Legitimate AF (Mature)

[Capoeirista]

"Well," Esmeralda said, "I need to get to the bazaar and buy a new mattress."

"Isn't the bazaar in Radasanth?" Alina inquired, somewhat confused.

"What? Err, yes." Esmeralda corrected herself. "I meant the uh... mattress store... that sells mattresses... here in Stonevale. I actually have an account there. This isn't the first time that ol' busy mustachios has ruined my bed." She turned toward Alina, a pensive finger laid along her jawline. "But it is the first time that one of the people he rescued hasn't run away screaming. Why are you still here my dear?"

"I uh-" Alina stammered, suddenly wishing she had a language barrier to hide behind. "I wanted to hear what Archibald had to sing. It was very educational, and not just that, but interesting and well written."

"Why thank you," Archibald said with twirl of his hand and a bow, "I was up all night working on the lyrics. I wrote them just for you. Now, it would appear my work here is done. You kids play nicely!" He pirouetted once and gave his mustache a twist, and vanished in a puff of evaporated milk.

"Well?" Esmeralda said, extending her arm. "Would you like to join me for a stroll to the store? If you still need a place to stay tonight, I can purchase two beds instead of one. You won't need to share mine. And I promise I will NEVER attempt to poison you again. I am very sorry for the way I treated you, you're just..." she became lost in thought as she gazed at the dancer's fine black hair and deep dark eyes. "So pretty..."

"Don't push your luck," Alina said. "If you truly do mean to welcome me in your home... I could just stay here while you go to the store. And I don't mind sleeping on the couch. I'm used to a bit of cloth covering the coarse sand or using a horse as a pillow, so the cushions out there will be quite comfy for me."

"As you wish," Esmeralda said with a sigh. She made as if to touch Alina's cheek but then thought better of it. Alina gathered her belongings from the pile on the milky mattress and the two women moved into the living room, where the Fallieni made herself comfortable on the couch.

"Are you sure you won't come to the store with me, dear?" Esmeralda asked from the door. "It's a lovely evening for a little fresh air."

"I'm actually rather tired from all the excitement." Alina said. "I think I'll rest awhile and reflect on Archibald's lessons."

"Don't put too much stock in what that old galoot says," Esmeralda warned, "he may have ulterior motives."

"Such as what?" Alina asked, but the other woman was already gone.

Oh well, the dancer thought as she leaned back on the couch, eyes roving the well decorated home. What to do now?

[Capoeirista]

Alina lounged on the couch for a time, but soon grew restless and began pacing around the small home. She felt a certain degree of familiarity with her surroundings, having just been through an ordeal in the place. It really was rather a nice home when she thought about it, with draperies on the brocaded windows and wall hangings embroidered with intricate patterns, and thick rugs that invited her to slip off her shoes and move about barefoot.

As usual, she was not satisfied with mere walking. Alina's body cried out for more motion; it cried out for the dance. She began practicing some basic movements, and those basic movements grew and evolved into a complex web of footwork that carried her throughout the building as she rotated her hips and shimmied her shoulders. She waltzed through the water closet, lumbada'd around the living room, and bounded through the bedroom. As she twirled past the bed her toes caught on an edge sticking up from beneath one of the thick rugs, and she nearly tripped. Curious, she bellied down and peeled back the thick rug.

"Galloping griffins!" She said in surprise, translating the Fallieni expression into Tradespeak for no reason. Beneath the rug was a large metal hatch inset in the floor. Its heavy hinges were well oiled, and it gave off a faint mechanical smell. There was an industrial strength combination lock on it. Alina gave the dial a few spins and then stood up and replaced the rug as best she could.

The dancer paced back and forth, wondering about what she had found. Was it merely a safe, containing Esmeralda's most prized belongings? Or was it a hatch to an underground lair filled with sex slaves? Or something far more sinister.

No one knew; not Alina, not the Thayne, not the Elvish Inquisition, and not the writer.

Only time, and the sequel, would tell.

[Philomel]

Name of Thread: Legitimate AF (Mature)
Type of Judgement: Workshop
Participant: Capoeirista

Rewards:

Capoeirista rewards:
1720 EXP
235 Gold

Inclusive of Stonevale x 1.5 bonus