(1865-11-08) Gifts and a Game
Gifts and a Game
Summary: Michael meets with Evelyn in Mastings to discuss some gifts and to play a game.
Date: IC Date
Related: Related Logs (If there aren't any, use None. Don't this entry leave blank. If there is a log, use full URLs, like http://eternalcrusade.wikidot.com/logtitle)
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Michael  Evelyn  

Moldy Mug Tavern
Room description
Novembre 8th 1865

Michael al'Callenta had sent Evelyn a quick note, inviting her, if she had time, to join him at the inn for a drink and a meal. The common room was packed but being commander hath its privileges and so Michael and a few of his men have a table and are busily talking and drinking when the evening comes. The Commander is dressed as though he had just removed his armour still in his padded arming coat and trousers, a cloak hung about his shoulders and his sword nearby. He seems in good spirits as do his men, despite the looming threat of the barbarian horde beyond the walls of Mastings.

Evelyn is coming back from a romp around Mastings, taking note of the fortifications and giving Blaze a good run, too. Gotta keep the big animal exercised, and happy, afterall. Blaze follows cheerfully, and eagerly, with a bone in his mouth. It might look human, to someone who is a healer, or has seen a few skeletons in their time. And that's because it is. A femur, taken from one of the barbarian scouts who got a bit too close to Blaze. She wills Blaze to guard the common room, or the entrance therein. So the Warhound hunkers down and chews the bone, contentedly while Evelyn enters the room. She gives the men a smile, then looks to the commander, curiously. "You wished to see me, Sir Michael?"

Michael catches Evelyn's arrival out of the corner of his eye and when she joins him he stands grinning. "Yes, Sir Evelyn, I did," he says saluting causally fist to chest. "Don't worry it's nothing formal, I wished to express my thanks to you and your hound for watching my back in the battle and I'd hoped you both join me for a meal and a drink."

"No thanks is necessary," promises Evelyn, gently, but she's smiling as she says it. "We are Aequorian. And we fight for King and Country. And Blaze? He enjoys killing barbarians almost as much as I do," she professes, with a wink. "But I'd be pleased to join you for meal, certainly." Afterall, the fare she's been having has been - well, tolerable, but hardly what she's used to as an al'Mordran.

"Required or not I am happy to give it," Michael says gesturing to a now empty spot at the table and waving over one of the serving girls to attend Evelyn. He sits and takes a sip of his drink. "And just so, Sir, about the duties of being Aequorian. Still if it makes for a pleasant evening and I get to know one of my commanders in the process so be it. Also I have a couple of favours I would ask of you."

Evelyn sits when Michael does, quirking a curious glance at the man. "I'm pleased to tell of myself what you wish to know," she agrees gently. "It was an honor to fight by your side. We served each other well," she admits. But the suggestion of favors has her even more curious. "But what favors would you ask of me?"

The girl arrives to take Evelyn's order before Michael can answer so he tells her to make sure that the cost of Evelyn's food and drink goes to his bill before settling back to enjoy a drink while she orders. When the girl is gone he nods "The favours I need are small things on the grand scale of things, but important to me. I have missed my sisters birthday and I am to be wed in a few weeks' time and it is doubtless I will be stuck here almost to the very day of my nuptials so there will be little time to get to a decent market. Though, you being from Rhone, I had thought you might be able to write your kin to make some arrangements for me, your family's markets being the best in Aequor."

Evelyn's lips quirk again into a smile, and she settles more comfortably into a chair. She nods, some, in silent agreement of Michael's assessment. It's foolish to be humble, when the man speaks truth. "It is true, we've fertile soil in such regard, after careful farming, and maintaining the ground upon which the market might flow." She considers Michael, thoughtfully, and says - less of a guess, more of a certainty, "You've something specific in mind, though."

"Yes, I do. Two things actually," Michael answers leaning on the table as he does so. "The first is easy, a necklace and earrings, silver and sapphire for my bride. Something she can wear when she is part of my house. Cost of course is no object. The second, that is more tricky and I would like your guidance on the matter. My sister was lately wounded in a fight and when last I was home there was talk of finding a way to defend her. She's of a gentle nature and I don't think swords would answer, but a hound like yours might. I would like to hear your thoughts on the subject, having one yourself."

"An Elementi?" Evelyn looks curiously at Michael, as her order of food arrives. She looks grateful for it, pausing to add, "Speaking of, I wish you and the Princess well. I hope it is a fine union. And," she furthers, "I look forward to winning this war so that we may all celebrate it in a timely fashion." A wry twist of her lips, which then wax thoughtful. Her lips purse.

