[Time: the beginning of November 4288; night; the deep blue night sky is clear and cloudless; and the stars glitter. An icy wind blows from the northwest.]

[Summary: a little girl-talk segues from Timothy's exit]

[Village of Waes: This lovely little village stands in the shadow of Image Castle. Most of the local peasants reside here, working the fields and carrying out their daily lives under the protection of their lady of the castle. The cobblestone path veers off into darkness southwards towards the marketplace, most of the stores now closed for the evening. Torch sconces illuminate the buildings and the narrow path, shadows cast all about. Few people can be seen on the path, however the Reaver's Latitude seems to be busy, the noise from inside echoing out onto the street. The air is crisp and cool, the fall obviously upon the region. Leaves are falling, their colours turning to bright shades of golds and reds. It's clear, cool, and windy.]

Timothy is leaning against the column of the porch of the tavern, arms over his chest as he sets an idle eye to the street and its occupants.

Antha spots a silhouette on the porch of Reaver's and quickly heads over. When she gets closer, she sees who it is. "Timothy" she greets you. "Where've you been lately?"

Timothy turns a smile on you, "Ah've been aboot, lass..." His gaze does return to the street, watchful.

Alem wanders down the path from the castle.
Alem has arrived.

Antha turns to look at what Timothy looks at, then her eyes go back to you. "What are we looking for?"

Timothy's lips curve, "Jaist keepin' me eyes aipen." He nods to Alem in passing.

Alem waves to Timothy and Antha, raising a hand and wiggling his fingers.

Alem slips into the shadows between the stables and the boarding house.
Alem has left.

Antha cocks a head at you. "I don't suppose you know where Sophia's Salon is, Timothy?"

Timothy tips his chin, "Aye...behind the castle lass..."

Antha nods gratefully, then her eyes drift onto your own. "Hey, why aren't you at that ball or whatnot charming the skirts off the women?"

Timothy draws in a breath, straightening a bit, "Ah'm ahn duty taenight lass..."

Antha nods. "You've probably got a long night ahead of you then, eh?"

Talandra wanders down the path from the castle.
Talandra has arrived.

[Talandra: A woman with skin the color of new plowed earth, rich and brown, eyes so intense green that they seem never ending pools. She has a manner about her that makes you feel calm, yet you can tell by the fervor & intensity in her intense green eyes that she is not someone to be taken lightly. Today she is wearing a deep green dress made of silk. The dress is off her shoulders, cut deep at her chest, tight at the waist, and flows in folds of silk to her feet. She has on leather boots, which are hidden under her skirt. Her hair flows more than halfway to her waist, in waves of deep reddish bronze. It is pulled back from her face by a circlet made of gold and amethysts. Around her neck is what appears to be a collar but if you look closely it is amethysts incrusted in her skin. At first glimpse one would think she is only carrying a dagger in the pocket in her dress. It appears, that way, which would be wrong to believe. Over one shoulder she has a cloak of intense purple with a coat of arms on the back. She has a pouch on her hip, that looks small but if you were to empty it out, you would notice it seems to hold everything she needs. She has more than a few tattoos on her body, if you ask she will tell you the story of each. You see she has a bow and quiver of arrows strapped over her back.]

Talandra is strolling along humming a nice tune.

Antha spots a shadow walking towards the center of Waes. She squints, but it is too difficult to make out.

Timothy nods to Antha, "Aye, lass...an' ye should heid aiver..." He offers a bow before he heads off on rounds.

Timothy heads back to the Castle.
Timothy has left.

Talandra spots Antha and starts walking towards her "well hello again Antha"

Antha stares off after Timothy, swearing that he's been ignoring her. Her lips pout and her brow lowers involuntarily. Her ears catch her own voice and she turns to the source. She waves when she discovers its Talandra.

Talandra sees the look on Antha's face "something wrong?"

Antha forces a weak smile. "Don't look at me like that, Tal."

