RP:Freckles N' Scales

Part of the A Few Fox Tales Arc

This is a Rogue's Guild RP.

Summary: The rogues get together to unwind - and Snek-Ina drags a disguised Lanlan around to hangout.

The Jolly Roger

Through the haze that drifts along the wharf, a nefarious warehouse calls with a symphony of boozed conversation, rough banter, plucked strings and laughter which pours from red and black painted metal doors that brand their caution. They open to an impressive and occasionally wild scene; a spacious room framed by steel rafters, furnished with dark redwood, adorned with soft, black leather, and illuminated by chained, brass lanterns that hang at different lengths from above. Following the theme of it's name, the Jolly Roger is decorated from floor to ceiling with ship shrouds and worn sails, colors of defeat and past fleet, including a salvaged flag bearing the Captain's Skull n' Crossed-Swords. The walls display a collage of art and ability: symbols from all cultures, races, and walks of life; expressions of individual identities. The far back corner reveals this establishment to be a tattoo shop. A closed off section near stacked crates of inventory and an iron constructed weight lifting apparatus is set up for customer and artist to escape the fray and tend to the steam or puncture ink process. Each of those stations are customized to the artist's personality, but all are equipped with mechanized, reclining chairs, every drawer stocked with medical supplies, sharpened instruments and parchment. Often, the most populated corner of this shop is the 'waiting area' at an immediate right of the entrance, where the bar is located, with the savory aroma of the day's cuisine sometimes wafting alluringly from the small kitchen behind it. There, might be found three dark wood tables topped with kerosene lamps (each surrounded by four spade-marked chairs), with a few storage box-benches and one large leather couch available for seating. To the left is a recently built stage with an odd assortment of instruments, including a combination of drum heads and symbols that appear to be bolted together in a seven piece kit. Not far away, patrons attend to a game of 'darts' played with throwing knives, that specific wall structured with two board

Mahri 's waiting at the Jolly Roger for Leo, and probably Mouse with him. she has a drink ready for the wolf and is sipping on one herself. If Mouse comes with the Captain, Mahri has a glass of wine and one of water, not sure if the woman even drank anything stronger.

Meri had not been specifically invited to this little outing, yet there were enough familiar faces present that the blonde lycan had no qualms with crashing. For just a bit. The Jolly Roger was not a space she occupied frequently, so once she pushes open the main door steps into the view, Meri pauses to let her gaze traverse the room. The study is a brief one and Meri is quick to adorn a smirk across her red lips, greeting the gathered with a lazy salute.

Leoxander was quiet and moody for the short walk with Loravelle, passed the business buildings and aside the shore, not bothering to soften the boot steps that took him down the streets and across the planks of the wharf to that once abandoned warehouse. If he was being followed, the rogue would be aware of it, but there was only one scent among several that hadn’t been invited to the Jolly Roger before. The doors would suffer quite a shoulder hit as he pushed one open hard enough for it to bang on the wall, harder than he intended really but maybe that was a sign he’d have to let the wolf run off some steam, sooner or later. Mahri didn’t even need to tell him the drink was for him. He beelined for it to drink it down and reached for the bottle to refill it at once. “You know what the hell even happened back there?” He looked toward his long-time friend and beta, the wooden box of herb packed smokes planted on the bartop.

Terra had not been by the Roger in quite some time but the scene at the duel would be reason enough for her to venture this way, if only for the teasing.

Mahri raised her hand to Meri, but it's Leo who grabs her attention and she can't help the chuckle

Lita slips inside the Jolly Roger trying to be inconspicuous. A quick glance around shows no sign of the pirate so she makes her way to the nearest wall, perusing the art there. Over the last few months, since his unofficial return to the island, she has made it a point to hide a few strategically placed stickers amongst the artwork of his place. Not just any stickers mind you, but ponies. Brightly coloured, adorable ponies with cute little designs on their butts. And tonight will make number seven. An entire herd of secret little ponies on his walls. Really, it's just for her own amusement. They're only about a square inch in size and while people might catch a glimpse of them in passing, they're hardly noticeable after a few drinks. After finishing with the night's mission, she heads for the bar to get a much-deserved drink.

Mahri chuckled as he downed his drink. "You got suckered into being an escort. That's what I heard. Need an out?" What she meant was, does she have to stab anyone? Then there's Terra and the Lycan is raising the rest of her drink to her.

Loravelle scurries in right behind Leo, though if anybody looks they most likely saw the maid jump a bit at the force with which he opened that door. She stops in the doorway momentarily to collect herself, take a deep breath, and continue following him up to the bar. The wine and water Mahri poured for her is appreciated, and Lora finds herself choosing wine over water to help with her nerves. There's uncertainty in her mannerisms now, while she holds the glass in her hand. Was she supposed to pay for this, or...?

Quintessa was curious enough to follow along with her Aunt Meri for this little shindig, and despite the copious amounts of mushrooms she had eaten today she was surprisingly cognizant. These we’re, of course, 100% legal ice-cap mushrooms. With a clove cigarette placed between her black painted lips, she nudges Meri’s shoulder before offering her one, her lithe, willowy from slinking in behind her.

Mahri said to Loravelle, "Drink up, Mouse."

Loravelle said to Mahri, "Thank you, Miss Mahri." There's a long pause in which she watches more people filter in. Social situations weren't her strong suit. "H-how have you been since...A year ago?" What a loaded question. Try again, Mouse. "H-how are you today?"

Meri :: The fact that Terra was standing in the Roger was a surprise to Meri. The two women had known each other for awhile, yet Meri had not been fully aware of how many of the same people they knew. "Are you just slumming it, or do you actually run with this crowd too?" Meri asks of Terra. Her gaze is peeled away from Terra when Quintessa gives her shoulder a nudge. A smile is given to her niece as she accepts the offered clove, digging around in her pockets for the means to light it. "Where is Magik where you need him..." she teases. Lita's ponies are noticed, but Meri does not call them to light. She instead winks to her fellow artist.

