RP:Stock and Claim

This is a Rogue's Guild RP.

Location: Rynvale: Shopping Street, Stables, The Grand Dining Room

Summary: Making their way east early in the day, Loravelle and Leo run into some unexpected friends for an unexpected surprise for the Mouse. Another unexpected moment arrives in the form of a dinner meeting to discuss the state of Port Rynvale. All in all, the day is full of surprises.

Shopping Street

The rogue hadn’t given Loravelle a lot of clues to where their path would take them that day, but the weather seemed to reflect Leo’s mood with a few powder white clouds in blue skies, waves lapping the shore alongside their walk in a way that nearly beckoned him to forfeit plans and sit in palm shade on the beach to just relax, instead. But he had plenty of energy that day, had slept soundly the night before, and figured it was about time to take Lora’ to get some of those things cleverly hinted at or scripted in a back page of the books, rather than make her trail along in his endless roaming to tie up loose ends of business. The sand dusted road cleaned up to cobblestone as they hit the shopping street, and while most of the clothing and trinket shops were north, he paused, taking another wedge of a peeled orange he was sharing along the walk into his mouth before he handed her the last bit. The two pups, who were sprinting toward maturity and growing faster than Leo anticipated, loped around on their gangly legs challenging each other, their dark coats starting to hint at a bit of red highlighted in the sun. They’d never been leashed, but over the last couple months in the wolf and mouse’s care and company, they’d become equal shares of loyal and wild, sometimes wandering to investigate things together but never straying too far from their parents.

In her wandering around Rynvale alone, Loravelle has probably spent more time along this particular street than anywhere else. Mostly to window shop after visiting the temple for Selene and Zaytor and fawn over things she didn't necessarily need, but wanted. It's a little bit of a holdover from witnessing her sisters get anything they wanted and then some back home, admittedly. She only wanted a fraction of that luxury. In truth, Leo bringing her to his island to live covered that and then some. It's easier to breathe here, the heat isn't sweltering and humid like Gualon's swamp, and she's free. With him, and the thought has her squeezing his hand tight as the rogue leads the way. The pups are starting to look less like pups to her now, but she has no real idea of how large they're supposed to get. The last portion of the orange handed to her is held in a loose grip in her free hand, as if she intended to save it for later, and she has to shoo Chee away from it when he bounds over to sniff and butt his snout into her hand to knock the orange segment out of it. But like Leo has likely come to expect, she has questions. Mostly, where are they headed? Instead of voicing it, she pops the orange segment into her mouth and gives him a questioning look. Better than interrogating him all day, right?

Leoxander chewed up his bite and stepped a foot in Chee’s direction to cause the canine to leap back away from mom’s treat, but the half blind mongrel took it like a game and made an awful bark sound at the rogue before he got a case of the zoomies and started racing with his sibling back toward the beach. Leo let them roam free, figuring it wouldn’t be long before they circled back to keep tabs on where their human and lycanthrope were, but as they were growing they were getting more ambitious and adventurous to explore along the south shore. “I know you expected me to take you up the road here, but I got somethin’ to show you, first.” There’d been some light in his eyes for a few days now. She was recovered from her illness, he was no longer weighed down with fatigue and worry, and although he still had a long list of things to do regarding his ship, a claim on plot, and cause to call a few from the ranks for a mission or two, he’d decided to take most of the day off until one of those chores caught up with him, his pace calm and casual during their walk from the west. And he was a little surprised he hadn’t been tossed a half dozen questions along the way.

Loravelle watched as the pups hurried off for the beach and half expected Leo to lead her that way too. She's gotten used to their wandering by now, initially when either pup moved out of sight for a stretch of time, the mouse found herself worried, surprisingly. They aren't children, she knows, but there's a some maternal instinct at play there, she thinks. That thought is interrupted by Leo's voice, and her attention settles solely on him, then. Something to show her? So much for resisting the urge to ask her usual mountain of questions, because those words alone have her wanting to ask several right away. But she sees just how good of a mood her fiance is in, and if there's one thing she wants more than most, it's to keep him that way as long as possible if she could manage it. There's a plethora of things she can guess that it might be, but she doesn't want to blurt out guesses. “Is it a surprise?” Only one question this time, though it likely opened the floodgates for more. She likes to think she's gotten better at resisting, but we'll see.

