Sejana had sat listening raptly, throughout the tale; brows arching slightly up at several points. Her answering smile was also wan.

"If I did want to leave, then it would be no loss to you, the departure of someone so shallow, so quick to judge. Hm.  So you're a law-breaker. You know, I come from a place utterly thick with laws.  Rigidly detailed, sternly enforced. Without room for mercy, compassion, or kindness.  And, I dreamed of escaping to some place, where those things are practiced.   I am glad to hear a story that underscores that I succeeded in doing so."        She paused, smiled more warmly.

"It's quite a story.  Charming, humorous, and heart warming - something you might expect a bard to tell audiences, in a place like this.  I'm glad you found a harbor. I have a hunch you deserved one, more than you seem to think.   And I'm not concerned you'll steal from Sisters.  At least, I'll take my chances," she winked, smiled again.

"You didn't answer my question - where you came from - but I only say so to let you know I pay attention, not to pry.  I'll see what I can do as to the illumi-stone.   I believe we can help you out.  So.  What do you like to read? What is it you are striving to learn?    You can, if you wish, answer with another charming story. I am all ears."   

"Well... let's just say... southwest of here.  Further than Pitax, but nearer than Kyonin or Razmiran, thank the Sting.  I just... my home doesn't really have a great reputation, and the people there, I would happily pitch into the Eye of Abendago if it meant never having to see them again.  On the other hand, I'm not their favorite person, anymore, but I don't know if they're the kind of people to come find me or not."

Rila just shrugs a bit, and then continues.

"As for what I read, well... I'll read anything if I can understand it.  History, legends, maybe the occasional tale of courtly intrigue and romance-"

She'd flush a bit at that last one, scratching her ear.

"-which are a perfectly acceptable thing to read, no matter how many people say otherwise.  Sometimes it's nice to fall asleep thinking you're a beautiful bard saving the prince- or princess- from a nasty plot meant to take over the palace, or a brave warrior chopping down hordes of oncoming enemies... or a priest, leading the faithful against the hordes of darkness..."

She flushes again.

"...it's cheaper than spending time elsewhere, it's hard to drink and read at the same time, and before you know it it's past time to get some sleep or you just fall asleep in your bed."

As Rila chatters on, a second waitress walks up to Minia, motioning towards the stairs.

"She mentioned you might be dropping by- it's up the stairs, to the left.  Feel free to settle in, and if you need help with something, check in with someone working.  I don't know when the boss will be back, but I'm pretty sure we can get you all tucked in."

The room up the stairs would be pretty cozy for its size, though- even if it was only a bed, a chest of drawers, a table, and a chair.  The blankets were soft, though, and it was clean.

"If you want to add anything, feel free- just try not to break anything too badly if you move it around- and feel free to have company by.  Noise isn't really a problem here."

Sejana listened carefully to all of it.  "We've a few things in common.  I'm also from south and west of these lands...but much, much further so than Kyonin.  And I too was an ill fit for my home and its people; who likewise do not enjoy a good reputation abroad."   As to Rila's taste in literature, she proclaimed "Ha! You preach to the choir, when it comes to such tales!  'When the body cannot travel, the mind yet has pages for wings.' So one of my favorite authors wrote.   Certainly, I was borne to better places on such wings. So, I well relate to what you say."

She had another sip of her beverage. "You know, there's a particular game I found amongst the odds & ends in our inventory.  I've been dying for a chance to play it; maybe, it would be something you'd like..." 

:: I'm unclear whether Darius will be coming in on the heels of this, or if we need a time shift for this next scene.  I'll let Rila's player decide, as it's her place. But any case, eventually...

"I think Lord Marik's man should be here, fairly soon.   Do you know, I heard his metals operation is run by a kobold.  I've not ever met a kobold, have you-?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:12, Wed 23 Dec 2020.

"I could arrange an introduction if you'd like," Darius says with a warm smile as he enters the Nectar, having overhead just the last of Sejana's words. A raven sat on his right shoulder just long enough for him to fully enter the bar, and then flew up to take a perch in the rafters. "Sejana, it is a pleasure to see you again," he said as he slowly approached her table.

