(1874-06-19) Baiting in the Market
Baiting in the Market
Summary: What starts out as a pleasant meeting in the Four Corners Market turns into Hraelfmir baiting the women to see what he can get away with - some of them don't fall for his game but then he snags Mercy! At least so far as getting her to agree to a rematch of skills! It is possible he might regret it.
Date: 2018-06-19
Related: Recent Aequorian Tournament logs
NPCs: Gladdice (a nobody harpist), Cyndae d'Juliano (one of Mercy's daughters), and Violet (Susanna's sister)
Players:
Catalina  Hraelfmir  Chessa  Mercy  Susanna  

Four Corners - Marketplace

To say that the city of Four Corners 'sprawls' would be an understatement. Four Corners does not sprawl; it spreads wildly, like mercury spilled over the tablecloth of the land on which it was built, thwarting all attempts at sensible city planning.

It is a maze of cobblestone streets and squares in the higher neighborhoods and canals and tunnels in the lower. The canals are full of gondolas of every description, some of which serve as floating shops overflowing with produce and flowers and fresh delicacies to tempt the lovers, wealthy nobles and merchants as they pass through the watered parts of the city where boats and bridges between buildings are the only means of travel. In the upper the marketplace streets are absolutely crammed with canopied booths year round in a glut of colour and noise where anything can be bought and sold. Higher still are the galleries of artists and the famous Baths, private mansions, gardens, ballrooms and theaters and every kind of gluttonous entertainment craved by the rich and powerful.

This madness is kept under control by the Council of Four Corners, a democratic body which governs the city as a parliament with regular meetings, variously respected, feared, loved and reviled. Their guards dress in grey and serve as a police force to keep the peace, showing up unexpectedly and sometimes inopportunely. It is not enough though, especially at the docks, where ships from all over the known world come and go freely, bringing commerce and cultures that do not always get along. Fights break out, but are quickly contained and the jails kept cycling and the coffers of government full.

Tuesday the 19th of Juin, 1874 IE

The evening on this early summer day is most pleasant. The heat of the day is being chased from the sun soaked streets of the city as the shadows lengthen and the sun lowers in the westering sky. Hues are enriched with golds, oranges and soon to be hot pinks of the sunset against the backdrop of the clouds against a turquoise sky that will deepen to purple as the night encroaches. As yet there is plenty of light and a little time yet ere the sun will set.

People are out and about in the market. A few children chase one another through the vendor stalls, past the shops and around the trees and benches. Colorful flags and banners whip lightly or hang limp as the day's wind that has blown in from the sea all day is starting to reverse and blow back out out towards the water. A few sea gulls yet wheel in the sky, hopeful of tastey treats. They will soon find perches to retire. All manner of smells greet shoppers - wonderful scents of foods, good tobacco, spices and herbs, perfumes, leatherworking, and much more. A street musician plays a harp while seated on a bench beneath one of the trees for passers by to give coin. A woman hawks mussles and another fresh flowers, while a man calls out that he has the finest cloth - even silks imported from far Partharia!

Amid all this, a man walks. He is dressed in a white bloused shirt with a leather jerkin. Darker pants are tucked into knee high brown leather boots. Faded silk sashes of red and blue add a dash of color. A bandolier strap carries up to two hand cannons and off his hip reside a dagger and light silver cutlass with a hilt bound in the colors of House al'Mordran. A gold ring in the form of two krakens embrace a large blood red ruby cut into the shape of a human skull, worn on a finger of his left hand.

Hraelfmir gently but firmly kicks a dog out of his way, then stops at a vendor's stall where spicy meat rolls are being fried. He holds up his left hand and shows three fingers, "Give me three, extra hot 'n spicy wit' plenty of vegetables." A few coppers are dug out to pay the old man who's missing some teeth.

Sitting near the harpist, Catalina is listening to the music and the people as they meander around the market. She's found a spot on a low wall that gives her a nice view of the meanderings of those around her as she tears a bite off a honey pastry and nibbles on it while the children run past. She slides her booted feet out of the path so that they don't get trampled, but smiling all the same. She takes another bite, glancing over at the fried rolls curiously, watching as the gentleman gets his spicy roll, curious to see how it comes together.

