|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:52 pm
Haellara's brother stared down at Nuumia, eyes widening slightly but otherwise making no other reaction. Haellara herself continued to enjoy the spectacle; it was like a small irritating form of torture that she never knew would even have the slightest affect on him. She couldn't help but wonder what other things Nuumia might accidentally reveal to her about her brother that she herself had overlooked.
She smiled down at Nuumia as she moved away from the stand and over to where food was being sold. "I did indeed win. Haggling is crude, but some around here insist upon it, lest you be seen as dull. Something I've never really understood; you would think they would enjoy every breath they save, seeing as they're numbered."
She turned her head slightly and raised an eyebrow at Nuumia. "What is this 'chalk-a-lot' that you keep speaking of? And speaking of bottles, I noticed the few you stole from him. Were you aware of what you were taking, or do you just have sticky fingers like someone else I know?" As she spoke, her eyes went from stand to stand and booth to booth, looking for something that would not only suit her purpose but be palateable enough for her not to gag on it.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:02 pm
The game with the brother was at a pause, perhaps, for now. Instead, Nuumia found himself happily tratting alongside Haellara as she left the booth. "I'm not allowed to haggle...or barter...or deal with customers." he responded. The very fact that Haellara deemed that she had won oddly seemed to put a bit of a happy bounce in his step. When it was she turned to look at him, and question him, Nuumia had the presence of mind to quickly reply.
"That stuff you were talking about before. You said it tasted good and would give me a bit if you found some. I forgot what it was so I made up a word that sounded like it." Ever so informative..and with a spirit hard pressed to be pushed down, Nuumia's hands fell to a pair of his pockets.
"I have NO clue what they are." He honestly declared for any passerby to take heed of. "He was ignoring you so I figured he deserved to be stolen from. I was going to take more but my pockets are getting full."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:37 pm
Eyes widening in comprehension, Haellara allowed herself a short laugh. "Chocolate. I understand now." Had it been that long since she had heard words being sounded out so? Yes, she decided, it had. Such innocent sounds never lasted long in the Underdark; they were constantly getting swallowed by the darkness and replaced with more proper things, like steely determination and coldhearted subterfuge.
Smiling down at Nuumia, Haellara gestured to his pockets. "Well then, mind if I see what you 'didn't' steal? I am curious to see what your little eye favors. And while you're doing that, tell me what you would like to have to eat? It's time we stopped and took a little refreshment." She frowned as she thought of the little bottle of dark blue liquid. How much flavor did that stuff have? Was she going to have to give the small one some wine after all? Well, if the stuff was half as potent as the shopkeeper hinted at, he would probably be out of commission anyway once it was done doing its work.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:02 pm
The fact he had made Haellara laugh seemed to brighten Nuumia's smile. When it was she asked for the bottles he had taken, Nuumia deftly slipped his fingers into his pockets to produce, and easily hand over, the two bottles. He eyed the bright blue liquid in the one bottle and the strange black powder in the other for a moment then turned his attention to his surroundings.
"I am hungry." He would agree with her of course. His black eyes wandered amid the stalls as he considered what sort of thing he wanted. "I...don't know. Food?" What should he ask for? There were various places that seemed to offer passerby's quick things to munch on while walking. However...Nuumia paused as he turned his eyes onto a resturaunt. It wasn't a common bar or tavern...even though it was in the merchants section it appeared to be presentable. At least for the common folk... "Mistress...may we eat there?" Nuumia questioned while pointing at the resturaunt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:48 pm
Drawing herself away from her musings over the blue potion, Haellara followed the point of Nuumia's finger to the restaurant. It didn't look out of the ordinary, but it did have a few interesting smells coming from it, and these were the good kind of interesting. She shrugged. "Why not?" Motioning for both males to follow, Haellara walked up to the entrance and strode in, taking in the surroundings.
The atmosphere was full of smoke, and shadowy figures sat at every table, most keeping to themselves. Dim faerie lights glinted off of finery decorating the walls, making it look as though they were dotted with dusty coins. The air throbbed with the dull roar of scores of conversations going on at once. Despite the smoke, Haellara could still smell the various foods being served. It seemed like the perfect place for a moment of secrecy.