His gaze, and smile, turned to fall on the flame-haired woman she had been talking to, "My apologies, I am Darius, Advocate of Laird Marik Aeris, and patron of fine drinking establishments." He takes a moment to look around and admire the artwork on the walls, "And I can say I'm quite sorry it has taken me this long to visit."

He turns back to Sejana, "I am already indebted to you for introducing me to such a wondrous place. May I buy you a drink in return?"

Minia smiled at the waitress and nodded

"Thank you!"

She tried not to bound up the stairs as she went. Lady Kiera had offered help to her and her sister at the wedding and it was help they dearly needed.

Finding the room, she took her boots off and set them aside, for fear of messing up yet more furnishings. She sat on the bed, marveling at the softness. Her own bed was charitably one at that, a mat of woven reeds in the sisters' shared hovel

She might have lay down. Might have dozed off at that . . .

Sejana likewise smiled.   "Ah, welcome, master Darius.  While I of course couldn't know for sure, I'd a hunch these environs might be to your liking.  It is my personal favorite, albeit the Den is wonderful too." She indicated politely the redhead- "This is Rila, the friend I mentioned. The Roths should be jealous Lady Raincutter hired her before they got the chance, I think."   

"How kind of you," she replied as to the drink. "I wouldn't in fact turn it down.  And, as regards an introduction to your kobold colleague, I'd have to think on that." She smiled.  "I'd want to know what to bring a kobold.  With the understanding ladyfingers aren't on the menu," she added, plainly in jest.

Darius turned his smile back to Rila, "Rila, it's a pleasure to meet you. May I offer you a drink as well?"

He then turned back to Sejana, "Lady Raincutter you say? Is she the owner? I'm not sure that I've heard of her, is she new to Tusk?" He motioned to the chair opposite of her, and assuming she doesn't protest he pulls it out and takes a seat. "As for Pekwik, he's not exactly what you might expect in a kobold. He's surprisingly well-spoken, well in Draconic at least, his common is still a little broken, but he's actually quite the mandolin player. I'd imagine a nice bottle of wine would be plenty to get you in his good graces," he adds with a playful wink.

She waved toward the chair, "Yes, sorry, my manners are terrible. Please, sit down.  And pardon my humor.  I've no doubt, if your lord employs him in such a position, then he must be civilized and quite capable.  And he plays the mandolin?  Hm, I think we need to have him here, one night."   

"Lady Kiera Raincutter-Solanus is the Nereid's owner.  Adopted cousin of the same family my employer recently married into, and one of her dearest friends.   As to being new to Tusk..." she bit her lip, glanced at Rila, "...I don't know how long she's been here?   But if you've heard the name 'Kiera' locally, then you likely have heard of her. She doesn't really go by 'Lady Raincutter,' though is entirely worthy of the respect."   

"...I've never had a chance to meet a kobold, no.  From what I know of them, they'd be more inclined to either kill or eat me as much as look at me... then again, all I've really done is read about them..."

She shook her head, but then watched as Darius made his way over to them, and she kept an eye on his raven, even as it flew up.

"...for your sake, I hope your bird knows enough to not lighten his load up there.  It's a pain to get up there in the first place, and I'd have to charge you- or leave you to the boss's mercies."

She'd give Darius a bit of a grin, trying to show it wasn't all bad, but at the same time, when he offered to buy drinks, she just nodded.

"Feel free.  I guess I could use another...  We have ale, wines, pretty much all different things- if you're feeling up to it, I recommend a bit of the boss's stash- it's pretty solid applejack, but it'll knock you on your rump if you're not careful."

Finally, as they started talking about Kiera, she let a bit of a smile light her features.

"From what I hear, she signed on with Henry about the same time Sejana's boss did- it might explain why they get along so well.  But still... there are parts of that woman that are clear as mud... but I know she'd shake off the idea she's owed respect.  Like I said, clear as mud."

Rila pauses, and shakes her head.

"As for me, well... I just got lucky that the staff is a bunch of good eggs, so they're not really a handful.  They're the ones who have to deal with things; I just make decisions and things is all.  Each one of them is a credit to how smooth things are around here- even when we get the troublemakers in here.

So, let's figure out what we all want- I'm feeling a bit like mead, myself.  Just something to nurse on- not heavy enough to send you babbling, but enough to keep the conversation going..."