Leo didn’t outright answer her but that glint in his eyes might as well have. “Wanna close yer eyes?” If she happened to have a headscarf or piece of fabric around her collar area, he released her hand to slip it free, not only to use for a blindfold but to remind her that she didn’t need to be proper all the time on their home island. More activity was present during the day, now, businesses beginning to reopen with the revelation of some foot traffic a bit more frequent. The island had a pulse again. Leo stole a quick kiss to her lips whether or not she permitted him to gently veil her eyes and loosely tie it at the back of her skull, or maybe he’d just have to use a hand or his face covering. Either way, he reclaimed her hand to lead her toward the direction of overgrown and untended gardens in the distance to the west.

Loravelle just so happened to be wearing a scarf covering her hair,and she can't help laughing a little at his suggestion. “Sure.” And she closes them, slowing her walk to a stop once he starts blindfolding her properly. In the past, something like this would have her on edge, but now she trusts that she's safe, especially on the island. Her hair is freed but reigned in just a little when the scarf tied at the back of her head, and she playfully makes a show of blindly feeling around for Leo until he has her hand in his once more. Where are they going? “If I trip, I'm blaming you,” she teases. Nortengaal appeared from the east.

Lita is chasing after a little verdant fox kit with dark pink ears. More than likely she's caught a whiff of the pirate, the man a scarce familiar after their meeting a few nights prior. "Zazen!" Lita is yelling after the critter, the fox making a game of being chased around foot traffic. Lita nearly runs into a blindfolded Mouse as she bends to scoop up the little creature, Zazen giving an excited yip as she licks at Lita’s cheek. Lita turns with a huff and a sigh, her arms wrapped around the fox, its paws dangling, its tail swishing excitedly. It eyes Leo and gives another little yip, clearly proud that she'd at least found her prey. Great. Lita eyes Lora's blindfold and glances at Leo curiously. "You're supposed to keep that behind closed doors." She teases him.

Nortengaal is wandering the streets more or less aimlessly, not feeling quite like hitting up the Jolly Roger or the Barrell. He’s in an odd sort of mood for him, a sort of low level brooding melancholy, different from his usual more upbeat self. One might suspect that it has something to do with his quite obviously healing - and recently broken - nose, and they wouldnt be entirely wrong. Truth be told he’s still a little upset at his recent fight loss, coming so soon after pledging himself to a certain underground group, whom he feels he has let down in some way. Anyways, these are the thoughts occupying the bearman’s mind as he wanders the streets of Rynvale. As luck would have it, some familiar scents catch his attention and he spys their owners in short order, and makes his way over to them with a friendly wave and somewhat forced smile. “Oh hey yall. Fancy running into you here.” The blindfolded Lora gets an eyebrow raise, but Lita’s comment is way better than anything he could think of offhand, so he leaves it alone with a slight shrug and perhaps even a little chuckle.

Loravelle freezes in place at the sound of Lita yelling. Zazen? She doesn't know what that means, but immediately assumes something might be wrong. She has half a mind to lift the blindfold to peek, but really she just hopes she isn't in the way. Somebody gets really close, and Lora jumps, but she hears the tattoo artist's voice and settles down quick. “Hi Lita.” She's waving in the wrong direction, and that was sort of her hope. Just to be silly. What's that yipping noise? A friend? “What was-” But she hears Nortengaal's voice next, so she lets go of Leo's hand and about faces, in the wrong direction again most likely, to wave at him as well. “Hello Nort.” It's only then that she realizes just what Lita said and Lora's face starts to turn crimson. “H-he said it was a surprise...” Not helping, Lora.

Leoxander wasn’t going to lead her along a bumpy path but if she did stumble, that grasp by his hand would make sure to avoid her faceplanting into cobblestone. “I ain’t carryin’ you. I keep that up yer gonna forget how to use yer own legs.” Lita’s voice is cause for pause as he watches what Loravelle can’t see unless she peeks, but whether she does or not she’ll definitely recognize the woman’s voice. As mentioned, Leo was in high spirits. To the point he actually reached up to scritch under the oddly colored vulpine’s chin for a little scratch without caution. Zazen probably wouldn’t go so far as to take a bite out of her said prey, but it probably wouldn’t faze him much if she did. “Well… two surprises, then. An’ I don’t got the patience for those rules, Ace.” And then on cue, the werebear’s voice from down the road, easily spotted through any others trickling down the street through town. “Make that… three.” Only when he checked to make sure the book keeper was lacking vision to see the rogue’s gesture did he look at Lita and subtly motion toward one of the buildings on that cul de sac road, though he hesitated a moment to let Nortengaal catch up.

