| The Noble Cat and the Common Raven |
| Summary: | Vittore and Raevyn meet and a challenge is issued. |
| Date: | 1866-10-19 |
| Related: | None. |
| NPCs: | {$npc} |
| Players: |
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| At an Inn in 4C |
| A tavern like any other! |
| 1866-10-19 |
Evening has fallen on the city of Four Corners driving most people inside or to the inns and taverns. The weather is pleasantly cool and clear the starts twinkling above as the air grows chillier. Inside the Perky Porpoise a large crowd has gathered to eat, drink, and have a good time. Bards play tunes for the patrons and a table in one corner is playing host to a card game. The tall dark haired figure that is Vittore sits casually, his back to the wall and one leg crossed over the other. Dressed in a nobleman’s attire he has an odd choice of colors for his attire, blue and red normally would not work well together but he has somehow managed to pick shades that look quite elegant and not tacky. He is playing cards with about four other men all in varying degrees of annoyance and distress. The pile of coins on the nobleman’s side of the table is a good indicator of who might be winning. After the hand ends the men all fold out and rise to their feet grumbling in annoyance. The noble man grins merrily. "Excellent game gentlemen." He puts the coins he won in that match into his coin purse and waves down a server using part of his earnings to buy himself a glass of fine red wine. He relaxes in his seat his grey orbs drifting lazily over those gathered here while he waits to see if anyone else will ask him for a game. The cards remain placed at the center of his table in hopes of this however there don't seem to be any other takers.
When the three men stand up from Vittore's table, it’s in the very same breath that Raevyn strides into the Inn. The way his arm flourishes aside the door with a devil-may-care confidence may very catch the attention of nearby patrons. A dark long coat settles to his ankles, while a lace plum blouse underneath seems to be untied purposefully to show off a raven pendant on a slender chain and a sultry hint of flesh. Wrapped just above that is a collar like necklace completely made out of the same lace and trendy fabric. The blouse is tucked into a set of coal black leather trousers and paired with knee high boots that shine - freshly polished. His brown hair seems a tad wet or styled in such a way that it clumps and hangs with a feminine contour around his face. His face is lightly dusted and his eyelids are outlined with darker liner. The coat hides his lithe frame but with his strides and his arms slinging down beside him, it's apparent he's on the slender side, though does well to accentuate the buoyant grace he carries despite the lankiness. Hazel eyes, that are wide with some avian like mystery, turn over the faces in the crowd, obviously drawn toward those figures rising and leaving an individual all by himself. As his eyes brush over Vittore and the corner of his mouth quirks in a captivating smirk, one he carries on toward the bar, striding by the nobleman's table all the same.
Maybe it’s the opening of the door and the cool air breezing into the building, but more likely it’s the person that enters that catches Vittore's attention. Grey eyes turn towards the door and linger a moment, assessing the newcomer slowly looking Raevyn over from his hair down to his boots. Those grey eyes travel back up that slender form to lock with hazel ones briefly. That captivating smirk draws a raised lack brow and a curious look from the nobleman. Then all of a sudden those lips stretch out into a charming smirk, one that’s part tempting smile and part predatory grin. That dark haired head cants to one side as the young man passes him and those eyes linger a moment before drifting away once more. It looks as though Vittore has gotten distracted his gaze going back to watching those around him but he keeps watching Raevyn subtly from the corner of his eyes. Most people wouldn't even notice the way he is watching the other and he relaxes in his seat sipping on his newly arrived wine.
The courtesan was enticing as he moved with a gliding refinement which billowed out the bottom of his coat in a flare that could be similar to tail feathers on a bird. His gaze sought out the people left and right of him, with anticipation that one would surely come to his aid. But alas, he is no woman and thus the courtesies that are given unto them fail to be shown to him. His shoulders give a roll, an unveiling of the young man's narrow frame as he walks his arms out of each side of the coat, to hang the garment on the back of the chair. There's another glance, an astute measure of the crowd, not so pointedly checking on the nobleman in blue and red, to see if he's properly claimed the other's attention. Certainly if Vittore wasn't interested he would remain alone at the table, if he was, he'd come over. It's the bait of the courtesan taking a seat in on the bar chair, pulling one leg up to settle over the other and draping half against the chair itself and the bar, as he shows indifference that should be appealing to watch. A slender finger with a golden rectangular ring topped with a ruby moves up to idly draw over his smooth jawline, making the distinct appearance that he was inviting company.
Without making it too obvious Vittore is indeed watching the other. Grey eyes flick to the bar as if in thought and before he can even think on the matter any further the nobleman rises to his feet in one smooth fluid motion. Tall and lean are good words to describe him, he is not heavy or rippling with obvious muscles. Instead he is built more like a large cat, muscled and strong but also light on his feet, fast, and graceful. Slowly he winds his way through the crowd hiding himself from the courtesans view. When the youth looks toward his table he is nowhere to be seen but then suddenly he is standing to the left of the bar stool where Raevyn is seated. He props almost carelessly against the bar and looks down at the young man with a smile that might be considered quite charming to some. "Good evening to you. Or at least…I hope it is a good evening?" That silky voice addresses Raevyn politely and with a touch of curiosity. Grey eyes study the young man’s face carefully lingering on those large hazel eyes assessing what emotions might lay beneath them as he waits to see if he will be acknowledged.
