RP:The Kitten Delivers
The Gods Pier
A three hundred and sixty foot pier made of Vhysian redwood expands into the sea, stemming from the boardwalk along the beach. Along the railing that encompasses the entire pier, lampposts alternate with statues of Hollow’s pantheon, each one capturing the supposed likeness of each deity perfectly, both posts and statues made from steel. Stalls housing food, games, clothing, and trinkets line the middle of the pier, all neatly placed in two rows, allowing for walking along the outside of it. Halfway down the middle of the pier lies a botanical garden contained within a glass greenhouse, housing not only local flora, but some from other regions as well, with guided tours led by witches that explain not only their basic scientific information, but their spiritual, medical, and culinary uses as well. Beyond the garden lies a deity-themed carousel and a massive ferris wheel, both decorated with animals and other things that are favored by each of the gods, the ferris wheel itself allowing for a look at the city’s beautiful landscape once riders ascend to the top. And for those wishing for a more relaxed visit, benches line the railing, while fishing stations are set up here and there, and bards of all sorts make their music and artistry known to all who have coin.
Package acquired, Daisy makes her way to Cenril from Frostmaw. As promised, she gets there in the allotted three days. Though it is the third day and now she has to actually find the mayor. She asks around a little and eventually finds out that Valrae is actually out on God's Pier. I mean, who wouldn't be? The sun is going down and the moons are coming up and it really is so pretty out there by the water. Plus snacks. Which we all know our chonky kitten will absolutely stop by to get. Don't be selfish! Get one for Val too, will ya? Yes. Yes you will. There is a man over there making those giant cotton candy flowers. Two pink ones are picked out and paid for and carried along as she skips along to find the lovely Valrae.
The last night of Rosales officially marked the end of winter and, with the arrival of Fellsol, the return of spring. Though the days were breezy and warm, the nights still carried the stubborn chill of the colder seasons on the salty ocean air that buffeted over Cenril from the east. The press of the crowd added warmth that was whisked away by the windy night, the smell of fried meats and doughy sweets mingling with the ocean air as the shouts of emphatic conversation and laughter rose into the night over the pier.
While the Mayor had already rearranged her schedule in order to spend a healthy portion of the afternoon on the beach and away from the monotony of paperwork and her too stuffy office, she continued her trend of irresponsibility and moved from the beach to the crowd packed God’s Pier. She’d added a long knit shawl the color of fresh basil over her peach dyed sundress and traded the strappy sandals for platform heels, her windswept hair pulled back in a curling high pony’s tail the color of wheat and honey. While she was never without her guards, two very tall and very armed men with stern faces and dark tunics, they didn’t seem to crowd her or demand the rest of Cenril’s people to stand so far back that she couldn’t make simple conversation. Still, after being cornered by a man who claimed himself a proud supporter of a different candidate in the upcoming electoral race who accused her of several crimes, she’d slipped to a quiet corner of the pier to light herself a clove cigarette. She tilted her head back on the first long and sweet exhale, laughing abruptly when she realized the light post she’d chosen to stand underneath Aramoth. Not her biggest fan either, she was sure.
Even with the sun gone down, the windy chill here absolutely can not compete with the regular existence of Frostmaw. It is welcomed! Especially since the air doesn't bite your face here. And nobody likes their face bitten! Well. Maybe. No judging! What are we doing? Right. The pier! It isn't the easiest to pass by all the stalls, but you'll do it anyway, kitten! You have a mission to carry out. Besides. You can always go back after you've delivered your package. So she looks and wanders and nibbles her floss, slipping right past stern faced men as that laughter is heard and then spotted. Oh. Yes that is her. There are a lot of words to describe a person. Nice words. Kind words. Flattering words. Daisy thinks them all as she approaches. Maybe the guards stop her? Maybe they don't. Carrying those two sugar spun treats, she doesn't look too threatening. Don't sneak. Don't hide. Oh no, you want her to see you. No surprises. Well. Except for the box. Once close enough, she holds up the flower she hasn't nibbled on. "You're stunning."
The guards had taken one look at Daisy, with her hands full of candy floss and general air of happiness, and determined that they would be met with a very angry witch if they turned her away. They’d already been on the receiving end of a handful of lectures about treating all people as threats, as well as reminders that while Valrae was the Mayor she was also a witch and High Priestess and very capable of defending herself. ‘I only keep guards because the Captain prefers it!’ She had told them. The Captain of the Cenrili Guard of course being Jaxson Ravencroft, the man she was now engaged to wed.
So, Daisy was allowed to pass through without so much as a cursory pause.
Valrae hadn’t noticed her approach initially, she’d been contemplating the artistry of Aramoth’s supposed likeness after all, and so the compliment paid to her took her by slight surprise. “Oh!” The woman starts, her free hand rising up to her chest. “Thank you!” The response was chirped and automatic. “Really, thank you so much,” She manages again after catching her breath. “You’re lovely yourself!”
Daisy didn't mean to startle anyone! Quite the opposite. Ah well. Sometimes when you're small and they're off thinking about arts and things, one can do a spook. A well received spook though! She even said nice things to you, kitten. Mind your manners. "Thank you." She smiles a toothy grin as the second pink cotton candy flower is further offered to Valrae. "I brought you one." She gives her own another little nibble before introducing herself. "I'm Daisy."
Valrae quickly snuffs the cherry of her cigarette and flicks it into a trash bin nearby. Even if she hadn’t been the mayor, the witch didn’t believe in littering. Then she finds herself returning the grin with one of her own, though it carries a touch of shyness as she reaches out to take the candy floss flower offered to her. “Thank you!” She chirps happily, though she doesn’t take a bite like she’d secretly wanted to just yet. “I’m Valrae,” She didn’t know if she needed to introduce herself since Daisy seemed to have approached with a purpose… Still, not doing so felt rude. “It’s a lovely night for the pier,” She adds, making casual conversation before taking her first sweet, melty candy floss.