Lita grins at seeing Lora's cheeks flush. "A surprise, huh?" She'll spare the Mouse another snarky response but Leo probably gets a look, something akin to 'way to go' as she offers him a playful wink. She turns to Nort as he joins them, shuffling the fox to the crook of her left arm as she lifts her right hand to wave a hello at him. She hadn't spent much time with the werebear but Leo and Mah seemed to trust him well enough and these days, that was enough for her. She eyes Zazen to be sure she's not gonna nip at Leo's fingers for that scratch, thankfully the fox only opens her jaws around his hand and slobbers on him a little. Lita offers an apologetic sort of smile and nods at seeing his gesture towards the building up ahead. "Nort, join us." She implores him, sensing his mood. "No guarantee Leo won't try to blindfold me too and I might need backup."

Lita said to Loravelle, "Hi, doll." Lita whispered something to Loravelle.

Loravelle is absolutely gullible and tries blinking after Lita whispers to her. Then realizes the blindfold is covering her eyes, and has to clap her free hand over her mouth to cover a loud laugh. “Are you blindfolding everybody, Leo?” She's picturing a line of blindfolded people tailing him, all holding hands so they don't get lost along the way. This keeps that laughter going, and she tries to teasingly elbow Leo's side. Her elbow bumps into nothing,

Rynvale Stables

Leoxander wiped the drool off his hand before he reclaimed his fiance’s hand in his grip and turned to head down the street toward their destination. He almost slipped to Lora something about keeping hostages out of the know, but thought better of it since their last discussion about killing a slave. Now, she may not be a lycanthrope or vampire with acute senses, but a minute or two of that walk would reveal a smell she may or may not identify. The bear and the wolf would probably catch that scent of straw, fur and manure long before the bard being escorted by the three, but he stopped just outside the entrance to the stables. One of the workhands caught sight of the blonde who had already made arrangements for that surprise, beckoning them into the open air stalls, a few of which were occupied with some sort of livestock or herbivore mount, but there was one that had been repaired, cleaned, fresh straw scattered on the ground and a sea-green horseshoe stenciled on the gate. It was here that Leo let go of Loravelle’s hand and reached up to slid the knot loose and slip her scarf from her eyes. Empty. The stall was empty. Was he just torturing her?

Loravelle has no idea just where Leo is leading her and the others, but soon she smells something. A very familiar smell. She wants to yank the blindfold off herself in her anticipation but she tries not to reveal just how excited she is. It isn't going over well. Leo can likely tell by just how tightly she squeezes his hand as that smell gets stronger. Where are they? Why can't she hear the sound of galloping hooves, or whinnying? Her steps are a little bit more hurried as she follows Leo, unbeknownst to her, toward a stall. The instant he starts working to remove her scarf from shielding her eyes, they open, and she's prepared to audibly gasp at the sight of....Nothing? What? This has to be the worst prank ever, if it's a prank. Lora tries very hard to mask her crestfallen look and replace it with some feigned, damn near bratty look. Hands on her hips and everything. She can't even keep that fake expression straight, because her lips are very close to breaking into a smile with each passing second. “Well, where is it?”

Leo was, admittedly, a little floored when he looked over to Loravelle to see the obvious disappointment in her body language and words. Maybe he was spoiling this woman too much, but he also had to remind himself this was what she’d wanted the most, even if she’d mentioned her nameday as the limit date. “...Venturil. I can’t be the one t’ feel the right one for you. I made arrangements for us to head out today and we should be there by tomorrow to meet up with the breeder.” He glanced toward Lita very briefly, confused that he had done something wrong. “Well. Anyway. You got room an’ board here for it.” Leo handed her scarf back and tried not to show the bit of dwindle in his own mood, jaw a bit tense as the pirate showed a rare form of awkwardness. He scratched the side of his neck before he took a few steps away from the women (and Nortengaal, if he caught up), in order to exchange the rest of the payment for the purchased stall and the labor taken to clean and personalize it.

