(1866-08-15) Barbarian Sweettalk
Barbarian Sweettalk
Summary: Asta tries to charm a Knight
Date: Saturday the 15th of Aout, 1866 IE.
Related: None
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Asta  Devon  Lilith  

Four Corners - The Perky Porpoise Inn
Sailors from all around the known world cram into the chairs and tables of Four Corners' most famous dock-side establishment, fighting for elbow-room with adventurous locals and merchant's men. Its possible to hear gossip from the most unlikely of places while enjoying the cheap, entirely palatable seaside fare… though picking one voice out from the many is sometimes difficult in the incredible din created by all the laughter, shouting, cheering, talking, even fighting. It is a sprawling place, with several rooms to let and a huge public room that spills through double doors and into the street with wooden tables and chairs tended by attractive servers with platters of cups and plates. It is open at all hours, lit during the day by open-slatted windows and by night by tin-and-glass lamps cut with silhouettes of mermaids. The walls are whitewashed and a small stage is stuck in one corner for musical performances. Every form of entertainment can be had here, and the city guard is rarely seen.
Saturday the 15th of Aout, 1866 IE.

Asta walks along the street, her hair is up under her hat, only a few strays of white blond touch her forehead. She smiles a little to herself as she moves back along the market streets. Slowly she approaches one stall "I have the money for those weatherproof gloves." she says as she brings out her coin purse. Her voice is exotic and rich, barbarian undertones to her common

Devon sits atop his riding horse, having made his way through the main gates of Four Corners and into the marketplace. The Volstak knight is not fitted for battle, but the bulk of equipment packed and stashed on his steed makes it clear he's carrying it with him, should need arise. The clack and clatter of horse shoes hitting the cobble blends in with the sounds of the market, but his attention is caught by one idle fancy to the next. Forced to a stop by a rolling cart, he reaches down to pat the neck of his horse as he waits, looking aside to the conversation between barbarian and merchant and inviting himself to quip at her, "Afraid of a little water on your hands? I thought your kind were tougher."

Asta laughs a little as she looks to the knight "oh look at you, another shiny handsome fella" she laughs a little as she looks up to his horse, "not afraid of water, afraid of ice, already seen one loose his fingers to the cold.." she looks to the man high on his horse as she pockets her new gloves "and you? what are you here for cutie?"

"Cards," admits the knight, confessing what he might not to another 'shiny handsome fella' of similar station. "Four Corners has many more faces than Galenthia who are all so eager to take my coin in exchange for a few rounds. That and the likelihood of tourneys," he adds, furthering the truth. "I'm intending to make use of my new lances."

Asta looks to the lances he mentioned, yes, they were shiny too. She smiles, her grey eyes flirting with the Knight so well manicured on his horse. "Do you spar with girls?" she asks tucking a bit of her white hair up under her hat as she idly talks .. "I do not play cards, but I do know that the inn over there was just starting a game of sorts if you were so inclined." she bobs her head to the inn

"You mean a pit-fight of some kind?" questions the knight, glancing over to said tavern inn and its doorway before he angles his head to the side, in momentary thought. "I've had an occasional scuffle," he utters, giving the term a light twist on his tongue. An amused bent, if nothing else. "I expect your own experience has been somewhat more… invested. I don't imagine your home provides many other distractions than tugging one another's hair for fun," he says with a dry sarcasm infecting his tone of voice. "It was where I would head next regardless, so why not? I will stable my horse and be in there shortly."

Asta keeps her smile, "ahh but have you ever had a pretty girl tug on your hair? I am told your southerners like a bit of manhandling." she flirts outright now. She chuckles and she tilts her head as she dose not get her chance to see which one of them might be better at a bout of sparing, his voice has her looking to the inn and then back to him, "mind if I come?" she asks her voice shifts softly and the exotic tongue of barbarian mixed to common sounds a little thicker.