After a couple of minutes, the freshly assembled spicy rolls have been made to order, rolled up and fried, and then set into layers of paper to soak up the oil before they are handed over the Privateer. Hraelfmir smiles and thanks the vendor, then walks down a couple of stalls. There he produces a tall tin cup which he hands over and pays to be filled up with dark beer. Another copper is paid and then he turns to walk the short distance to the tree behind Catalina's bench. There the man leans against the tree, sips his beer before setting it into the crook of one arm and unwraps one of the small meat rolls.

The harpist perks up when she notices the man. She smiles big, adjusts her position and starts to play a rollicing sea shanty to which she sings! Hrealfmir wipes his mouth and turns his head, then as soon as he can swallow his food he laughs, "Gladdice, ye a whore for a coin, ain't ye? I have nae seen ye in weeks!" The harpist isn't offended. She winks and carries on with the tune and the sailor fishes out a silver this time and flips it into her harp case. It's cheerful music!

After dodging the huge dumb knight who was supposed to be watching her while mother is off working, one Lady Cyndae d'Juliano, a mini version of her mother, Mercy, comes skipping into the market, wearing a white kitty mask and a freshly cleaned up and high quallity naudical dress. The youngest of the d'Juliano Brood, she hears the harp player and skips over to said harp player, starting a Arcadian step dance with a giggle that sounds like bells.

Glancing over as the man with the buns comes over to stand next to the harpist she listens to the exchange between him and the musician. Catalina nibbles on her honey pastry again as the girl with the cat head comes over and starts dancing. She fishes a silver out of the pouch at her waist and adds it to the harpist's case as well as the event gets more lively. She turns a bit more to face towards the entertainment as she nibbles, bobbing her head a bit with the beat of the dance.

The harpist is /delighted/ with the child that appears and starts dancing. Gladdice beams at Cyndae and as the sea shanty fades she smoothly transitions into another popular ballad of the seas. Catalina's added coin positively makes the harpist glow and put her best possible effort into the passion of her music.

Hrealfmir doesn't know Mercy's youngest but he smirks, amused. Then takes another bite of his fiery meat roll. Yum, hot spices! Good enough that it makes him lick his fingers. He's noticed the pretty blond of course, taking his time to study Catalina where she sits. Once his hand is clean and wiped off and he's had another drink from his beer, his baritone rolls with the local flavor of the commoner of local docks, "I do nae think I ha' seen ye before. Me thinks a beautiful woman with hair like rippled pale gold I would be remember'n. Who might ye be, lass or lady?" Hraelfmir produces what he hopes is charming smile.

Cyndae hears the call of 'Milady! Cyndae!" And she blinks a few times, before stopping a street kid about her size, first the mask comes off and over the other youth's head, then she takes the naudical dress off, which under it is a blackdress with the sleeves rolled up with bracers. Slipping a few silver in the street kid's hand, she smiles. "If you can avoid him, I'll give you a gold one!" She says as she slides a fox mask over her own face. She steps back, closer to Catalina as the street kid runs off, followed by one Sir Kory Rockwell of Arcadia, who gives a salute to Aelf before following what he thinks is Cyndae.

"Loyal… but dumber than a box of hammers." The Young Aequoran Lady says with a giggle, before dancing again."

"That's quite a compliment, Commodore." Catalina replies with a friendly enough smile. She does note the escapades that young Cyndae executes to avoid her guard, but when she comes closer to her in what is presumably an attemt to make it look like she is here with the blonde she doesn't draw any additional attention. "Catalina d'Esposito. I believe you know my father, Alberto." It's certainly possible that they've had some dealings together, her family fleet being quite well known down on the docks as an established Four Corners family, "But you're correct, I don't think I've made your aquaintance as yet." Reaching in a basket next to her she takes out a honey bun and offers it to the dancing-now-fox girl for her troubles, if she's so inclined.

The devious child's wardrobe change and quick wits are observed with a twist of his mouth into a smile. Hraelfmir gives Sir Kory an upnod as the Aequorian knight goes running past, sprinting off after the wrong kid. The Privateer smirks into his beer mug and gets another drink as he watches. His dark eyes then return to Catalina herself.

