"You're not making the food so good to fatten me up to cook me as well are you Delfi?" He says playfully.
The girl giggled. "Talia does most of the cooking! I'll ask her not to put so much flavour into it." Delfi looked at the cat-man, finding it hard to believe he could get fat based on his lean, muscular form. It was then Braylee joined in the conversation, praising the food and teasing Felix.
Riley wrote:
He acts surprised when Delfi mentions the party? "Really? I better be invited!" He gauges her reaction. "I happen to love celebrating birthdays!"
"Yes! You're invited! All of you are. If you miss it, I'll be most sad."
Riley wakes and moves down to the common room. He feels well rested. He greats Delfi with a hug and then tousles her hair a bit. "Morning, trouble." He sits down and enjoys the meal. The food is outstanding as usual. "I may have to purchase new pants if I continue to eat this well!" He jokes with his companions.
Delfi's smile grew wider at Riley's affection toward her. "I'm not trouble, Riley. I'm a perfect angel;" there was a mischievous glint in her large, expressive hazel eyes.
Riley:
You now note that among the hazel colour of Delfi's eyes there are areas of blue in each eye, just below each iris. Strange you didn't see that upon your return last evening.
"You work hard, Riley, so you deserve to eat well! You'll just work the food off," was the girl's quick reply to the portions of food they served.
Drawing closer, she sat down and quietly added, "It's my birthday in two days hence, Riley. Talia is putting on a party!"
Riley:
During your conversation with Talia last night (when you were bathing), she told you about the upcoming birthday party. She asked you to pretend like you don't know about it, so play it how you see fit with Delfi. ;)
She turns to Delfi and answers her. "All of the bad ones. It was terrible. We were over run on more than one occasion. Luckily, Felix and Riley were able to save us all." She gives the boys a teasing grin.
Delfi's first reaction was one of awe and then her brows knitted and she pondered the true meaning of Braylee's words. The girl opened her mouth to speak then closed it without any words coming forth. Her hazel eyes moved from Riley to Felix and back to Riley. Delfi still seemed to be pondering the quest they had taken on and was unsure how close to death they had come. In a subdued voice, the younger Orem answered, "I'm glad you all survived and came back to us. You saved the town and you are heroes." Her customary soft dimpled smile appeared for a brief moment upon her declaration before growing silent. Perhaps Talia was right to have worried so ... The terrible kobolds had fought hard and they were so many against a few. Delfi shook herself out of her reverie and put on a warm smile. "Lady Origena is sure to be very happy! Perhaps she will put on a feast in your honour! That would be fun."
The door of the inn opens and the familiar golden curls of Delfi can be seen in the doorway. As the girl notices the adventurers in the front garden, she cries out and rushes forward. "You're back! And alive! Talia has been worrying so for the hour was growing late and you had not returned. Come inside."
The girl's hazel eyes settle on Riley and look him over to ensure he is unharmed before smiling brightly at him before rushing forward to embrace him.
She looks around him at Braylee and adds, "Xemne is waiting inside for you. Your cousin has been worried, too."
Delfi let go off Riley; momentarily pausing to take in the stranger among them and then ushers the party inside the inn.
Riley grins at the girl's question. "I'm not heading to that lair without swinging back by and getting some good luck from you..." He tousles her hair playfully.
"I'll pray to Shelyn to keep an eye on you and the others, then. I know the goddess will heed my appeal for she doesn't ever let me down."
Delfi smiles and waves you all off before heading to Jax and Jorge to get the inn ready for the lunch hour.
The girl gave Riley a big smile, her warm hazel-eyes reflecting her affection for the man. "I'll do my best!" She then replied a little more quietly, "Will you go directly to the kobold lair after you're done meeting with Mistress Willoway or back here first?"
Not long after her song ended, Delfi closed the old music box and then heard a male voice humming another sweet melody and was surprised to discover the voice was Connor's. Delfi listened as she waited to see if Mistress Rhia felt any better or wanted to know more about the sick in town.