Leoxander managed to conceal any surprise he might have had as the rogues started trickling in. In the past, this is where the afterparty was for a spectacle like the one they’d just attended - though he’d be hard-pressed to call that particular scene ‘fun’. Lita had managed to get inside before he had, already headed toward the bar when he turned his head to notice her move from the wall of posters and flash designs. The stickers weren’t spotted, yet. Leo was still seeing some red. Another toss back of the amber liquid in his skull marked tumbler. “The hell was I supposed to do? She wouldn’t take a bloody hint. An’ I owe her for stitchin’ me up after Shi’ practically punched my brain into my ass.” He finally slid into a bar seat caddy corner from Mahri, glancing toward Meri and Terra as they interact. Hard to miss Quintessa amidst the blondes.

Meri said to Leoxander, "Huh, I thought a proper healer was supposed to do it out of the goodness of their heart and some sense of morale code. Not for people to owe them later."

Ina feels powerful- partly because when she shape changed, she may have made herself a teeny bit more buff, but mostly because she's even better equipped then before. See, Inas’ managed to pick up a +1 along the way, in the form of a gangly freckle-faced feline, who was looped about the waist within her coils and being dragged along for the ride. "Ja know, I could make a couple crackssss about ja bein' a sssssnack- but, given the company, they might take that literally." That said, she continues slithering forward, trying her best to ignore the way the thinner plank creaks beneath the weight of her body, until she's mostly within the warehouse proper. It's only then that she lifts her back portion over, and Freckles along with it. "Also, ya might wanna mind your mannerssss- wave 'n ssssay hi." Speaking of which, whilst Leo seemed to have been hustling due to business (and no doubt to avoid all the awkwardness), Tessa's present and seemingly free. "Heeeeeeey. Been a while. When we did tha' thing, ja know?" The fact that she can smoothly sidle as a snake is actually a talent that is making Ina -incredibly- partial to this form. Speaking of which, the changeling might -not- recognize her, so it's always best to clarify, "With Olric, and hissss dumb hammer."

Quintessa snaps of her fingers to produce a magical flame, the simple cantrip creating a spark strong enough to light Meri’s smoke for her before the changeling moves over in Leoxander’s direction after meeting her gaze. From the growing smile on her pale face the warlock was about to say something cheeky to him. “If it isn’t Lithyrdel’s number one male escort,” She can’t help but giggle like a madwoman as she says this. “Some people don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, huh?”

Lita joins the crowd, catching Meri’s wink and pressing her index finger to her lips. Their little secret. She turns a little to catch the pirate's entrance and conversation and dang, sounded like she'd missed some fun.

Mahri slides a glance towards Quntessa and offers a nod before answering Mouse. "I'm alright. You did good back there," standing up to the vampire she meant. Then to Leo, "Owed it not, your no should have been enough. There's other ways to pay someone back." Not *that*. Did Mahri notice the stickers? Maybe, but she liked Lita's style in hiding them so she won't say anything either. "Besides, you might be standing her up anyway. I gotta thing I might need help with." Speaking of helping, "What did Mouse lose that you need to find?"

Loravelle goes pale. Is that a naga? That's a talking snake...right? And there's so many people. She empties her wine glass in two swallows, mentally starts her grounding and counting game to keep her nerves in check. This is going to be a long night. But Mahri saves her in a way, with someone to quietly talk to. “T-thank you,” the maid murmurs, then adds, answering either before or after Leo, “I lied. I just wanted to help get her to stop bothering him...”

Quintessa looks at the naga that addresses her with confusion at first, unsure where she would have met a snake lady having never been to Nagaville, but the mention of Olric the Just has the changeling clapping her hands once in confirmation. "Yeah! We totally nailed those guys. Olric who?"

Mahri didn't miss the giant snake person, honestly.

Leoxander tipped his empty glass in the general direction of the icy eyed wolf. “You make a point, but I don’t like owin’ any favors an’ she ain’t askin’ much. Pray she don’t expect social graces from me.” He was in the process of picking up that bottle for a few shots worth of another refill, fighting his lycan blood for a bit of a buzz, when Quintessa wandered his way with her quip. “Shove it.” Probably a wiser retort than ‘Bite Me’, with those teeth of hers. Mahri’s offer brought a sigh, “Yeah, ‘cause standin’ her up would make it better. She wants to work on the ship, y’know.” He gave Loravelle a sidelong glance at her reaction to… well, Leo’s was more confused than afraid when he saw the giant serpent with something in her clutches, calmly taking a sip of liquor from his spot. "The fug's that?" After a swallow.

Lanlan would never allow himself to be transported in such an undignified manner, but Lanlan wasn’t here today. Freckles was. And Freckles’ dignity was smallish, obviously. Anything for the role. Standing slightly awestruck before all these people (did he recognize any of them, or none of them?), he pushes a poofy tuft of hair to one side, half blocking a tufted cat ear, and introduces himself to them all with a quiet mew. “Hello, I’m Freckles.”

Inas' attention swivels over to Leo, her body swaying in tandem with the motion, "Yeah, honessstly- I didn't peg ya for it, but ja did a real fine job of keeping the betting poolsss going for a whole while, 'fore I got the chance to run off with the whole pot. Jusss' sssad ya hussstled off ssso sssooon." The 'naga' does her best attempt at a pout, "Leavin' me hangin' like that, and after the note, too? But, well, the situation did ssseem like it was making your ssskittisssh friend here sssquirm." Another advantage to the serpentine form is the way in which she can swivel, and easily lurch forward to get a better look, "...N' it doesn't look like an act, either." is the quick appraisal. Odd choice, really. She blinks, starts to blank out- and then turns back to Tessa, who seems to have been caught up in memories of their impromptu heist, "So, how'sss tricksss been treatin' ya. It'sss been forever 'n a day." With a disconcerting grace, Ina adjusts how Freckles being held so it's a bit less of a coiled dangle, and more of a lounge, "Louder, kid- I don't think they heard ja over the clink a' glassessss."