"Blaze has been with me since I was five. An Elementi is no ordinary dog; they've a higher intelligence. A keen understanding of emotion, and intent. Able to comprehend both gestures, and commands. A bond with a Warhound is a remarkable thing. I'm as fond of Blaze as I am of Alaric, and would grieve for one as much as the other," she assures Michael, with quiet intensity. "But, they can make for good companions, too. Mine was raise with me, and so with me, he learned to fight. We, together. If it is your desire to get her one, I suggest getting her one fully grown, and fully trained to commands." Here, she tilts her head. "It will take a little bit, for the bond to form. And, in time, it could be as strong as mine, with Blaze. But the hound would not have Blaze's training. Blaze has learned to wear armor, because I value him - and because he accompanies me in battle. He will /only/ follow my commands. No other's. Those that are trained that we sell will, at fist, follow any commands until they bond, fully."

Michael grins and raises his cup. "I like how you think," he says when she speaks of victory. "May the One see it so."

He turns his thoughts to the matter of the hound and nods "Hmm, sounds like a serious commitment then," he remarks as he chews his bottom lip in thought. "So, then would you recommend It as a gift?" he asks.

"Exactly," agrees Evelyn. "An Elementi is not a house guard. Or a weapon. It is a serious commitment, as serious as raising your own child, caring for a sibling, a spouse," confides Evelyn gravely. "At least, to those who would honor what the Elementi is. Others are not so -," she frowns, "Careful. They can make a find gift, Blaze was a gift. But," she cautions, gently, "Be certain that your sister is of a mind and measure to be so reponsible, and aware of, and capable of, such a commitment. Then, yes. One of our families Elementi's would be a fine gift for her. I would recommend one fully trained. Not a pup for her. There is a greater expense, but she need not worry about training one to task. It will already know; she will only need bond with it, and learn how to command it properly."

Michael nods his head and lifts his cup to his lips while he thinks about the choice of gift. "Seems a hard thing to surprise someone with, like leaving a baby on their doorstep," he sets down his cup and rubs his chin. "Does your family have any books on the hounds?" he asks. "Mayhaps that is a place to start and if she feels she would like the hound, we can move forward with getting her a trained adult."

"I can ask Jasmina to send something," agrees Evelyn. "I don't think we've any books, as far as a dissertation upon them, but there are a few stories of them that are popular with some of the people, inespecial those who cannot afford them." She manages a smile to Michael, "I don't wish to dissuade you. It's a fine thought. But neither do I wish your sister to get in over her head, or an Elementi to not get the home it deserves. That, too, would grieve me," she says, with gentle passion. She tells the man seated with her, "Sir Elrick did one of the most honorable things I have ever seen in my short life, when he won the mind and measure of the warhound, in our first skirmish, Sir Michael. Animals are amazing creatures, all of them."

"My thanks," Michael says with a smile. "And do not fear, I would not have asked for your counsel if I did not plan to heed it. I would not see my sister or the hound put out by my gift, so a book would be a fine place to start, and perhaps when we win the war you could visit with her and introduce her to your hound, so she might see one first hand. A meeting I myself would like to enjoy one of these days," he adds before nodding. "I heard the tale of him turning the hound, Sir Elrick I mean," he had been at the skirmish but his thoughts had been on Gabriel at the time. "It was a chivalrous act. How do they fare? I have not seen Sir Elrick since the battle."

"They fare well enough." Evelyn considers, nods, "I'll see to it that Jasmina sends her a book, with your well wishes upon it. And, mayhap, when this is over, and for your celebration of wedding if not before, your sister can meet Blaze." Evely offers a smile, then. "And as much as I enjoy a challenge, and the thrill that each fight may bring, I am just as eager to return to Rhone, myself. I can only hope that they will not be able to last this long so far away from their homeland for all too long. And that not many of the villagers and peasents may take loss at their thirst for blood. But we've the first victory. And that has given the camp good morale."

"Good, you have my thanks for your help and tell your cousin the duchess my people will be happy to cover any costs," Michael says before he takes another sip of his wine. "Good to hear," he says of Elrick. "I shall needs pay him a visit and commend him on his efforts." Then as the topic turns to the war and returning home and Michael nods somewhat more grimly though there is a confidence in his expression as well "I too pray for a quick victory, but quick or slow, we will win. The enemy has more men, but we more than match them for quality, so, it will be a matter of bringing them to battle on ground that favours us and putting in a hard and bloody day's work to see them done and us back to our homes," he says his voice slightly louder than needed so that it carries to other tables. The men should know their commanders have faith.

