I’ll need a well-cleaned ladle now, since jackass stew’s not on the menu.” The resulting cheers and laughter from the tavern’s patrons help her attitude immensely and she turns to continue cooking back in the kitchen.
And I don't want my line to die out!
"Her name's Jenica Miklosovici. She was a mercenary of some renown in her time."
Great renown.
"I only hope to achieve a small amount of what she did." She looks out to the sun sparkling on the ocean. "I was raised by a woman in a small town outside of Magnimar. She passed along to me a love of all things Thassilonian." Her gaze shifts to the ruins of the Old Light, itself. "There's something exciting about putting together the pieces of the past like a great puzzle and seeing the image it creates. Learning from it."
Boring. Ask about him. Men love to talk about themselves.
"So there's no Lady Foxglove you said?"
Not about exes! Calistria's cleft, girl! About him!
"I mean ... uh ... so where is your estate?"
The little voice behind the mass of skirts whispers "I know I am not an expert but... fathers should not act that way to their daughters." she tugs at the fabric, looking up at Sabriyya "Is there anything we can do?"
Sabriyya grimaces at Lonjiku's comment about Ameiko's mother. That was rough. It wasn't even her mother and she felt staggered by the assault. She doesn't join in the laughter or mocking when it begins, instead nodding to Melody's comment. "No. No they should not. I'm not sure what to do. We should make sure Ameiko is okay, I suppose. Had my father said that to me, I would not be okay."
Sabriyya moves off Ameioko, pushing into the kitchens where she certainly does not belong. She calls out "Ameiko? Hi. It's Sabriyya. Infamous misguided savior of the town? Are you okay? I'm sorry he said that. He didn't mean it, likely. Probably he's just upset at something else and he's lashing out at you because you make him feel safe."
"Is there anything I or the rest of us can do to help?"
At home in Alma's bakery, she feels at ease in the Dragon's kitchens and absently starts picking up dirty pots and pans and dishes and moving them to the sink while she talks and waits.
Morgana, whose parents got on about as well as the Kaijitsu's seem to have done, seems less shocked than everyone else about what Lonjiku said. "He always has been, pardon my varisian, a turd." She says to Melody. "Unfortunately he's an influential turd. But I think he just used a lot of it here... Ameiko is just as famous, and far better liked."
"I think the word you're looking for is măgar and he certainly is one," Vasia says before breaking out in giggles at having the bravery to say something so vulgar. "But don't they say, 'Toţi bărbaţii sunt măgari'?"
"No-ones said it in my hearing before, but when it comes to Lonjiku I heartily echo the sentiment." Morgana says with a smile. "So... want to tell us all what Mr Foxglove is like? Was he a gentleman?"
Aldern appears entranced by Vasia's explanation of her magical abilities, gazing into her eyes as she babbles about her heritage, ignoring the ocean waves beyond.
"I would not be surprised if you not only achieve a small amount of what she did Vasia, but actually surpass her achievements entirely. I have a feeling that you are one very capable young lady with a great future ahead of you." He leans forward and brushes her cheek, with affection.
Opening up the basket and pulling out some wrapped up baguettes, cheeses and some sliced cured boar, Aldern chuckles as he remembers something. "Oh yes, I forgot to say earlier, I thought it would be safer to bring some apple juice for the picnic today, I did not want to risk causing you another headache tomorrow morning after all. " He says, softly teasing Vasia with a wink. His eyes stay transfixed on her face, clearly making a deliberate attempt not to allow his gaze to wonder to her newly exposed leg.
"No, no Lady Foxglove no longer, but that has allowed me a chance to spend some time with the beautiful woman sitting before me. My estate is in Magnimar itself you see, nothing much special about it, you don't want to hear anymore about that." He says, brushing the conversation about himself off, clearly not wanting to elaborate.
Aldern tucks into his baguette and cheese with joy. "Mmm, isn't this just fabulous. Freshly baked bread from the bakery, with joyful company overlooking this lovely view. How lucky can one man be!"
The picnic continues with small talk before Aldern brings up the Old Light itself.
"So we came up here because you wanted to know more about this Old Light? I did a little digging around for you earlier this morning and ended up speaking with an unusual gentleman by the name of Brodert Quink. A fascinating fellow indeed. He claimed that this Old Light was not originally just a lighthouse but some sort of ancient magical weapon. How ridiculous a premise, but people do like to make things seem more grandiose than they actually are!"
----
Ameiko looks up from the pot, which she was hunched over and quickly turns to see Sabriyya coming in to comfort her.
"Oh Sabriyya, thanks for coming in" She says, with reddened eyes as if she had been crying. "Unfortunately I have not doubt that the jack-ass absolutely meant every word he said. That man has no empathy with anyone else at all - its all about him. Well never you mind, this Inn is not going anywhere anytime soon! You know what would help me the most right now? Get out there and enjoy my food!" Ameiko insists with a smile teasing at her lips. "I'll tidy up here, never you worry, and you don't want that fondue going cold! Although I wouldn't mind a fresh pastry in the morning too" She adds with a wink.
I'm glad to hear it. If you want, I'll go bop him on the nose. Just you tell me you want me to. I'm not afraid of him." she says defiantly, wielding a pan in her hands.
Sabriyya doesn't know why she does it, but she walks up and gives Ameiko a big squeezing hug and says "You got it." before turning and leaving after straightening up a few more pots first, of course. She moves back out to rejoin the group, indeed hoping the cheese within cheese is still edible.
No, no, no. Never refute a man. Just nod politely!
"I've met Mister Quink and while some of his claims may require more significant proof, I would never dismiss them outright. It hasn't been my experience that he creates spurious facts. I would give him the benefit of the doubt." She takes a sip of her apple juice. "I do thank you for this, though," she says with a smile.
Better. Now show more leg. Subtly, this time.
Her position shifts as she reaches over for another piece of cheese and some of her thigh slips free from her skirt. "So, are you interested in all things Thassilonion, yourself, Aldern, or did you just learn that to get in my good graces?" she asks with a sly smile.
Careful! Don't put him off.
~~~~~
"Well, Lord Foxglove was quite pleasant when I arrived and he had bread, cheese, and apple juice," she says with a giggle.
"I dabble," Aldern says with a sly smile, "Education becomes a gentleman after all. But anything that gets me in your good graces is worth considerably more study. So I will purchase books on the subject at once!"
The rest of the picnic continues pleasantly for another hour, before it becomes a little too breezy to stay at the top of the cliff. Aldern Chivalrously offers Vasia his jacket before stooping to collect the blanket and the remnants of the picnic.
"So," Aldern says, straightening up. "Shall we take a meander back through town? Or may I escort you somewhere?" He offers his free arm with a courtly bow.
----
When Amethyst returns to their room for the evening, they find a small wrapped present with the tag "From your Secret Admirer, 'S'" Opening it reveals a tiny broach with an owl, with sparkling gems that resemble Amethysts for eyes.
The next morning, Aldern has a message for you all at breakfast, informing you to meet him at the Goblin Squash Stables at 9am ready to get hunting.
While the group gathers at the stables and awaits for Aldern to return, Sabriyya wonders aloud (like usual). "Why are we on a boar hunt? Doesn't the town need repairing? Isn't there a missing body needing investigating? Could't Ameiko perhaps use help with her father? Yet, we are hunting for sport?"