Mahri swallowed a laugh at what Tessa quipped then again a growl when Leo mentioned her being on the ship. It wouldn't matter if Mahri wasn't there but..."Ye going somewhere?" looking around while Leo answered the question, the lycan couldn't help but feel like this was home, all the people gathered around, some family and some friends, felt good to be around.

Meri issues a wink to Quintessa when the changeling lights the clove for her. While Meri could name most of the faces present, the naga that speaks to her niece is not one that Meri is familiar with. Due to her close proximity, Meri finds that her blue-eyed gaze is pinned upon this unfamiliar addition. The blonde has never been the unfriendly sort though, so she greets said naga with a nod. The same goes for her feline companion, Freckles. At some point, Meri stops standing in the middle of the room and flops down into a vacant seat. There is a bit of a snort when she hears that Joan wants to join Leo's ship. Apparently the lycan woman does not see that being a good idea, in the end it was Leo's ship so she kept her commentary to herself.

Quintessa gives a return nod to Mahri before Leo’s grumble to ‘shove it’ has the changeling laughing out loud in a hideous guffaw that echoes among the very rafters. “Well, if it gets you out of her pocket the better. The Blackhearts are a merchant family- you can’t trust them.” Getting an eyeful of ‘Freckles’ Quintessa turns to face him with stars in her eyes. “By Delisha’s Grace those are such cute ears- excuse me,” She leaves Leo to more closely examine the ‘feline’ that had arrived, her pale fingers twitching as she resists the urge to touch them. “Nice to meet you, Freckles.”

Loravelle clutches that empty wine glass in her hands for dear life once the naga moves to get a better look of her. “M-may I have more w-wine, pl-please?” A quiet plea to Mahri. To anyone, really.

Terra said to Meri, "These guys?” Her nod is mostly directed towards Leo and Mahri, however, complicated the relationship with both, “We go way back."

Terra would also snag a glass and hold it out after Lora’s request to a barkeep, any barkeep.

Mahri said to Loravelle, "Knock yourself out."

Lanlan pulls himself free of Ina's coils, issuing her a slight glare as his luxurious tail flickers with bottled tension. He pats off his clothes, faded nobility, and torn. Yet still worn with pride. "I'm Freckles!" What's in a name, right? And yet Lanlan felt so bad for himself to have to repeat it. But he would play his role. "You must be the rest of Trish's friends!" His eyes were so hopeful.

Meri said to Terra, "Do you now...?" Meri is also looking at Leo and Mahri. "I am curious, but one I'll lure you out for a drink in private one day and see if I can't get the history out of you then."

Ina notes the scrutiny Meri levels at her, and can't help the smile that creeps up, "How's the gallery goin'?" Yeah, Ina's -entirely- going to be overly familiar. Why play a gag if you can't have a laugh.

Mahri figures she might as well bartend anyway and makes her way back, pouring the wine and whatever Terra wants. "So far back," she agrees and has a moment to reminisce.

Mahri asks Freckles, "What ye want to drink?"

Lanlan is so skittish, especially around strangers. As Quintessa approaches, he backs away. "Thanks, you too," he says to her awkwardly. Could he even see Quintessa's ears? One of his folds back tentatively, while he gauges the situation.

Terra is not so subtly eyeing Quintessa.

Loravelle holds onto her wine glass once it's refilled and returned like a security blanket. She takes a drink and slumps into the nearest empty chair. "Thanks Miss Mahri, Miss Terra." Lots of Misses that she knew here. How strange.

Lanlan doesn't even know if felines can have liquor. It could be poisonous to them! He looks at Ina with a dumb smile, for damning him to this disguise. "Whatever Trish drinks," he says proudly. "We like all the same things."

Quintessa said to Lanlan, "I swear, you look sooooo much like my girlfriend"

Lanlan says that to Mahri, of course.

Leoxander might have actually been questioning ‘Freckles’ with that unkind and monotone question. After a night in the Whaler’s, and witnessing ‘Trish’, connecting the dots of a lingering scent, he might just be figuring out who the serpent was and what they were capable of. But a rogue’s code wasn’t to blurt out secrets. “She was a helluva lot more useful than you tryin’ to defuse that crap. Speakin’ o’ which, I better be gettin’ a cut from yer racket concernin’ my position.” Rounding about to Mahri’s question, he looked at the contents of the glass clutched in his bandaged hand and gave it a bit of a swirl. “Nowhere permanent, though it’ll make easy travel on a few profitable leads.” He wouldn’t say more until he was more certain of the identity of the snake - and her pet. As for a bartender, it was self-service tonight and oh-so generously, the rogue was leaving their tabs open. Observing Freckles’ timid demeanour, Leo mutters under his breath. “Oh, good. Another one.”

Lanlan has been complimented two times in a row by Quintessa? His poofy tail arches toward the end. "Is your girlfriend pretty?"

Meri :: The fact that Ina is asking about her gallery has Meri's mind turning over if she perhaps knew this person or not. The blonde did not think that a naga ran with this crowd, but perhaps it was one of Leo's new recruits. The fact that Meri owned a gallery was no real secret. "Oh business at the gallery was goin' just fine," Meri confirmed after taking a long pull from that clove cigarette. The way that the others, namely Leo, reacted to Ina did not escape her attention. If Meri had started piecing the puzzle together as to who the naga was, the woman was not letting it on. Much like Leo, she was not apt to blurt out secrets. Then again, maybe Meri was just clueless.

Quintessa grins at Freckles, showing off her pointed teeth. “Oh, super pretty. The prettiest.” Noticing Terra eyeing her from across the room, the changeling knows that her cue to shift to the next person in the room. “Terra! You’re here too? Small world eh? I thought we’d never run into each other outside of the Titan of Winter Champion’s Villa.” She leaves the feline to join the blonde vampire.

