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Despite the late evening, there is activity in the Bull and Hawk Tavern, music spilling out into the streets. Many of the tables have been stacked into a corner, leaving open space in the middle where many people have shown up. The music would take Fastheldians back home to lively dances, which is what this has become. In the center of everything is a bright eyed Katrin, dressed in her Fastheldian finest, doing a hearty reel with a small group of people. They are all laughing and whooping in pleasure.
Drawn from the outside by the sound of the music, Sahna Nillu slips inside the door, clad in grey silks and carrying a briefcase, her step brisk as she makes her way inside.
Nixkamich also enters carrying a briefcase, but the entirely different kind than what Sahna's carrying. He also has a handfull of papers in his hand, and he's being careful as he heads inside. "We really must stop meeting like this." he notes wryly, taking note of Sahna. "But do ou happen to notice who owns this place? My business has just opened next door."
Normal sized Shuu is here! Except she's quite smugly coming out of the kitchen just now with a nice, meaty drumstick in her mouth. Apparantly pipe foxes eat a /lot/ - or at least this one does. From the smears of chocolate on her snout, she might have gotten into a desert or two as well. /Shifty eyes go here/.
"No question with a name like this.. Although the original was called the Hawk and Dove. Must be Dianna, although she doesn't use that name anymore." Sahna responds to Nix, beaming at him. "I got the job.. A new job, that is. That's the advantage of a new place, they need people who like numbers." She gestures to Katrin amidst the dancers. "That's her, if you want to talk to her."
The wolfish figure loitering in the depths of a booth on her own is poking and prodding at something atop a plate that looks and smells suspiciously like meat. Lowering her muzzle ever so briefly towards her long dead and well cooked prey, Urroka takes a long, cautious sniff at it before drawing back. Rubbing at the wet black nose tipping her snout, the furred female turns her attention instead towards the considerably less hairy humanoids making a fuss with their prancing about in the center of the room.
The music comes to a flourished end and the dancers all break out into a clapping cheer as they take a breather. It is a recorded track that plays and the next song is much slower, but doesn't seem to have its origins in Fastheld but instead Sivad. Some of the couples draw together for the dance while others drift off to sample a selection of food that has been laid out on the bar's counter, free of charge.
With a laugh, Katrin is one of those people who stumbles of of the floor and flops herself down in a chair. "Erin, be a darling and bring me some wine," she calls to the girl overseeing the food and drink distribution. "Sweet Light, it has been a long time since I danced that reel. I feel so old." She sits back and watches those who are still partaking in the dancing, expression pleased.
Passing by Sahna and Nix, Shuu makes her way through the couples dancing now and to Katrin, upon whose feet the Fox flops down. The drumstick is dropped on the floor, one paw setting down upon it to hold it steady while she tears chunks of meat off to gobble down. "Did you now? Well then, we both have reasons to be in pleasent moods." Nix replies, setting his briefcase on the counter. "I have offically opened my tattoo and peircing parlor today. Infact it is right next door to this tavern, so I thought I should introduce myself to this place's owner. And if I could put up a few flyers in here, if only to slightly promote myself. But indeed, Miss Sahna, congratulations on your new success. I will hope that the Spirits shine fortune upon you."
"Congratulations on that, Nix." Sahna replies, offering the man a faint smile. "Thank you. I'll be working for the government, which has always been what I like best." Her sage-hued eyes twinkle a bit, at that. "After all, one can move upwards there. Come along, I'll introduce you to her." She starts making her way towards Katrin and Shuu, simply expecting Nix to follow.
"Whatcha got there, Shuu?" Katrin is inquiring of the fox, wiggling her feet a little under the additional weight suddenly present. "The cooks giving you food again?" She chuckles. "You're going to get awfully fat if you keep eating all of the food here," she muses and relaxes in her seat. A glass of wine is brought, which the young woman takes a grateful sip of. "Ah..." There is a certain level of contentment as she watches the people continue to dance.
Shuu? Fat? Lies! Her odd cross between a whimper and a warble is meant to express her disbelief, but lest one's fluent in fox, it's obviously hard to interpret. A piece of meat is torn off, then Shuu twists her head around to set it on Katrin's lap. Sharing is caring!
"Better you than I." Nix replies, following after Sahna. "My experience with governments in past has been....peculiar. And difficult. Unwarranted imprisonment is never pleasant. But, I will hope that's not the same here. What exactly is that you intend to be doing?"
