RP:Cloak and Dinner

Summary; Meri and Alvina meet in Frostmaw, after a bad run in with an Avian. Alvina tries the get Meri a cloak but accidentally embarrasses her. They agree to get lunch or a drink the next time they run into each other in Cenril.

Southern Road

Frostmaw again for Meri. For some they might enjoy the pristine white look of snow stretching across the ground before them and glittering the trees. It didn't quite matter sun or moon, snowflakes were good at glistening. Meri stood in front of the Frosty Herb and Armor, not directly in front of the entrance but off to one side so that people could still pass by and into the tent for their shopping needs. To help combat the cold, a thick, black fur-lined cloak that is black in colored is worn and it basically masks the rest of the details about Meri, from attire to tattoos. There is a hood to it, but for now it sits bunched around the back of Meri's neck. Between red lips, a cigarette dangles to one side of her mouth, slowly burning away as blue eyes stare wistfully at the tent before her. What is essentially occurring, is a window shopping session. Except that is a tent so there are not really any window. Basically, Meri is just imagining all of the pretty armor that a gal like her just cannot really afford. It would be nice to go in, but that just serves as a reminder of...all that nice stuff that she might kind of want but...on the pay of a tattoo artist?

Alvina is passing down the path, coming from the west. In her arms, she's juggling various books and scrolls with careful consideration for her footing. In fact, she's so determined not to trip that she actually runs into someone. An avian male, who she's run into several times before and just doesn't want to hear about her excuses anymore. The books and scrolls clatter into the snow bank on one side of the path and the bard falls backwards on her behind, red curls scattering with the impact. Her glasses, which had been perched perfectly on her pale nose, sink in some small pile of snow well off the path and her navy cloak and dress are now splattered with the wet spots of snow from a cart that's passing through a good deal of melted snow. The avian looks at her and shakes his head. "That's three times Miss..." He reminds her, as if keeping track in his oddly rude but still polite fashion. He doesn't offer to help her up, but straightens his jacket and continues on his way. It serves her right, bumping into folks like that. Alvina is stunned, and remains seated in the cold snow until it soaks through her cloth and into her dress, biting at her pale skin underneath with it's mind numbing chill.

Meri's blue eyes swivel toward Alvina and the avain shortly after the red headed woman comes crashing into the much taller, winged man. There is a shake of her head as the avain just walks away without even to offer Alvina a hand, and yes the 'three times' comment was heard but dismissed. Meri was shady! She was not always a jerk. Sometimes. Mostly not. The blonde weighs her options but it is not really a tough choice for her. Stare at the shop she is not even going to go into? Or go help the woman back to her feet? It is a split second decision and Meri's soon approaches Alvina, snow crunching beneath her boots with each step. Both hands slide out from beneath the warmth of her cloak, one moving to pull the cigarette from between her lips. It was more secure between two fingers. The other is offered to Alvina. Both hands are tattooed upon the knuckles, one hand reading 'love', the other 'pain'. Normally Meri wears gloves in this icy place but alas, gloves are often so easily misplaced. "Avains. Always so full of themselves, I swear. Brennia is one of the more laid back ones..." but that one is not Brennia. Only once Alvina is secure on her feet will Meri dip into a crouch to try and start assisting the woman with picking up her items, everything she can see. What she cannot see are those glasses though, which are at present in danger of being stepped on by another unsuspecting traveler. Hopefully Alvina knows where they have landed otherwise both ladies and the poor bloc at risk of stepping on them may soon hear a crunch and a crack. Maybe. Meri is going to keep on talking, "Pretty dress you have on there but are you not freezing? I swear I need like ten layers of clothes every time I come up here."