Ina might be doing that sideways slither shuffle again- sort of like a smooth motion as she glances around the room- except it ends with her body having loosely looped around the spot where Freckles was standing. It's not her being territorial, he just looks...helpless? ... Her head tilts for a second to scrutinize freckles expression, and the vapid smile beaming from his face like a godforsaken lighthouse, before she glances back over to Tessa, "Ahh? Tell me about this." And here Ina conspiratorially leans forward to mutter over to the changeling, "Ja got good tassste then, though." And then she's stretching back, to order up, "...Eeeh. Whiskey. S'not like it getting hair on your chest'll do ya any harm. Just- uh, on the rocks- n' maybe take it slow." Y'know- given her overall body proportion- how much alcohol -could- she drink, right now? It's a good question, and one she's willing to ask when she hucks the cumulative betting pool that had formed around Leo's dating woes into the midst of the table.

Lita is catching up from one conversation to the next, still trying to think how long it's been since she'd seen Terra last. Years. Too many years. Since before Hanan's passing. Hmm. She'll need a few more drinks to sort through this night. Glass in hand, she finds her way to where Meri's seated, interrupts her conversation about the gallery. "Met a sort the other night had a few interesting pieces coming through your way.

Lanlan could tell Leo was mean after hearing him talk for a few seconds. So much confidence, enough to say whatever he wanted even in the company of total strangers. Lanlan wouldn't be able to tolerate a public insult like the one thinks he just heard. But innocent, hopeful Freckles, "Oh, another one?" He trills, attempting to summon the hidden cat person.

Mahri 's pouring drinks as the orders come in, along with one for herself. To Leo, "Let's talk about it later."

Leoxander glanced in Terra’s direction. “I’m startin’ to think you don’t gossip to the girls about me, Mercy.” Two of them in a half bell timeline who were surprised to learn she knew the location of their old haunt. A nod to Mahri as she graciously took over the task he was loathe to ever do.

Meri 's attention swivels from Ina to Lita, a smile pulling at the corner's of her red lips. The vampire was always welcome company in Meri's book and her reaction to Lita made that obvious, "Oh yeah? I am always interested to see some new pieces." Meri lifts a brow, half wondering if Lita was going to elaborate given the sheer number of faces present.

Ina nods sagely to Meri, whether out of respect for her ability to keep her secret, ...or a general uncertainty she'd caught on. "Well, I should be droppin' em off soon- so it's not like ja need to wait long." If that isn't a sufficiently blatant way of saying hello properly, Ina's at a loss.

Mahri leans against the bar, a new drink for herself, and has a mouthful while observing everyone and catching bits and pieces of conversation.

Terra said to Leoxander, "Don’t you prefer it this way? We all keep our secrets."

Leoxander had been referring to the meek behaviour that Loravelle still displayed, and had once upon a time in his company. Freckles’ mimic draws the rogue’s blue stare a moment more before he finishes his third cut glass from whatever bottle Mahri had provided, absently tapping his inked knuckles against the side for a moment. He was listening to other conversations while turning the Blackheart information over in his mind, his attention moving toward the maidservant briefly, until Terra’s words brought out a shadow of a smirk. Finally.

Lita glances around the joint but doesn't see Trish about. "Just wondering what you've got cooking up over there was all. Wasn't exactly your typical paint supplies they were peddlin'." She couldn't remember just now what they were. A book of some sort? She'd had a few drinks today and she'd have to double-check with Leo on the items, not that that might help much either. She waves a hand, giving up on that. "It's good to see you out and about with this lot."

Loravelle doesn't down this glass of wine in two swallows like the first one. She's slowly nursing it, collecting her nerves while she takes a great amount of interest in the floor in front of her while listening to the chatter going on.

Terra said to Loravelle, "It is nice seeing you out of the swamp, ma’am."

Loravelle said to Terra, "Thank you! I'll be returning eventually, though. Not for the dancing...thing." Whatever it was. "I have plans that night."

Meri flashes Ina a knowing smirk as the naga issues her a more proper hello. Knowing the extent of the company that Meri was with, the blonde doesn't go into too much detail with Lita about the items that are moving through the gallery. "I mean, I have not gotten a complete list of items that will be coming through as of yet, but I know some things are coming." A look is pinned briefly on Ina. This conversation had Meri wondering. What sort of items -were- being brought into her gallery? "Did you ever have a chance to follow up on that note that I suggested you look into? The one that is posted in the Den? It's all connected. I have a feeling that the gal I am working with would be happy to have another face or two help lift the items in question. I'm just the storehouse really..."

Lita said to Loravelle, "There's a dance?" She's behind the news apparently. "And you're not going?"

Lanlan was still puzzled by how freely everyone was speaking. And dressing! Were Ina and himself the only ones in disguises? Not like the old days, but that simplifies things. Ina may have her opinions about these guys, but Lanlan would like to form his own. And Freckles just wanted to make new friends! He steps silently over to Loravelle and Terra, and waits optimistically for them to notice him and his once-luxurious fur and clothes. Once, he’d been well off, sheltered from most of the world’s misery. Sheltered from enemies, or so Lanlan reminded himself. “Hello!” He says to the two of them, a nervous ear bending back, 'betraying his anxiety'. “Do you both work with Trish? What do you do together?”

Mahri interrupts before Mouse can answer, "Sure. We're going together."

Leoxander was drawn to look at Loravelle when she made that statement to Terra. What was that feeling twisting in the pit of his stomach…? A hand flexed near his glass before he broke his stare away and refilled his tumbler half full out of habit. Should just pour it to the rim at this point.

Lita nods at meri. "Indirectly, fairly certain. Leo's got something lined up." She mumbles something under her breath about a dragon scale. "I'm interested to see where roads go, at least. It's good to see some life back in this place for sure." Mahri tops off Leo's glass with a smirk.