"Ah, ye ha' me at disadvantage, known'n who I be 'n me nae know'n who ye are, m' fair lady." There is a pause as he absorbs the names offered, "Alberto d'Esposito … I be known'n o' th' family, aye." The remaining spicy meat rolls wrapped in paper get tucked into his belt sash to be finished shortly. The beer tankard is set down and he takes a moment to wipe his hands carefully with a kerchief produced from his pocket until his hands are fairly clean. Then he takes a stylish bow to Catalina, hand over his heart. "I be Commodore Hraelfmir Halfborn, at ye service."

Tempting as it may be, Cyndae is in luck! Hraelfmir doesn't shout for Sir Kory to ruin the child's ploy!

And it's a good thing he doesn't, Cyndae's pranks are legendary. But she does give a smiling nod at the offtered sweet. "Hi! I'm Cyndae d'Juliano, but ah.. I wasn't here, if an older woman who looks like me asks, you have no idea about me." She says with a wink before enjoying the pastery.

Catalina also seems to recognize young Cyndae's mother after her own introduction, her eyebrows rising just a hint as well as her smile quirks up a bit with a nods, "I see… Well it does appear you came prepared? It's good to anticipate any eventuality, certainly." She tears off another bite of her own bun to eat before nodding to the Commodore, "Lovely to meet you officialy, Commodore. Are you in port long? Or just stopping off before heading out again with the navy?"

Hraelfmir eyes Cyndae after his elaborate bow to Catalina. The Rogue smirks at the child wearing the fox mask who's dancing about to the harpist's cheerful music. "Ah, tha's who ye be, ye wee sea rat. If'n ye mother comes tae ask'n o' ye whereabouts, I /will/ be inclined tae tell her. But I do nae ha' tae answer tae Sir Kory, ye imp." Nevermind the young girl is a d'Juliano noble and he's just a commoner. Hrealfmir seems to treat nobles like equals!

Another spicy meat roll is pulled out and unwrapped after he recovers his tankard of beer. "My pleasure tae be meet'n ye, Catalina. If'n ye want tae see me ships or just ha' some company while I be in port, I'm always open tae lovely companionship." Aye, a grin! Then a shrug, "I will be head'n out again shortly, likely wit' th' mor'n tide. I ha' patrols tae make up 'n down the coast, yet I come back tae Four Corners often."

He resumes eating the second spicy hot meatroll and sipping his half finished beer as he leans against the tree by the bench where Catalina sits. The harpist changes to another up beat tune since the child seems intent to continue dancing. While 'Gladdice' isn't the prettiest thing around with her slightly long face and too large nose, her fingers are most deft and she knows her harp! Another passer by tosses a copper into her harp case and she smiles.

Another copper falls into the harpists case, and a figure in trousers, a tunic, and hood that slightly shades her face sits down next to Catalina. "You aren't trying to run away and find heathens again, are you? Little spicy to go with your sweet?" the feminine voice offers, and a pouch is held up. "Or a little cheese… I would be happy to trade cheese for honey bun." The Lady Chessa isn't to be found in her walking dresses or noble wear tonight, she's wearing sturdy boots with her outfit, meant to blend in, and hiding her very pale blonde hair. She's missed the younger one's escapades to evade her knight, but she does give her a little smile before looking expectantly at Hraelfmir, her attention half to her side to listen to Catalina's introductions.

Cyndae giggles. "Mother is buried under a mountain of ledgers, and she wont ever…" She backs into a very tall woman in a formal Zephyr Legion Uniform, and the child tilts her head back. "Uh-oh…"

The woman in question is Mercy d'Juliano, Countess of Arcadia and part of the Aequoran Admiralty. She looks down at her daughter. "Busted." She says before motioning for her daughter to go with her handmaiden. "Music lession child." She says before the Countess turns to the group and gives a shrug. "My mother always said I'd have a child more of a handfull than I was, wish she wasn't right about that. Mercedes d'Juliano, at your services. Ah, evening Commodore."

