[19:46] <~Saman> After getting lost at least once but no more than 3 times, Kuria and Noan end up at Noan's quarters. He stops at the door and turns to Kuria. "I'll be rightback, gotta fnd my nice clothes!" He throws the door open and charges in.
[19:47] <~Saman> He leaves the door open; you can see part of the little room from where you stand; a small bed in the corner against a wall, a table and two chairs at it's foot, and a dresser next to the head of the bed. Noan is currently digging through his nicely folded stuff for something to wear.
[19:49] <Kuria> "Don't get it all wrinkled!" She calls in, hopping on her heels where she stands. "Where your girrrrrrrrrrrlfriend anyway~?"
[19:51] <~Saman> "She lives out in the city, a loft near one of the Trasti casinos!" He pulls out a nice nehru collar shirt and some cloth pants and runs out of view. "You've already met her, too! You remember that doctor I got for the big guy you were with, who got his eyes torn out?"
[19:52] <Kuria> "That's her?" She gets occupied with a strand of her hair. Such a nice green! "That lady?"
[19:53] <~Saman> "Yeah, her name is Felicia! She's really great, I think she's super special. Like, super great." He pokes his head over to where Kuria can see, speaking in a rediculous stage whisper. "I think she's a thaumaturge!"
[19:54] <Kuria> "Ohmygosh" She puts her hands over her mouth. "Reaaalllyyy? I want to learn!"
[19:55] <~Saman> "I think it's why she's so good at her job, I mean you saw that guy who got his eyes ripped out today right? They're back!"
[19:56] <Kuria> "Weeelllll...~" She shifts back and forth on her feet. "That IS pretty magic, huh~"
[19:57] <~Saman> "I know, right?!" He steps into full view, walking out. "Okay, we'll go pick her up and get to the play, I think they have another showing in a bit!"
[19:58] * Kuria straightens out his clothing a bit before looking satisfied. "Perfect~ And sure! Ooohhh, do we get special seats?!"
[20:00] <~Saman> "You're the Despot, and I think they have a box seat reserved for you for whenever you wanna go see something. Lucky, right?" He nods to himself as he walks down the hall once Kuria's done fussing on him.
[20:00] <Kuria> "Totally lucky~" She follows faithfully - she was good at the following people around thing, it's how stuff usually worked out. "Let's go see your lady!"
[20:03] <~Saman> After a bit of walking, the pair arrive on the third floor of a building next to the Forbidden Chamber. Noan knocks 3 time in quick succession, bouncing on his heels.
[20:04] <Kuria> "Is that a secret knock?" She looks totally excited. "Oh man is this a secret?"
[20:07] <~Saman> A long few moments pass before the door opens slightly, a bleary-eyed young woman with white hair and a slightly surly expression poking her head out the small opening. "Who is i-Noan?" At first she sounds angry, but when she recognizes him, her voice takes on a slightly more elated tone. "Baby, what are you doing here? I just got off work for the night."
[20:07] <~Saman> Noan grins. "Felicia! Do you wanna go see Tiger And Bear Courtship finally?!"
[20:08] <~Saman> She blinks. "Of course I do!" She pauses, looking over at Kuria. "...Is that your boss, dear?"
[20:08] <Kuria> "I do!"
[20:08] <Kuria> "...Yes!"
[20:09] <~Saman> She stares for a moment before looking over at Noan. "Should I ask?" He grins. "She suggested we go do something since we ran out of things to do, and I said we should go see the play, and I thought you'd be mad if I went without you!"
[20:11] * Kuria looks back and forth between them, smiling wide. "We're going to the theater!"
[20:12] <~Saman> "...That's so sweet!" She throws open the door all the way. "Come in, both of you, I need to get ready then!" The inside is fairly middle-of-the-road for furnishings, a few chairs in the living room, a small table in the dining room, and a series of screens blocking off what is probably the bathroom and bedrooms.
[20:14] <~Saman> Noan sits down in one of the chairs, bouncing slightly. "Noan, are you okay?" Felicia raises an eyebrow as she passes, slowing her walk.
