"I meant go out on a date! C'mon Imogene I'm not THAT vague!" He looked at the vine... no cutting it? Craaaaap... Jaibah was going to be pissed. It seemed like some weird riddle that Jaibah would be able to solve easily but it just confused Cijii and dang it! it was starting to climb up the sides!

"Ask it nicely...?" He looked back at the mage, she was smiling! ...why did this make him like her more? And now she was looking to shake hands, well.. he couldn't be rude to such a beauty... besides he was kinda dumbfounded right now. Without really thinking he just took her hand and shook it gently as was customary of a gentleman with a lovely woman.

"First of all... I said 12 gold, 2 bronze... which is what that shop keep was trying to charge you... which was actually high since if he knew what the book was worth it would not have just been out on the shelves to begin with. I also know that he was ready to rip you off for even more than that and since you said you have dealt with him before, can safely assume he has already done so. Now Imogene..." Cijii grinned as he winked and both Cijii and the vardo disappeared and reappeared behind the mage.

"You are underestimating me..." He called back, continuing on his way. It might have seemed like he had caused the teleportation when in fact he hadn't. It was one of the enchantments Jaibah had put on the vardo... one he was surely going to get in trouble for activating since the thing couldn't withstand doing that often and it was supposed to be a safety measure to avoid collisions.

"And if you aren't willing to go out with me I just think you are going to have to look elsewhere for your book... there were three of them... you sure the other two are long gone?" She sure was fun to tease... she really was bringing out the worst of him, in the best of ways.

Cijii chuckled. "12 gold, 2 bronze. What did I just say?" He kept pulling the vardo along. It wasn't as heavy as it looked, it was fairly heavily enchanted so that helped, though it wouldn't be easy for just anyone to pull. "You know I could call you by your name if you would just tell me... My name is Cijii, and yours is?"

She was cute... and seemed very interested in her work. He wondered what she was doing. Why she was interested in the same book Jaibah had been looking for for... shit. He had to give Jaibah the book. He'd almost forgotten.

Schemes? Awww! She really was quite cute! He turned to her and smiled brightly. "Are you hungry then? I... am trying to ask for your company... I am not expecting more than the mutual pleasure of conversation though, I assure you.. and you really need to learn Essyrni better... or make them talk to you in common, any shop keep worth their salt knows it, they play these games to swindle foreigners... he almost had you good too."

He moved to the vardo and... well he wasn't sure how to deal with Jaibah just yet. Instead of going inside he put the book in the small bag at his side and started to pull the vardo up the street. They had mounts that normally pulled it but they were stabled at the moment... they should have left the vardo parked there too but Jaibah was busy working on something again and so Cijii just pulled it along with them. Besides, Jaibah hated cities.

Cijii looked over to his tall beauty. "Well, are you coming lovely?"

Cijii thanked the shopkeeper and took the book in hand before giving the other items to the tall beauty. "Oh you were huh?" His smile was gentle and charismatic, not sly or cruel in the slightest. "Well... it's going to cost you. Let me buy you a drink? ...and maybe tell me your name." He said over his shoulder as he headed outside.

Meanwhile Jaibah had managed to get the creep away from the vardo before unlocking it with his key and heading inside, locking the door behind him again. He hoped Cijii would hurry up so they could leave before that creep came back. In Jaibah's experience with people it was a matter of when not if, besides they should really move the vardo before it got much darker.

Cijii stifled a small chuckle when the pretty thing responded with... that was just horrendous Essyrni, what was this lovely even trying to say? He looked at the book and few items the other had and moved them ever so slightly as he spoke to the shop keep.

"12 gold, 2 bronze right... Hmm." At first his intention was to help the lovely out but with all this rebuffing of good will... well there was a different way to play this. "6 silver for these..." He smiled at the shop keep pushing the other items to the retailer, "and I'll give you 15 gold to sell me the book instead." He said pushing the book forward with a smile.

"Can I buy you a drink?" Cijii blurted out as the other moved past him, but he didn't seem to miss a beat, keeping in step behind her. Nice view back here too. "I'd love to spend some time with another foreigner who is brave enough to venture into this dark and foreboding place. We can always discuss our purchases and finds if nothing else."

Jaibah finished purchasing his other supplies and shot a glance at the other patron... he still had the book. Well. Hopefully Cijii would not forget what he was supposed to be doing. Jaibah headed out onto the street to notice someone lurking around the vardo. Wonderful.

Cijii was hardly deterred by the claim that this lovely lady, with that soft luscious voice, claimed to be well. Nor that she was calling him out. His smile only widened, a genuine expression of happiness and amusement. "But your sigh belies you. I only wish to give aid. I seek little in return I assure you."

Jaibah had to refrain from scoffing. How could Cijii say things like that? How was he so obnoxiously good at speaking with others? Even when he bordered inappropriate he seemed to be sweet and smooth.

"I take offense at that, I may have foreign blood but I also have ancestors that hail from this great nation." The smile didn't waiver, nor did his lighthearted tone. "And come now, new foreigners arrive here daily, surely you can't know everyone."

