The Wobbly Goblet Playground Options

[King Coin]

They saw Irvana at the stall, Aravi greeted her. “Hello, Irvana. Enjoying the festival?” I’m surprised she’s here still as well. Perhaps she was anticipating the festival.

Aravi examined the armor next to Kayla. Wow. I’d love to try it sometime! Her ears perked when she heard it was Kayla’s.

“What a wonderful gift!” Aravi exclaimed. “When you try it on, I would like to see it.”

[Darkness Eternal]

Irvana bit her lip.

Two references . . .

She considered it. She wouldn't have to pay, and the man would receive proper reward. He would receive more money, perhaps, if he decides to sell the rest of his stock for a more expensive price.

She could only imagine the effects the bug musk would have on those around her if she decided to sample a few on the sides of her neck.

"I'll see what I can do."

The moment she spoke the words, she felt a touch on her shoulders. She didn't need to look back to know who it belonged to.

Kayla received a new set of armor from the same merchant, and as he began to retrieve the helmet, Kayla shook her head. With shock, she discovered it was paid for.

Irvana's expression took on the same as hers. Birthday . . .

She looked over at Aravi smiled faintly. "Aravi! You've returned! I was beginning to think you didn't like our company." She looked around and nodded with what seemed to be enthusiasm. "Of course! This is such a wonderful festival!"

All these new, exotic people . . .

She turned to Kayla. "Birthday. You never told me this. I find myself with loss of words now. If I'd new . . . I would have bought you something. The least I can do is play you a song."

She looked embarrased, and her face nearly and just almost . . . flushed red.

Her lips sunk behind her mouth and her eyes darted the Dunmer, and then to Kayla and Aravi.

Buisness must be concluded.

"Kayla and Aravi. How would you two love to purchase a bottle of Telvanni Bug Musk?" Irvana asked. "The men you admire would return the affection. If he already holds feelings for you, expect it to be thrice fold."

[Black Hand]

Thals raised an eyebrow, and smiled at her quick thinking.

"Surely you've heard of Telvanni bug musk?" he asked. "As I was telling her just a moment ago, when it was first introduced to this province,..." Thals suddenly realized how long ago that would have been and remembered her comment about her being just a child.

"...it easily went for a hundred drakes. Both due to it's rarity and effectiveness. Now it sells for closer to twenty now that supply has caught up with demand."

He gave a friendly, but wary glance at Irvana. "And since your friends of hers...I can sell it for the same price of fifteen septims."

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Kayla's face twisted into a look of uncertainty.

"Bug...musk?"

She gingerly took the silver vial and unscrewed it. At the end of a thin brush, no thicker or wider then her thumb nail, was a thin, reddish paste. She set the vial down and held the applicator chest-high and wafted the scent upwards. She swallowed.

"Its not...unpleasant. But it's not really the scent I prefer. I like warmer scents, like vanilla." She waved the scent towards Aravi's nose. "What do you think?"

[King Coin]

Aravi smiled at Irvana’s enthusiasm for the festival. I’d like it more if there weren’t so many people, or I was as tall as Kayla!

“Not at all, I enjoy talking with everyone. I had a… personal matter that couldn’t wait. I did not mean to leave so abruptly.”

Irvana recommended some Telvanni bug musk to them, and Kayla held it to Aravi.

Aravi took a sniff, just to be polite, but she already knew what the stuff smelled like. When she was a slave, she had worn it a few times at the orders of her master. The scent did not conjure pleasant memories.

“It’s very good quality, but I must decline,” Aravi said. “I wouldn’t have much occasion to wear it anyways, I’m almost constantly traveling.”

[Darkness Eternal]

Irvana stood by with her eyes set on Kayla. "It is compatible with other scents," she said. "I can promise you the results are positively overwhelming. You can trust me."

There is no reason not to.

Aravi, on a different note, declined the offer, as Irvana expected she would. For some reason she didn't want to purchase it for such a price.

Irvana felt the need to perhaps sway the merchant into giving her the bottle for free. Her relative didn't need it that much. Her, with her naturally good looks, perceived bubbly personality and of course the illusion spells hidden beneath her sleeve, wouldn't need scented oils or liquids to make others desire her. Still . . . this festival only came once and she had the opportunity to do what she does best.

Too many people. Drunk, senses dulled.

The bug musk would no doubt work well. She looked at the merchant, offered a sheepish smile, and said: "Perhaps I can keep just one . . . if Kayla decided to purchase it."

