[center][h3] [color=peru]Stratya[/color], [color=#8D3B72]Kalliope[/color], [color=D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color], [color=8FBC8B]Olivia[/color], [color=limegreen]Kazumin[/color], [color=greenyellow]Drake[/color], [color=slateblue]Ariella[/color] & [color=f26522]Roman[/color][/h3] [color=peru][h3]Part 3[/h3][/color][/center][color=lightgray] [hr] Kazumin, satisfied with his snack and a curious mind prepared to hear the details of Charlotte’s date. He could only hope it had been nothing unpleasant as Stratya’s had been, but before she could get the words out, a booming laughter and for a moment found himself joining in.” [color=limegreen]Aye, wel-..come.[/color]” Kazu greeted him initially with a wide grin that deflated upon seeing Roman’s smiling, friendly face. A burst of rage rushed through him as he took in Roman’s grinning face. Where stood a seemingly friendly giant of a man, was a brute sporting that cruel, mocking smile. It perturbed him to see the guy laughing all jolly like, like the feast never happened. Only till he saw how he nearly crushed the half-eaten cinnamon roll, clutched in a bear grip. With the mood having improved once more, he hardly wanted to cause any further issues and so fought to maintain his friendly composure, though the strained huff and twitching of his mouth showed a struggle was going on behind his thumbs-up grin. For an instant, Roman would catch a glinting glare off the cowlick’s half-enthused greeting. Turning his attention away before the temper could get the best of him, he tried focusing on his cinnamon roll; instead, he saw Ari giggling up a storm and looking all tipsy.” Whew…someone’s already in the drunk spirit. Might want to slow down there a tad and get some food and water or find yerself plastered before finishing the one there.” Kazu suggested being grateful for any distraction and hardly one to sit back and let any drink more than they can handle. Olivia noticed Kazumin’s anger rising–a trait she’d become familiar with. In an effort to soothe him next, she took his hand with her free one and squeezed it. Then, she picked up a cinnamon roll and offered it to him quietly. Her eyes signaled caution; something she was tethering on the edge of as well. Scratching the side of his temple with a light, anxious tap of his foot while the other hovered midway to the basket. Wrestling with whether to grab something to eat or drink, annoyed at himself for letting Roman’s unexpected presence throw him off. The bitter and sad memories of that night were too fresh on that jovial bearish face. A sudden warm touch elicited a minor flinch, the familiar soft squeeze sapped the heat of his temper, and shifted to an offer of sugary sweetness and cinnamon roll. His posture relaxed, and tapping ceased as he happily reached for the roll, pausing momentarily. Noticing the look in her eyes that told of caution, and…she seemed bothered by something as well. The cowlicked blonde gave an acknowledging flick of his nose. Taking the roll and proceeding to give it a good twist, ripping it in two with a ho-hum, and offering a half to her, only to toss it up a bit in the air, testing her catching skills with a teasing snicker. Before he thought to take a bite, though, and ripped his piece again and gently nudged Olive, motioning for her to give it to Charlotte, thinking she could use the cinnamy treat just as well. Distracted from her cinnamon roll as she was, Stratya took Kalliope’s hand to guide the baked delight to her own mouth, sharing a bite of the same morsel with the disrupted woman. Kazumin motioned for Ariella to eat something, and Stratya piped up,[color=peru] “aye, aye, please, ‘ave some t’ brreads. They’rre good ferr‘angoverrs, y’ken. ”[/color] Stratya's intimate gesture, guiding the roll to her lips, sent a warm jolt through Kalliope and eased the tension in her chest. A faint, wicked smile appeared on her lips as she leaned into the brief contact. [color=#8D3B72]“You’re playing a dangerous game,”[/color] she purred, her eyes sparkling with dark humor. [color=#8D3B72]“Anyone else who tried to steal a bite of my sweet roll would be missing a finger right now. But for you, I suppose I’ll let it slide.”[/color] It was a weak joke, but a clear attempt to use flirtation as an anchor. The Captain smirked, not scared by a violent joke.[color=peru] “Like it’d be so easy.”