<Val> Using the end of his tail, he tapped her arm and grinned at her before she could stumble into him. He pointed to the stables and motioned for her to go first. He'd then follow her and once he felt like they had succeeded, he'd lead the way to the market. "Where to first, clothes, soap, books?" Pondered which would be the closest and decided he didn't mind if they went to the furthest one first, then the closest one last. "What sorts of books are you looking for?"
<Sal> She followed his movements. "Almost anything of interest that catches my eye." She smirked once they were out in the cool air and on the dingy streets. The clouds still keeping the sun away, "I usually had a few children's books, illustrative books. Just none on magic. I don't have any so I have no real interest in it. What about you? Do you enjoy reading?" She asked while following him. Since they were talking about books, perhaps the bookstore should be first. She looked around to see they were getting attention from those already outside. Wouldn't it be odd to see a naga slithering around here? Sal then blinked, swearing she saw a centaur, and then shook her head. Nope, this town was going to be unique.
<Val> Nods as he supposed that's how most people shopped. "I love to read when I get the chance, and I like fantasy, and magic, and all sorts of interesting things." As for the centaur, it could be passing through the town for all he knew. "Want to head to the bookstore first? Maybe go to the bakery last, so the pastries don't spoil." he suggested. "No interest in magic? Not even the magic of love when it happens?" Waved to those he knew and kept his scarf over his nose and mouth. They might find it odd, but he didn't mind!
<Sal> She smiled at his antics. "I agree, bakery last so nothing gets too cold!" She laughed at his magic line, " Oh.. oh my, 'the magic of love' ? That's a good one! Unless you are admitting right now that you read romance stories, too?" She gently brushed her hip against him, careful with his slithering rhythm so as not to throw him off, "Or are you asking me if I believe in love when it happens?" She watched him interact with the people around them and saw that her hair got attention around here, even with the bright colored red heads.
<Val> "Mmmm...well, if you fall in love, isn't that magical, in its own way?" Bumping hips, he chuckled and wondered how good of a dancer she was. "And yes, do you believe in love when it happens?" Wasn't thrown from his rhythm, it took more than that to throw him off his rhythm. "I've read a couple...just to see what all the fuss was about." Bakery would be last! "Do you think we ought to get about three or four dozen pastries for everyone else? I usually do every so often."
<Sal> Her lips pursed a little as she thought at his question, "I.. wouldn't know, Val. I guess I have seen it happen with other people, so I have to believe it exists. If you are talking about romantic love.. I've never had it." She waved a long fingered hand casually, as if dismissing something, "Oh I have had family and friendship affection for those who visit me and whom I had lived with, but ...romantic.." She shook her head softly, making the waves in her hair move. She hadn't brushed it, and she probably should have. But her brush was up in the Pack's room. "So, what did you think of some of those romance novels? I think they pander to nobles and the rich who which to live vicariously through characters in the most bizarre stories." She listened to his bakery suggestion, "If anything, buying that much is sure to get back into Lily's graces if she's mad at us... by the way of which are you doing okay? Not feeling too chill?" She couldn't ask about his mating season side effects, not out in the open. Sal also couldn't reach his forehead, either. They got to the bookstore and took a look around..
<Val> "Those romance novels are basically 'soft porn'." And that was his opinion of them. "Nor have I...a truly meaningful relationship where love was involved, that is." Thought her hair looked alright! "I know it will...and we can get a whole variety too." How long would it take for them to realize he had escaped?! Wasn't thinking about that just now. Let her go into the bookstore first and then followed, using his tail to hold the door while he managed to work his way in. "I've had relationships like that too..family and friends. Wondered what she was dismissing, he was curious now!
<Sal> It had become the habit for her hand to move that way. Usually patron or 'normal' people who never visit the house, would go 'Oh certainly you Must have fallen in love- You're in a whore house after all..' or the ' those other kinds of love can all lead to romantic love, if you let it'. But hearing Val say something about it, "Isn't it rather hard? Considering our profession, it is a catch-22. How can we balance the care of our patrons and yet care just as equally, if not more, take care of a meaningful love relationship that has nothing to do with our job?" It was something she asked Shahwa, who had shrugged to her about it and assured her it could happen.
