He wondered if there were any singers in Syka that might help him compose his song. His common wasn’t confident enough to phrase the words the way he liked in Fratava. An that was important to him he realized. Getting the song across. He wanted Tazrae to enjoy the song as he did, but he also wanted her to know the words. Quite the conundrum. Chewing the side of his cheek, he decided he would try to puzzle that out tonight. For now there was good company to enjoy.
“We usually host a big party on the beach, and invite every pod that floats nearby. Sometimes the parties can last for days depending on how many birthdays we are celebrating. Drinking games are not uncommon, nor are casinor races, nor just regular challenges that come with such a gathering.” Marino said. He was touched by her offer to make him something, and reached out to touch the back of her arm. “A cake sounds wonderful. All your cooking as been great so far.” He hoped his family might drop by Syka for his birthday, but didn’t know what to expect on that account. The seas and the wind could conspire to keep them farther from him. It was the way of things.
Marino was throughly absorbed in what she had to say about her life back in Riverfall, and how it had changed upon coming here. It was a shame that she hadn’t the chance to just be a kid. He tried to think of why her parents might have done that, but couldn’t come up with anything sound. Maybe being in a city with so many men forced that sort of protectiveness upon them. That thought only brought more questions, like why weren’t there more women, and was it dangerous. If only his mother was here. She’d know what to say in his stead. Absent his mother’s wisdom, Tazrae would just have to settle with his.
He was looking for those very words when things started happening all at once. First there was Juli, laughing and handing him a wineskin the bulged with drink. Marino took it gratefully. “My thanks!” He said before taking a strong pull from the skien. The wine was strong, with subtle fruity flavors throughout. It was unexpectedly refreshing after all that dancing, and Marino took another pull before handing it over to Tazrae.
“It’s good. Can’t say I’ve tasted anything like it, but it’s good.” Marino said smiling, swiping at some of the wetness on his lips with the back of his hand. Beside him Stu had started to play a lively drum beat, and Marino found himself trying to tap his foot in time with the beat. He didn’t quite have the timing right, but it was fun nonetheless. With the cloying sweetness of wine on his tongue, he figured it might be time for another smoke to balance out the flavors and reached to put his little stick back into the fire. While it was getting a proper glow on the end, he packed a fresh pinch into his bowl before retrieving the stick.
“Would you like to try some?” He asked as he lit the pipe and took a long, slow pull from it. It was a very aromatic blend that was treated in such a way that the flavors really came through. This particular blend tasted reminiscent of a pear brandy and was a bit on the sugary side of things. Not that he minded much, though he did tend to prefer it a little less sweet. Once it had a proper cherry red going he’d hand it to Tazrae if she agreed. “Breath it in slowly, like you are sipping some hot soup. If it starts tickling your throat, take a break and let it out slowly before trying again.” Marino would explain as she held it while he got a little more comfortable in his seat, shifting slightly towards the side to face her more directly. From this position he couldn’t help but think of another fun way to enjoy the smoke, though he held his tongue on that for now. Best to see how she liked it first.
“We usually host a big party on the beach, and invite every pod that floats nearby. Sometimes the parties can last for days depending on how many birthdays we are celebrating. Drinking games are not uncommon, nor are casinor races, nor just regular challenges that come with such a gathering.” Marino said. He was touched by her offer to make him something, and reached out to touch the back of her arm. “A cake sounds wonderful. All your cooking as been great so far.” He hoped his family might drop by Syka for his birthday, but didn’t know what to expect on that account. The seas and the wind could conspire to keep them farther from him. It was the way of things.
Marino was throughly absorbed in what she had to say about her life back in Riverfall, and how it had changed upon coming here. It was a shame that she hadn’t the chance to just be a kid. He tried to think of why her parents might have done that, but couldn’t come up with anything sound. Maybe being in a city with so many men forced that sort of protectiveness upon them. That thought only brought more questions, like why weren’t there more women, and was it dangerous. If only his mother was here. She’d know what to say in his stead. Absent his mother’s wisdom, Tazrae would just have to settle with his.
He was looking for those very words when things started happening all at once. First there was Juli, laughing and handing him a wineskin the bulged with drink. Marino took it gratefully. “My thanks!” He said before taking a strong pull from the skien. The wine was strong, with subtle fruity flavors throughout. It was unexpectedly refreshing after all that dancing, and Marino took another pull before handing it over to Tazrae.
“It’s good. Can’t say I’ve tasted anything like it, but it’s good.” Marino said smiling, swiping at some of the wetness on his lips with the back of his hand. Beside him Stu had started to play a lively drum beat, and Marino found himself trying to tap his foot in time with the beat. He didn’t quite have the timing right, but it was fun nonetheless. With the cloying sweetness of wine on his tongue, he figured it might be time for another smoke to balance out the flavors and reached to put his little stick back into the fire. While it was getting a proper glow on the end, he packed a fresh pinch into his bowl before retrieving the stick.
“Would you like to try some?” He asked as he lit the pipe and took a long, slow pull from it. It was a very aromatic blend that was treated in such a way that the flavors really came through. This particular blend tasted reminiscent of a pear brandy and was a bit on the sugary side of things. Not that he minded much, though he did tend to prefer it a little less sweet. Once it had a proper cherry red going he’d hand it to Tazrae if she agreed. “Breath it in slowly, like you are sipping some hot soup. If it starts tickling your throat, take a break and let it out slowly before trying again.” Marino would explain as she held it while he got a little more comfortable in his seat, shifting slightly towards the side to face her more directly. From this position he couldn’t help but think of another fun way to enjoy the smoke, though he held his tongue on that for now. Best to see how she liked it first.