[Tete du Roi] Two...Chicks...at the Pub [Seyren]

Iseult Fluersdotter · May 17, 2008, 05:56 PM

The First Cycle of Kalendryas
Season of Winter

It wasn't often that Iseult found herself out and about in the evenings, at least not these darkenings. She had far too many things to do, too many things to get settled, over the upcoming cycles as she prepared to pack up and leave Jaedaxia. There was the wedding to consider, the wedding gift she was making, the globes that Straylor wanted to smash and destroy. She had to make money. She had to work. All of these things added up to a woman who was consumed with organizing and hashing out what she needed or wouldn't need and, as a result, could sell. But it was nice to get out, even if getting out did not entail actual socialization.

That darkening Iseult was settled at a table, lounging in a chair with her usual disregard for posture, her long legs sprawled to avoid the aisles and other patrons, while still allowing her to find comfortable in not scrunching up the bony appendages. Leaning back against the head board of the chair, she had a snub of charcoal nudged between her pointer and her middle finger, wiggling it idly as she stared at a paper in front of her. Not a drawing, just a sloppily scrawled list and jotting of notes that she had decided she needed to work on. She made a slight, thoughtful little noise, and leaned forward, scratching out a line and and writing in something new next to the crossed line, muttering when the parchment stuck to a sticky spot on the table.

"Your food, mademoiselle."

Iseult looked up as a woman hovered over her, glancing at the table in indication that the half-breed would have to move a little or risk having whatever she was working on ruined by whatever the woman had. The glassblower shifted back again, straightening a little in her chair to move her legs out of anyone's way and waited as the woman settled the place, covered in food in front of her. She muttered a brief thanks and didn't watch the woman depart. She didn't turn to her food and start picking at it, rather squinted at her list, scrutinizing it almost irritably, gnawing at her lower lip.

At length she carefully folded the paper and tucked it under the edge of her plate and sat back to start picking at the food. Picking being the appropriately chosen word for she literally plucked her food--fish and vegetables--apart before finally selecting pieces and nibbling at them. She was never one to have a great appetite, if much was evidenced by her waif-like frame, her limbs more angled than rounded. At her elbow was a mug of cider, which she sampled more than her food. She was in no rush to eat, taking her time, keeping to herself, and occasionally peeking at her list.

Seyren Leonard · May 18, 2008, 04:27 PM

Seyren Leonard stepped into the bar looking disheveled and utterly spent, not surprising since she had spent the majority of the brightening working and for someone who had previously lived a life of luxury the few candlemarks she spent today doing manual labor was nothing short of hell for her.

Now, while Seyren did dress herself in men's clothes, moved in a less than graceful manner and spoke with a syntax that was far removed from feminine as a woman should speak she was still without a doubt lovely and charming beyond words - perhaps the reason why despite her appearance every male in the bar who had seen her were now staring.

Seyren sighed in exasperation, it was the same response she elicited everywhere she went and since she wasn't a normal girl she really couldn't appreciate the attention. Apparently the curse that had turned her into a woman wasn't as unforgiving as she thought it was, at the very least Seyren still retained her looks - albeit now it was essentially worthless to her since she couldn't even use it to go o ogle on women since Jaedaxia as it seemed was a place that didn't have public bath houses.

So why was she here again? Oh yes, she was starving. Having made the mistake of skipping lunch earlier Seyren was forced to go through an afternoon of work on an empty stomach and for someone who only ate when she felt like it this would probably be the first time she had ever felt the pangs of hunger before.

And that was the story really, a hungry girl was looking for food and this joint turned out to be the closest place that sold food decent enough for her palette. Surprisingly it also seemed like the place didn't have only good food, there was also a good looking woman there to boot. Since Seyren really had nothing better to do for the darkening she approached Iseult, taking the empty chair opposite of the girl flashing Fluersdotter a charming smile as she did so.

The brightening had been horrible and the darkening was proving to be dreadfully boring so far, so why not punctuate the night with a little stimulating chatter with a beautiful woman? Who knew, maybe she'd be able to get laid even as a girl - then again considering the circumstance it was doubtful.

She would wait for the woman to speak first, and then depending on what Seyren could make out of her personality she'd decided if she'd stick to her real personality or play out her new given role.