[Rohirrim]

Khan rode out onto the lawn, in a coat of plate, steel boots, chain gauntlets, and a steel nasal helm. The surcoat of linen over his plate bore his standard, a white leopard's head on a blue field. His horse wore chain armor as well, and bore the same standard. Bran wore his usual blue quilted leather. As for his weapons, he carried a lance in his hand and a greatsword on his back. Khan took a horn from the side of the saddle, and blew it, the primal sound echoing throughout the grounds of the inn. At this sound, most of the fairegoers looked in Khan's direction. Once satisfied he had the attention of all, he spoke to the masses. "All those who wish to join the Great Hunt, line up in front of me!" As a large number of the men and women present looked away, a few stepped into line. There were a trio of Bosmer archers, four Redguard brothers who were trained in spears, an Orc warrior, who specialized in the hammer, a Dunmer priest of Kynareth who would serve as healer to any wounded men, five Nord adventurers with swords, axes, maces and shields, a pair of Imperial mages from the Arcane University, and around ten farmhands, stableboys, and other assorted proletariat laborers with swords, spears and bows, sometimes a bit of light armor, but mostly in working clothes. Most of them seemed to be sober, but the mages and the nords looked in particularly bad shape. Khan surveyed them all approvingly. "Well then, before we get on the road, any questions?" One of the mages spoke. "I cast Magic Missile!" Both of the wizards then fell into uncontrollable giggles. Khan sighed, then looked around the lawn. "Hjalbir, Lycus! Come with me, we need to discuss our quarry."

This post has been edited by Rohirrim: Aug 29 2013, 09:40 PM

[Darkness Eternal]

Lycus Desselius scoffed through his nostils. The khajiit strode out in armor that covered him from his head to his toe. Even his horse was armored for what seemed to be a large battle. Lycus went as far as to wonder if this man truly expected to face Stormcloak soldiers in the hunting trip? He'd sooner scare off the game with such heavy gear.

True, Lycus was not armored as he was and he had less protection, but that was part about combat. He would sacrifice personal protection in favor of mobility and strength. The very thought about his own simple clothes conjured memories of the long, grueling days spent trapped in oblivion all those years ago. It was frightening.

Being hunted by Nordic lycanthropes who rode bears twice their size, and to be constantly a target in a realm where the majority of its inhabitants wanted to make a meal out of your flesh and marrow. He couldn't even begin to recount his encounter with his Lord, Hircine.

He'd survived with nothing but his bare hands, the stones of the land and a few natural weapons made from the bones of the men that hunted him down.

Where was the sport dressing as a soldier in a hunting trip? Perhaps, because Khan was of the Legion, he did not see any other style of hunting.

The hunting horn blew, and Lycus' eyes went wide, unintentionally. He'd heard the sounds of horns all too often when in the Hunting Grounds, for they marked the announcement prior to The Drag. Both a hunter and honored prey, Lycus couldn't shake off the natural urge ingrained in his altered mind.

He moved, but a firm hand touched his arm. He turned to see Vera standing behind him, a fat piece of ash hopper meat on her hands, coated with ash hopper jelly. Lycus cracked a smile upon seeing the juicy food on her hands.

During his slave years in Morrowind his diet consisted nothing more than hound meat, scrib jelly, kwama eggs, beetle meat. Ash hopper meat was one of the great delicacies that happened to crawl out of the ground beneath his cell. A joyful snack in the days when the Dunmer overseers weren't feeling the need to feed the slaves.

Lycus Desselius received the offered piece of insect flesh, and took a great chunk of it. "You read my mind."

She ran her fingers through the thick mane of black hair. "I know what goes inside that head of yours."

The Imperial woman turned to the assembly forming of eager hunters. "Are you going hunting or to war?"

"Hjalbir, Lycus! Come with me, we need to discuss our quarry."

Vera raised an eyebrow to the commandeering khajiit, and then back to Lycus with a sarcastic smile threatening to grow on her face. "Friend of yours?"

"A fellow hunter."

"Looks like a soldier who fancies himself a hunter."

Lycus looked down on the woman, and chuckled. "I have faith that he may step up to the plate. You'd like to come along to see for yourself, woundn't you? I'd wager on that."

"Don't make bets you're sure to loose," she said with a grin, taking a sip of the Cyrodiilic brandy bottle in her hand. "I'd love to go. But I'd rather stay."

Lycus let his mouth drop and one of his brows raise. "Vera Desselius refusing to hunt. The world is coming to an end."