<Lily> Meanwhile, she was taking care of things and started walking to the tub to check on Val and Sal. Seeing if they were getting along well or if they needed something...
<Val> Hopefully hadn't left a soapy/wet trail behind! "I suppose it couldn't be easy, but I would think people could learn to love one another and keep their love sacred for their partner, even in our profession." Found a book which looked interesting and began to check it out to see if he wanted it or not. "Sometimes, love just happens...you never know who you'll love." he said grinning. "Finding anything you like over there?" he asked, wondering if saw anything worth reading.
<Sal> She had ran her nails lightly against the binding, looking at the titles until one caught her eye, Pulling out a tan book and began thumbing through it, "I think this one.." She was flipping the pages gingerly. It's an old book., the drawings have an eastern influence." She looked at a picture and smiled at it before moving on. "Do you think you could? Be able to keep a love only for your partner and lover while working?" She grinned, "You're a hopeless romantic, did you know that?" It was that shy mysterious smile on her face as she told him that.
<Val> Watched her with the book and then back the one he had and moved to another. "I'm not sure, but I would be willing to try and .." Now thrown from his thought, he gasped, and then swooned quite elegantly. "Who me? Hopeless and romantic?" Raised his hands and looked at them. "I guess you caught me red-handed." he said, chuckling. He was actually hovering his snaky body as he swooned, barely swaying.
She laughed at his antics, "Silly man." She tried to reach for his hand, "Yes, I caught you red handed.. or at least warm palmed." Sal then resorted to playfully swatting him, "So, what book caught your eye? Can i see?"
<Val> "I'm silly am I?" Took her hand and then slowly righted himself. Picking up the book, he looked it over again and then handed it to her. "Seems its a fantasy novel about a barbarian." Brushed his bangs from his eyes and then made sure no one else would be tripping over his tail by coiling up as best he could to be out of the way.
<Sal> Since he had her hand, she could only look over, the illustrations were wonderful.. "This is.. amazing art work.. so detailed.." She then flipped a few pages and happened to have found a more interesting illustration with the barbarian nude, "Oh my, seems the artist was very..enamored with their muse." She heard someone trip over themselves to avoid the tail that was curling towards them, hitting some books. "Hm, think the story is worth reading?" If anything the illustrations were nice to look at.
<Val> Hearing someone tripping, he turned and his eyes widened as they knocked over some books. Cringed and then looked back to Sal, letting her take the book and look it over. "I thought so too, and I think it just might be worth reading. I think there was a whole series." he said pointing back to the shelf. "Have you found anything interesting yet? Besides me swooning?" he teased.
<Sal> Ignoring the man who was now putting books back, she showed him the book. It had interesting Eastern influenced drawings and seemed to have a story to go with it. "This one. It looks good, seems to deal with a woman and her travels." She smirked at him, "Maybe I should give you a reason to swoon." She said quietly so only he could hear before moving on, "Shall we get theses and move on?"
<LilY> Meanwhile, Lily had everyone looking for Sal and Val before finally confirming they had left. She sighed and began thinking up of a just punishment for those two while preparing for the customers once the outside was fixed.
<Val> "Sorry.." he called over to the fella putting away books. And then his ears picked up on something she said and his eyes widened. "You would? You really would?" When, he wondered. Was she teasing him or serious?! "Aye, let's buy these and head on...before I knock books off shelves." He had been close a couple times! As for a punishment he had no idea was coming, did he feel guilty at all? Maybe! "Were you able to bring any money?" he asked quietly. If not, he wouldn't mind paying for everything.
<Sal> She saw the man wave Val off in an 'it's okay' motion as he put the books away. Seemed he was a worker. "Well, I would.. or keep on trying till I succeeded." Sal replied back to his question. Sal then checked for pockets.. and then sighed, "My money was in the bag Lily took to the laundry. In the rush to head out, all I wore was this skirt of hers. It has no pockets."
<Val> "I'm sure she'll put it where it'll be safe and give it to you when we get back." What would she do to make him swoon? It could be anything! "Alright then, lets head to the counter and we'll pay for them." Let her go first and then had her put both books on the counter while he dug out the coins he's need to pay for them. Spotting some bookmarks, he grinned and picked one up which had a peacock on it. "What'cha think?"
