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

[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.

[bluffcheck]

[Just at the very prospect of a drink and a song, Thoster is practically humming with content. For all the strangeness of this place, it doesn't take much to put him back in his element.]

Have I mentioned that I like her?

[valdrin]

[ As Val'drin twirls the keys on his index finger, he glances over at her, and then looks straight ahead again, suddenly wondering how he got himself into this. ]

... Most do. [ TO THE GARAGE ]

[socialgraces]

[Francesca watches Val'drin, gauging his reactions (with a NAT 20 Sense Motive check). She can feel the complicated tension as well, but at least she knows she has most of the control in this situation. She considers looping her arm through his, but she'll be nice. At least while they're still at the castle.

So instead she hangs back a couple steps to walk with Thoster.] I take it you haven't ridden in a car before. If you start to feel sick, make sure to speak up. [She almost had a bad experience with Arthur and motion sickness. She's learned.]

[bluffcheck]

[It doesn't take a genius to sense something is up between these two, but Thoster isn't sure what. And he doesn't seem too concerned to find out.]

Spent most of my life in motion. Haven't met a mode of transport that's shaken me up yet.

[cabot]

[ Val'drin gives a bit of an amused snort at the boast, heading towards this vehicle, which beeps and flashes his lights as he strikes a button. ]

And how fast did those horses of yours travel, exactly?

[socialgraces]

[She'll let Thoster take shotgun, since he's more likely not to get sick up front. She climbs into the back of the spacious ride, crossing her legs casually.]

I hope you don't mind if I smoke. [She asks after the other two get situated, reaching in her purse for a light before rolling down the window.]

[bluffcheck]

[After seeing Francesca open the door and climb inside, Thoster follows with only a few curious glances around at the machine. He's seen them moving around. While he sails his boat, he watches these small modes of transport zoom around on land. It's something intriguing, to be sure, but nothing that he's afraid of.]

Never said I traveled by horse, did I? Now do you plan to boast all day or shall we see just what this thing can do?

[cabot]

Well, if you hand me the option, perhaps I'll choose to boast all day. [ But he starts the engine up nevertheless. ] You might want to buckle up.

[socialgraces]

Oh gods. [She mumbles, rolling her eyes. She lights her cigarette, cracking the window. She's not trying to set a bad impression, Val'drin just brings it out in her. But she makes a conscious decision to try to be nicer.

Just give her a few minutes to gather up her patience.]

[bluffcheck]

[Thoster turns to look at Francesca and tosses a grin at her.]

Took the words out of my mouth, lass.

[He fiddles with the belt for a moment, but figures it out eventually.]

[cabot]

[ THIS IS A DRIVING MONTAGE.

/INSERT BLUES BROTHERS MUSIC ]

[socialgraces]

[Francesca will just sit there, scoping out the scenery. She's cool with silence, but she'll offer up a few remarks/answers to any conversation going on. She seems distracted.

She'll bop out of the car first when they arrive, presumably somewhere she's been once or twice before. She's wearing something like this, embracing the warmer weather. She waits for the guys before heading inside.]

[bluffcheck]

[Thoster does fairly well on the car ride and for any nerves he does have at the notion of riding in the car, he has his Bluff Check of 28 to keep himself looking cool, calm, and collected. Or so he hopes.

Once they stop, he gets out and takes a look around. Thankfully, he's shown himself around town during trips to visit his darling boat. So this world isn't to new to him. He still looks like a fish out of water in the modern world, though.

So he'll just follow after Francesca. The view is nice from back here anyway.]

[cabot]

[ He leads them into what looks like... an antiques store. Only a little more eclectic than that, perhaps, as some of the things just look Shadow World-y and not really old-timey from this world. ]

[socialgraces]

[She pauses upon noticing exactly where they are, casting a questioning glance in Val'drin direction, eyebrow raised. But she keeps up with his pace, following him in.] I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.

[bluffcheck]

[He takes a look around.]

Funny looking tavern.

[It's never not funny, being a smart ass]

[valdrin]

A quick stop along the way. Perhaps you'll find something that reminds you of home.

[socialgraces]

[Francesca takes a look around for something interesting (search check 26). She's not a big fan of relics, but there might be something of use.

She walks close to Thoster, willing to share the gossip if Val'drin won't.] Val'drin used to own this shop, before he became a Knight. This is where we first met, actually.

[bluffcheck]

Really? [He glances over at his mentor, but keeps his conversation to the pretty woman.] How interesting. [He picks up a random object, trying to determine its worth (Appraise 17)]

So who has taken over this fine establishment in his stead?

[cabot]

Someone who apparently has no idea what they're doing. [ He's frowning at the prices in a display case of jewelry. Meanwhile, Thoster would recognize that the lump of rock with a black sapphire in the middle of it that he's holding seems to fit the description of an orcish artifact worth... a great deal of money. It's priced at sixty pounds. ]

I can't believe this.

omg i suck so much :'( sorry for the insane wait...

[socialgraces]

[Apparently she was giving Val'drin too much credit to assume this might be a sentimental visit. She pays little attention to either of her companions as they scour the store, instead picking up little knick-knacks and doing a bit of reminiscing herself.

She eventually turns her attention back to Thoster.]Find anything interesting? Or familiar?

[bluffcheck]

It reminds me a bit of home [He says with a laugh.]

You're right about one thing, though. [He says, pointing at Val'drin.] Haven't a clue who's running the place, but they'll run it to the ground, what with the way they're practically giving away the goods.

[cabot]

Maybe I'll have to consider repurchasing it. [ He glances at Thosster. ] Not interested in a clerk job, I imagine.

[socialgraces]

[She scoffs lightly at Val'drin's suggestion.] I'm sure that'd go over well. Have a lot of free time on your hands?