Iseult Fluersdotter · May 19, 2008, 06:04 PM

Iseult wasn't generally the sort inclined towards idle conversation. She wasn't the sort that really set out to attract to her any sort of companionship, friendly or otherwise. As such, as she rarely lifted her head to look around her at others and sat more hunched and kept her attention focused as to seem rather busy and uninteresting than she did to open her stance and lounge with an air of boredom. As such, she hardly considered anyone might be so bold as she seat themselves at her table unless the place prove to be packed.

The thunk as someone did deposit themselves across from her suggested that the place was indeed empty, but as Iseult looked up and glanced briefly around her, she noted that this was not in fact the case. She frowned and stared for a moment at the table before shifting in her chair, a rigid presence at the table, her brow furrowed, her mouth set into a thin line. She did not overtly study the woman, but did note that the individual was in fact female and young, by the looks of her.

Finally, she tilted her cheek and fixed dark eyes on Seyren, brows rising slightly. She'd only barely caught the quick smile the woman had flashed her and she did not return it, looking more puzzled and discomforted than engaged. "Serale," she greeted Seyren succinctly and folded her paper up again, tucking it beneath her plate, the charcoal rolling away from her fingers to settle against a split in the wooden tabletop.

She set her hand under the table and rubbed it against her thigh to rid her fingers of the dusty charcoal that clung into the grooves of her fingers and for a moment focused on her food, poking at it with all the interest of a person who clearly had something else on their mind. She looked up again, puzzled. "Can I help you?" Had it been a man across from her, she might have been a trace more rude than what she was already presenting. For now she was simply...distant, a bit cool.

Seyren Leonard · May 21, 2008, 01:13 PM

"Yes, actually." she said in an all too unintentionally sweet voice. "You see this brightening has proven to be the most uneventful in my life so far and," the girl shook her head, allowing an exasperated sigh to escape from her lips. "I was hoping you had a story or two to share."

Seyren knew that she wasn't really playing her role properly, in fact she was being a little too haughty and forward for a fifteen year-old lady, but having spent the entire brightening playing the role of a amiable and polite waitress had thoroughly exhausted her mentally. While the job itself wasn't that difficult Seyren found that consciously acting in the manner people expected her to behave was if anything almost maddening, she needed a momentary respite and if there was any place she could loosen up wouldn't a tavern fit all her requirements perfectly?

She needed this.

"A pint of ale please, maybe two!" he squeaked, waving a hand in the air to catch the attention of a nearby waiter.

Seyren returned her gaze to the beauty in front of her again, regarding the woman with a hungry gaze as she leaned over closer to the Fluersdotter. "Now, I'm sure you must be wondering why you of all the people in this little tavern, first and foremost, you're pretty. I won't beat around the bush, you really are charming and then I get this vibe from you, the kind of feeling I only get from interesting people" she tapped the side of her temple, smirking. "My instincts never fail."

Iseult Fluersdotter · May 21, 2008, 08:56 PM

The girl was young. Really young, at least by Iseult's standards. She appeared human and, as such, looking like a fifteen-ordinance-old girl meant that she was probably half Iseult's own age...which made her younger than any of Iseult's other siblings. Which was just weird that the girl was staring at her with such intensity and unmistakable hunger that it made Iseult lean back against the headrest of her chair as if that little extra space between them might do her a bit of good.

"I've never been particularly good at stories," she murmured, poking at her food with her fork and wondering how exactly to be rid of her unwelcome table guest. Strange table guest she was, too.

As to the other things, Iseult had been wondering why her, of all the people to choose from, and she frowned slightly at the mention that she was "charming" and "pretty". She'd never considered herself either, having been teased often enough over her appearance when young and certainly possessing more in the way of scowls and glares than smiles and laughter. Charming people seemed more like Rougenoe, with his ability to talk, or even the Leonards with their out-going confidence.

Thinking of the Leonards made Iseult frown. Not from any sort of dislike or hatred, but rather because she felt suddenly puzzled abut the girl in front of her. Like there was something familiar about her. Only Iseult knew she had never seen her before. Or..had she? She was suddenly confused and second-guessing herself, so she did not snap at the girl to get lost as she might have done otherwise. "Right. I'm sure your instincts are great." She frowned, tapping a finger against her chin. "And...who're you?"

Seyren Leonard · May 22, 2008, 11:42 AM

The girl was clearly pleased with Iseult's reaction, that much anyone could deduce from the way she was regarding the Fluersdotter. "Seyren Leonard," she extended an open hand towards the girl expecting a warm handshake judging from the way she was smiling. "but I'd like to hear more about you, for starters I'd like to know your name, would you tell me, please?"

