Open [Red Diamond] Speaking of Spelunking

[Sliver]

Just recovering from scalding her tongue, Sliver looked up to see the more personable Frostfawn approach her table. She nearly choked on her beverage as he asked to take a seat with her, not the reaction she had been expecting from displaying her icy disposition. Dark brown eyes sized him up again, taking in a muscled physique and fairly calm looking eyes. Every Frostfawn had their specialty, and she wondered precisely what he did that made him calmer than his boisterous brethren. "I really can't say no to the company." She smiled slowly and bade him sit down with a hand. No need to keep him waiting like that.

In reference to her tea the wolverine looked down. She wasn't sure if she should feel shame at her decision, for she had seen men and women boast of drinking ale or the fermented ciders before. Well it was a good thing she didn't much mind what anyone thought of her save the Icewatch. "I don't care much for alcohol." She gestured to his own beverage. "Tastes strange and does even stranger things to your head, but this..?" She cradled the warm mug of tea. "This I like."

She realized that there was something that she was missing, a basic form of communication that was being left by the wayside between her and this man. They had called him Garran, but she had yet to introduce herself.

As a hand with nails a bit sharper than most began to reach across the table, Sliver's mouth opened to speak when she suddenly noticed a figure make his way from the bar towards them. Another Frostfawn?

At his suggestion that their meeting was a date Sliver nearly spluttered on her own tea...for a third time. She glanced up at the young man, and then to far end of the room where out of a booth she saw a female glaring daggers in their direction...well more accurately his direction. The wolverine shrugged. "I'd say it'd be better to patch up whatever problems you have with that lady now rather than later, but if everyone's going to sit at my table, then that's fine." There was a tone of seriousness in her voice, but a wry smile on her lips as she watched the squirming newcomer, glancing towards Garran who looked like he knew the fellow.

"Friend of yours?"

[Garran Frostfawn]

Garran sat, with no signs of awkwardness, for he rarely felt uncomfortable in anyone’s presence. Perhaps, though unknown to the both of them, Garran shared this trait with the Kelvic – that he typically didn’t get too bothered about what others thought of him. She had returned his smile, though hers might have been a bit more…reserved…but she didn’t seem averse to his company. He nodded in acknowledgement of her willingness to tolerate it, and said in reply to her comment, “Ah but I believe that’s the primary reason people like it – the things it does to your head.” He chuckled softly, and added, “But the world is certainly a big enough place to allow room for any number of tastes and preferences. I like honey too,” he admitted, with a look at her cup. “I just prefer mine on bread.” Garran too had thought to introduce himself and he in turn was just beginning to reach to accept the proffered hand the young woman extended to him, when they were joined by one of the grooms from the stables. The horse trainer eyed the young man with idle curiosity, grinning at his characterization of this happenchance embryonic conversation with the Icewatch guard as a possible “date.” Garran’s gaze turned quickly to said guard, though, when that same word caused her to almost choke on her tea. Garran found this amusing – though he did wonder whether the girl was just surprised at such a thought, or perhaps annoyed? He chuckled at this, but at the same time he listened as the groom explained his need for camouflage companionship. Turning his head back around over his shoulder to take a peek at the person who seemed to be so alarming to the guy, Garran hazarded a guess as to why the groom was trying to hide in plain sight, and his gaze came back to the newcomer, and then to the young woman with the decorative appearance, who was already speaking up in reply to the groom’s request. Garran waited until she had handed out her sage bit of advice – though Garran himself, having seen the look on the other woman’s face, could see perhaps why the groom didn’t want to face that particular music. He shrugged his shoulders in response to the guard’s question. “We both work at the White Elk stables,” he said casually, looking once more at the groom. “It’s Levhanti, right?” he asked, though he was pretty sure he had the name correct. “Sure, have a seat.” With his boot he tugged at the one next to him and kind of scooted it out and slightly towards Levhanti. “Though I’m not the one presiding over this little tea party.” He smirked, nodding at the young woman. “But it seems she’s not averse to sheltering you, so…” He leaned a bit forward and re-extended his hand to the guard. “And I’m Garran.” He smiled in a friendly way at her, before his eyes went to the group of hunters still gathered at the bar. “I wanted to apologize for my friends. They can be real asses sometimes. You’d think they’d respect the band if nothing else.” His eyes had turned back to her arm and he nodded at her badge of office. Then he said to the groom, “Thanks for that, Levhanti – taking care of that colt. We were just getting ready to have a nice little chin wag, here. Seems those hunters…” He nodded towards the ones at the bar. “….have found a new ice cave. Some were talking about maybe going back to check it out.” Garran grinned. “Either of you ever been caving before?”

[Levhanti]

Levhanti paused a moment when he heard it was the woman's chair. He frowned and turned to more fully face her. "I am so sorry. I just assumed, and it was horribly rude of me."

