A Picture to Elicit a Thousand Words - RPLOG
Participants
Date
25/1/481
Log
It's a sunny afternoon. Not too hot, not too cold, at least for the time of year. Flora is currently standing in front of a small wall decorated with uncategorized family-portraits in the back, doubtlessly standing in front of one of them... Waiting for someone to arrive, perhaps? It certainly doesn't seem she's busy with the portraits right now, having her back turned to them.
"I really do know the way by myself, you know," Fenris says as he is escorted by two LongTech guards into the Ballroom, "I really don't see why I need the armed escort every time I come to visit."
The big tiger saunters along and looks over the wall of portraits that Flora is ignoring before sweeping into a deep, theatrical bow. (Bow 7, for high ranking nobility, but still sort of impertinent.) "And what can this lowly performer do for the Highlady today?" he asks, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Company, and House policy, Fenris. No-one goes in or out of the Manor without the guard knowing it, and no-one who doesn't work here gets to roam the halls," Flora points out, a smile on her lips, tails swaying behind her. She's very purposefully not leaning against the wall, though she does hold a relaxed, slightly backwards-leaning stance.
"Tell Flora about the people Fenris traveled with in the past. The jadelands, in particular, yes."
Fenris raises an eyebrow at the request. "Are you looking for something in particular?" he asks, "I spent quite a few years in the Jadelands. I assume that you are not just asking to hear stories about my youthful wanderlust." The tiger folds his arms and peruses the portraits while he gathers his thoughts.
"Not yet. Start at the start. Flora'll ask if something of interest comes up, yes," the she-cat rumbles with a smile, tail still swaying behind her... Flora -is- moving slightly, almost purposefully blocking that small bit of wall behind her from sight.
Fenris shrugs, then scratches his fluffy chest as his gaze turns inward. "I stayed in Auroon for a little bit," he reminisces, "I had a job as a ship's cook. That is what took me out there in the first place. I kind of thought that I would just stay with the ship and sail on with her. The Hanged Man's Beautiful Daughter. That was the name of the ship. Sort of strange and a little creepy, but the captain was a good sort and willing to take on a young man on his own."
The tiger shakes his head. "Didn't happen that way, though," he says, "We were in port for two days when word arrived that the ship had been sold and the crew relieved of duty. Not really a problem for most, since most would be quickly hired back on, but I felt like it was a sign that I should find something new. I found my way to the Yamauchi family shortly after that."
Flora nods, her tail swaying lightly behind her as she listens. "Ships tend to have... Somewhat strange names, no? And captains aren't happy when you want to refer to their ship differently, even if you charter it," Flora concludes, tail twitching lightly... She's probably referring to the airship she's chartered twice now...
Still, she listens with perked ears, her tails twitching behind her.
Fenris smiles at Flora's observation. "I spent several years with the Yamauchi family, far away from the capital city of Auroon," he continues, "In some ways, they became a second family to me. Master Yamauchi was a great teacher. He taught me to fight, and he taught me how not to fight." The tiger pauses for a moment. "I was. . . angry, and lost after the shadow attack. That was part of why I went to the Jadelands. It was as far as I could think to get from Sweetwater, where it all happened. Master Yamauchi taught me to find peace again."
A smile, a nod, and a flick of her tail as Flora continues listening, her ears flicking lightly. "And Fenris spent all of his time at the... Yamauchis? Is Flora saying that correct?" the she-cat offers. She's definitely placing the emphasis wrong, but she's trying, darn it.
"Flora imagines Fenris would spend -some- time not training, yes?"
Fenris smiiles at Flora's pronunciation. "No," he says, "But you are close. They are the Tiger clan of the Jadelands. Sort of like our noble families here in Sweetwater." The tiger rubs a hand over his face. "And of course I was not ALWAYS training. I worked for a little restaurant to pay for my room and board, and there were always things to do in the city. I actually spent a lot of time with the Master's children. He had a son and a daughter, both younger than me. They became like surrogate siblings to me. And there were a few people from the town that we ran around with. Some locals, some foreigners. It was a good time."
A smile and a nod. "Anyone in particular that stood out?" Flora offers, her head canted lightly to the side. She certainly doesn't want to steer the conversation -too- much, in any case. That tail still sways, and she continues listening.
Fenris frowns and turns his attention on Flora. "What is this about?" he asks, "I feel like you have something that you want me to say, but I'm really not sure what it is. Remember, this was a long time ago. Probably before you were born. That is a lot of thinking back to do."
The tiger bites his lip in though. "Well, there was Fatty Danuke," he says, "My boss's son. The Hopps brothers, acrobats that stayed on to entertain the main family. There was Manny Undertow, a retired seaman who like to follow us 'young folk' around. Good sport, he was." He looks thoughtful for a moment, then snaps his fingers. "Then there was Iris and her brother," he says, "Kind of a weird pair. I actually don't think that they were brother and sister, but that is what she told people. Funny story, they are actually the reason that I never drink alcohol."
"Flora doen't suppose there was a... Lily?" the tigress offers, as she steps aside for the fist time since Fenris's arrived, revealing the small painting Hugo'd had delivered to the Manor a day or two ago.
"Fenris will have to talk about Iris and her brother sometime later," the she-cat concludes, smiling lightly as she waits for Fenris to observe the picture of the white-furred panthress.
Fenris looks at the painting.
And looks at the painting.
"That. . . " he starts, then starts again, "That is uncanny. And when I say uncanny, I mean Iris. Or someone who looks just like her." The tiger looks from the painting to Flora. "Where did you get this?" he asks.
"Uncle Hugo. He called her Lily. So... Flora would like to know about Iris. Or Lily," Flora offers, as she moves to the small table that has been set up nearby before, gesturing for Fenris to join her... There's no more picture to obscure, after all.