Lita is trying to keep the fox from squirming out of her arms at all the overwhelming smells of horses. The thing yaps a few times before Lita manages to close her fingers loosely around its mouth, its head tilting back to regard her with beady little eyes. Lita's trying to stifle her own laugh as Lora assumes this 'bratty' demanding look. "Hush, you." She says to Zazen, who gives a whimpered complaint at the command and settles for gnawing at Lita's forearm in protest. "Maybe it's invisible?" She offers, knowing full well that Lora's been begging for a pony for some time. "Or maybe," knowing Leo, "it's being flown in from some place exotic." Lita waves a hand at Leo's explanation. "See, there you go." She wasn't too far off. Though she feels a little bad for the teasing now, as Leo steps away. She tries to offer the pirate a reassuring smile. It was the perfect gift, really. Just maybe a little explanation beforehand would have tempered expectation?

Nortengaal follows along, mood already elevating just by virtue of being around folks he was coming to know as friends. The smell hits him first, that strong, heavy scent of farm, and he cant help but smile. Who doesnt love a good farm animal? Not to eat of course, though he’d be lying if he said he’d never done such a thing, but today they were apparently here to see…Nothing! No, wait, its the space he’s showing off to Lora, who to her credit manages to hold herself together rather well at the reveal of an empty stable. In short order things are explained though, and after a brief moment of uncomfortable silence Leo steps away to handle some stable related business. Nort moves around to be in Lora’s line of sight and holds his fist out in a fist bump of congratulations. “Hey, you’re getting a horse friend! That’s awesome, congrats.”

Loravelle notices that change in Leo's demeanor and immediately frowns, holding the scarf loosely in her hands once it's returned. Venturil. She's getting a horse from Venturil?! But. She took her joke way too far, didn't she... “L-Leo-” She curses under her breath, then looks to Lita and Nort and anticipates both of them glowering at her for what she just pulled. Maybe Lita understood she was just joking, and it's only then that she notices the fox that the tattoo artist is toting and as much as she absolutely wants to pet it and say hello, Lora has some damage control to do. The fact that he even went out of his way to get a stall for her to keep a horse on the island has her absolutely thrilled. When Nort approaches for a fist bump, she feebly responds in kind, lightly knocking her knuckles against his. “Th-thank you...” She looks from Lita, to her fox friend, to Nort and quietly murmurs, “Excuse me,” before rushing past them to try stopping Leo by practically throwing herself at him in a hug, whether it ends up being face to face or from behind. She had to explain. “I was just – I was trying to be funny, and it wasn't funny,” and now she's anxious and panicking and feeling terribly guilty, “and I'm so sorry...I sh-shouldn't have tried to joke... I love this. I didn't expect it at all.” Lora figured the horse would come later or he had one waiting out of sight somewhere to emerge around a corner to be extra dramatic, but her assumptions were wrong. Very wrong. “I'm so sorry.” She's utterly killed the mood, hasn't she. How can Lora fix this?

Leoxander was still pretty new at all this. Loving and caring for someone more than he did himself. Being ‘romantic’ or generous, which he was still apparently failing at without much practice for either. But it was what it was and with the deal done, he took the padlock and key that could be used to keep the stall accessible to only her. It wasn’t just a rectangular space with dirt and a water bucket. It was large enough the horse would have room, access to fenced corrals, a shed in the corner built in to house fresh straw and alfalfa, horse grooming supplies tacked to the walls within, even a simple harness (in woven green nylon, of course) for leading, though there was no saddle or reins and bit for the unclaimed animal, yet. Tools, rakes, shovels were on the wall of the main ‘hallway’ that led to those individual spaces, there for the community to use, which, judging by the lack of animals boarded there, was a very small community, indeed. Caught up against his back by a hug from the petite woman brought a slight ‘uhf’ from the rogue before he reached back with an arm to try to bring her around to his side, at least, letting it linger over her shoulders. “Yer allowed, Dove.” He muttered, unnecessarily. “I jus’ felt like you’d know more about what you want. I don’t typically pick out pets.” Most of the time, they somehow picked him. And clearly were never thought of as pets. He glanced over in shoulder in Lita and Nortengaal’s direction. “What’re you lot up to? I could go for some grub before he hit the road. But bein’ this close to Arayanne’s… if you two wanna make a pit stop fer a new hat…” Well, he didn’t quite finish that remark but it ended with Nortengaal and Leo next door at the weapons shop or grabbing an ale to wait, if he could rope the therianthrope along for company.