[/color] It seemed she’d attracted another dangerous person, each danger different from the last. At least she wasn’t an old creep named Donald. [i]Donald[/i], of all things. Upon the smelling of baked goods, Drake made a hasty return, two whiskies in hand. [color=greenyellow]”With a five minute wait for a drink I may as well stock up now…But nothing too crazy, I do intend to be coherent enough to socialize.”[/color] He assured the group he wouldn’t get hammered on the offset, and a playful yet teasing gaze wandered to his sister who seemed to have reached her “fun” phase of being inebriated. Olivia waved enthusiastically at Drake and smiled sweetly at him then Ariella. Their conversation on the Vikena porch replayed in her mind, but she didn’t dare interrupt. He took a brief sip of his first whiskey and looked down at the baked cinnamon rolls that had pulled him so quickly back to the table. [color=greenyellow]”You are certainly a connoisseur of baked treats. If it’s from you, Stratya, I know it will be of utmost quality.”[/color] Drake grabbed a roll and gave it a healthy bite, a smile of satisfaction soon following. [color=greenyellow]”Spectacular as always.”[/color] With his snack in hand he took smaller bites between sentences, turning to look at Roman. [color=greenyellow]”What exactly brings you here, good sir? Just out for a drink or has news spread that we are all gathering and causing trouble?”[/color] Kazu eagerly bit into his roll and felt his body slacken with a big, satisfied muffled mhm with an airy hum of his nose. Overhearing the conversation between Drake and Stratya, to which he nodded his head with puffed cheeks, giving a thumbs up, clearly wanting to speak his agreement, but had enjoyed the gooey, soft-baked bread too much to stop. A hearty gulp and a chest patting, shaking of the head.”[color=limegreen] Mhm! Ya, sure said it, Drake. These rolls are damn gooey good.[/color]” He cheered with a clap.” [color=limegreen]Got to give my thanks. No better way to avoid hangovers than with bread, good on ya for planning with drunk day on mind there, Lady Stratya.[/color]” Nodding as he wiped some of the crumbs and leftover cream. ” [color=limegreen]And *sniff* that whiskey ya got there? All the more reason to fill up if we *drinking*[/color]” Emphasizing the end with a delighted chuckle and a rumbling of his gut demanding more. Seeing the attention shift to Roman gave an excuse to grab another piece, curious to hear what brought the so-called friendly giant to their table. Roman smiled and sighed. This was exactly what he needed: the atmosphere, the smiles, the people, the smells. One scent in particular drew his gaze to the basket of sweet breads on the table. It looked like the knight had been busy and well-prepared for such an occasion. Helping himself to one of the sweet confections, Roman acknowledged Olivia’s wave and found it adorable that she couldn’t keep eye contact. There was something there, but he couldn’t make out what exactly. The look he got from Kazu did not escape him. It was a look he may just address. He did make sure to also acknowledge Charlotte with a smile and bumped his mug to Ariella’s with a chuckle. They seemed to be in a good mood, at least. [color=f26522]“I believe you are correct,”[/color] he said, looking over to the two women next to him, [color=f26522]“and your baking is still wonderful. Best be careful, Stratya, I may just try to hire you onto my cooking staff.”[/color] A joke, but one he was entirely tempted to go through with. It was good to hear others appreciate her baking. It was difficult to judge it, herself. All she could ever really taste was the effort it took to make.[color=peru] “Ooh, thank ye, all. My mother taugh’ me well. She pro’lly go’ t’ [i]big[/i] baske’ ou’, rreyt now, in fact.”[/color] The good Captain raised a brow at Roman, mischeviously,[color=peru] “I cannae imagine yerr cookin’ staff is quiet as well taken carre of as I am, ‘erre.”[/color] He glanced over to Drake between gulps of bread and ale after his question. [color=f26522]“This is my favorite tavern; I’ve been coming here for the better part of a decade whenever the trade winds bring me here. I wouldn’t miss tonight; the fights are always fun to watch and sometimes join.”[/color] I suppose it [i]was[/i] Drunkard’s Day. Asking someone who frequents this kind of environment why he’s here was a tad redundant. Drake still smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. [color=greenyellow]”I am not much of a fighter but I would cheer for you if you got into a scrap.”