A shapely female emerged from the shadows, waiting patiently in front of Haellara, seeming to know her status on sight. Glad for that small favor at least, Haellara snapped her fingers. "We need a private area, and we'll want two of the menus." The female nodded once and turned around smartly on her heel, striding off into the haze. Haellara followed, trusting Nuumia and her bodyguard to do likewise, and stopped as the girl pulled a thick curtain back to reveal a rather spacious interior nook that could have fit at least four.
Motioning for her brother to stand guard, Haellara stooped and entered, motioning for Nuumia to follow and sit on the opposite side. Two menus were thrust through the curtain, and now they were alone. Haellara opened her menu and pretended to study in, while behind it she uncorked the blue potion's bottle and took a quick sniff. She wrinkled her nose at the pungent smell; looks like Nuumia would be having wine after all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:34 am
The resturaunt provided a plethora of distractions for Nuumia. Distractions he readily drank in. Smoke, people, conversations, more people. So many things to keep his mind busy but not -busy-. No headaches! His black eyes filled with delight as he was led to the booth and directed to take up a seat oppostie of Haellara. Nuu did not question why only the two of them were sitting to eat. It was obvious that the male with her was only a guard after all.
Cheerfully he picked up the menu, and his eyes lazily wandered over the page. He had no idea what he wanted to eat. This type of fare was not something he was used to dining on. Ah... there was something else... Nuumia lowered the menu so only his eyes peeked over the edge. Looking at Haellara, he asked after a moment.
"Your paying right? I don't have any money and I don't think this is a place that does trading."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:35 pm
Peering at Nuumia from behind the menu, Haellara grinned, even though her mouth was hidden behind the menu. "That would be correct; I have a considerable sum, so order anything you like. And I change my mind about the stronger drinks; I in fact insist that you get yourself something....memorable. After all, I would be willing to bet that your friends at the caravan ever treated you to something nice." Speaking of nice, she wondered just how long she could keep up being so nice. It nauseated her a bit, but she reminded herself that the entire reason they were there was for her to satisfy her curiousity, by any means necessary.
Browsing through the menu, she decided upon a heavily spiced rothe steak cook rare enough to almost bellow if she sliced into it. Figuring that Nuumia might go for imitation with drinks, she selected a wine so dark it looked almost like thinned demon blood; all the better to hide the potion. As a matter of fact..... She gestured to Nuumia. "You mentioned unfamiliarity with alcoholic drinks; shall I choose something for you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:12 pm
For a moment Nuumia was quite pleased. His lips turned upwards into a happy little smile. If he did not have to pay for his food then he really could order anything. Nuumia resumed looking at the carefully hand written options on the menu...and stopped smileing. Just as quickly as he had eagerly looked at the menu, he looked back up at Haellara. He may have had a hard time holding onto seemingly important comversations topics...but beyond the minor discrepancy prior to his joining the merchant's caravan, Nuumia had a fine enough of a memory. And one thing he remembered well was his slight disinclination to indulging in drink...
"I...I'd be....." He started, then stopped. His face darkened. Memorable she said... "Mistress...if I drink anything odds are nothing will be memorable. I'm terribly bad at holding my liqure." He didn't want to drink. Some water or even milk would be fine. But...she said she insisted. Besides telling her he didn't really want to he wasn't certain if he was allowed to say anything more. Nuumia relaxed his shoulders, and he let himself slump a little in his seat*
"I'll just have what you have.... I don't know what most of the stuff is on the menu aside from some of the basic stuff. Like the difference between roth and lizard."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:09 pm
Pursing her lips, Haellara nodded once and shut the menu with a snap. "Well then, you shall have what I have, but I think I will have them cook your rothe steak considerably more than mine; rare steak is somewhat of an acquired taste, and I would not wish to see you squeamish, especially if you are already drinking." She rapped with her knuckles on the wall by the curtain, and a discreet hand took the preoffered menus as Haellara informed the servant what they wished to have.