Loravelle recognized Miss Lita- no. Ace. She preferred Ace. Miss Ace? “Yes, and...no, I have plans.” It's a half-truth. The plan wasn't really concrete. She can wear her pretty new dress some other time. Lora frowns, realizing how vague she must sound. “With my sisters. It's sort of like a prayer gathering an-” Mahri's interruption stuns her. They're going together? She flusters. “M-me? Oh, I...!” She swallows down more wine.

Ina smirks at Meri's acknowledgement, an expression that grows with the questioning look sent her way- right before it cedes to a look of mortification, and then agitation. Her head tilts off towards Freckles, the palm of one hand moving to bump against her forehead, before she leans forward to snag an unattended drink, down its contents. This is fine.

Mahri looks over at Loravelle and nods, "Sure. Why not. It'll be fun."

Lita glances to the bar where Mahri's been pouring drinks. Then she looks back to the surprised Lora and back to Mahri again. "Is this a date or a friend thing? Just wanting to know where to temper my excitements." She's teasing Lora here, mostly, having seen how shy the girl is.

Mahri grins at Lita, shaking her head in amusement From the corner of her eye, she watches Leo a second before saying, "I don't wanna bodyguard the Captain alone. That's all"

Loravelle is at a loss for words. No isn't a word she's ever gotten used to saying, and well, Miss Mahri was nice. She couldn't just decline, could she...? “Well...I'll have to be home early for my sisters, if that's okay...” If she had anywhere near the strength anybody else in that room possessed, she very well might have accidentally shattered the wine glass in her hands at Lita's comment. “I've never been on a date before,” Lora quietly admits. “So...friends. Right?” She sounds reluctant about going.

Meri wasn't entirely certain if the mortification and agitation that Ina was currently feeling was a result of something she said, or if Freckles managed to cause it this time. Alas, Meri wasn't about to put the naga on blast by inquiring. Sometimes Meri had some tact, other times she liked to completely embarrass people. It was usually Magik that she preferred to antagonize with her embarrassing behavior. For now though, Meri'd stand from her seat and wink to Lita, "We'll have to catch up more about it soon." She the same sentiments were extended to Ina, but more subtly through a glance. As for the rest of the crowd? Well there were so many faces that she could not bid every single person she knew goodbye individually. "You beautiful people enjoy the rest of your night." And to Loravelle, "We'll have to properly introduce ourselves to one another soon." Without further adieu, Meri made her way back home to that fiancé of hers.

Lanlan checked back on Trish, who was facepalming at his lack of getting anywhere. Perfect! He gives Trish a clawed thumb up and winks one of his green eyes.

Mahri turns her full attention to Lora then and studies her intently. "No. you don't have to go if you don't want to, but as a friend, I'd like you to go with me."

Leoxander caught Lita’s words with sharp ears and through his unkempt hair veiling some of his vision, he cast a look her and Meri’s way as he worked on setting his stomach into a proper burn. He’d become fairly quiet since Loravelle’s announcement, thwarted by the silver-eyed she-wolf. The rogue reached for Suoxin’s wooden case and retrieved a cigarette from it, the faint scent of kerosine-soaked wick coming with the tin clip of the hinged lid before it was returned to pocket. He leaned on his stomach over the bar with a foot on the wrung to grab a ceramic ashtray marbled in red and black.

Terra is torn between Quintessa and Leoxander at that point. On one hand, she has shared a lifetime of memories with the blonde so she chose to wink when she saw the tattoo'ed rogue struggling and pull her refill closer to her as she eyed Quintessa. "What else do we have in common?" If her eyes narrowed just a little, it was because it would be impossible not to be a little bit jealous of the woman who held such bold secrets, like the blood margarita recipe and so on. "Think we'll bunking together in the future?"

Lanlan couldn't tolerate the conversation with Loravelle anymore or he would break character. "Not even one date? That's so sad! Anyway," and then he didn't say anything, and just walked back over to Trish. "The important thing is they know who I am now," he says to her like he was trying to break out of middle management. And still, a weird smile. "Alright let's..." No, no. Not like that. "Haaa! I mean when are we leaving?"

Loravelle ;; What was that Common phrase people used sometimes? “...Rain check?” Lora stammers to Mahri. Next time. Her tone is apologetic, and she looks down at her feet. “It's sort of important. I can't miss it.” She could give her sisters the rain check, but big parties with lots of people weren't really her scene. Her grey eyes scope out Leo momentarily, and she adds to Mahri, hushed, “Give that purple-haired lady a hard time for giving him a hard time in my place, please?” Then to...Freckles? The talking cat? Lora needs more wine. Her shoulders rise and fall with a shrug. Dates weren't really her scene either, it seems. Terra said to Loravelle, "Wait, what? Rain check?"

Mahri tops off Lora's glass now too. "Sure, Mouse. Have fun with your sisters."

Leoxander was keeping an ear and an eye on ‘Freckles’, and he heard the change of tone, or the way in which he spoke. Eyes narrowed slightly on the feline creature and what seemed to be his naga keeper. If he was catching onto Ina’s abilities, it wasn’t so far-fetched that his gut feeling of the cat might be warning him of something, too. But the pirate just sipped his drink, meeting Loravelle’s gaze in silence for a moment.

Lita is still staring at Mahri amidst the various conversations, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Leo was attending this shindig-in-question. A slow smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. "Oh, please, please tell me you've convinced him to wear something..." proper wasn't quite the word she wanted, "clean at least?" She'd catch hell for that likely, but was what it was.

Loravelle wonders if she used the phrase wrong so she tries explaining it to Terra. “Yes, I think it means that I'll go to the next one with Miss Mahri,” who the maid grins sheepishly at, pausing to take another drink from her topped-off glass. “As friends.” She's quick to add, uncertain herself as to why she decided to emphasize it. Her eyes meet Leo's, brows knitting just a little with confusion and concern. Is he alright?

