[Red Diamond] a hunter and a maiden

[Lorn]

3rd of Winter 510 AV

The Red Diamond Tavern... Lorn stood in front of its door gripping the handle and sighed. I really should be going home... - he thought but decided he'd spend some time first in the tavern. He needed to be among others tonight...
He kicked off the snow from his boots and entered further into the wooden construction, an immediate wave of cosiness and warmth sped over him and involuntarily Lorn smiled because of the homely ambiance.

Vantha sat at wooden tables discussing the day to day business of Avanthal and were, naturally, exchanging gossip and stories. Melodic voices filled the air. Hot wine or brandy were being served by some waitresses and the fire was being tended to by the tavernkeep. The smell of stew and freshly baked bread reached Lorn's nostrils and he heard his stomach rumble. I'll eat when I get home, can't let that pie go to waste he reminded himself.

After ordering a drink, a mug of steamy wine with a bit of scotch and herbs in it, Lorn ascended the stairs. It was much more tranquil up here and he sought out a small table with two comfortable chairs that overlooked the room downstairs. From atop the balcony the hunter had a nice vantage point of the ground floor and he took a relaxing sip of his beverage.

[Naya]

The tavern was warm on this winter night, filled with the chatterings and body heat of many a person. The tavern was crammed full, tables teeming with families and friends. Naya, however, sat alone at one table, furlined black cloak drawn tightly around her frame. Her eyes flashed ice blue over the rim of her mead, taking in the site of socialising and happiness. She took a sip of the warming liquid and leaned forward, elbows on knees, looking for an opening to attack. Her leg twitched, jumping up and down. She was itching to get in on the action. Naya spotted a young man enter the tavern, shaking off the snow from his boots, adjusting to the warmth of the tavern after the freezing temperatures of the outside world. He was an older man, older than her at any rate, and looked quiet and serious. He was tall, had his sleek hair pulled back, a bushy beard and his eyes a stormy grey. Perfect! A target! Her eyes zeroed in on him as he ascended the stairs to the second level, evidently looking for some peace and quiet... which Naya was sure to scare away. As he selected a table up the stairs, she grasped her mead closer and walked up the stairs, flinging her cloak aside dramatically, drawing in a few stares. As she walked, she nodded and winked at certain vantha who made eye contact, patting one young boy on the head and blowing him a kiss. A kiss from the Ice Maiden of the Snowsong hold? Oh, dear Gods. How awkward for him. Smiling indulgently, she made her way up to the landing and walked with purporse towards the weatherbeaten man, sitting quietly at the table. She paused in front of him, flinging out her hands and striking a dramatic pose. "Sit back and drink your beer! I have some things you'd like to hear..." She leaned in and winked, gesturing at the seat next to him, a silent request to join him at the table.

[Lorn]

She paused in front of him, flinging out her hands and striking a dramatic pose.

"Sit back and drink your beer!
I have some things you'd like to hear..."

She leaned in and winked, gesturing at the seat next to him, a silent request to join him at the table.


Lorn raised an eyebrow and was somewhat taken aback by her sudden appearance. He didn't like being suprised and he hadn't counted on having company for the evening. The hunter pursed his lips and nodded.
"Nice rhyme..." he commented dryly.
"Charmed I'm sure." a subtle grin crept on his lips, deforming the claw-scar.

His newly spawned companion was clad in simple but tasteful clothing. Long hair reached to just below her shoulderblades and had moonlike coloured strains in it. The rhymer's face and built were rather bulky for their kind but it wasn't something Lorn disliked, in contrary. A woman with a bit of flesh on her bones was far more attractive than some skinny little creatures that dared to dartle around some holds. However, he was still a confirmed bachelor.
She on the other hand seemed old enough to certainly be married and perhaps even have children.

"Lorn Winterflame... hunting is the game...To whom do I owe the pleasure?" he said presenting himself and immediatly asking whe she was and from which hold she hailed. Waiting for an answer he brought the steamy wine to his mouth with both hands and took a long sip. The scent of herbs penetrated his nostrils and the heat of the beverage warmed his entrails.

This could very well still become a good night.

[Naya]

She grinned at the put out look on the man's face. Evidently, he had wanted to be alone this night. Perfect! All the more reason to irritate him! She laughed at his reluctant compliment. "Why, good sir, I am so glad you enjoyed my little rhyme! It simply took me ages to figure out a good one! Bestill my beating heart, for your rhyme was well liked!" She took a bow, and plonked herself down on the seat. Leaning flirtatiously in closer, she smiled seductively at the man. "I am indeed charmed to meet you too," she purred. Sitting back suddenly, she laughed again! Good luck, for you would need it to catch the flighty Naya! Ah, he wanted to know he she was. He didn't know who she was! The man should sit back and prepare himself, for soon he would know much more than he had bargained for. She sprang up suddenly, nearly sending the man's drink flying across the room. With one hand on her hip, the other struck out, she began her lengthy introduction. "Whilst you are out in the cold, seeking the scavenging wolf or the treacherous fox, I am in the Tavern. My words warm hearts, or ice them over. My stories will make the stoniest man cry, or the most gentle filled with bloodlust. For I am Naya Snowsong, the greatest storyteller of our time!" Did we mention that Naya liked to exaggerate? Well, she did. She laughed suddenly again, and looked to the man for a response, still standing poised in front of him.

[Lorn]

Ah... a tease, Lorn concluded. Suddenly she sprang up and took a flamboyant pose to answer her question of introduction. The hunter's furry eyebrows raised as if confronted with a riddle. A tease and definetly not humble or modest, he corrected the lable he had put on the woman. Naya Snowsong? He had heard that name and the whispers that accompanied it.

