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

[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.

[socialgraces]

[She'll move them along to the front entrance, her heels clicking against the stone. Now she's eager to get her free drink on. She turns to Val'drin, lightly bumping shoulders with him and smiling sweetly.] I'll even let you buy me a drink.