orientation ♔ with so much deception it's hard not to wander away

[cabot]

♬ Reasons Why - Nickel Creek

WHO || Val'drin, Thoster, open if people want to bang into them, just threadjack wherever.
WHAT || Val'drin meets with his squire
WHERE || Knight's HQ, first floor lounge
WHEN || Monday evening, April 16th
HOW || Actionspam

[ There's a definite change in the dark elf's demeanor since Thoster last saw him, and when he meets with him as arranged in a first floor common room, he's seated on a lounge chair, leaning his mouth against his hand, looking vastly contemplative. He looks up with a distracted air upon the squire's entrance. ]

Didn't get lost, I see.

Comments

[bluffcheck]

[Wat]

Afraid you'll have to elaborate, friend.

[Maybe this is a long time to be sorting out finances, but this is very important stuff, okay?]

[valdrin]

It's a credit system. Are you familiar with a concept of bank notes?

[bluffcheck]

What's a note got to do with anything?

[No, this is not going to be easy.]

[cabot]

[ SIGH OK HERE HE GOES ] Well. The idea is that when you go to purchase something, the card means that the bank pays for it - instead of you. You're simply agreeing to pay back the bank at some later time.

Or in our case, the Knights pay them back.

thread-jacking here ;)

[socialgraces]

Perhaps you should take him out and show him how it works. [Francesca speaks before she's seen, coming up behind them. She crosses her arms as she pauses, waiting for them to turn around.]

[bluffcheck]

[Thoster turns and grins at the woman who has joined them. He turns back to Val'drin with the same smile.]

I like her.

[cabot]

[ Val'drin's eyes are trained beyond Thoster onto Francesca, and don't budge from the spot, even as he replies to him. ] Most do. [ There's something significant in his tone, but it's hard to read, and after a beat, he adds: ]

I'd heard you'd made a full recovery.

[socialgraces]

[She holds Val'drin's gaze for a couple moments.] Good as new, they say. [And she breaks eye contact to acknowledge Thoster, clearing her throat.] I don't believe we've had a proper introduction. I'm Francesca.

[bluffcheck]

[He remembers her from the medical wing, not that she might remember him. For her sake, he doesn't bring it up.]

Thoster. [He tosses out his own name in return.]

So what's say we three get out and you can show me how this card works? Buy the lady something nice?

[valdrin]

She's usually in the habit of buying herself something nice, but I think now might call for the occasion. [ And he'll get up and move past them both, pausing briefly to look back at her as if waiting for her to argue. ]

[socialgraces]

[She considers arguing as she stands there looking between them, slightly shocked at where this conversation has suddenly gone, but] Why not? [She shrugs and follows.] But I want something very nice. And I don't want to drive.

[bluffcheck]

[Observing the two of them, Thoster arches an eyebrow at Val'drin, but doesn't say anything. In fact, he doesn't speak at all as he follows the Knights until he raises a simple question.]

Drive?

[cabot]

[ Val'drin casts a glance at Thoster, sounding wryly resigned ] ... Well, I suppose that narrows it down.

Come along, then.

[socialgraces]

[She gives a good-humored chuckle at Thoster's ignorance before catching up with Val'drin.] We'll have to find somewhere... safe. But that shouldn't be too much of a problem. [And she pulls sunglasses down over her eyes, all cool-like.]

[bluffcheck]

[Why does he suddenly have a third-wheel vibe? Never one to mind that, though, Thoster just shrugs and follows after the pair of them.]

Safe's a bit dull, in my opinion.

[valdrin]

Yes, well it wouldn't be your very human little neck on the line, now would it? [ It's said with good humor, however, but he digs in his pocket for a set of shades as well, not to be out matched. ]

Not everyone is particularly drow-friendly.

[socialgraces]

Most aren't. [She adds, picking up on the third-wheel vibe as well, and immediately moving to walk next to Thoster.]

Where are you from, Thoster?

[bluffcheck]

Aw, come off it! [He tosses back to Val'drin.] You mean to tell me with all the strange things you're showin' me- that they still think you're too odd?

[But now there's a pretty lady, so he takes her question into consideration.]

From's not a concept I follow, lass. Left any firm home so long ago, I hardly remember it. Only place I call home is on my ship.

[cabot]

You'll find that if there's one universal truth, whether you're from here, there, or a boat in between, it's that people always need someone to hate. [ Despite the deep philosophy he's espousing, he sounds almost chipper about it. ]

[socialgraces]

[She seems to mull over Val'drin's statement before adding:] That's a big part of the Knights' mission: debunking racial stereotypes. Although, that's not to say some stereotypes aren't founded in truth. We just prefer to focus on the worth of the individual, regardless of species.

[She immediately tacks on to the end of that lecture:] Are you a pirate?

[bluffcheck]

Seen plenty of hate in my time- no need to-

[And then Francesca's question hits him and he stops to let out a loud laugh.]

I suppose you could call me that. Suppose many have called me that before. I, myself, consider myself a lover first, a bard second, and a captain third.

You'll notice that 'pirate' didn't quite make the list.

[cabot]

Neither did 'male', but somehow I don't think that diminishes what's between your legs from being part of you. [ just sayin ]

[socialgraces]

[Wow. Really? Francesca eyes Val'drin with mild disgust, her tone dry.] How astute. And tasteful. [At least he's easy to read, and she can work with that.

She turns back to Thoster.] So, we should take you somewhere you can showcase your talents? A pub, or a tavern. Somewhere you can sing.

[bluffcheck]

[But Thoster only laughs.]

I try not to talk about such things with ladies present, but since you've done the job for me- yes, that's quite true as well.

[He brings his smile back to Francesca.]

A real bard can sing anywhere, but I'll never turn down an invitation to a tavern.

[valdrin]

[ somehow he had the feeling thoster would find that funny. even if he knew francesca wouldn't... ]

Probably a bit more respectable than taking him to the subway.