Alvina looks up at Meri with surprise. She's never seen a woman with so many tattoos or such blue eyes. Her metallic hand crosses her body to grasp Meri's. It's cold but no colder than exposed skin would be in these temperatures. The metal plating is gold, embellished with roses. It looks a bit like a tattooed sleeve, the design rolling down her arm and coating her fingers in the right light. It's the mention of Brennia that makes the bard's guard drop all the more, a smile springing to her lips once she's back on booted feet. A wet patch has formed on her cloak, where she fell, around her backside but she doesn't have the time to deal with it presently. "A friend of Brennia's?" Alvina laughed, dusting snow off her dress hem and moving to make a more formal introduction. "Thank you for not being that guy." Alvina hitched her thumb in the retreating avian's direction. "You don't have to -" she tries, discouraging Meri from picking up the pages. There weren't a lot but they were spaced out decently. To keep her from it, Alvina rushed to pick up the pages in reach and in doing so found her glasses. With a fragile 'CRACK' they snapped beneath her boots in the snow. Her shoulders slumped. "Damn it..." She cursed. Then to Meri's compliment, she'll turn back and offer a thin smile. "It's something I got here in Frostmaw. It's some kind of enchanted against cold I think..." She's reading the tattoos on the woman's knuckles now. "I actually got it in that shop over there..." Alvina pointed to the one Meri had passed on her way to help the bard. "Will you come with me? Let's look to see if they have any more. At least cloaks...they do a lot to dampen the dagger." Meaning, they make you a little warmer, as cloaks do normally. What a silly thing to say. "I have to replace my glasses now anyway, from the looks of this sparkling snow bank..." It's all she could do not to laugh at the hilarious situation. "Also thanks for helping me," she tucks the books and pages into her satchel but the bag looks no bigger for it. She stretches out her fleshed hand, because people are normally more receptive to touching skin than metal. "I'm Alvina."

Meri would help regardless of Alvina's protests, hardly even seeming to react to the fact that a metal hand moves to grasp Meri. Hardly in the sense that there is a brief look of surprise, not everyone has a metal arm, but then Meri moves right past it.The name Alvina registers almost instantly. "Alvina," Meri repeats, first and foremost as she accepts that offered hand, given it a firm shake before releasing her hold. "I have heard of you before." From who? And what she has heard? Meri is not expanding, there were a lot of other issues to touch upon. Like the offer to step inside the shop with Alvina, which is answered non-verbally by taking a few steps in that direction once they have managed to gather all of Alvina's belongings, broken glasses included. "My own name is Meri. It's nice to meet you." A brief pause, just enough for a subject shift. "Not like close personal friends or anything, we have met perhaps four of five times now?" Acquaintances may be a better word. The remains of her cigarette are snuffed out between her fingers and then flicked off into the distance, landing in the snow somewhere. With her hands free of items once more, both arms recede into the furs of her coat to soak up the warmth. "I knew a guy who had an arm like yours," comments Meri as they formally make their way into the shop, in search of some replacement glasses for Alvina. "His name is Trent and he used to work down at the docks of Cenril. " Trent's 'metal arm' was actually armor, cursed to stick to his arm but the point was (in a round about sort of way that hopefully did not come off as dreadfully awkward)...Meri did not mind and held no judgement. "They sell enchantments that do that here? I would imagine that must cost a pretty penny..." This is an opinion she has formed in regards to any enchantment, spell, or anything remotely related to magic. Meri was about to find out first hand, though this is not the first time she has been in this particular shop. It seemed like everything on the price tags she did pick up the last time she was here made her cringe.

"I hope you've only heard good things." She looks nervous, afraid Meri has heard some horror story from Valrae. What would the cute witch even say about her? More likely it was something in the papers. She worked for Frostmaw, it could really be from anyone. Meri is regarded with that apprehensive smile. Alvina notes and appreciates the lack of hesitation on Meri's part. Not everyone had a metal arm, wasn't it so true? She still struggles with it, because it's weird right? Apparently not as weird as she thinks. Meri's explanation comes off without incident. The bard herself is awkward and does not pick up on any cues. It's a natural note of conversation and it doesn't feel forced or strangely placed. "Trent? I think I've heard his name before..." The bard muses, while they duck into the armor shop's entrance. There are several patrons sorting through the wares. "I had my money on you saying 'Ranok'," The bard laughed, but she's ignored by the shop keeper. "They sell them if you know what to look for. Here..." She leads Meri over to a rack in the corner, abandoned by the other patrons. "There's a trick to it..." She whispers in Meri's direction, flesh hand groping through the various shades of cloaks and wraps to find a deep black that matched Meri's current coat. She pulls it out and holds it up the woman, as if trying to see if it would fit her by eye sight alone. Then she says, too loud to be coincidence... "Oh I just love this color on you. It really highlights your eyes!" As soon as Alvina's normally mousy voice breaks the sound barrier of the surrounding patrons, the shop keeper shuffles out from behind his desk and offers to assist them with a kindly smile. They are looking at the most expensive of items, after all. "Good evening, ladies." He's an aged gentleman with grey sprinkled into his peppery hair and beard. "How can I help you?"