[/color] The word "fights" was a sudden spark. Kalliope straightened a bit in Stratya's lap, her distraction interrupted by the hint of familiar chaos. Her eyes, momentarily sharp and focused, turned to Roman. [color=#8D3B72]"Fights,"[/color] she said, her voice regaining some of its usual low, curious tone. [color=#8D3B72]"I might need to take a walk later to see how the competition is. Nothing clears the head like a good scrap."[/color] Ooh, Kalliope seemed to have perked right up, at the mention of a good scrap. [color=peru]“Ooh?”[/color] She let her gaze come to study the woman’s expression a moment, [color=peru]“[abbr=maybe we should go to my hometown, next year? Not that you need an invitation. Scarcely on the map to have people coming by to tell no, honestly. We don’t have quite the ammenities of the capital, but.. if you’re looking to scrap, the adults hold mock battle with wooden weapons for the kids. And there’s plenty of tavern brawls in Encia, too.]maybe we shoul’ go tae my ‘ometown, next yearr? Not that y’ need an invitation. Scarrcely on t’ map tae ‘ave people comin’ by tae tell nae, ‘onestly. We dunnae ‘ave quite the ameni’ies of ‘t capi’al, bu’.. if yerr lookin’ tae scrrap, t’ adul’s ‘old mock bat’le with wooden weapons fer t’ kids. An’ therre’s plen’y of taverrn brawls in Encia, too.[/abbr]”[/color] [color=greenyellow]”Hmmm, a visit does sound interesting. Remind me when the time comes and perhaps I’ll clear a day out for it…see where the magic happens.”[/color] Drake raised his glass for a quick sip before enjoying the further comradery. Her attention drifted gently to Roman. Supposedly, this was the same man she’d met in Pinebrook, but the layers of secrecy she’d seen from him then told her plenty enough. That music box sure was something. Was she to assume that was less of a mask, then, than this is now? Seemed like a safe assumption. If that were so, then he put on quite a performance at the banquet. Kazumin, she had noticed, seemed rather tense about the Varian noble. It was the hesitation in his greeting, it hadn’t been a drunken pause. Lots of tension at the table tonight. Perhaps she could find some common ground they could bond upon,[color=peru] “Lor’ Rroman, tell me would ye, of yerr Varrian festivals? ‘ave any ‘rround this tyme o’ yearr?”[/color] Olivia nudged both Charlotte and Kazumin gently in the ribs and motioned for them to watch. She took a spoon and balanced it on the tip of her nose and side-eyed them both. While she waited for their initial reaction, Olivia then took the fork and balanced it as well. Then, Olivia added the salt shaker, black pepper, and Lottie’s unused silverware. A silly grin spread over her face. She took a cinnamon roll and bit into it while the others conversed, then carefully grabbed an empty tankard and began to sip it while maintaining the balance and silliness on her face. Intending to continue eating, but found himself listening to Roman. The man appeared friendly and jovial as he had in the past. However, he still felt uncertain about the man, knowing he frequented this place made it easier to get a better sense of the guy after chatting with the regulars. A gentle nudge felt at his side snapped him back to attention, hardly noticing he had spaced out and turned to see his friend balancing utensils, shakers, and whatever odd objects she got her hands on. A sputtering laugh nearly broke out had Kazu not covered his mouth with his left arm, fighting back a snorting guffaw. Muffled wheezy snickers wheezed and snuck past as he kept sneaking peeks at the silliness unfolding. Without warning, Liv then noticed Kazumin’s mouth opened. She tore a bite off of her cinnamon roll and popped it in his mouth. When her target landed its mark, she started laughing. The shenanigans between them were memories of their childhood and she wanted to ensure the tension drifted away. If making a fool of herself would do so, then so be it. [color=8FBC8B]”Also, Drake,” [/color] Liv faced him. [color=8FBC8B]”Do you have a book on you? Maybe I could balance it on my head?”