"Oh, cheese!" Catalina says happily as the strange cloaked woman comes next to her, taking a honey bunn out and reaching into the pouch without preamble to get herself some of the offered cheese without delay. Turning back to Hraelfmir she nods, "I imagine your responsibilities keep you away from shore more than on it, though that in itself is no real curse." Having the sea in her blood herself she doesn't seem to feel being shipboard to be a terrible burden at least. "I believe if we'd met Lady Cyndae in a younger age she would have been glad to join us in becoming heathens," Catalina speculates. She looks up from her seat as well when Mercy arrives to retrieve her daugher despite the girl's estimations. Nodding deeply to the woman, she offers a smile, "Good evening, Excellency. I belive all mothers have set the same curse on their daughters. I know mine has on more than one occasion. I must extend my compliments, however, her advance strategies were quite evolved all things considered."

Hraelfmir pushes off from leaning against the tree, hands full of his beer and half of a spicy meat roll. His dark eyes are upon Mercy as he gives her a respectful nod, "Admiral, good even'n. Sir Kory went off tha' way, duped by ye daughter in tae chase'n a street rat wit' her dress 'n another mask. She be a wiley one!" Aye, he looks very amused.

Chessa he had been studying but with her head and part of her face hooded, he had not quite gotten far enough to speak to her yet. Still, his attention flickers back to her and Catalina as he resumes finishing up his own meal. An upnod to Catalina and he quietly watches the exchange between her and Mercy ere his dark eyes come back around to Chessa. Her words to Catalina had, apparently, intrigued the Privateer. In a moment or two he eats the last of his spicy meat rolls, finishes off his beer and secures the tankard and once more wipes his hands off with the black kerchief. Yum, feel the burn of spicy food!

Mercy gives a smile to Catalina. "Yeah, he brought the wrong child to me, thus I figured that my darling sweet sea angel had tricked him." She says and once the child and handmaiden are out of earshot she snickers. Looking to Hraelfmir. "I still don't understand how you can choke down such a bland meal?" She asks, of course, her plate could be mistaken for galenthian fire, or a very cruel punishment from an upset chef, but she likes her food spicey, even has a bowl of fresh peppers on her desk, helps to keep her lips puffy and full at the least, and works a wonder on her sinuses, arcadians and their food that no one else can eat, go figure.

Susanna heads over from Four Corners - Courtesans' Academy

Listening to the tale of the young one's ingenuity, Chessa tilts her head to Catalina, and smirks. "She would have kept pace, I believe," she agrees. The speech that comes from the young woman now peeling off bite sized pieces of sweet roll to pop into her mouth is definitely been refined by a string of tutors, most likely of noble employ. As the lady Mercy has introduced herself, and her glance to Catalina doesn't produce a name for the man, she finishes chewing her bite, swallows, and takes a breath. "Lady Chessa Sokar," she replies, but she doesn't look up enough for the waning light to penetrate the shadows cast over her eyes by the hood. "Pleasure, I'm sure." She takes another bite, but doesn't seem inclined to join into the conversation any more than that.

Catalina laughs lightly as Mercy explains how her daughter was found out, "I see. I'll wager it's not the first time she's done so?" She smiles at the commentary on the spicy roll, eating the rest of her cheese as she glances between the sea fairers, "It seems to have rather impressed the roll vendor who didn't appear to have expected that many peppers to go into one roll when it was ordered." She smiles as Chessa introduces herself but continues on her own line of conversation, "I was just asking the Commodore how long he expected to be in port and he said he expects to leave on the morrow for his patrols."

The Commodore laughs, "Bland ye say? Full of hot spicy peppers! I adore spicy food 'n if'n ye think ye can make better, then be invite'n me over for supper, Admiral. I'll bring th' wine. But ye nae ha' tasted th' fair me cook kin whip up. I do nae ha' just any ship's cook. I hired one o' th' finest I could bribe in tae take'n ship wit' me 'n he's very good. I also have tae pay him far too much tae be keep'n him on board." Hraelfmir winks, throwing out challenges to the Countess. Good food is important to him!

The harpist has shifted her position at her harp. After the child has gone she paused to drink some water, then after her brief rest, begins to play something soothing like Greensleeves. The evening is getting on, the sun setting and painting the sky in vibrant colors that are already starting to fade towards night. All manner of lanterns and lamps are being lit around the market to keep things going. A few vendors are starting to pack up for the evening but many are still going strong and will for a few hours yet. The smells of food predominate yet still mingling with tobacco smoke, leather, perfumes, herbs, and much more all bound by the sea.