Takeshi wanders in from outside without any real purpose except for the fact that maybe this would be the one bar that he could just sit down in and have a drink. After all, it looks like this place might not really bother him too much. His feet carry him to the bar and he orders a drink before settling in - as best as any eight foot man that glows yellow can - and trying to just have an uneventful night for once.
Arriving before Katrin, Sahna offers the other woman a brisk smile. "Well, it looks like a little peice of home, only nicer." She declares, lifting her chin with an amused expression. "Does this mean you've settled on Pyracan now? I've someone to introduce to you."
There will be no quiet idlers in the Bull and Hawk tonight. A young woman stumbles up next to Takeshi with a cheerful look and without the least bit of hesitation, tries to drag the Aukami out onto the dance floor for the next song that starts to play - a lilting, cheerful number of QuaQuan origin. "It's a party!" the girl says brightly. "Come dance with me!" She seems overly excited. Maybe she's had just a little too much to drink.
As Shuu is so kind as to leave food on Katrin's lap, the young Fastheldian peers down at the large fox. "Why thank you," she says, picking up the piece of meat. "but I've already eaten for the evening. You go ahead and enjoy it for yourself. I only need a glass of wine to sustain me for the rest of the night." There is a warmth and pleasure of just enjoying the animal's company while surrounded by her element.
The familiar voice snaps Katrin out of her reverie and she gives the Nillu a warm smile. "Ah, Sahna," she greets merrily. "Just a small little gathering of people. They wanted to learn a little more about Fastheldian culture and dancing and it kind of escalated into this." She waves a hand to the dancers. "I do hope you'll do at least one dance, in honor of the old homestead." She looks around the tavern. "I had the Hawk and Dove in mind when I designed it, but only better, because it's mine from the start. And yes, I'm going to settle here full-time. This place offers me a bit more of an opportunity than Svajone." A pause and she tries to peer around the small woman to see just who her guest is.
Nixkamich offers a bow to Katrin, the Qua towering behind Sahna. "Good evening, Miss. It appears this place is also new on Eiru. Suppose we might have that in common. But yes, Miss Sahna is a friend of mine. She wished to introduce me to you. I am Nixkamich and I am the owner of the tattoo and piercing palor next door to this tavern. I was hoping if I could put a few flyers on your billboard across the wa to advertise my shop. Would be more than willing than to do the same for you. Only fair, of course."
Sahna offers a curt nod. "Mmh. Yes, the music is quite nice. I like modern club dancing myself, though, now that I've discovered it. You wouldn't believe the magnificently lewd dance moves that exist, it's quite delightful." The Nillu woman offers a sanguine smile. "I'll dance if there's a fast number. Can't stand the slow songs anymore. I'm the new Treasurer, although it does mean working in the same building as Norran. Still, Eiru's been good to me, so I plan on being good to Eiru."
Katrin wrinkles her nose a little, "My sincerest apologies for having to be anywhere near Norran," she says lightly. "Did you hear that he is dating my sister? I have difficulty fathoming it, but the man goes through his women even more rapidly than I do my men." She rolls her eyes and then smiles up at Nixkamich, carefully nudging Shuu aside so she can stand and extend a hand to the Qua. "A pleasure. I'm Katrin. Feel free to leave some promotional material here and I will see what can be done about getting you advertised better." Her attention goes back to Sahna. "I have been thinking of trying to offer my services in some way, though I am uncertain how I could be of help just yet."
Shuu takes the piece of meat back, then proceeds to offer it to Sahna by setting it at her feet. Then she tears off another piece and sets it a bit to the side of Sahna's feet for Nix. Then she goes back to eating what's left. Nomnomnom.
Takeshi looks up at the woman, "I don't dance."
That protest doesn't matter as he's dragged to the dance floor and she finds out that he's not a great dancer the hard way. Even if he is trying his best not to step on toes, he's an aukami, they have like no body strength. I mean, they lift things by telekinesis. Alas, he didn't really want to ruin her fun and while he doesn't currently understand their need for partying, he will oblige...because hey, if she doesn't mind him stepping on her toes, why not.
The music seems to have drawn a Seamel from the night air, pulling off his riding gloves as he steps through the door. A broad smile of nostalgia spreads across his face as he looks around. He seems to have left the bulk of his armaments with his horse, but the Lyiri Songblade at his hip remains. "Well," he says quietly to himself, "This is an interesting development."