The sigh was what made Jaibah's attention snap to the other patron. Those crystals... and- Jaibah's mouth formed a thin line when he saw the book that the other was holding. No. It had taken far to long for him to track down a copy of that tome that had not been destroyed already. Jaibah looked over at Cijii, who apparently already noticed the other.

Jaibah was obviously upset about... something... why were they even in here again? Cijii idly flicked a crystal across one of the tables and... wow. Now that certainly was enchanting. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. She was really pretty. How had this beauty escaped his sight till now? Oh of course, she was using the powerful camouflage that most referred to as 'a book'. Aaaand Jaibah was shooting him a look... for what? He hadn't even hit on her yet! Shouldn't Jaibah be looking for his dumb book anyway- ooooooooooohhhh.

Well. That could be taken care of. Cijii approached the tall slender thing, she seemed frustrated. Hmmm. "What ails you lovely? You sound troubled... might I be of service?" Cijii's smile widened.

Jaibah rolled his eyes and turned away from that display. There were a few other simple supplies that he could gather while Cijii finessed the other out of that book; and knowing him, out of those robes too.

It was about an hour till sunset and this was hopefully the correct shop. Jaibah didn't particularly want to entertain thoughts of trying to conduct business with these merchants after dark... after all these sorts of hole in the wall shops were far from the normal beaten paths of tourists but that only meant there was more risk of getting swindled, robbed, or worse. With Essyrni in their blood at least they didn't look the part of total foreigners but it was hardly the safest place for even law abiding citizens of the great city state itself.

A small glance told Cijii to stay outside with their vardo. An eyeroll responded with 'its fiiine'.

Jaibah sighed and headed into the shop, knowing Cijii was not going to accept staying outside despite the fact that they were only looking for a book.

Perhaps it was because Cijii seemed to attract a lot of positive attention in Essyrn. Cijii did look more Essyrni, both physically and in style. His long black and mahogany hair was thick and worn in a large braid that had a few smaller braids woven into it, and his eyes were dark brown. It didn't hurt that the younger male wore clothing more closely resembling the wrapped garments that were so popular here. Jaibah on the other hand took to wearing more ornamental robes and had a half updo for his long wavy blue-black hair. No matter they were not staying long. After they procured what Jaibah was looking for they would be off for a new destination, perhaps Serendipity. Or La'Marri.

Jaibah adjusted his crescent moon shaped glasses on the bridge of his nose and ran his finger across the spines on one of the shelves, ignoring whatever the merchant was saying in common. Cijii however answered the man back in Essyrni. That at least Jaibah was grateful for. He didn't like people to begin with but they were always exponentially worse when they thought they could take advantage of you. His fingers skipped along till he reached the empty spot where the tome rightfully should be. Damn. Where was it?

That last line was hard for Kiaal to swallow, though he knew Dimitri was just being polite. He let their glasses clink and took a good long swig of the brandy. "I don't know how he can rest well with his house unavenged." He muttered softly, tilting his tumbler in thought.

Officially it was an illness that struck down house Talii, but Kiaal could not believe that. It was too convenient. He believed demons or perhaps dark magiks to be responsible. He held strong to the conviction that Lucian and his family were murdered and he would rather be out there finding those responsible, as was his true duty as a member of the order of the moon, than sitting in Lucian's chair playing High Lord.

He never wanted to take Lucian's place, though some had whispered about he and his sister wiping out the Taliis to seize power, a ridiculous notion to any who truly knew the twins. Unfortunately the court did not know them well.

He took another sip and sat the glass down, forcing a small smile on to his lips. "Forgive me I am still in mourning. Taking on his duties has left little time to come to terms with the sudden loss of our cousin and his family. Did you know him well Lord Orlov? I am ashamed to say I had little dealings with the court myself before the tragedy. I do not know the politics of Moonspear as well as I might had I attended functions such as these prior. Or even currently as it were." He chuckled softly.

Siiraia sighed heavily. "We are serious Crow." Crow wasn't the most tactful knight they knew, but the Keist family had been part of the order of the moon almost as long as the Ethyarions. Crow was loyal. And there was only a small amount of people they could trust right now. Siiraia looked at her twin brother as if asking, are we sure we want to trust him?

Kiaal was sure. He needed someone to be actively investigating Lucian's death. He couldn't just take Lucian's role, not fully. Not until he knew for sure Lucian's killers were brought to justice. Not until his Lord's soul was at peace. "I need you to investigate a lead we found. It concerns the demise of house Talii."

"Thank you for your sympathy." Kiaal rummaged through some drawers in the elaborate mahogany desk- Lucian's old desk, and pulled out a flask. Kiaal and Siiraia hadn't changed a thing in the castle, they couldn't bring themselves to. Lucian was their family, their boss, their Lord. The loss of house Talii had hit the twins hard, but it hit Kiaal harder.

Lucian was the love of Kiaal's life, he idolized his cousin. Even though they never even shared a romantic touch between them Kiaal had been totally devoted to him. "Lucian always kept a flask of something good in his desk." he said setting the flask and two tumblers down. He opened the flask and took a whiff. "Smells like brandy." he said with a slight smile. It smelled like Lucian the last time Kiaal saw him.