[/color] Her voice was light and playful. The blonde farmhand kept laughing against his palm, eyes partially watered. Fearing he might break out into a proper fit and dared risk taking in a gulpful of air, a costly yet delicious mistake as he felt a chunk pop into his mouth with a slight halted gag out of surprise.” [color=limegreen]Pfft..h-hey! Not the kind of shot I was expecting, but I ain’t complaining![/color]” Said with a choked chortle. Wiping his mouth, trying to stifle his chuckling.” [color=limegreen]What a treat, to have the lady of cutlery and balance with us this drunkard day! [/color]” A snickering mock gentlemanly bow; snapping his finger towards Drake without moving.”[color=limegreen] Please, sir Drake, adorn the lady with her bookly crown.. ah but first![/color]” A playful wiggling of fingers picking up an unused plate and setting it gently upon Olivia’s head.” [color=limegreen]There we are, now begin the plating.[/color]” Speaking in the manner of an uptight chef with silly hand-waving motions as if preparing a delicate dish. Drake grinned. [color=greenyellow]”I’m sad to say I do not have a book on me, but it does pain me so to not see this glorious hardcover crown that you are dreaming about.”[/color] Drake knocked back the last of his first whiskey, a rosey color beginning to fill his cheeks. Olivia’s smile broadened at Drake’s response. She giggled and mimed a book on her hand in the shape of a crown. [color=8FBC8B]”We shall make make-believe then.”[/color] Livc declared and began rifling through remaining objects on the table to make a fake crown. The rosy colored look on his cheeks, including Ari’s, told her they were inebriated. Her tolerance was higher, so she wasn’t worried, but did not plan to drink more. The young lady building a castle atop her head had been a rather amusing sight. [color=peru]“I doan think I’ve everr ‘eard o’ someone brringin’ a book tae taverrn on Drrunkarrd’s Day. Too rrowdy.”[/color] [color=f26522]“We do have Drunkard's Day in Varian that will last for the weekend. Back home, there would be drinking contests, contests of strength, fighting for prizes, plenty of food and feasts.”[/color] Roman nodded to Stratya while watching Olivia show off her dexterity. [color=f26522]“One challenge is diving for ice worms—slippery nasty things in the cold water. They’re a delicacy, but you can’t harvest them with a hook; you have to wrestle them. Those who return victorious find themselves warmed by men and women of their choosing through the night.”[/color] [color=peru]“Norr am I familiarr with ice wyrrms, they mus’ be [i]’uge[/i]. [abbr=Reminds me, just a bit, of our hunting tradition around this time of year. For hunters, mostly, you come of age by hunting something for the festival.]Rremin’s me, jus’ a bi’, of ourr ‘untin’ trradition rroun’ this tyme o’ yearr. For ‘unter’s, mos’ly, y’ come of age by ‘un’in’ somethin’ ferr t’ festival.[/abbr]”[/color] Drake imagined the sight of someone wrestling worms, at first picturing basic mealworms. [color=greenyellow][i]Surely not…[/i][/color] He thought to himself before a more fitting image of worms the size of bulls filled his mind. A shudder slipped along his form as he grabbed his second drink. Olivia stared at Roman when he mentioned ice-worms. What the hell was he talking about? The prize did not suit her. She didn’t respond though, and looked away, lest there be more tension. Olivia’s spirit and willingness to play the fool instead of him brought another smile to his face, but Kazu’s looks towards him just continued to throw him off. Well, Roman was never known for his tact. [color=f26522]“Forgive me if I sour the mood…”[/color] he addressed the table. [color=f26522]“Kazumin,”[/color] he said with a slight smile. [color=f26522]“I do want us to be friends, but the look you’re giving me says you have something that’s eating at you. Best not to let that ruin your night and speak what’s on your mind, lad.”[/color] Roman was sure he knew what the look was for. Hell, he felt it too, and not just towards himself. Still in the midst of admiring his friend’s amusing handiwork and lost in humor that, for a time, his distaste towards Roman went forgotten. But catching snippets of the man mentioning a challenge and festivals caught his intrigue, only to learn it involved ice worms. He found the idea of wrestling and eating a worm amusing, but the gross description made his stomach coil. A brief look of disgust etched his face before his eyes widened, realizing he did so without intending to, and he tried to cover up by lifting his tankard to his face. He tried to drink down the bout of distaste only to cough and gag upon being addressed by Roman, sending bits of beer spittle down his mug and splashing his chin.” [color=limegreen]*cough* Eating me? I-[/color]” Wiping his mouth, cursing to himself.