The Story of Butterbay

How Venan and Victoria became wed.

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The Story of Butterbay

Summary:	How Venan and Victoria became wed.
OOC Date:	December
Related:	None

Players:

Various Places in Darfield

Various Places in Darfield

Inouv, 228

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In the Bard's Tale Tavern

Venan enters and settles down by the fire after ordering some breads and cheeses to be brought to him. "…take yer time with the food, Mistress, I've a need to warm my fingers before I could eat." He laughs, "Business been good, I hope?"

Victoria presses through the doors about ten minutes after Dastan, the Huntress with another Ranger, both dressed in colors of house Forrester. Pushing back her hood she'll gesture to the bar, murmuring what she'd like before she scopes out a table, a little dancing wiggle done as the heat from the tavern assaults her and causes her to shiver. Grimacing she'll head to a table, dropping down onto a cushioned seat with a tug of the chair outwards, her gloves yanked off and scarf pulled down as her companion assists with getting mulled wine and hot stew with bread and cheese.

Venan packs and lights his pipe while settling in by the fire with a light repast.

"…and the girls did give it a whirl.
Said Jill to her Jack, we must give it all back,
Lest he find us, that devilish churl.
But betwixt and between, with a fiendish gleam
Sought the eyes of the terror of Weston
Said Jack to his Jill, You've brought us luck, ill
By giving his name mention…"

Venan trails off as Victoria and Dastan enter. He tilts his head looking over Dastab curiously, then runs his hand across his head to smooth the Jadda style beads in his hair. He then turns his attention to Victoria and her wiggling dance, as do most right minded men in the bar, though most have the good sense to hide their attentiveness.

Venan sends a puff of smoke to play in the drafts of the fireplace as he waits for his meal.

The apple cider was as good as yesterday. Yum! Dastan watches the room, enjoying the fire for the time being, listening to the song. After a few minutes a familiar face enters the tavern along with someone he did not know. He waits for her to get settled before walking over to say hi, mug of cider still in hand. "Victoria!" He says, exclaiming. "Hi! Thanks again for the coat, it's the /best/ jacket I've ever gotten. Who's this? Wait… did I interruptsomething? I'm sorry…"

Victoria's companion comes back around, bowls tucked in one arm, mugs in the other, having refused the offer to have a barmaid serve him, "Ai' got perfectly good arms, 'ey, don't need no lady wit' burdens elsewhar doin' naught." Nudging his chin towards Victoria he'll snug up the arm with the drinks, woman reaching out as she speaks to Dastan with a chuckle, "Interrupting mid-day meal after a bloody long evening of patrol and looking for the lost - don't apologize for nothing. Come, sit, join us. It's been a long day and I'm sick of hearing Ladren here babbling."
Grunting out a laugh the burly Ranger male will set down the bowls as Victoria slides his mug to the seat beside her, the bread and cheese coming soon enough by a barmaid - Ladren only had so much room in his arms, "Who dis lad, any'ow?" Ladren asks, crouching down over his food as he begins to dig in ravenously, "Prince Dastan. And this is Ranger Ladren Muckleberry." Rising up the ranger male, spoon in his mouth, will bow hastily before dropping back down, "Oy, majesty, all dat, 'eyo. Most pleasin'." Munch munch. Victoria will curve a broad smile, her cheeks bright red from the cold outside, a hankie taken out from within her cloak before she blows into it, "Mmmm- you're welcome, Prince Dastan - can't have you freezing." Venan, at this very moment, isn't noted - the Tavern is a bustle of activity, hard to spot folks when you're not looking in the first.

Venan puffs up another cloud of sweet smelling smoke before resuming,

Said Jill to her Jack, It is courage you lack
here is no such hobgoblin.
Said Jack to his Jill, Look about and you will
Discover this cretin knows when
A crime has been done, or folks've had to much fun
And brings ruin and blame down upon them."

Venan nods appreciatively when his food arrives and sets his pipe aside as he slices up the cheese and the bread. He holds the cheese out on the end of his knife towards the fire until has it browned and is nicely melty.

Dastan does indeed take a seat across from the two rangers. His eyes widen when Victoria mentions they've been out on patrols. "Oh? Did you two have to fight any beasts, or anything else exciting?" His cider forgotten for now, he watches two two rangers intently, hanging on their every word. "Nice to meet you, Ladren. How long have you been a ranger? Victoria told me about her adventures, I'm sure you have some as well." He looks back to the man singing, tilting his head slightly. "Do you have to go out for more patrols?"

Victoria hears a familiar voice - one more pleasing to her hears, head cocking to the side as she rises up slightly from her seat to look for the source. By the time it's stopped she's found the source, lopsided smile traipsing onto her lips, "Perhaps we can fill this table yet, Prince Dastan." A moment, as she unclasps her cloak, shouldering it off to the chair behind her before she calls out, "Master Merchant, come join us, plenty of room at our table."

Waiting but a second she'll sit back down, grabbing her mulled wine and bringing it to her lips she'll take a deep drink, licking her lips as the mug is set down, her food set upon as well, "Oh, nothing nearly as exciting." Murmured by Victoria as she shakes her head, Ladren taking up the conversation, "Bein' since birth, yeh? Like any good Sky Forest folk." He talks around his food, "Might bit longer tha' miss Sky'awk 'ere tho', she's just a wee babe, old 'nuff t'be 'er da'." Nodding his head, "But ain't nah tales from evenin' last. 'ell of a snowin', jus' one los' soul, yeh? Got 'im back good. Achin' for sleep though."

Venan looks over towards Victoria when she calls out, but turns his attention back to his meal. He transfers cheese from knife to bread and takes a bite, following it with some mead. He taps out a beat with his fingers on the table near him and when his mouth is clear he sing-songs,

"A man met in Jadda, said 'I'll rough up ya mudda',
Or so I heard him to say.
He looked quite alarming, but my smile was disarming,
Or so I thought the display.
There was some discourse, as a matter of course,
Until he did finally proclaim.
'You travel with beauty, woo-hoo what a cutie!'
Thankfully, I thought just the same."

Venan holds another piece of cheese out to the fire on his knife, switching off hands and blowing on his knuckles to cool them between sips of his mead. "Be glad to join you in just a moment, Mistress, I've a bit of cheese that still needs toasting and I've found myself enjoying the comforts of a well behaved fireplace for the last few days."

Dastan looks concerned, "You lost a ranger to the snow? That's sad." He frowns, guessing that not all rangers can be as awesome as Victoria. "You're trained to be a ranger sense birth? That's so cool. I wish I could have been a ranger." It's clear the Prince has no clue what it takes to be a ranger, otherwise he would probably be singing a very different tune right now. "I've never been to the Sky Forest, it sounds wonderful." He smiles, remembering his cider, taking a drink.

Venan rises after his knuckles and cheese are nearly burnt to make his way over to the table.

Victoria will snortingly laugh at Dastans question, "A ranger to the snow? No, some young lad that decided he wanted to go and sneak to his lovers home, got lost in the snow, couldn't figure which way was what." Ladren will smirk over his bowl, wolfing it down and sucking back his drink from the wooden mug, eager to set off to his bed, "Mmmnnn- might big pleasure, yeh, Prince Dastan, I'm off t'm'bed, ain't got the steam this one 'as." Nudging Victoria he'll wink to Dastan and head on out to the blistery snow.

"It's beautiful, even in the winter." Victoria murmurs, taking time with her food as she nods to Venan as he comes around finally, "It's not all pretty stories and pie, Dastan, it's hard work. Long, hard, work."

Venan nods, "Aye, sometimes you've got to put up with merchants, dreadful useless fellows that bumble along and cause all manner of trouble." He adds to Victoria's tales of hardship. "Who's you're guest, Mistress?" He asks as he takes a seat setting his plate of breads and cheeses down.

Venan hiccups as he says 'your' causing an odd break in the word.

The door is soon enough pushed open to allow Conall to step in and avoid the cold. Pushing back his hood as he and his two guards move inside. The guards moving around into the crowd while Conall let his eyes wander. Spotting the trio and making his way towards them, pushing his hair back. "Hello. Mind if I join you all?" He asks and studies them all. Staying just a bit longer on Victoria.

Dastan waves to Ladren. "It was very nice to meet you, be careful out there!" He says, eyeing the show outside briefly. "The snow is rather dangerous, it's a bit like the sand at times. Can't really go out in a sandstorm. I wonder what's under all that sand…" He says, starting to loose himself in his own thoughts before realizing there was a new member at the table. "Oh, hello. I'm Dastan!" He says, and then /another/ person joins the table. Why are they all coming here!

Venan nods, "Hello Dastan, I'm Venan. Pleasant meeting." He looks up as Conall moves to join, "If you'll all pardon me though, I've a pressing need to see a man about a horse." He dips his head then snares his cheese and bread and downs his mead heading for the door.

Because Dastan is shiny and new! Victoria will grin to Venan as he sits, an eyebrow raising at his hiccup, "That was disturbingly cute." A look to Dastan, "Prince Dastan, sister of Princess Nima, from Jadda." She intones formally, and then Conall comes in and the woman will stiffen considerably, gesturing to a seat, "How could we say no, Prince Aberdeen, please. Sit." Grunt. She will refocus on her food, "All that beautiful green grass and forest you've been hearing about. All under that snow - Prince Aberdeen, this is Prince Dastan of Jadda." And then as Venan nods disappointment melts into the Huntresses eyes and a bit of a frown, but she will watch him go, looking back to the other two.

Venan glances at Victoria after the introduction then looks back to Dastan and in the language of Jadda says, "Welcome to our city-home, child of the god-king." His phrasing is clumsy and his accent is atrocious but the words are close enough. He then moves off .

Conall chuckles and nods, "Well that is good then. I admit that it's been a bit dull when you're not around to allow one to drink with." He offers playfully. Grinning towards DAndy and the youths. If the man looks their way he does offer a raise of his cup to the man.

Victoria's head tilts back to watch those snowballs fly, listening to the wet splats of snow, slight smile finally tugging its way onto her lips as her eyebrows raise, "Friends of yours, stranger?" Called to Dandy, the Huntress scooting her chair slightly forwards as she pushes her empty bowl away now, listening to Conall all the while only partially, a glance sent his way with a brow raise, "Oh, I'm quite sure it's hardly been dull, Prince Abderdeen. You Nobles have all sorts of past times to keep yourself busy with." Said formally, the woman's eyebrows raising up then as she slaps the table with her hands, focusing right back on Conall, "Anything else then? I've a mind to chase those children into the woods and properly thrash them with snowballs of my own."

Venan left to see a man about a horse some time ago slipping through the kitchen with a grin and wink to Eloise and some shouting from the cook that disolves into laughter and an eclamation of, "Oi, careful…I'm worse than a tied up race horse right now." The door in the kitchen bangs open and shut then quite a bit of time goes by. Eventually there is a bit of commotion coming from the kitchen again and more laughter is heard, "…Inouv take me if she had so much as a thread on her, pretty as you could please and willing as whore with a royal. Ah, but you don't want to hear me goin on about the ravishing beauties that near on ravished me. Here, the present I mentioned, spices direct from Jadda as fresh as the journey allows. Now mind that yellow one, bites like a mouthful of hornets but the woman I got it from swore by it on roasts." He emerges from the kitchen then with an armload of cheese biscuts, "Oh, and mind, someone's made off with your biscuts while you were thinking of the nymph. Just tell the Mistress to come round and collect the coppers." He then slips out from the kitchen and makes his way back into the tavern proper.

Dandy looks upon the man and the woman and can't help but grin just a tad. " ahh.. well ya see. There was a wager and they really didn't explain it as well as they should have so I might have taken a few liberties to win the bet. Granted if they were to check the pile they use for a wager they'd find it still there. As it was more fun to tease them than to actualy win.. " he pauses to sip his hot cider. " granted I never thought they'd go this far. " as he gives a ruefulsmile.

Conall chuckles and shrugs, "Perhaps." Studying Dandy now. Looking a bit curious. Grinning at her. "Yes, there was one more thing. But it can wait." He assures her, to allow her to run off if she wish. Turning to offer a wave of his hand to Venan. Then grinning at Dandy as well. "Ah, I see." Seeming a bit amused.

Victoria rises up from the table then, nodding her head once, "Perhaps I'll see you around then, Prince Aberdeen, so that you can address that last issue." Said cooly, the Huntress gathering up her cloak and gloves, a slight bow made, "Always a pleasure, Prince Aberdeen." A nod to Dandy, "Fair enough." A glance to Venan with his arm full of biscuits and she'll smirk a bit before swinging her cloak on, clasping it and settling it about properly before she strikes off across the taven, pushing the door open with her hip to get greeted by a gust of snow and wind - then she's gone.

Venan loops his free hand behind his back and bows towards Conall, the armload of biscuts preventing his other from being tucked back as well. He winks towards Victoria as she smirks at him then makes his way back to the fire with his loot.

Dandy watcehs as the woman departs, and grins. " Granted …" as there is Whoop of childish joy as can be heard as the woman exits from the children.. "hey our stuff here. " a murmer of voices.. " yeah guess he forgot to take out stuff afterall. " and Dandy grins. " or so they believe. " as he moves to a spot at the bar and sits donw to enjoy his hot cider. Watching Venan with his hoard of goodies.

Venan is positively dragonian with his horde, drawing great comfort from his treasure as the heat of the biscuts warm his tummy first from the outside, then from the interior as he consumes them with great gusto. One could almost envision the young peddler sleeping on pile of biscuts, the illusion is enhanced by the wafts of smoke rising from his nostrils as he relights and enjoys his pipe.

Conall nods slowly to Vic, "I will." He tells her. Sighing a bit as he does watch her disappear into the streets. Eyes then go back to Venan. "Seems tasty." He offers across any distance there might be. Chuckling to what Dandy offers as well. Sipping from his own cup a bit.

Eloise will most certainly come around for coppers, a towel in hand that she uses to swat at Venan before a slender hand juts out for the said coins. When they're relinquished she'll chuckle warmly, "Going to try that yellow powder tonight on the roasts .." Yes indeedy. The proprietess will then head back to the kitchen to call out, "Keep yer 'eads out of the gutter, no nymphs for you all if you burn a thing!"

Dandy grins as the kids realize their wager was still there and that he'd not taken it after all. Dandy sips his hot cider and looks to Eloise and grins softly as he tries to encompass his drink, having spent the last of his current supply of coin on it. Though after a bit his stomache rumbles and so he takes a small sip of cider in hopes it'll quell his hunger for a little while.

Venan nods to Conall, "I highly recommend you sample some of the next batch, this batch seems to have gone missing." He finishes off the crumbs and sucks on his fingers to enjoy the last of the buttery grease.

On Market Street

Market Street City of Stormvale
It is day 340 of the month of Inouv, 228 2E - 11:44 AM

Closer to the river, a bustling circle of shops big and small, hawkers, and tradespeople has grown into a full fledged grand market. This little area has become known as the Market Place, and is where most, if not all, buying and selling in Stormvale takes place. Interesting aromas and sounds are known to come from this area, as it's also where a lot of the crafting takes place. Small stalls and carts are interspersed wherever there is room around more permanent buildings and even pavillions set up for special events. Rumour has it there is a thriving black market here, if you know who to talk to.

It is a winter morning. The weather is freezing and flurrying. The planet Cri is not visible.

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Contents:
Venan - A man missing his upper front left tooth.
Victoria - Dark haired beauty with amber eyes in hunting leathers with a hawk.

Exits: [AP] Apothecary [BR] Great River Bridge
[CC] City Center [CE] Chocola Emporium
[GH] Guild Hall
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Venan moves through the cold and flurry filled air trailed by a line of smoke puffs rising from under his wide-brimmed hat.

Victoria is at a stall, haggling over preserves, the Huntress seeming to be in a foul mood today, "Are you bloody well serious? Was hardly that price two months ago!" Ever so patient the stall owner will explain …that was when the weather was warm and fruit was aplenty ..it's now winter, and in deep throes of such, as a result, prices go up with limited stores - The Huntress will cut the woman off, "Two stalls down it will be more reasonable." Said from beneath her deep hood, steps pressing through the snow off to other stalls that are crazy enough to be open this morning.

Venan tilts his head, a muted jingle coming from beneath his hat. He points his pipe towards the stall that Victoria departed. "So, what's you got there that the pretty Mistress wanted but weren't willing to part with coin for?" He looks over the wares and what is available with a practiced eye. "How about this, I've a soft spot for pretty women but I can't afford to make a gift of it at that price, but you shouldn't be expected to not get a premium for storing it so well, so how about I buy these two, and one of these, which leaves you with just one left of those three so you can charge an even higher premium, having just sold to your last ones, and we call it the same for the three as it would have been for the two."
<FS3> Venan rolls Negotiation: Great Success.

It takes a bit of doing but eventually Venan is walking away with three crocks of preserves down the road.

Venan might also have the name of the stall owner's sister who could use to meet a good man, an invitation to dinner, and which nights the stall owner's husband will be away, but that is conjecture and spurious rumor at best.

Venan has just finished speaking with a female stall keeper and is walking away with three crocks of fruit preserves.

Venan reaches up to tug his wide brimmed hat down low on his head to keep the wind from making off with it and sends another puff of smoke up from his pipe to mark his path in the sky.

Victoria is at another stall, pulling out leather crafted items from her satchel at her side, beginning to barter more heartedly with this stall owner, leaning against the stall as she reaches out to point at a particular item she wants.

Emerging from a small tent is Blian, he frowns as the snow whips in his face and instantly collects in his beard. "Eggghhh." His teeth begin to chatter and pulls the hood up on his cloak. Making his way through the market. Bumping into this person and that he curses under his breath. "…daft……fool….." He squirms this way and that. Noticing the ranger he walks up to her side, using her to clock the wind, "Victoria. S'cold." He looks to her items and then what she's eyeing. " A little furrow to the brow, "So, was that really a prince? That Kundi? He was dressed worse than me!"

"Are you joking? /These/, if I were to set up my own stall, would fetch beyond what I'm asking in trade with you." Victoria's voice rises up, the grouchy Huntress looking completely vexed, in such a bad mood she's not her usual chipper self, and thus not able to do her usual bit of bartering, "Are you truly set on being a dour donkey? This is /quality/ craft that you couldn't hope to match with your bloody …wax …I will gather the fat from my next kill, I was just hoping you had some sense." Back into her satched her thick leather gloves will go, a glance given to Blian as he sidles up next to her, the woman snorting, and drawing out the gloves once more to hand them to Blian, "A hard feat to accomplish indeed, here-" Nudging them to him she will turn from the stall as the man begins to call her back, the woman tossing up a rather rude gesture, "Yeah, had to set him up with clothes, not as much to trade with now, bloody wolves!" Last word raised up, the Huntress grunting as she pulls her cloak tighter, "All of my good leathers — now just bits and pieces."

Venan strolls along observing the goods set out, he seems to conduct a little bit of business with each stall in turn. The transactions are quick, the merchants seem familiar with eachother and the goods Venan is distributing are unusual having come just recently from Jadda. Aside from the crocks of preserves though he trades for only the tiniest of items. When he draws near to Victoria he nods to Blian, "Pardon, Master." He holds out one of the crocks towards Victoria, "Mistress, trade me for some piece of your leatherwork that shows the best of your efforts."

Venan adds a moment later, "Smallish, if you've got one."

At first Blian is grateful and begins to put them on, "Ahh, I told ya' how much I love ya right?" He /loves/ her backside quickly as she turns and offers the man the rude gesture. Now he skips up right on her side and says, "So tell it tr-" He stops now when the man approaches and listens. By the time he has finished Blian has slipped the gloves off and is handing them to the man. "These are quite nice." He puts his hands inside his cloak and smiles. "What's that anyway?" he says pointing to the jar.