After Catalina's comments, Hraelfmir gives an upnod back to Mercy, "Unless th' Admiral has other orders for me." A dark brow is raised at the seated woman wearing a hooded cloak, breeches and boots. "Sokar?" He inclines his head politely but this time doesn't bow, "I be Commodore Hraelfmir Halfborn o' Four Corners 'n Aequor. Pleasure tae be meet'n ye, lady Sokar. Ye be kin tae th' lady Lianna 'n Sir Brennart, then?"

Another girl in a rough, homespun dress with long dark braids wanders up to the harpist to listen, and, funnily enough, she's wearing a mask as well. In fact, could it be…? Undoubtedly! It's the same white kitty mask Cyndae had been wearing before. The girl sways gently where she stands, humming along with the music.

Mercy blinks and does a double take, before realizing that the little girl isn't her daughter. "I need to find out where thease children are getting thease masks from." She says as she looks to the other three. "I also need to figure out a way to get on the four corners council. It's citizen votes yes?"

"So I heard, as I was approaching," Chessa informs Catalina as she peruses her next morself. "Hence wondering if you were going to run off and join the heathens again. I over heard one of our maids saying that she heard a maid next door say that you were overheard saying you were bored a couple of nights ago. Which has them all running in a panic." She smirks sideways. "Sailing with the next tide hunkered down under a skiff on the Commodore's boat isn't out of the order for a bored Catalina." Her bite is eaten as Hraelfmir banters with the Admiral, and she's just pulling off another when her siblings are mentioned, and she nods. "I am the youngest of them, they are my brother and sister."

Catalina smiles as the other child approaches with the cat mask that Cyndae gave away earlier, not commenting on where it might have come from. "I was wondering why all the maids were watching me like they were concerned for the silver," she replies to Chessa, "I'll have to make certain to do something that's worth their time, at least, then. But thus far I have not planned to stow away on any naval ships. I haven't ruled out the idea of taking charge of the next shipment to Galenthia, as it happens, but I don't expect I'll do so for a while at least." In response to Mercy's comment about the council, she glances to the other two, "Ah, well, it is composed of the Ministers and other Councilors to form the Senate, yes."

Now it's Hraelfmir's turn to blink at Mercy. "Why do ye want tae be on the FC Council, Admiral? I thought only citizens o' Four Corners could run for th' Council." Ah, come on, Mercy! You aren't taking the Commodore up on his challenges over food? Piff. She's got his interest though as he crosses his arms over his chest and resumes leaning against the gnarly old tree. He idly studies the woman who's shown up wearing the kitty mask, then goes back to watching Catalina and Chessa with interest. Hraelf smirks, "I do take on passengers from time tae time, if'n ye be bored 'n want tae see new things." A nod then to Chessa, "I be known'n them. Th' lady Lianna, she has tended tae me wounds in th' recent past."

The white kitten mask slowly turns to look at Mercy and a pair of bright violet eyes blink through it, flickering to each speaker. Finally they land on Hraelfmir, whom she points at with recognition. "I know you!" comes her muffled voice. "Yer tha commodore! Ya say ya got a ship on tha sea? I never bin onna sea! Can I be a passenger, ser?"

Mercy blinks and looks at Hraelfmir. "Define citizen? I have business dealings AND a manor here, I'm pretty sure that makes me a citizen." She says with a smile, said manor isnt anything like the palace she lives in up north, but still. She looks down at the child and smirks. "Well, Aelf, looks like you might have to change your cargo hold into a line of suites for all thease passengers, you'll kill the airship business for sure."

+froll/basic: Hraelfmir rolled 4 FATE dice plus 2, getting 0 1 1 1 plus 2 for a total of 5!

"I'm sure you will come up with something suitable," Chessa tells her friend in an amused undertone. Her hand goes into the pouch she set between her and Catalina, and a small, wrapped, sausage is dropped into the harpist's case. "My sister seems to have healed almost every one from Four Corners to Kaedon and everywhere in between," she acknowledges to Hraelfmir and gives a very common commoner's shrug to Mercy. "Sounds like a citizen to me."