<Sal> "I am sure she will. I have only a few coins left, since I made sure to carry only what I would need to get here. Sometimes I would get so nervous I would forget to buy food at the stops." She moved with both books to the counter and placed them down. The shopkeeper grinned watched Val pick up the bookmaker for Sal's opinion. "For the barbarian book? Hmm .. would work. You'd always be able to find it and it's very pretty." And it was blue, too. Because peacocks were either blues or whites.
<Val> Set the bookmark down as well and wondered if she'd find one she liked. "Do you see one you like?" Chuckled softly. "Seems I gravitate to blues...and calming hues. Oh hell..that rhymed." Smirked and shook his head. "I think some of the others will be amused, I do go all out with the costumes sometimes." he said grinning.
<Sal> She had found a watercolor one that had water lilies. This one was more blues and purples, with daubs of pink and white for the lilies. "How about this one?" She smiled, and hearing his rhyming, " ~Gravitate to blues, those calming hues~ as calm as the water, Flowing into the sea~ Under the mulberry tree, someone waits for me ! In subtle blues like the sea~" Sal had closed her eyes as she sang the simple song, clear and pretty. Opening her eyes, she sees the bookseller staring at her, making her shyly brush her hair back.
<Val> "Perfect. Lilies are gorgeous." Blinked, then smiled hearing her singing. "If you keep that up, I might swoon." he jested. Reached for his coins and pulled out what he needed to pay for the books and book markers and then laying it on the counter. "There, where should we go next? Clothes or the soap sellers?" he asked curiously. "There are quite a few clothing shops in town."
<Sal> "Well then, lets see what they have in the windows if they're so many of them. If something catches out eye, we can just go inside. But how many soap sellers are there in this town?" Sal asked as she picked up the books, putting a bookmark in each one, and carried them as they headed outside and down the street.
<Val> "I think there's a few...there's the rich part of town, the slums, the docks, everywhere in between." he said as he pointed off towards each part of town. "Wasn't it the same over in the East, each part of town having its own businesses and vendors?" he asked curiously.
Sal nodded, "Yes, but they could sometimes be left to chance. The two main market places are huge. The scent of spices, the rich fabrics, the jewelers, and carpet makers.. everything you could need and more. That was the place to go." She spoke animatedly of the market place as they looked at the display clothes.
<Val> "Two markets? Wow." Maybe he ought to see the east a time or three before he died. "It's the same here, the market is full of all sorts of things. Perhaps not as impressive as the eastern ones, but we have a pretty good trade around here. The caravans come through fairly regularly, and the trade routes bring all manner of things. Spotting the clothing, he grinned and wondered if she'd model some of the stuff she bought. "Looking for anything special, or just a bit of everything?" Knew she needed some things to last til her stuff came from Meg's.
<Sal> She frowned, tilting her head to look at him, "It's not that easy, Val." When did she start shortening his name? She didn't even do that with even her closest friends in the East House. "It's best that I choose clothes that go with both sides of me. It's sometimes not an easy order to do." and yet, she had gotten a glimpse of a light lavender dress with a gentle plunging neckline in the window with silver trims and briefly paused. However, she felt her hair wouldn't match the color. She looked back at her new friend, "But yes, two markets that took blocks of property with nooks and cranny stores against the larger ones. Only time will tell if this place can match it." Of course, it could never match the heat- gods the place was still chilly. She took his hand, if just to see if he was getting chilled, she told herself.
<Val> Was a little chilled, but he felt fine for the time being. The sky was still cloudy and he watched for any ray of sunshine he could spot. "I know you need clothes for both genders, darling, but if you need something specially made, we can arrange that, we just have to buy the material and figure out a pattern." he said grinning. "Ohhh, very nice. I love that color, is it your favorite one?" He thought it would look just great on her! "It brings out your eyes."
<Sal> Sal nodded, "Yes, it is. Although I'm not sure I would have enough bust to fill the top of that dress." She murmured quietly, glancing down at herself and then back up. "I think it would be best to just buy them and then alter when the situation rises. The fastest way to get my things here would be by boat but it will still take weeks to get here with good winds. A month or more if there are storms or rough seas. Meg had to look it up as an option to send me here. She decided the land path was longer, but safer." Sal looked at his hands, "You're getting cold, Val." Her gray eyes looking up at him worriedly, "Maybe we should choose a shop to get in an warm up."