Victoria snorts softly at Blian, "You love me because I look out for you." And his love life. Mostly. Her head will cant as he is about to ask her something, but there's Venan, right in front of her, and there is some relief on her features at seeing him. And then out comes that jar - and before she can respond Blian is handing over the gloves, the Huntress snapping her hand out to yank them back and thwap them into Blian, "Bloody Bard, I gave these to /you/, use them." To Venan then she will inhale deeply, amber gaze dark, "I'm afraid, Master Merchant, I no longer have .." A consideration and she'll dig into the satchel, pulling out a wrapped bundle of dried deer meat, tucking that under her arm before pulling off the satchel, "Here. It's used. Worn. But it's all I have at the moment."
<FS3> Blian rolls Perception.: Good Success.

Venan considers the satchel his hands turning it over and his eyes going directly to the worn spots, "Won't do worn." He adds the crock back to the other two. "If you require the preserves for trade you will need to make me something new or fetch me a piece from what stock you have remaining. If you were looking for a treat you might join me for a meal as I have another for myself." He taps the second of the crocks then looks over at Blian, "You're a bard?" He considers the fellow for a few moments specifically the lack of gloves, "I always thought they'd be taller."

Blian frowns at her words and her snorts. "Those are harsh things ta' say." Moments later when she snatches them away from him and then smacks him he grows curious, and even a little angry. The gloves he does not accept and it is obvious he has intruded on something, or perhaps he is just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He did after all hear her say all her leather was gone or something about bits and pieces. Now Venan has his little say and he says, "Yea, Inouv twists some of us though. You are a merchant? I always thought they had stalls? Either way, I must be going."

Victoria keeps the gloves in her hands, her eyes closing, "Blian -" An apology in her voice - just barely, "Please. Inouv was a right bastard last night, I'm just ..on edge." Shaking the gloves in the air at him, "I'm sorry. Please. Don't go without these." With her other hand she'll take the satchel, her jaw tight, a nod given to Venan, "I'll have to get back to you in a few days then to check over what I've at home and can spare." As for the meal she'll pull her lips to the side, furls of warmed air wisping away from her lips as she considers, "I wouldn't mind breaking bread with you."

Venan nods, "Aye, Mistress, thought the preserves might make it tempting." He looks over at the bard as he makes an excuse, "Not interested in a bit of preserves then?" He shrugs, "As ya like, though if you should change yer mind the invitation stands. Takes a bit of a walk to get 'cross the bridge but I'm staying at the Riverview Inn, Mistress if you should make it tonight we'll open the preserves and see how they are. Bard, if you should like to come along you'll not find the food lacking, despite my absence of a stall."

Blian sighs at her as she dangles the gloves in front of his face. Now he grins and takes them from her."You don't have to apologize." He tries to eye the satchel and the jars as well. Having no luck he just smiles to the peddler. "Aye, I will think on it." Nods to both and he slips the gloves beneath his cloak. Turning to leave he says, "May the wind be at your back."

Victoria raises up her hands, only after deer meat is back in the satchel and satchel slung back over her shoulder, to strangle the air in front of Blian. And only then does she manage a faint smile, "And at yours, Blian." Hands drop and a nod is given to Venan as she steps away, "Tonight then, Master Merchant."

Venan considers the pair, "I just hope the pair of you are walking in the same direction else we shall have some quite confused winds this evening." He reaches up to tug the front of his hat, "Good day to you both."

"The winds have been confused a while, Master Merchant." The Huntress states as she flips up her hood again and heads off through the snow off, scarf pressed up to cover her face as she plows on and off away from the markets.

The Riverview Inn

Riverview Inn City of Stormvale
It is day 340 of the month of Inouv, 228 2E - 01:33 PM

The main doors to this inn open into a fair sized common room, with a moderately high class feel to it. The kind of place where Nobles think it's not quite beneath them and commoners think it's not quite too high brow. It's set up with a fireplace at the back, and several tables and chairs for customers to sit at. Near the door, there's a small desk, with someone generally there to help travellers check in, find a meal, or with general questions. To the left, there is a door to the back hall, which leads both to the kitchens, and up to the rooms for patrons.

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Contents:
Venan - A man missing his upper front left tooth.

Exits: [O] West Road
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Venan is seated near the kitchens talking through the doorway to someone unseen. The rest of the main room is sparsely populated with only a few coming and going, "…were surrounded on all sides by frogs, then the priestess starts wandering off. 'Oi' I yell, 'Mind we're losin a priestess.' Then his lordship orders us to set off and so I do, and all around us the jungle starts laughing. Strange place it were, strange place." He looks thoroughly comfortable wearing only a light shirt and pants, the warmth from the fireplace and kitchens providing plenty of heat. His feet are bare though tucked up on his chair underneath him as he sits in tailor fashion. A pair of slippers are on the floor under his seat.

Being one of the few coming, Victoria will pry the door open against the winds and snow, pressing in then and tugging it back closed behind her. Her hood is up, face neatly wrapped with scarves, and she will look about the Inn she's only visited a handful of times. A deep sniff is done as she turns to the desk, tugging off her gloves and pulled down her scarf with a nod, "I'm just meetin' someone here, a merchant -" The individual at the front desk will point towards the kitchens and Victoria will thank him pushing back her hood as she continues to sniffle from the transition of cold to warm, cheeks a bright stung red. Heading further in she will look about, spotting Venan, or what she thinks to be him, a moment taken to look about again. Gloves get tucked into her satchel as she approaches Venan, "I come too early, Master Merchant?" Asked as she peeks into the kitchens, dark hair wildly curled and poofy.

Venan turns about in his seat and smiles as Victoria approaches. He pops up from the chair and moves to take her hand inviting her to sit, "Too early? Mistress if you'd come any later you'd have found me heartbroken and crying from loneliness." He gives a little whistle and calls towards the kitchen, "Oi, if you get a chance to peek, this be the one that saved me from the nymph, mind your eyes though, she's a wicked shot with her bow, and I imagine a fork will fly just as true." There's some laughter from the kitchen and Venan grins brightly save for his dark spot. "Now then, Mistress, did you have anything in particular you should like to go with your preserves or shall we just sit here supping on your sweetness?"

Victoria will allow for a brief laugh, a hollow sound that's huffed up from her chest as she allows her hand to be taken, sitting down and unslinging her satchel once she's her hand back, cloak unclasped and pulled off, her jerking and doublet undone next and pulled off, leaving her in a linen tunic that's bodiced against torso and breasts in a deep green, hands coming up to her cheeks as she rubs them furiously, "Ah - " A glance to the kitchen, woman leaning to the side to try and tempt a look to whom he's talking to, hands still rubbing furiously as amber gaze sweeps back to the merchant, "A hot drink and some bread and cheese would be a grand start, what've they for hot meals?"

Venan considers for a few moments then shrugs, "Hadn't thought to ask, I normally just eat what they give me and try to make sure the inkeeper's daughter's father doesn't come after me with a knife." Another laugh from the kitchen then Venan calls back asking after what is available. The answer comes back that there is mutton roasting, stew, a chicken that can be done shortly, or fish. Venan considers then looks to Victoria, "I'm game for spending an evening with you while the chicken is prepared, bread cheese and preserves to sustain us in the meantime?"

Victoria's hands drop down, but not before she grabs a hankie from inside her cloak, twisting round to do so, bringing it to her nose to give it a quick blow, "Ahhh." Snork. Back 'round she goes with a smirk, nodding her head, "Sounds busy enough without dallying for specifics." Down the hankie goes, Huntress stuffing it back into her cloak, "And that sounds just fine, I've a few coins to my name, so if they've hot mulled wine, I'd gladly part with one for a few big mugs." Mmm. There. Setting her hands on the table she'll give a quick tap, "So, tell me more of the excitement in your life now that we've back."

Venan considers for a few moments, "The excitement in my life? Well, she's dark curly hair, startlingly deep eyes. and a few coins to her name which if she thinks she's goin to be spending while I've invited her to dinner is goin to get a mouthful of paste as she's having visions again." He calls back into the kitchen, "Mulled wine, big mugs, fortify mine." He looks to her, "Should you like yours with a bit of extra kick?"

Victoria looks appropriately mollified, a quick smile drifting to the womans lips as her gaze ducks a moment, a rueful smile soon blossoming onto her lips, "/Fine/. I won't drop a copper. Calm your words, and please, yes, do give mine a bit of an extra kick. I feel I need it." A firm nod, the woman shifting back in her seat and enjoying the warmth as she can feel the chill seeping out from her bones the longer she sits, "In all honesty though, tell me your tales since we've come back. When are we to truss me up for the Lord and Ladies?"

Venan smiles, "We've some time before that yet, word must get round of the curious fashions there from the lips of the travelers and the visitors from Jadda must circulate. Then we shall invite the lords and ladies, as couples, to join us with a seamstress and jewler I have made agreement with. We shall show them together the conservative way to wear the attire, then we shall excuse the Lady and demonstrate for the Lord the more interesting ways to wear the attire so that he might surprise her with his knowledge and prowess." He pauses, "I never did get the chance to show you how that works yet, did I?" He is thinking on this as the wine is brought out, spiced and warmed with an extra pour of distilled spirits in each cup to keep things kicking. Venan looks down to the wine, "Best I show you that when I'm not drinking, a mistake could be embarrassing and a success would be quite tempting."

"Quite the process." The woman will murmur after listening to everything that must be done, one eyebrow lightly raising for his line of thought to the separate showing for the Lords, a vague shake of her head given as she considers, "No, not yet - " Her attention will get stolen by the wine however and her rough hands will reach out to one mug as its set down, item brought to her lips and a deep thankful sigh rises through her as she allows tenseness to eke away from muscles just a bit, "You've no sense of adventure, master Merchant, but if that's how you wish it, you simply tell me the day and I will be there." Amusement will touch upon her gaze, another deep drink taken followed by another sigh, her eyes half lidding as she sits back, "You merchants, who knew you were so devious in how you ply your trade."

Venan drinks his wine as well, "Ah yes, for you Rangers simply walk into battle and crack your enemies over the head with your bows after formal introductions." He chuckles, "Do not play that you are not a Mistress of craft and distraction. As for my sense of adventure, I think only of our friendship. You are my friend now, and are trusted to make your own decisions, I've given over threatening you with my staff and should you wish to gamble on adventure I'll not disuade you, though I may disappoint you." He rubs his chin, "I don't think I'm likely to, but one never really knows, does one?" He takes another drink from his cup, "My time, these last few days, has been spent making such money as I require and doing such business as I enjoy. Missives have been sent and letters written so that my family now knows what should and should not be done with Jadda. What of you, you seem to have had some dealings with that young prince and it sounds like some other event besides?"

Victoria listens, her lips twitching in amusement at the description of the Rangers, "Yes, well, you know us. Arrow first aimed at a perceived enemy, hello's quite a bit later. And only after insulting those who are seeking them." Alluding of course to their own rocky path to friendship. Allowing the mug to drop down to the table she will ease back, getting as comfortable as Venan looked when she first came in, alcohol working its way through her veins to tempt her down to calmness, "I doubt you could ever disappoint, Venan, other than yourself with your inflated expectations of yourself."

She will allow the conversation to float on elsewhere though to talks of Jadda and the like, "I have as you said, spent some time with the prince from Jadda - he's enamored with Rangers and our tales. It's quite endearing, though they came under-prepared as we did went we went there. I sorted him out with my best leathers and fur, sent him off with the same for his sister. Promised to take him out hunting in the forests come spring - he's bewildered by all the snow." Warmly murmured, her gaze flicking up from her mug to Venan, "Another event? Oh, yes. I had a tussle in my home last night with an uninvited visitor who would not leave. I finally had to use force. It was most vexing." A shrug as she lifts up the mug again, her feet lifting up to stretch legs out in front of her, "But back to business as usual, same as you. I will have to start hunting here soon to bring back up my stores - those months away left my home quite bare."

The Riverview Inn is located across the western bridge of the city. The first welcoming site on the way to the city or the last place to get a beer on the way out. The Inn has a good number of clientel from the number of people moving about but few have settled at the tables where food is being served. Two of the people who have take a table are Venan and Victoria. They banter back and forth and occassionaly yell through to the kitchen. Glasses of wine, a loaf of bread, some cheeses and a crock of what looks to be preserved fruit are on their table.

"But, the good thing is that from what I hear from other rangers is the hunting is quite good. Despite the conditions outside, seems things are not so bare at the moment." A pause as she drinks again of her wine, swirling the mug around, Victoria sitting with her feet up on the chair across from her, ankles crossed, "I may go out in the next few days once I've brought my place up to snuff for the winter."

A number of good reasons could bring folks into this Inn that invokes a sense of neutrality within the classes, but, usually it comes down to a vice, or vices. Depending on what's being served, that is. That's typically the draw for an older looking man whose worn many winters, coming in to seek the fire but mostly the fire for his belly. He really doesn't envoke a presence about him one way or another, void of any obvious weapons, the man could be a commoner, if it weren't for the leathers he's wearing and the fur cloak around his shoulders and the way he all too casually goes about watching everyone. Yet, he settles in at one of the tables near the pair and orders some whiskey, grunting to the nearest maid that walks by, "Something strong that'll warm the bones."

Sadly his presence alone is enough to evoke a response from the table next to his, amber gaze swinging the mans way as she lifts up her mug, "Oy, why not come join us, protect this man from my wiles and share in a drink." The leathers for the most part give him away in a manner, and plus the place is nearly empty of folks sitting down to eat.

Venan looks a bit distance then looks about, "Oh, aye, come and save me, I've given up the stick I normally use to beat the beautiful women away." He chuckles dropping his bare feet to the floor and scooting his chair about, "Or else give this young woman excuse not to make good on her pleasurable threats against my personage. We've a fine mulled wine in our cups, fortified to give it enough of a punch to be worth the drinking, can I offer you one of the same?"

Renden crooks an eyebrow over at the woman beckoning him over, a proud little shrug on his shoulders, "Ahh Ren, you still have it…" he amuses to himself, posturing in a tired manner as he lifts from the chair he just took, taking a few steps to join their table. "I take it, it wasn't my charming good looks that won this here seat," saying as he plunks down into the offered chair. He takes a look over at the man already at the table, "See, here's the trouble with that, I like saving damsels in distress and he doesn't even look pretty enough for it." A tired turn of his head back to Victoria, "And you, well, I can see you have no trouble with helping yourself out." He glances for the maid who finds him seated elsewhere and drops down the whiskey glass, leaving Ren to glare, "Where's the rest of it?" The maid looks dumbfounded, "The bottle lass, the bottle." He taps his fingers on the table, gesturing that the bottle should be where he's pointing and not in thin air. She nods and at once saunters back, but will probably take a while to come back with the bottle. He didn't bribe her. Oh. He waves to Venan, "No grape piss for me. Just the whiskey. Proper fire for a cold belly."

Victoria's head cocks to the left as she slants a wicked smile to Venan, "Oh, not pretty enough to save, poor Merchant, I'll have you in my clutches soon enough." A quick wink, her mug of grape piss lifted up and drawn to her lips whereby she drinks deeply of it, mug lowered down to her chest where a soft jingling sound will rise up as she hugs the mug to her chest, "Good, more grape piss for us then." Said with the utmost delight, the Rangers words causing her great amusement, the female Ranger nodding her head, "Aye, so capable that I spent a month being cared for by a mother hen hounded by nymphs and all other manner of naked folk." Said with a glance to Venan, her smile broad, "So, what're you going by, hmm? I'm Victoria Skyhawk. Ranger from Sky Forest, personal escort to Count Harmon Forrester. Though …apparently she's not doing any personal escorting, "On leave for the winter …" She quickly murmurs into her cup, intending on draining it before she even gets to those preserves and cheese. Sip.

Venan taps his fingers to the brim of his hat, "Venan of a family not long for this land." He offers by way of casual introduction as well. Then he takes up his grape piss laced with other sorts of really potent piss. "And I'll allow such slander on my good looks only because I'm not entirely dressed and my beauty is largely dependent on my shoes matching my eyes." He puts out a foot to wiggle his toes before tucking it back under him in the fashion of the tailors.

The bustling in the kitchen reaches a fevered pitch then goes quiet. A moment later a young woman bursts forth laden with breads and cheeses, the bottle of whiskey, fresh cups of wine, and a platter for Renden, along with a number of other dishes that get delivered to the other patrons or run upstairs to the private rooms. The bustle resumes as the cook starts in again on his efforts after having arranged the platters.

Renden seems quite pleased with his first gulp of whiskey, shaking around the ice within the cup, like fire burning down his throat, shaking off the chills that still cling to him. "I wouldn't want to keep you from it," his lips do not show amusement though his eyes do for her reiteration, taking another fine drink, all the while on the look out for that maid with his bottle. He actually does a soft 'hm' when the woman goes on about being tended to by nymphs and naked folk, saying easily enough, "And you left? Being cared for by naked people doesn't happen all the time. Missed opportunity." The expression on his face is grim, turning to find the maid, "Where is that stupid duck…" and this before he turns to get greeted by their names. The proud title that comes from Victoria has him nod, "I go by what names I need to go by. Currently just one, Renden." He looks toward Venan too, nodding at the simple name, as his eyes are drawn to the movement of the shoes, "Your beauty? They care about the length of your cock boy, not the colour of your damn shoe." He waits for a moment, showing a hint of mirth before he drinks again from his own cup. And then his bottle arrives! "Bout time, I'm nearly finished this one already" he's reaching to fill his own glass again, "Hey what's this all about. I'm not paying for this." He points to the platter he didn't order.

Victoria, Renden and Venan are seated at a table near the kitchen, bread and cheeses have just been set out and Renden is in mid protest.

Venan raise a hand placatingly, "That would be from me, most places I've been it's considered impolite to invite someone to a table and not share your food. You'll have to pardon, I get being polite all sorts of muddled so if that isn't the case where you're from just enjoy the food and give it a pass."

Victoria, Renden and Venan are seated at a table near the kitchen, bread and cheeses have just been set out.

"Oh not me, this fool is the one who left that." Tilting her mug at Venan, her mug tilted to the side as she peers down into it. Food time, it would seem, which is timely because the food does indeed arrive in quick order. Then the point of cocks versus shoes comes about and the Huntress is lifting up a knife to wave it, "Most women. Some women truly are all about the shoes, but you've needing to be a few stations higher for it to be as much." Into the bread the knife will go, butter dipped into next as she delves into the food then, bright coloring in her cheeks from the grape piss, smile wide as she looks at her table companions, the place pretty quiet as there aren't many patrons to the tables, "Oh, muh- ruv!" Called out to the maid, "Anuffer, prease." Said about a bite of bread, her mug raised up to indicate what she's on about.

The door swings open and Blian steps to the side, holding it for Kelleigh. "Right this way Lady." He says smiling. Noticing the group at the table he nods and raises a gloved hand. "You should like this place. Much nicer than that filth /bards/ tale tavern." He will guide the firl over to settle at a table is she wants near the others who make up the patrons on this cold and blustery night. He looks around when they reach the area and says, "Where is that Daelina?"

The inkeeper's daughter seems to have the evening off while her father works away in the kitchen another girl is seeing to the patrons. She was just upstairs delivering dishes to the room but returns in short order to greet the new guests.

Renden cuts himself off as Venan's hand raises, "Not so for those who have little to share, though if it is politeness on your part, no sense wasting it-" his hand already stopping the maid from trying to take it back. "All the same, politeness or not, you are gracious, Venan of a family not long for this land." Ren's eyes swing to Victoria, brow lifting for her first words, "Boy is focused too much on the shoes to notice most like." And he'll hastily grab a handful of food from the platter, not really seeming to care about etiquette for the time, just plopping pieces into his mouth. A head tilt toward Victoria, asking, chewing on his food still, saying around a bite, "And which sort are you?" He quickly flashes his eyes toward the door, watching the pair for a time, mildly interested, speaking again to Victoria, destroying Blian's vision of a less crude place by asking, a bit loudly, "Cocks or shoes?"