She looked around to see the large group of would-be hunters, along with the mage who claimed he could cast magic missiles and overly armored Nords who seemed to be preparing for a final reckoning in Sovngarde. "Yeah, seems to be that way."

"I'd given up on hunting with others," Vera said before poking an accusing finger against Lycus. "You set me up with those two women to go into that cave. Should've seen the look on their faces when I lured all of the vampires into a single chamber. They hated me for that. I think one of them had a stick so far up her ass that-"

"It's a wonder her feet touched the ground." Lycus finished.

Vera smiled. "Tell me all about it later."

"Where will you go?"

Vera didn't answer him, instead she walked away like the solitary huntress she always was. Lycus looked down on his meat, took another gush-filled bite, and followed Khan to discuss the quarry.

[Rohirrim]

Khan removed his helmet, walked over to a table he had borrowed from one of the merchants, and put it down on the table. He pointed to a map of County Chorrol he had acquired from a surveyor who was attending the fair. Khan specifically pointed to the area outside the city of Chorrol, roughly at the beginning of the Great Forest.

"We'll start the hunt here. The deer like to hang around here and steal from the farms in the lowlands. That means there are also substantial numbers of wolves and bears in this area. Hjalbir, I want you and I to take the levies, the Orc and the Redguards through the woods here. That way they'll get their game, and there'll be no complaining. Lycus, you'll be responsible for taking the rest, including the archers, the priest, and mages, here." He pointed to a meadow with a stream running through it, a bit farther from the city. "This is the spot for quail and Slaughterfish, which is what the archer's and mage's talents will be best suited to. Set the Nords to flushing the long grass in the banks, and then get the rest ready to fire. Tell the mages to use shock magic. Don't want any of the meat ruined."

He smiled and thought: They think me a soldier, a man who knows not of what he speaks. But with this many men, and monsters to boot...this is the only way to plan it safely.

He then pointed to an area in between the other two, in the center of the Chorrol portion of the forest. "I went into the city this morning, and I received a tip that there are some ogres camping here. We'll meet up here roundabouts two bells after noon. We'll charge in and try to break any traps or fortifications that the Ogres have set up. I'll send the Nords, Redguards and Orc in first, they'll do fine. The Bosmer and mages next, and then the levies. The priest will hang back and take care of any casualties. Then we'll move on to Lake Rumare via the road, and the same plan applies for the Minotaurs, just exercise far greater caution. IN case of a Troll attack, form a protective circle, support in the center. Any questions?"

This post has been edited by Rohirrim: Aug 30 2013, 01:35 AM

[King Coin]

Ah, she’s trying to get some for herself. Perhaps I’ll help, Aravi thought.

“I suppose 15 Septims is very reasonable for it however.” She wondered how true that was as she said it. “I’ll buy a vial.”

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Kayla took another tentative sniff at the vial. She frowned.

"Can I try some on and see how it smells on me?"

Thals opened his mouth, perhaps to protest, but Kayla was already dabbing a small bit onto her wrists. She made a face, then dabbed some on her neck. "How do I sm-"

"Hey, beautiful."

Kayla jumped and squeaked in surprise when she received a randy pinch on the rear. She turned around to tell the man off, but noticed he was nearly completely sober. He grinned at her.

"Ah, uh...maybe I put too much?" She turned her signature shade of bright red and tried wiping the perfume off on her clothes, not realizing it wouldn't do much good. She shrugged.

"I'm not sure I really want that type of attention..."

Liar.

"I'll buy a vial, too." She handed Thals her septims, a sheepish grin on her face.

[Black Hand]

Thals eyes opened wide and his teeth were bared in surprise.

"I see you two really aren't familiar with it!" He nearly cried. "Please understand, it's not the scent it's the pheromones!" he explained.

"Whatever twist of nature made the Shalk beetles of the Grazelands of Vvardenfell produce such a powerful attractant has somehow made it so that nearly all beings are...affected...by it.." He said with his eyes struggling not to look further down Kayla's chest.

He turned around and started staring at his stands awning.

"So...umm..yes...even when the person is aware of what is happening to him...it is very difficult to not find the other party...ravishingly tall...and eyes like the reflections of twin sunsets bading one into a golden waterfall of cascading hair...oh dear.." He said smacking himself.

Twice.

"But, um...yes...I think the damage is done here...I'll only charge you what I paid for them: Eight septims. Ten! I mean ten! Oh B'vek!"

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Kayla covered her mouth in embarrassment. She set the septims on the counter and pocketed the vial

"Sorry! I'm so sorry! I'll go change clothes! And bathe! I didn't know it was so potent! I thought you were trying to scam us!"