Levhanti smiled at Garran as he kicked a seat out to him. Levhanti slowly sat down into the chair, focusing on not turning around behind him. He sat down and truly took a look at his company. She definitely had a style all her own. It did not disturb him or anything, but it was unusual. He took a slight curiosity to the armband, but said nothing about it.

Levhanti smiled at the woman as he was introduced. Well kind of. "Yes, my name is Levhanti. It is a pleasure to meet you. And I promise, there are some problems that only time will fix."

Levhanti tried to relax. He wasn't really planning on interrupting their conversation. Honestly, he was just going to wait out the woman in the corner, though he let out a small chuckle at the mention of the hunters. But, as the conversation turned to the cave, he found himself leaning forward, very interested.

"Really? I am now very intrigued. I can say I have ever been caving before, but I would definitely be interested if you are thinking about going."

[Jesslyn Skyglow]

Jesslyn gave a nod to his name. It really wasn't Vantha after all. Jesslyn tallied a mark mentally then watched Ronan's movements. He seemed comfortable in the inn but she was rather uncomfortable where she currently sat. It was fine before but now it just made her feel like a quitter. Jesslyn was brought out of her thoughts when the man decided to answer her question. Jesslyn gave a quick smile at the place being warm, as it was, then shook her head, with a smile, "Seems to be a pretty common thing for me now." She didn't mean it as to say that she was the 'hottest' of them all rather that she had heard something like that several times now. Though really only Soren had a chance as of now. Jesslyn finished her tea and set it down. Getting ready to let Ronan know that she better not be expected to pay for that too Jesslyn was interrupted. Jesslyn shyly rubbed the back of her neck and then brought her hand down to the table to tap on it. The vibrations traveling through the table and spreading around. "He was a Whitevine also at one point. He married out. Surprisingly his family was known for now staying in the same Hold. Rare, but it happens. And well he had a grudge against our family, as far as I know, because my mother was supposed to be married into their family. Hasn't liked me since I was born. And when he learned I was blind.... let me tell you, things only got worse." Jesslyn snorted, "Really a dumb reason if you ask me. But people will find anyway they can to treat others badly now-a-days."

[Ronan Dugal]

Ronan smirked as she noted how she got a lot of guys calling her beautiful. It wasn't everyday he met a woman who brushed aside a compliment like that without a second thought. He liked it. He watched her, observing how she constantly tapped on the table, as if she was nervous or scared. Ronan thought he wasn't that threatening so the reason for her tapping must have been something else beside him. His little interrogation trick completely backfired against him as she started talking about holds and marriage and disliking people. Here he was trying to pick up some information on the cave and there she was spilling her life story. The smile on his face faded. "You're blind?!" Ronan exclaimed, a little too loud. He had never expected it. His words drew the attention of the hunters at the table behind her and the one she had been talking to turned his head with an ugly face to Jesslyn's back. Ronan ignored it. Sure, now that he looked at her closely, her eyes did seem a little empty due to the white gaze on them. But with Avanthalian eyes you never knew for sure. "I hadn't noticed. My apologies." Ronan performed a half bow, half nod in her direction before sipping from his tea. It was still nice and warm. He looked past Jesslyn towards the group of hunters and leaned a little closer towards her. He smirked at her before remembering she was blind. He had never known a blind person. Not that he remembered at least. It was curious to see one. He wondered how she went through life. He wondered if she knew what color was or what color looked like, at least. It felt a little insensitive to ask her that, though, so he kept quiet about it. He went over these questions in only a moment, still leaning in closer to Jesslyn. "Would you mind if we sat at a different table? I can only stand the presence of idiot hunters for so long..." He figured she wouldn't mind, considering her earlier outburst towards the hunters.

[Sliver]

She couldn't help but smile at Garran's comment. "I like honey on just about everything really, but...perhaps that is more than a little obvious."

She still was unsure of the point of intoxicating oneself, consciously choosing to become inebriated, but that perhaps, was a conversation for another time. Instead her eyes flicked back to Levhanti and she shrugged, eyes flickering only briefly to the glowering woman in the corner. "Suit yourself then."

She accepted Garran's hand with a smile, shaking it firmly. "Pleasure to meet both of you. I go by Sliver, and am a member of the Icewatch." Of course that latter fact was obvious to Garran, but she noticed the newcomer glancing at her yellow armband curiously, and figured an explanation was in order. Taking a long drought of her slowly cooling tea, the Kelvic shrugged her shoulders. "You have no need to apologize on their part...I should learn to control my temper better, it is neither the first nor the last time that the opinions of other Holds will annoy me beyond what my patience can stand."

Regardless of their attitude, if they were going to risk their lives, the Icewatch would be there to make sure no unnecessary risks were taken, she would see to that. As for the question...