Sejana had seen the raven, and presumed it a familiar.  Ravens were a relatively popular choice back home.  She was curious, but it wasn't perhaps the best sort of question to ask a new acquaintance.

"The applejack is very tasty," she enthused.  As well as a bit too strong for a business interaction. "But I think I'll just have a glass of wine. Rosé, if you've got it, otherwise white will be fine." 

At an appropriate moment, she queried Darius:  "So, now.  I'm aware your lord has a variety of enterprises.  For what, specifically, is he trying to raise capital?"

"I'm sure Pekwik would enjoy a chance to entertain here, assuming I can get him over his stage fright," he says with a slight chuckle. "You might say he is a bit of an anomaly within his clan, and he's still working through some of the confidence issues that come with being ostracized for most of his life. But he's actually a pretty good guy once you get to know him, and has done good work for Laird Aeris."

When Rila spoke up, he turned and nodded to her and then glanced up at the raven, "Aleira? No, she absolutely knows better than to relieve herself indoors. I promise, she will be no problem, she just likes to sit up high when she can...she's a bit of busybody and likes to watch everything going on from up there."

"Now," he says as he smiles to Rila and then turns to Sejana, "with a recommendation from both of you, I must try this applejack. And I have in fact heard of Kiera; I just hadn't realized she was a Lady. But I definitely have to commend her on her establishment."

As Sejana turned the conversation to work, he leaned back comfortably in the chair and shrugged slightly, "Well, I can't say for certain what exactly this particular loan would be used for, my associate Alanna, Laird Aeris' chancellor, would be more appropriate to answer that. But I can tell you generally it would be used to further develop the village, pardon me, town of New Dawn. Have you heard of it? It's south of Outpost and just east of Hunter's Rest. It's actually growing quite nicely. They have a Road House there run by a priest of Cayden Cailean and a goldsmith there making jewelry from gold mined not far from there. From what I understand, Alanna, she handles the day-to-day managing of New Dawn, has worked out an agreement with the local farmers to establish a market in the town square and is planning to expand the town guard presence as the town grows."
This message was last updated by the player at 17:37, Tue 29 Dec 2020.

Sejana nodded, "I have heard of New Dawn -- further to the north of us than both Silverton and Kunlun.  A lovely choice of name, for an up and coming town. The Dwarvish clan Silverhammer has a holding there, so I understand.   My employer's lord husband does business with a very talented mason of that same clan." She was thoughtful a moment.

"Of course, in most cases, we would want to know specifically what is being done with the loan funds. However, it is a small loan.  And, she has rather a fondness for new settlements where honest folk can found safe homesteads, and live with dignity. New Dawn sounds like such a place. A market and more guards would surely enhance what it already offers.  It may be that she would want to write the chancellor for a list of specifics, at some point.  But, I strongly suspect, she would approve regardless, and has authorized me to use my own judgement.   As said, there's no interest on the loan, as long as it is repaid in full in the next quarter.   Is that doable?"   

Darius nods, "Yes, the goldsmith I spoke of is actually a member of clan Silverhammer. And I'm sure Alanna would be happy to explain the particulars should you employer request such. Otherwise, yes, I believe we have an agreeable arrangement," he says as he leans forward and smiles.

"So I understand you work at Sisters of the Moon, yes? I've been meaning to stop by and update my selection of reagents and components. How did you get into that line of work?"

"Well, that's either a long or a short story.   It is long if it takes into account how I left home, and ended up all the way out here.   But from there, it is short: down on my luck after things didn't go to plan, I chanced to be at a little roadside inn where I happened to meet Alisa - née D'Medvyed, now Medvyed-Solanus - and she seemed to sense I could use a sympathetic ear.   As we spoke, I mentioned my background; I'm from a merchant family, and was educated to be part of their business.  Before things...grew complicated.   As well, I am what you would call an adept; the sort that casts intuitively.  My talents are minor, I'll never be a proper mage, but I can read magic, and am pretty handy at identifying the properties of items.   These things together were a good fit in what Alisa was seeking for her new business.   And the rest, as they say, is history."    She took a sip of what remained of her first drink.