Venan has good manners when he chooses to employ them but no compunction about disregarding them when needed. He quickly selects a number of choice bits for himself only employing a more reserved method of eating once his claim has been staked. "I gambled on an unknown quality rather than an revealed quantity, Renden, it were a strange day overall, but so far I feel my gamble has been a good one. Plus, the nymph were a poor sport and a dreadful bargainer."

Kelleigh is grateful to be out of the cold which she had been in entirely too long today. It'll be some time before she can thaw out and move her fingers and toes without the ache doing so while chilled through and through causes. "Thank you," she murmurs to her guide, Blian given a smile from her when she voices her gratitude. "I am sure this will do perfectly." When the girl approaches she turns her attention to her. "I'll require something hot to eat and some hot spiced wine, please," she requests, moving on to find a table the two of them can share. Those present are given some quiet consideration and, if they look their way, a nod of greeting and a smile.

Victoria will wave in the new folks, "Blian! Over here." Might as well add more crassness to the mix, the Huntress sliding away her empty mug as she tucks into some more bread, "Mmmm, cocks or shoes? Well, if one is too daft to employ shoes in this weather, I'd hardly give a thought to a cock - like a bit of brains in a man, yeh? Bits and jigglies come after." A snorting laugh, her eyebrows raising up to wave a bit of bread about, "/Not/ like that - well. I can't lay proper claim to that either. Point is, man with sense to wear good boots out is a man that can catch my eye." Of course its a lot more complicated than that, but this is a vacuous sort of conversation, one that hardly burdens the need for clarity. A look to Venan then, womans eyes dancing, "What a dinner."

The pair settle at a table near the other three and blian looks over to Victoria. Showing the gloves he says, "Look how quickly I made good on your generosity to the gods." He motions at Kel. "She might a' been lost if I did not come upon her and her lovely horse." He grins at the blacksmith girl now to show he is just joking. Listening to the exchange between the rangers he chuckles, wishing he had come in earlier. "You know, I meant to ask you mistress, you think we could do something about these." He indicates the fingers on the gloves that may not do him any good. "Imagine my embarassement when I go wagging my finger in someones face and these are flapping about in the wind." He demonstrates now and the fingerless inserts wangle and dangle about in a silly manner.

Venan glances down at his bare feet as Victoria trashes men without sense to wear shoes, then shrugs, and continues eating his cheeses and bread. The smell of chicken roasting starts creeping out from the kitchen but the bird is still some ways off.

Renden shakes his head, completely at a loss for Venan's sentiments, actually he reaches up and puts a finger in his ear to clear it out, as if he didn't hear all the way. He even gives the other one a good clean, wiping his finger off on his trousers. "A gamble isn't good unless it pays gold, otherwise it's shit, eh?" He doesn't eat too much more than he's already taken, having a strong liking to the whiskey instead. Victoria's response makes him snort a chuckle, a short sound, "Both will keep ya warm, especially if yer the sort that steals the boots after the jigglies bit." He is picking up the pace where the whiskey is concerned, abruptly adding Blian into the mix, "Eh, see, probably some girl tried to suck those gloves right off after his jiggly bits."

The smile from Blian would discomfort Kelleigh but she finds herself distracted as the conversation between him and the others, the colorful nature of which is getting her to shift restlessly where she nose sits. "I…" she starts to say but whatever she might have to add to the talking falls silent as the conversation gets more and more raunchy. By the time everyone has said all that her face is bright red.

Venan shrugs, "Gold is nice, but I'll take anything that brings me comfort and be happy. Gold isn't really all that comfortable without something to spend it on." He picks up his wine taking a sip, "Though seems we ought to be minding our tongues a bit as that Mistress is starting to show a proper blush what likely means she isn't quite accustomed to such jokes. Beg pardon, Mistress, just a bit of humor that has gone longer than expected."

Victoria will wave in the new folks, "Blian! Over here." Might as well add more crassness to the mix, the Huntress sliding away her empty mug as she tucks into some more bread, "Mmmm, cocks or shoes? Well, if one is too daft to employ shoes in this weather, I'd hardly give a thought to a cock - like a bit of brains in a man, yeh? Bits and jigglies come after." A snorting laugh, her eyebrows raising up to wave a bit of bread about, "/Not/ like that - well. I can't lay proper claim to that either. Point is, man with sense to wear good boots out is a man that can catch my eye." Of course its a lot more complicated than that, but this is a vacuous sort of conversation, one that hardly burdens the need for clarity. A look to Venan then, womans eyes dancing, "What a dinner." A look to Kelleigh and a faint smile of sympathy, "You poor thing. Sorry." For the language and that she'd run into such a ragamuffin as Blian, "I'm Victoria. You two want to join us?"

Victoria didnt' trash men who wore slippers, which is what Venan /was/ wearing. Sorta. With his bare feet in this warm Inn, "Mmmm? Oh - Blian." A grunt as she waves for him to toss the gloves over, woman reaching into her cloak to fiddle about, other hand still up waiting for the glove, "Give over, I'll see to it. Uh -" Getting up out of the seat she'll move to crouch down next to the chair, rummaging in a more fruitful manner, too many layers in her cloak meaning pockets she'd forgotten about being found, "I certainly am not a source of gold for Venan here, Renden." Said as she pulls out a leather bound kit, plucking a button open as she rises up to a stand, attention on the thick needle within meant for leather working and the sinew thread, "M'kay ..my fingers are a bit drunken but …I can get rid of them two for you."

A look to Kelleigh and a faint smile of sympathy, "You poor thing. Sorry." For the language and that she'd run into such a ragamuffin as Blian, "I'm Victoria. You two want to join us?"

Renden isn't going to make it any more comfortable if he's quiet, because he'll just look at Kelleigh for a time to watch that blush colour her face. Then he snorts dismissively down into his cups, while he repours from his whiskey bottle. "Words aren't going to kill ya," says the man whose been talking so easily about jiggly parts and shoes 'n the like. The older grizzled ranger (not that he's declared himself one) leans back in his chair, folding his arms while keeping that whiskey right and close to his chest. His eyes will then track Victoria's movements, curiousity hidden behind an uplifted glass.

Venan watches as Victoria fumbles about, then chuckles, "Actually, I've made considerable amounts of gold thanks to you, Mistress. As for words, I've known a fair number than can get you killed quite quickly." He glances over at Kelleigh again then shrugs and takes a drink of his wine, having downed far, far less than Victoria.

The look Renden is afforded by Kelleigh is not quite cool but it almost is, not the friendly look she'd normally give someone. Rising to her feet, she grabs her newly-arrived food and drink and joins the others, Blian allowed to do so himself whenever he's ready to do so. "I am Kelleigh," she offers to Victoria before sitting down, keeping to whatever end or side of the table is furthest from the man who spoke to her just moments ago. "It is a pleasure meeting you all." With that she begins to eat, her blush slowly filtering to a light pink that's probably more from being just out of the cold.

Victoria reacquaints her backside with her chair as she sets down the kit on the table as she sinks back into her seat, nostrils flaring just a smidgen as she realizes she should have taken more of a slow sip policy with the large mug of mulled wine she received which had been tainted with extra spirits for an extra 'kick'. Very carefully calloused fingers of an otherwise slender hand will take out the implements, and then the task of threading the needle. She may just end up sewing the glove to her hand if given half a chance, "Have I now? Then I don't feel so bad." Said as her tongue sticks out the side of her mouth as she raises up sinew and needle, eyes narrowing as she begins the task of threading while Blian does whatever it is he's doing if he's not given her the glove yet, "Kelleigh, well met."

Renden retorts to Venan, "No. Generally weapons held by men kill. The odd time a man kills himself with a rope…" and this is where he trails off, maybe the look from Kelleigh reminding him of his better days. He clears his throat and drinks a bit deeper now. To Victoria, his brows perk up, "There's more pleasant ways to prick yourself than that…" And so much for the momentary pause.

Venan shrugs, "Generally, aye, you're quite correct, but it be orders given that start the weapons movin, and insults that start the orders, and misunderstandings that start the insults." He looks over at Kelleigh, "So, Mistress Kelleigh, what is it you do to pass time profitably?"

<FS3> Victoria rolls Leatherworking: Good Success.

The spoon is held just before her mouth when she's addressed, giving Kelleigh cause to pause in eating so she can answer. "I am a blacksmith by trade," she answers with a slight smile, "but I also have delved into the making of jewelry and armor over recent years." If one were to look they'd find scars upon the backs of her hands and arms from where sparks hit her flesh and callouses upon her fingers, all signs of a woman who works metal with a hammer. "It isn't often a woman does such for a living." Hopefully the others will not find it so strange that they'll mock her or somehow tease or be cruel.

Blian had lost himself in the backside of some freckled faced wench. No doubt one of the reasons his newest found friend split on him. Oh, soa is Blian. But he perks up when his wits come back and tosses the glove on Victorias head from behind. with any luck it will land on her /spirited/ face. He looks to Renden and says, "Cocks or shoes. She should still keep busty with that needle." He grins at them all now as he awaits the wrath of the sky forest ranger, or her playfullness. Who knows…

Victoria's tongue presses into her cheek before its bitten down on, her nostrils flaring a smidgen at Rendens words and the gloves that rain down upon her. A glance off to the side, then down, then back to her needle, a deep breath sucked in through her nose as she sits up a little straighter. No color harkens to her cheeks, rather amber gaze will blaze just a little and she will force up an ire-filled smile, "I much more enjoy pricking the pricks with the edge of a blade, Renden, than I find myself being pricked by said pricks." Once again she will attempt a threading — and manages to get the sinew thread through the eye of the needle, pulling it then and snagging the glove needed from in front of her before returning to her seat.

Turning the glove inside out to the fur covered lining, fingers tugged out as she begins to work, woman focusing on popping that needle through as she listens to the conversation. It's not a hard job, and soon she's drawing out a skinning knife from her leather hiprig at her side from its sheath, a pointed look given to Renden as it skims through the leather like butter, "Not oft a women is allowed to be a Ranger, but then we're of a sort that doesn't pay mind to that, yes?" The finger drops away and Vic will get to work on the other finger, punching needle and thread through, cutting off that finger, "You shouldn't have to defend your craft nor your involvement in it." Back the knife goes down to its place on her hip and she'll turn the glove back the right way out, sticking her hand in to poke out the fingers, giving it a wiggle. And then it'll get tossed at Blians face. To you know, hit his shaggy visage.

Venan takes a sip of his wine while looking over Kelleigh, "Interesting." He comments as his eyes look upwards and to his left, shifting slightly one way then the other, before returning to look at the blacksmith. "Have you any sample of your wares about you?" He looks over at Victoria as she throws the gloves about then says, "Mistress, you seem to be enjoying your wine and I should like to assure you that if you would have wish for it, there is a bed upstairs that you are welcome to."

"Then just speak plainly," Renden seems to tiredly address Venan's comments with, letting it drop though as Venan has sudden interests toward Kelleigh. Although it doesn't seem like Renden is out to impress the younger crowd at the table, he is merely enjoying what they have to say. Ren's brows do lift up for Kelleigh's aforementioned trade, though, whatever thoughts he has, are currently sealed between his lips. To Victoria, he only lifts his glass as if to salute her quick banter but not add anything further to it. She's won this one? Something like that. A wink is not entirely out of the question to add, is it? Well, he does it. Even so. He shrugs at her mention of being a ranger, "What ever or whom ever gets the job, gets the job done, is the right one for it."

The glove is tossed back and Blian snatches it. He grins. Admiring it he says, "Impeccable, how did you double stich so quickly." Then he puts it on, backwards on his hand. He holds it to her and says, "Well done, Mistress." He sneaks a little peck on her cheek the way she does fingers in his chest and he adds, "It is perfect." His words are sincere and it is plain he really thinks so. A bard always loves a good story piece and one of the few people he calls friend here since he has arrived has given him one. He holds it up and waves to Kelleigh. That stupid grin on his face.

Kelleigh looks at Venan. "In the wagon I do. I can show you what I have with me tomorrow, if you'd like." No, she will not be showing the man anything tonight as she is unwilling to go back out into the cold now that she's finally able to feel her hands and feet again. The stew is steadily consumed and soon the bowl is half empty, what has been eaten allowed to be digested before anymore is enjoyed. The wine is what she next partakes in, it sipped from as she watches Blian put Victoria's handywork on display, the look she's given by Renden missed for now.

Unable to stop a laugh the Huntress will pause in her putting away of her leather working tools, very few she has on her for emergencies out in the woods, a broad smile touching her lips as she eyes Renden, "Ah just when I wanted to hate you. Wise words, old man." She's willing to cede a point where a point is well made, and plus she's feeling quite well and sauced - and see, a new jug is brought about to get poured into the womans empty mug, but much like earlier she's gesturing for the whole jug to be left after her mug is poured, her tools left on the table as she lifts up her mug and wiggles it at Venan, "I may have to, oof, over two months of not drinking, I've turned into a light weight." Said just before the mug is pulled to her lips and she drinks deeply again, flesh warming inside and out, "I'm a quick - oh, well." Yes, even a drunken eye can be a keen one and given the stamping and carving is not on the outside of the glove the Huntress is keen on what went wrong. The kiss on the cheek though has her flushing deeply, mainly because it /is/ so sincere, "Oh, Blian." There she'll make a face at him, a grimace of sorts that's plainly apologetic as it is horrified and amused. The mug is set down and she'll flop her hands into her lap, shoulders rising up as she lets her chin drop down to her chest, silently laughing, "I am going to need that bed." Relented, a shake of her head given as she lifts her gaze, tears in her eyes, smile just plastered on her face as she erupts into more laughter, unable to stop now. Even as she snags her mug to hide her face, embarrassed beyond reason, her body is shaking with laughter that's kept contained, slow sips done.

Venan shifts his eyes slowly to consider Victoria as she hides behind her mug, laughing, then his eyese travel back to Kelleigh, "Tomorrow would be best, Mistress Kelleigh, I'll be about the Inn for the better part of the morning as I've some seamstresses due to meet me here."

The laughter from Victoria seems to earn a discrete little smirk from him, Renden giving a shoulder bob, "Some wisdom had to come out of my life." He nods his head and stands, putting down his empty glass, but taking the bottle with him. "It was a pleasure, fine young people you are," a graceful dip of his chin and then he's excusing himself to wander out into the night.

Kelleigh nods. "Then tomorrow," she promises. Nothing else is said by her although she does cast a little look at the drunken Victoria and then over to the very man she came here with. "You seam to have interesting friends." That's not said as an insult but it probably is not exactly said in a complementary manner, either.

Venan dips his head in response to Kelleigh's confirmation then chuckles at her declaration. "The boring ones are…boring." He chuckles, "Though I'm not well acquainted with the bard, having only met him a short while ago but I understand by reputation that he received a rather glowing review by…oh, was it the King? A count…ah, it was not something I had personal interest in so the detail escapes me but as I understand it he is quite good. As for Mistress Victoria the time I spent in her company was considerably more sober, but we had other concerns to keep things interesting."

Victoria finishes her laugh, an eyebrow raising at Kelleigh and Venan as they talk about her and Blian as if they weren't there, "Blian here, is quite good despite his looks." She'll affirm, a look given to Venan as her eyebrows tug down slightly, "Other concerns to keep things interesting." Repeated with a shake of her head, "All right." A look to Blian as she shifts mug to one hand so the other can pluck up the fingers of the glove she lopped off, "I /can/ fix it …maybe. Tomorrow when I've less wine in me."

Venan smiles at Victoria, "Aye, Mistress, other concerns…it is a bit much to take to say to someone that you were off dancing with trees while I dealt with the fae folk, seems almost unbelievable without the rest of the tale."

Victoria slips her fingers into the lopped off fingers of the gloves and walks them along the table slowly, bottom lip puckering out as she nods, "True enough, true enough, you'd be the 'interesting' one then in this conversation then, wouldn't you." Said with an arched brow, well,the same one she lofted earlier, the food noticed once more, though she's had enough of bread and cheese, the preserves not yet dug into with the conversation and filling in of folks to the table, "Hopefully …over the winter, I provide other concerns to keep things interesting."

Venan sparks a smile with a dark spot, "Mistress, I were rather hoping by the time winter has finished you'd be providing both concerns and solutions to keep things interesting, but we've still some time to go afore that judgement need be passed." He watches her finger walk across the table in their thigh-highs and then tracks her gaze to the food. As the rest of the party disperses leaving the two alone he asks, "What have you on your mind, other than being interesting, Mistress?"

Victoria's lips twitch, watching as their company drizzles away like the snow outside, slanting a glance to Venan, a shoulder lifting, "Too many things, I've hardly time to focus on any. And where that chicken is, to be honest." Her shoulders will press up to her ears and the fingers will kick off their socks so that she can reach out for a bit of bread, drawing it back to her lips to take a bite out of it, chewing it as thoughtfully as someone who's sauced can, bread twisted about in her fingers while her other hand remains cupped on the mug of mulled wine, "And you, master merchant? I won't be stealing your bed from you tonight, will I?"

Venan smiles, "You cannot steal what is freely given, Mistress, as for the chicken…I was not anticipating the speed at which the breads and cheeses, as well as the wine would be consumed. I had expected a longer conversation with you and more to share between us, though I cannot say I regret having met the blacksmith, a woman who can work metal makes it possible to sell to those daring ladies who insist on arms and armor in a stylish fashion." His eyes go a bit glinty at the thought of the deals. "But that is for later and tonight is for dinner." He turns and calls back to the kitchen inquiring after the chicken to be told to 'Hold his water.'

"I screwed up poor Blians glove …lopped off the wrong fingers." The woman admits in a soft whisper, her nostrils twitching as she nearly erupts into laughter again, pressing her lips together however to stall such a thing. Eyes will close and she will nod, "Aye, aye …interesting company, can't complain. S'what happens when you do the polite thing and invite all to the table to share." A shrug, "I don't regret wrecking the gloves so …" There is that, no regrets. Declared she will open up her peepers, smiling to Blian as she sets her mug down and pushes it away, "I will ..calm the tide of my drink and …we'll converse. Come, let us share between us. Pick up the evening."

Venan laughs, "Mistress, you do keep a man entertained. I'm sure he'll forgive you for giving him a creatively designed pair of gloves." Venan stretches putting his feeting down and leaning back before straightening up. "My cart should be arriving shortly after the snow breaks, I was curious if you should have the wish, the will and the way to come with me? I'll likely be heading to Sutherland along the costal route before coming up the center to the lake area. If the weather is reasonable I should then head to Weston, or if not then a relaxing stay at the spas."

The bard laughs. Victoria is standing, then moving. That is a most welcomed sight. Despite the blacksmith, Venan, Rendon, Blian does not shy away. Then Venan speaks, Blian laughs. "So, you will assume I forgive her?" He looks incredulous to the peddler but flashes a funtime grin to his ranger friend. Apparently he trusts in his social skills…..

Victoria does that stare that those who are inebriated do when set upon with a question, her lips parting slightly as her tongue peeks out to poke between her teeth. Her brain is processing. Of course Blian doesn't help, "Oh, I don't need your forgiveness, you love me, remember?" Ah, see, she can pick up on that and give a quick quip back, keeping her hand off her wine to allow what she has in her to sink down to her toes, "I would …say that …I am open to the idea. I've been given the winter off, given the horrible last trip I took for the Count. And it would be nice to get away from this city for a time." She's talking herself into it, you see, "Yes. I ..wish it?" Asked in a queer way, her brow lifting as her lip curls, "Somethin' akin to that, yes. It'd be a good means of getting to know you better. Expand our friendship, as it were." Then she looks to Blian, "You're so quiet. That blacksmith is gone, you don't have to be on good behavior anymore."