[20:14] * Kuria walks in with the same broad smile, looking around the room with a degree of amazement. "It looks comfortable," she finally announces, toying with a loose strand of her hair. "Oh, Noan's fine! He's just really cheerful! I helped~"
[20:17] <~Saman> "He's more cheerful than I've seen him since we met, I mean." She looks skeptical. "Did you eat anything strange lately, dear? I don't want to find out you've got food poisoning or something." He shakes his head, looking over at Kuria. "We were painting earlier, it was a lot of fun, I think I'm just happy today." His bouncing decreases a bit.
[20:19] <Kuria> "I could cheer you up too! It'll be nice, promise!" She slides closer to Felicia, giggling a bit. "Nice and fun and cheerful~"
[20:20] <~Saman> She shrugs as she heads behind the screens. "So, Despot! How are you adjusting to the whole 'ruler' thing? Has my baby been good and helpful?" You can hear her rifling through her stuff in the bedroom, her silhouette projected on one of the screens. "No, thank you, I'm plenty cheerful today!"
[20:21] <Kuria> "He's super helpful and really fast and he even paints well! It's so amazing, he's like a magic butler," she coos with an oozing layer of adoration. "I don't think I could do my job very well without him!"
[20:23] <~Saman> "Good! He's great, isn't he? I don't know what I'd do without him sometimes, he's always there for me." Noan just kind of blushes.
[20:24] <Kuria> "I know! Well, I don't know about you two, but he's a great employee. I just HAD to pay him back for all the yard work by making him cheerful! Isn't he totally nice right now?" She twirls in place before flopping in a seat.
[20:28] <~Saman> "He's certainly more...excitable...than he usually is. He might be a little rough sometimes, but he's got a good heart down in there." She pokes her head over the screen by the living room. "Right, baby?" She winks to Noan, who grins. "I guess!"
[20:29] <Kuria> "Definitely~" She echoes, her eyes wandering over the room. "He says you're super special too! It's really nice what you did for my friend and all!"
[20:29] <~Saman> "I'm glad to help. I haven't had time to stop by the infirmary there, how is he doing?"
[20:31] <Kuria> "Out with his girlfriend today, so I guess fine! I haven't talked to him personally, don't much need to." She stretches out, doing her best to not get paint on everything. "What's this play about?"
[20:33] <~Saman> She blinks twice. "Really? I...wow. He looked tough, but I didn't think a blind man would be wanting to wander the city a day after he loses his sight..." She shrugs, going back to getting dressed. "It's about two dynastic patrician families who have been feuding over something in their shared past since as long as anyone on the Isle can remember, and the two scions of the family who fall in love with each other! It's so romantic."
[20:34] <~Saman> "It's been shown on the Isle for decades, the local playwright finally decided to bring it to the city, at last!" She sighs wistfully. "I can't wait to see it~"
[20:36] <Kuria> "Oh good! I like romantic stories," she murmurs contentedly. "It will do me a bit of good to get my mind off of recent things anyway! Come ooooon, I want to goooooo!"
[20:37] <~Saman> "Almost done!" Noan smiles. "She's always like this, taking her sweet time getting ready." He lowers his voice conspiratorially. "Are all girls like that, taking forever getting ready to go?"
[20:39] <Kuria> "Usually it just takes me so long washing the smell and paint out of my hair," she whispers back like it was an absolutely normal chore. "Nolen doesn't seem to mind much though!...Aw, now I miss him again."
[20:40] <~Saman> Noan frowns. "Where did he go, anyway?"
[20:41] <Kuria> "Training, stuff like it. Super important, I couldn't keep him here in good conscience." She frowns for once. "It'll be alright once it's over."
[20:43] <~Saman> Noan takes Kuria's hand and smiles to her. "It'll be alright, soon."
[20:44] <Kuria> "How do you know?" She huffs. "It's pretty dangerous!"
[20:45] <~Saman> Felicia emerges at last, fixing her earrings and tying her hair back. "My baby's an optimist, Despot. He's usually been right, too. It's kind of eerie."
[20:48] <Kuria> "If he's usually right, I suppose I can stand it," she sighs dramatically, taking to her feet. "Let's get going then, no use being gloomy in here!"