When the servant had gone, Haellara lounged back and smiled as disarming a smile as she could manage at Nuumia. "If it does not pain your head, I would know more of your travels before coming here. What places have you visited? What sights have you seen?" Not only would she welcome the distraction of Nuumia's words while waiting for the food to arrive, but it gave her more time to work out how to discreetly pour the potion in the young drow's drink once it arrived. But another thought occured to her; if Nuumia had truly been in many places in the Underdark, despite his apparently damamged memory, maybe me would remember if he had seen a small drow with a green cloak and armor with strange, glowing runes....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:11 pm
Nuumia found himself feeling a bit..awkward after the menu's were taken away. In the private booth he felt a uneasy urge to start squirming around. Perhaps it was due more to his unease over the pending drink? Well...if he kinda...nudged it to the side perhaps he could focus on eating and not have to worry about drinking it. Though that would be a waste wouldn't it?
Nuumia's eyes were directed to Haellara when she started to question him about the places he had been. "Uhm..." he began slowly. Well...he would try and see if his head ache would start. He rather hoped not..."I've been to all the big cities. I've been to Menzoberazzan. It's the biggest city for sure. It's got the best looking buildings too. There are spider carvings everywhere, even on the lower houses and common buildings."
Well...his head wasn't hurting thus far...
"Guallidurth is pretty neat though. There are a lot of things there you won't find elsewhere in the Underdark. Lots of rich folks too, they pay at least twice the amount for stuff we bring in then most of the other cities. The Caravan Master says we can get away with gouging them because they are too rich to notice or care." A small smile perked at his lips. No head ache still. Well this was good!
"I like Eryndlyn though. It has...interesting stuff there. Like wood and mushrooms that you can't find in the underdark. And theres this..." Nuumia paused. His nose wrinkled as he felt a dull throb in his left temple. He was going to say something...about...oh yeah... " Cloth. made of...uhm..." His words came to a small halt and he placed a hand to his temple. His headace was...coming on pretty quickly. So, as Haellara had said they could talk so long as it did not cause him to have a headache...Nuumia left off on the sentence he had been working on and switched to another topic.
"The Glimmersea is really big you know!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:35 pm
Listening keenly, Haellara was pleased; apparently, Nuumia's caravan really got around; not just travelling back and forth, but going throughout the whole length of the Underdark. She actually felt a small stab of jealousy that he had been to the infamous City of Spiders; she reminded herself to pay that esteemed city a visit sometime seen, now that she was a matron mother and had the ability.
When Nuumia began to trip over describing Eryndlyn, her interest peaked. If his trouble with memory were there, then perhaps that was the very city that his trouble had started in. And she suddenly remembered that not long ago, a certain someone he knew had spent a considerable amount of time in that city, though like everything else, he had been purposefully vague as to what he had been doing there. Wouldn't it be the funniest thing if he had somehow been involved in this little one's predicament?
She was about to ask whether or not he might have seen such a drow and gauging his reaction, when a tap on the wall indicated the arrival of their food. She reached out to take the first wine goblet, allowing her sleeve to fall gently over her hand and almost dip itself into the wine, the sleeve hiding her palm, where she used her small finger to hold the now open bottle and carefully pouring its contents into the goblet. Finished, she set it before Nuumia and allowed the servant to place their food-laden plates in front of them.
Smiling, she raised her own goblet and took a sip. "Do try the wine; I would like to see how you like it." She tried not to seem especially eager, but she figured that if he tries it before he eats, then the potion would ride the wine and go right to his head.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:05 pm
The conversation was interesting. Inwardly Nuumia's thoughts drifted slight to the caravan he was thinking about. What were they doing? Was anyone thinking about him? Were they hopeing he'd come back? maybe...maybe not... Nuumia felt a slight disheartening when he considered just how likely it was that the caravan might pack up and leave on the morrow even if he wasn't present. Odds are that would not happen though. no matter how good sales were today, the caravan never left until it was fully stocked with trade goods for the next city they were going to travel to. That was a good three day process as far as he had observed.