Venan smiles, "I assumed if you didn't forgive her she'd just take the forgiveness from you, which she did." He chuckles and reaches for a bit more of the food as the hustle of the kitchen indicates the chicken is on the way. "Then I will set aside provisions for two to travel in comfort and you shall provide the safety, assuming you found the last arrangement equitable?" He takes another sip of his wine, "Or I suppose if you wished entertainment we could tie a skiff to the back of the wagon and invite your bard along as well."

Victoria sets the bit of bread she was fiddling with into her mouth, chewing it as she nods to Venan, "It worked well, aside from me being sick the majority of the time and you having to care for me almost exclusively, while you yourself were sick and injured." Yeah, she's not getting over that one any time soon. Though his suggestion to bring the bard has her smirking a bit, turning to eye the man, "No, I think Blian here would miss the attention of the ladies here in the city. Goddesses know I certainly give him none, and I doubt you'd be up to the task."

Blian had been feelin' allright. But Venan felt the need, the bard replies. "Knots? Is that what ya' wish? I'd heard a fool," He stops and adds , "Me ole' man, he was a fool" He stops for a moment and lends a nod to vic and Venan, "We can discuss that over a game though." He taps a foot now and looks to Venan. "Won't be the last." He adds.

Victoria grins a bit at Blian, the woman pushing up from the table, steadying herself subtly, "You two figure the game, I'm going to empty my bladder." No longer in faint company she can say such things without much care - pushing off and wandering off up to go to the toilet.

Venan nods then as Victoria starts moving up the stairs he moves to say something, pauses, then chuckles, "Five will get you ten that she managed to drop trow afore the folks in the room can manage to stop her."

Venan says, "Judged by whether she's got her bottom hanging out when the shove her from the room, what say you?"

The Bard accepts no bet audibly. But he grins and says, "I've only ten! I know the ranger, but I have met rangers."

Venan gives a little, "Bah." as the bet isn't taken up, "You and I both know we just want an excuse to be staring carefully at her rump as she comes back, though it seems we both manage to get away with such antics. I wonder if she is just remarkably proud of her postierior and all that grumping is just to call attention to it."

Victoria tries a few doors, shake shake, locked. But there's one that's slightly ajar and the Huntress will slip on in - and there is indeed an occupant within who is more than stunned to have a woman traipsing drunkely into his room, man sat on the bed, a noble by the looks of the finery all around, "Oh there ain't no line, you ain't using it, yeah?" Asked over her shoulder into the candle lit room before she tawdles into the toilet, closing the door in behind her to do her business. Oh the sweet release. A knock at the door will have her calling out, "Just a second, just a second-" Finishing up and dancing up, her pants quickly tugged up and laced. And then the door will get pressed open, the noble man still stunned as all else as the woman pushed her way out back into the hallway, peeking over the railing below, "Is the chicken done yet?!" The door behind her remains ajar and the occupant within is still too stunned to know what just happened.

Venan calls back up, "Aye, chicken is ready and waiting…well, ready and someone already stole a piece."

Blian and Venan are seated at a table by the kitche yelling up to someone upstairs about the chicken just recently placed on their table.

<FS3> Blian rolls Stealth: Good Success.

Blians nods to Venan. Though his own ears and eyes remain open, he does not seem appreciative. Sneakingly he removes himself. Yes, to the upper level. Eloise started this! He is careful not to take advantage though. Tonight he does.

Venan looks about, "Eh?" He turns round again, "Right, wine be a bit strong today."

Venan shrugs and takes another sip of the wine and piece of the chicken that 'somebody' keeps stealing from. He tucks his bare feet up under himself tailor style to keep them from the chill floor.

The noble man will stare out with some incredulity, though the Huntress isn't unknown, "Victoria?" Whoa. Looking a bit creeped out the woman will turn on the railing to look out towards the toilets, or rather, what she thinks are the toilets - to be fair, there was one there, and blinks once. Oh. Well. She will ease on away from the room in what she thinks is a stealthy manner, but isn't, ducking down a bit as she crouch-walks her way to the stairs to head on down. Likely to pass Blian as he goes to try and do his usual thing he does at the Tavern.

<FS3> Blian rolls Improvisational: Good Success.

The door to the inn opens, and a commoner woman enters, it is clearly visible from the plain quality of her dress, which truely is outshined by the presence of she who wears it. Airysse wears a dress of crown roughly spun cotton with a shirt of beige colour beneath, her attire revealed as she takes off the woollen cloak she had worn against the chill and casts a glance about the place. Her cheeks are rosy, and her brown-reddish hair is worn in a braid. For the moment she just seems happy to have escaped the cold winter that rages outside.

Venan rubs his chin watching the ongoing comedy, after a while he comments. "I think, they believe they're in the Bard's Tavern." He then picks up his wine and takes another sip glancing towards teh doorway. "Evening, Mistress." He offers to the young woman, "Mind the charming fellow that is sparse on fingers."

His usual? No. He easily makes his way to the outside. He is not so stupid than to realize it is time to go. A nod to Venan first, only Inouv knows why. Victoria, the most sincerity a woman could get. Turned and gone. Maybe Lilith has a ladder for him. Don't seem to matter as he exits. Till Airysse, she gains a quick stop. that is all tough till the bard is gone.

Victoria eases her way down the steps and grimaces, "I just took liberties in someone's toilet." And she has an inkling she knows who. Sliding back into her seat she'll notice the woman who comes in out of the cold, smiling and lifting up a hand, "Another stray to invite to the table." Says the Huntress as she snags back up her mug to drink deeply of it - forgetting her earlier promise - and will pluck up a fork to poke at the chicken to pry some meat off to bring it to her plate.

Venan looks over at the young woman again and shrugs, "Why not, it is more chicken than we could eat anyway." He waves the young woman over as well.

Airysse's attention quickly focuses on Venan, as soon as he mentions the Bard's Tale tavern. She smiles at the greeting and approaches the table where he is seated. A glance is spared to the bard, and for a moment it seems her cheeks redden even more. Of course she knows him. She has seen him at that other tavern, where she usually works. Not that he has noticed her yet. But that he stops means he may have finally done so. Then Victoria arrives, and her remark might be understood as some invitation of sorts. And as both Venan and her seem to share the same table, the young shrugs and lets herself fall into one of the vacan seats. "Evening. My name is Airysse," she introduces herself with a charming smile.

Victoria sets down her mug and grabs a knife, cutting up the chicken with a bit more gracefulness, suddenly realizing Blian is gone, "Where did he go?" Asked wonderingly, the slightly drunk ranger drawing fork up to her mouth to take a bite of the succulent chicken, her eyes half-lidding, "Oh my. This is." Chew, chew. Swallow, more wine, just a quick sip, then another bite and a mmmnnnmmm, "Eloise has mentioned you a few times - youuuuu-" Her fork will poke the air, "Work at the tavern, off …sutherland?" A bit of a frown as she can't exactly recall, "Unless you're a different Airysse, but its not a name I hear often." Babble, "Mmm -" Chew, a stab at a bit of veg, "I'm Victoria. Hello. Sweet lips of the gods, lookit you." Eying Airysse, "You are /exactly/ the type he goes for." Who's he? Oh please, as if folks don't know who he is.

Venan touches the brim of his hat with his fingers, "Venan." He gestures to the remains of the bread and cheeses as well as the chicken, "Please, help yourself, and should you like there is mulled wine, but as you can see it does have a bit of a kick so I suggest you have sleeping arrangements if you wish to indulge heavily." He looks over to Victoria after a few moments, "Mistress, you're beggaring the obvious question of who wouldn't go for her type?"

A surprised chuckle leaves Airysse's lips when she hears Victoria's words. "I've arrived in Stormvale two weeks ago. That you've already heard about me… well, I hope it's just good things." Her blue eyes look a little sceptical though. "Thank you, Master Venan." the redhead beams and it doesn't take long and she follows his invitation, picking up a chicken leg to gnaw on it rather greedily, not the ladylike way at all. Between the gnawing she manages another flattered giggle at Venan's remark towards Vic.

The bard had wandered out, ooohhh. But his ears are good. No wonder he wanders back in. Red-heads, yea….Looking to Venan he says, "Don't go tricking the young maiden into eating your cheese." He smiles at him brifely before turning to Air. His own natural actions dictate that he sit next to her. He would like to come to her defense on Venan's comments but he can do nothin but laugh. It was pretty good.

Victoria chuckles softly in agreement with Venan, "True, but I meant the red hair." Then to Airysse as she waves her fork, "And I'm at the Tavern often, Airysse. Eloise talks about all her girls like they were her gaggle of children. And I only came back in the last few weeks, so plenty to catch up on, I keep my ears open. My job." Winking at the girl as she giggles she'll grin, shaking her head, "Ah there you are, Blian. Airysse, Blian, Blian, Airysse."

What Bardwould not go?

Venan takes a piece of chicken then chews it during this rather curious exchange. When they seem to have all paused to inhale he slips in, "Pleasant meeting, Mistress, I'm sure most of what I'll be hearing about you for the next few weeks is just baseless bravado from men who have no hope of earning your attention but I shall enjoy the descriptions that bring your face and form to mind." He then takes another bit of chicken.

Airysse's blue eyes widen, and she lowers the remains of the chicken leg when she sees the bard return. Wiping her greasy mouth with the sleeve of her shirt, she seems for a moment out of words. "I think we know each other already, Mistress.", she mutters, blushing. Venan's departure earns him a surprised: "Oh you leaving already, Master Venan? Thank you for the meal! And I'm sure you can refresh your memory by paying the bard's tale a visit now and then." That latter part offered with a wink and another of her charming smiles.

Venan smiles, "Just for a moment, Mistress, I'll return directly."

Victoria ahs softly, an eyebrow raising as she looks to Blian as if saying 'is there one you don't'? Setting down her fork she'll focus more on her wine, swirling it about in that mug and noticing there are only a few drinks left. Reaching over her plate she'll snag up the jug and pour herself more wine, "I should be heading out soon before th'snow gets too high, or the wind too blustery, after this cup, though. And yes, thank you, Master Merchant, for the meal." Raising up the newly raised mug to him, "Was a delight."

Blian had been being the one who brought her does not waste any time being reintroduced. He does bow, very slightly to each and turns. LAst words offered. "You will see me." Japishly a threat more than a promise as he nears that little freckeled faced girl.

No Ross, no Daelina. Nope. Blian moves that ginger right off as he is want to do.

Venan is standing up as Victoria declares she plans to depart, "Ah, Mistress, not going to see how well warmed my bed is? A pity, I had it freshly made on hope of your indulgence." He then moves off through the kitchen and out towards the privy.
<FS3> Blian rolls Romantic: Good Success.

No Kel. But hey, Blian makes due. How could he not.

"I haven't decided yet. I don't know yet if I'm too drunk to walk." The woman will murmur, Victoria staring into her mug of wine, pondering it's great delicious depths in another moment of drunkeness, "You know what this place is missing." Said suddenly, "Music. Where is the music." An accusing stare at Blian then over her cup while Venan does his business. But then he's out, and she's blinking. She'll look at Airysse, "He coming back?"

Airysse sits there her gaze lowered and pours herself some wine after Victoria has helped herself. She is silent for now, but the glance she shoots the bard is sparkling indeed. As if she is indeed aware of his attention. Her mug is raised towards Venan of course, when Vic raises hers in that toast. "Oh yes, Master, how very generous of you!" His remark to Vic, makes her blue gaze shift from him to her with an incredulous stare. Then Blian disappears again, and Airysse seems equally baffled. "No idea. How shall I know?"

Venan returns, in a tinkle…er…twinkle. As a bonus he brings with him a pastry acquired in the kitchen on the return trip. "Hmm?" He asks as he gets toasted, "What's this then, generous? Oh no, Mistresses, I'm just ingratiating myself to you both so that when I propose you aid me in gaining my fortunes you're more likely to agree." He sets the pastry on the table, "Well, agree again, in Victoria's case, she's already helped me gain a great deal."

"You /have/ got to stop calling me /Mistress/. It has been driving me /nuts/. I have a name, Venan, honestly." Victoria blurts out, her amber gaze wide as she declares her annoyance, like it's been building up for ages, and she's finally drunk enough to just toss it out there. And so she does, sitting back in her seat with a slight frown upon her lips. And maybe that incredulous stare from Airysse helped to spur on such an outburst. Woman's on edge and she's trying to play nice, "Oh indeed I have, indeed I have." Mutter. Sip.

"So you expect some favor in return for the meal?", Airysse inquires, raising a brow. Her mien remains charming and she does not really look disturbed at the prospect. "How could we possibly aid you, master? You want us to help out at your shop?" A good sip of the wine is taken, the cup almost drained as is set down onto the table. Victoria's outburst has the redhead shift her gaze from Venan to the woman and back again. Does she really want to know? Not really.

Venan looks over at Victoria, "Someday, Victoria, I wonder if you will learn you need only ask." He smiles at her then turns his attention back to Airysse, "I have no shop, Mistress, only my carriage and my wares, but I often need help from those of comely nature to display those wares. I have no trouble admitting that I look quite terrible in silk and it is a rare Lady who is so impressed with my presentation that she is willing to pay handsomely to look as I do. So I find those who a Lady would wish to look like when attired in finery and ask them to present such attire as I find. While Victoria is a beauty of a exotic nature I have noticed that several of the royals bear a coloring more in line with your own, so a girl of your looks would be useful to me."

Victoria looks somewhat flustered as Venan gives his reply, glancing up to the ceiling to offer silent prayer, or just to swear in her head, "Venan, will you stop, please, calling me Mistress as it's been driving me nuts." A quick series of words as she nods her head again in respone to his words to Airysse, "Our flesh serves purpose, and you may actually get paid."

Airysse smiles and a chuckle - of relief perhaps? - leaves her comely lips. "Oh I see. And yeah, sure. Why not? Just come by and ask, and I'll see that I can sneak out for as long as it will take, Master Venan." Also there is a sparkle in her eyes at the mention of finery. Who of common birth would not love to wear the courtly clothes of those so high above them in station, even it is only for a few moments? "Well, that sounds like an easy job," she offers in reply to Vic, still looking very intrigued.

Venan nods, "Fairly easy, though you'll hear some snippy comments and some crass ones as well." He considers, "Actually, stand up a bit and push in your dress so I can see how you're put together. I've that second outfit from Jadda. The pair of you would make a striking contrast but I'm not certain it'd fit."

Venan pauses, "Ah…though that outfit can be a bit showy, perhaps something tamer." He rubs his chin, "Unless you're the showy sort?"

Victoria keeps quiet at this point, listening as she drinks her wine, looking between Airysse and Venan. Slouching back in her seat slightly she'll kick up a foot to extend it to the chair across from her, relaxing in.

Airysse rises from her seat, wiping her greasy hands on her brown skirts. She is aware of her assets, it shows in the way she presses the palms of her hands against the sides of her waist, which is presented quite well through the tightly laced bodice, and accentuates the curves of her physique. She shifts her weight from one leg to the other before she turns slowly, offering the merchant to view her from all sides. "Showy?" she chuckles, raising a brow. "That depends. On what is shown and to what degree, Master."

Venan considers Airysse for a few moments then stands up and holds his hand out about level with her shoulder and touches it to where it would be on his chest, "Near enough that the tightness should seem intentional." He chuckles, "As for the showy bits, it would be enough that the Lady would be excused from the room and the Lord thoroughly instructed he might not touch." He rubs his chin, "Though, if there were the both of you then I would not need touch either of you as you could assist eachother, which isn't as much fun for me but should serve to help the sale."

"Many of the clothes from Jadda bare breasts and the such." Victoria will reply dryly over the rim of her mug, "But he can arrange them so that it still remains perfectly modest." A light shrug as she glances to Venan, "Or so the story goes. He can show you how they wrap and everything, I'm sure you can see what you would and wouldn't be comfortable with." A pause, and a smirk, "Or that. Though I would hate to rob you of your fun, Venan." Said a bit bitterly, the woman glancing down to her mug which is slowly becoming empty, "Almost done, how's the snow outside?" Her voice will raise up to the kitchens, the Huntress leaning in her chair to listen for a reply.

Venan smiles, "You play a cruel game, Victoria, stating you do not wish to rob me of my fun and then inquiring whether you can leave in the same breathe. Though I will still have my fun in teaching you both how the outfits work…there is more to them than simply putting them on and taking them off, they are curios after all."

"I have no problem with wearing tight clothes," Airysse admits with another chuckle, her eyes sparkling as she looks up to Venan when he measures her height. But as he continues, she bites her lip and shoots Vic a glance. "B… baring breasts? You must be kidding!", she gasps, as her cheeks take on a darker shade of red. Her mien again slightly undecided she crosses her arms before her, pondering. "Well. I'll think about it, okay?" The smile returns to her features. "And… this will be /just/ showing, and no touching and… other stuff?" She raises her brow. "As long as the dress is arranged to not reveal… too much… I'm fine with it." Vic's last remark makes some of her confidence return, obviously. As curiosity seems to get the upper hand over caution that might be well advised.

Venan nods, "The initial fitting would be private, and you would not need to display if you were not comfortable. The same applies for youas well, Victoria, though I plan to tease and beg Victoria until she agrees." He glances towards the stairway then back to the women, "If you should like, they're upstairs and you can both try them on, though I've not the energy to be chasing girls off with sticks so you're on your own to make sure you don't seduce me."

Victoria's head flops to the side and she'll rest her cheek on her shoulder, eyeing Venan, "Who plays the game, Venan. I certainly do not." Said plainly though as a call comes out from the kitchens that the snow has picked up, a ragged sigh dragging from the Huntress as she settles back in her seat, hands tapping along the edges of her cup, her head shaking then as she looks to Airysse, frowning, "Airysse, honestly, you're not going to do anything you don't feel comfortable with. It's just to sell wares, not your body. And my hands shifting things for you, and you for me, are far better than the grubby hands that could do otherwise." Said pointedly, "Okay? If /anyone/ tries touching I'll eat them, bones and all." Okay, perhaps not that, but with the way she says it, she could mean it right this moment, "Should be fun, plus you get to keep the clothes." See, a perk. Why is she helping Venan with this again? Her drunken mind wonders this though she will take another drink of her wine, "And if anything, you can always use the fabric to make other lovely clothes. The fabric is -" Oh Venan. His words cause her to sigh, a blistering sound, "I'd opt for tomorrow, when the seamstress is in as you said she'd be. I'd hate for your weakened state to open you up to such devlish things." Sarcasm.

Venan's suggestion brings some of that uncertainty and wariness back to those blue eyes. "You mean… like right now? To go upstairs and… try those clothes on?" Airysse takes a tiny step backwards, but it still is a step. "Umm, I'd be more comfortable during the day, master Venan. There's better light to see… how well the clothes fit." Oh dear! "And yes, you're right, mistress. Let's do this tomorrow. I'd prefer to have you around." A shy and grateful smile accompanies the glance Victoria receives. "I can keep the clothes?" Her eyes grow wide as she shifts her attention back to Venan. "And… we'll be presenting to the nobles? At the castle?"

Venan laughs lightly, "Nervous as cats on a roof in the sun, the pair of you. I'll not take advantage and in the dim light there would be less chance of seeing something you wish to stay hidden but if you prefer to wait I'm in no rush. Though you'll not be seeing the seamstresses till I have a sail, else they'll start making copies before I have them sold, and that won't do."

Venan considers for a moment, "Well, I'll not take advantage of you, Airysse, I owe Victoria one good temptation and I plan on giving it to her."

Victoria rolls her eyes briefly, "We can have breast bands on while trying them on, they won't get in the way and will keep you comfortable." The Huntress states to Airysse, "And I'm quite certain they can be employed for the more ..baring ways to wear the items. The nobles can use their imaginations." Reassuring the young woman, "Tomorrow. Or the day after. As he said, no rush and there's 'naught to do until he's things in order." Why is she talking so much. Putting the wine down she'll push it away with a press of two fingers, deciding she's had quite enough for one evening as she can't feel her shins, "Oh, I'm owed? Well." A glance to Airysse, "Lucky me." There may be a bit of sarcasm there in her drunken words.