Upon the end of the haunting tune, Delfi called to the now drinking warrior, "That was a fine melody, Master Connor. Melancholy, haunting and pretty. Is it a song from your homeland?"
To whoever she approaches, Rhialtyra attempted a weak smile. Though clearly upset, she knew that it was no fault of anyone but herself. Perhaps she was overly sensitive - she knew not. But the way the man spoke of ending others' lives made her feel ill.
"Is there any place here for the sick or injured to go?" she asks, voice quiet.
Delfi had just happily waved to Talia and Riley as they left the inn together. At the pretty woman's approach, Delfi notes her subdued manner and tries to brighten the lady's mood with a warm smile.
"We have no formal infirmary. The sick in town visit the temples, apothecary or the herbalist for remedy and healing." Not knowing what has saddened the lady, the girl simply asks, "Would you like me to sing you a song, Mistress Rhia?" The girl takes the oracle's hand in hers and gives it a gentle squeeze.
If Rhia acquiesces, Delfi moves to a lovely carved sideboard and removes an exquisite music box and returning to Rhialtyra, winds the box, lifts the lid and begins singing along to the sweet melody.
The warrior had spoken of killing, but that was not her way - not the way of the House she belonged to and not the way of the goddess she worshipped.
"Your womenfolk sound fierce, Master Connor. And to be honoured for their part in protecting their community. Wise women are to be revered and honoured, too, even if they do not learn to fight or are trained killers. I'll ask Riley to show me some tricks with daggers. I may not make use of them, but at least I will have them to fall back on, if all else has failed." The girl smiled warmly at the warrior, her hazel eyes holding his pale ones for a moment for skipping ahead.
"Thank you for the sweets." Delfi took one of the hard-boiled candies - a yellow one - and popped it into her mouth - enjoying its lemony taste. She extended her arm toward Rhialtyra and offered her a sweet.
Rhia wrote:
"Here," she said as she offered it to Delfi. "To replace the ribbon you offered the goddess." She knew it wouldn't be expected, per se, but she thought it would be a nice gesture, if nothing else.
"You didn't have to do that, Mistress Rhia, but thank you all the same. The offering was a just one and there is no misdeed or sadness. I would've explained it to Riley since the ribbon was now mine to do as I wished. And what could be better than laying it as gift for such divine service? You are all well now, thanks to the will of the goddess and that is happy news."
Rhia wrote:
She shook her head at her own folly and smiled at Delfi. "Let's go show your sister all of the ribbons you got today - I bet that'll make her smile, don't you think?"
"Aye. She likes pretty ribbons, too," and with that the girl opened the door of the Wise Piper and ran inside, calling her sister's name.
"As for the size of the weapon? You speak with wisdom; for size matters little if the weapon finds it mark, eh?" he adds, then chuckles guessing that in that girl's hands even a Needle can be deadly...
Connor:
Her words were low now as she spoke with the warrior, "Master Connor, I will continue to practice with my daggers when my chores are done as my execution could do with improving. I am no fighter, like you, but I would protect my person and those I love."
"That said, this is for you." Then he unhooks his old short sword and holds out the sheathed weapon to her.
"It took three Ustalavian cavaliers; twelve Brevoyian men-at-arms and seventeen orcs of Clan Grishnak to the ground during its time with me."
"Treat it well and it shall serve you well in equal measure," he says to her.
The girl listened to Connor speak of the smith and her endurance and a possible need for vengeance.
Delfi smiled at the warrior and shook her head. "It's a fine sword, but I cannot accept it, Master Connor. I do not possess the aptitude to wield it as it should be wielded. I would only cause more harm than good with it. I prefer smaller, simpler weapons, and I'm good with them. Your offering is most generous, but you should keep it or sell it and use the coin to acquire other weapons for yourself." She gave the warrior a reassuring smile, hoping his heart would not be injured by her refusal.
"As for vengeance, I seek none. His words were a brute's bluster. I'll not become him; a dark and twisted creature."