Ina finishes downing the glass, and begins to slither over to grab a top-up, and a second glass. She's not intending on double-dipping, however- more intent on bringing the drink that Freckles had 'asked' for. " 'ere. N' I guessss ssso. But, not quite done. ... Oh, 'n sorry I didn't getcha a souvenir. Maybe next time?" There's a sort of shrugged gesture at the Titan Of Winter shirt she's wearing, before she begins slithering her way over towards Leo, the back end of her tail moving to nudge Freckles along with her. "Ey'. You're lookin' rough."

Terra may have been caught looking at that Titan of Winter shirt. She needed one of those. That need would be silenced for now as she looked towards Loravelle. "I... no, you have to go. Do you need a dress? I have plenty back home." Loravelle would know where that was and how serious Terra was about that offer. "There's drinks and honestly, why can't your sisters just attend as well?" Mahri shrugs at Lita. "He said something about wearing a clean shirt at least." To Leo, "Isn't that right?" Terra isn't wrong about the sisters going, but Mahri isn't going to jump in the midsle of that except to ask, "Got something I can borrow?"

Loravelle shakes her head at Terra. “I have a dress!” She blinks at her exclamation and lowers her voice, even if it hadn't raised that much to begin with. The girl really is mouse-like. “I...I have a really pretty one that I'd like to wear one day, but...My sisters are a lot of trouble, and our thing is sort of time-sensitive...” And out more excuses come in her efforts to weasel her way out of the invite. “I've been fasting the last few days for it and I'd be a shame to have to do that again for my sisters. I don't want to disappoint them.” She's talking too much. She silences herself with another gulp of wine.

Lanlan was keenly aware that he was being stared at, but rather than be smart about it, he played his part. With a steel smile and eyes anywhere but on the captain, he asks, “Haha why’s that guy lookin’ at me so hard Trish?” She wants to encourage him to find out, with a nudge of her tail. Finally. Freckles couldn’t do it without urging, but Lanlan had been waiting. “Rough? No, he looks…he looks um…It’s because you’re so smooth Trish!” And he runs his hand along her reptilian scales. “Fresh molt!” He looks up at Leoxander to see what he thinks of that.

Terra said to Loravelle, "I have enough gowns for your sisters too, if we are being honest. I'm failing to understand why your," she politely clears her throat because Terra lacks tact and was trying not to say 'why your sham is not falling apart' and instead settles for, "why your family cannot attend. There will be food and drinks and celebration and..." her eyes drift to Leoxander, a silent invite on his own behalf, even if he did not extend it, "company."

Terra said to Mahri, "I am sure there is plenty for everyone if we meet in Gualon early enough!"

Mahri curls her lip at the thought of going to Gualon but quickly changes it to a smile for Terra, "Sure. I could do that." OK, maybe it's the thought of wearing a dress.

Leoxander didn’t have much of a problem with snakes. Or snake… people. Whatever exactly the shapeshifter was at the current moment. “Given the situation, I’m fine.” But he wasn’t stomaching the way plans were due to go down the way he managed stomaching that liquor. If Lita and Mahri didn’t go so far back in his lifetime, he might have found something to chuck at vampire and lycan, but instead he just took another drag from the cigarette he’d been neglecting and snuffed it out in the tray. Pending on how tall the feline creature was, he might look down at Freckles even from a seat. Brows quirked up to feign interest in what the strange creature had to say, so cheerily. “That a fact.” He kept his voice low enough as his attention returned to Ina. “I think I’m startin’ to understand your gig, but what’s his?” Jaw tilted to indicate to the feline, figuring like the foxkin, not all was as it appeared to be. Call it a hunch. Maybe he was mistaken.

Loravelle is totally being called out and she knows it, but there's truth to her words. ...Even if those plans can easily be shifted around. “T-they have dresses.” They dragged all of their frills and jewels with them across the ocean. As for why they can't attend, Lora's eyes mirror Terra's and drift toward Leo. “They don't really like when I have certain company.” Another half truth. They liked him. One of them probably wanted to deck him though. She tries to sound reassuring for both her sake and Terra's. “I can always go to another one, one day.”

Terra is unrelenting. It is one of the many reasons she fit in amongst the company on the Jolly Roger, even before all of the new faces. "You're not promised another, my dear." That part is sweet, almost authentic and maybe it is. Perhaps all of that time being in front of the people and putting her face out there has made her more real. It hasn't. It does not diminish the amusement she found with prodding at Leoxander's situation or the high the sought meddling in Loravelle's business. Green eyes narrow briefly on Lora, "We should seize all the chances we can, no?"

Loravelle nods, silently agreeing with Terra. She's right, but the maid is feeling a little stubborn and just a smidge brave. Blame the wine. Terra's question causes her to narrow her eyes as well, and she casts a very brief glance at Leoxander as if to silently say, “Why don't you tell him that.” But then she speaks, soft and timid as ever. “I'll think about it a little more, but...I'll likely stick with my sisters that night.”

Terra said, "You're right. A guy should be so bold," she follows Loravelle's example with another well timed look towards the rogue before turning attention back towards the woman she met many moons ago, "But we should never wait around for fate. Sometimes, it needs a nudge and a dress and some dancing..."

Ina might normally be the touchy-feely sort, but she couldn't be sure about whether or not 'Freckles' had gloves, something that had her gingerly interposing the tip of her tail between the two and prodding him in the side, "Stoppit. S'ticklish." But it's more concern than humour that flickers over her features- in part, because it wouldn't be tickling any sort of funny bone if the feline had just gotten himself a little bit hexed. Still, that's the crux of what she can offer, and so the foxkin redirects her focus towards Leo, "Well, I'd hope so, given I'd made a point to put on a bit of a show today." Leo's question wasn't entirely unexpected, and so she offered the simplest answer: Some carefully curated truth. "He's the one I mentioned the other day, that I wanted to refer. ..As fer his deal- well. Getting into tha' guild wasn't a one-man job, S'not like I can pass apprentice exams on my own."