The knock on the wood saved him from continually rambling about the cities that he had been too. Actually he couldn't recall all of the names. All he knew was that it was a city and as such he was supposed to stay in the wagon. He hated having to hide all the time. Being able to get out made him feel a little happy, if not worried about not finding a caravan when he got back.
Nuumia sat up a bit taller when the wine was passed to him. The dubious expression upon his face was hardly concealed as he looked at the dark liquid. If he drank that on a empty stomach it was going to go strait to his head! One glass was all it would take and..and then what? Nuumia glanced across the seat towards Haellara.
"I...don't want to get in trouble..." He finally replied to her urging. He desperatly wanted to tell her why he didn't want to drink it, but at the same time he felt a incredible amount of embaressment. He shouldn't be such a lightweight. it was a shameful thing he'd been told by the others in the caravan. made him less of a man and more of a child.
Nuumia always felt a rileing of anger when they called him a kid or referred to him as a child. "I don't know what I'll do if I drink..I never know what I do...can I please just have some water?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:58 pm
Haellara pursed her lips in obvious irritation at Nuumia's stubborn refusal to indulge. Surely the little one had had spirits before? Of course, hence his reluctance. Most males she would know usually fell to without remembering any previous disasters that had happened as a result. It only made her wonder the more; a young one with such a damaged memory remembering something so simple that few other males remembered with their brains intact, for what that was worth.
Forcing herself to keep her temper in check, she managed a smile at Nuumia. "I assure you, you shall not get into any trouble around me. I am a female of no small influence in this part of Undrek'Thoz, and I can ensure that no harm will befall you. However, if it bothers you so to drink wine, I can easily call for the servant to bring a pitcher of water, and we shall water it down; you may even eat first if you fear it going to your head."
It took a lot of patience on her part to suggest such a thing; she could feel the answers she sought within her grasp as though they were tangible things, and she wasn't used to waiting for what she wanted. However, she saw the importance in putting Nuumia's mind at ease and erasing any suspicions that might be taking root. She was certain that she had never in her life shown half the patience she showed now, not even for her own younger sibling. Then again, he was never half as interesting as the one who sat across from her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:19 pm
Nuumia's sense of relief and gratitude was shamefully apparant as he smiled and nodded his head. "Yes Mistress please. I'd rather like that more." Watered down wine..well..he'd never had wine before. It was just beer and ale. Wine seemed more refined then the coarse liquire that the guys in the caravan drank. So he assumed that meant the wine would be less in strength. perhaps with a bit of water added, and some food in his belly too, the drink would have less of a reaction. Nuumia rather preferred to think that he would be able to at least handle some sort of drink someday. It just seemed wrong for a male to be unable to hold his drink. Was something wrong with him?
The thought brought the usual wanring tingle, and Nuumia bowed his head slightly to foxcus on the table. "Your being very nice. You don't have to be...thank you Mistress."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:19 pm
Trying not to smile too broadly, Haellara tapped the side and gestured to her brother to ask for a pitcher of water. She may have appeared to be nice, but she felt she was being far from it. Nuumia apparently trusted her enough to let her choose a drink and serve it, and he wasn't even checking the food for odd tastes or poking around in it for crushed glass. And she was about to sorely betray that trust, although she did hope that whatever the outcome, Nuumia would still retain his rather charming innocence and tendency to overlook things.
When the pitcher was shoved through the curtain, Haellara reached for the glass and very carefully poured some water into the wine. She wasn't too concerned with the potion; water wouldn't hurt its potency, and she was confident that it had had sufficient time to mix with the wine and blend its colors. Hopefully Nuumia wasn't used to wine and wouldn't expect it to taste other than how a potion-laced drink would taste.
She set the pitcher aside, picked up her own goblet, and took a dainty sip, letting the wine swish around in her mouth before swallowing it. She then set it down and went to work on her steak, cutting it up into dainty little pieces that dripped red. All the while she cast a few half-second glances at Nuumia, waiting for him to reach for his own goblet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
