Between the Two of Us

Between the Two of Us Summary: Seval Mikin, a trusted adviser, promises Sahna Nillu, his niece, to look closer at the Lomasas, particularly Norran and Pardus. Cast: Seval Mikin, Sahna Nillu Air Date: Sometime in the year 623 (Sunday May 1, 2011) Setting: The Thirsty Trout in Hawk's Aerie A rustic elegance comes from the natural warmth of the large, open room and remains what the Thirsty Trout Tavern is all about. As a bustling spot of business within the large township of Hawk's Aerie, there are plenty of quiet niches and corners for privacy, and in truth, the establishment has been redesigned with such an idea in mind. Along the outter walls that have not been taken up by doors, windows, the staircase leading up, or the area behind the C-shaped bar, booths have been built directly into the rich, seasoned oak of the Thirsty Trout walls. Each of these booths is more of a cocoon of wooden warmth, lined by velvet cushions of a deep blue. Instead of merely just a place to eat a meal and talk, the booths are literally carved from wood, with unique tables settled inbetween two high backed bench-liked structures that curve upwards to the ceiling. The outline of the two seats as they face each other is roughly oval shape, but each booth has its own small variation to create a uniqueness to each spot. To add to this uniqueness, designs have been painted on each of the wood frames, each depicting something different. Some are just flower designs, while others pay tribute to each of the six Houses in the form of their emblems. In total, there are about fifteen booths surrounding the room. The bar is one of the central parts of the room, situated at the back wall, opposing the door. Here is where the majority of patrons tend to lurk to exchange gossip and catch up on the evening news. A wide variety of ales, meads and wines are lined up on the shelves, within easy reading distance so everyone is aware of what is available. Some of these wines are quite rare, and displayed with pride. The rest of the spacious room is filled with tables, scattered at different distances, with enough room inbetween to allow for people to easily walk through. High within the rafters of the tavern, bolts of dark blue velvet hung to match the velvet cushions that have been spread through the booths. The last adornment of the Thirsty Trout is a tapestry hung over the bar, which is flanked by shelves. This tapestry is paying homage to House Lomasa, the stampeding bull, while a silent hawk wings its way above, steady and sharp-eyed. Contents: Exits: Duchess Sahna Nillu, Patron Seval Mikin and Shadowscourge Timin (NPC) <O> Out

Sahna is set up near the back of the tavern with her own table, with ledgers and letters spread across the surface. She occasionally sips at her wine, frowning or occasionally smiling at her reading.

Seval Mikin enters, his simple white robes flapping in a gust of wind. Behind him is a young man dressed in the armor and regalia of the Church - a Shadowscourge. His eyes are intense as he seems to inspect the air around him. Seval, on the other hand, is most inquisitively searching. He finds what he's looking for it seems as he heads toward the back - toward his niece.

The entrance of a churchman attracts attention across the Tavern, and Sahna is no exception-- She begins to frown slightly, until she recognizes who it is; then, a warm, broad smile lights up her sallow features, and she stands from her seat. "Uncle Sev! So good to see you, I've actually been meaning to get a hold of you or auntie.. Won't you come over and join me?" She queries, her contalto filled with warmth.

"It's been too long, dear!" Seval beams with a warm smile. His voice is a soft honey to the ears, but today it's lively and ginger as he regards Sahna. "I would enjoy that," he replies to the invitation. The Shadowscourge accomplice allows his Patron some measure or room and privacy as he scuttles to a seat. Seval notices, though and gestures him to follow. "Come meet my niece the Duchess, Brother Timin," he says. "Sahna, this is Brother Timin."

"It has! You're a Patron now and I'm a Duchess, we're going up in the world." Sahna responds with a laughing wink, then curtseys deeply to the Shadowscourge. "Brother Timin, a pleasure.. Are you two permitted to drink on duty? I've got a lovely Darkwater vintage 512, and I'd love to share it. Uncle, I find myself in need of your advice on a few things, or rather, a few people."

"Pleasure to meet you, Your Grace," Timin says, his voice flat and weak. He smiles a weak grin, noticeably forcing it without the style and convincingness a nobleman would learn as a boy.