Leoxander turned the glass that had a swallow left in it with his fingertips, betraying a bit of anxiety as he overhears Terra’s conversation with Loravelle - doing his best not to look their way. Where was Terra’s boyfriend when you needed a good brain punching? Liquor was the next best medicine, and he finished his fourth glass before he set it down, a little harder than he meant to, standing from the stool to pace across the warehouse space toward the wall where he finally spotted the foreign bits of color and moved a piece of parchment aside to see some of the stickers. (brb while Leo curses to himself.)

Leoxander had heard Ina, of course, he just needed to step away for a moment since the writer does.

Loravelle could be roped into damn near anything with that word if she saw signs and connected enough dots. Fate. Praise Q'na and all that. But she gives her elaborately decorated head a subtle shake. “I'll have a dress and dancing where I'm going with my sisters. ...Just less fancy. Less people.” More orcs, more swamp, more gods. But she gives in just a bit. “I could go for a little while and leave early, I suppose...” Like an odd twist on a fairy tale.

Lanlan could hardly believe how mean Leo was being to this pathetic little cat creature! Blatantly talking past him! Lanlan felt bad for Freckles in a way, who was just going to have to bury his hurt and trudge ever onward. He let Trish speak for him, that’s what was intended. But there were a few blanks to fill in how he wanted. “People tend to ignore me,” says Freckles like it was a virtue, and even a weakness in others. “So sometimes I do things and they don’t know. It’s like a talent I have.”

Mahri isn't ignoring the feline, or the naga, not really. She's keeping an eye on the pair though since she doesn't know them and listening to Terra try and convince Lora to go to the Gala. When Leo walks away, silver eyes follow him with concern but soon she's back to refilling drinks, even her own.

Terra could feel Lora caving, even just a little and seized. "Perfect! That is all you will need, just come for a little bit of time and see how it goes. I'll introduce you to my date." ...if she had one, which she totally did, probably, in theory. That brief lapse of confidence does nothing to shatter exterior shell of contentment in front of Lora or heck, even Leo, despite his distance. "We will have plenty of fun. Plus food!" Though... there was that myth about not eating where pixies ate, but she'd not mention that, not when she was so close...

Terra , without hesitation, shifted her glass towards Mahri, having not realized she had emptied it since the last refill. "I'm sure Jacobo can find us all something." That was mostly to Mah, even through their strained lines of communication. Loravelle isn't entirely convinced she's making the right decision, but she'll give it a try thanks to Terra's encouragement. With a change in plans, she turns to Mahri next. “I take back my rain check. I can go with you if you want me to still, for a little while.” A hand reaches to pat the side of her hairdo. “I could make your hair like mine too...” The offer is sheepish. She only really ever touched her sister's hair and someone else's. It's an odd boundary to cross.

Terra totally earned a shot or two, in her humble opinion.

Mahri 's eyes fly back to Lora. "If you really want to, sure." She looks at the young woman's hair and contemplates how it would look on her for a moment. That combined with a satin fitted dress and make up, might look good. What does Mahri know about fashion though. Not a dang thing. "Your hair is pretty. Not sure I could pull off the same look."

Mahri gives Terra those shots.

Leoxander rounded back after a moment, having heard Freckles’ pitiful response. He wasn’t the type to feel bad enough to show it, “Bein’ invisible ain’t always a bad thing.” He wasn’t going to refer to the creature as ‘Freckles’ out loud. Mostly, his soured mood was due to the embarrassment his suspected keeper had piled on, on top of the scene Joan had caused in public. A head tilt caused a crack from the tension in his neck and spine. “I wouldn’t have minded that power today, kid.” If the feline thought -this- behaviour was Leo being mean, he wouldn’t much appreciate the rogue really pissed off. To Ina, he kept his next response fairly low. “We have a conversation to finish then, I s’pose. For whatever reason it had ended at the Whaler’s, their business wasn’t entirely concluded, and although he trusted the ears that had occupied the building earlier, it was easier without a collage of conversation happening between so many reunited in that old space. Once again, he was scratching through his hair and fixed a look Lora and Mahri’s way. “You know I didn’t want to go.” With her, was the end of that sentence unfinished. He was working on clearing a significant amount of alcohol from that bottle as he poured himself yet another drink, the liquor starting to outweigh the regenerative curse.

Mahri said to Leoxander, "I know, but you agreed. So now I'll be going to keep you out of trouble. Or save you, either way."

Loravelle ;; “I'd be happy to try,” she smiles, finally. Not as much doom and gloom on her face. “We don't cut our hair back home. It's special, so we wrap it up and only keep it loose in private, usually. My sisters let theirs loose more often than I do.” At the sound of Leo's voice, she turns his way. She'll need to get her dress from his ship, but she doesn't voice that. It'd sound strange without context. Or stranger with context, Lora really didn't know. “I didn't want to go either,” the maid says. Terra took one of her shots but the other was pushed towards Leoxander, especially after he had uttered the bit they all had picked up on. No one that was present at that duel could have reached any other conclusion. It did not take an empath to pick up on that. Still, she tilted both head and shot back, swallowed it with an eye-watering hiss before she added, "It'll be fun!" Was this to convince herself or Lora, who she had goaded into it or Leo, who had promised himself to another? "There will be just as many shots and dance." ...even though there were currently, approximately, absolutely zero dance.

Ina appreciates the fact that she can loop a portion of her body forward, in order to prop her elbows up on it, so she can super casually lean her chin across outstretched palms, "Look, I left tha' change on tha table, n' ya check the haul, it didn't actually pan out that poorly. Especially when you count the fact that no one actually got to cash out their bets from -that- one." Ina's rapid-fire shift in persona, and Leo's rapid departure, had helped to orchestrate that serendipitous development. "But ch'yeah- we can sit down an' have a second chat later. Fer now, though'- I gotta get an early start on other pendin' bits o' business."