"And what of yourself?  I'm supposing there is some intriguing tale as to how you came to be in Lord Marik's employ."

She'd wave over one of the girls, and soon enough, a platter of drinks was placed onto the table- setting a small cup and a bottle in front of her, a glass of rose in front of Sejana, and another small bottle of amber liquid and small glass in front of Darius- there's a slight smell of apple he can notice already, even before he pulls off the cap.

"Pace yourself with that, mind you- it's good, but it's strong."

She'd pour a small cup of the mead for herself, and then take a sip- nodding at the taste, while listening a bit to the conversation.

"Indeed.  I mean, we all came here from somewhere... I guess it really just goes to show this is a place where anyone can be anything, as long as they're willing to put in the effort.

I wouldn't mind knowing as well, to be honest.  My own story might not even be half as exciting.  But dwarves?  Kobolds?  It certainly sounds like an interesting place."

Darius nods throughout Sejana's tale, his eyes clearly focused on her as he listened intently. "Ah, yes," he said in reply to her description of her arcane talents, "Much like Lord Aeris; he is a sorcerer if you weren't aware." He turned to Rila and gave an acknowledging nod to her warning a proceeded to pour himself a glass of the applejack.

He takes a sip, and then smiles to them both, "As you said, this is quite good, and rather potent. As for me, my tale I guess is somewhat similar to your own," he says with a nod to Sejana. "I too was born into a merchant family, in Brevoy, a quite successful one in fact. But I wasn't trained for the family business. No, at an early age my tutors noticed a...well let's call it a knack, for the arcane arts, so I was enrolled at an Arcane Academy once I was of age. Things were quite exciting initially, and I must say I was pretty good at it," he says with a slight smirk. he takes another sip of the applejack. "But after a few of years...well, let's just say I started to notice that I enjoyed the company of the fairer sex more than my books. Eventually I spent more time enjoying establishments such as this," he says as he once again looks around the bar, "with the company of lovely young women such as yourselves, rather than the dank, dark libraries filled with musty tomes at the Academy."

"Needless to say, my study habits began to falter and I was eventually asked to leave. There was no way my family was going to take me back in, so I decided to set out on my own. I had started hearing rumors of Lord Henry's expedition in Midmarch, and decided to check it out for myself. I'd been in Tusk for just a couple of months when I met Lord Aeris and he asked me to take care of his affairs here in Tusk when he is off on his adventures. All in all, I think it has worked out well for me. I get to meet the most interesting people here," he adds with a wink.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Sun 03 Jan 2021.

"Thank you," she smiled at Rila, as the glass of wine was placed in front of her.   And added, as regards the personal opportunity to be found in these lands, "You are right about that.  And that sort of freedom is dear to me.  It was not so where I came from."

To Darius, in reference to meeting interesting people, she returned the wink "Concurred.  And no -- I was aware that your lord is a magic worker, but presumed some sort of wizard.  I was always just as glad I didn't have to go the route of dank, dark libraries.  I well grasp your frustration.    My family did want me to have training in formal spellcraft, mostly so I might use what I had to aid the business.  But I studied at home, under a tutor."   She shook her head.  "I find magic interesting, useful.  But, I've never lusted for power.   The ways it was often used back home," she shook her head again, frowned, "Unclean. It wasn't a good example."  Sejana took a taste of the rosé, and her expression lightened again, in obvious approval.   She looked to Darius once more.

"So. Quite the carouser, are you?  Mysterious, confident, good with your hands, from all the somatic practice -  women notice the hands, more than you may think --  I wager you find company readily enough," she nodded in affirmation.

Darius smiled, and blushed slightly, at Sejana's comment, "I suppose I have been known to carouse on occasion, and there is always some sort of company to find if one knows where to look," he says with a smirk. "But good company? That is quite rare, and always something to savor when one finds it."

He shrugs and takes another sip, "But yes, much like any sort of power, magic can be used for great good or unthinkable evil. And unfortunately, the sheer magnitude of the power achievable can make it quite intoxicating to those interested in power for it's own sake."

Sejana was authentically surprised at having elicited a blush from him; she had admittedly been testing him, a little, based on his previous remark about his pursuits. It was not the response she'd expected.  But she liked it better than what she had expected.  And she smiled in return.