*[b][color=limegreen]Shit, guess he saw? Hngh, why’d he choose now to bring it up!?[/color][/b]* Grumbling at the possibility of losing his good mood and undoing the fun of Olivia’s work, he peered in her direction. Doing so, an idea came to mind as he coughed again, clearing his throat.” [color=limegreen]Why..why yes, dare I say something is eating away at me.[/color]” Holding up a finger to point as he seemingly glared at Roman, then turned away from the table, swiping some objects, where some faint metal clinking was heard. Turning back, revealing spoons in his mouth, walrus teeth style. ” [color=limegreen]Harumph, what’s eating me is my appetite for some of them delectable ice worms![/color]” Scoffed the spoon-mouthed blonde with a wriggling of his nose.”[color=limegreen] Hrm hrm, to join the party and tease this spoonrus of such delicacies gets me blubbering mad hrm hrm! But…[/color]” Rubbing at his chest as if with a blubbery arm squinting his eyes at the huge man, pondering.”[color=limegreen] Perhaps..a promise of future worms and drinking in merriment may do as a start..for now.[/color]” Tapping at his chin before nodding his head, hoping this could postpone the heavy conversation. A pair of metallic clangs as the spoons dropped out onto the table, causing him to burst out laughing with a dismissive wave of the hand. Olivia reacted fast–she saw the silverware falling and reached down fast to help quiet them. Her gaze moved to his and she glanced at him with a grin and warning in her eyes. [color=8FBC8B]”Kazumin, can you be a dear and fetch me those?”[/color] Liv pointed out the silverware to make a distraction. Charlotte had giggled at Olivia’s antics, dropping her chin into her palm as her elbow leaned on the table. For a fleeting moment, she could almost see her father sitting across from her—Walter Vikena with that lopsided grin, pretending a worm was a moustache. As she sat there with her tankard still full, the others’ voices drifted over her, distant and muffled, as though coming from the far end of a corridor. The tavern around her blurred while she held fast to the image of her father in her mind. With him, she had once felt known, truly and completely. Now there was only that familiar, unavoidable hollow where such certainty used to live. Many of the people seated nearby were dear to her, and others good-hearted… But none had she yet allowed into the deepest corners of her heart. No one had ever reached quite so far as her father had, not until… Another face began to slip into that place she’d sworn was empty forever. The thought made her breath catch as she blinked back into the present, her smile still gentle as she drew her tankard a little closer and took a sip. Drake peered over at the slightest of inhales that crept across his ear, catching Charlotte sipping her beverage with a ghostly look on her face. He moved his arm, positioning his finger on the front of her tankard and giving it three quick yet quiet taps. It was merely to call her attention discretely before whispering to her. [color=greenyellow]”You doing okay? Would it benefit you to take a walk for some air?”[/color] Drake was glad to be around such pleasant company. Truly cut the finer cloths of Sorian. But he still had a thought at the back of his mind—Didn’t Charlotte call him here to talk initially? Perhaps this could give her the moment she needed to share what she wanted to. Olivia started to set the objects down from her face. She scanned the bar for anyone suspicious. The bar was plenty loud with slamming hands and fists, obnoxious and inebriated laughter, and different discussions. She kept an eye on the crowd and then back to their group, and remained alert and aware of her surroundings. She took another cinnamon roll and ate that, and the food ordered by Drake. Charlotte hesitated, her eyes carrying a shimmer of emotion in reaction to the question. Her gaze dropped to the tankard before her. For a moment she simply watched a trail of foam slide down the rim, as though gathering the courage to lift her head at all. Then she replied quietly. [color=D0B4EC] “A walk sounds wonderful, actually.” [/color] And with that, the two rose and stepped away from the table, excusing themselves for a moment politely. Stratya let out a slow breath and leaned back, hand retreating across Kalliope's waist to rest