Delfi does not have proficiency in a short sword (martial weapons) and with her ability stats and the -4 for wielding a weapon she's not proficient in, it wouldn't be worth it. The girl appreciates the gift, but cannot accept it.
Delfi looked into Riley's hazel eyes, a little darker than her own, and contemplated his promise. After a few moments had passed, she simply answered, "I believe you", but did not seem disturbed by Riley's threat of death against the smith.
"Will you point us toward the first Smithy, Delfi?" she asked the young girl, a smile in place. "We can meet you there."
"I will wait for you at the corner of the road. Our inn is only a few minutes walk from there and then we can walk together to the moneychangers (Building 34 on map)and Chance Smithy (Building 36 on map) as the shops are side by side. Bacchus Smithy (Building 16 on map)is not far from our inn and we could stop there on our way back, yes?"
Delfi will wait for you to go back to inn, collect the rest of your coin, and rejoin her so together you can walk up Tula's Walk toward Grellen & Sons and Chance Smithy.
"Let's go", and with a smile and wave to Talia, Jax and Jorje, Delfi led the group out of the inn and on the road toward Tymek's General Store and then to Chance Smithy first and onto Bacchus Smithy. She didn't really like Marcus Chance very much, no one much did except for his own people, but he was a fine blacksmith when he wasn't acting like a brute.
Connor wrote:
"Delfi Orem, does this General Store sell jewelry as well?" he asks her.
Connor's question brought her out of her reverie, "Aye, it does. Master Tymek has some lovely, delicate pieces, and they're not very fancy or expensive."
The girl blushed and smiled; the dimples deeper than before. "Thanks, Riley!", Delfi turned to Talia and almost giggled in delight at the man's praise.
"So to the General Store first?", she asked the group.
”Greetings, Delfi Orem,” he says to her with a smile.
”My comrades and I wish to explore your town today and I know you said you would help us,” he says to her.
”Come, then, for the day is half-gone and there is so much to see...
Delfi is waiting in the dining hall. She has changed her clothing: into a crisp white blouse and a pretty tan skirt (to her ankles) with soft brown kid boots. Her wavy, tousled hair is brushed neatly; a bow in her hair. There is a satchel strapped across her torso and hanging on her left hip.
She smiles, dimples prettily showing, at Connor and the others as they descend the stairs from the upper chambers. "I am ready, Master Connor. Where would you like to go first?"
For convenience sake, you can just list the places in the order you'd like to visit, or, if you're splitting up to save time and cover more ground and shops/places, then let me know who are walking together and where to. Thanks.
"Terrible. I almost died on more than one occasion." He pauses for dramatic effect. "See these blood stains? We fought vermin and other evil creatures." He smiles, "But here we are. Safe and sound." He takes another drink of rum. "So after I get clean are you going to keep me out of trouble on the tour of the village?"
Delfi drew in a breath when she heard Riley had almost died in the Witch Tower. Her hazel eyes moved quickly over his body to see if she could see any signs of his near death but his flesh was unmarked, except for the flecks of blood, dirt and gore.
"Ill protect you during our walk through town, Riley!"
She then moved to her sister's side and Riley can hear the girl quietly say, "Riley almost died in the tower. We have to protect him," and Riley can see Talia's eyes move over to him and look at him thoughtfully/questioningly.
Just then Delfi came out, pail in hand, and saw the group drawing nearer.
"You've returned!", the girl exclaimed happily.
They looked dirty and some even bloodied, and Delfi's brow furrowed.
"Talia said you'd be needing a bath when you returned. We've got water boiling already. I'll let my sister know you are here". The girl gave Riley a lingering look and smiled before turning and swiftly moving back inside the inn, her golden hair bouncing as she moved.
You can hear her through the door, "Talia, they're back. Quick, they will need baths readied."
Delfi's head turned to look at Talia and gave a tired nod, before the dimples appeared and she smiled sleepily at her sister and the others.
She got up from the chair and moved to her sister's side. Delfi leaned up and kissed Talia's cheek and then standing on tiptoes and pulling Riley down a little so she could reach his face, she kissed his cheek, too, before giving a little giggle.