A subtle disappointment crosses Raevyn's features as the nobleman, whom had intrigued him in those brief moments upon his entrance, has left his seat and possibly left the tavern. Raevyn wasn't going to make a pointed look for him, no doubt he was searching nevertheless. Still, he had to be subtle about it, in case another offer came to him from a direction he wasn't aware of. The abruptness then, as a figure of that stalking cat comes up from his backside, has the younger man failing to hide too late the flexing of his shoulders in response to being startled. His hand comes up toward his collar bone, fingers sprawled in exaggeration as he takes a breath, "How exhilarating," he muses as he pivots just enough in his seat to regard the other and that silky voice, "Rare is it indeed that one can startle me just as you have." His fingertips roll over the ruffles near his neckline, a coy gesture that was not unlike a woman teasing curls of her hair. "My evening, I do believe, has become better than it was a mere moment ago. Yourself? Those three men that left your table appeared troubled. Did you rob them completely blind?"
A look of amusement appears in those grey eyes and a soft chuckle is given. "I would apologize for startling you but I would rather save apologies for when I am sincere." Vittore settles with grace onto the stool next to the one Raevyn occupies and regards him with interest. "Ah so I am a rarity then? That’s a pleasant thing to hear at least…though I'm not entirely sure if I agree." Those eyes trace the path of those fingers and then flick upwards to meet those hazel eyes once again. "I am very glad to hear that you evening has improved. Mine has been going quite well and I do believe it just got a bit better as well." Another chuckle is given the amusement in his eyes growing now and there is a look of mischief there. "Rob them? Of course not. Do you take me for some crude thief or highwayman to steal and not earn? I beat them fair and square at cards…its their own fault that thought they could beat a d'Cauthone at gambling. Well…maybe they didn't know who I was exactly but if I gave people all the warnings they needed about me no one would play with me at all." Despite his words he is not offended even though he does feign a slightly wounded look at the suggestion that he robbed the men. He seems amused, confident and quite easy going. He offers another charming smile. "But I suppose I'm not that well known after all. I am Lord Vittore d'Cauthone, a pleasure to meet you." He bows his head low as he offers the introduction.
Raevyn's finger starts to entwine with one of the ribbons that had hung loosely from the parted V-neck blouse, a glint in his eyes showing a return of hilarity upon the issue of being pounced upon. He slants his chin down to draw the dimmer light of the tavern appropriately upon his features, giving him shadows where they absorb against the refined cuts of his features and light to the softer shapes. "I am struck by the fact that I was taken by surprise. I assure you, that won't happen again," he briefly puts a lean to angle himself toward Vittore, coy with the promise of a second meeting in that he declares it wouldn't happen again. His address is then made as his eyes swing toward the table that had been vacated by the card player’s just moments ago, "You cleaned them out. I would say you sharked them, isn't that what it is called? To be so good at the art of cards that you tempt a man to put so much on the table that they forget about how much they have really lost?" He isn't accusing, he's impressed, a soft smile crawling up onto his lips, "I take you sir, as clever and cunning, especially as they did not call upon you for cheating, as most would, to be so thoroughly taken." He lightly reaches out to extend a hand, "Lord d'Cauthone, it is a pleasure. You may call me Raevyn."
A black brow arches upwards at that statement given and the promise of meeting again. There is a look of wicked mischief in those grey eyes, they practically glitter with it and Vittore leans forward just a touch his lips curling into a smirk. "I hope you won't mind but I'm going to take that statement as a challenge for my skills at surprising you." Those eyes study Raevyn completely focused for the moment. When that hand is offered it’s accepted by a larger hand, long fingers with the callouses of an archer touch Raevyn's hand and gently lift it. There is a charming little smirk given as Vittore's lips brush over the knuckles, it’s a light kiss just a ghost of a touch designed to make one want more. Then the hand is released once more and the noble cants his head in curiosity. "Raevyn…a beautiful name indeed. I will take your compliments to my intelligence with gratitude sweet Raevyn, though I'm not entirely sure I'm deserving of them. Those men weren't much of a challenge truth be told though I assure you, I did not cheat. I don't need to cheat. I will win or I will lose as Lady Luck decides I see no reason to stack the deck in my favor, it takes much of the fun away."
The draw of Raevyn's form appeals to the chemistry that is bound between their looks, imploring the gap between them to feel so much closer than it really was. "Oh, I believe I made it specifically for that reason," there was a glint of mirth behind his hazel eyes as he settles his back against the chair frame, draping himself comfortably and elegantly there, as if the stool had been a throne and he was decorating it. The light brush of lips over his knuckles has a brow perch just enough to see that such an expression wasn't expected though certainly appreciated. There was a small twitter of a noise from him, a delightful chirr that has the hand withdrawing and his body pivoting to position himself more in pursuit of this Lord d'Cauthone. "They weren't much of a challenge?" He asks with a lilt in his tone that is playfully questioning, "And whom, my Lord, would you consider a real challenge?"