Of course Meri had heard of Ranok, yet he was not the first person to have come to her mind. The slight wrinkle of her nose at the mention of that grumpy pupper may be evidence as to why -- he is so charming. While Meri has met Valrae a time or two, it is not the witch that Meri has heard anything from but the blonde has the decent sense to keep her answer subtle. "Only good things, from a jock down in Cenril." All talk of Trent, Hudson, and Ranok are abandoned when Alvina leads her to one of those corner racks. Shopping was not an activity that Meri participated in too often, this was not a thing that she was very good at. Girly, girl she is not. But she tries! Mostly following Alvina's lead, looking at this cloak or that jacket. Meri is just going to go right ahead and pretend those price tags do not exist. An exception is made for the article of clothing that Alvina puts against her, Meri sneaks a peek at the damage that purchase would do. Needless to say she about chokes at the number she sees! Oh my! Alvina, the girl with some expensive taste. Good, but expensive.' 'There is a trick to it..' Alvina points out. A trick to what? Getting the attention of the shop keeper so that the sale could be sealed? Those baby blues that Alvina was just complimenting go wide at the thought of what might transpire. Alvina looked like too wholesome of a chick to be providing any amount of distraction for theft. Then again, maybe she was the sort to try it on and walk out with it? The shopkeeper is there and Meri is lost as to what Alvina is trying to do here. The tattoo artist stammers out a confused and ungraceful, "Uh. Um."

The shopkeeper loams by as Alvina turns to address him, filling in the stammering blanks that Meri leaves because she's fully aware she's thrown this poor woman into a strange situation. "So lovely to see you again," The bard says to the older gentleman. "I bought my cloak here a few months ago and I'm just -dying- to get one for my assistant here. She's come all this way to help me aid the Queen. I told her this place had -the- finest cloaks and wouldn't you know it, we just found the perfect one. Doesn't it light up her eyes?" Alvina blinks her own emerald gaze in his direction. He looks a little confused, until he spies the official broach of Frostmaw on her cloak. Alvina has 'conveniently' moved her crimson curls to pool against her back so it would be visible. "Of course, it's very fitting for her. A rich ebony to highlight her bright eyes." Alvina pulls the cloak back and hands it to the shop keeping. "I think we are ready to purchase it, it's perfect." He takes the cloak and carefully makes his way back to the front of the shop while Alvina leans forward to whisper in Meri's ear. "When we get to the register, pretend you didn't see the price tag before. He'll offer us a discount because I work for the crown". It's a little underhanded but it works in the shop keepers favor. If Alvina promotes his shop to her friends, it's free royal advertising. Plus, her boyfriend was kind of a drug dealer so money didn't matter much to her anymore. It's easy to take for granted. As they move closer, Alvina returns her speaking volume to normal. "A jock in Cenril? I only have two guesses," And Ethan might have been one, if she'd thought ahead enough to offer one. "I hope he only said nice things." She laughed, as they make their way through the other patrons, shifting clothing around on racks and talking amongst themselves about prices and other items. Alvina off- handedly grabs a pair of opal earrings to use as a backup, in case the Merchant failed to see the value of cutting them a deal. Not only would he lose out on Alvina's recommendation to any Frostmaw dignitaries (she did not have access to those people, but he didn't know that!) but he'd also lose out on the sale of those earrings, which had been there for months, Alvina knew that for a fact.

Meri follows along, mostly because she is in a state of shell shock. Panic was starting to set in as they approached the counter, so much that Meri ends up not being much for conversation at this point. Her head is pounding, her ears are burning, is she starting to flush as she freaks out over the amount of money she may be spending? This better be a good discount. One might think that the route out of this perdicament was an easy one -- all Meri needed to do was confess that she did not have the money to Alvina. That was also one of the more embarrassing routes. So to the counter Meri goes, this jacket she does not even really need in tow. This better fit, and bring out her eyes. Oh! There we go! That is a safe way out if this purchase without having to confess she is just some poor chick. "I only know one jock. His name is Hudson. And yeah, only good things." Under different circumstances she may have tried to earn Hudson a few brownie points (maybe she could get a raise?) by throwing or a few compliments he may or may not have said about Alvina. Meri is not a smooth operator right now. "Say!"' she exclaims, before Alvina and the shopkeeper really get down to haggling about the price. "I should probably try this thing on first, right? Make sure it fits before I commit? No refunds right?" This may very well not be the policy. "You two talk numbers...I will be back in a jiffy!" Without the jacket though, because regardless of if it fit or not...Meri was going to lie and say that it did not.