Talandra clasps her friend on the shoulder when she reaches her "What's bothering you tonight...missing the ball are ya?"

"I wouldn't be caught dead carousing and rubbing elbows with nobility". To prove her point, she adds a scoff.

Talandra chuckles "aye I thought not, was just in jest"

Antha chuckles easily, but it's still a bit strained. "They're all covering their ugly, but wealthy faces right about now" she says without much inflection.

Talandra sighs and leans on the wall. "I take it Timithy wasn't very talkitive"

Antha sighs as well and takes a seat on the stairs to Reaver's, then blurts out: "It wasn't even just that! He barely even glanced at me." She glances up at you ruefully. "Talkative? Try nonreceptive."

Talandra hurms "might I ask, was there something between the two of you?"

Triv wanders down the path from the castle.
Triv has arrived.

Antha smiles, her eyes becoming hazy and daydream-like. "There could have been. I wanted there to be..."

Antha quiets down her girly-girl discussion upon the sight of a shadow walking into the village.

Talandra chuckles a bit to herself "aye m'lady, he is such a flirt, ya can't trust one such as him"

Moving quietly, but with a bit of a lost look on his face, Triv enters the village.
Triv just looked at me.

"I know" she says in a low voice, as if she is talking to herself. Her shoulders slump. "I know" she repeats.

Talandra notices the shadow enther the area, but keeps talking to Antha.

Antha looks up to Talandra, a trustworthy and familiar face. "So, let's hear something pathetic from that side of the way, hmm? Don't let me be pitiful by myself."

Triv looks around briefly...spotting the two who appear to be alone, but perhaps might also be of some help...his steps are quiet as he nears them, blue eyes flashing in the star light.

[Triv: A young man, nearly a boy it would seem but for the sharp cobalt blue eyes, eyes that burn with great intelligence. His head covered by sandy brown hair that barely covers the top of his ears. His body stands a little over 5'7" and thin, almost to thin, prehap showing signs of malnurishment at some point in the past. On the ring finger of his right hand he wears a silver ring which glints when the light is right and his frame is covered by light long sleeve grey shirt, and loose pants the color of night, both made of a soft fabric, designed to make no noise when the wearer moves. His feet are covered by a pair of soft darkgrey moccasin style shoes. Around his body when the weather requires, is a hooded cloak the same soft grey of his shirt, designed to blend into the shadows. With the hood up, all that is visible are his eyes.]

Talandra leans on the wall again "Antha, don't let it get you down"

Antha sits on the steps of Reaver's, while Talandra leans on the building's wall. Antha opens her mouth to respond, then catches the sight of Triv as he approaches. She gives him a hard, evaluting stare.

Discreetely, Antha grins. You mutter to Talandra, "You know what might make me feel better?"

Talandra shakes her head "I think I am afraid to ask"

The door of the boarding house swings open and a small dark figure moves away from the light spilling out from the doorway. Feet take her toward the fountain, where the figure pulls itself onto the edge, red eyes glinting slightly in the slight light.

You whisper, "I should go out, find an attractive bloke, and just have a nice swiving." to Talandra.

Triv returns the look from the woman, his eyes open and honest..though still with a bit of confusion in them. He gives his best disarming smile as he stops a few feet away from the women. "Good evening.." is said, his voice low and melodic.

Antha smiles politely. "The same to you."

Talandra smiles at the Lad that has just spoken "Antha, I think the gods heard you" she laughs lightly

Antha chuckles.

Discreetely, you mutter to Talandra, "Uhh...maybe the next one, eh?"

Triv's brow furrows at the comment from Talandra, not understanding what she means. "I am new to the village..and was wondering, would you know a place where lodging can be found?"

Antha points to the boarding house in the southwest direction.

Talandra laughs loudly "ah may'haps" turning to look at the lad "ahh the boarding house, over there" she points "I have a room there myself."

"As do I" Antha adds to Talandra's answer.