<Val> "I think we have some folks who are wicked brilliant with a needle and thread. We'll get you everything you need, so why don't you pick out some things." he suggested. "Until then, we'll get you a nice little wardrobe. And she was right, the land path was safer, winter storms at sea must be a real drag." With his hands in hers all of a sudden and her worried looks, he frowned slightly. "I feel fine....mostly so." He was feeling chilled and he didn't want to end up frozen to the street!
<Sal> Looked at him.. and then at his tail.. before looking back, "Let's head inside then, before you freeze the tip of your tail off." She chose the shop that had the dress, "If you insist, I'll even try on something you selected." The shop was toasty warm against the chilly day.
<Val> "What?! Not my tail, I don't want to be...without part of myself." Grinned and held the door for her, then slithered in after her. "Go on, try it on. I think it's a lovely dress, would be nice for dancing in or going out to the theater or something perhaps. He'd have to find something for her to wear, so he started browsing around to see what he could find.
<Sal> She tilted her head as he carefully slithered past to look at whatever clothes they had available. There were still some sweaters, dresses, tunics, shirts, pants and whatnot. Sal walked over to the seamstress, "E-excuse me.. I'd like to try on the dress in the window?" It took awhile, and soon the seamstress had Sal and the dress behind a changing curtain away from the main floor.
<Val> Having done his best to guess her size, he roamed around the store and picked out a few things for her to try on. Nothing super slinky, but there were a couple off the shoulder blouses in the mix. He hadn't picked out stuff in bright orange and yellow, so he felt she ought to maybe like something in the few items. He'd let her pick out her own undergarments though!
<Sal> "Um...Valarian?" She called softly as she stepped out from behind the changing curtain. The soft swishing of fabric on floor as she looked at him with shy gray eyes. She had been right, her bust-line wasn't filling enough for the dress as it was, but the way it was cut made her angular, androgynous features soften. Her pale red hair was a contrast to the lavender, but not the silver trim. "How..?" How did it look?
<Val> Had picked out a couple more outfits and when she called him, he turned. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped a bit. He could swoon happily! "Wow....that does look splendid on you. With the alterations, you would have everyone elses jaws hitting the floor too." It made him wonder what Sal would look like dressed as a guy! Would she be handsome in a tux?!
<Sal> Sal caught the seamstress' eager eye for a sale and noted that the alterations could be done here for a small fee. Sal looked at Val, "Um.. should we get it?" He will find out in a few weeks, then again she was going to have to ask a favor if she couldn't find her needs come changing time. "Is there anything else you want me try?" She smiled as he had complimented her. She needed some clothes, so maybe this was a necessary expense.
<Val> Nods as he moved closer and had her turn around slowly. "I think so, do you like it?" Held up the rest of things he had in his hands. "Look through these, see if there's anything you like. And don't worry, we can have them altered. You do need to find some undergarments, don't you?" he asked very quietly. Yes, it was a necessary expense, she couldn't wander around town nude!
<Sal> She turned slowly, the dress showed her slender back , it was well muscled, but not over done. And completed the turn, "I do like it, and from the look you gave, it should do for whatever I need ." She then gathered some clothes he had gathered, "Do you want me to come out to see what I have selected?" She then went around back, the seamstress coming out with the dress to fold and prepare onto a sale. She actually tried on a lot of the clothes he selected. Certain yellows and such didn't feel as if they looked right, but she tried them on anyway. "I'll get underclothes once we are done here.." She then gave a come here motioning with her index finger, "If you hadn't noticed... I'm not wearing any." And it was true. All she had on was the skirt and shirt, she had not been wearing underwear when she slept... and she wasn't wearinh any now.
<Val> "Of course, I would love to see. Pick what suits you, what you love." he suggested. Had done a pretty good job, and whatever she didn't want he'd put back what remained. Signaled to draw closer, he did and then his eyes widened. "I had noticed..and wouldn't it be a good idea to have a few pair for when you need them? Such as during your 'cycle' part of the month." Was making sure no one else heard that!