"Pleasure." What a pleasant woman. Daisy looks up at the sky and then down the pier at the various stalls. It is always so lively here with food and games and shops. "I like it here most nights." She smiles and has a bite of the pretzel stick the floss came on. No paper cone to throw away for this treat! Absolutely not. Plus the salty crunch is nice with the light sweet. Oi! Kitten. You aren't on a date and the mayor is spoken for. Pay attention! "I was asked to give you something." She pops the last bit of pretzel in her mouth before squatting down there by her bag that suddenly becomes very obvious that it is there. It is easy to not notice things when presented with candy flower snacks. Yeah, we'll go with that. She pulls out a box that is approximately one and a half foot square on each side. The box is wrapped in a pretty pale pink paper with a rather large dark pink and silver bow tied atop it. The kitten is very careful to keep the box upright. If shaken, the contents doesn't seem to move much. It's not heavy at all, making its transport and handling very easy for our small druid. It does smell a bit like vanilla.
The witch works diligently on her candy floss, and some work is easy to do when you enjoy it, as she listens intently to Daisy. The wind off of the water picked up and her golden hair snapped like ribbons behind her as she pauses, “A delivery? For me?” She seems delighted, who wouldn’t be really, but her guards appear very interested suddenly. Was it dangerous? Was this a cute and clever assassination attempt? Guards, always assuming the worst and seeing assassins in every shadow. She ignores them though, taking the offered box with a free hand. “Thank you so much!” She finds herself thanking the adorable Daisy twice now… And feeling a little guilty for not having anything to offer her in return. Valrae doesn’t open it up immediately, even though she wanted to, and tilts her head quizzically. “Do you do deliveries often?” Was she supposed to tip her like a courier? The paper was so pretty, and her favorite shades of pink! And was that a vanilla scent? Mmm, all of her favorite things. Balancing the box on a nearby rail, she peaks inside. “Cupcakes?!” Oh boy, she really wanted to eat them… But her hands were already full of candy floss and her guards were already looming over her shoulder. No doubt she would have to fight to get them back if they thought for a second she would eat mystery food before reading the information on who sent it. She passes her pretzel stick to a guard in order to examine the letter quickly. “Lita?!” The name falls from her mouth in a loud, shocked gasp. “What?” She looks to Daisy as if she might hold the answers.
Daisy does her very best to ignore the guards, but is always ready to leap out of the way if they decide to do a divebomb tackle - as guards do sometimes. Lame. Calm down, Brutus! Lady Valrae can take care of herself! Especially with the gratitude. So polite! How is she the best? Jobs. Do you deliver often? "Ah, I do what I can to get by." Hired hand, right? Absolutely. Hand. Vine. Claw. What is needed will be done! Nosy kittens are very excited to see that box opened right in front of her. She wanted to know what was inside too! Green eyes brighten. Snacks! Cupcake snacks! But why discrete baked goods? She looks from the box with a smile up at Valrae. "She said it is what Leo would have wanted. Maybe. Congratulations on something?" She isn't sure what kind of relationship the ladies have, but if Val didn't yeet the treats into the ocean by now, maybe it is a good one.
Valrae seems less excited to see the beautifully decorated cupcakes now, and decidedly less so than Daisy might be. No, she and Lita had a complicated… Acquaintance? She’d met the other woman a handful of times and the most notable, and last meeting, had been Lita trying to kill her in defense of Larket. She was frowning down at the cupcakes in one hand and the letter in the other, working through it, until Daisy mentions Leoxander. “Leo, yeah.” It seems to have been addressed from his office.
“You should have these.” The witch offers the cupcakes out to her. “I’m supposed to be cutting back and you’ve already given me that delicious candy floss.” She keeps the letter though. “I really appreciate you taking time to get this to me. Can I offer you something more than those cupcakes?” Would it be polite to offer her gold? She wasn’t sure how to proceeded.
Daisy watches the giddy and excitement drain from Valrae's everything. Frowns too? She almost seems sad though, which is a shame since Lita went through so much trouble to get these cupcakes all the way from Frostmaw to the mayor here. "I will be paid. Thank you." The box is taken and studied a moment. It probably isn't right to keep them. Are they poison? That can be tested later if they are. Now is for other things of comfort and kindness. That box is set aside just there, freeing the little druid to turn to Valrae for a gentle, purr accompanied embrace. Guards and personal bubbles be damned. "I hope your heart has peace." The kitten holds that hug until Valrae has had her fill of warm purrs.
“Oh, good.” She replies, and means it, when Daisy tells her that payment will be taken care of. And then Valrae is being pulled into a hug! She returns it, at first on reflex but this soon warms to genuine reciprocation as it warms her. “Oh,” The witch says again, like a poor echo of herself. “Thank you, Daisy.” Her voice crowds with a surge of unnamed emotions, all of which were very surprising but not unwelcome. Daisy should perhaps look into becoming a therapist. This hug was healing something. Not content with only offering her the cupcakes now, she wanted to do something for her. If gold wasn’t an option, Valrae does the next best thing. “If you ever need anything, please feel free to call me. Myself and the city will be at your disposal.” Then she smiles. “And I hope your heart keeps peace, for I think you’ve already found it yourself.”
Mind your manners, kitten. She just offered you a gift. Taking a step back, Daisy bends an arm over her belly for a little bow. "I'm honored. Please take care." She picks up the box of cupcakes with a smile. "You may call me too. Forr tasks or tea." A toothy smile is flashed for the pretty mayor as the kitten turns to skip her way back down the pier. Probably she shares those cupcakes with hungry kids that might be running around.