Leoxander tore his gaze from Mahri and Loravelle long enough to look Ina’s way. “You’re gonna prove harder than most to track down, an’ I’m planning to relocate the nest as soon as damn possible.” Too many frustrating memories came with the place it was currently buried beneath. “After this… ‘gala’.” He did well not to choke on the word. “I want to sit down with the lot of us and figure some of these pieces together. But we need a place safe fer sittin’.” He grazed a glance across gathered rogues, giving Freckles something of a suspicious look, but he spoke his demands in a few careful words. A slight raise of shot glass and he tilted it back, only to chase it with whatever had been poured in his cup. If that could even be considered so much a ‘chase’ and not just extra shots.

Mahri had her full attention on Leo now, and the Nagas as well. Something was going on, but questions would be asked later. Terra bit down on her bottom lip to better conceal the burp that would have followed the last of Mahri's shot. Probably, she should go home. Instead, she offered to Leoxander, "I could suggest a few places and changes in the swamp if you're looking for," her empty glass gestured around the JR, without malice, "a change in scene."

Ina looks -extremely- pleased with herself, as what Leo said could be interpreted as fairly high praise, "Ja can always drop a line at tha' gallery. Since I'm sure I'll be poppin' by there, here 'n there." That said, it seemed like there was some potential planning going on, so the foxkin simply slithers back to listen to it play out.

Loravelle is back to being quiet and feeling woefully out of place again, mentally playing her number game. Her face is screwed up in concentration on that and contemplating how to coordinate her now much busier Sunday. She empties her wine glass and just holds it, turning it slowly by its stem just to keep her hands busy.

Lanlan perked up his fake ears and his altered eyes lit up at this tiny morsel of approval from Leoxander. "Do you think you would want it again some day? Because if you did...then..." He looks down at his feet, and then over at Trish. He taps the sides of his pants while they have their quiet discussion. He isn't even there! But then he remembers something -critical-. He felt it in his pocket, and he excitedly reaches in and draws up a folded piece of paper. ::Application for Employment:: it says in bold, handwritten letters. Beneath those, its his name, temporary address in Cenril, list of applicable skills (climbing, ability to read and write), and references. Or, reference. There is a spot for multiple names, but only one is written. It's Trish. Below that, however, is the obligatory list of reasons an employer may not want to hire someone. Burglary, larceny, possession of stolen goods, breaking and entering, attempted murder. "There ya go!" He hands it to Leo to consider on his own time. He turns to leave, but then turns back and closes his eyes. Reciting the words as if written on the back of his eyelids, Freckles says, "It was nice meeting you, and I am very grateful for this opportunity. I hope I get the chance to prove my value to this company in the future. Thank you. Have a nice day!" Then he turns to leave, and very quickly becomes an awkward memory.

Mahri refills Loravelle's wine glass, thinking a little more alcohol might help her to relax a bit. "Drink up, Mouse."

Mahri watche's the feline leave. Something ain't right with that one.

Loravelle doesn't have a drinking problem, honest. But a lot of wine on a several day's empty stomach is probably bad. She takes another drink when Mahri refills her glass, but calls it quits afterward. Her hand clutches at her belly and she hides her wince by turning her head to look around, particularly at that stage again like she did when Leo first brought her here. “Do you play any instruments, Miss Mahri?”

Mahri follows Lora's gaze to the stage and shakes her head, "No. That's not where talents lie."

Loravelle said to Mahri, "Oh. Where do your talents lie?"

Mahri said to Loravelle, "Not in music."

Loravelle nods, repeats herself. “Oh. Is it a secret?” She wouldn't pry if it was.

Terra is going to drink Leoxander's designated shot at this rate...

Terra does not have an extra shot to drink since Leoxander had already claimed it but Terra, who had sampled mushrooms by Quintessa, was not all present to witness that.

Leoxander studied the timid feline a moment before he accepted the note, tentatively unfolding it to realize it was… a resume? That was a first. Typically he stole, fought, or sailed with someone before he considered them a proper applicant, but he wasn’t going to crush the letter like he did Ina’s note, earlier. Trish. He wasn’t sure he’d heard that name in the pit of bones, but he glanced at the snake lady to presume she was his reference, as well as his keeper. Or appeared to be, that night. Scanning the words scripted there, he flattens it on the bar top for Mahri to glance a peek if she felt so curious. He picked up his drink and nursed it again as he watched the feline leave, as well. “I got a f’gn’ headache…” It had been a hell of a day after a decent night of rest. He pinched the bridge of his sun-spotted nose and rubbed a hand over his closed eyes.

Loravelle doesn't like seeing Leo looking like this. Didn't Mahri pour her a glass of water ages ago? She nudges it over to him, hoping that the sound of glass sliding across wood isn't too grating as she does so. She considers suggesting her counting game, but that didn't really work for headaches, did it?

Ina wasn't sure what to read from the glance, but quite frankly, she was starting to wind down. Potentially it was all the excitement of the day finally catching up to her- or possibly the cold wharf breeze slowly eating away at her currently cold-blooded state. Whatever the case, she was side-eyeing a nice bench or two to sprawl across. And really, given how much her cumulative length weighed, she was figuring she could probably get away with doing just that without much in the way of worries when it came to being budged- though she was undoubtedly going to have a bit of maintenance to manage, given she'd decided long curly hair was a good idea.

Leoxander didn’t seem to protest if Ina found some seating to coil up on. He may not have a house, but the Jolly Roger had been home to many in the past, and he’d probably keep drinking to try to find some substitution for rest, if it could be managed. Then again, there was Loravelle, and it wasn’t such a secret that the rogue had kind of taken the demure maidservant under Crow wing. He lifted his gaze from under his hand as the water was nudged his way. A glance at grey eyes and surprisingly, the lycan complied and drank some plain ol’ water. The whole glass of it. He rubbed the side of his neck over the ink of a spiderless web with a calloused hand, wondering what the next day might have in store.

Mahri wipes down the bar and tosses the rag into the wash pile. "Im going home," said to no one in particular. Coming from behind the bar. the lycan makes her way to the door without so much as a backwards glance.