Something about /that/ voice behind the mask, and maybe the eyes, catch his attention even more than what the girl asks him. Hraelfmir gives her a good looking over and then smirks, "Aye, -ye- especially can come aboard me ships if'n ye bring ye sister. Then we can discuss if'n ye pay me, if'n ye get free passage, or if'n ye expect me tae be pay'n ye." He gives the girl with the mask a wink, his mouth twisting his rogue's smile.

Mercy regains his attention for a moment. The Commodore gives a laugh, "Tha' be all right! I sold th' Bonnie Lass 'n invested in th' air ship business. It be grow'n as fast as they kin build'm 'n I be mak'n money hand o' fist." Yes, he seems to be pleased with that.

A nod to Chessa, "Aye, she be very good at her art. I had got an arrow stuck in me here," Hraelfmir touches his upper left shoulder, "An all me efforts kept tear'n it open tae bleed. I appreciated her check'n it for me." He looks back to Catalina, "I dare ye tae be bold 'n travel wit' me. I employ a first class cook! But I do nae take passengers often nor lightly. My ships be war ships 'n do armed escort for nobility 'n th' like."

"She's very adept at her work, it's true." Chessa agrees when they discuss the elder lady Sokar's skills. "It's a very kind offer, Commodore, and I'm sure your ships are run as they should be for going into battle. I do think that I would be more likely to go out on one of the d'Esposito ships but it is good to have options." She finishes her honey bun and dusts her fingers off, looking over to the younger person in the cat mask, "Are you hoping to make a life on the sea?"

Mercy chuckles. "Oh really? The Zephyr's Call is by leaps and bounds a better ship, and I employ a whole galley staff." She says as she puffs out her chest. "Plus, I'm a better sailor, and swashbuckler!" Well, if the festival prooved anything it's that mercy won everything but the shooting contest. "Aelf is talent, but only as talented as being second best is." She says with a smile, well, at least she isn;t calling him a bad sailor.

Violet continues to stare at Hraelfmir, eyes squinting when Mercy calla him 'Aelf.' She takes the mask off, revealing a thin face with stunted front teeth. "Yer an ELF?" she asks in amazement.

Chessa catches her by surprise. "Maybe, yeah! She smiles. If an' ma sis will let me. Do ya do sword fights on ya ship?" the girl asks Hraelfmir.

"There y'are, Violet!" says Susanna, jogging up to the girl. "…Wha's tha' on ya head?"

"A mask! Innit so pretty, Suse?"

And then Susanna seems to get an idea of the company she finds herself in, including Hraelfmir. She looks at him warily, saying nothing as she takes Violet's shoulder.

"Susanna, I wanna be on a ship on the sea some day, can we do tha'?"

Chessa straightens a little as Hraelfmir dares Catalina, and she falls silent, looking to her friend, and her fingers tighten a little on her honey bun. There's a little exhale and she pulls what's left of her honey bun in half, making two small bites of it. She pops one into her mouth and chews it, watching Susanna come and claim the girl. When she gives Hraelfmir a wary look, the smallish woman seems to be very interested in each crumb of her remaining bite of bun.

Well now, if Mercy is going to puff out her lovely chest, who is Hraelfmir but a pleased man to be observing her doing so! Not a bad view at all. The scoundrel seems to be in very fine company this evening, surounded as he is by attractive women. Nonetheless, Hraelfmir smiles and makes a subtle but also somewhat obvious obscene gesture in Mercy's general direction while feining to wipe his nose for a second and then sniffs, "Th' Admiral, she be afraid tae give me a rematch because I might beat her." Yes, he dares to waggle his brows in good humor. Bold and daring son of a bitch!

A laugh then at Violet, "Only if'n ye /bring/ ye sister. Then we'll do sword fights for ye entertainment." Oops, there's Susanna now! The Commodore remains leaning against the tree looking very much amused.

Chessa need not worry for Catalina isn't taking any of Hraelfmir's baits.

Mercy blinks and looks right at Hraelfmir. "A rematch is it? Alright, I'll whallop ya again!" She says as she smiles. "I've been fightin; scurvy rogues like ye for most me life, I think I can handle a puffed up bildge rat!"