Returning to his normal tones he says "In truth the barbarians may have done us a favour coming in strength, they are away from their homes, and on our ground, so we may face them in proper battle, had they stayed home it'd be our supply lines that would be over extended, and forced to root out the enemy in the vastness of the wastes."

"One of the first things a Brigader learns," Evelyn notes, with a certain intensity. "Travel not further than you can readily supply yourself with. The further they are from home, the more strain it puts on their supply lines. They will seek to take supplies from the villages, and towns, and cities, to make up for what they cannot maintain." She frowns, "If their line were not so long, I would suggest the gambit of moving behind their lines and attempting to sack their supply lines yet further than we already have. We need not win the battle man-for-man, if we can create clamour in their camps for want of food and necessities that our lands will not supply them."

Michael considers Evelyn's suggestion. "True," he agrees rubbing his chin. "If not their main army then perhaps the fragment sent east. I take it if the Prince is willing, your Brigadiers would be up for the task of leading the way? This does seem like their kind of work."

"It is likely they would be," agrees Evelyn, quietly. "A clean, quick strike, and move out as quickly as possible. But we would need their location, first. It is not our domain to - wander the wilderness searching for our prey. Our scouts provided us with precise information, and we strike when least expected. We ensue chaos. Disarray."

Michael takes a long pull from his cup, draining it before setting it down. "Alright then, I shall speak to the prince and see what our scouts have to say. If it looks like the plan may work then I'll have you assemble your men and those others you might use and set them to the task."

Without complaint or regret, Evelyn offers simply, "I go where my Prince, or my Commander wish. Whatever may keep our country, and my home, safe, Sir Michael." She nods, "Though I would wish to bring some of the company. I am not well versed in leading, and while I'm honored you will consider my plan, I am keen enough of intellect and yet humble enough to know my own limitations." A rougish grin, "At least. In this."

Michael grins broadly. "A good trait, in a leader. Though if you feel someone else would be better for command, we'll find someone, but we will include you and your men." He looks at his empty cup a moment as if considering leaving but instead calls for more drink. "So, in what areas does your humility fail you?" he asks. "I pray it is in cards or dice, for I would like nothing more to drink and gamble like an honest soldier now that business has been done."

"I would hate to take from you all your coin, when you're so far from home, Sir Michael. I'd almost feel guilty," says Evelyn, with a perfectly straight and sober poker face.

Michael's expression is not so sober and his eyes sparkle with mirth. "Kind of you, sir, very kind, but I think I can hold my own. I'll even let you pick your poison, what will it be, dice or cards?"

"Let it be dice," ventures Evelyn, "As I want you to at least have a -chance- at keeping your coin. It's only fair, afterall."

Michael nods and turns to his men. "Here, one of you lend me your dice," he says holding out his hand. One of the men produces both dice and cup and places it in his lord's hand. "My thanks, you shall have some of Sir Evelyn's coin when I've won it," he jests with the man before he turns back to Evelyn and adds "Or at the very least he can share in my poverty," then smiling he offers her the cup "First roll's to you."

<FS3> Opposed Roll — Evelyn=Gambling Vs Michael=Gambling
< Evelyn: Good Success Michael: Good Success
< Net Result: DRAW

<FS3> Opposed Roll — Evelyn=Gambling Vs Michael=Gambling
< Evelyn: Good Success Michael: Great Success
< Net Result: Michael wins - Solid Victory

<FS3> Opposed Roll — Evelyn=Gambling Vs Michael=Gambling
< Evelyn: Good Success Michael: Good Success
< Net Result: DRAW

It's a rather close dice game, but, as Evelyn seems to roll pretty decently, Michael gets in an exceptional roll on the second turn, and Evelyn conceeds the game, with a incline of her head. She shows no regret, and no humility, still. Instead, suggesting, "It merely gives me yet reason to play with you again. As I said, I didn't want to feel guilty by taking all of your coin, at once."

"I see, then this wasn't a rout at all but the lure for a further trap, very clever," Michael teases as he returns the dice to the cup. "I will fall for that trap any time you wish, so long as business does not have me otherwise occupied," he promises Evelyn before sliding the cup to his soldier along with a silver in thanks.

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