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Luckily for him, Rosalie either doesn't notice, or doesn't mind, perhaps trying to think of her own how to reply to Raj. Well she obviously knew the two fairly well to chide Last as such, though the teasing, and finally introductions. Her eyes fall on both Oberon and Rajani, though slowly a more comfortable smile finds her face. This is certainly not a threat, though perhaps she'll join in on the fun just a little.

"You haven't mentioned me at all?" She frowns, doing her best to look as sad as possible, "Am I not worth it...?" The smith may have not taken courting seriously prior to this rather interesting engagement, but she damn well knew how to give puppy eyes to a man. It lingers just long enough, before she's right back to introductions with Rajani.

"It's a pleasure, though I must say they haven't said a word of you either. Such a shame, right? Keeping women from meeting each other." There's a glance to both of the twins, especially to First, raising an eyebrow at him. Disagreement, hmm? Well. Things kept on getting more interesting. "So you're one of the Wardens as well? Well, if you fancy that title...." She gives the slightest glance to Aelius, who is cautiously nudging First, especially seeing if he has any treats. "And a pleasure to you Oberon." She had learned her lesson prior to the ball to make absolutely sure she greeted guardians as well.

"But yes, my buck would be Aelius. He can be a bit of a bother at times, so don't be afraid to tell him such. And this is my shop, sorry it's a bit of a mess, it always is really..." She sighed a little, choosing to lean on Last just the slightest bit. "Please do make yourselves comfortable, I'm sure we have a little yet until I need to get ready for the event tonight, hmm?"

This is rapidly becoming a conversation where Last is wholly out of his depth, and from all accounts First is very much enjoying the spectacle. Once more Last puts on a good impression of a landed fish, his mouth opening and losing in horror -- he looks as if he doesn't rightly know how to respond to Rosalie's teasing question, not in a way that wouldn't get him in even more trouble.

Finally his shoulders slump, as it becomes plain he can't hold a candle against either of the women; Rosalie 'cause she makes his thoughts go all funny whenever she looks at him, and Rajani 'cause she's too damned clever. Instead he decides to lash out at the only target available, glancing across the way at his twinsib.

"We're going to a show t'night, Raj. You oughter come, so First don't get lonesomely. These days he gets right mopey when I ain't about." He glances back to Rosalie, then looks languidly over to his twin -- the implication being that First is depressed because his brother is off courting. Having watched the proceedings with a grin until now, First goes red in the cheeks at this little sally, a bit of a scowl on his face. But he doesn't right off tell his brother to shove it .. instead he looks out of the corners of his eyes at Rajani, holding his breath to see what she'll say. Obviously, he doesn't dare tell Last off because there might be a chance that the gypsy would come to the show with them.

"Oh?" she said, interest piqued. More often than not, Rajani was the one on stage. It was rare for her to have a chance relax in the audience. A night on the town with two of her oldest friends and a bold lady smith whom she was growing fond of much more quickly than she usually did? It sounded like an opportunity too good to pass up. Of course, there was no reason to accept it plainly when she could get in a little teasing in the process.

The gypsy glanced askance at the elder twin. If Last had intended to suggest that Rajani's presence could be construed as anything more than platonic to First, it was lost on her. The songstress may be clever and worldly, but she was notoriously blind when it came to genuine affection toward herself. "Has your brother been neglecting you? Poor thing. I suppose I could come along."

Her attention was instantly arrested by Rosalie, however, when the smith offered to forge her a blade. A covetous glint appeared in her eyes. "Would you, now?"

Since learning swordplay from Macaire, Rajani had been on the lookout for a fine piece of steel. It was more difficult than one might think. Fierce though she may be, the gypsy was not a particularly large person. Any blade she carried would have to be light and quick; not too long for her to handle, but not a boy's first sword, either. Besides that, she wanted quality. It wasn't just her life she would be helping to defend. Oberon was relying on her as well. All of that meant having a blade custom-forged. There were not many willing to do such a thing for a gypsy woman no matter how much coin she had.

"There's an offer I cannot turn down."

"Why yes, it seems there's someone who fancies sneaking in behind my back to leave food or flowers in my shop." It's less of a threatening tone, more of a very amused one. She gives Last the slightest of glances, though it's just quick enough that he may not notice. "So there's likely to be plenty of food around, and if not, there's a wonderful place not too far from here. Tom's, was it?" It was far too delicious to forget, but sometimes it helped to have people to back her up on it.