"If it pleases you. I have not had much interaction with your people, so you intrigue me, I must say," says the man as he throws a leg over and slides down, dismounting now. Slackening the reins, he leads the horse instead and walks in the direction of the inn's stable. "I can't say my hair is the most enjoyable thing to grab, but even so, maybe I'll give you the chance after a few drinks. Tell me, why are you here in Four Corners? Gloves can't be it, surely."

Asta laughs a little "you are intriguing as well shiny one." she says as she follows gently. "I was here for the fight.. I lost but to my own countrywoman, so that's fine. Figured I would stay a bit, get some parchment, ink.." she trails her words "Are you complaining I stayed? I could go now if you rather?" she toys with him pausing to hear his retort.

"I haven't decided, but if you asked any of my own kinsmen, they would say yes. I must see what company you are first, before I oust you," is simply replied, his lips daring to curve just a small measure. As he passes off his horse to the stable boy and pays him a hammer for the trouble, Devon belts on a few throwing knives about his hips and tugs down his jerkin to ensure it sits comfortably. "You give yourself away, saying you entered the competition. Now I know that if I fight you, I'm going up against a professional, hm?" His steps now take him toward the inn door, alongside Asta.

Asta shrugs her shoulders "not as professional as the one who won?" she grins a little "besides, its always fun to get up and personal.. fighting hand to hand, bodies so close you can feel them.. particularly when they shine so brightly as you." she grins then hip checks him lightly as she enters the inn.

"Easily distracted by shiny things, then?" asks the man, even though he wears less metal than he might normally. "You must give me a name, or I shall have to simply start calling you something of my own making. I am Sir Devon Volstak, if the titles ever mean anything to you islanders." As his eyes wash over the interior and the din of the rowdy dock-side tavern washes over him, he moves through the surge of people toward a seating area.

Asta says, "in truth?" she echos "hrm well depends on of your brawling with your hands, your tongue, your weapons or… something else Ser." she accents the Ser as she teases and licks her lips playfully. Her hat comes off and her white hair tumbles to her shoulders, it had been hiding up inside the hat, pretty snow fallen locks. "this was my first …" she admits then she raises an eyebrow "you have two sets?"

"Well, the rumor isn't wrong that you are very bold people," replies the man, his amusement showing at the forward innuendo. "Brigandine for battle, a breastplate for jousting. I have a peculiar desire to be fast and light when lancing versus padding myself heavily in war. Only time will tell if this tactic pays off, as I've yet to enter into a true, formal competition. It is partially why I have come here, to Four Corners." Reaching into one of the few pockets of space in his ensemble, he pulls from it a pack of cards and slaps them down on the table. As he begins to show on of each type, explaining them, he studies the snow-white hair. "'North Star', you said. What does that equate to, heir to your clan?" he asks, trying to work it out.

Asta smiles softly to him and she sighs "ahh I am no heir, no Lady.." she leans back "but i have earned my byname.. and that is because I have served well at what I do." she pauses "I do not get lost." she says softly "and I can map the lands better then anyone you could name." she says quietly "North Star, by me.. my kin do not get lost."

Devon is seated within the tavern with Asta, settled at one of the tables and currently dealing out cards face-up. A drink sits nearby one arm, untouched as yet. "Fitting nickname," says the Volstak knight. "I suspect I'll earn one of my own someday, if I'm capable enough in the tournaments. I'm patient. My family is new to this… nobility thing. The sacrifices we've made were rewarded, but I don't expect to get such a nickname until I've truly earned it."

The door to the inn opens and Lilith breezes in with a spring to her step. There are several local girls around the obviously not local noblewoman and the group seems to be gossiping as they make their way inside. Spotting the cards being delt at a nearby table Lilith leaves her group behind and saunters over to the pair. "Hello. Is this game open to others?" She offers them both a charming smile and waves to a nearby barmaid flipping her a coin from the pouch at her belt. "Ale please. I'm way way behind on my drinking today." She seems quite cheerful as she looks back to the pair waiting to see if she may join them.