"Yes. As in so many things, quality is usually much harder to come by than quantity.   And you are correct as to the seductiveness of occult power. The worst sorts of people cannot resist its lure.   But that power can save lives, too. As for myself, though, I'd rather sing, celebrate life, and strive for excellence in my work," she proclaimed, before bringing her wine glass to her lips.

"So, what do you do with your magic?  Do you have a specialty?" 

Darius reached for the glass of applejack, and then thought better. The stuff was good but quite potent, and he was enjoying the evening and wanted to make sure he remembered it in the morning. "Specialty? Not per se. I guess if anything I use my magic to help me do what I enjoy and what I am employed to do. Lord Aeris asks me to keep tabs on the goings-on of Midmarch and collect what information I can, and I find magic can be helpful in such endeavors. I've also taken to making maps for those interested, although that is purely a non-magical art for me. I guess I enjoy the precision involved with it."

He leaned back in his chair, "I must say, I would love to hear you sing sometime. Do you ever sing publicly, or perhaps entertain private audiences," he adds with a sly smile.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Tue 05 Jan 2021.

She'd nod, listening to the stories, taking sips of her mead from time to time.

"I'd love to be able to cast something, myself- but I think the talent for any magic has left me behind, unfortunately- so I just stand back and point at it.  But Sejana is right- you get all sorts of people involved with magic- you get some that you'd sooner scrape dung off your boots onto, but others are much better.

Seems to me it's a lot like drinking the most delicious booze you've ever had- but at the same time, having the willpower to keep yourself from over-indulging and going too far is also required to avoid becoming one of the former."

Though when it came to singing, she would nod to a small area, off in the midst of some tables.

"If you want, I could find you some time to come in and try your skills with song here- on a slow time of day, so there wouldn't be a lot of pressure... or maybe your boss would let you perform sometime at the shop?  I'd throw in food and a drink or two, if you want..."

Sitting up, she'd smile and lean forward, resting her hands on the table.

I did sing here once, impromptu; it's back in the first couple of posts, that is how we originally began talking.   

"The opera is popular where I come from.   And I wanted so badly to be in it, and began training for it in my youth.   That didn't happen, but I continue to practice, and have sung at various gatherings and functions.   Usually in less formal styles.  Have not done any private shows, as yet." 

On work related matters, she added- "I believe you and I have been tasked to do much the same thing; the gathering of information.  Unlike you, I'm not a native of this region. So I've had a bit of a learning curve; but I've worked hard, and learned a fair bit. It might behoove us to meet now and then and trade information, if that interests you." 

"A very sharp analogy," she smiled at Rila, once she drew the comparison between magic use and alcohol.

"Ah, my boss wouldn't care, if I wanted to do something after hours, at Sisters, I'm rather sure.   But I prefer the tavern environment, and specifically the Nereid.  If Kiera is okay with it...that would be great!  What would be really great, eventually, is to have some sort of talent night, with a number of performers.  That kind of thing is so much fun."

"Any opportunity to spend more time with you, Sejana, interests me, even if it is within the context of work. And I can only imagine that you," he says with a nod to Rila, "learn many quite interesting things working here as well." His gaze stays on Rila as he continues, "And as Sejana said, your analogy is quite accurate; the power of magic can be truly quite intoxicating and the lust for more can truly consume one if they're not careful."

His hand reached out to touch the glass of applejack and he paused for a moment, before deciding one more sip couldn't hurt. As he placed the glass back down he turned back to Sejana, "And please do let me know when you next perform, there is a beauty in song that is found so rarely anywhere else.
This message was last updated by the player at 19:19, Wed 06 Jan 2021.

She nodded, smiled. "There's an old Varisian saying I love, which sums it up for me: 'Close your eyes. Listen. Nothing is missing.' And yes, now that you mention, Rila probably knows more than the both of us together!" 

"Hmm," Darius says in reply to the Varisian saying. "I like it, and quite appropriate. Although if you were singing, I feel that I would prefer to keep my eyes open," he says with a smile.

He then turns his focus to Rila, "So Rila, would you like to join our information gathering cabal? We could meet regularly and share what new information we've learned, and enjoy some good drink and good company."