"I suspected that might be the case." Vittore replies smoothly his amusement remaining as constant as his interest. He sits on his own chair with a casual almost careless sort of grace that continues to mimic the stance of a large predatory cat. He shifts so he is facing Raevyn fully one arm propped on the back rest of the chair as he watches the other, studying him and curling his lips upward into a smirk once more. "No they were not." He gives no hint as to why his former partners lost so handily and the question is met with a cryptic smile. "I have yet to discover that person…though I think I might be getting closer. A true challenge is something special, it keeps you captivated and on your toes constantly planning how to stay on top of the game. It keeps your mind and reflexes sharp and even if you lose the game you learn something from it."
While Vittore may be a mirror of a predatory cat, Raevyn continues with the effigy of his namesake. He has a mysterious air about him, the coolness of being able to watch someone while looking through them, of covering his thoughts with a flicker of his eye, of being that clever observer who could react with wit by understanding intentions of another before they came to be. So if Vittore was a cat, Raevyn was merely playing with him from above a tree, taunting and teasing with the slight movement of a hand that brushes absently across the other's hand on the bar by accident. Or purposeful intent. "That is a challenge you must hunt for, for it sounds as if every other is dull and meaningless in comparison. Though let's be honest here," he leans forward to let the waft the lavender scent toward the other, a hint of earthen tones underneath, but clean and fresh, as if one would smell stepping into the woods or a meadow full of grass, "I can tell you like winning. And you won a considerable amount-" what Vittore may see around the distracting hand that lifts toward Vittore's collar, dragging a finger over the other's attire, would be the other hand that plucks loose one of those hard worked coins. Yet, as if to merely surprise the man, he flicks the coin into his fingers, bouncing it between the knuckles before turning the figure etched on the coin toward Vittore, "You have terrible manners," a playful edge to his wiggling of the coin, "All that money and you haven't even offered me a drink." He tucks the coin into Vittore's breast pocket (or one relatively close by), "Maybe you thought I would be an easy challenge? Alas, my dear Lord, one doesn't net me so effortlessly and certainly not without a drink." He slides with poise from the chair, untangling his limbs tantalizingly close to Vittore, to the point that he practically leans toward the other man, drawing his face so near that Vittore could feel the breath of warm air against his own lips, as those hazel eyes search the grey. Then with a flash of a sultry and yet whimsical smile, he plucks up his coat, abruptly elusive.
The cat-like noble holds his ground as the bird leans in, swooping in to taunt him or so it seems. Vittore draws in a slow breath inhaling the scent of the other. The nobleman himself simply smells clean and fresh with perhaps the faintest hint of mint from the soaps he uses. He chuckles softly his eyes alert and while it appears he is completely focused on the distraction one hand snaps forward to loosely grasp the wrist that plucked his coin free. He smirks and releases the wrist, it’s enough to let Raevyn know he was aware of the move but he makes no further movements as the coin is tucked into the front pocket of his vest. "You continue to intrigue me Raevyn. But if I am to buy you a drink it will be a quality drink and likely a whole bottle for the two of us to share." As Raevyn leans in Vittore looks into those hazel eyes his grey eyes locked onto them with a fierce intensity and desire. "Will you at least let me walk you home? As a sort of apology for not having a bottle of fine drink ready to share with you right away?" He rises to his feet with silent grace intending to follow Raevyn out if the other wishes it.
"That is a start," Raevyn notes at the promise of a quality bottle, a pleased curve of his lips showing approval for the thoughtfulness. There is a light laugh however from the young man as he sweeps his hand so gently upon Vittore's shoulder, clearly not about to steal from him again, but in a way that promises affections while denying them. "I'm afraid that would give the game away, wouldn't it?" He says to the request of walking Raevyn home, "It would spoil the challenge that I know you're up for." He leans in to lightly press his lips against the other's cheek, very much the way that Vittore put his own lips to Raevyn's knuckles. There's a thoughtful hmmm that follows as he turns with his coat draped over one shoulder, toward the exit, hopeful that he left Vittore wanting more.
The kiss given to his cheek as Vittore blinking lightly, and the gentle refusal is met with a nod of acceptance. He looks to be even more intrigued now rather than upset. "So you intend to challenge me truly? Well then Raevyn good luck to you. May the best man claim the prize." The nobleman will watch Raevyn go with a look of focused interest. And once Raevyn is out of sight he smirks in amusement shaking his head lightly and resisting the temptation to follow the young man home from the shadows. There would be plenty of time for that later, a little mystery is a good thing for the moment. The noble will return to his former table in good spirits. Several more unlucky men will lose their money that night in order to pay for that promised bottle.