Airysse nods, and a bit of relief shows in her demeanour when Venan clarifies he will not take advantage of her. But how can she know for sure, as she doesn't know either of them. A man is still a man, even if he may have the profession of a merchant. Her gaze flits to Vic, seeking assurance and finding it in her reply. "Oh sure, well, I am curious on how this works out." the redhead says, as the sparkling smile reenters her mien. "There certainly don't pay me too well at the Bard's Tale. I could use the extra coin." There seems more to be on her mind though than just money as her wandering gaze suggests.

Venan smiles, "Aye, you're owed, Victoria, though whether it's to be luck or doom I'm not for knowing but I intend to enjoy my revenge." He picks up his wine, "But I'm thinking it is near enough to time for me to be off to my room, or to see either or both of you ladies to my room while I enjoy the comfort of a the chairs. Without you two setting my blood afire and my heart to racing modeling I'm about ready to rest. Will either of you be needing accomodations?"

"Oh sweet Inouv." Victoria will murmur, a hand rubbing up against her face, "I will take the floor, as much as I wish to leave, I've not of proper ..gait nor clear headedness to be able to get back. And I've not enough coin for a night on my own in here." Said, woman already moving to get her cloak and her coats ready for propping up on a floor, "You owe me naught, Venan, as you said as much to me. Friends do not owe friends, right? Makes …whatever you said 'bout it."

Airysse shakes her head, albeit slowly, at Venan's question. "I have to get back to the Bard's Tale. Late shift," she shrugs. "I wanted to check out this place. You never drink where you work. You know? And I have a small chamber there. Nothing grand, just large enough for a a bed to fit in." She chuckles and reaches for her mug, that might still have a little bit of wine. "So the answer is no, master. About setting your blood on fire. At least not tonight." She empties the mug, sets it down on the table and reaches for her woollen cloak, frowning a bit as she glances outside.

Venan chuckles, "Aye, what I said, and if you make me carry you up the stairs rather than following along with me you'll owe me twice as much and friends shouldn't owe friends." He spins the logic like a top then smiles at Airysse, "You have a care now, Airysse, guards come and go with fair frequency so you be sure and wait for a patrol then walk back with them." He starts helping gather up Victoria's stuff, "As for my blood, what makes you think you haven't set it alight already? But such blazes are fickle things and require constant stoking and stroking." He winks at her.

Victoria will grunt, hefting up her clothes, "Watch his gilded tongue, Airysse, it is as full of as much bluster and blowing as the priests and priestesses and will no doubt tempt you in." Taking what she can without toppling over she will very pointedly make her way up the stairs, staggering only a few times as she takes great care to try and leave in a regal manner.

Airysse chuckles when she hears Venan's charming reply. Oh she's versed in that area, too! And now the awkwardness has faded from her bearing, she is not averse to show it. "I can't be sure, master, but as I'm leaving already, such stoking and stroking you speak of would be no good, would it?" Her glance shifts to Vic. "And besides, it seems you already got yourself some company tonight." Although how much fun may come of it remains to be seen. Airysse shoots another glance outside, and seeing one of the said patrols pasing the inn she is quick to offer her farewell. "A good night to you. And I see you tomorrow," before she rushes off, frowning as she moves through the door out into the snow. Leaving the pair behind in all that coziness of the inn.

Venan is close behind Victoria on the stairs to both ensure she does not fall back, and to direct her to the appropriate room, not the 'privy'.

Venan does however give a little hipcheck once in the door to get Victoria to fall into the bed, "If you try to get up, I'll pounce on you like a kitten on a ball of yarn." He then makes a little claw-claw motion and says, "Mew." before laughing and watching to make sure Victoria stays in place.

Victoria is easily checked over once upstairs, having tossed her outdoor clothes over on the floor, and topples to the bed, though she /will/ slip off, technically not getting up, and therefore avoiding the dreaded kitten attack, sliding to her back on the floor, "You ain't my ma." Snapping her right hand out to the side she'll snag up her cloak and drag it over to cover her body.

Venan nods, "Aye, likely true, I've not got the hips for it and she probably wouldn't kiss you like this…" He leans over the edge of the bed, takes hold of Victoria's shoulders and…

Venan is a nimble little minx, and before there is much of a chance to react a corner of the cloak is flipped back and Venan plans a kiss on Victoria's lips. Not seeming to wish the kiss to end he deepens it and slips a hand round the back of Victoria's neck encouraging her to lift up towards him and if all goes according to his nefarious plans he leads her onto the bed and into his arms.

Victoria's lips taste of the mulled wine she's been guzzling all night, and it does take a second or four for her brain to bring her up to speed that her cloak has been moved and that Venans face is right there. Another second or two to realize his lips are on hers, and only when she tries to raise question as to why her mother would be - yeah, that was a few seconds ago. Thus the Huntress is caught in his trap so neatly, though it's not the most terrible of things. A warmth cruises through her body that isn't only attributable to the wine. She had made her intentions clear, or as clear as she could, and despite her wanting to strangle him all night she's wont to giving in on this particular point. And up she goes, easily guided, her legs shaky beneath her as her hands slide in around his shoulders to steady herself. There she goes, up to the bed, into his arms, kissing him back fervently the entire way up and down. Hands will eventually find their way into his hairline, to sooth down fingertips and thumb the edges of his ears, finally breaking the kiss with a gasp, staring at him with those light brown eyes of hers mere rings around deep pools of black, hair smushed up against the side of her face as she searches his, "Please don't." A break in her voice, slight smile faltering to her lips. Even as she presses in for another kiss. Women. Crazy.

Venan meets the second kiss, but this one is brief, a distraction as he shifts his arm then he gently breaks away, "Stay beside me, and I will not trouble you, Victoria, try to leave and I will do whatever I may to tempt you to stay." He runs his hand through the edges of her hair his fingers carressing her forehead and temples.

Victoria breathes in shakily, lips parting as she continues that smile, drunkenly on cloud nine right now, or the planets equivalent. His hand works it's magic, and her breathing will settle into a deep sigh that fades out through her lips as she relaxes into him, catching her lips against the side of his jaw before she nuzzles in to his shoulder, nose pressed into his neck, "I'm not a game, Venan." Hand will draw from his hairline, pressing down his neck, over his shoulder then finally lifts to press to his chest ,"Nor a prize. If you want to be with me, then do so." Softly breathed out, her voice low and softly carrying as she plays with his shirt, fingering the fabric, "I need no temptation to stay if you're not simply playing with me." Her leg will lift and bend at the knee, trapping his legs in as she curls it over, "If it so, then be true, and I will gladly take the floor and never speak of this again."

Venan drops his hand from her brow to trace along the edge of her jaw, before his hand falls to her hip, "Do you recall what you told me you were, Victoria. What kind of woman you were when in a relationship?" His fingertips graze down from her hip along her thigh to her knee then back up again.

Mraaaah. It's been a while since she's been curled next to a male, specifically this one, and Venans skin smell of leather and whatever else is just so lulling to the Huntress. She remembers it from when she last slept next to him, and it's just so soothing. With her nose pressed in against his neck she can feel his pulse all while taking him in. And being as drunk as she is she it's got a crazy good effect on calming her mind enough that she's already sort of drifting off. It's his voice as it comes back that brings her back, his tracing hand causing a trail of electricity to tickle through her skin where his finger drags, a soft sigh exhaled out, her eyes sliding open as she murmurs into his neck, "Mmm - no." Admitted - her recall ability right now stems to what's happened in the last five minutes, plus his tracing hand has her attention quite firmly, toes curling a little as she nestles in just a bit closer. Light nip of his neck done with her searching lips.

Venan laughs lightly as she nips at him and denies memory, "Then sleep, Victoria, and we'll talk on it when you do." His fingers and slow to a stop and he shifts from her thigh to her hip.

Victoria gives a minute shake of her head, denying him her sleep, "No. Talk now. Or I'm sleepin' on th'floor." Continuing to lazily play with his shirt, lips giving reprieve to his neck as she instead presses her nose in again, sleepily opening her eyes, chin lifted up and nose drawn away as she tries to look at his face within the rooms limited light, "Talk." Lips will then begin to assault his cheek, her hips wiggling just slightly as she slides up her knee to drape thigh over his growing enthusiasm, foot tucking in alongside his knee.

Venan slips the arm behind her down lower, his hand spreading to covrr the small of her back, "You said, that you were a woman men use then move on to find beted. I do not wish you to feel you are that sort of woman with me, and I do not think you hav put such thoughts behind you, or else you would not be so quick to doubt me."

He lifts his hand from her hip to her chin, titling her face up and kissing her softly saying after, "Let me play my games until you are ready, or at least until I can see that you are ready."

"Oh that." How could she forget - she had simply pushed it to the wayside, mostly. Off and away. Though now it rises up in her and she'll frown, pinching her lips together as she gives a little bite to them, chewing, nodding. Then the feeling of pressure at her chin as it's tilted upwards, misty amber eyes looking upon those gorgeous blues of his, eyes closing at the kiss, her leg curling in a little more firmly against him as her hips press forwards again, a small grind, anything to get closer. When the kiss breaks she will open her eyes once more, "How will you know? What if I am, and you never see it." Worry there, hand on his chest sliding up along to his neck where she caresses, voice softly breaking through the air, her vulnerability obvious now - this is why she doesn't often get drunk. Too soft.

Victoria closes her eyes and settles down to sleep against Venan for the night, and as much as she'd love to go for a tussle with him between the sheets she doesn't do much more than allow the thigh to rest against him - she's plenty to think about tomorrow, and likely discuss again, if a moment of time is found. For now, cuddled in against him, she'll find the same peace the last time she was beside him in sleep, nose pressed firmly in against his chest, arm wrapped about him, snugged up nice and close.

No bugs, no mules, no horrible sickness, just a small room with a nice bed warmed by the fireplaces downstairs. Wine and water wait by the bedside table and Venan reaches for a drink swishing the liquid in his mouth before swallowing. He sets the bottle back down and closes his eyes again unwilling to deal with the morning just yet.

Victoria has been up at least once, she can hardly recall, to empty her bladder and drink down that water. Having crawled back into the bed she once again found herself up against Venans warm body, and snuggled in, having wriggled out of her clothes, leaving her in her under garments and her tunic, pants, boots, bodice, kicked off to the side of the bed. As Venan shifts beside her to get that liquid she'll mumble in against his chest, something about a promise made to ward off morning as long as possible, or about eggs and cider, nuzzling in closer to him as she tugs in the blanket a little tighter behind her with a reach back, before hand will snake back through the blankets to his chest, "Too warm." She finally murmurs with a turn of her head, an explanation of why she has no plans to get up.

The Inn is quiet, it is morning and those that have business are making their way quietly out into the chill streets leaving those that do not have business to enjoy the warmth of their beds. One such person who is currently cursing the hour is Venan, who carefully extricates himself from his bed to check the light and see to the hour. Seamstresses do not appreciate being kept waiting and they have such sharp needles. Venan keeps his commotion to a minimum as he moves down the stairs placing an order for eggs to be made ready, and cider, both to be sent up to his room though he continues out to the privy and trough outside to relieve himself and wash his and hair.

Victoria is far too comfortable and warm in her current state beneath blankets and snug on a bed, though the absence of a merchant has her twisting onto her back, bare feet sticking out from beneath the blankets as she makes a grumpy noise. For the time being she'll remain as such, tucked away, until guilt forces her out, or mere hunger, or a knock at the door with brekkie.

The inn may be quiet, but not for long. The door is opened and a girl rushes inside, cheeks rosy from the cold outside and blue eyes sparkling as she takes off her woollen cloak. Apparently in good spirits today, Airysse deposits the cloak over the back of a chair, before she lets herself fall into the seat. Her mood shows in her humming a merry tune - she works after all at the Bard's Tale, doesn't she? Her brown-reddish hair is worn in a braid, just like the day before, and she wears that same brown dress with the beige chemise underneath. Who would expect a tavern wench to change into a new set of clothes every day? The blue gaze drifts over the common room of the inn as the young woman studies what the Riverview has to offer. For the moment it seems quite empty.

Venan enters from the kitchen pushing his hair back, a jingle of chimes sounds as a mesh of metal and beads woven into his hair is disturbed then he pulls his hat down into place. He spots Airysse then chuckles, "Back so soon, Mistress?" He rubs at his face, still showing the chill of the washing. "Care to join me for breakfast?"

Airysse's eyes lighten up when Venan enters, and she nods, tilting her head a touch, her gaze still fixed on the merchant. "I woke up early today, AMster Venan. Everyone still's asleep at the Bard's Tale. I won't be missed for a while." A yawn escapes the young tavern wench and she doesn't even bother to cover her mouth with her hand. "Umm, sure, I am starving, actually." She remains where she is though, waiting for Venan to decide whether he will join her or pick another table.

Victoria is so not down with getting up, but the more time that passes has the woman thinking she should be more productive with her day. So eventually, and very reluctantly, one Huntress is up out of bed, slipping back into pants and bodice, tying up things, buttoning here, wriggling there, a hop done over to the water set out. Using it to wash her face she'll soon set down to braiding her hair back rather than attempting to brush it out with fingers, and a knock at the door with breakfast will have her up and padding barefoot to the door. A peek out and a tired smile and tray is taken though the huntress is moving out of the room to follow the maid down, barefeet grazing the floor silently as she pads down in leather pants and her ruffled tunic, the bodice of dark green tying it all together.

Venan looks back into the kitchen, "Add another round of the eggs and cider, and if that was bacon I head sizzling put on a few pieces for me." He then walks over and takes a seat at Airysse's table. "Good of you to have done, I take it you've settled your mind on trying on the outfit. If Victoria is agreeable we'll see to testing the fit once we've all eaten, I've sent food up to her but I don't expect it'll take too long for her to…" he trails off as the maid is followed down by Victoria, "…or perhaps she'll join us for breakfast as well." He rises and pulls a seat out for Victoria.

Airysse's gaze shifts to the stairs, her smile deepening when she recognizes Victoria. "Good morning, Mistress!", she calls cheerfully and waves to the woman. Lowering her tone to a less obtrusive volume, the redhead turns her attention on Venan and nods. "Yeah, sometimes it's better to sleep over things. I've made up my mind, and aye, I will try this… outfit on. That's what I came for, after all." She smirks, and leans back in her seat, winking at the man. "Not for your charming ways, master, sorry."

Victoria's got a chunk of hair on the right side of her head, much shorter than the rest, that kicks out like a cowlick and is unable to be tamed without pins, which the Huntress does not have. With the light of the common room blazing in, contrast of the snow outside helping to light up the place, she'll squint just a little, lines of where fabric laid against her cheek squished in and lining her flesh like etchings on a map. Pausing at the bottom step she will glance about to the greeting, spotting Venan and Airysse, a lopsided smile crooking her lips as she finally desends the staircase fully and moves to that chair pulled out for her, food set down on the table before she slips on in, settling back, "Good morning sweet cheeks." Then to Venan, "Morning, thank you for breakfast, Venan." Though it's the cider cup she'll grab for, taking a slow drink of it as she allows her brain to catch up.

Venan shrugs, "No need for apologies, Mistress, if it were my charming ways that earned my coin I might be concerned but as it's business that provides the profit that pays for the meal I'm pleased you'll be participating." He then looks over to Victoria, his eyes straying to her hair, "You look lovely this morning, Victoria, once we've eaten would you have the will to assist me with Airysse's dressing and to review yours?"

Yay food. Airysse's shoots a glance towards the kitchen, her hand tapping idly on the table, while she bites her lower lip. "Mistress Victoria," she ponders, her blue gaze returning to rest on the woman. "You didn't expect to see me this early in the morning, did you?" Then a low giggle escapes Airysse at Venan's remark. "True, Master." An expression of curious anticipation appears in her mien before the redhead shoots another glance towards the kitchens.

The eggs are prepared quickly and the bacon is not long behind being brought out and served with some hard bread left from the night before.

"I look as if a stampede of wild animals traipsed all over me-" Said dryly, the Huntress setting down her cup to raise both hands to press them firmly to her face before rubbing vigorously, offering an answer to Airysse, "I don't expect to see anyone but the birds and rabbits out this early-" Hands drop down to her lap and she'll sniff sharply twice, allowing a faint smile to touch upon her lips as she looks to the two, "What?" Blink, "Oh. Yeah." She's just a bundle of words this early in the morning, reaching out to pluck up a bit of bacon with her fingertips to bite out of it with another nod, "Yes. I would be most delight to do as much-" Munch.

Venan chuckles, "Victoria, if that is the effect of being traipsed upon by wild animals then I expect it will shortly be all the rage amongst the ladies of the city as it makes you look quite enchanting, and I have a rather good example to compare you against to make the judgement." He drinks some cider then looks between the two, "Have either of you much skill with dancing? I was giving some thought to how you might best present the attire and should like to show how well it moves with a woman." He lifts his hat brushing back his damp hair before securing it again, "Though even standing still I suspect the pair of you will be quite mesmerizing."

Airysse beams when she sees the food is being brought in. She begins to devour her meal greedily as if she had indeed not eaten in over a week! A chuckle is muffled by her full mouth, in response to Vic's reply, and when she has properly chewed and swallowed, the redhead gives an answer: "Well, I surely don't mind." That in regards to Vic's ruffled presence. There's another chuckle at Venan's question, and Airysse nods, grinning widely. "Ohhh, dancing… I love to dance. The common dances, though. At faires. Or even at the inn. Seems you've made a lucky choice, Master Venan." Her blue eyes sparkle when she adds: "I'd prefer dancing to standing any day."

Victoria will crumble the bit of bacon she has into her eggs, plucking up her fork as she digs in, mmmhmmming, "Well, what nymph could come up against this- and" Chew, wiggle of her fork before another mouthful, "Ethereal beauty. Thank you though, Airysse." She does smile her usual lopsided sort, chewing happily, "I have been told I dance like a whore from a bawdy house, Venan, so .." Nibble, another bit of bacon taken and crumbled, "Take that as you will."

It is with delight and excitement that the snow has tempered down from the recent snow, allowing clear and easy travel out and about. Folks have crowded in for a midday meal from surrounding homes and businesses on this side of the bridge and a few from the other side, the air is ripe with conversation and merriment despite the still cold air haunting outside every building and structure. Victoria is one of those people returning, having ventured out as soon as light broke to make the trek home, run errands, bathe and change. A busy morning all together, and now back here after a very long walk she's settled in by the fire, awaiting her order of what the maid recommended for lunch and a hot cider. Her hair has been pinned back, braided into fishtail braid, cowlick tamed down with a pin, the braid draped over her right shoulder. Dark brown leather pants, usual knee high boots, long sleeved tunic in a deep grey with black bodice that cinches up against waist and bosom are all worn, her cloak and coats hung by the fire to warm them.

Venan has been busy as well, seamstresses and tailors, jewelers and smiths have been met with and agreements made. Baubles and spices have begun circulating the city creating curiousity and demand. After many treks through snow of varying depths Venan's clothing is thoroughly soaked and in a remarkable state of disrepair save for his most formal attire, which he wears while the balance is being tended to by said seamstresses. The young merchant comes bouncing down the stairs in form fitting leggings of supple skin, dancing boots and a poofy shirt of near ridiculous flair with slitted sleeves that was the absolute must-have fashion some two years ago. While not stuffed with he perfumed gauze that was the accessory of choice then the shirt still looks out of place in the Inn more suited for a fancy dress event. Venan does not seem to mind though and flounces into the room calling out to the servers for 'as big a bucket of dark brown ale as can be found'. He is rewarded with a mug of the usual size but that does not seem to dampen his spirits as much as it does his throat.