Lita is in no way glowering at Lora. It was cute, their little Mouse having come in to some sort of her own and being all grown up and what not. But she was still a Mouse. Even an adorable one. Snarky remarks and snide comments were more Lita and Mahri's thing, and more so expected around present company, maybe more so from Leo, who most often got them as guise of affection. If Lita was ever overly polite to people it was usually with plans to stab them later. But stories for another day. She turns her back on the happy couple a moment as they hug, allowing some semblance of privacy as she eyes Nort's broken nose with more scrutiny. She makes a bit of a face at him, her nose wrinkled slightly. "You know, all things considered, you look good." At mention of a new hat of some sort, she'd glance over her shoulder again. Lita didn't do hats. Not with the hair. Hadn't this been established? Effortless beach curls took time to perfect.

Loravelle makes a note to herself to not jokingly pretend to be entitled like that again. She feels awful, but it's mixed with gratitude for Leo's gift too. She hasn't had a good look at all of it of course, given her panicked rush at him to apologize, but once Lora has taken a look around that mix of guilt and gratitude is going to just pile higher and higher... Her behavior is still inexcusable though, and as he brings her around she isn't sure what to do. Bombarding someone with apologies could be very annoying, but she couldn't just do nothing. Say nothing. And she's gone and caused a scene too, hasn't she? She looks Lita and Nort's way too and has half a mind to apologize a bunch to them too, but priorities. Leo. He's put so much thought into this. It's then that she gets up on tip toes to plant a kiss on his cheek, and stammer another apology in his ear. Whether he replies or not, she lowers herself back down. Usually she'd leap at the opportunity to visit Arayanne's, but not today. “M-May I look around instead...?” Sure it was a gift, but after that stunt she pulled, Lora is going to ask permission first. Loravelle whispered to you, "I really am sorry...How can I make this up to you?"

Nortengaal looks away from the happy couple as they share a moment in spite of Lora’s floundered attempt at acting tough, finding Lita’s own gaze focused on his face. Smiling, he reaches up to scratch behind a fuzzy ear a bit sheepishly. “Thanks. I find a broken nose adds a certain ruggedness to one’s features.” he says with a chuckle. He looks back to Leo, his stomach audibly rumbling at the mention of food. How long had it been since he last ate? He’s honestly not sure, and it sounds like a mighty good idea to him. “I could go for a bite, for sure.”

Leoxander replied to Loravelle’s meek question for permission, first. “Well, yeah. S’pose you can, ownin’ a space here.” The lock and key were handed her way before she ventured to see more, and he let her go with a shake of his head to dismiss whatever she whispered. “You have.” He mysteriously replied, before he headed back to Nortengaal and Lita. It was then that Nort’s injury was brought into awareness by Lita’s words and the werebear’s reply. “Simon’s due to have some fresh haul tomorrow, but I got someplace else in mind…” Waiting to see if vampire or therianthrope would agree to join in on the second surprise for the day. This one not quite as generous, as he wanted to inspect the scene. And even dressed as casually as they all were, he knew the Royal townhouse wouldn’t reject them. Not only was there a distinct lack of business, but Leo had been making his rounds in Port Rynvale, and knew that his goal of picking that place up out of the ashes would come easier with a share of the gold he’d been saving up for such causes as that, and horses, and ship crew.

Mahri , or once, is in a rather good mood. And it would seem Fate thought this little group ought to be together. Gods only knew what would bring the wolf to a stable. But, here she was and walking into something that had her jaunty whistle fade to an echo in the stable. "Hey Rug," she nods to Nortengaal, "Hey, Ace" Lita gets a grin, but it's Leo and Lora that get a quirked brow, "Y'all alright?"

Nortengaal shrugs slightly and slips the flask from it’s holster at his waist, unscrewing the cap and taking a drink in one fluid motion. “I’m game, i’ve got nowhere else to be.” Mahri’s arrival and greeting is met with a warm smile and a wave. “Hey Mahri. Fancy running into you here.”

Mahri said to Nortengaal, "Where we goin'?" Nortengaal said to Mahri, "I dont know, Leo just said he's got someplace in mind."