She hurried off, using her sheer height and muscle to, again, push her way through the crowd. A few who turned to look at her angrily had sudden changes in expression as they looked after her. She covered her face and bolted up the steps as soon as she hit the stairs inside. Once inside her room, she quickly shed her clothes after locking the door. She quickly realized that she didn't know how to heat the water once the tub was filled.

That's fine, cold water works just as well.

She jumped as someone knocked on her door abruptly.

"What?! I mean, who is it?"

"It's me."

She furrowed her brow. She somewhat recognized the voice. "Me, who?"

"Laegon."

"I'm not dressed."

There was a slight pause. "Good. Clothes get in the way."

This beetle butt juice is potent...

She opened the door a crack, seeing Laegon's golden-brown eyes peeking back at her. "Can I come in?"

"Uhhh..." She pulled a sheet off her bed and covered herself before letting him in. He wasted no time, locking his lips with hers before slamming the door.

"Mmph, Laegon, you-" He cut her off with a kiss. "I've got- wait- you're not-"

She was thrown onto the bed and he kissed her neck in a way that made her knees weak.

"Oh. Ohh. Okay. Okay..."

---

"Wow. That was-wait, again?!"

Laegon chuckled softly as Kayla's dark brows raised in surprise by his advances.

"Can you even..I mean, we just..." She turned red, a color that seemed to be staining her cheeks more often than usual.

"Well, no." he replied, an impish look on is face. "But..."

When he was finished, his scalp was sore and hair mussed from her gripping it so tightly as she voice her pleasure. Her arms laid lazily over her face, her breathing still heavy.

"Oh gods...I love this stuff."

"I've never received any complaints."

"Oh no, it's uh...Telvanni...bug musk." She looked embarrassed as she sat up, and felt it as well. "I'm so sorry."

"I was going to do this tonight anyways. Or did you forget?"

"I did, actually. I figured you were too drunk to remember."

"I'm not drunk, dear."

"Oh." She didn't know what to say. She ran her tongue over her upper teeth and looked at the bathroom.

"The water's probably freezing by now." She sighed.

"Were you about to bathe?"

She nodded. He gave her a grin.

"Mind if I join?"

She blushed again, forgetting he had just seen parts of her no one else had. "I'd really rather..."

"Say no more. I'll be out here."

She patted his cheek and slowly made her way to the bathroom.

[King Coin]

Aravi received her vial and paid what the merchant asked. Might as well use a little. Kayla next to her was dabbing some on as well.

The effect on Kayla was immediate Aravi noticed. Both the merchant and a passerby immediately took note of her… assets. What have I gotten myself into? Aravi thought, eyes wide.

Her gaze was drawn toward Kayla. She is quite… Aravi’s face heated up when she realized where her eyes were settling. I need to get out of here. She bade a hasty goodbye to everyone, though she was sure they didn’t even notice, and left quickly. I’m not even into women, she told herself firmly.

She wormed her way through the crowd, now that she didn’t have anyone to make a path for her. She noticed she was getting more looks from people than she normally did. Their gazes even lingered. She felt a hand brush her rear.

“I beg your pardon…” the man stopped midsentence, the corners of his mouth turning up in a smile. “Hello…”

She did not remain to listen. She spotted Darnand at a table, a bottle of wine and several goblets. She altered her course and made her way over to him, thankful for a familiar face.

She greeted him and sat next to him at the table. Her senses were on high alert still, her ears flicking this way and that, trying to determine if any trouble followed her.

[Darkness Eternal]

Irvana clasped her hands together, and giggled. "Excellent!"

Aravi was going to purchase it, and Kayla already has. The effects were already showing and Irvana thought that perhaps she should've warned the two hunters about the amount applied on the skin.

The raven-haired Imperial woman snatched two bottles of Telvanni bug musk and smiled at the merchant, who was no doubt under the effects of it already. "I believe these two belong to me."

She set one under the arm, and dabbed a few drops on her fingers and spread them on her neck and on her wrist and some slightly above her bosom.

Considering that Kayla had just ran out from sight from the effects of the bug musk, Aravi was the only who stayed behind, though she was smart enough not to try it. Perhaps she was already commited to someone?

It didn't matter. Though she had more than enough gold in her pockets to purchase the same amount of vials she received, she preferred to acquire what she desired for free. With success, she pocketed the two vials and placed her hand over Aravi's thin arms.