Perhaps she was being a little way too forward but she couldn't really try and seduce this woman in her current for now could she? This was the best way to introduce herself at the moment and she saw no danger in giving the woman her surname. After all, how many people knew the Leonards and what were the chances of anyone linking her name with the right family, there must've been at least two other Leonard families on Telath and she could just claim to be part of one of them should the need to hide her true identity arrive.

Iseult Fluersdotter · May 22, 2008, 01:01 PM

The name jolted her and Iseult frowned, glancing at the hand extended towards her in a gesture of what Iseult assumed to be simple, eager friendship. She hesitated a moment, the name bothering her, and reached out to clasp it, briefly, without lingering. She withdrew her hand quickly enough, setting it on the table next to her plate, her fork set down and her food now untouched.

At the request for her own name, Iseult shrugged slightly, disinterested in really sharing much about herself. But fair was fair and she introduced herself, "Iseult Fluersdotter." Little more information than that. Simply Iseult Fluersdotter. She hadn't asked for anything else. Just the name.

"Leonard, is it?" she asked, hesitantly. She didn't want to leap to any conclusions. Leonard was not, after all, an exotic name. "You have any relations in Jaedaxia?"

Seyren Leonard · May 22, 2008, 01:28 PM

Iseult wasn't very talkative or she was a shy girl, that was Seyren's conclusion of this woman's personality and perhaps the it was the fact that this woman proved to be so tight-lipped that drove her to want to know more. Seyren was positive that Iseult had a good story to share, it was usually the case with the quiet ones anyway. Her logic, the fact that they didn't speak much meant they had much to hide and that usually equated to juicier stories or in rare instances confessions.

"Jaedaxia? No, not at all... but I was supposed to have a cousin who lived this far north... Not really in Jaedaxia, one of the nearby cities but I can't remember which... His name was Stray..." she bit her lips, her delicate brows furrowing as she tried hard to remember his name. "I can't remember his full name but I remember playing with him back when we were kids." and then she realized she had said too much, oh well, there was no way Iseult would know Stray, she couldn't even remember him all that well herself.

Seyren's pint of ale arrived at this point of her spiel and she completely forgot about Stray. The small girl nursed the rather large mug of ale and took a swig of the alcohol-laced drink, she wanted to wash down the exhaustion from a long day's hard work with this and it had always helped in the past but now... How come it tastes bad all of a sudden...

It had never occurred to her that maybe her tastes would change now that she inhabited this smaller frame. Surely that couldn't be true, the prospect of not enjoying her alcohol was the last straw she could take.

"I was simply stranded in this city due to a few mitigating circumstances that went beyond my control. I guess simply put, karma dictated my arrival here." which was the truth, or at least part of it. She couldn't really tell the Fluersdotter that she was on the run on accusations of kidnapping herself, that would definitely sound crazy and she doubted Iseult was the sort who'd believe long tales.

"And how about you, from where do you come from?"

Iseult Fluersdotter · May 23, 2008, 01:01 PM

Iseult was plagued with Leonards. Not that this was really necessarily a bad thing, save that she wasn't quite sure what to make of it. She'd met Straylor first and had found his company relatively annoying, if not downright aggravating. As of late, he seemed to have improved marginally since she'd met him and she'd been doing her best to be polite and civil given that he was about to marry her cousin. That still didn't mean she genuinely approved of the marriage or of Straylor. But gradually there was acceptance. Gradually. Ci'aran was another matter completely. She and the guard were close, good friends. There were no troubles at all concerning Ci'aran as he seemed to understand when to leave well enough alone and when to pursue a topic. Ah, but this. Another Leonard.

She narrowed her eyes on Seyren slightly. How many 'Stray Leonard's could there possibly be on Telath? Particularly when 'Stray' was apparently not the full name either. She sighed and reached for her cider, sipping at it, relishing the thickness of the fermented apple and the faint traces of alcohol within. She loved cider and it wasn't nearly as potent as some of the other boozes she'd taken to drinking since she'd found out about her curse. Lovely thing, that. The curse.