"I've been in plenty of caves before, but never put on those strange contraptions onto my feet or used rope to get to one, I generally prefer all my feet on the ground." She smirked at Garran. "That being said, a trip down into the unknown does have its appeal. Who knows what could be in the depths down there." The Kelvic had seen quite an array of strange things in her time in Avanthal, things hidden beneath the ground provided just another doorway into the mystery of the Northern Reaches that had not yet been revealed, and was a tempting idea to the curious Kelvic.

[Garran Frostfawn]

Garran smirked a bit at Levhanti’s reply to the guard’s thinly veiled advice. On general principle, he himself would tend to agree with the young woman that such matters were best hashed out and aired and discussed until a resolution was reached - especially in a place like Avanthal where, in all likelihood, one would keep on running into the other party in question, just as Levhanti was experiencing. Yet he could not truthfully say that he was always so forthcoming with his various…partners…when things went south. It might have been more honest to do so – but sometimes it could be downright dangerous. Judging from the look of the other young woman who still sat glaring at the back of the Levhanti’s head, Garran would not have been at all surprised if she did more than ‘look’ daggers at the hapless groom. Ah, well – time heals all wounds, does it not – unless you take a blade to the heart, that is - he thought philosophically, turning his attention back to the conversation. The Icewatch guard had accepted his handshake – and returned his grip with a firm and decisive one of her own – and introduced herself as well. Garran nodded. “Sliver – what an interesting name.” He didn’t expound on this thought, for the lack of a last name, which would have identified her further as a member of this Hold or that one, might have implied any number of things, and he didn’t want to be rude. He supposed that should it be useful or needed for him to know such details about her, he could always ask, or she might just volunteer them. In any event, she had moved along to speaking of the tossers at the bar – one of whom at least really was a very good friend of Garran’s. But he knew they all of them – and himself included – could act like asses when the mood struck. He nodded to acknowledge what she said – about them, and about herself too. But he replied with, “Well, I for one would think you need quite a bit of both, to be a member of the Ice watch. Patience to put up with idiots, and a bit of a temper to deal with situations where patience will get you nowhere.” He gave her a grin. “I could never be part of the Icewatch. I’m far too lazy to get worked up over things – except when someone is mistreating an animal. I’m glad that there are those who have it in them to look out for the rest of us, even when we don’t necessarily merit it.” As the topic switched back to the newly discovered cave, Levhanti expressed an absence of experience with such but seemed interested, perhaps, to learn. Sliver, too, seemed to think the idea held some appeal, and Garran listened, but then shrugged. “I suppose…” he said tentatively, running his thumb over his lower lip as he did sometimes when he was pondering something. “There is something to be said for adventuring, just for the sake of doing it. To see and learn and experience something new.” His gaze went back to the group of hunters. “Or perhaps to find something useful, or valuable. I suppose there is a mix of all of that, in their idea.” The other two might have noted that Garran himself did not make a declaration one way or the other about his own views about going caving. He said instead, “But I do think it would be the height of folly for them to try anything on their own.” His gaze went to Sliver. “I’m sure Queen Morwen will know of this discovery and have something to say about it.” As his eyes swiveled back around, casually taking in the other patrons of the tavern, they fell on the girl that had a few chimes ago been in the little verbal spat with the one hunter. His eyebrows rose slightly to see who was seated with her now – the Syliran merchant! With a nod in their direction, Garran asked his two companions, “Do either of you know that girl? She seemed to have some pretty dire things to say about marching off to explore this cave.” He paused and then added, “The one with her is a merchant – from Syliras. Have you had any dealing with him yet?” He wondered if the guy had managed to stick his foot in it as he had at the Frostfawn Hold a few days previously. Not being one to hold any grudges, though, as Garran thought he saw the merchant raise his eyes to their table for a second, the horse trainer raised his hand and gave the Syliran a small, neutral wave in acknowledgement that they did in fact know one another.

[Levhanti]

Levhanti glanced at Sliver's drink at the mention of honey. He knew that he always took honey with his tea, but from the general tone of the comment, he figured it had to do with something before his hasty arrival, so he said nothing at the comment.

He audibly sighed, one of exasperation. He could tell the woman was disappointed in his excuse, it was an excuse no matter what else he wanted to claim, and a glance in Garran's direction showed no help coming from him. But when he looked back to try and find the woman, she was no longer in the chair. The sound of the tavern door slamming and the glare from the barmaid told him what had happened to her. Levhanti frowned back. She blamed him for that too. That just wasn't fair. Levhanti sighed again, but regardless of his attempt, he couldn't keep the relief out of it.

At the mention of the hunter's again, Levhanti to glance at the table of men a few strides away. What exactly had they done to truly cause this much apologizing. For some reason, Levhanti was sure he didn't want to know. So instead of asking, he simply stated "From experience, no matter how much patience you try to have, there will always be someone, or something, the can beat it down. As long as you have enough control to prevent the situation from coming to blows you have succeeded beyond your average person." Levhanti smiled gently at her, then took another long sip from his ale.