Victoria's hears that familiar voice, her own food and drink having arrived in short order as the man flounced into the room so gaily. And timing, timing is everything, so as she twists in her chair to wave him open she will suddenly find herself staring - a slow smile touching her lips as she quite obviously eyes the man from toes to his head then back down, a laugh dropping from her lips, "Oh my /stars/, Venan." That is a murmur to herself beneath a hand that raised up to slap over her mouth to abate the laughter, woman rising up out of her seat to turn into it and kneel one knee into it as hands rest on the back of the chair, rump getting warmed by the fire, "Venan! Are you drunk?"

Venan considers himself for a few moments, "I should think that I am not drunk, yet, Victoria, but I have been told that I am a tall drink, from time to time, and so. Being a drink and not drunk, should you care to imbibe?" He executes the sort of bow reserved for only the most pompus of asses then straightens. "I am attired in what remains of my wardrobe after a long and unexpected trip followed by a lack of tailoring, which is being remedied as we speak." He strikes a pose which shows his lithe form to good efect and says, "And while I am garbed in fashions that came to be regarded as a bit overdone, I feel my frame and face supports excess quite nicely." During the bow he had whipped off his hat, and the gauzy traces wrapped round it flutter still as he replaces it over the net of chimes and beads in his hair.

"I am not certain I have seen such finery on a finer man, Venan, though perhaps when you've the time and the wish you'd …claim to a style more suited to this day and age?" Oh so helpfully said, rosey lips pinched to keep broad smile off her lips as she attempts to reign in her usual fit of laughter, "Though I daresay, please wear those trous more often, they harbour your most gentlemanly parts quite lovingly." Said with a downward glance that will linger for just the briefest of moments, his boots looked to then. Oh. What boots. Lifting a hand from the back of the chair she will wave him over, "Come, join me so that I may be the …envy of every woman and man for being with company so over-trussed. Come, come."

Venan laughs, "Aye, they do provide cozy harbor." He bounces once settling things and giving proof that it is no codpiece that creates the aluring curves in his outfit. He then moves to take a seat beside her, "I've not had the hear to have it scrapped for material, it seemed like such a lovely idea and such poor execution that I was sure the fashion would return, but it seems it is not to be so and that it would better serve to be retaken for material when next I purchase a suit." He settles looking her over as he does, "But you're looking quite lovely and fashionable yourself, are you dressed in such a fetching way for the benefit of all or just for me?"

As soon as Venan is sat down, Victoria is rising up swiftly to swerve her body with a cat-like grace to pluck off his hat and toss it to her chair while sliding in behind him. Leaning over his shoulder one hand will press to the side of his neck and she will smile to him, "I dare not allow your ego to swell more than it already is, so lets say that I am dressed this way for my benefit alone. Every woman deserves to feel and look her best, no?" Murmured against his ear as she straightens back up and there she'll begin to run her fingers in along those chimes, charms and beads, eyeing them and how he wove them in, "I would most definitely beg of the seamstress to take the shirt and fashion it to something more suiting." Fingering the strands, should she have managed to get this far, she tries to see if some of the bits required clamping to make them stay.

The beads are woven into the front of Venan's hair, the mesh and chimes are clipped to the beads. "Victoria, I'm not sure the best way to deflate my ego is to delight me with your touch." The loose ends of the chain are pinned to the back of his hair with a straight pin that goes through several of the links trapping his hair between the pin and the mesh, A tug would cause the hair to come loose from the back allowing the mesh to fall forward over his eyes. "Not that I've any wish for you to stop, as I'm a master of my ego, but you'll have me thinking all manner of thoughts that'll make it harder to keep my mind on putting clothing on you come the next fitting."

"And what makes you think that isn't my intention exactly, Venan." Murmured as she gives experimental tugs, one of which snags out that pin to have the mesh fall forwards. Up on her toes she'll go, leaning over him, pin in hand as hands press to his shoulders, tucking her head in over to look down at what happened, her lips pursing, "Please, don't stop drinking if it so suits you to do so. Order some food, or partake in mine." Dry bread repurposed with melted cheese and leftover bits of chicken that have been roasted in the oven and seasoned with thyme and rosemary. A delightful use for mostly stale bread. Around him she'll go then, kneeling her knees against his as she explores the mesh and beads and all that sort. The scent of her persons is easy to take in at this closeness, an oil of various flowers and bits for a delightful essence, "Will I be wearing something similar in mine?" Asked, her chin tucking down to look at him, scars on her face visible from this closeness, all pale, white and thin.

Venan watches through the viel, his eyes blinking a few times to adjust to the new view, he tracks something moving past her shoulder then returns his eyes to hers. He takes a drink of his beer then chuckles, "If I had had a great deal more money, you would, but a woman's hairpiece is a sign of her husband's wealth and they were far too expensive to purchase." He lifts his other hand up to run a finger across her face, "Yours will be of the fashion for single women, a much lighter piece that drapes below the eyes, across the nose and covers the lips." He traces the line across her cheekbones then moves his hand to tap the mesh, "That which I wear, protects the wearer from the glamor of the gods that possess them. Yours, will protect the men from being seduced by the voice of the goddess within the woman. You must win a man with your form and your actions, not through enchanting words." He chuckles, "Or that is near enough to be acceptable to the Lords and Ladies we will present to."

"I do so adore the thought of a goddess residing within me, having to be held back so that men are not tempted by my gilded tongue." Said after the trailing of that finger against her face, those amber eyes of hers having warmed a degree as she wore a subdued smile. When it leaves her face to tap his mesh she will lean up, twirling the pin in her right hand, left hand grazing against his cheek in a light caress as she slides in back behind him to replace the pin and lift the mesh, "Well this should be a delight and a half." Carefully threading the pin through the links, bit by bit the mesh drawn up until she's done. With a pat to his head she will slide over to retake her seat once again, her food well and cold. Picking up the plate she'll offer one over to Venan, "Mmm, so - what're your plans today, Ven? Anything exciting that a lonesome ranger can get in on?"

Venan leans into the caress then takes up his drink for a gulp when Victoria retakes his seat, "As tends to happen in your company, Victoria, my plans rearrange themselves in my mind to keep myself in your company. I've still to show you the more creative way your attire functions, as the other Mistress was a bit bashful and I did not wish to scare her away before she grew comfortable with the idea." He runs his hand over the mesh making sure it is smooth then retrieves his hat and replaces it. "I believe I also owe you a conversation, you asked a few questions that I had not the wits to answer while we were resting. My original plans included putting a call in on several households but that can be held for later."

"Are you certain? I don't wish to keep you from business, especially the way coins light up your face when they come into your company." Teasingly murmured over her mug of cider which she nurses, food eaten in large bites, the woman ravenous, "Mmm-" A lick of crumbs off her lips as she twists in her chair to face the man a bit better, a leg lifting up to drape over the arm to allow the position to be more comfortable, "You owe me quite a few by now I'm thinking, I could also give company in between your house calls." Shoulder rolls back, bread and chicken brought up to her lips and chewed into once more, her eyes wide and bright as she eyes him, "Or -" Munch, "All of the above, including the wrapping of clothes."

Venan laughs, "You being along would spoil the surprise, Victoria. I'll set aside such travels as I'll not wish their curiousity to wain between hint and setting the date and your companion is still shy yet." He watches the movement of Victoria's leg before returning his eyes to her face, "Though as we have a bit of time, and I'm quite comfortable and enjoying the sights here, why don't we start in on settling up on the conversations I owe you while I'm relaxed and growing more so." He drains his beer and sends it off with a passing girl, "A whiskey then more of the same, and some bread." He looks back to Victoria and smiles, "Shall we play it as a game of question and answer or shall I simply allow you to ask anything you like? I'm curious enough to learn whether you've learned the questions you need to ask that I'd pass on my questions to see how you do."

"/Oh/, it's a trip to set the bait, I see. Well, I am most content to sit here and play your game with you again." Finishing off her own meal she'll set the plate down on the side table with a reach forwards, settling back then with her arms crossed over her bodice atop her stomach, lazy smile touching upon her lips, "I rather enjoyed the game, or so I thought. Consider it my turn and now it's you to answer the question I already set to you." Giving her foot a little kick as it dangles, "Though I haven't yet figured the questions to ask so that you have to do something on my whim, but I look forward to the attempt."

Venan smiles, "You'll have to remind me, Victoria, you've asked me a number of questions so which one is it you've got in mind to have answered first?" He receives his whiskey and downs it then sips his beer after. "And I look forward to servicing your whims, I believe you have mind enough to make it memorable." He gestures towards her legs, "I believe I should, however, remove your first instinct again, give a bit bigger a kick so I might catch your foot and see it attended to."

If Victoria gives a bigger kick he catches up her foot, removes the boot, and begins rubbing it.

Victoria's smile is wry as he gestures for her foot, a bigger kick given as she raises her hips up to scoot slightly more forward, backside nestled up along the arm of the seat as she glances up to the ceiling beams now, toes wriggling in his grasp, a little bit of a twitch given. A bit ticklish, though she'd never admit it. Even with that bit of air sucked in through her teeth as she keeps herself from kicking that foot out. Just breathe …the feeling always passes after a few minutes, "Ahhhh, Venan you kill me - yes, questions, questions, questions. What really happened out in the forest that night with the fae." Blurting that one out first as she closes her eyes and tries to relent for the moment to his foot rubbing. It really is quite nice.

Venan smiles, "Unlikely that I'll kill you, Victoria, I'm gifted but I doubt I'll split you in half and I'm not so ungentle as to choke you." He rubs her foot with slowly firming pressure in little circles, for a while at least, every so often his nature gets the better of him and he runs a nail in a line along her foot, or gives a quick pinch to tickle her. "As for the fae." He reaches over with and snares his beer taking a sip before returning his hand to her, slightly chill from the mug. "Now then, Daisy took it into her head to wander off, or so I thought. Mules can bounce along, even hobbled, and as she couldn't move quick I thought I could catch her even limping as I was." He paints a picture of the evening, the frustration of limping through the jungle, the pain of his foot, the anger and worry over the mule. "I started making my way round so that rather than chase Daisy further away if she kept moving she'd at least be heading back, then I heard a voice asking why Lum had taken the mule, and another asking if the mule could be eaten, one suggested that the horse had been given, and others asking whether I might be the sort that could see them." He turns his eyes to the fireplace watching the crackle and sparkles rise before looking back to Victoria. "I wasn't about to get mixed up in more nonsense than I needed so I spoke as soothingly as I could to Daisy and tried to make my way to her. The voices overheard and the fae spirits made it known they should like to keep me as a pet."

Venan reaches for another drink of his beer, a slight pause in the story should Victoria wish a word in.

Venan continues, "Now, the trick they tried was to have one of their own appear to me as perfection." He closes his eyes for a moment, his fingers slowing in their movement, "Her skin was pale and smooth, but inviting as a cool pool on a warm day. Her body was of subtle curves, a maiden who had not known the weight of a child but was ripe to have one planted within her. Breasts smooth and round, moving with her easily but with the bounce and play that suggested they'd feel pleasantly heavy in the hand." He smiles in the memory but turns his eyes to Victoria, "The trouble, Victoria, is that the Fae have no understanding of man, and think that perfection is perfect." He shakes his head, "There was no story in her, no life of joy or sorrow to be found on her face in or in her movements. Had a perfect statue started moving it would have been the same, and I found it wanting when compared to the woman I'd left behind in camp. We traded riddle and story as I bid for my freedom but she did not enjoy my wit or take lesson from my story so we parted ways."

Victoria will have closed her eyes and held her breath with those pinches and nail drags, toes having curled in tightly and foot itself twitching and jumping each time despite her best intentions, "/Venan/, play nice, sweet toes of the Gods I'm going to have to force you to stop if you don't." Gasping out amidst a horrifying sound; an actual giggle that bubbles up in her and is cut off shortly by a snap of her hand to her lips and slight kick of her foot. Those were her choice of words when he paused in his story.

The story overall however has Victoria in a thrall, not having believed him in the first when he had given the original, and all together too short, explanation of things. Only this game demands honestly, which makes it all the more entrancing, "You've a strange man, Venan, most men'd have gone with her willingly without a bat of an eye." Her right hand is holding her braid, twirling the flared out end beneath where band of leather ties it tight against her cheek and jawline, looking to Venan over her knees, a little knot in her brow as she shakes her head. Of course a flush touches her cheeks, since well, he was the one he returned for, "You've a way with weaving a story, though, that enthralls. I'm surprised she let you go." An exhale then, her smile growing, body given a little shake to shiver away the after effects of the story as she lifts up her other foot for him, boot wiggled in the air as she swings the leg to join the other, "Glad she did however. Now you, Venan."

Victoria will have closed her eyes and held her breath with those pinches and nail drags, toes having curled in tightly and foot itself twitching and jumping each time despite her best intentions, "/Venan/, play nice, sweet toes of the Gods I'm going to have to force you to stop if you don't." Gasping out amidst a horrifying sound; an actual giggle that bubbles up in her and is cut off shortly by a snap of her hand to her lips and slight kick of her foot. Those were her choice of words when he paused in his story.

The story overall however has Victoria in a thrall, not having believed him in the first when he had given the original, and all together too short, explanation of things. Only this game demands honestly, which makes it all the more entrancing, "You've a strange man, Venan, most men'd have gone with her willingly without a bat of an eye." Her right hand is holding her braid, twirling the flared out end beneath where band of leather ties it tight against her cheek and jawline, looking to Venan over her knees, a little knot in her brow as she shakes her head. Of course a flush touches her cheeks, since well, he was the one he returned for, "You've a way with weaving a story, though, that enthralls. I'm surprised she let you go." An exhale then, her smile growing, body given a little shake to shiver away the after effects of the story as she lifts up her other foot for him, boot wiggled in the air as she swings the leg to join the other, "Glad she did however. Now you, Venan."

Venan chuckles, "Ah, Victoria, you ought to know me well enough by now to tell that this is me bein nice, see if I were one to be naughty, what I would have done is something like say my feet were cold as well, and work my boot off." He does so, "Then slid it down along your leg and nestled it where I thought it might be warm." He runs his foot up along the inside of her thigh the slides it between the chair cushion and her posterior. How the sensation affects is beyond Venan's control but by the grin he's expecting something rather attention getting.

Venan's grip shifts subtly on Victoria's foot to prevent any kicks from injuring him permanently.

Venan keeps careful grip on both her feet now to prevent himself from being maimed as he continues rubbing and occassionally teasing at her feet while his is nestled beneath her, "Now, as for my bein a strange one, it's done me well so far, bein as I am, as unless I'm mistaken if I were the sort to be as others are then I'd not have had your company for as long as I have." He smiles as the words string together in fiendish order, "And I'm not fond of entering into deals I don't intend to honor and that Mistress weren't intending to be honoring any at all." He chuckles, "So, as it seems to be my turn, I'll ask…what profit do you see in taking up with a man such as me?"

So it's now well established that Venan is both naughty and nice, thus clearing up any confusion that may have been in existence. Not that Victoria was entirely fooled. But the man plays a good game. It's likely good he reinforced his hold on her foot, because she may have leapt out of her seat to maul him, people be damned in the common area.

But, with that hold, any reaction she has is restrained to her seat, an eyebrow having raised at first as she eyed him with veiled suspicion, which then turned to some amusement once the boot came off, then a sucked in breath that got held, eyes briefly closing as her hips raised up just a bit as her teeth clamped down on her bottom lip followed by a throaty gasp as his foot ventures to claim the warmth beneath her bottom, having had to pass by a definite heat he had already aroused. Her gasp definitely received a few looks from nearby patrons as lusty as it was, and Victoria's cheeks are flushed ass he narrows her eyes, "Give me back my foot." Intending to do the same as he, wiggling her toes as she tugs her foot back, "And it's your question." Voice just slightly huskied, her eyes narrowed in playful challenge.

And there it is! Lips will press together as she closes her eyes, considering her answer only shortly, "Happiness. Warmth."A slight shifting of her hips, her own foot, if released gamely, sliding down his chest, downwards against his stomach then veering to the side to press against his thigh before slipping down carefully to nuzzle it's way in against him before tucking in, wicked lilt to her smile evident, "A great partner, I can't think of any more profit than that."

Venan released the foot as instructed but had the good fortune to be expecting the upcoming retaliation so while his enjoyment is evident to her, it is less so to the rest of the patrons. He continues to rub at her still captive as if nothing unusual had happened. "Ah, a pity it is your turn, as I now have a question, so do please ask away so that I might have a turn again."

Victoria lets her toes do the walking, ball of her foot sliding up and wriggling as she laughs and exhales out slowly, nodding her head, "Well, okay. Ah, questions, questions. Okay." Thighs squeeze about his leg as she simply relaxes in, enjoying his company thoroughly, "What is your biggest regret in life?" She was going to ask 'why don't you tell me your biggest regret in life' which would have no doubt harbored an answer about how he would if she would just ask. She honestly hasn't a clue what to ask to get him to do as she asks as punishment for not answering, but she does know she wants to get to know the man, so why not ask something a bit deeper that has nothing to do with her. Still toying with her braid she'll continue to run it along her neck and jawline, occasionally bringing it to her lips to have the oil scented hair play along her lips, heady gaze on the Merchant currently getting attention from her foot.

Venan pauses in his rubbing as he considers this, though he does shift in his seat a bit to allow his dancing skins to adjust to the changing demands of his form under Victoria's attention. "My biggest regret in life, is that I must someday die, but while that is a truth I don't believe it answers the question correctly so give me a moment to think of my next greatest and I'll provide that as well." He sucks air in through his teeth pulling his top lip in and making a squeeking sound as he thinks.

Venan says, "When I were a fair sight less mature, but not so much younger, I was party to events what caused a girl to lose her spirit and quit this world. I should think that being part of that would be the thing I most regret." He answers after a time. He extricates his foot from her and shifts again so that he's a touch far to be played with. He keeps hold of Victoria's foot though, and continues rubbing it, but without the play full tickles and pinches.

Tugging her foot back Victoria will wrest it from his grasp, her other foot dropping down as she sets her hands on the arms of the chair to push out of it. Standing she'll give her pants a little tug down at either side of her hip, bare footing it around to Venans side and then behind his chair to smooth her hands up along his upper arms, squeezing in to his shoulders as she leans down to kiss the top of his hat, "That is indeed a regret to have, I have a next question to follow up, but I believe it's yours to be had." Murmured as she tips her head around his hat to murmur to his ear before straightening up to rub at his shoulders now, leaning one knee against the back of the chair, foot up in the air, hands firm and smooth as she kneads.

Venan shifts a little, drawing his feet in underneath himself in the tailor's fashion. One foot bare the other soft-booted. He brings his hand up and takes hold of his hat tipping the brim forward and low to shade his eyes and expose his neck. The gauzy strands fall forward over his knuckles and he catches at one rubbing it between his fingers for a moment before releasing it and dropping his hand to his lap, "Victoria, what would your fondest hope in this life be?"

Venan is lightly built, there is muscle in his shoulders, certainly, but nothing like that which is found in those who fight or draw bows for a living. Save for the missing tooth the wear and tear of life seems to have passed him by. The skin of his neck and shoulders is smooth and unfreckled, even after the trip through the jungle, and what can be seen of his back as his poofy shirt shifts under your hands is similarly devoid of pock or mark.

Victoria will bend into her work, or rather her pleasure, plying those fingers over muscle and sinew, and when neck becomes exposed she's sliding her hands up, thumbs pressed firmly into the back of his neck to where skull meets vertebrae, thumb taking over the work as she considers, "Honestly, I haven't had a fondest hope I can think I've held on to. I try not to live with too many hopes, I find they eat away when they're so far from being real." She will relent however, and no doubt he can feel the calluses that mire her fingers and palms, softened by years of use but still there, no fair maidens hands does she employ, that speak of work done with a bow and her position in life earned, of leather work and tools held in expert hands and the occasional mishap that falls upon those who make their own way through life. His skin is a delight, and his lithe frame is one she's not used to encountering often in those she would find herself close to.