"Brother Timin, perhaps you can relax at the bar," Seval says, putting his hand on the Scourge's back. Timin nods and goes to take a seat there. Seval slides into one of the seats at Sahna's table. "I'd love a small glass, sure. Let me just say, your Lady Aunt Meilah and I are so proud of you. I can't believe it, a Duchess. It makes sense though. I always knew you were a special child destined for greatness."

"Goodness, did I address him improperly or something?" Sahna queries, taking her seat once Seval has been seated. "Well, it's you I have to thank, in a large part. Having someone else who loved books too meant a lot to me when I was little. Auntie is well, I hope? And my cousins?" She fills a goblet and passes it over to the Patron, a blush spreading across the bridge of her nose. "And you two always thought it was special in a good way. Even mother thought I was 'special' in that my health would eventually kill me."

"Oh Timin? No, that's just his charming nature. I think the Right Hand loves me little giving me him as guard. I think the boy is a little simple," Seval says, softly. Timin, if he could overhear from at the bar, didn't let on.

"You're too generous child. I love to read and you love to read, we're naturally going to get along. Meilah is well, yes. Elest and Dalia too. They send letters, in fact.." the priestly Mikin reaches into his robes. "Ah, here they are." He extends them toward Sahna. "How is your Lady Mother and Lord Father and Jahna.. how is Jahna? It has been some time since I saw them. I ran into Katriana just the other day. We caught up some."

Sahna tucks the letters away, although she does put them on the top of her other correspondence to give them priority. "I'll read them as soon as I'm able and send some back." She responds, smiling ruefully at her uncle. "Father and mother are well, but the keep is as drafty as ever so I don't visit them all that often. As for Jahna.. I actually don't know where she is, right now. Possibly some hunting expedition or other pursuit, but no cause for worry. Did Katrianna tell you about a fellow named Norran Lomasa? He's part of the advice I wish to ask you."

"Ah, yes, Norran Lomasa. In fact, he was with her and we met," Seval says with a nod. "What of him?" His brow rises as he takes a sip of his drink.

Leaning back in her chair, Sahna taps at her cheek with a lace-gloved fingertip. "I do believe she has some interest in him, but I barely know the man. She told me it wasn't anything serious yet, but I wish to ascertain the young man's character.. You see, I also find myself interested in a different Lomasa, a fellow named Pardus, if you've met him. Yet, it's no secret that particular house is interested in spreading influence by matrimony. It's how they work. So I also need to consider and question the wisdom when it comes to alliances, as nice as it would be to only think of romance. Lomasas are not the only ones who can play that game, and I do not wish to slight the other houses when I need allies among them."

"How shrewd you are, Sahna," Seval says with a smile. "I contemplate such things as well.. for my darling daughters." He pauses with a nod. "I haven't met this Pardus fellow, I'm afraid. A gentleman, I'm sure. As for Norran Lomasa's character, I was interested as well, as I thought I noticed something between he and Kat. I was able to gather a little information from a past acquaintance of his, a charming Lady Voreyn Zahir. She didn't know him that well either though."

"Now, you know I'm not the most ambitious man but there is wisdom in exploring all your options before making a choice. Marriage for love is, unfortunately, unreasonable."

Sahna chuckles ruefully, but nods. "I know.. It might have been different if I'd stayed a third daughter with a small dowry, but I own a township and a fortune, even if I don't make the cut as a permenant Duchess. Pardus doesn't have anything to offer financially, and his family's a pack of nasty loons, but I actually like that part.. Leaves me in control, and he has no ambitions so I don't have to worry that he'll try to usurp my authority or fortune. He's everything I'm not, really.. Mild and almost innocent and honest to a fault. Maybe you can meet with him too, and tell me what you think? I'd send mother or father, but a Nillu might feel they had to defer to my opinion in the matter and I need honesty instead."

She takes a sip of her wine, mulling over the issue. "You're a gem, uncle, to already be looking into it. Between the two of us, let's see what we can shake out about Norran, too. Katrianna's most likely to be able to provide some heirs, and mother is getting terribly fussy about us three becoming old maids."

"I'm nothing if not honest," Seval replies with a smile and sad eyes. "Tell your mother you are young yet. I will look into this Norran Lomasa and his family more." He slides out of his chair. "Put something together with these Lomasas, a party perhaps -- I hear they love those -- and I'll give you my candid observations, as always." He smiles and waves toward Timin. "I must be leaving, child. Light Keep you."