Alvina gives Meri a careful look when she mentions Hudson. How did she know him? Her left brow twitches, but her smile doesn't faulted while Meri jobs away, sans Jacket. Alvina and the shopkeeper do talk numbers, Alvina name dropping her position and glancing at the tag only after the shopkeeper rang them up. The bard makes a sour expression, and is warving her hands dismissively. The Merchant gives her a long side eye before speaking. Whatever he's said ignites a large smile on Alvina's face. She's saying something that looks like flattery, and no gold sorting occurred, if Meri was watching carefully. The shopkeeper leaves the jacket out, after giving Alvina permission to switch out the sizes if it doesn't fit. The shopkeeper's wife appears and chats with Alvina a few minutes while they wait for Meri. The earrings are bagged up and tucked in Alvina's cloak. The gentleman excuses himself to sort inventory, and it's only Alvina waiting for Meri's return with mischievous eyes.

Meri returns only to make the announcement of, "Yeah, I don't think it will fit." Which is when the shopkeeper is so kind to inquire if Meri needs a larger or smaller size. And then there was Alvina, with that mischievous look in her gaze. Why do you hate me so much, Alvina?! I just met you! What did I ever do to you! Why are you doing this to me?! These are the thoughts running through Meri's mind, even if Alvina had meant no harm. Dammit, Meri, so much for trying to be clever and save face. Meri's face starts to burn again, a redness that extends all the way to her ears, there is a lump in her throat and her chest starts pounding. Finally she just confesses, "Look, I can't afford anything in this shop. I can't buy that jacket. Unless you want to give me like an eighty percent discount...." I mean technically she could she just would not be able to feed or stable her horse for awhile, they do not run cheap, and probably not be able to feed and house herself for awhile. Meri is normally a confident woman, it's pretty hard to get her riled up or feeling embarrassed, she does not usually storm off in a huff. Today though! Well it's not so much that she is storming off in a huff, it's more like running away with her tail between her legs because my gods, what a moment to deal with in any woman's life. No goodbye is actually given to anyone, Meri just turns heel and moves out of the shop with a quickness. It's not just the bite of the cold that causes her to quickly pull the hood of her cloak up to mask her facade, nor is it the reason her head is hung low as she walks.

Alvina's eyes widen in alarm, she grabs the jacket on the counter that is surely the right size and bolts out the door. It's not considered rude, because Alvina had already purchased the jacket in Meri's stead. The shop keeper's wife watches the two women rush off with concerned 'o' of a mouth. The shop keeper has gone back to sorting inventory and doesn't think much about them storming out. "Meri!" She calls, rushing out of the shop to catch up with the woman huddled in black. The bag shifts in her hand, an audible sound as the fabric bunches. The bard will run to catch up with her if she doesn't slow down or tries to dodge her. "Hey, hey, just a second!!" She's calling, as people pass in the opposite direction and she tries to navigate around them, stuttering. Alvina was not athletic in the slightest. "Meri," Alvina tries again, hoping to flag the woman down. "I bought the jacket for you!!" The bard feels terrible, she just wanted to do something nice for the woman who somehow knew Hudson and also helped her in the snow. Her crimson curls stick to the sweat on her forehead and cheeks. Her navy cloak flaps behind her, heavy with wind and resistance. "I already bought it!" She calls again, her voice breaking as her lungs scream out in protest of this effort to catch up.

Meri is on a roll with acting a fool today! ....sort of. Her response was not too off base, I mean it is not every day that a complete and total stranger decides to go and buy you a very nice jacket! At least not in Meri's world, she is not used to these nicities, especially when there appear to be no visible strings attached. What is the catch here, Alvina? Meri actually stops well before she hears the words 'I already bought it'. The first time she hears her name she slows and looks over her shoulder, having not actually anticipated Alvina to follow. She sort of assumed the redhead would be gossiping with the shopkeeper and poking fun. What a sweetheart Alvina is! By the time the redhead issues the 'hey wait a second', Meri actually stops and turns and waits for Alvina to approach. That way the blacksmith gets to appreciate the wide-eyed look that is held in Meri's facade right now. The artist has been shocked to piece, sent into another stuttering stupor. "W-wh-what?! W-why?" Meri kind of wants to keep going with these exclamations and outbursts, pointing out how expensive this jacket had to have been even with a deal but the dialogue turns internal. She has the sense to at least tack on a shocked but sincere, "Thank you."