Mahri pulls a metal case from a pocket of her duster which contains rolled cigarettes. Easing one out of the protective sleeve, she taps the end to settle the tobacco before putting it between her lips. A quick flare at the tip of a finger touched to the other end and smoke curls before the cherry glows bright read with a drag. Did she care she was in a stable with the sweet scent of hay mixed with earthy horse poop? Nope. A curl of smoke escapes the corner of Mahri's mouth before the rest is exhaled lazily. Leoxander was on his way to the open exit that led to or from the stables, also in some repair now that there was activity on the island (not to mention some coin in their funds) to be lively again. Loitering near Mahri and Nortengaal, his hands slid into his pockets to wait while Lora took a look around. Lita might be hovering around the Mouse, and he was okay with that, but naturally the rogue had more business to tend to before they made the trek to the ferry and off the island for the night. “I got somethin’ set up not too far from here. Ace’ll be able to track us.” And the two maned wolves who were not confusing looking cubs but starting to grow into their strange hybrid shapes would be returning to their ‘mom’ from a romp on the beach about then, one taking a brief seat at Leo’s feet with a half blind stare looking between the three were people, while Jee went in search for the one who pet and coddled him all the time. “I could use a drink, anyhow.”

Mahri watched Lita and Lora wander. The strange one-eyed pup is noted and if he came close would get a good scratch behind an ear. "A drink sounds good to me." Nortengaal holds out his flask to Leo, offering him a drink. “It’s amaretto, been feeling like something a little different lately.” Should the other man decline, Nort will take a drink himself and offer it to Mahri next. Should he accept, Nort will…take a drink himself afterwards and offer it to Mahri next. The bearman eyes Mahri’s smoke, the smell of the tobacco distinct even over the smells of the farm. He really should look into picking some up himself, having gotten fairly back into the habit lately. “So where to?”

Mahri shakes her head at the offer of Nortengaal's drink but does offer him one of her smokes. Nortengaal smiles and nods his thanks as he takes the smoke, lighting it with a small flame conjured between thumb and finger. He inhales deeply and exhales slowly, savoring the interesting flavor mix between the smoke and the amaretto.

Leoxander, surprisingly, did not recognize the name, but he trusted Nortengaal enough to take the flask for a drink, making a face at the sweet flavor that threatened a closed eye as he swallowed and handed it back. “Damn, brother.” The rogue gave a slight, rapid shake of his head like one might tasting a fresh wedge of lemon. “You like ‘em sweet, then.” He jested off handedly with a glance toward Chee. “Stick aroun’, Grim.” The pup growing into a state between cub and adult flicked a ridiculously oversized ear at Leo, and surprisingly, he seemed to understand as he stood to pace into the straw strewn stable to find Jee (or ‘Git’ as Leo called him), Loravelle and Lita. He motioned with his jaw to the two to head not far from the shopping street.

Mahri didn't bother to hide the smirk at Leo's expense but, as usual, she'll follow where the alpha leads

Nortengaal chuckles as he puts the flask back in it’s holster. “ Eh, sometimes.” He’s ready to follow Leo’s lead to wherever it is he’s got planned.

The Royal Dining Room

A fantastic custom built dining table stretches almost the full length of this chamber, there must be room for sixty people to gather round and a smaller table next to it has space for twenty or so more. The smaller table is most likely for the governor and wealthy guests as well as family as it has much grander looking cushioned chairs with a small canopy over the top. The tables are both marble topped with some sort of brilliantly shining metal forming the legs, this beautiful design must have surely cost a fortune. Hanging above the tables is a number of chandelier's that will be lit for evening banquets.

Leo opened the door, but he didn’t bother to hold it open for his company. He would be the first one through the Foyer, curiously recognized with an exchange of a handshake before the elf eared host motioned them through into the large banquet area. Of course, it was empty, but with the population dwindling as it was and the pirate for the recognition he’d built, well… it was no titan of winter or lord of the land kind of welcome, but he’d been busy introducing himself to establishments in the south shore of the island to make his intentions known. Bringing back prosperity, legal and not, and no one could really afford to deny that opportunity as stagnant as the place had become. It was, subtly, his own form of campaign without making a fanfare of it, and the group would be permitted to a table with some of those comfy upholstered chairs. He wasn’t too fond of the chandeliers and luxury of the scene, but accepted it, and didn’t need to bother to tell the servers that loitered near before they unloaded a few bottles, several tumblers and a bucket of ice to their table. It wasn’t until his companions were settled and he was pouring himself a drink until he bothered to explain. “I d’know if you lot caught on, but I’m plannin’ on stakin’ claim around here.”