"I will love if we both caught up. We had plenty of things we never discussed," she said before leaning in forward to whisper. "Enjoy the festival."

I know I will . . .

Irvana cast a friendly smile, thanked the merchant and excused herself from sight. She couldn't help but feel a certain joy brewing in her heart. A glee that came with the knowledge of the irony of the bug musk and the two women.

Outside was uncomfortable. She already had come across more than a few men who seemed to be affected not only by the bug musk, but her physical appearance as well. None of them we remotely desirable to her own exotic tastes in men.

She decided that entering the tavern might yield something different.

Irvana retreated from the loud music, the smell of food and the chit-chatter of the patrons and walked briskly into the inn. Here, people sat in corners and tables rather than shoulder each other with faint or no apologies outside. It was much less crowded, but full of people nonetheless. The atmosphere here was a bit darker, and the music a bit more soothing compared to the loud ruckus by the merchant tents.

Though the smell of sweat, beverages, food, body odor and even the heat was present there was something else in the air that she recognized, but couldn't quite locate the source . . .

Curious.

The noblewoman strode inside, searching for people whom she can converse with and see the dramatic or perhaps not so dramatic, changes in their mood with the presence of the mood-altering bug musk. She bought herself some wine, conspicously searched the room and found two younger men sitting in the corner, leering at other women who passed by.

Ah, she thought. Young love. Though lust was more of an appropiate term here.

She moved a foot to introduce herself when she collided against someone. She nearly, just almost, muttered a forced apology that was customary to her personality when she saw the face of the individual. Of the man.

He was a tall Imperial with black hair that matched her own, with eyes that mimicked hers and a face that was slightly different in color. His attire was much more extravagant and sort of out of place in a low-class festival such as this. His eyes stared into hers for what felt like an eternity and a smile slithered upon his face.

"Well, well," he said to her. "What is a lovely woman such as you doing in a . . . place like this?"

Irvana composed herself. He must have heard of the festival, too. Or perhaps under other circumstances he finds himself here.

"The same could be said of you. What in this world would lure Draken Decumus Vladmirius to this festival? I'm afraid those who hold lands here might be dull-minded from too much drink, no?"

Draken took a sip of the wine in his cup. "The more easier to negotiate when the mind of others are malleable. More profitable, that way."

Irvana watched him over the rim of the wineglass. “Indeed."

"Our coffers stay stuffed," he said.

"By social graces robust," Irvana replied, raising her glass in a toast.

Both drank.

Draken then leaned in toward her, reaching for the black hair that swayed by her neck to gently move it aside. His nose nearly touched her neck, and he breathed in the air and pulled back. "Telvanni bug musk," he muttered. "Dearest, you'll have these men's favorite bits raised for weeks on end if they so much cast eyes on you."

Irvana tilted her head aside, casting away her hair and flashing her eyes. A gently hand touched over her chest. "The fault lies not with me, but in the man controlled by desire."

Draken raised a brow, and with a finger raised her chin. "The fault lies with the woman for sparking the fires of lust. You are the instigator here, dearest."

She shrugged, averting the subject. "As you say."

She looked at him for a deep moment, and then touched his cold and pale face. She gasped and pulled back. "Are you alright? You look a bit . . . ill. Your skin's as pale as snow. Are you afraid of sunlight or something?"

Draken let out a laugh and shook his head slightly. He let his gaze linger on her for a moment until she began to laugh as well. "I have been sick," he confessed. "Things in Hackdirt went foul and . . . by the gods, it is a long story. I'd burden you of its details another time."

She glanced around. "My womanly intuition tells me you're searching for something else, here, too."

"A young girl," he said. "A beautiful woman."

"Plenty of them here," she said with a brow raised. "I'll introduce you to some." She paused, and added. "Say, what of that young blond woman with the blue eyes from Leyawiin? What's become of her?"

"She ran off on me."

"Pity. So you'll be needing a new young girl."

His grin widened. "I'll have that to look forward to."

She gently touched him on the shoulder. "As I've said, I'll aid you in your search for love."

"Hmm, my desires are a bit different," he glanced at her from her to toe, his cold hand touching the necklace sitting above her breasts. "Entertain me with the details of your personal life. Perhaps in my quarters away from this ruckus."

"No."

"No?"

"No." Irvana said. "I'm afraid I'm inclined to decline that offer."

With a sarcastic face of false surprise, Draken asked. "May I inquire as to why."

Irvana looked around, seeing the many different people walking around, conversing with each other. She could meet so much more people than to focus on one man whom she knew. "You might."