"Good night to all. I'll see you in the morning," and kissing the cheeks of both Jax and Jorje, Delfi made her way up the stairs to her bedchamber with very little fuss.
"Since our agenda has since changed for tomorrow, would you show us around later in the day, perhaps after your chores?" she asked, offering an alternative to the early hours the girl was no doubt looking at.
"Aye, the afternoon is fine. I have to get back before dinner preparation." Looking up at the dark-haired Half-Elf whose arm she held, then back to the pretty woman, she asked, "Will Master Riley be coming along, too?"
She sped up only slightly, curious to see how Delfi was doing: "Aren't you tired yet, young one?" she asked gently. "I bet you'll sleep swiftly tonight."
Delfi's expressive hazel-eyes met Rhialtyra's bright sapphire ones. The dimpled smile was instantaneous - the girl's nature/smile was akin to the sunlight and could instantly warm the recipient.
"I am a little, Mistress Rhialtyra. And I need to rise early to bake the bread." The Aasimar quietly noted the dark shadows under the girl's eyes - sign the tiredness was there but, for reasons of her own, the girl wouldn't admit to its degree.
Delfi was securely ensconced between Talia and Riley and was happy to be, if her expression was anything to go by.
"The sooner we get home, the better!"I don't like this place, she thought to herself.
Connor's eyes go flat at that response. However, when he sees Delfi's gesture he instantly turns the haft to her. If Delfi also refuses the blade he will re-sheathe it.
Delfi's eyes widen as she sees the warrior signalling for her to take his weapon. She shook her wavy, shoulder length hair, and mouthed "No, thank you."
"Bathing under the stars can be dangerous, you are right. Yet I find that sometimes it is good to test oneself in unfamiliar waters," he adds with a wry smile.
"But the water in the river is cold - colder at night!", Delfi uttered innocently, questioning the warrior's common sense and marvelling at his forbearance.
"If you do not mind, then, Delfi," she added to the younger sibling. "Would you spare some time for me in the morning?"
"Of course, milady! Once my prayers are done I can escort you and your friends and then come back to start my chores." A bright smile broke across the pretty girl's face, lighting her large, hazel eyes.
At the sight of the cat-man, Delfi gasped, having never seen the likes of one as he. In a fervent whisper, she enquired of Talia, "What IS he?" She lifted her hand to her lips to hide her words so she would not give offence to the stranger. Talia had bent down and whispered, "Catfolk. He will not harm you." At Talia's words, Delfi made a resolution to learn as such as she could about these Catfolk. The cat-man's singing was very good and he and Jorge made a good pairing. Without thinking, Delfi edged closer to the dance floor, and, lifting her skirt a little, so she would not tread on it, began to spin and dance in time with the lively tune; her innocent/happy laughter filling the space.
When the tune ended, Delfi clapped enthusiastically, just like her sister, and a little out of breath extended her praise, "Felix, you and Jorje did brilliantly!" Still not entirely sure of the cat-man, she gave him a quick, dimpled smile and returned to Talia's side.
With his mood brightened a bit, he reaches for a piece of the fresh baked bread from Delfi and takes a bite. With a mouth full of bread, he winks playfully at the young serving girl.
The young girl giggled at the wink, not only for the gesture but because the man had a mouth full of the bread she had just put on the table! Tugging at Talia's sleeve, she whispered up to her sister, "He winked at me! Did you see?! Riley is funny."
Delfi's Sense Motive re the wink:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Talia's Sense Motive re the wink:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Not long after Talia had moved to the fire, Delfi returned from the kitchen with a new woven basket of warm, fresh bread. She began to run then remembered herself and walked with as much decorum as she could muster to the table and placed the basket down.
"There's your fresh bread, sirs and ladies." She gave another dimpled smile and then moved to stand beside Talia.
The elder girl smoothed down the golden waves of the younger and it was evident there was a closeness and they shared affection for one another.