[20:48] <~Saman> "There you go!" Noan hops to his feet, holding out an arm to Felicia who giggles, taking it. AND THEY'RE OFF!
[20:53] <~Saman> The theatre is packed, though none of you have to deal with it; The attendees part before the Despot's approach, and the ushers all stop to lead you to Despot's Special, the seating above even the box seats. Nice.
[20:54] <~Saman> Felicia does her best to not look awkward as hell hanging out with the Despot and her boyfriend; she succeeds, barely. There's a lot of murmuring from the crowds about the two people who aren't the Despot; are they all 'together'? What happened to the Despot's man, is this his replacement? Why's the girl there then?
[20:57] * Kuria smiles and waves when she gets the chance, flashing the ring and whatnot while looking cheerful. The gossip she caught almost threatened to nip away her her drug-addled pleasantless, but she knew the cure. Once she was safely in the box, she turned to Felicia, gently reaching to take her hand. "Sorry about that, think about this as my treat, okay?"
[21:00] <~Saman> Felicia looks rather serene despite the rumor-mongering. "It's like back at the college of medicine, everyone's gossiping. I learned to ignore it a long time ago." She takes the hand. "I will accept the  gift of this play, though. Thank you, Despot." Noan grins to himself as the two have a Female Bonding Moment.
[21:04] <~Saman> She seems rather unaffected by whatever Kuria uses; she doesn't even react. "I think the play's starting!" She turns towards the stage, scooting forward in her seat slightly.
[21:05] * Kuria blinks, the play thankfully masking her disappointment. No one was being fair...She flops back in her seat, fingers tapping on the arm rest. Maybe the play would be interesting?
[21:12] <~Saman> It's pretty romance-y so far. The two Dynastic patrician houses, Caplan and Montane, have been feuding in the Imperial City for centuries, on the edge of open warfare discouraged only by the Empress and the stigma they would suffer for displeasing her. The play's main subjects, Roman and Julius, are two men from the two houses. They meet by chance in a bath-house, not knowing the other's origin, and fall deeply in love.
[21:13] <~Saman> What follows is a graphic series of sex schahahahahahah no, I'm kidding, it's a romance, they kind of dance around the issue for awhile. The first act ends as they both discover the other's house, fleeing each other out of fear of retribution.
[21:15] <~Saman> The intermission is also just in time for dinner! A few manservants arrive in the box with a round table and three chairs, along with 3 menus, handing one to each.
[21:17] * Kuria yawns and flips through the menu. It was a nice play, nicer than she expected anyway. Now what kind of fare would it be...
[21:19] <~Saman> Felicia looks surprised. "A show and dinner?" She mock-fans herself with a paper fan she produces from...somewhere. She looks over the menu, then indicates the chicken salad, handing the menu back to the manservant, fingers brushing his knuckles. He seems much more animated and lively now, bouncing on his heels.
[21:20] <~Saman> Noan, meanwhile, picks a bowl of chili. He hands the menu back. "Make it firedust spicy."
[21:23] <~Saman> The menu is pretty high-class for the most part, the kinds of things you'd get served at the palace. Then there's the lower class stuff; soups, chili, all that. It's got it all, including a massive selection of alcohol, ending in the Despot's Special. It's easily the most expensive, nearly a quarter of a talent.
[21:25] <~Saman> The Despot's Special is a single, large bottle of aged liquor that is said to have been personally made by the original Despot, Mankar IV. The exceedingly prohibitive price makes it a rarity for any to even think of trying, let alone buying a whole bottle of.
[21:25] <~Saman> They say the person who finishes an entire bottle by themself will become the next Despot.
[21:28] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:29] * Kuria shrugs with a smile. "Lamb, please. And the Despot's Special." Why not? It couldn't hurt!
[21:30] <~Saman> Felicia gasps in surprise, moving the fan over her mouth. Noan looks shocked. "No way. Really?"
[21:30] <~Saman> The manservant nods. "Just a moment!" He takes off at a jog out of the box.