"Straylor," she informed the girl with a sigh...that sounded as if she were giving in in some form or another. "Straylor Leonard--he lives two or so brightenings south of here in Trysvale. Which isn't so much a city as it is a backwater hole in the wall. He's got a brother Ci'aran. He lives here in Jaedaxia." While Iseult seemed hesitant to give information about herself, the link between herself and the Leonards readily came out. I mean. It wasn't every brightening two people who knew the same people happened to meet randomly in a tavern. Right? "Well. Karma has a funny sense of humor. Your cousin, if he's that, is getting married next cycle."

She took a long drink of her cider and wondered if this karma stuff had it out to get her. Why another Leonard? And why one that had to be as prying as a mouse trying to get to the cheese? "I'm from Trysvale. That backwater little hole in the wall." It was curtly spoken. She didn't like Trysvale and that much was evident in the tone and the infliction used when mentioning the small town where Seyren's cousin now lived.

"You never actually said where you were from," she pointed out. Had she asked? She thought about it. She didn't think so.

Seyren Leonard · May 23, 2008, 05:29 PM

She knows the Leonards. And Straylor.

A silent alarm rang in her head and suddenly whatever confidence was burning behind Seyren's eyes was snuffed out like a candle flame. Her face suddenly grew pale and suddenly the Leonard found herself out of words to say. Nobody was supposed to know her this far north and even though she had been too lax what were the chances she would've met someone who was obviously related to the Leonards in one way or another, one to a million?

"I-I see, you k-know Stray..." she stammered, hands suddenly and noticably trembling not from the cold but from a feeling that was alien to the usually overbearing Seyren. "He's g-getting married I see..." she chuckled nervously wondering how this woman knew Stray and if she knew any other Leonard. It would've been a problem is she knew about Seyren's alleged kidnapping back in Medonia, surely there was no way for news to travel that fast now was there? She sure hoped there wasn't.

"Trysvale huh..." she memorized the name of the city, perhaps she might just seek out Stray when she became desperate enogh, he was a generally nice guy and seemed open to crazy ideas, at least back when they were children. "Maybe I'll drop by and congratulate him..."

Seyren's eyes narrowed om front of Iseult when she asked for her whereabouts. "Originally Medonia but..." she needed to think up a lie, anything as long as it was believable. "I've been moving around s-so much that I've never really considered Medonia much of a home." with that said Seyren once again down a couple of gulps from her cold pint of ale and suddenly there was that slight buzzing in her ear, her regular reaction to alcohol, the first sign that she was steadly becoming inebriated though it was strange - she hadn't even finished the whole mug. She looked down into the depths of the mug, beyond the thin layer of froth. I didn't ask for drawven ale... did I? Seyren rubbed her temples shaking off the lightheadedness, the last thing she needed to become right now was drunk.

Iseult Fluersdotter · May 24, 2008, 12:18 PM

Iseult did note the sudden paleness in the girl's cheeks, the way she seemed to suddenly grow uncomfortable--hadn't she exuded a sort of confidence just moments earlier? It smoothed Iseult's features into a bland, bored expression that hid away her uncertainty and curiosity that bubbled about the individual across from her. Apparently the fact hat Iseult knew Straylor was not something that the girl had counted on at all. It bothered her. But lucky for Seyren Iseult knew next to nothing regarding a person named Seyren and the alleged kidnapping.

"You should," she responded idly at the suggestion that Seyren might stop by and congratulate her cousin...if only because she was curious to see why Seyren might be so discomforted with the idea of Iseult knowing her cousin. And this was the only reason why the next offer was put forward: "You can even head down there with me. I'm leaving a little early for it. On the 8th." Was there a slight trace of a smirk on the young woman's mouth as she looked over at Seyren? "Or, if you don't think you can attend, I'll be sure to extend your best to Straylor for you." Iseult rarely digged at people to see their reaction and discomfort, but now she did. She'd been hanging around people such as Rougenoe a bit too much.

But, ah, Seyren wasn't about to make herself much more comfortable as Iseult listened to her explanation as to where she had come from. Iseult's eyes brightened a bit with curiosity as she mentioned Medonia. "Medonia?" There was knowledge in the voice and not pure interest in a place that she had never been. It was the sort of tone a person took when they knew something. "I was there just recently. Friend's the thane," she added as an afterthought. It was probably just the sort of information Seyren wanted to hear. "An ugly sort of place, I thought."