Lorn pursed his lips and nodded. Looking at her from under his eyebrows he clicked his tongue. "Why don't you take a seat then and entertain me. As long as it doesn't cost me anything, other than a drink or two." he gestured with his large calloused hand. No need to be so dramatic... This Naya Snowsong would prove to be a handfull.

"Tell me your tale, I shall listen intently and treat you to a pint of ale, for the night is and still lengthy" he chuckled at his wit and took another sip of his hot wine.

[Naya]

Naya leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, sticking her hips out behind her. Her eyes turned a deep emerald green, as they so often did when she was feeling a little seductive. "Entertain you? My dear, dear Lorn Winterflame, in what way would you like to be entertained?" She sidled up close to him, dragging her fingers along the man's shoulder, and at one point, daring to run a finger along his cheek. She laughed suddenly, and sprang away back to her seat, her eyes returning to her regular shade of blue. "It won't cost you anything, except a beer or two. And of course, one of those two beers shall be for me. I would love for you to buy me a drink." She smiled winningly at him, flashing him her famous gleaming white grin, hoping on scoring some free alcohol out of this cat-and-mouse chase. She tapped her finger on her lip, pouting them out a little. "A tale? My dear fellow, who said anything about a tale? What makes you think that you're entitled to a story from me?"

[Lorn]

Naya came hither and retreated to her seat again. Lorn allowed her to touch his shoulders and face, though he almost growled at the audacity of the young woman. Her eyes had changed colour from blue to green, like the aurora, this woman seemed to switch moods and played with the stars.
Yes... definetly a tease..." he thought, grinning. Lorn could appreciate the boldness of her actions and the way she smiled and pursed her lips. Somehow he felt the excitement of the hunt stirring in his core and his eyes changed from the cold grey into the bright red he almost always had while stalking prey.

Lorn ordered a beer from a passing waitress and just locked eyes with Naya Snowsong. Wasn't she the maiden of Snowsong hold? Yes that was the context in which he had heard her name. "That way I could verify the boasts you make my lady. But if you rather talk about something else, then talk!" he said, dropping the ball her camp. He already paid for the drinks.

[Naya]

She smiled as she saw the colour of Lorn's eyes change from his gentle grey to a seductive blood red. Her ministrations were working, then. Brilliant. It looked like he was enjoying the hunt, just as she was. He may have been a Hunter of the Winterflame Hold, but she was hunter too. Just not the sort of hunter that was openly advertised. Leaning forward, she smiled at him, eyes flashing back to deep green as they locked eyes. Ah, he didn't even glance at the waitress. Perfect, she had his full attention. She felt like laughing in triumph, for now it was merely a matter of reeling him in. Sadly, though, laughing in such a way would probably hinder her plight, as opposed to helping it. She wanted that beer he had ordered, and fast. She hoped the waitress would return soon. The assistance of alcohol helped greatly in the art of seduction, as she had found out after much trial and error. "If you insist upon in, Lorn Winterflame," she drawled, softly and huskily. "You will hear a tale, a tale of a hunter. For that should apply to you, and I'm sure you'll find much in common with this particular man."

[Lorn]

"If you insist upon in, Lorn Winterflame," she drawled, softly and huskily. "You will hear a tale, a tale of a hunter. For that should apply to you, and I'm sure you'll find much in common with this particular man."

He nodded in reply as she finished her speech. The young waitress returned with the ale he had offered the word-weaving lass opposite of the hunter. Lorn pondered what exactly Naya had in store for him and concluded that the easiest way to find out was to indulge her. His ruby eyes flickered over to a curious green. "I doubt it, but please don't leave me out in the cold. Tell this tale of chase and lure." Lorn gave her a wink. "I shall listen, most... intently" He wiggled in his seat somewhat to make himself more comfortable. The noise of discussions and sung were pushed to the background as Lorn focused on Naya.
The sheer fact she wasn't repulsed by the scar on his face from the polar bear's claw was a relief and welcome change. Lorn allowed himself to grin satisfactory. A good night indeed, now he was enjoying her company.

[Naya]

She took the ale with a grateful sigh, sipping at the warming beer, giving her a much needed boost. She was ready now, with the buzz of alcohol soon to be flowing in her veins, to tell this handsome older man her story. A story she hoped would do more than just entertain him. Perhaps it would even give her something in return. "You doubt that this hunter will have much in common with you? I think you will be surprised..." She smiled back seductively at the wink, and licked her lips just a little. She was glad he had decided to listen to her tale, for it was one that she thought would lure this man in for the night - and a man for the night is exactly what she needed at the moment. Naya took a deep breath and readied herself to tell her story. She closed her eyes and focused her mind on the story. Slowly, she opened her eyes and began to tell the seductive tale of the Hunter and the Doe. "The hunter had been out in the cold for most of the day. The snow had been falling ‎constantly, creating a cold dreary landscape. The world was white, grey and a dark forest ‎green. The hunter was the only warm-blooded, living thing seen. ‎ He had been tracking animals for the majority of the day, following the trail of what had ‎seemed to be a dainty, gentle doe. The warmth of the doe's meat called out seductively to ‎the hunter, the call of the hunt throbbing through his veins. The high of the hunt was ‎almost sexual, giving him a rush the same as those rare fumblings in his room did. So far, ‎however, the hunt had not gotten exciting enough to bring his interest to a peak.‎" She took a deep breath, pulling herself out of the almost equally seductive trance that came with telling tales. She smiled at Lorn, looking out under her eyelashes and leaning forward - providing him with optimum view. "Would you like to hear if the hunter's excitement ever did reach a peak, or should we stop our little story now?"