[21:30] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) has joined #willoftheyozi
[21:33] <~Saman> He returns with a polished ironwood box, placing it reverently on the table. He lays a key on top of the box. "Your dinner will be ready shortly. Please enjoy your drinks."
[21:33] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:35] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) has joined #willoftheyozi
[21:35] * Kuria looks absolutely giddy. If this didn't work, she'd only have one other thing to do! She carefully opens the box, delicately handling the key and twisting the lock.
[21:35] <~Saman> It unlocks easily, the lid popping slightly open. A light gold glow emanates from inside the box.
[21:36] <~Saman> Felicia and Noan are both staring in awe at the box.
[21:36] * Kuria grins from ear to ear, gently tilting back the lid. "Now THIS is fun~"
[21:38] <~Saman> The top of the lid is covered in golden glowstones, lighting up the bottle laying on a silken pillow at the bottom of the box. The liquor is lit softly from below with another glowstone, casting the table in amber light. God...damn.
[21:39] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:40] <Kuria> "I think it's my birthday," she sighs with a touch of wistful joy. She lifts the bottle free of its cushion, looking it over with a playful smirk before glancing at her companions. "Want to try?"
[21:41] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) has joined #willoftheyozi
[21:41] <~Saman> Noan and Felicia look to each other, then at Kuria. "Yes!" They speak in unison.
[21:43] * Kuria pours them both a glass, being as delicate as possible before simply holding the bottle herself. "Cheers!" she clinks the bottle lightly against their glasses before taking a lengthy sip.
[21:44] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:45] <~Saman> Felicia raises the glass and clinks it against Noan's. "To romance." "To friends and girlfriends." They both take a much shorter drink.
[21:45] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) has joined #willoftheyozi
[21:46] <~Saman> Felicia sighs contentedly. "Oh wow." Noan smiles. "Simply perfect, Despot."
[21:47] <Kuria> "it's really good, isn't it," she sighs happily. "I think this is cause to celebrate!"
[21:48] <~Saman> "It is." Felicia drinks again.
[21:48] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:49] * Kuria taps her lips with her fingers. "How long til the second act?"
[21:49] <~Saman> "It's almost sad, I doubt I'll have as fine a drink as this again." She looks a little melancholy.
[21:49] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) has joined #willoftheyozi
[21:50] <~Saman> Noan speaks up after his second drink. "Not too long, once dinner service is over, I think."
[21:50] <~Saman> As he speaks, the manservant arrives bearing dinner! About time, jeez.
[21:51] <~Saman> Noan digs in, alternating spoonfuls of chili with sips of the alcohol. Felicia takes a much more steady, ladylike pace.
[21:53] * Kuria takes her time, basting her lamb in an additional layer of paint from her brush. Once it's thoroughly coated, she takes her time eating, focusing more on the paint-soaked skin than the interior. "I'm glad I get to share all this, I don't think I could stand going down here all alone."
[21:55] <~Saman> Felicia speaks up, wiping her lip with a napkin. "And we are truly glad to accompany you, Despot. I'm glad Noan finally has a...mistress...worthy of his talents." She smiles to Kuria.
[21:56] <Kuria> "You may call me Kuria, if you like. Noan's always so formal with 'Despot' this and 'Mistress' that," she murmurs with a waved hand. "I appreciate the formality, but I don't want to feel distant from my people, even my butler."
[21:57] <~Saman> She nods. "Fair enough, Kuria."
[21:57] <~Saman> Noan shrugs. "It doesn't do for a servant to call their master by name, especially so in front of company, Despot."
[22:00] <Kuria> "Fine fine, but is Felicia reaaaallly company? She's your girlfriend! It's like...like a visit between friends," she huffs. "Pleaaaase? Just for now in the box?"
[22:01] <~Saman> "I mean at work, Kuria." He smiles.
[22:01] <Kuria> "Yay!" She brightens considerably, returning to her meal, eagerly awaiting the next bit. She had a present planned!
[22:05] <~Saman> The dinner continues on, eventually ending just as the play prepares to begin. The manservant clears the table and removes it as Noan and Felicia take their seats. Both are by now moving up to a second glass of the Despot's Special.
