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Post by Kmiri Kalasin on Apr 1, 2007 18:34:54 GMT -5
(OOC: I know that Adina's already in a topic, and normally I like to keep one topic per character, but Ali is too darn persistant so...)
Adina, perched lightly on a stool at a large card table, squinted down at her hand, making a show of thinking over her next play carefully. She was aware that the other men and women involved in the game were waiting on her and was enjoying the tense nature of the moments passing. Glancing up from her cards with a sly smile, she fanned out her hand triumphantly, enjoying the groan that she heard from all those who, as usual, had bet more than they could afford.
"I'd like to have all payments by the end of the evening," she said, "if that means playing more to win, be my guest, but if you'll excuse me, I'd like to quit while I'm ahead."
"Come on, surely you can afford to risk a bit more." the tall, blonde Vernyne said, from her perch beside one of her rusher friends.
Adina shook her head saying, lightly, "Not right now. I may come back in a bit, though" before turning to find another drink.
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Post by Ali on Apr 1, 2007 18:58:25 GMT -5
((OOC: I <3 Kally x20000000000))
Markkus came down from his rooms, a bit hungry. He hadn't had a meal ever since early that afternoon, and he needed something to sustain him until at least tomorrow. Like usual, there was a large game of cards going on, and several smaller ones were beginning around it.
"Not right now. I may come back in a bit, though"
Adina had always been a good card player. Markkus had known her before he had even become king. It was unusual for her to walk out of a game, especially since it was only about nine at night.
As Markkus saw Adina walk towards the bar, he stopped her.
"Quitting?" he questioned.
It was a bit akward for them to be talking - they hadn't talked for weeks. Jumping into casual conversation seemed strange, but then again, it had been an unusual day for Markkus. He had heard rumors of nobles wandering around the Lower City, and that certainly didn't happen often. He had might as well make the day as strange as possible.
((OOC: A little short, but I need a bit more to build off of.))
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Post by Kmiri Kalasin on Apr 1, 2007 19:48:07 GMT -5
Adina slipped quietly behind a group of spintries who seemed intent on catching a customer, making a show of being interested in nothing but aquiring a drink. The seriousness of two of tonight's card players had unnerved her slightly, and she was sure that after she had another drink she'd be fine.
"Quitting?"
Adina turned at the sound of a male voice.
"Please sir-" she paused half way through her start of attempting to inform whoever it was that he would have to wait to try and charm her into accepting any offers until after she had her drink. Looking up, she saw to her surprise that the speaker was the King of the Rogue. She dipped a low curtsy, dropping her gaze in respect.
"I'm sorry, sir, I didn't realize that you were the one speaking."
She paused for a moment trying to remember what it was he had mentioned. Quitting, that was it!
"And yes sir, I'm taking a small break from cards for tonight. I was about to try and find a drink, would you like one?" she added as an afterthought, feeling rather flustered at being suddenly approached by the King of the Rogue. Although she had once known him well enough, they hadn't spoken much in recent years.
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Post by Ali on Apr 1, 2007 19:56:05 GMT -5
"I'm sorry, sir, I didn't realize that you were the one speaking.....And yes sir, I'm taking a small break from cards for tonight. I was about to try and find a drink, would you like one?"
Markkus tried to hide his grin. He didn't want to embarress the poor girl any further, though it was hard not to smile.
"I might take you up on that offer," he replied, his tone making it difficult to interpret his thoughts.
Markkus analyzed what Adina had said. Apparently, she had forgotten that they once could casually talk to each other. Or else she was just having a bad day. Either way, they'd be making small talk for at least five seconds longer, not that the small, dark haired girl was getting him a drink.
((OOC: Gods, why are my posts so /short/ today?))
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Post by Kmiri Kalasin on Apr 1, 2007 20:10:27 GMT -5
"I might take you up on that offer,"
Adina nodded, slightly concerned at hearing the tone of his voice. She quickly scanned her message to make sure she hadn't suggested anything she didn't mean to. Satisfied that she wasn't about to be caught in the webs her conversations with Markkus used to end up in prior to his ascesion to the throne, she met his eyes again with a small smile.
"Well then, let's carry on in that general direction, shall we?" After pausing for a moment to allow him to make the first move, she asked hesitantly, "I take it everything has been running smoothly for you?"
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Post by Ali on Apr 1, 2007 20:15:57 GMT -5
"I take it everything has been running smoothly for you?"
"Yes," Markkus replied. "Everything's in order, though it's always good to sleep with one eye open," he joked, making his way towards the bar.
This was proving (sp?) to be a very interesting day. Adina didn't look to different from when he had last seen her up close. That was what seemed to be ages ago. Maybe three years back...
That of course, was when he had become king. A hint of guilt touched him. It was a slight possiblity that he had deserted their friendship.
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Post by Kmiri Kalasin on Apr 1, 2007 20:32:12 GMT -5
"Everything's in order, though it's always good to sleep with one eye open,"
Adina smiled at him; she had always enjoyed Markkus' interesting ways of putting things. "Very true." She commented. "There seem to be a remarkable number of men and women in the Queen's service trapsing through as of recently. Why just a few days ago I learned that one of my clients, Pattrik something or other is part of the spying system. Who'd have thought." She shrugged. "Really, visitors need to learn to be more careful about what they tell people. Word may just find its way to the King of the Rogue, himself."