Asta tilts her head a little "sacrifices?" she asks him her eyes looking up to catch his own.. She pauses as another - boldly approaches. The Northern barbarian eyes the woman and she narrows her eyes a little - wondering if she aught to challenge her to an arm wrestling match or something. However she was sitting with a Knight and her eyes move back to him.. forgoing any barbaric antics for his decision.

Devon opens his palm and indicates a spare chair, saying diplomatically, to the woman he recognizes to some degree. "If it pleases you, Lady Lilith," he intones politely. "It's a beginner's game, I was intending to teach how it is played. You're most welcome, if that suits you." To Asta, he explains in full ear-shot of the Cassomir noblewoman, "House Volstak were common once. My sister's death, my father's bravery and the actions of me and my older brother can be accounted for in the succession wars. Queen Melisande gave us lordship over Redbarrow Kepe, a small area of the Ironhold county to the south."

Lilith settles into the offered chair offering Asta a cheerful smile and a slightly raised brow as the woman narrows her eyes. "Now what have I done to deserve such a look?" She pouts dramatically only to get distracted when her ale arrives. She takes along drink looking to Devon and blinking in confusion. "Oh dear…you know who I am? But…I don't remember you and I normally have such an excellent memory for handsome faces! What's your name? You do look…familiar…"

Asta looks to the lady then she moves her hand to get the knights drink when he looks up to her. She smiles and sips on the stolen liquid. "dose not Matter, let us play yah?" she asks as she looks to Devon, "so.. how dose this work?"

Asta says, "and it sounds like you were very lucky indeed.."

Devon turns a few cards to face Asta, indicating their depiction. The details of the game come in a rush, simple but fastly delivered, not exactly a fine instructor but rather a novice gamer with an enthusiasm for it all the same. "I'm Devon Volstak, my Lady… you'll know my father Lord Matthew Volstak, I presume. You're my liege-lady, so it is my place to know of you, if not in great personal detail. It's a pleasure to meet… you." As he fades off, he spots Asta drinking the mead which he had paid for, for himself. "Now I see why you islanders must fight so much. You look for trouble and steal, apparently." Tapping one of the cards, "you knave," he partially jests in insult.

Asta sticks her tongue out playfully at Devon "this? Naw, you bought it fer me, dont you remember?" she grins widely as she looks him over. "Want it back?" she asks as she looks at the cards - she stays out of the lordly politics, she was nothing more then a pretty barbarian. She looks to the cards, her fingers touch them and she listens to the instructions "I think i understand." If he was insulting, she did not take it as such, her eyes sparkle and she seems to take it as a compliment.

"I will yield the mead to you, since you must be so very thirsty and spent all of your coin on a pair of gloves. I will not be so frivolous with my money next time, however— I will guard my drink," he warns before dealing out the cards. As Lilith busies herself with settling down, he only provides cards for himself and Asta. "Very well, let us play a game. I'll go easily on you…" And yet, it seems he promptly wins when the game resolves itself. "You were too bold with your decisions, you should think first! It's a game of luck, but also of strategy."

Asta laughs easy as she tries to play, and looses boldly. "I am bold with all of my decisions, it is our way." she watches him deal and she attempts to play this game, but in the end, she looses and she tilts her head "so.. what are we playing for anyway?"

"Sometimes I play for coin, sometimes I play for drinks. Sometimes I play for favors and other times I play for nothing at all," explains the man at some length. "Until you learn the basics, it would be unfair for you to stake anything, don't you think?" Licking his lips, he raises an arm for attention from the waiting staff, requesting a second mead — for himself. "Do you have such games in White Hall?"

Asta says, "Arm wrestling mostly." she says with a smile.. "maybe we could try that once we are done with one more hand".. she then his tongue catches her attention "you are charming.." she says as she sips on the mead and tries another hand.

"You flatter me, North Star," responds, letting the compliment slide easily against his ego. "Remember, on this next hand you must be wary of what cards you play. If you keep the right kinds back at first, you'll have a better use of them later." Taking up his mead, he gulps thirstily before setting it aside. Parched from his ride here, the man waits for the moves of his opponent. When he plays his own, he holds a poker face… but ultimately he only turns up with the lowest scoring cards. "You see," he emits, a slight chuckle rumbling in his chest, "you're more than capable."