<Sal> She blushed at him mentioning of her cycle, probably because it was him mentioning it. "That will be for last." She replied before trying on clothes. She often showed him some off them, but at the end, she selected 4 more outfits in various blues and yellows before looking at underwear. "Feeling warmer, Val?" They had spent hours here.
<Val> "I feel pretty good, and I think we've bought the whole store." he teased. "Think you have everything?" he asked while helping put stuff on the counter. "Oh, what about a hair brush and hair things? Did you get those?" Looked through everything and thought she picked one out.
<Sal> She secretly selected some underwear and had the owner pack them in with the other items. "My brush and other hygiene stuff are in my bag back at the House." She smiled at him, hearing the tell tale long rumbling of a Naga's hungry stomach, "Want to skip the soap shop and just go straight for the bakery?"
<Lily> Meanwhile, Lily gets a message from Set. She breathed a sigh of relief that they found not just shelter, but Mysterio as well- who was wooing a filly of the Deepsingers. They hope be home by nightfall should the weather still good. Nev and Trys joined them in the afternoon and so at The Deepsinger's insistence, they would stay for dinner. "Hmm probably to talk about that filly, if that stallion gets his wicked way with her." Now... all she had to hope for was that sneaky Naga to come back home before Set does. Knowing he ran off while still sick...Set might ban Val from the dungeon for a week!
<Val> "Awwww, drats.." he murmured to himself as he didn't get to see her undies! Maybe he'd have to sneak a peek later, but then he might be slapped. He was stuck in a no win gamble there! Blinked as his stomach made itself known. "Err....that might be a good idea. Before my stomach curls in on itself." he said grinning. <Set> Since Bansca and Amaika were so insistent, he and the others stayed for dinner and even helped to clean up afterwards. Mysterio had his horsey heart set on that filly, Fleur. Would the wily horny horse have his way with her? <Val> Banned from the dungeon...that was sooo cruel!
<Sal> She giggled as she saw him tilt his head to get a peek at her new underwear... maybe she would tease him with a peek, if just to catch his reaction. Sal wondered what his actual preference leaned towards. Sure as part of the House some people can play to both men and women but there were some who leaned further to one side than the other. Hmm.... she wondered what he would think if she wore the more filly ones in her male form. Would it give him a rise?... And why was she thinking that? Sal watched as the shopkeeper boxed their items and tied them with string while Val paid for it. She would have to pay him back for this eventually. As they walked outside, the air felt a little warmer, but the atmosphere was cool. "So what bakery, shall we head to?" She asked softly, holding now the boxes and her books in her arms.
<Lily> She smiled, hoping they enjoyed dinner, and set about making the menus for both the House and their patrons.. she had an idea to feed Val and Sal chicken curry, just to make sure the naga's cold didn't slide back.
<**> Mysterio was working on Ita's lovely filly as best he could, but he did have an irritated audience. There was something lovely about Fleur and he could scent she was close to estrus. He wanted the barrier between them gone so he could do more than just nuzzle and tease her head! He wanted to see how pretty fey-half foals would look from the lovely girl!
<Bansca> After some chatting with Seterios, he knew he couldn't really stand in the way of Mother Nature, cause she had a way of literally ass-fucking you if you tried. "Alright, how about this. I'll take the lovebird horses out to a meadow and let them have some time to themselves. And I'll bring your beloved horse back to the manor in a couple days?" he suggested. "This way, Mysterio can maybe give us a pretty filly or colt. He seems to have his heart set on Fleur, and I think Ita will be thrilled to have a baby horse and see her Fleur be a mama."
<Val> Curry was spicy..his throat was going to be on FIRE! "I think there's a bakery down around the corner, and they have some divine pastries of all sorts." As for seeing Sal in lacy undies in her male form, he supposed he'd have to see that! He wondered how she would be in the dungeon in either form, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable before she was ready to go down there.
<**> Once Set explains to Mysterio he was going to stay with the Deepsingers for awhile, he was positively giddy! A few days alone with Fleur, and that filly was playing hard to get...or she was really innocent. Mysterio wondered if this was her first estrus... he would have to be gentle with her if it was. <Sal> "Well then, les get a snack... and you'll be in charge of carrying the bakery gifts for the house.. These boxes are heavy..." She walked with him and followed the scent of baked good. As she looked around her boxes, she saw all the delights on display, "Which ones should we pick? Do you want to grab something to drink to and we can sit outside?" It looked like the sun was peeking through, just in time for sunset.