Nixkamich looks between the two ladies. "You two seem to not have a highly sought opinion on this man named Norran." he notes carefully. "Or perhaps this is something another man should not concern himself with." Considering that, he looks to Katrin. "Perhaps you would like a demonstration? I can offer you a tattoo that is only temporary. Free of charge as well."
Katrin chuckles in Nix's direction, shaking her head. "Oh, Norran, Sahna and I all have a tumultuous past," she offers by way of explanation. "He is an arrogant jerk but also Eiru's current Sheriff." She huffs. "He will also one day be my brother-in-law by the looks of it, so I have to at least pretend to like him on most days." She smiles though, "I will consider it. I have never considered marking up my skin, in truth."
Apparantly it doesn't take Shuu very long to get through her meal, the bone picked quite clear in the short time since she'd come and lain down upon Katrin's feet. Silver eyes shift to look towards Sahna and Nix, her bark somehow managing to sound a bit offended at the pair of them.
Lyddmull Seamel makes his way to the bar, skirting the edge of the dance floor and narrowly avoiding a collision with a cavorting pair. He procures a mug of mead, then turns around to look the place over.
"I assure you, nothing that would be permanant. Here, let me offer you an example." Nix replies, flicking the latches on his briefcase. Of course, there's an expense looking electric tattooing gun inside, but there's also what looks to be a wooden stick in there too, with a bottle of dark ink. With all that is a series of picutres. "I had to print these off to give people examples of what henna tattooing is. It wears off aftera a few days to a few weeks, depending on your skin." he says to Katrin, laying out a few pictures for her to see.
Katrin squints as she eyes the images, frowning slightly. "It is most certainly something I will consider," she promises. Attention goes down to the fox. "Shuu, don't bark at our guests," she scolds gently. "Or else no one will want to feed you." Gaze swivels about tavern and she lifts a hand in greeting to Lyddmull.
Lyddmull Seamel catches sight of the wave, and nods a greeting towards her. As Nixkamich moves off, the Seamel heads in the direction of the tavern proprietor and the fox. "Good evening, my Lady," he says with a slight bow and a smile, "This is quite a gathering you have put together."
"Yes, I know it was rude of them to ignore your gift," Katrin agrees with the fox, "But as the hostesses of the party, we have to ignore our hurt feelings for the betterment of everyone else." She smiles at Lyddmull, looking around her. "Oh, this is just a little gathering that we threw together spur of the moment," she says cheerfully. "I have hopes of increasing our activity and customers by having /real/ parties."
"Still," Lyddmull says with a grin, "You have done a superb job. One might almost think they were ..." He chuckles quietly, then glances down at Shuu, an eyebrow quirking up. "So, does she belong to you?" he asks, indicating the fox, "I have been seeing this creature, or others like her, all over Eriu."
Shuu cranes her head forward to gobble up the meat that's been left on the floor whilst a few tails curl in against Katrin's legs. A wuffly huff is offered to Lyddmull.
Katrin chuckles, "Oh no, she's hardly mine," she replies. "She wandered in earlier and I've been feeding her. She's very pretty, don't you think?" She smiles and leans down to pet the fox-like creature.
"I would have to agree," the Seamel replies, tilting his head as he curiously examines the canine, "But I have certainly never seen anything like her before."
Shuu nuzzles up against Katrin as she's pet, that foxy style purr coming forth once more. Her tails thump lightly against the floor to express her pleasure at the compliments.
"Neither have I," Katrin admits. "She gave me a fright when she first wandered in." She chuckles a little, "But I find I enjoy her company around. She's quite smart."
"I have noticed," Lyddmull says grinning at this, "I have been wondering where that collar comes from, and if someone might be seeking her."
Katrin looks down at Shuu with a smile. "You feel it too?" she asks of the fox. "Yes, it is getting late. I suppose I should start seeing to closing up for the night and making sure everyone has what they need." She yawns slightly and smiles. "Next time, Lord Seamel, I shall have to catch you for a dance."
"'Twould be a pleasure, my lady," Lyddmull says dipping his head with a wide grin, "I shall leave you to your rest then. Have a pleasant evening. Both of you." He nods to Shuu before dropping a low bow and turning towards the door.