Antha squints up at Triv from her seat on the steps. "How old are you, sir?"

White hair shifts as the Drow's head turns toward the small group of people. She watches, curiously yet with a certain element of hostility to her gaze.

Talandra notices the Drow watching, she flashes a big smile.

Antha attempts to elbow Talandra in the ribs. You mutter to Talandra, "It's dark, it's a Drow. Not a good scenario to be teasing those...things."

Triv turns to look in the direction indicated, looking at the boarding house a long moment before studying the grounds around it a moment, catching sight of white hair in the darkness..before he has a chance to look at the flash of white more he is asked of his age and turns back towards Antha a curious look on his face..he draws himself upward to his full height before answering.."Eighteen summers have I seen..why?" he asks curiously.

Antha shakes her head and hmms. "I never would have guessed. You look a mite younger than that."

Talandra chuckles "ahh if only people would say that about me"

Antha turns to Talandra and gives her a cocky little smile, "The disc will freeze over first."

Though the friendly smile is seen, it is not returned. Liia, though she's caught in the act of, well.../staring/, seems to be completely unconcerned and possibly, even mildly amused. Such simple creatures human's are...

Triv blinks the curious expression growing on his face as he listens..he can't help his upbringing or that he never ate well..His attention turns to the drow by the fountain, returning stare for stare.

Talandra laughs and pokes Antha "ahh I don't need your wise ass comments" she looks back to the Drow and calls out "good eve to you m'lady"

Trent has just stepped out of the Reaver's Latitude.
Trent has arrived.

Antha attempts to give Tal a good-natured shove.

Trent steps out of the tavern and dashes off to the castle, he wants to see the costumes.

Jaxton has just stepped out of the Reaver's Latitude.
Jaxton has arrived.

Talandra chuckles at the shove. "be nice you, I am wearing a dress and everything"

Trent heads back to the Castle.
Trent has left.

Jaxton goes home.
Jaxton has left.

A moment of silence follows the greeting, then, finally, the Drow child speaks, "Hullo." She goes on with what she wouldn't call staring but most likely would, attention diverted for a moment by Trent dashing through.

Antha laughs. "My personality isn't equipped to be nice."
Antha turns her head to the Drow. She offers a cautious, but polite, smile in return.

Talandra chuckles "that Antha I totally believe"

Antha tries to swat at Tal, then gives up. Her stomach makes a /loud/ rumbling sound, like a echoing roar of a lion. "You hungry, Tal?"

Triv glances back at the two women, curious sorts them..then he shrugs and looks back towards the drow, studying her as she seems to be studying them.

Talandra nods "aye, I could use a good meal, but since we can't get that, lets hit the tavern for food"

Antha chuckles and taunts as she stands up, "Oooh, I'm telling /Bing/ you said that! Oooh!"

Talandra hops off the wall quickly and reaches for the door "oh no you don't"
Talandra has entered the tavern in search of rest and refreshment.
Talandra has left.

Antha gives a quick wave to Triv before heading into the tavern.

[Reaver's: The Reaver's Latitude Tavern is where the locals come to drink, game, talk, and generally relax. The atmosphere in the main room is crowded, smoke-filled and noisy. In the southeast corner, to the right of the main door as you enter, is a large stone fireplace; on the other side of the door, a window shows the flickering torchlight from the village street. The furniture is coarse, yet comfortable; mostly plain wood, but a few of the chairs have upholstered seats. Hardly any of it has escaped the years unscathed, though; nearly every table, chair and barstool carries nicks, dents and stains, whether from the bar fights or simply clumsy customers. The wooden floorboards are regularly swept clean. At the far end of the room is a long bar, and on the wall over it a large, hand painted sign. Behind the bar you can see a door leading to the tavern kitchen. A staircase along the west wall leads up to guest quarters where weary travellers can rest and relax. Contents: Talandra, Antha, Aemoin]

Talandra enters laughing about something said outside and heads towards a table "ohhh Bing..you should have heard what Antha said a moment ago"

Antha tries to clamp her hand over Talandra's mouth so that she can tell him the /truth/

Talandra laughs and nearly falls over talking over the hand "she said she must have some of your food right now, tis the best she's ever had"

Antha releases her hand, still chuckling. Her eyes catch sight of Aemoin and she stiffens just a bit before gesturing to a table.