But it's pleasing all the same, "I think ..my fondest hope, right now. And this sounds ..just ..childish in my head, as most hopes are, is that you find cause and reason to be with me, and that I find myself worthy of such." A shrug, "Also, I'm really, really hoping winter hunting is good because I am /depleted/." That said with an air of humor to detract from her other words, "Now me. How in the world did you, Venan, man with the most beautiful skin and blue eyes I've ever come across, lose that tooth of yours." Leading the conversation and game back to lighter climes, one hopes. Or rather, so she hopes.

Venan's shoulders bounce slightly as he chuckles, "I'm missing a tooth?" He says with mock-surprise his hands coming up to his mouth. A moment later he drops it away saying, "My brothers and I were prone to scrapping, and I were the youngest and the littlest of the bunch. One day when we were at it I fell into the counter at our shop. I don't remember the next bit but when I came round from it I could taste a fair bit of copper and I were missing the tooth. Never did find it, my mother said it were because the tooth fae were about and watching all the time with as many siblings as I had and snatched it before it even hit the floor." He reaches up to touch his lip then drops it down again, "So tell me, Victoria, as you seem warm, and happy, and to be enjoying the time we have. Why do you want to change what we have now for something that might not be as good?"

"I think it'd be far better, and it would be something that would last - this …this is all well and good, sure, but I'd rather be able to slide to your lap right now in a public clime and be able to do so without words and whispers, to enjoy you fully. To explore you, be explored, and grow old and fat with you, and where the rest of the world is naught but a blur and you're the only sure thing." Oh see, she's got romantic and poetic bones in her body somewhere, likely in her shins. Or maybe an ear bone. The story of the lost tooth is indeed amusing, and all the while as he relayed the story she was grinning, using strong firm hands to work down the sides of his neck, the heat from the fireplace flickering in the air and the scent of fresh cider from the kitchens wafting in.

Maid will come back around to ask if any other drinks are needed, and Victoria will order that cider, leaving Ven to ask for his own, "Do you want to change what we have now for something that might not be as good?" Her own question peppered back into the air, right hand lifting from his neck to pull off that hat, turning it around to plop it on her own head, giving it a rakish tilt so that she can see his beaded, meshed and chimed head.

Venan still has his beer, it's off to the side, mostly drunk but not completely gone. He tilts his head way back so he's looking at her upside down, the mail in his hair chiming as it swings a little loose. He considers her with his hat upon his head then says, "What would you have me do?"

Venan considers her with his hat upon her head…pronoun trouble.

Victoria tilts over him, hands sliding from his neck to his shoulders as she pops up on her toes to lean over him, smiling gailey from beneath the brim of the hat, mischevious glint in her eyes, "I'd have you do many things, Venan, none of which can be done within this common room. But, above all, I'd want you to do what you wished to do. But you owe me an answer, unless you're deciding not to answer on this one?" Asked as she leans forwards even more, biting the tip if his nose and tilting her chin up to catch his lips lightly.

Venan starts to laugh as his nose gets bit then swallows it to kiss her briefly. When his lips are his alone once more he says, "You've asked a question that I haven't answered, Victoria, that is why I inquired what it is you would have me do. Since above all you want me to do what i wish to do, I shall comply and do as I wish." He reaches up to rub his nose, "I would have thought that having finally won the game you would have asked for more than that."

Victoria laughs and gives the side of his cheek a gentle slap, "You and your /games/. Well fine, do as you wish, but do me the favor of allowing me the knowledge of what that wish is." Keeping the hat she will lean back, securing it atop her head, giving a little tug to her braid as she slips around his chair to drop down into his lap, sliding in to the pocket that's made with his current tailor sit, knees drawn up to settle over the arm of the chair, an arm hooking about his shoulder, "Plus, if you want what I want, then how could I complain with not asking for more?"

Venan smiles, "I like my games, they keep me entertained and help to ensure that people pay attention to what I say and what they say." He puts an arm around her back supporting her, "Though I'm surprised you've drawn the conclusion that I want what you want. I thought you held a lower opinion of men in general than that." He works an arm out of the closeness to snare his beer and take a sip, "I'm also slightly concerned with the suggestion that you could do something like this without raising gossip and whisper, that seems like something only a couple that had taken vows could get away from." He sips again then puts the tankard back, "Or you mean to take me to some very seedy bars."

"I haven't drawn any conclusion. I'm simply waiting on you to provide an answer to a question I hold, and holding that fond hope that it aligns." As for low opinions of men she will smirk a bit, lips parting to bare teeth, gaze looking up to the brim of that hat, "Ah, yes, well." A hand lifts she pops up her fingertips to run along its edge, "Enough time with you has proven that I have needed to re-evaluate my hard-line stance on that particular opinion." Oh, beer, how lovely. Hand drops from brim and she reaches out for the mug, wrapping her hand about his though it's tilted in towards her lips as she tilts it far back to get what she can, "Mmm, but if you don't align with mine, then our friendship continues as is until ..the female who does warrant your affections gets pissy at me." A shrug, smile wide on her lips, "And tries to claim my hair."

Venan works his hand free from the cup once she's drunk the last of it and reaches up to loose the pin that holds the stray strands back. "I'll inform such a woman, that the trick is to offer you a very poorly made brush while delusional." He toys with the short bunch, "I do think, however, that this little accent just serves to call attention to how glorious your mane is and should in no way be held against me." He pauses, "Or if it is held against me that it be in the the way that involves your head resting on my chest. I'm glad to hear you're re-evaulating your opinions of men, and I hope of yourself as well, though I'm not sure it is much further along than before if you think our friendship would only last until the next woman crosses my path."

Wincing just slightly at the reminder of that lick of hair that curls out and away from her head courtesy of Venan, though it blossoms into a laugh, her head shaking, "Yes, always a good idea, though do remind me to never claim a brush made from your hand again, Venan …the one I employ at my home is more than adequate, I shall have to start packing it." Ahhh, always ever a man with words, Victoria finds herself at the mercy of poorly chosen ones on her part, "No, no, you mistake my words - we'd still be friends, I'd just not be sat in your lap, or playing games with my toes." A tentative smile, "Honestly, Venan." A pat of her hand to his chest, "You're not rid of me that easy."

Venan nods, "Good, you'd be a poor sort of friend if you were, and likely already gone as your companion in costume is a fair fine looking girl. I bet if I time it right I can get her to blush so that she'll be red from toes to top." He winks to Victoria, "What do you think, put a gold coin on it against me?"

"And be out a gold coin? You may have them to toss about, but I keep mine close to me and only relent on them when absolutely needed." Said seriously from within his lap, woman getting her cider handed to her by the maid, an impish smile curved for the woman, "Thanks to you." Yes, their seating arrangement does raise eyebrows, but then what can one do on such a cold day. Drawing hot mug in against her chest she'll savor the scent, eyeing Venan over it with a grin, "Though I doubt it takes much with that tongue of yours to turn a woman red from head to toe."

Venan chuckles, "I think most have an unfair impression of how many woman I've seen from head to to to know whether what I do with my tongue is effective in that manner. You, at least, I would have hoped had sense enough to know that I employ my stick to keep my conscience clear and the wrath of fathers away." He rubs Victoria's back idly, "Would you satisfy a curiousity for me? I've been wondering for some time what it was you meant about dancing with the trees. You seemed quite serious about it, despite the fever." He runs his hand along his hair, "Might I also have my hat back? It makes me sad when you wear more clothes than you absolutely must."

"Oh come on, Venan. Your words alone are enough to send any woman into a dizzying state, as you've seen often. No wonder why you need the stick, elsewise you would have your unfair share of women seen from head to toe." Looking over the rim of her mug as she takes in a deep drink, brim of the hat slanted down, "Mmmm? Oh, you're kidding, did I say that?" A sudden laugh, impish and self-depreciating, "Oh no, no. No." Seems that she's not about to share that particular bit, though she will reach up with her left hand to pluck off the hat and plop it back atop his head, "You never answered my question, I'm not about to answer yours."

Venan tilts his head, with his newly returned hat to the side, "Do you really find yourself in a dizzying state so easily?" He tsks, his tongue flicking against the black spot in his smile. "Victoria, I almost weep to think what would happen should I give in to base temptation and toy with you showing no regard for your well-being and dignity." He straightens his head then reaches up to settle his hat, "Perhaps it would be best if I not show you the creative use of your new outfit."

"Oh, I'm sure life would be much easier if that were the case, Venan, dare I say, it took how long before I'd pay your words mind?" Asked pointedly, her brow raising, "If I recall I was quite keen on keeping you at bay until we took that long, fever colored trip together. Your words are no more dizzying to me than a trip down from the highest branches on a tree to the ground below." Her mug will lift up, and she'll grin a bit as rim is touched against her chin, "Though a few do inspire, once I get about your word play and tease." A nudge of her elbow into him, eyes narrowing slightly, "Venan, I am not so wounded a bird that my talons are not still honed to an edge. If you give into more than base temptation I assure you, it would well be worth your time and person."

Venan makes an exagerated 'ow' face as she elbows him but he laughs, "You know, Victoria, I've never thought of you as wounded, just flying lower than you could." He rubs the spot she elbowed. "Though if you're of the opinion it is your honed talons that I'll enjoy I think I've given you an incorrect opinion of my interests." He sparks a smile then reaches round to pull her in close to him, "I'm far fonder of your warmth and happiness, though as I've said, you're no longer threatened by my stick, if you've the will and the whim to show me what I've been missing out on you're welcome to."

"The talons are for if you trifle carelessly with me, Venan. Not for your pleasure. Though I don't expect their use to be needed with you." Quipped quickly, amber gaze warming as she's pulled into him, head dropping down to his shoulder as she stays in snug against him, quite content to do so, at least for a bit, before the dinner crowd begins to whorl in. Her chest will rise and fall as she feels a warmth snake through her to snag her heart and set it to pumping awkwardly, a butterfly in a valve perhaps, his words having done as she indicated they could - inspire, "I've the will and the whim, Venan. I've been clear as much I believe."

Venan shrugs slightly, "I'm the doubting sort, Victoria, I hear one thing and think you were meaning to say another." He reaches up to run his fingers through her hair, "See, most women, they'll think something foolish like if they weren't to offer such a thing I'd be likely to leave, and if they were then I'd be likely to stay. When it really has very little to do one with the other. Acourse I'm a bit of a strange sort, as you said, and I like to know what sort of agreement is bein made afore it is made."

"It sounds to me as if you're applying cautiousness as I would." With mug in against her chest still she'll keep it nestled in against her ladies, freeing a hand to reach up and give a tug to Venans chin lightly, thumbtip running up then to touch his bottom lip lightly, feet bouncing merrily over the edge of the chair arm, "So then, what sort of agreement should we come to, before deciding to agree to it, Venan? You're the barterer, the merchant - I'm used to negotiating with the tip of an arrow. And generally not face to face." His fingers, through her hair, is enough to set her to tranquil calm, not oft anyone plays with her hair, if ever, other than Nelan. And it's questionable if he's trying to gather nesting material or not when he does.

Venan smiles running his hand down along Victoria's braid bringing it round to brush against her lips as he'd watched her do. "I think, Victoria, so long as you're not planning to employ your arrows in our agreement I'm clear on what I'll be receiving, at least in a vague sense. It'd be what you'd expect from me that I'm a bit curious about."

"A vague sense of anything does not give clarity to an agreement that being decided upon, Venan. What you're not clear on please, ask and I will try my best to employ my tongue to give it voice." As for what she'd expect? A fair question, her lips lightly puckering forward for the trail of her braid end, nipping at it with pursed lips with a hint of a smile to her lips, though contemplation is in her eyes, "I need you to speak plainly and clearly, Venan, none of your wordplay. If we've to make an agreement I'd like it to be with full understanding and I have never claimed to be the brightest star in the sky. First off, what sort of agreement are we discussing. I don't like relationships to be described as such but I'm willing to ease up on that point." She will grab the braid from him, but not before stretching out to carefully and haphazardly setting her cider down, free to embark upon painting the length of hair along his lips in turn as she studies his face, "I would that you would enter into a relationship with me that is fair, equal ..loving, warm. Full of spats and debates and cold nights spent in each others arms, regardless of where. Where I am faithful to you, and you to I. Flirting aside of course, both our professions require it in some measure, though not many appreciate my flirting when its at a distance and to the arrow I'm notching, but all the same." Briefly she'll smile, "Though I'm curious as well, what exactly you think I'm bringing to the agreement."

Venan smiles, "But I have such a lovely turn of phrase where I say you're offering a bride dressed as a barmaid." He sighs, "But as you like, plainly then. I think you're wanting a husband and to be a wife, but you're still a bit doubtful that such a thing could work so you're presenting it as less than you wish it to be or at least you're not giving it the common name. Now that might be acause you're skirting round a detail, like what sort of family you have or I have, and the fact that you're a ranger and I'm of no particular account." He shrugs, "But I'm thinking that if you're looking for a man, that once he's kissed you properly never wants to kiss a woman other than you, then that means you're looking for a husband."

Victoria sits there, listening, as the Inn moves around them, warm air blanketing about, spices and scents of the dinner being served out and people indulging taking over, "And that can't be had without the formality of a marriage, only those vows brings that sort to light? That a woman can't possibly be with a man, and a man with she, in such a manner, till those vows are taken?" Its clear she's disbelieving, "So such feelings are only validated within that state of marriage, outside it they're what. Illusions?" Her braid is now played against her own face, brow drawn down, "Like a fae trying to betwixt a soul in the forest?"

Venan finds a free hand and reaches up to touch Victoria's forehead, "Did you know, that when you frown with your eyes like that." He traces a little line, "That you brow, matches the bow of your lips and the bow you carry. Of the three, I think your lips are the most dangerous, and I hope never to learn the error of my assuption." He drops his finger down to tap her lip once before letting his hand fall into her lap. "The formality of marriage is what people recognize, Victoria. Are you really expecting that when I give you a kiss and the inkeeper starts frowning about such carrying on to explain that we're faithful to eachother and quite loving and caring and wishing to grow old together?" He chuckles, "I'm thinking you've not the patience for that and it'd be a fair sight easier for me just to give him a bit of a fierce growl and say, 'quit eyeing my wife.'" He winks, "Maybe flex a little, look impressive, as I've been known to do."

Victoria's bottom lip bounces as his finger taps away, hands coming 'round to cup his hand as it falls to her lap, fingertips easing their way to his palm where she'll begin tracing the lines in his hand and the drumstick of his thumb, "Dare say I that my lips pave warning for my bow." A minute smile will touch upon her lips, ghosting, though it's quickly fading as she tilts her head back to look up at him beneath the brim of his hat, "I hardly give time or worry to what people think of me, Venan. You should know that by now. Perhaps the luxury of being friends of a Count who gives merit where merit is due, it's made me lax in social appropriateness." Though she does listen, an eyebrow raising, "So to be with you, I need to be married to you, and yet you've been very clear you've not an interest in such. Is that your way of telling me that you'd rather not be in a relationship with me?" She's just trying to suss things out, given Venan's proclivity to dancing and perfumed words, "Content with how things are as they are now?"

Venan nods, the brim of his hat dipping then rising, "I'm aware you believe you give little thought to it, Victoria, though I think it a fair sight more accurate to say that you pick and choose those whose judgement you worry about." He leans his head back looking towards the ceiling, "So, let me ask you to pretend you were me for a moment. Pretend you haven't a Count to sponsor you, or fearsome skill with a bow to support you. Pretend, instead, that you rely on your reputation to pay for your meals and the roof over your head, that your livelihood depends on all who know of you to know that you strike a fair deal, sell goods worth buying, and bargain in good faith." He tilts his head to keep an eye on her, "Now think for a time about whether it should look good or ill to have a woman you wouldn't marry sharing your bed, and a bit harder whether you should want such a man speaking with your unwed daughter, or even your servants. Would a lady be seen spending time with a known cad and bounder?" He shakes his head, "I'm thinking with a little imagining you'll feel such a reputation might ruin a man like me. Now, since you're already me, try to think what profit there would be in taking a woman who's not interested in keeping her reputation clean on. It'd be a matter of contention and fights, least so I'd imagine you'd imagine."

"You evade my questions as well as you pose your own, Venan." Victoria replies dryly, the woman sat in the mans lap in a chair in front of the fire, legs draped over the arm, leaned back with Venans hand in her lap as she toys with his hand idly, the two apparently having a deep conversation. But she did listen, and his view point is taken in, completely agreed with. Lifting her head off his shoulder she'll let it fall back a bit, shifting her hips in the pocket created by his tailors sit in the chair, "Now, imagine yourself as me, Venan, listening to all this and trying to souse out what the hells it is that you're saying. I ask you a simple question and you put me in your shoes. Are you saying, by putting me in your shoes, that you wish it to be formalized in order for business, or are you saying that you would rather not so as to preserve your splendid reputation amongst the masses? Tell me plain, you agreed to do as much. If it takes formality to have it as I wish—" Aaaah, a quick pause - she's to be careful with her words. Indeed. A hand untangles from his to lift up to grab her braid again, giving it a quick tug, weighing words, "Then as they say, I must have faith and make a leap. It is naught but a word, afterall, to gain my fondest hope. But you have to stop with your games and be plain." A swat of her braid upwards to hit under his chin.

Venan sparks a bright grin with a dark spot as Victoria catches herself, "You're growing more adept at my games, Victoria, I'm fair certain if you spent as much energy playing as you did asking me to stop you'd forget we were playing and just enjoy the exchange." He rubs at the itching tickle left behind by the stroke of her hair, "Though I should think I've spoken plainly. I enjoy your company and I am content with what we share, I see considerable pleasure but little profit in changing that, and the chance for a fair bit of trouble and frustration if we do. You consider formality and things like marriage to be just words, and I can respect you're viewing them as such, but they're the sort of words my reputation and my livelihood be built upon." He shrugs, then says, "Don't know as I can say it much plainer as it isn't a plain sort of thing."

"I've never been one to enjoy games, probably a result of my upbringing." Victoria concedes, her lips pulling to the side, "I suppose that is as plain as one could be in your position." The woman murmurs, nodding her head, lips pursing as she lets a bit of air escape out from her noisily, "If it's not profitable, it's not worth pursuing, nor if a bit of trouble comes with it." Of course their current position would indeed cast a dire light upon Venan, with a Huntress in his lap, one with an interesting reputation to be sure. Dropping her braid she will lower each leg down to the side to extricate herself from his lap, flushing darkly, her tone speaking of a bit of embarrassment on her part, "If you had been plainer much sooner, I wouldn't have to put your reputation at risk, Venan. Now I feel a bit of an ass, and look it too." But, there is cider to be had and good conversation, neither of which Victoria will push away, "I plan on going hunting for a few days shortly, is that something you'd be interested in joining me in?" Returning to more casual conversation, or trying to, while stuffing down all her emotions into the little purse between her breasts, a deep breath helping to secure the binds, "Could teach you a few things about keeping quiet for the sake of the hunt."

Venan lets Victoria go only moving to offer her balance if she needs, "If I'd spoke more plainly, Victoria, I think you'd have understood even less than you do now. You've not put my reputation at risk, even if we went and had a bit of a romp my reputation would be no worse for the wear. It'd only be if I tried to make you want I want, and what you don't want to be that things should go poorly for me." He reaches for his beer, "As for the hunting, I'd enjoy failing at whatever lesson you should care to set before me." He eyes the empty beer for a moment trying to work out where it went then he looks to Victoria then back to his beer. "Oh, and I think you've got things a bit backwards, when you're looking to comfort a friend, you move closer, not further away."