Seyren Leonard · May 25, 2008, 09:28 AM

"Oh, No! It's alright, I'll go there with you! I w-want to personally congratulate Straylor myself!" she sputtered, though not quite as convincingly as she'd have liked. The last thing she wanted was for any relative of hers to catch wind of her being here in Jaedaxia, it was a cold city but so far the place was to the girl's liking. The last thing she wanted was to be driven out of the city just when she was getting familiar with it, Seyren needed to talk to Straylor and explain her situation before anyone else from the family got wind of it and it seemed like accompanying Iseult to that wedding would be her best bet.

"So where are you staying in this city and where are you leaving? I'd like to know so that I can come visit you the brightening before you're leaving." Seyren didn't really want to give this person more information that she already had and she didn't want her knowing where she was living, hopefully Iseult wouldn't insist on picking her up. God knew she'd be caught dead if anyone caught her serving tea with that fake smile while wearing that ridiculously cute waitress' outfit she had been in earlier.

"You've been to Medonia recently hmm..." now conscious of her choice of words Seyren was putting on a facade of disinterest. She didn't want to give this woman any more reasons to prod her for more information, no, she needed to get away from Iseult though without arousing suspicion. Now how could she do that in a discreet manner? "Oh the Thane..." she shrugged her shoulders pretending not to be intimidated by the title. "I've never much cared for politics really, I'm surprised you have friends in high places though."

"Medonia, ugly?" a flash of anger registered behind Seyren's amber eyes for a moment, as much as Seyren wanted to say no more she just couldn't put that little remark aside. "I don't know, I think it's a beautiful city... I bet you didn't take the scenic routes around the city now did you." before Iseult would have time to respond Seyren raised a hand into the air to call the waiter, it seemed as if their discussion might last a little longer than she had anticipated so she ordered herself bread and a generous slice of steak.

Iseult Fluersdotter · May 25, 2008, 09:24 PM

Iseult shrugged slightly as the girl decided she would actually accompany Iseult down to Trysvale, regretting a little her impulsive suggestion. She didn't know this girl and while she seemed harmless enough, there was a hint of oddity in here that set Iseult's teeth grating, left her uncomfortable with the girl. But because nothing was overt, Iseult really had no reason to suspect anything terribly off. Maybe the girl was just socially awkward. Or something.

As to the question to her location, Iseult shrugged, then sighed, ripping off a piece of her parchment and jotting down the address to her home with her charcoal. She slid it across the table to Seyren. "I'll be leaving the 8th. I go on foot, so if you can't stand walking, don't bother."

A flare of agitation flashed over Iseult's features at Seyren's dismissive words. Not that Iseult needed anyone to praise her for who she knew or the like. She didn't. Iseult didn't run around touting names and titles for the sake of attention and favors. If she wanted attention and favors she would have dressed nicely and did her best to impress with far nicer manners. However, it did grate to hear someone suggest that it was surprising for her to know people in high places. "I don't care much for politics either," she responded dryly, a bit coldly. "Thieves and arrogant asses. Most of them. But I'm glad you find it surprising that someone such as me can know people who hold rank."

She leaned back in her chair, regarding the young girl with a steady, even-lipped stare. She did not look thrilled with Seyren at that moment, but neither did she look furious. Just...removed. Iced off. "What parts of Medonia would you call pretty?" she pressed, disbelieving that anyone could find that stony lump attractive. "I wouldn't know what parts are scenic. That park might have been at one point. But I don't really see how you find it...beautiful."

Seyren Leonard · May 27, 2008, 10:39 AM

Walking from city to city? Did they really have to? She could probably afford to rent a horse so the purpose of walking was totally lost on Seyren, besides it was winter and there wasn't much to see on the way there. Covered in a thick blanket of snow the scenery would've been the same regardless of where they went.

"I don't mind walking..." she lied, not pleased the the prospect of trudging through ice and camping outdoors.

Seyren was begging to like Iseult less and less with each passing moment and to be perfectly honest she was very very close to verbally lashing out at the girl for saying unpleasant things about her home city. Fortunately for Seyren however she was still borderline sober and being mildly aware of her more than risque situation she decided to drop the topic on the pretense that she could always bring it up another day. "Medonia is a place that just grows on you in time... I guess its really just the company that really makes a place shine..."

Just before the girl could say more though the waiter arrived with the meal she had ordered and when he had left Seyren unceremoniously began tearing into the meat, eating it with obvious gusto. "Forget it, I ruined the mood." Seyren sighed, shaking her head softly. "We're all entitled to our own opinions, it was wrong of me to feel offended."

"So... where do I meet you on the 8th?"