She was surprised by how easily talking to Markkus came back to her. "Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if we were lucky enough to host the Lord Provost himself one of these days."
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Post by Ali on Apr 1, 2007 20:37:43 GMT -5
"There seem to be a remarkable number of men and women in the Queen's service trapsing through as of recently. Why just a few days ago I learned that one of my clients, Pattrik something or other is part of the spying system. Who'd have thought...Really, visitors need to learn to be more careful about what they tell people. Word may just find its way to the King of the Rogue, himself....Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if we were lucky enough to host the Lord Provost himself one of these days."
Markkus laughed lightly at the girl's last comment.
Word may just find its way to the King of the Rogue, himself, Markkus thought, repeating what she had said in his mind.
Perhaps she had forgotten that he was the King of the Rogue, or else he misunderstood her...but that didn't really matter. Not bringing it up would be better, and besides, that would mean that Adina was becoming more comfortable with Markkus again.
"Yes, I heard quite a bit about that myself. Quite an unusual day it's turning out to be," he replied, hoping that it didnt' sound like he was saying talking to her was unusual (even if that were the case).
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Post by Kmiri Kalasin on Apr 1, 2007 20:44:04 GMT -5
"Yes, I heard quite a bit about that myself. Quite an unusual day it's turning out to be,"
She nodded. "What drink would you like?" she asked, smiling at the bartender in an attempt to buy a few moments to decide for herself. She was in the mood for something a little stronger than normal. She liked this relaxed feeling she was having with Markus, despite his position as King of the Rogue, and didn't want to lose it. The bartender grunted at her, making him the first man she had met all evening who had been unswayed by her attempts at charming her way into something. The fact was more than a little disheartening.
"What was it that you heard, exactly?" She asked Markkus with interest.
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Post by Ali on Apr 1, 2007 20:48:18 GMT -5
"What drink would you like?"
Markkus hesitated before answering. He felt in the mood for something different than usual. He figured he'd probably just follow suit. Hearing the bartender's grunt, he shot an angry look at him.
"Problem?" he said, sternly.
Seeing that that had quieted him, he went on to answer Adina's second question. "Oh, just something about more spies....nothing important really. I'd imagine not too many nobles are out about now - they're having a Garden Party or something..."
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Post by Kmiri Kalasin on Apr 1, 2007 20:58:27 GMT -5
"Oh, just something about more spies....nothing important really. I'd imagine not too many nobles are out about now - they're having a Garden Party or something..."
"Really? Do you know what the occasion is?
Turning to the irritated barman, Adina said quickly, "I'll take an ale, and yes I know that yours is the strong kind."
(OOC: sorry to be short got to run.)
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Post by Ali on Apr 2, 2007 13:51:24 GMT -5
"Really? Do you know what the occasion is?
Markkus thought for a moment. He opened his mouth to reply, though he was stopped by Adina's order.
"I'll take an ale, and yes I know that yours is the strong kind."
"Uh...same for me," Markkus ordered, taking a seat at the bar as the bartender nodded and went to the back, preparing the drinks. "I'm not quite sure of the occassion, but I know the queen is having guests. They say she's meeting Prince Aiden of Tellech. I myself think he sounds like an interesting fellow. Have you ever heard of him?"
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Post by Kmiri Kalasin on Apr 2, 2007 14:53:00 GMT -5
Adina followed suit, seating herself at the bar beside Markkus, noticing the way the bartender seemed to have taken an instant dislike to her. She sighed. It wasn't necessary to be liked by all, but it would have been nice to be liked by the bartender.
"I'm not quite sure of the occassion, but I know the queen is having guests. They say she's meeting Prince Aiden of Tellech. I myself think he sounds like an interesting fellow. Have you ever heard of him?"
She thought for a moment. "I think that the spy Pattrik may have mentioned something about his presences. I don't know much though. Do you know if he'll be in Tortall long?"
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Post by Ali on Apr 2, 2007 17:58:42 GMT -5
Markkus glanced once more to the bartender. Not the usual one, and quite unfriendly. Well, it didn't matter if the barman didn't like him. He'd make him like him.
"I think that the spy Pattrik may have mentioned something about his presences. I don't know much though. Do you know if he'll be in Tortall long?"
"Actually," Markkus began quietly, leaning in closer to Adina. "I've heard rumor of the man wanting to marry the queen."
He grinned widely. This was something quite confidential. He wasn't even sure how he himself had heard it. The bartender returned, sliding two large tankards over to the direction of Markkus and Adina. Markkus picked his up, took a large gulp and waited for Adina's reaction towards his response.
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Post by Kmiri Kalasin on Apr 4, 2007 19:21:29 GMT -5
Adina accepted her tankard from the bartender and took a deep drink. She tilted her head to the side as Markkus leaned closer to her, confidentially.
"I've heard rumor of the man wanting to marry the queen."
She choked on her ale and succumbed to a violent coughing fit. When the coughs had subsided she asked, with great interest, "Really? Do you know what the Queen thinks of this Prince? And, even more important, how much of a chance do you think he has?"
She was now quite curious about this man. If the Queen were to marry, that could be changes to the way Tortall, and more importantly Tortallan law, was run.
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