She turned to him, patted him gently on the cold cheek and smirked that deep smirk. "I am glad to see you. Its been months. My room is upstairs to the left, the last one. Now, go get that sickness taken care of. I don't want to catch whatever you've got."

"The gods to know I need something to eat."

Irvana gave him a suspicious look, before he turned to leave. He stopped and over his shoulder he said, "Ah, dearest, you wouldn't happen to have any of the Telvanni bug musk lingering somewhere in those clothes of yours?"

She bit her lip, and exhaled through her nostrils. She pulled the vial from her pockets and handed it to him. "This was for a relative of mine. But since I owe you, you can hold onto it. I do not recommend excessive use."

He opened the cover and sniffed it. "Lust and affections confined in a single bottle. Gratitude."

With that, he left. Irvana smiled. What a charming man . . .

[Black Hand]

Serene and Sethyas made their way to the grilled meats stand and purchased ample platefuls. They sat down in the nearby outside tables as she attempted to look classy while nearly inhaling the food.

"You didn't eat the whole way here, did you?" Sethyas asked and took a swig of some lager he hadn't tried yet. "You're far too skinny, Serene. Especially in periods where you worry and won't eat until you faint and wake up in bed."

She gave him a look somewhere between 'I know' and 'Shut up and let me eat'.

Seth smirked and looked across the crowd when he heard a woman's cry to an unexpected hand. He saw Kayla's rump being manhandled by someone passing by and Thals and Aravi looking around with an air of surprise and concern. The Imperial woman standing with them he didn't know, but she looked like the woman that Imperial 'writer' had been speaking too when he first arrived.

Given the way the men in the crowd were now looking at them and how Thals appeared to be struggling too not look at them the same way, instead turning his back to them he guessed quickly that it had to be the bug musk.

He chuckled at the scene and told Serene his suspicions.

She got a guilty look on her face, as red began to tint her face. "What's Telvanni Bug Musk?" She asked unassumingly.

His brows furled and he squinted bringing his face close into hers.

You may be able to read my mind, but you are a terrible liar. He thought-spoke to her.

"You know damn well what Telvanni bug musk is...unless I was under a different Archmistress in House Redoran all those years ago. What is it you aren't telling me?" He whispered to her.

"N-nothing." She said looking away from him.

"Oh gods! You used some on me didn't you!" He said surprised.

"Not just now...that was all your doing." She snapped back.

"Then when?" he asked.

"It was years...and I do mean years ago." She stammered.

"When?" He asked with a commanding tone.

"It..it was after you told me we were overwith. When I was still married to Athyn." She blushed.

"You mean after I threw the brandy at you...in our fight in my apartment?" He said.

"Yes. I was hurt, and you ripped yourself from me. I found some solace in drink and a friend thought it was marital problems, and she suggested...bug musk." She shrugged. "So when I saw you next...I had some and..." She ended with deeper blushing.

"Oh gods...I remember that. Wasn't that after the council meeting?...B'vek...we defiled that meeting table." He said raising his eyebrows. "And I was still in a months-long drinking binge...I was probably drunk at that meeting." He reminisced.

"You were drunk at a lot of meetings." She raised her eyebrow.

"Don't turn this around on me! You manipulated me when I was at my weakest!" He said playfully.

She opened her eyes and mouth wide in a shock. "I did no such thing!" She said throwing a greasy towel at him.

"Me drunk and having battle-fatigue, not thinking straight and you manipulating that poor wreck I was with bug-musk." He said shaking his head. "Sounds like manipulation to me." He said wryly.

She looked up to the side mirroring his mocking. "I guess you're right. Whatever will you do with me?" She said giving him a smile.

"Divorce you." He said matter-of-factly taking a swig of his drink and she smacked his hand in mock-shock again.

"Not legal under County Chorrol laws! You have to have 'ample and clear reasoning' to get any magistrate to even hear the case!" She retorted.

"Hey." He said extending his hands and shrugging. "Your Grace, she told me that she used bug-musk to get me back into the sack. I am a victim of a cruel and premeditated act of fraud and manipulation." He said with an expression that offered a challenge.

She raised her eyebrow again. "Your Grace, I said no such thing. The man is a liar. He'd piss on your head and tell you it was raining."

"Your Grace, she's also abusive." Sethyas said, looking at her. "She's been known to splash water on not just me but on several undefended men while they did naught but sleep off drink in an orderly fashion."

"Guilty, Your Grace." She said taking his hand in hers. "Those men had it coming...and probably one more time before this night is through."