Catalina smiles and nods to Susanna as she comes up to her sister, recognizing her from earlier evenings in the markets. She does notice the exchange between the Admiral and the Commodore but grins a bit at his address to the little girl. She reaches over and pats Chessa's leg reassuringly when she doesn't fall into the round of taking up being dared to do things… maybe she's maturing. That will likely remain to be seen. Turning to Violet she says, "It seems as though you may get to see a sword fight as it happens after all."

Hraelfmir bats his eyes at his Admiral, "My ship or yours, Countess?"

As Mercy challenges to Hraelfmir to a rematch, Chessa pulls up her legs to make herself a little smaller, and in that manner be out of the way of any wayward kicks, stabs, or punches. Her eyebrows raise to Catalina at the pat, and there's a smirk. That maturing will maybe last the evening… if they're lucky.

Now that full dark has fallen, the harpist stands after playing and starts to gather up the coins that were tossed into her harp case, "Thank you all so very much." She courtseys and then starts to manuver the case over her harp. It's large enough she'll need to hire a carriage.

Mercy chuckles. "Mine, I expect there will be a crowd, also, we will have to sail out of the harbor because dueling is now illegal thanks to my stupid cousin." She says, but she gives a very cheshire smile. "On the rigging, as we did before."

Before Susanna can think of how to answer her sister, Catalina's words cause her lips to purse as Violet cheers. Susanna's eyes can't help but look over the trouble-making Hraelfmir carefully as she slowly pulls Violet closer. "It's nearly ya bed time," Susanna mutters. "No don't whine—ye'll get ta sleep in bed wi' Rachel tonight. Her fever's broken. Come along." Susanna lowers herself in a general curtsy to the others gathered and pulls Violet with her toward the inn.

Catalina wiggles her fingers in a little wave at young Violet as she's carted away, "Good evening." She stands and picks up her basket, "That sounds like it would be quite the contest to see, certainly. I might have to persuade my brother that we should take a ship out to watch if we had the chance." She links an arm with Chessa companionably to bring the lady along with her, "While I do adore sending the maids into a snit whenever it isn't too inconvenient for everyone, we should be getting back." She drops into a quick dip for the Admiral, "Excellency." And then gives a companionable nod to the Commodore, "Good evening, I hope the wind finds your sails well."

Hraelfmir lifts a hand to waggle a finger at Mercy, "We can discuss th' details 'n set it up. Me thinks a bet is in order so if'n I win, I get someth'n for it. An' only fair if'n ye want someth'n in return if'n ye win, Admiral." Aye, he's game! Even if it means he may risk all sorts of bruises, maybe even broken bones. Dueling up in the rigging is dangerous stuff. Susanna gets a glance as she turns to head out with her sister and his gaze lingers on the pair of them a moment.

A belated nod to Catalina as she makes ready to depart, "Ye be welcome tae come 'n watch, if'n th' Admiral has nae objection." Hraelfmir twists his mouth, "One or th' other o' us, or both, may be in need o' a healer afore it be done." And to Chessa a nod as well, "Pleasure. Ha' a good evening!"

Mercy blinks. "Wager? why a wager, we fight and the winner get's bragging rights, that's how things like this go. No point in making a stupid wager which will cause me to cheat and possibly hurt you more than I have to." Yeah, mercy would cheat, depending what is on the line.

Uncurling her legs, Chessa picks up the little sack, depleted now, with her free hand as she's escorted by her friend. She dips just right to the Admiral Countess, her upbringing showing in the precise angles of the gesture even when wearing a tunic and trousers. "Excellency," she echoes. "A good evening to you all," is added as they pass the others and head towards Canal Row.

The Commodore laughs, "Maybe ye would at that. I do nae particularly want /either/ of us badly hurt." Hraelfmir gives his Admiral a salute that isn't very militarily snappy and is more saucy. "Ye be let'm me know when ye want tae do it 'n I'll be there!" Assuming of course that the Archduchess doesn't get wind of it first! "Until then, time for me tae be head'n out as well." He'd better go before he gets himself into something worse! Hah.

Mercy smirks. "Dawn, tomorrow morning, I hope you have eaten a good supper ,because I'm gonna beat the shite out of you!" She says before heading back to her manor. She does mumble about finding a consort or courtisan or some such, for all her bravado and excitment, she is on the lonely side.

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