<Val> Reached for the boxes and set them on the counter. "Have these delivered to the manor, by evening please." Having taken care of that, he grinned at Sal. "We can go now...and I think I heard your belly too." Lightly poked her and then headed for the door to open and hold it for her. Once she was out, he slithered on out as well and then without warning, he scooped her up and put her on his tail. "Hold on, there's a good deal of mud to by pass." She could put her hands on his shoulders and it was sorta like riding a segway. Took off to the left and made his way around the puddle of mud until it was mostly clear and then let her off if she wished to hop off. Pointed off towards the bakery. "Something smells delicious."
<Mysterio> He was so happy he tossed his head, snorted, and kicked up his legs! {I'll be good, I swear! And if she ends up with a foal or filly, I'll be happy papa, I swear! You'll be a grandpa!} Ohhh...he was thrilled at that thought! {Grandpa....papie...er...what will the lil one call you, huh?} he wondered.
<Sal> She giggled, covering her stomach by reflex after he poked her, "Well, can you blame me? Shopping is hungry work!" As she was out, she gave a delighted yelp as he scooped her up and placed her on his tail. A naga-back ride? Fun! She moved so she was astride his tail, her arms wrapped around his shoulders as he moved through the mud. "How sweet of you, Val." she said close to his ear. As they got to the bakery, she moved off carefully so as not to pinch a scale. "Something does... hope they have enough for us to take back to the House."
<Val> Laughed as he watched her trying to cover her stomach and then was amazed she took such care so as not to pinch a scale when she hopped off. He slithered through some snow to get the mud off of himself and then made his way up into the bakery to see what smelled so wonderful. "Me, sweet? I try to be." he murmured softly. "Don't tell anyone." he whispered, like it was a secret. "Morning, gorgeous, what do you have cooking this morning?"
The woman smiled back at Val, looking more at the naga's face than the fact his lower half was a snake. "Well hello there. We have mini tortes, shortcakes, sweet rolls, savory rolls with meat inside, our regular breads... and petite fours."
<Sal> Well, of course she would take care when she hopped off, it was only common decency. "Don't worry, you're secret is safe with me." She walked in with Val and she guessed by her placement she concealed the snake half from view. She looked at what they had and everything smelled wonderful. But she was hungry too and one of the meat filled buns sounded so good right now..
<Val> Everything smelled heavenly! Maybe the woman didn't like snakes, he couldn't blame her, he was used to such looks. "Those meat rolls smell wonderful....everything does." he said with a smile, careful of not flashing his fangs. "What do you think you'd like to try?"
<Sal> She looked at them all, was tempted to say All of them but refrained. "Hmm that savory bun labeled venison and a strawberry chocolate petite fours sounds good." She commented.
<*> The counter woman smiled and got the ones, Sal pointed out, "Excellent choices, m dear. And you sir?" She asked Val with a sweet smile.
<Val> Thought for a few moments and then picked up some petite fours and a couple of the meat rolls. "Can you have a large array of desserts brought over to Seterios' manor? Say...three or four dozen? We know its short notice, but...I've kinda been an ass and I'm up to my scales in guilt, so if you could write a simple 'I'm sorry' on these desserts...it might not get me in a mountain's worth of trouble." he said quietly.
<*> Her eyes opened wide at the request, "Ummm... let me check.." She went behind the counter, a brief discussion that seemed intense., before coming out. "The head says he can do it, but they will be sent in two waves. Will that be acceptable?" She asked politely.
<Sal> She looked around and saw they had a tea in jugs to drink as well, so along with their own goodies, she pointed it out, "Shall we get something to drink, Val?"
<Val> Turned his attention to where she was pointing and he grinned. "Oh yeah, tea would be wonderful! What do you think...two jugs? And then we'll have a couple big pitchers of something made up, maybe one tea, and one lemonade, or punch?" he suggested. Smiled at the lady behind the counter. "Perfect! What do I owe?" he asked, curious and trying to not worry it'd cost him an arm, part of his tail, and an eye!
<*> Considering his request, it was an exorbitant amount of money.