"I rest my case." He smiled, returning her light squeeze in the hand.

"We should get some later." She said looking over at Thals who apparently was splashing water on himself at this point in time.

"I was thinking the exact same thing." Seth replied quickly and seriously. "That particular meeting was fantastic! I knew there had to be a reason I remembered it..."

[Uleni Athram]

HJalbir kept himself apart from the main group when Khan began the procedures of the planning, opting instead to sit on a borrowed stool and fletching all of his arrows. He checked them for any impurities and sighted them down for any misalligned wood, but keeping his ears wide for the plan. He didn't really know what to make of the ragtag bunch of misfits the Tribune acquired. For one thing, they still seemed to high on the spirits of festivities and Hjalbir knew from experience that any drunk man was quite a useless man in certain situations. Those mages, inebriated from the local poison, quite worried Hjalbir. With alcohol running through their veins, who knows what kind of disaster they would wrought?

And the numbers. They were too many. It was a wise choice for them to split up, but Hjalbir could tell that Lycus would rather prefer hunting the deers, wolves and bears rather than overseeing mages and archers killing fish and birds. But they would still hunt the ogres and the minotaurs after they'd regroup, so maybe that was a small consolation. The gigantic Nord stood up, gathered up all of his arrows, and walked over to the planning table. As usual, he was the one who towered over everyone. Even the Orc appraised his size with admiration.

"I will not lie," Hjalbir said to Khan. "Most of us seem well-suited for war rather than hunting prey."

He gestured towards the Khajiit's armor and horse.

"I am not an expert in the subtleties of hunting, but it seems to me that your heavy armor will make a lot of noise and maybe even slow you down, and thus jeopardize some of our stealthy approach. I suggest that you change into a more compact armor so we wouldn't scare the prey away. And those who are drunk."

He gave the mages and the Nord a long look.

"Either the mages cast a spell that would allevate them of their drunkenness or we lose them. I understand that today is indeed a merry day, and I do not wish to shatter the spirit of festivities, but I must speak bluntly. Either those mages cast a spell or drink a potion that would allevate them of their drunkenness or we lose them. You are Tribune of the First Legion, are you not, Master Khan? Then perhaps you would know that trusting your safety and plans in the hands of men with addled senses is a very foolish decision."

His eyes took the hard glint of a realist that held no illusions about chance.

"Anything can happen anytime, after all."

[Grits]

Abiene

A horn announced the gathering of the Great Hunt as Abiene made her way through the merchants’ stands. A large group of high-spirited folk surrounded an armored Khajiit on horseback. She briefly wondered what they intended to hunt. Something that bites back, she imagined. Hopefully they are as well-fortified with potions as they are with free beer.

Thals’ stand hosted a lively crowd. Abiene searched until she found a different vendor whose flag depicted alchemy apparatus. The Breton behind the table seemed to be finishing with her sole customer as Abiene approached.

Abiene stood at a polite distance, using the time to take in the merchant’s appearance. The Breton’s flawless skin and impeccable hair were testimonies to the quality of her goods. That particular shade of flaming red was likely born in a bottle, but it suited her natural coloring perfectly. Those crystal-blue eyes could only be a gift from Dibella. Her gown managed to show off her figure without displaying much skin. Abiene admired the way the bell-shaped sleeves drew attention to the woman’s graceful hands. The rich fabric and simple style gave her an elegant look that suggested high standards, but she still possessed the approachability that her profession required.

“Be sure to come back and visit my shop in the village when it opens,” she told the man. “It’s called ‘The Guarded Retort.’ I’ll be offering…”

She spoke with a Breton’s lilting cadence, but her accent was identifiably eastern. The woman’s voice trailed off as her customer walked away.

Her eyes met Abiene’s. A slight squint and twist of lip dismissed the man’s discourtesy while her smile invited Abiene to approach.

First things first. “I’m Abiene Metonne,” she said, shaking hands with the woman in the Cyrodiil manner. “I live in Chorrol. Have you traveled here for the festival?”

“Martine Thierry. In a way yes, but also no. I’ve just rented a property in the village, so I plan to stay. The festival is a welcome chance for me to get my business off the ground. How may I help you?”

“Well, I need a few things,” said Abiene. “I hope you have them.”

“I hope I do, too.” Martine gestured to her goods. “These items are ready to use, but I also have some supplies in storage. Since you live nearby it will be easy to arrange delivery.”