He poured them each a double and screwed the cap back on the flask before pushing one of the glasses towards Dmitri. "To Lucian Talii, the greatest high Lord of our life time." he said raising his glass some.

Kiaal found himself chuckling at the others remarks, his annoyance melting away fairly easily. "We must be related. I couldn't stand to be out there celebrating with a woman I have no interest in."

It was no secret that his marriage was arranged. He had been promised to... What's her name since they were children, and if you asked her they were also madly in love. But he had never met the girl. The 'man' that woman knew was Siiraia in drag. Every instance of their 'meeting' had been his sister standing in for him.

Kiaal smiled at Dimitri and gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "Please, have a seat. Would you care to join me for a drink?"

Kiaal looked up from the letter when the door opened. He expected to see Siiraia, she was likely to come in stripping off his formal attire that she donned to save face at any moment and force him into it instead, sending him out into the party. Of course, then she would have to put up with being introduced to every eligible noble man when all she really wanted to do was spend time with Kiaal's fiance. Perhaps it wasn't so surprising his sister hadn't shown up yet...

What was very surprising was Dimitri Orlov standing there. Shit. He closed the portfolio he was going through, the emblem of the Order of the Moon etched into the leather of the cover, and sat up straight trying not to seem alarmed or annoyed that he'd been discovered.

"Perhaps you have since I am clearly here. What brings you so far from the main festivities cousin?" He couldn't remember just how they were related, they weren't particularly close with their relatives. Well other than Lucian...

He was certain Dimitri was his cousin in some matter though. "Did you find my party so dull you found it appropriate to wander?"

"Yes. I mean... That is to say... I think so?" she knew approximately how far she was from her tribe's camp, the general direction it was in... And that she wanted to put more distance between her and the camp. "The difference is I don't have a destination... So can't exactly be lost can I?" Or maybe she was more fundamentally lost than that. "...What about you?" Khava looked the strange man over and noted he also had a tail. He was really really cute! Why was this strange creature so cute?! And pink!

Arkyn stood up wincing and... What had he done?! He used his magic... He used it. He wasn't supposed to use it... He wasn't... "I... Are you alright??" he asked his would be consumer before realizing his nakedness, covering himself with his hands. Crap. He burned his clothes! And his favorite hat!

Demaraen chuckled and shook his head. He loved to see Arkyn use his magic. It just meant he was ripening. But the fact that this Damn kid gave a shit about a beast who wanted to eat him a minute ago was maddening. Damaeren took off his jacket and threw it to Arkyn. "What does it look like? He's obviously a mage." Damaeren scoffed at the beast.

Siiraia was pissed at him he was sure, but there was no way he was going to mingle with lords and ladies at some party when he could be doing better things. Truly it wasn't so much a matter of doing better things so much as not attending his own engagement party. He had never even bothered to meet his fiance. Truth be told he had no interest in her. His sister was furious about that too. Of course by now Siiraia was used to standing in as Kiaal in social situations, but she was always angry with him for it.

Right now Siiraia was socializing in his place, dressed as him so he could work. Well by work he meant read through Lucian's files. Lucian documented many things, his thoughts, impresssions on various people and places, as well as laws, old scripture and legend. It was all fascinating to Kiaal. Mostly because it was all that was left of Lucian.

He say hunched over his desk in his study, pouring over a letter he had found among Lucian's files on the Order of the Moon. A letter he had written to Lucian less than a year ago. And now all of house Talii was gone. Lucian's entire family was wiped out... And now Kiaal had to take his place as High Lord of Moonspear. A job he never wanted. But he could not abandon his province. Even if he failed to attend social functions.

Amal's fingers couldn't help but tighten around those pretty strands of hair for a moment as Knai sucked him deeply. So perfect.

Amal loosened his grip and returned to petting Knai's hair as he looked down at the beautiful boy sucking his cock and looking back up at him. Knai was here to serve him, in this moment right now, the little lord belonged to him. Gods his cock twitched in that sweet mouth at that realization, knowing Knai would do whatever he wanted.

"Knai...." he moaned like the name was an enchanted spell in the form of golden flecks in the breeze and the sweet scent of jasmine flowers. Yes that was what he was, he would cherish this moment for eternity.

He closed his eyes as he came inside the lordling's mouth without much by the way of warning. The sweet thoughts in his head made his cum sweet too; honeysuckles and jasmine.

Sureya pondered over that for a moment. What did he like to do? He wasn't good at anything. None of the arts good and suitable husbands should practice came to him easily, despite his older brothers and father's instruction. Suri kept trying to be better at them, to be useful, to be good... but what did he actually like doing?

Painting was alright... crafting and tinkering was mostly just frustrating, preening was a waste of time because nothing would ever make him pretty enough... but, oh!

Sureya pursed his lips as best he could and put his hands up like he was playing a flute, a soft whistle even came forth like a small chirp. He wasn't very good at it, but he liked to try and play his father's flute when he was smaller, they gave up trying to teach him figuring it was too hard for him to play since he couldn't even speak, but maybe now he could learn. Maybe he could teach himself.

Of course it was so impertinent of him to ask Lord Charik for a flute.