You sit down at the carved table.

Bing looks rueful. "All the pretty women that pass through here, and none of em with the time fer me..."

Talandra joins you at the carved table.

Antha rolls her eyes at Bing. How many times do we have to hear about how no woman wants him? Argh!

Talandra chuckles to herself and nods to Aemoin "ahh Bing loves to talk, nothing more"

Antha smiles. "Bing likes to smell up the tavern as well." Speaking of Bing, she calls to him and asks for an ale and her usual.

Talandra nods while Antha orders "make it Two Bing"

Antha wags a finger at Talandra. "Hey! You never told me a pathetic story about you. Let's hear something embarrassing, mate!"

Talandra laughs "please you were here the other night...I think that was more than enough"

Antha shakes her mane of raven tresses vehemently. "Sorry. I /demand/ a really pathetic story."

Talandra hurms for a moment "well I did have a time when I followed a man over half the country cause he said I was cute"

Antha chuckles heartily, but says: "You're making that up!"

Talandra shakes her head "nope, not at all...I was 17, out on my own, and thought cause I said I was cute he wanted to be with me"

"How naive." Her eyes have a little more glimmer to them now. "What country did you follow him to?"

Talandra laughs "that's the worst part, we were in the south, and ended up so far south that I had no idea where I was"

Antha chuckles heartily. "That /is/ pathetic. Whatever happened with him?"

Talandra leans over and whispers a bit "well he was a theif, and when I figured out what he really wanted me for" she winks and hubba hubbas "I waited foe him to try his next job, and had the guard waiting for him"

Antha leans over and laughs into the table, then leans back in her chair. "Dirty pool, Tal." She looks to be in a more lighthearted mood now. "What else do you have?"

Talandra hurms "well I try to keep my embarssment to a low thank you"

Antha waves a hand at you. "Oh come on" she pleads. "You got to /witness/ my rejection."

Talandra shakes her head "t'was no rejection there, just another stupid male"

Antha hurms. "That's always the case." She leans over the table suddenly. Her face is a mixture of embarrassment, zeal and excitement. "I've got a...pretty embarrassing story."

Talandra ohhss and leans in "do tell"

Antha pushes her hair over her shoulder. She takes a long pause before she starts, her lips twitching. "My first...sexual encounter with a guy...he was about to..." she gestures downward between her legs. Her face becomes tinged with rose-coloredness. "He was generous, for a man, to want to do that...and well..."

Talandra chuckles "aye me girl, what a lucky one you are, t'was better more than enough than nothing there at all"

Antha bites her lower lip. "No. I'm not /that/ lucky," she says. "He was doing /great/ at it. I mean, he was like a sexual magician, anticipating what I wanted before even I knew what I wanted. And then...I farted. The loudest noise you ever heard just blasted him in the face."

Talandra nearly falls out of her chair laughing "Antha, that has to be the best thing I have ever heard"

Antha's jaw drops at Talandra. "The best?! That was so /humiliating/." She cocks her head at her friend. "And there's more too."

Talandra wipes her eyes "please do tell"

Antha mock-glares at Talandra. "You are enjoying this too much" she accuses. She shrugs. "Well, he told everyone about it. I mean /everyone/ he /ever/ met. How's that for my first delve into sexuality, huh? Everyone looking at me like...." Her face is beat red with the vivid memory of this. She gives you her sternest face. "It's not /that/ funny, Tal!"

Talandra is trying to compose herself "come on, it could have been worse..ya coulda pissed yourself!" she breaks into laughter again.