<Sal> She took two of the jug and brought them to the counter, "Allow me.." And she began to haggle the price. She knew inflation when she saw it. Soon the baker stepped out because the counter girl was getting flustered. Sal turned out to be a vicious bargainer and soon had them down to 15% of the original cost before the baker went to the back to finish up the order. Sal gave Val a sweet smile, "And there it is? Do you have the amount?"
<*> The poor counter girl had a dazed look after that, as if she had never seen haggling like that before. She looked at Val expectantly. "You're girlfriend is really good. I've never seen Barry so worked up before..."
<Val> Even he was surprised as she took over the haggling just as he was about to get started. Raking a hand through his hair, he was relieved the price was whittled down so much. "Aye, I have it." Started to reach for his coin pouch when he looked to the girl behind the counter and became suddenly a bit red around the scales. "She's not my girl friend. I mean...she's a girl and a friend, but not my girlfriend or mate or anything." he said, rubbing the back of his neck as he felt like his tail was in his mouth suddenly!
<*> The woman blinked a bit at his sudden shyness and then smiled as she took the money while watching his reaction. "Oh, that right. You said Seterios.... that's one of the Houses, isn't ?" As if that explained it. She wrote a receipt and handed him back his change. "It will take a few hours. More than likely we will have the first wave sent in two hours and the next set, two hours after. Cakes need cooling after all." She then boxed up their own meals with a string and handed it to Val. "You both have a good day now! Thank you for your business!"
<Sal> She covered her mouth, trying to hide her giggles, but it was difficult with two bottles in her hand. He looked so cute when his colors deepened in a blush. She waited for him to grab the box so they could find a place to settle down and eat.
<Val> Soon as he had the packages, he bit his lower lip, shot a glance over to Sal, and then headed for the door holding it open for her. "Your welcome, and thank you. We'll see you later." Had taken his change and secured his pouch before heading to the door, his arms full. Once Sal went past him, he slithered on out as well and shut the door behind them, still trying to make his scales return to their normal color! "I...wasn't expecting that..honest I wasn't!" he finally managed.
<Sal> She uncovered her mouth, looking up at him... and then heaving a dramatic sigh.. "First declared a charmer... now your girlfriend *Dramatic sigh which has her tilting her head back* ...I am ruined!" Salacious was hamming it up. And then once it passed looked up at him. "What were you expecting, Val? I'm sure you go there often enough with other's don't you?" She gently nudged him, "Besides.. your blushing is adorable.. all the way to your scales. I've never seen a full body naga blush before." Her tone was lightly teasing him with that mysterious friendly smile. "C'mon, lets find a place to eat and drink before we fade away. Know you any?"
<Val> Eyes widened and then since his arms were full, he tilted his head at her dramatics. "Well yeah...I do...and as soon as I bring in a new girl, or guy.., they think I've got a mate..or girlfriend. What am I to do?" It seems everyone wanted him to have someone! "N-never?" Nudged, he grunted and then just blinked at being called adorable. "I'm what..?" Thought a moment and motioned off to the park. "There's a park that way..and the beach..that way."
<Sal> Sal smiled, "Maybe they just want you to be happy? Or maybe curious who you type actually is. And no, I have never seen it. It would take a lot to make Shahwa blush. She's the only other naga I know." Sal hopped onto a log so she could get face to face with him, "A-Dor-a-ble." And impulsively kissed his nose before hopping down and resuming the walk. She hummed in thought about the location, "Well, I would think the beach too cold, since it rained and the weather is a bit crummy. You don't need that against your scales. Let's check out the park."
<Val> Wet his lips and then slowly nodded. "I'm sure they do....but no one wants that more than me." he murmured quietly. "Usually it does take a bit for me to blush too, but that was just so unexpected..I wasn't at all ready for it." Wondered what she was doing hopping on a log and gasped when she kissed his nose! Stared after her and then chuckled. "If you think so." Nods as she picked the park and slithered on to catch up with her so she didn't get lost. "Hopefully it isn't all muddy."
<Sal> She listened to him, enjoying his reactions. She wondered how he would react to her male form... she wondered if she would react any differently to him. She hoped not. "Hopefully we can find a non-muddy, nice spot." And so she walked by his side as they made their way from the bakery to the park. "Seems like the trees and grass here are well fed... looks like only a few branches fell from the storm last night. Let's find a nice spot.." There were a few of them. One under a tree that had an open space of sunlight creeping in, one place that was slightly muddy but had a a few boulders, and one bench under a tree with the view of the street.