He listened silently as she expressed some experience with caves, just not the same way they would. He wondered about her unusual phrasing, but did not ask. She would share if she wished. Instead he listened to Garran's reservations and replied in kind.

"I understand it would be silly to just get up and run out to the cave, but if a group of people could take the proper precautions, it should not be a problem. I agree that Queen Morwen has probably been informed, but for myself, I hope she allows for volunteers if they go exploring."

At the mention of the two at the bar, Levhanti turned to follow Garran's head and was slightly surprised to see him motion towards Jesslyn and her companion. Levhanti thought for a moment on exactly how he should respond.

"I can say I have never had the pleasure of meeting the merchant. I hear he came to Frostfawn Hold, but I was busy with the horses that day, and could not get away to browse the wares. I do know the girl however. Her name is Jesslyn. I have only met her once, and I can only say that she does have a good head on her shoulders. I enjoyed her company, though the situation was a bit unusual. I have nothing but good things to say about her."

He turned back to Garran, and he could see the wheels turning in his mind. Though he told himself once more that he wouldn't ask, he truly wondered what had happened before he came in.

[Jesslyn Skyglow]

Jesslyn about smacked herself in the face when he exclaimed she was blind like it was a bad thing. The hinters behind her went a little quiet and she could feel a stare into her back. And not the friendly type. Not that stares were usually friendly.... Jesslyn was brought back when he spoke again. Only catching the end clearly, "Most people don't in Tavern light. It's too 'dark' but see them in the sun and you got yourself and blind Vantha!" Jesslyn stopped her tapping and raised a brow when he leaned towards her. When he spoke again she could feel breath on her face and didn't like it. He was getting too close for comfort. He was actually close enough that his blur was starting to blend with hers. So Jesslyn did what Jesslyn did best. Jesslyn slowly raised her hand and patted him on the 'cheek', as it seemed with the size of the blur. And when she caught a little more sight of his face and was able to get the general area of the forehead, she flicked it, "Taking advantage of someone is not taken kindly. I might be blind but I can still 'see' in a way." Jesslyn gave a smile, " But no. I do not mind moving. Actually it is welcomed. As long as you pay for the tea." Jesslyn sat down the money required for her meal. Making sure it was the right pocket for the right type of money. Before Jesslyn could ask where he wanted to go she caught the ending of a familiar voices words. Jesslyn stopped and gave a small secretive smile. Then slowly gave Ronan a finger to hold on and turned to the voices' direction, " Levhanti? Well I'll be frosted and frozen! Haven't crossed paths with that blur in a while. Your much louder than I remember." Jesslyn gave a small nod with a large smile and hoped to Morwen she was facing the right way. Sometimes voices could bounce and she couldn't see that far out. Not even to the end of her table could she see.

[Ronan Dugal]

Aah, the misinterpretations in life. How odd sometimes how one person perceived an action in a completely different way than another. Ronan had been leaning in towards her so that his remark on the hunters would be missed but she thought he was trying to get some from a blind lady. He felt her fingers on his cheek and thought she was going to feel his face, which blind people apparently did. It gave them some sort of 'sight' to feel how one looked. Yet in this case, he got flicked on the forehead and reprimanded for something he hadn't even done. He smiled back at her, even though she couldn't see it. "I already paid for the tea. And I wasn't taking advantage. Just checking to see if you could see me or not." He chuckled softly as he got up from his seat. He offered her his arm, ever the gentleman, but got stood up as she suddenly seemed to see or hear someone else she knew. She used a strange expression. Ronan liked the sound of it as she said it, Frosted and frozen, he would have to write that one down. He watched as this 'Lehvanti' reacted to her outburst. Since they were relocating anyway, he helped her to do so. "Allow me." If she allowed him, he would place his hand on her wrist and the other one on her shoulder. With his both hands softly on the blind woman, he guided her from their previous table to the one 'Lehvanti', or the person reacting to the name Lehvanti, was at. To Ronan Jesslyn was blind-blind, so the obvious thing to do in a room cramped with chairs and tables and people was to help her a little by guiding her. He had no idea if she would be offended or not but then again, Ronan wasn't good with traditions it seemed. He let go of Jesslyn's wrist and shoulder as they arrived at the table and nodded towards the people sitting at it. He recognized the woman who had been talking to the hunters and seemed to recognize one of the two men sitting with her. He tilted his head slightly as he tried to remember who he was. Somehow, his mind linked the man's face to something unpleasant, something that hadn't gone too well. "Excuse me. Have we met before?" As he said it, Ronan chuckled slightly, somehow feeling like he was trying to pick up a girl somewhere with one of those cheesy lines.