Victoria stares at Venan. She has absolutely no idea what the man has just said, sinking down into her seat with a sigh, her toes curling into the floor before they lift up, a bit of a stretch done, "I haven't a clue what you've said, you twist and turn your words so often. I don't even /know/ what you want. And I'm even more confused as to what is what now." Her frustration is clear, as the flush turned into a bright blush, splotches working their way down cheeks, jaw and neck, her gaze drifting up to the ceiling as she runs hands over her cheeks, slapping them a few times, light brown gaze even getting a bit misty though she fights that back mightily. A quick sniff is done, then a heavier one and she sucks in a deep breath, forcing another smile, nodding her head quickly, "Yes, well. I'm going to have to learn how to be a better friend, aren't I." Voice a bit thick she'll clear it, lips quickly licked as she looks into her mug of cider, the liquid more than cold now, "Mulled wine, please!" Called out, the dinner hour whipping by, her mug handed off as she lifts and tucks one leg beneath her, settling back down to look off to the fire, right hand lifting to press thumb and forefinger into the corners of her eyes with a firm press, " Do not think I am trying to guilt you with this-" Hand drifts away from her face to wave loosely at it, "It comes unbidden and the more I try to make it stop the more it seems to wish to flow." Brusquely stated, lips licked again as she sits back, gripping the arms of the chair, "My companions oft poke fun at me for still harbouring a soft heart, when a Ranger needs one of steel. My friend and mentor tells me that it is my womanly state that allows me the best view of when my arrow should be sharp or blunted." Though she tries to stop her tears they do fall, much to her horrified embarrassment, but nothing to be done, "However I tire of the side effects of being such."

Venan considers Victoria for a few moments, "Oh, well…this is what I want, Victoria." He points towards her, "A woman with a soft heart under steel armor, or well, I suppose you wear leather more don't you?" He rubs his chin thoughtfully then shrugs, "Sort of the same I'd be wanting for the rest, a temptress in private but a priestess in public. You've an earnest streak in you that I can't see spoiling just to meet my needs as it'll do some fellow a fair sight of good."

Victoria licks her lips again before she bites the inside of her cheek as Venan points at her, another sniff given, brows tightly tugged down, then another sniff, maid coming round with the mulled wine, blinking a bit at the crying Huntress before looking to Venan with a suspicious eye. She'll hover near, no doubt, to make sure whats' what. Plus, gossip. Taking the mug from the maid Victoria will bring it to her lips to drink of it hungrily, her eyes closing, heat of the drink warming her considerably. Down it bobs, more tears springing to her eyes which causes her to growl gutturally in frustration, her head tilting back as lips part, a silent will to the Gods done to abate the flow. Shaking her head a few times she will let her chin drop, bottom lip sucked in, bitten down on sharply before it's released, fixing Venan with a look, "My fondest hope is to be with you, to garner more than just fleeting moments with you of warmth and happiness, no matter what form that takes. And here you are, killing my hope while telling me I am what you want. It is a cruel thing, Venan." A soft snort, her mug put down so she can pull out a hankie from her top, bringing it to her nose to blow into it furiously, "I've nothing more than myself to give, no family to that would support a union with you. I have nothing to sway you to me, but everything that sways away. No profit to be had." Oh just a bit bitter on that note as she wiggles the hankie to give another blow, snugging it away and folding it up to place it beside her mug, "I will stop crying soon." A throaty promise, "Once the Gods are done trifling with me."

Venan looks back at the maid who casts the curious glance at him, "You'll have to forgive the Mistress." He says motioning towards Victoria, "I've suggested she should be my wife and she's not figured out yet whether she wishes to be. Oh, and do bring along another mug of beer when you next come round." He looks back to Victoria considering what to say to her as he adjusts his hat before saying, "Don't really know what more to say to you, Victoria, though likely I should caution that the gods and immortals seem particular fond of me so you'll likely not be left untriffled in my company."

She's going to murder him. Just murder him. With her fists. The maid will gasp and clasp her hands to her mouth, eyes going wide, the dark brown orbs full of delight as she lets out a squeal, "OH! Did she say yes, oh she had to have said yes, lookit her!" Oh, a look at Victoria then gives her cause for pause and she'll blink, "Did you say yes? You did, yes? Oh, beer, yes. Beer and another mulled wine, oh! The wedding could be had here, no? Oh, I should speak to the Mistress and Master, oh - " Still talking as she shimmies away, excited squeals leading into the kitchen. It's just a ball full of joy coming from that maid, her voice raising in pitch in the kitchen.

But Victoria sits there, tears on her face, just looking a wreck despite her lovely hair with that cow lick and her fine clothes, "I swear on the Eight, Venan-" Throatily tossed out there as she propels from her chair with a frown on her face, bare feet hitting the floor, "SHE SAID YES!" The woman will call out from the kitchen, sounds of clapping hands, likely the maids, coming out, and some more squealing, and Victoria will press forwards, dropping her hands down to the arms of the chair to press in for a kiss to Venans lips, "If you had just asked-" Murmured before she seeks out his mouf. Still sniffling. He's going to be the death of her.

Venan accepts the kiss looking quite amused but not participating with any particular enthusiasm. When there is room for a word he says quietly, "You didn't, actually." He comments to Victoria. "And if you should prefer, you never need to." He points a thumb over his shoulder, "They just need to think you did, and you need to be willing to let them. Say yes to /that/ and we have an agreement, or say yes to the other and we have a marriage, your choice."

Venan gives Victoria a quick kiss then to be sure she takes a moment before answering, well, it was meant to be quick. She's very nice to kiss and he gets a bit distracted.

The whole world is just a fuzzy blur, mostly because of the headache she's got thanks to crying due to frustration. Women. Why are they built this way?! It's a vexing thought the huntress has often, but apparently it's in her favor she's one because here she is. Sliding back into Venans lap she'll wrap her arms about his neck to kiss him soundly, having heard all his words, but not yet giving an answer. He wishes for her to take her time and she in turn wishes to enjoy his mouth. A break then, "Yes." Another kiss, this time to the side of his mouth to either side, "Yes." Then to his lips again, "Yes." Then to his chin which slides back up to his lips, "Yes, yes." Murmured against said lips, the huntress quite caught up in allowing the entire Inn to believe she said yes, while also confirming to Venan that she has said so. And she's still crying. Honestly, she can't stop the tears. It's likely she's getting close to that time of the moon, which brings every women to a point where there is no answer but tears.
The barmaid comes back out quick with the drinks and ohs again, brightly, calling back, "Confirmed! Confirmed! Oh, what /cakes/ are you both fond of-" Who cares, the maid is ready to celebrate now, setting down the beer and cider, most of the common area looking over and, well, cheering and clapping in that awkward way people do in public. Like they were part of it. Made it happen. Oh yeah, if they weren't here, none of this would have gone down. Pair are lucky. So lucky they should pay a round of drinks.

Venan is kissed, thoroughly and repeatedly, and unfortunately for his seeming bride-to-be he's still rather amused with himself and with each kiss he grips the back of the chair with his free hand, the one not caught up in her hair, and starts making as if he's fighting being pulled down under the chair. During a lull in the emotional outpouring he looks over at the maid, "Don't bother over the cakes just yet, but do see that everyone has a drink in hand and put it against my bill. I can see how many folks are waiting patiently to toast our happiness, and at least a few men who are going to need to drown their sorrows."

A collective rumble of appreciation will rise up from the men in the Inn, nodding their heads approving, a few slaps done on the tables though this does indeed present a predicament. To the men who aren't married, and the women who find themselves in the same state, looks will get exchanged and it suddenly becomes a reality that the women will be on the hunt. A woe for men who are quite content to be as they are. Relenting on the kisses the Huntress in his lap will give him a light slap to his antics, a deep breath taken in as she laughs, swinging the hand around to wipe at her face; she looks just. Bluh. Blotchy, sniffly, but the brightness in her eyes shines easily and she will content to staying where she is, not wanting to extract herself yet, just in case this has all been a fever dream and she's still being pulled on that skif behind the wagon on the way back to Mobrin from Jadda. You never know. Weirder things have happened.

The maid is only all too happy to help spur on celebrations with drinks, quickly tasking herself with letting the 'tender know and getting about to the task, occasional little wiggles done with the womans entire body as she lets out squeals here and there. Women and weddings. They're a nutty sort.

Venan isn't one to let an opportunity to wreak havok pass, "Now, Victoria, this do raise a few questions." He says as he settles back into the chair with his blotchy, sniffling, snotty…heavens, why did he agree to this?…woman. "You see the best wedding I ever had the good fortune to attend was in a villiage called Butterbay. I understand it was named after a horse, but that is of no importance to the story. Now, in Butterbay there was a matchmaker whose name I'll say was Matty, it wasn't, but I'd not want to let her name get around and I'll tell you why. Matty was a bit of a perfectionist and it just so happened that there was one more woman of eligible age than there were men of eligble age and as she worked with each family to see to proper pairings of the couples it always came up a bit short and none were able to come to agreement as to which family should have the girl destined to be an old-maid. As you can imagine when I arrived there was a bit of a stir as Matty set about trying to match me to each of the girls but given I am what I am, and none of them had the will to see me set straight as this Mistress here, well I was saved from marriage and the town was still caught up in it's troubles." He rolls along cheerfully setting up the tale, "Now the trouble, or the fixing of trouble I should say, started at a bar much like this one. After years of frustration the boys would get a bit rowdy, and the girls would get a bit daring, then Matty would come along and chase the boys off and send the girls home and on it would go. But on this particular evening when the boys started getting rowdy, and the girls a bit daring I happened to step outside to enjoy the evening air and my pipe, as none of the girls had eyes for me, and my heart was destined for a huntress anyway. Well along comes Matty and her and I get to chatting and reviewing the girls she had introduced me to hoping one might make a mate, and none did, but as we drew round to a close we start hearing a bit of laughing and clapping and cheering, then more, then a regular ruckous of a brawl, or at least so I thought."

Venan takes a drink of his beer and gives a quick kiss to his woman, odd thought, but why not, "And so, in me and Matty charge ready to break up a brawl, or well I expected to be broken by one, but instead we find a priest standing up on the bar looking tickled pink. Me, I'm thinking he was pickled not tickled, but being a priest I weren't about to accuse him, anyway, he'd started accepting vows from one couple that were done with waiting, then another, then another, and afore you could say 'marry me' the whole place was throwing vows and kisses about and the rooms upstairs were well occupied and put to use for the sealing of deals." He chuckles, "Well Matty, she just stands there, slack jawed and bug eyed, and I can't help but laugh. Seems without her interfering and counting herself in amongst the maids there did just fine sorting themselves out."

Venan grins, "Only thing that ever troubled Butterbay after that was the birthdays, whole damn townful of kids seems to have been born on the same day some months later."

Eeesh, who knows, but another hankie is pulled out and she's blotting here and snuffling into it, trying to get herself under control. A laugh, into said hanky, as he begins again as she knows he does, into one of his long rambling stories, hankie clung onto as she allows herself to get caught up in it and glean the message intended, or just enjoy the cadence of his voice as he relays it. Tears will dry, and laughter will rise up, a kiss taken, one given back, her legs tucking back up over the arm of the chair as the Inn takes on an even brighter note to the atmosphere as folk enjoy their free drink in the glow of a new pair bonding off. The story as well, those nearby, get to delight in it, and when it comes to it's close Victoria is for the most part not looking to haggard, though her nose is still red and she wears an idiotic smile on her lips, "Are you saying you want a wedding where a drunken priest and a rowdy crowd all marry off in a tavern?" Her voice breaks with a laugh, "Or just highlighting my luck that Matty was a terrible matchmaker?"

Venan smiles, "I don't know as this crowd is particularly rowdy, and I said I suspected the priest was more than tickled, but we do seem to have an inn full of folks with that look in their eye. Now, should anyone happen to know if there's a priest about?"

<FS3> Venan rolls Chance: Good Success.

It seems that yes, people do indeed know where a priest might be found, and several of the crowd do indeed have that look in thier eye, and the wine has been quite strong and quite free for more cups than Venan had intended to pay, but such is the way of open ended statements.

Victoria's is struck with bright amusement as Venan speaks, not quite believing her ears though not about to brush off the idea either, thinking this is one of his many elaborations to get a good story flowing even more, or to add to such a good story already made.

However with the affirmation to his question put out to the Inn Victoria's mouth will drop just a bit, more out of surprise than fear, and she will suddenly laugh, her head shaking as she presses a kiss firmly to Venans mouth, grabbing his cheeks to do so, hankie in hand though no more tears flowing, "Well where is this priest then?" She'll call out to those within the Inn, turning away from Venans lips to do so, light brown gaze warmly dancing, "Seems we've a story to upstage!"

You post your note about 'A Wedding Party' in group 11 (Rumors) as message #143

__ Rumors _
Message: 11/143 Posted Author
A Wedding Party Dec 10 2013 Through the Grapevine
__

"What in the world is all that ruckous over the west bridge?"

"Oh, I heard some couple is throwing a wedding party at the Inn."

"Phaw? I heard there was some priest had been slipped some strong wine and was marrying any couple that was fool enough to want to be."

"Oh, you mean like what happened in Butterbay?"

"I thought that was just a story."

"No, my cousin lives there."

"Did they get married in an inn by a druken priest."

"I heard they tickled the priest until he was willing to do it."

"Tickled? I heard he was pickled."

"So what's going on over the west bridge then?"

"Someone is tickling a priest."

"Really? I heard it was just a wedding party."

Venan chuckles, "Seems there is a story happening, Victoria, but I think it best we keep ourselves out of the plot. Bad policy for a storyteller to get too wrapped up in the story." And indeed the story seems to be wrapping itself around the Inn at a remarkable speed. A young starry-eyed priest is called in to find an Inn full of people eager to commit themselves to eachother without the laciviousness that might be expected in such a place. He seems tickled pink to be there, or perhaps it is the chill in his cheeks that makes him seem quite drunk with the evening. One couple has already come before him asking and receiving his blessing in quite record time, almost before the young man has made it in the door. "Asides, Victoria, I still wish to know which question you should have meant to say yes too."

Venan adds a few moments later, "Asides, iffin you recall the story, there were an awful lot of children born later, and I were of the opinion you were still wanting to hold off on carrying a child."

Victoria watches the scene unfold with a grin, her hankie tucked into a pocket at her hip before she winds an arm about Venans shoulder, sliding hand in behind his neck against the back of the chair, keeping close to him as the priest is brought in and the first couple to give way to the impromptu moment goes up, "What do you think, Venan." She'll ask, lifting her chin up to press lips to his jawline, free hand coming up to play along his lips with fingertips, his further point having her laugh, "And I was under the distinct impression that you were not looking for marriage. And yet here we are, with me having said yes to what you most clearly said you did not want."

Venan smiles his head tilting to allow her lips to play on his jaw as he says, "I think I'd rather slip upstairs and show you the creative way of wearing that outfit, let them that need formality have their fun, while we who are content with warmth and happiness have ours." He turns his head to kiss her, "Besides, you'd look silly with a big belly poking out of your leathers. We'd have to cut an arch in them."

With a sudden swing Victoria is leaning away from that kiss, though as she's rising up she'll twist round to kiss him quickly, grabbing his hand to tug him back, "Come on then." A mischevious slant to her smile as she tugs him away from the fire and that chair, intending not on bringing him upstairs but on steering him towards the Priest, "Priest - " She'll call out, hopefully successful in having dragged him out of the chair, though if she's not she'd leave him there to bring the priest back with her, "Are you game to marry a Huntress and Merchant, the former which would look silly with a big belly poking out of her leathers and isn't simply content to be content? We're both dressed in our finery-" A hand, whether it be free from her others tugging Venan along, or simply the one chosen to wave back at the man dressed in his best clothes, a shirt of which is far past being fashionable, "- And I've stopped blubbering like a fool, what say you?"

The fashion had past, but since Venan is wearing it, the shirt is fashionable. He follows along after Victoria laughing lightly, "I'm coming…Oh…so that is what you said yes to." He smiles at the priest, "Blessed. Good of you to do the work of the gods on the quick. I've a bit of a curiousity for you though are you tickled pink or pi…" he gets bounced into before the question gets clear and he takes a stumbling step into Victoria wrapping his arms around her. He's a moment regaining his balance as he's still only wearing one boot and things are odd with one foot higher than the other. "Quick, I've got her, marry us!" He calls out laughing as he works to both disentangle himself and entangle himself at the same time.

The priest is quite beside himself with either joy, or nervousness that this has gone a bit too far but he's in deep so continues giving the blessings of the gods on couples as the whims seize them. Several couples have been married several times over but so far they've picked the same partner to be married to on each occassion.

We'll call it joyful nervousness at overly pleasing the Gods and Goddesses, since the Priest is only doing his duty in ensuring all these fine folk live their lives piously, "What did you think I said yes to?" Victoria says back with a low chuckle, her face lit up - no more blotches or the such, no indeed, she's glowing, unable to stop smiling as she tries to get them in front of the priest. A bump, and a wiggle, the Huntress is caught in Venans arms, her own coming up quickly to steady him as she pops up on bare toes, sliding one foot back, "Oh! Quick - he-" Oh, well, Venan beat her to it and her words instead dissolve into laughter, adoringly gazing upon Venan as he struggles to keep balance, so off balance as he is, "Quick. Do you wish to marry me, Venan, in all my craziness and daft headedness?" A glance to the Priest, "Priest! They've gone already twice over, it's our now! Come! Marry us or fall from the grace of the Eight!" Commanding him in her most official tone which is loud and firm, demanding him to do as she says. And it'd a good voice, once she uses to scare the bejeezus out of folks once she's captured them. To Venan she'll sneak a look, winking at him as her hands come to the small of his back, body hugged firmly into his, waiting for that Priest to follow her words.

Venan shakes his head, "Nothing doing, I'm marrying you here and now, who knows how long it would take to get inside that crazy, daft head of yours." He looks over at the priest, "Quickly now, while we're both sane and sober." He gestures towards Victoria, which is quite a trick as he barely takes his hands off her, "I grow drunk looking at her, quickly!" The priest puts his hands together invoking the blessing and the words roll out asking for agreement from the two, there are a few distractions but the fundamental questions and answers are hit somewhere along the way and the two are pronounced wed.

As everything is said and done Victoria will repeat where needed, still wearing that silly grin as she sticks close to Venan, not letting him go until everythings been declared as done. When it is she's leaning up to press her lips to his with a tilt of her head to the side to accomplish it, keeping it a good length of time - enough for people to get to see what they want, and short enough that it doesn't become a view into the bedroom later. Leaning down off her toes she'll release him from her grasp, regardless if he does the same, to raise hands to her neck to unclasp the necklace there, the hawk pendant getting transferred over to Venan's neck with a quick duck of her head forwards to watch her fingers work the pendant on, "I'm yours now, Venan …" Whispered to him as more couples get married the whole Inn a bustle of merriment and celebration, cakes quickly being made in the kitchens, small hand sized ones with a sweet cream butter atop them, "Well and willingly caught." The cacophony of the area might make it hard for her words to be heard, but she says them all the same, lips twitching as they fight to grow into a wider smile, brown gaze upon his blue.

Venan reaches up to touch the pendant being placed around his neck. He smiles then says, "You've already got my stick, Victoria, and the jewelry and the clothes, all I've left to give you is myself and…" he reaches down to his pocket and pulls out the small sphere yo-yo. "…I know it'll be tough to decide, but which would you like?"

"Oh I don't know." Victoria says seriously as she gently pulls him back by the front of his shirt towards the stairs leading to the room, "That's a pretty hard choice to decide upon but …" Right hand will close around his hand and that yo-yo, "I think I'm going to choose you, better bet in the long run and not liable to snap if flung too hard." Winking at him, she'll let go off him then, leaving her boots and items by the fire, to press back to the bottom step, then up a few more, "Now. You had some alternative ways of dressing with those clothes from Jadda you were going to share .." A roguish grin as she turns on bare feet a long sinuous twist, her hips swaying slowly to and fro as she looks over her shoulder down to him, tossing braid over her shoulder with a small flick, each step ascended while the merriment below carries on.