Abiene glanced over the display. Soaps, jars of creams and lotions, bottles of perfumes and oils, and various household supplies lay in an attractive arrangement. A row of discretely labeled potion bottles stood along the table’s rear edge.

“I’m afraid I’ve over-indulged at the beer counter,” Abiene confessed.

Martine handed her a vial. “This is my own recipe. Ginseng and redwort flower. It’s not very strong, but for five Septims it will sober you up.”

Abiene traded her coin for the vial and downed the contents. Her head cleared immediately. “Thank you. Now I have a little problem…” She leaned forward and showed her teeth. “I thought maybe if I rubbed them with ectoplasm?”

Martine didn’t flinch at the sight. Her voice was pitched just loud enough to reach her customer but not further. “That would brighten them for a time, but the stains would remain. Plus you’d receive a nasty shock.” She picked up a tiny jar. “May I suggest my tooth whitening agent? It’s made from strawberries, lemon juice, and some proprietary ingredients. This jar contains a single use. Very popular with kahve-drinkers, smokers, and careless mages.”

They made the trade. Abiene rubbed the cream on her teeth, hoping it wouldn’t make her gag in front of all these people.

“It doesn’t taste too bad,” she marveled.

Martine gave her a proud smile. “I stand by all of my products. You’ll find a wide range suited to personal care.” Her eyes flicked to Abiene’s unruly hair.

“I forgot my smoothing cream,” Abiene admitted. Her cheeks heated with embarrassment. Martine’s hair looked as if it could be made of silk.

She opened another jar and offered it to Abiene. “This will help keep your curls defined and prevent frizziness in all but the most humid weather. Try the fragrance. I have the same cream in different scents to complement what you already wear.”

By the time Martine finished with her, Abiene had her bag halfway filled with small jars and bottles.

They parted with a friendly hand clasp.

“Be sure to come back and visit my shop in the village when it opens,” said Martine. “It’s called ‘The Guarded Retort.’”

“I will,” Abiene assured her. “I’m a healer at the chapel in Chorrol, but I also have my own informal practice. There are some things I’d like to discuss with you in a more private setting. Ways in which an apothecary might help me serve the women of our county.”

Martine’s nod indicated she knew exactly what Abiene meant. “I look forward to it.”

The crowd had thinned at Thals’ booth. Abiene made her way toward it.

[Rohirrim]

[Massive Edit]

Khan stepped up to Hjalbir, standing nose to shoulder with the man. "Do you not trust my judgement," he spoke with great contempt, "sellsword?" "If you wish I can fight you right now, you uncultured rebel scum."

This post has been edited by Rohirrim: Sep 2 2013, 10:14 PM

[Grits]

Darnand

There were too many choices at the food stand and his hands were already filled with goblets and wine, so Darnand found an empty table and sat. He unfolded his pocket corkscrew and began opening one of the bottles.

Aravi appeared and sat abruptly on the seat next to him. Her eyes were wide, and her ears flicked with agitation.

What has occurred? he wondered. Darnand glanced over at her. At those clear, green eyes, more precious than any jewel… He found himself lost for a moment. Then he shook himself and popped the cork.

“Does Tamika’s white suit you?” he asked, beginning to pour. The sun glittered in the pale wine, but it positively glowed on Aravi’s slender hands where they clasped together nervously on the table. Her arms are so toned, thought Darnand as his eyes travelled upward. She is a woman of such grace and strength, surely the gods must be jealous of their own creation. His thoughts had no words as he viewed the way her leather top both caressed and gently lifted her bosom. Darnand shifted uncomfortably on the bench.

A small cry from Aravi brought his attention forward again. The wine cascaded cheerfully over the brim of the goblet, widening in a pool on the table.

“Apologies!” Darnand yelped, sloshing some onto his sleeve as he over-corrected. Aravi made another small noise when he splashed her as well.

He turned to blot the liquid from her arms and chest with his dry sleeve, tipping the goblet over into her lap.

“Stones of Julianos!” he swore, fumbling further with his hands. What in sixteen hells has gotten into me? Aravi squirmed in her seat, letting out a gentle gasp of objection as he groped.

Darnand’s elbow met the open bottle of wine. Fifteen Septims’ worth of Tamika’s quality work flooded out in a wave.

He found himself on his feet, flapping his robe in an attempt to conceal the growing situation beneath it. “Heh,” he said, teeth bared in a grimace as he tried to smile. “Just trying to get myself dry.” What. The. F–

Abiene slipped through the crowd. She raised her hand and waved when she saw them.

“Oh gods,” said Darnand.