Lita had been wandering through the stable with Lora and completely missed Mahri's entrance and talk of a drink. Maybe. She might have passed the woman a look, but Mouse is bristling with excitement and chattering away about this and that and it's hard not to be drawn into her joy in those moments. By the time they realize the other trio have left, they make a plan for Lita to walk Lora back to Leo's ship. Probably best to drop the fox critter back at the beach house anyway, with as squiggly as it was. They were taking baby steps to socialization. And as much as she adored the thing, she wasn't used to having a little thing following her, since she'd lost the hound. After seeing Lora and Zazen safely to their respective homes, she'd follow the trio's trail back up through the city, barefoot as usual. The lack of shoes probably gets a look from some of the staff but she just nods towards Leo and the others and sort of nudges her way past them. "About damned time." She says, catching the tail end of the pirate's words as she snags a seat next and leans over to Mahri to snag her cigarette for a drag before returning it. "Hey, doll." She offers finally. "So what's that make us, high council?" She asks Leo, only mostly joking.

Mahri found a seat next to Leo's so when Lita arrives and takes the words and cigarette out of her mouth, she chuckles and second's the artist. "What she said."

Leoxander knew that Lita was likely joking, but he shrugged and answered nonetheless. “Pretty much. Can’t do it on my own.” He lifted his fancy glass, sparkling crystal compared to the sand blasted cut glasses provided in his own pub, taking a slight, subtle sniff before he helped himself to a drink. He really didn’t expect those people to poison him at that point, but old habits die hard. “I’m gonna need the help I can get. But I need those records, first.” His voice was low, even though he’d paid off the employees of several establishments already for his cause. And clearly he trusted the three he’d invited to dinner. Whatever was discussed, Loravelle would hear of eventually. As he reached for his own pocket for a hempen, hand rolled cigarette from a wooden case and leaned toward Mahri for a convenient light, the server was back to hand them some menus they probably didn’t need, and went the extra mile to place a couple crystal-glass ashtrays on the table the unsightly (at least when it came to upper class eyes) group occupied. But some business was better than no business.

Mahri 's quick to provide that light but was slightly puzzled. She'd keep to the atmosphere that encouraged lower tones. "What records would that be? I feel like I've missed somethin' important." Whatever is in those bottles, she'll pour her own and Lita's because why not, into the pretty crystal glasses.

Lita 's turn to nod Mahri's way when the woman asks about said records.. "What she said." She takes the poured drink with a murmured thanks and sips it gingerly. When had Leo become so fancy?

Leo said, "Governor’s records.” He answered flatly before he finished his first drink, glanced at the menu, then looked toward the elf server in his apron but continued to speak on. The lad knew better than to gossip about the pirate’s conversation - not to mention he’d been paid off well. Lita or Mahri might realize the danger if Leo came across those records to see the name of Rynvale’s last governor, but he was still brain damaged since his recent wash upon shores to know what he might encounter. “I’ma need some paperwork to get a face into office.” Even if it wasn’t his. “Steak all around?” He asked the crew, though lingered with a look on Lita because with her pantry as bare as it was a while before, he wasn’t sure if she cared to eat anything but the blood that might seep onto a plate. Nevertheless, he accepted her for what she was. “Best we have the backup. I feel like Elimdor’s got somethin’ in the works." Leoxander took a drag from his lit cigarette, leaning back in his upholstered chair.

Nortengaal lets out a low whistle of appreciation as he follows Leo into the fine establishment, taking in the sights. The fancy marble tables are a particularly nice touch, and Nort runs his hand over the smooth surface appreciatively as he moves to sit around the table in one of the cushy chairs. He joins the others in pouring himself a glass of booze and settles in. A long drink is taken and he chuckles. “Seems like you might’ve already got one, ‘round here at least.” High council eh? That’s a new one, for sure. He listens to Leo talk as he drinks, intrigued by what he’s hearing. The bearman nods at the mention of steak, which is always a good option. “Where are these records you need?”

Mahri stopped dead in the act of raising her glass to her lips. Governor's records? Oh hell's bells. Slowly lowering the glass, Mahri started mentally calculating and plotting. Not as in depth as Leo was but the wheels were turning. "Sorry, no' t'night, Cap'n. No' hungry at t'e moment." Mahri leaned back in her seat as well, bringing that glass along for the ride, almost as though she'd forgotten it was there while at the same time rolling it between the palms of her hands.

Lita shakes her head at the offer of steak as well. Most food tasted like cardboard these days. "Pass, thanks though." She didn't say anything about the records he's after but the parallels between his current schemes and what Hudson had done in Cenril are an easy thing to draw just now. Not that she's of a mind to convince anyone to step into a position of leadership, but he'd sort of put himself there as of late. They'd all just followed. She taps her index finger idly against the rim of her glass, passing a glance at Mahri and then Nort before back to Leo. "You've someone in mind already?"