Asta laughs a little "oh well it was still luck.. I did nothing different then I did last time." She laughs "this is hard, do you teach such games here?" she asks as she looks to him. "I doubt many Ser Knights play games here do they?"

"I can't say… I learnt this when I was younger, as a common child when I wasn't training. There are board games that the nobility play, with pieces that mock the movement of troops. Chess," he explains, "and other such games. Those are often harder than this," he admits. Setting aside the cards, he once more takes a heavy draft of his drink before indicating the woman before him. "You wish to arm-wrestle then? Since this is both a game we know well, I suggest a stake of some kind."

Asta chuckles and she looks to the man, "should I win, a Kiss." she says as she sips on her wine, her words light "but should you be afraid, I would wager coin." she says her eyes draw up a steel grey blue to match the skies.

"I have a feeling those lips must have craved many a shiny man before I, am I right? A kiss is an awfully pricey stake. I will permit you it though, if in return, should I win, you teach me some of the islander language." Raising a brow, he lets the offer hand there, drumming fingertips on his mug.

Asta sighs a little "one. A …Lordling..one that stood battle against my kin, in hopes he would change his mind about our people. Dose it bother you, pretty one?" she asks as she sets her hand up, "perhaps you will be the last hrm?" she wonders as she winks her white lashes flutter. "But then, you are a noble, meant for better women then I."

"It does not bother me, but we are different in culture… and station now, true," he admits, matching his hand against Asta's and wrapping his fingers around tightly. As he sets his position, he moves the cards aside and then nods his head. "I am ready when you are."

Asta takes his hand down solidly, and she smiles looking to him "Though … maybe I can be just as lucky and win you as your sister has won her way into a noble house?" she teases him as she leans in to collect her prize, her fingers curl slightly up along his neck as she pulls him closer for a kiss - her hands strong but she is not forcing the kiss only encouraging it.

"You seem to know a lot about my family," says the Volstak, even as he hisses from the defeat. "Alas," he utters, betrayed by his own arm. "You have strength," he recognizes, following the movement of the woman as she leans over for her prize. Relenting, he presses his mouth to the woman's own and lets their lips crush, his cheeks flushing from the contact despite himself.

Asta takes the kiss and she leans back with a gentle chuckle, "Very good indeed" she mms a little as she sits back in her chair. "So.. shall we .. try again if you want to see if you can win the language lessons?" she asks him "or shall we play cards?" she grins coyly

Devon clears his throat, his gaze tracking movements of the barbarian woman across from him before he reaches for his drink. "We can talk instead, perhaps another day I'll try to win those lessons. Do you know much of what has been going on here in Four Corners lately? Is there any information you might think I am interested to know, perhaps?"

Asta sighs as he turns to the doings here, "I do not know much, nothing really to share, I am sure you have heard of the Whale?" she asks him. Her eyes watch him gently "I would like you." she says quietly, "To be yours, to kiss you like that, to share with you unbiding passion." she laughs softly then she shakes her head "What sort of news do you think I can get, a common mapmaker like me"?

Devon flushes again, his expression mildly amused. "I appreciate the sentiment, North Star… you flatter me far too much." Brushing any moisture from his mead from his lips using the back of his thumb, he prompts on the topic of the Whale. "No, do expand? I'm unfamiliar," he says, "unless I misunderstand?"

Asta shakes her head slightly "a whale washed on the shores, word is their is magic in the blood, cursed that any who have touched it have fallen gravely ill, those here are hiding it..keeping it secrete.." she whispers to him "our kind have delt with whales before you know." she shrugs and she stands.. finishing her mead in one deep drink. "I must go." she says quietly.."it was a pleasure.." she kisses his forehead, "maybe.. with more kisses, and the promise of more of you, my lips will become more free. I do like you." she tells him.. "alot and that says much." With this she turns to leave him to think about things.

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