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The Rusty Dragon has been done up right for tonight’s celebration of the successful hunt.  Bunting hangs from the rafters and the smell of roasting pork wafts through the air as Ameiko Kaijitsu performs her culinary magic on the huge Tickwood boar.  A large table has been decorated with a cloth and silver candlesticks and china plates in preparation for the arrival of the victorious heroes.

Aldern Foxglove arrived first, of course.  He was resplendent in a hunter’s outfit of greens and browns, with a soft leather vest and a long-sleeved emerald-green shirt offset by a jaunty archer’s cap and serviceable leather leggings.  His moleskin boots in particular looked both incredibly comfortable and quite stylish.  He spent a great deal of time talking with Ameiko, getting everything set up precisely to his satisfaction.  He now lounged in a chair at the head of the cloth-bedecked table, chatting amiably with the omnipresent Tarvis as he awaited the arrival of his hunting companions.

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Kellan had dropped Shayliss back off at the Vinders with a little time to spare. The ride had most of the hallmarks of a first date and overall that had managed to have a fine time. Even his parents had seemed to like Shayliss, which was a big step up from the interactions with her side of the family.

Promising that he would call on her again soon, Kellan had rushed over to stable Hakon, a process which left him in no fit state to attend a dinner. A quick bath and a change of clothes preceded his arrival to the event, to which he wore more or less the same outfit he had for the first one. The salary of a town guard did not leave much for formal attire.

As he entered he gave a wave to Ameiko and walked over to shake Aldern's hand,  openly admiring the decorations.

"You seem to have an outfit for every occasion" Kellan commented as he shook the mans hand "Nice boots, in particular" admiring the footwear as he settled down into his seat looking hungry and happy after his date. He certainly seemed more comfortable than he had been during their first dinner.

Liseth arrived to the dinner seeming much less anxious than she had the previous night.  Kerr was with her, of course; the two made their appearance hand in hand.  Having only two outfits, the teenage girl was still wearing her white dress; but the necklace that she had been gifted the night before was worn alongside her ever-present holy symbol.

The pair made their way to the decorated table at Liseth's slow pace, but it seemed less a factor of reluctance this time.  She really seemed to have overcome her nervous fear of Aldern Foxglove; realizing (or perhaps hoping) that his manner did not necessarily constitute romantic overtures towards her.  And that only the basest of people would do such while she was with her new boyfriend.

"Good evening Mr Foxglove."  Liseth gave a polite curtsy when she arrived at the table with Kerr.  "I asked Kerr to come with me to dinner tonight, since he had to help Father Zantus clean up a big mess at the Cathedral today and wasn't able to go on the boar hunt with us.  Well, that and..."  The blonde girl looked up at Kerr with a dreamy smile, "Now that Kerr is my boyfriend, we're supposed to go to dinners together!"

Pisca did not immediately come downstairs for the party.  Rather, she spent the better part of half an hour at the top of the stairs, creeping down occasionally to peer in at what everyone else was wearing before running back up to the top and waiting a few minutes more.  Finally, she decided on her Shoanti leathers - the same leathers she had worn on the hunt that had produced tonight's feast.  Though neither as new and clean as the leathers worn by Aldern Foxglove, nor as resplendent, they fit the mood of the evening, and they obviated the need for things like climbing stairs.

The Cinderlander hat, however, the gnome left behind.  In its place, she wore a jaunty crimson headscarf which bound her strawberry blond curls.  The outfit did so very much need both a cutlass and an eye patch, thought the gnome as she observed herself in her new mirror.  But the odd thing about the state of the world is that one can never find a cutlass and an eye patch when one needs them.  It's something a gnome should fix some day, and maybe, some day, she might just be the gnome to do that.  But for now, she would just have to do without.

The one thing that Pisca regretted as she finally descended the stairs to the party was that without the dress there would be no hand kissing tonight.  What a cruel and capricious world it was that would deprive a gnome of both a full pirate get up and hand kissing to boot.

After taking his covered quarry to the Sheriff and filling the man in about the latest goblin activity in Sandpoint, Cato returned to his room.  He donned fresh clothes and a robe and set out for The Rusty Dragon once again, once again dressing in well-made but

Entering the inn, his eyes lingered over the fine decorations.  Aldern certainly knew how to impress.  The smells wafting from the kitchen were even more impressive, however.  Whatever skills Aldern or his hired hands possessed in making a scene look impressive, Ameiko surpassed in her ability to cook a feast more than worthy of the surroundings.  If this boar was half as good as the salmon she had served at the festival, it would rank as a great meal.  Of course, Cato might be somewhat biased, having consumed little except for Amele's biscuits since this hunt.  His stomach rumbled as the savory smells filled his nose with every inhalation, and he pushed those thoughts out of his mind as he approached the table.

He greeted Aldern first.  The nobleman seemed to be at ease in his role as the host, as he was every time Cato had seen him except during the actual goblin attack.

"Aldern."  He nodded his head.  "You've outdone yourself once again.  This looks to be the start of a wonderful evening.  I'm looking forward to sampling the results of our hunt!"