But the dangerous glint in her newest acquaintance's eyes is something terribly exciting, and perhaps she shouldn't be encouraging it. But she has to work to eat, well, most of the time, but working definitely means more books. More gold and silver to play around with too. And certainly more time to spend being treated out to nights on the town. "I most certainly would appreciate the business. What are you looking for in one?" Normally she'd show off her current stock, but she liked Raj so far. She didn't deserve any normal sword.

"Or rather, what are you looking to use it for?" She had heard whispers about a group of wardens forming to take on the wolves, though how exactly to kill one would be another issue entirely. Something that wouldn't break easily, something with a lot of time and effort, well rounded, and light for agility, she thought. But not too light, or else it might snap. Even if the answer wasn't wolves, she might just think it would suit her anyway.

Not a man to let someone else have the last word -- even if that 'word' is a glare and the someone else is in this case a deer -- First stares steadily enough at Oberon in return. If there's a blush to his cheeks, well, so what? He ain't gonna let no cursed deer keep him from doing what's what, and bloody hell, if anybody's going to keep him from Rajani it's going to be Rajani herself. Ain't like she needs protection, so Oberon can just --

-- and then the word 'wolves' hits him in the chest like a sack of grain, and he drags his attention abruptly back to the conversation, completely breathless. It is several seconds before he can repair his expression, and even then the scaffolding sags, as it were, as there remain suggestions of his discomfort still visible.

Beside him, Last has had much the same reaction, having nodded complacently to confirm the name of the bake-shop to which Rosalie refers before that single word struck him its heavy blow. The pair of them at once have grown pale beneath their splattered freckles, and all of the sudden First cannot stand to look at Rajani, and Last cannot look anywhere but sidelong at Rosalie, to see what she will say.

Neither of them yet dare say a word: First because he cannot speak, Last because he doesn't have the courage to voice an opinion before Rosalie has uttered hers.

"Haven't you heard? The Queen has called the Wardens to arms." Of course, while Rajani was willing to work with the Queen's troops to a degree, she was wary enough of her newest adviser to have a contingency plan in place. Well, it was Soibhan's project, but the gypsy found herself at the forefront anyway. Regardless, her plan was to avoid direct confrontation with the enemy for as long as possible. When the time came, however, she would fight alongside everyone else. There seemed little choice, not when the stakes were so high.

"From what I can tell, only villagers and regular army have tried going against them," she said, trying not to think of the eerie, blood-spattered ghost towns she had seen with her own eyes. "Horses were not made to go against those monsters."

Brushing aside the unpleasant memories, she grinned. "I might take you up on that. An arsenal could be useful."

It had not escaped Rajani's notice that both of the twins were looking suddenly faint. The cause for their sudden pallor was no great mystery. However, she refused to offer them any platitudes. There was no getting around what was to come. She would face the wolves, and chances were that one or both of them would have to, as well. The sooner they made their peace with the idea, the better...and if either of them tried to talk her out of it again, not even the spirits would protect them from her wrath.

"Oh I've heard about that, though I have yet to hear of anyone doing anything. I must say I'm a little disappointed I haven't been contacted to do any weaponry for them either. Ah well, I've at least got one order on my hand. I'll have to make sure it's far superior to whomever she's ordering from." She was not too happy with the state of things, and it showed. She would have happily made pretty good swords for the wardens of the Queen. But now she had someone to show off with. "If there's anyone else who wants to actually protect the people, send them my way. If I knew how to fight, I would be out there too."

Those were probably the words Raj wanted to hear, but probably not ones the twins wanted to dream of. Aelius however, gave a snort, making it clear he wasn't sure at all about this, and maybe sitting down and having some tea would be a much better, and less bloody choice. He did not make this decision at all, and just wanted to like people and stay away from all this mess. And definitely search First's pockets for treats. Always a good plan.

"I'll build you up an arsenal then. Give me maybe a week. I should have it done by then, not many people want an arsenal. Usually it's more like a short sword or dagger. But these I'll have to custom design. That's always fun, isn't it?" She smiled, as if it was just pleasant talk about the weather. Except the weather at this point would be the wolves being slain by the finest steel she could forge.

"But I guess you're right about taking a night off....After all, you can get us seats." She hadn't forgotten, and after a day on her feet the prospect was quite welcome. "And we can always talk of blood and steel later, a nice night to relax and dine is much in need for me at least. Unless you have a few more words to say, Miss Rajani." They almost won, almost.