Alvina huffs and puffs up to Meri, shoving the bag into her hands before she can run off again. She's bent over when Meri thanks her, palms pressed to her knees to support her weight. A heavy inhale and controlled exhale later and she can speak. "Because you helped me, and because you're cold." Her emerald eyes hold Meri before tilting up as she smiles. "I get an outrageous discount there because I work in Frostmaw. Perks of working for the crown...or whatever." Alvina waves it off like it's no big deal. "I didn't mean to...make you feel bad. I just wanted to surprise you." The bard laughs at herself, pushing a line of curls off her shoulders in a way that shows she's aware of her silly ideas. It's a bit romantic, to think her good will would foster a friendship. A deep bond between them! Alvina's always on the hunt for interesting people to weave into her life. Maybe she'd seen some kindness in Meri's eyes that she recognized. Only now does she remember she didn't even get the glasses she'd gone in there to purchase. They'd passed the broke pair by a few metres at least. "If it really is too big, I can alter it. Here, take this." Alvina shifts her frame to twist her satchel to her side and pulls out a card. On it is written the address for the Frostmaw towers Business Building. "This is where I work. Come by any time, show them this card. I can make alterations on it in no time."

Meri is trying to process this. Alvina is basically rating the ranking of 'nicest person in the world' right now and Meri's mind just...I mean she tends to frequent an island of pirates, sailors and grumpy puppers. Perhaps the notion that she would be able to foster friendship with kindess is a bit romantic, that very much depends on the face standing in front of her. Meri falls into the category of gray, neither good nor bad and not a fan of rules, but Alvina's attempts are not in vain. Meri does have a heart! It exists! And Alvina is quite effectively pulling on those heartstrings right now. WHY ARE YOU SO NICE ALVINA. "No, I should be apologizing to you. You tried to do something nice...And I am not used to people being so nice." Usually they had ulterior motives or wanted something -- which I guess Alvina wants a friend? So in a way? Still, it reads honest and sincere to Meri. Both the jacket and the card would be relieved from Alvina, the jacket slung over an arm. It definitely would serve her well, being from Rynvale Meri was such a wuss to the cold. "I will drop by, but probably not for alterations. Probably just to say hello." A beat as she considers. "We should get a drink some time?" Does Alvina drink? She seems more wholesome than that. "Or catch a bite to eat." Lunch dates seemed more Alvina's style. "I frequent Cenril and Rynvale more often than not, so if you're ever heading down that way, send a note? We'll meet up."

Alvina's face explodes into a bright multi-colored rainbow hype smile at this offer to 'hang out'. Before Meri can even start asking if Alvina wants to go for a drink, the bard is replying with an overly anxious "I'd love that!" The Engineer is excited that Meri might come by and say hello!! She does drink but she is a light weight. A glass or two of wine and she'd need someone to carry her home probably. Food is also great. When Meri mentions Cenril and Rynvale, she lights up further, SOMEHOW. How is there more brightness to add to her face? It's practically composed of sun beams now. "Don't worry a thing about it," Alvina waves off Meri's kind of apology. She was all too familiar with people being 'nice' because they wanted something. All Alvina really wanted was to bond with people, in her own selfish way. If she isn't alone, she isn't afraid of.... Not being nice enough. Not being...enough in any capacity. It's one of her shortcomings, but it rarely surfaces to strangers. Hudson, poor guy, likely knew all about how high maintenance she could be. "I'm moving to Cenril soon so hopefully we'll see more of each other!" She watches with delight as Meri slings the jacket over her arm. It's done, they did it. Together. The bard nods, leaning forward on her tip toes and checking the position of the sun. Crap, she's late. "I've got to run but please take care! Come by any time, I mean it!" First meetings might be too soon for hugs, so Alvina hangs back and just shows Meri the palm of her fleshed hand as she's leaving. A timid farewell that respects all the personal space. Sure to change as they saw more of each other in the future. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Meri!" She calls over her shoulder, turning her pale face towards the west, and the Frostmaw Towers building she'd previously mentioned.