<Val> Sunlight, he spotted a ray of the scale warming rays and he gravitated towards it like a bee to a flower! "Here, right here, before it vanishes behind a cloud!" Felt as if he was racing the clouds, which he kept an eye on as he made a beeline for sunbeam! Would he get there to soak up any warmth?!
<Sal> She watched as the sun light stayed there and Val made a bee line for it. Sal felt a bit of pity for his desperate need for sun, smiling when he finally reached the spot. The clouds were scattered, and a few looked gray like Sal's eyes, but they shouldn't dally too long to hinder the sunlight. Once he got himself in a good position, she joined him. "Comfortable?" She asked gently with her gray eyes sparking in the light.
<Val> Almost squealed out of sheer joy as he felt the sun warming his scales almost instantly. Loosely coiled his snaky half up and the nodded as set their meal down. "Oh yes, this feels exquisite. It feels like months since I've felt its warmth." It's only been a few days, but it felt so much longer. "Your eyes are sparkling."
<Sal> She was laughing now at his joy as he curled to fit the patch so all his scales could warm up. She placed the jugs of tea down and sat next to him, "Oh? Are they? They tend to do that in sunlight." Her stomach was demanding food, "Pass me the meat bun, please. I'm soooo hungry."
<Val> Pried off the top of one jug and then handed her the pastries. "Here you are, and yes, they are, like gems." he said softly. Picked up the open jug and took a swig of the tea and then sighed, relieved to be rid of his cotton mouth! "Soo...where will you keep all your new clothes and things once we get back?"
<Sal> "I am not sure. I will have to ask Seterios, since as far as I know I am staying in the Pack's bedroom. I don't know where I'll be once he thinks I'll be a okay." She took a sip and sighed in satisfaction before take a bite of her savory meat bun. It was bready at first, but after the second bite, gravy, meat and spices hit her tongue making her moan happily.
<Val> Nods as he listens to her and reached for one of the pastries, one of the meat pies. "I think once we make sure you haven't been followed or won't be bothered by anyone, Set might let you pick your own room. Course he also wouldn't care where you sleep, so long as you felt safe with whoever you stayed with." Passed her the opened tea jug for when she wanted a drink, unless she wanted the other one all to herself.
<Sal> She took the bottle and drank; it helped the food go down easier. And smiled at him, "I hope not. But then again. It depends if professionals were hired." She sighed looking up at the sky, "Only few more days..." And then looked to him, "I'm glad there's such flexibility, here. Usually the newcomers are paired with others to share a room awhile until they make friends or become accustomed to the House and its rules." She passed the jug back to him for his turn.
<Val> Nods as he took the jug and then ate a couple bites of his meat pie. "These are really good..I just hope the others are surprised with our surprise." Rules...oy...sometimes those things had to be bent, broken even! "Well, you have one friend now...and should make more easily enough." Arched a brow. "A few days..til you change?"
<Sal> "Yeah, they are. Which one did you pick out?" She asked. "I think they will. At least they know your cheery enough to send food back..." She put her bun down and nodded, "Yeah, a few days and I change. I tend to try and find a quiet place so I'm not disturbed during the change."
<Val> "I got a steak one and a venison one, this is the steak." Thought a moment. "My room is fairly quiet..when I don't have a client or when I'm down in the dungeons with a client. Or not there, like now." He knew Lily was going to be pissed at him, he just didn't want to think about it right now.
<Lily> Was soo pissed as the day wore on... she was thinking of banning Val from the dungeon for a week herself instead of waiting for Settie to put on judgment about the Naga's demeanor. He had Sal with him, and she should be inside till they knew no one was chasing her! As she looked into the mirror, she tried to subdue herself. They would be opening up soon. The outside and inside of the House was cleaned and fixed up, ready for patrons to come in and have a good time.
<Sal> "Since there is no guarantee of it, especially since you seem to be better in both ways now, you needn't worry. I'll try to find a spot before then." Sal then bit into her bun, "This one is venison. Not bad." She said around the food in her mouth.
Wed Jan 10, 2018 12:15 am