Leoxander motioned his empty glass toward Nortengaal for his question, setting it down to be refilled eventually. “Could be the estate, could be here. Could be the ol’ sheriff’s place. Most likely t’ be found in the library.” Some of those places in Rynvale… most people just didn’t know about. He’d been making his rounds to scout or visit several. “Enough gold will get us in but that ain’t my favorite part ‘bout earnin’ it. Spendin’ it unnecessarily when we got the skill to get in on our own. This’s already our town.” He made that point clear before he turned to regard Mahri and honestly was surprised by her refusal and maybe some of the expression in silver eyes. He took another drag to exhale with his question her way. “You don’ think we can’t do better by this place?” He made a motion toward the elf for two steaks. He and Nortengaal would eat well, at least. Whether Mahri answered or not, he glanced Lita’s way. “Not yet. You think I should just let this place go to —-?” A clatter of glassware half drowned out his curse word while he poured himself another drink.

Mahri 's silver eyes snapped to Leo, widened a moment then settled into their natural state of watchfulness. "Oh, Not at all. I think we'll do fine. Jus' tryin' ta figure out where t'start lookin' for those papers." And how to keep mention of the former governor out of them.

Lita grins at the pirate's curse. Maybe it was just nice to see that all the lovesick and fancy hadn't gone to his head. Yet. She sips from her glass again. "Quite the contrary," she manages. "I think if Cenril taught us anything in recent history, it's that people tend to prefer their leaders be local boys." Or witches, in Val's case. And hey, both her and Leo had died and come back a time or two. Maybe that was a good sign?

Leo let his gaze on Mahri linger as he took another drink of that upscale bourbon whiskey. He’d known her too long, and was far too observant. Something was influencing her but he hadn’t any idea what. Close as the pair of alphas were, he chose not to question it then and there, but kept her behavior on his radar. He chose then to look toward Lita with a nod. “There’s not much left to lose around here, an’ I don’t think my mug on posters would be a sellin’ point, but I ain’t about to let this island sink.”

Lita said to Mahri, "So what do you say, divide an' conquer?" The woman's unease, whatever the reason, wasn't lost on her." Lita said to Nortengaal, "I've got the duel in a few days, but between the few of us, we can discreetly search a few places."

Nortengaal is admittedly not much of a politician, and a lot of the finer - and broader if we’re being honest - points of that stuff is lost on him. Still, he understands having information is always a good thing, and he’s more than ready to try and get it for the cause, wherever it happens to be. He finishes his glass and rests it down on top of his knee, just listening to the others talk for the moment. Turning his attention to Lita he nods. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

Mahri said to Lita, "Lets meet up t'morrow an' talk about it." She then said to Nortengaal, "You too."

Nortengaal said to Mahri, "Where?"

Leo watched as a couple rare steaks were served, and despite Lita and Mahri not participating in the meal, he was also in good mood, good spirits, and dug into a meal overdue with a fork, even. But only to stab it and hold it up to chew on for a while before he started using his fingers to tear off bites. “I’ll be on the mainland to handle Lora’s horse.” He let the trio know as he seemed more hungry than usual, and focused a bit on his meal. A look at Mahri with a mouthful. "Wh'd. M'nod invit'd?"

Lita is kidding, probably.

Mahri jabs her only thumb towards Lita, "What she said. Yer welcome t' no' get Lora a horse and search wit' us."

Leoxander exhaled heavily through his nose, and resumed eating his steak.

Lita is tempted to make a joke about Leo having already not gotten Lora a horse but she'd seen the look on his face. So in a moment or rare silence, she bites her tongue and her lower lip. "Barrel good?" She says to Nort and glancing at Mahri. "We can pick a starting point from there."

Nortengaal doesn't even bother with the fork and picks up his steak with his bare hands and tears into it hungrily, decorum be damned. At least he uses the provided napkin to wipe his face. He nods to Lita and speaks around a mouthful of steak. "Barreslsh good."

Lita nods at Nort's agreement for their meet up plans and stands as she finishes her drink. "Sounds like a start." She reaches a hand out to Mahri to help her to her feet. "You headin' out?" She doesn't give her a chance to answer. "Walk with me."