at her hip. Knowing better than to eat only sweetbreads, her free hand assembled some of the smoked sausage onto a bit of the bread and cheese. The flavors mixed pleasantly with the aftertaste of her baked goods, a brief, sweet seasoning to her new, savory snack. She gave a satisfied humm and a gentle squeeze before offering a bite to her lap’s new resident. She watched, just briefly, Charlotte and Drake rise and depart. Charlotte hadn’t said much after being questioned about her charity date. Lady Vikena seemed somewhat perturbed by the question - as much as she would show such a thing. The captain had been a bit persistent, too. Hopefully, she hadn’t upset her. Charlotte had seemed distant, for just a moment. Ah well. That was a worry for later, or Lord Drake. At the moment, she was curious,[color=peru] “now, wha’s this ‘bou’ ice wyrms? Big, ah they? Mus’ be, if’n they’rre tae be wrrestled. Good ea’in’? Do ye rroast t’ whole or prreparre cuts?”[/color] Kalliope watched the table, feeling the sugar and her brief confidence fade. The noise and conversation exhausted her. She needed something to lean on. Her hand reached, almost automatically, for the mead. Her fingers brushed the cold, empty metal of the stein she had drained earlier. [color=#8D3B72]“Bloody hell,”[/color] she muttered while shaking her head sharply. She gave Stratya a quick, apologetic squeeze of the hand and forced a small smile. [color=#8D3B72]“I’m suddenly very thirsty. The bar. I’ll be right back.”[/color] She slid out of Stratya’s lap and off the bench, moving toward the bar with a hurried, deliberate pace. She needed the distraction of physical movement and a refill. Well, at least things were going better than the banquet.[color=peru] “Ooh, if ye must. Brring me back a lit’le somethin’, would ye? I'll keep yerr sea’.”[/color] Captain Durmand gave a little wave with her fingers and more of her mead disappeared. Ariella blinked up at Roman, her head wobbling slightly as if the room had just given her a gentle spin. She leaned forward on her elbows, then immediately leaned [i]too[/i] far and had to catch herself on the edge of the table, fingers slipping on a bit of cinnamon glaze. [color=slateblue]“Frens…?”[/color] She echoed the word like it was the most profound idea she had ever heard in her entire life. A slow, goofy smile spread across her lips. She raised her empty stein upside down, completely unaware that no liquid remained inside, and bumped it clumsily against Roman’s arm instead of his cup. [color=slateblue]“Ooooh, yes! Everyone’sh frens tonight!”[/color] she declared triumphantly. The upside-down stein slipped out of her hand, hit the table with a hollow [b]clonk[/b], and rolled directly into Stratya’s lap. Ari gasped loudly as if someone had just dropped a priceless artifact and slapped both hands over her mouth. [color=slateblue]“SORRY! Sorry! SOR-RY”[/color] she grimaced. But then she paused. Squinted. Peering down at her bare feet sticking out from under her chair. [color=slateblue]“…I lost my shoes”[/color] She lifted one foot and wiggled her toes proudly, suddenly delighted by their freedom. [color=slateblue]“Oh LOOK! They’re dancing!”[/color] And indeed, she wiggled her toes again, slow and dramatic, like she believed she was performing for royalty. Only then did she remember Roman. She reached out and patted his forearm with drunken ceremony. [color=slateblue]“Yes, Roman. Frens. You and… you.”[/color] She gave a solemn nod, then immediately hiccupped. [i]hic![/i] [color=slateblue]“But also…”[/color] She leaned closer as if sharing a life-altering secret. [color=slateblue]“...you’re SO BIG. Like a… TREE.”[/color] She lifted both arms straight up to demonstrate how tall a tree is, smacking Olivia’s makeshift table-crown in the process and sending a spoon clattering into Kazu’s lap. Ari froze. Then smiled at Kazu like she had intended that to happen. [color=slateblue]“Kazuuu, I gave you a spoon! For your soup![/color] [color=slateblue]” Wait, do you have soup?”[/color] She looked genuinely concerned for his soup destiny. Then she plopped back into her chair, swaying once, grabbing onto Drake’s sleeve for stability without noticing she’d done it. [color=slateblue]“Roman’s my fren,”[/color] she repeated with a proud little nod. [i]hic![/i] [color=slateblue]“…But also I think my chair is broken.”[/color] The chair was absolutely not broken and Ari just nearly fell out of it again.[/color]