[22:08] <~Saman> By the time the curtains come up, Noan is leaning heavily on Felicia, muttering to himself softly.
[22:09] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) has joined #willoftheyozi
[22:14] <~Saman> The play resumes with an edict from the Empress, declaring that Caplan and Montane have one season to end their strife or be formally dissolved and exiled from the Blessed Isle. What follows is Roman and Julius working in secret to get the two families to intermarry, with all the skullduggery and blackmail that would presumably involve. The final scene is a mass wedding, as both families formally make peace.
[22:16] <~Saman> The play ends, the cast coming out onto the stage to bow. Felicia is on her feet, clapping loudly while Noan leans heavily on her arm.
[22:19] * Kuria stands as well, clapping with a wide smile. "Perfect, perfect! Ah, I loved it," she sighs happily. But there was a gift better than applause. She lifts her fingers to her lips, blowing a kiss. The air around her suddenly bursts into a colorful haze, rolling out of the box and into the seats below, a wave of color reaching out to run along the walls and full the room.
[22:23] <~Saman> Felicia doesn't seem very affected, but Noan is even more animated than he was after the first application. Meanwhile, the crowd below goes even wilder, shouting and cavorting like the Patricians in the play.
[22:25] <~Saman> Felicia's eyebrow goes up. "I guess the play had quite an effect on the audience." She turns, hand on Noan's shoulder. "I think it's time we get him home, I think that liquor has gotten to his head."
[22:26] * Kuria is laughing, looking around at the crowd below before turning back to Felicia and Noan. "You're right, this was fun! Yes yes, let's take Noan home," she hums excitedly as she skips toward the exit.
[22:29] <~Saman> Felicia does an admirable job half-carrying Noan back to the palace, despite wearing a strapless dress and being a rather thin lady. She finally deposits him on his bed in his small little room, sighing. "I really should just convince him to move in with me, I always feel bad that he has such a small room..."
[22:31] <Kuria> "I can give him a bigger room," she says with the first bit of concern she's had all evening. "Is this really small?"
[22:31] <~Saman> "Well, you saw my place, it's not as if I use up all of it. There was an awful lot of empty space there...
[22:31] <~Saman> "Well, you saw my place, it's not as if I use up all of it." There was an awful lot of empty space there...*
[22:33] <Kuria> "But but but...Will he still get here okay?" She bites her nails a bit.
[22:33] <~Saman> "I don't see why he wouldn't, it's not that far from here. He's so punctual, I can't see him being late for anything."
[22:34] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) Quit (Ping timeout)
[22:34] <Kuria> "I guess...I could just upgrade his room..." She fidgets on the edge of a choice, frowning. "I'll figure it out in the morning when I can talk to him!"
[22:34] * LawmPygmy (lawnpygmy@3886EEEF.9E2BBC62.7A1F5C32.IP) has joined #willoftheyozi
[22:35] <~Saman> She shrugs. "Fair enough. I'd love to have him at home with me, though..." She looks very pouty at Kuria.
[22:37] <Kuria> "I'll probably say yes, I just don't want to do it without consulting him first." She winks. "I know how it is to have your love out of the home, so I'll do it first thing in the morning! If you like, feel free to stay here the night to watch him though...he seems kind of out of it~"
[22:38] <~Saman> "I didn't even think of that!" She claps her hands softly. "I think i'll do that, we'll both talk to him in the morning."
[22:39] <Kuria> "Perfect." She shuffles toward the door, pausing. Her gaze slowly moves over her shoulder, back to Felicia. "I'm sorry you couldn't join in in the festivities, you're alot stronger than you look! Ahaha~"
[22:41] <~Saman> Felicia smiles, sitting down in the edge of Noan's bed. "My mother set the example I follow, it's fine. I have more fun unimpaired anyway~"
[22:43] <Kuria> "You might enjoy letting loose once or twice..." She turns back around and wanders away, actually and completely unsupervised for once! She plays with her ring for a moment before tottering off deeper into the palace.
[22:44] <~Saman> Felicia shrugs as Kuria leaves, waiting until Kuria's long gone before speaking again.. "Maybe we'll find out, soon."
[22:44] <~Saman> =END=