Cato walked over to Kellan.  "You certainly seem happy as well.  I trust your meeting with Vin went well?  You don't seem to have any bruises or broken limbs, at least.  I had an interesting afternoon at the Barett household, but I can fill the group in during dinner."

Cato took a seat at the table.  He looked across the table to Kerr and Liseth and nodded at the acolytes.  "Good to see you again, Kerr.  And you Liseth."

Cato turned as he heard the quiet steps of a gnome descending the stairs to the main room of the room.  He smiled and waved at Pisca, eager for the dinner to begin.

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Aldern Foxglove broke into a huge smile when he saw Kellan enter the Rusty Dragon.  “There he is!  The man of the hour!”  The noble stood and returned Kellan’s handshake with enthusiasm.  “I’ve been telling all and sundry about your heroism during the hunt.”  He clasped Kellan’s hand with both of his and leaned forward, lowering his voice.  “I may have,” he coughed slightly, “added some embellishments.  I hope you don’t mind.”

“You like them?”  Aldern lifted a boot off the ground as Kellan complimented his footwear.  “They’re made by a man I know in Magnimar.  A true artist.  If you really like them, I can get you a pair.  My treat!”  He grinned.  “Just give me your measurements before I leave.”

At that point Aldern was distracted by Kerr and Liseth’s grand entrance.  “Liseth!"  He paused slightly.  "And Kerr!”  Aldern grinned broadly.  He bent to kiss Liseth’s hand.  “You’re wearing the necklace!  I’m honored.”  The noble gave Kerr’s hand a firm shake.  “And good to see you too, acolyte.”  He looked over at Liseth.  “You should indeed!”  He bowed.  “Kerr is most welcome.  It’s good to know that the most beautiful lady in Sandpoint is being well cared for.”

Aldern spied Pisca coming down the staircase.  “Miss Pisca!  Looking as elegant as ever!  I see we had the same idea about the proper attire to celebrate a hunt.”  He winked.  “Great minds, and all that.”  He walked over, knelt before her, took her hand, and gave it a kiss.  “I have to say that I and my reputation benefit greatly from being in the company of such a stylish and cosmopolitan gnome.”

Aldern waved at Cato as he came in the door.  “And our last warrior appears!”  He gestured Cato over.  “It was really my pleasure,” he waved Cato’s compliment away, “say nothing of it.”  He turned his attention to the group.  “I think we’re all ready to see what arcane magicks Miss Ameiko can accomplish with fresh boar, am I right?”  He raised his voice.  “Lady Ameiko, we are assembled, and await the delicacies you have prepared for us!”

Aldern gestured at the bedecked table and favored the group with one of his dazzling smiles.  “Please, sit!”  He pulled out a chair for Pisca and gallantly held out a hand to assist her up into it.

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Kerr Mollin had not had a great day.  Liseth had invited him along on her hunt but Father Zantus had said that he needed to stay behind and help with the aftermath of the Boneyard’s plundering.  Kerr hadn’t been happy about it but what could he do?  So he spent the morning helping to clean up the priests’ crypt, getting ready for the consecration ceremony, and performing the ritual to re-seal the crypt.  It had been a lot of work, and he had missed Liseth terribly.

So Kerr had been overjoyed when Liseth had made it into the chapel later that afternoon and invited him to come with her to the hunt-celebration dinner.  Kerr accepted immediately; he wasn’t incredibly comfortable around Aldern Foxglove but that discomfort paled in comparison to his desire to be around Liseth.  He thought she was the most beautiful, wonderful, fun person ever.

Kerr quickly bathed and dressed in his finest formal acolyte’s uniform.  When he emerged from his chambers Liseth was waiting for him, looking incredible in her white dress.  He offered her an arm and they began slowly walking south towards the Rusty Dragon, talking about the events of the day and her search for Katrine Vinder, and receiving several mysterious smiles from passing townsfolk.

Kerr was slightly distracted by Liseth’s nearness.  He still hadn’t quite come to terms with their relationship’s new status.  She had said he was her boyfriend!  Which made her his girlfriend!  This floored Kerr; he had never had a girlfriend before, he had always been too busy with his duties and the town girls had always been much more interested in the burlier boys.  He stole a sideways glance at her as they walked, watching how animated she was as she talked about her concern for Katrine.  Kerr was completely lost in her.  She really was the most wonderful woman in the world.

Too soon they came to the Rusty Dragon.  Liseth gripped his arm tightly as they entered, but Mister Foxglove seemed to be in very good spirits and not at all disappointed to see Kerr.  He even mentioned him by name and invited him to stay!  Kerr stammered his thanks and smiled at Liseth; he knew she had been worried about how the noble would react.  As Kerr offered Liseth a chair, he could smell the amazing scents coming from Ameiko’s kitchen; he hoped she served the food soon, as he had just realized that he was starving!  He smiled at Liseth again.  His day might not have been great, but it looked like his evening was going to be better.  Quite a bit better.

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