Siren's Song [Closed]

[Hal]

Tani withdrew from that near embrace, reaching out for her drink and the shooter beside it.  Blasphemy, really, but sometimes fun made that a requirement. 

 

"Whyever would I tell you, madam?"

 

She leaned forward, onto the bar, both hands wrapped around the mug and its scented heat -- much stronger than the perfume.  Tani buried herself in it, thinking of flowers.

[Moonlit_Demon]

The elezen would elegantly take a sip of her ale. She would watch Tani from the corner of her eyes. "Mm.. I wonder, what happens next in that delightfully devious mind of yours..? Surely you did not merely ask me here for a drink." 

 

She'd tilt her head, "Your sly smile gives you away."

[Hal]

"Perhaps you must need get your eyes checked."  Tani's voice roughened around the edges -- a likely byproduct of her drink.  She chased it with the shooter, savoring it with drooping eyelids and rocking back on her stool, torso stretching as her head tipped back.

 

"You maintain your reputation, Master Aylwin" she said, turning the small glass over and sliding it towards the bartender, who acknowledged her without speaking.

 

Rumor was he'd lost his tongue, though Tani was fairly sure it was untrue.

 

She turned her attention back to her drinking companion.  "Or...perhaps you merely speak of things you hope to be true, mm?"

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle laughed light-heartedly. "Tis rare one would invite a minstrel someplace for merely a drink. Forgive my assumptions."

 

She'd smile at Tani and take another sip of her spiced ale. Ul'dah always had it right.. Far too many disappointments in Limsa.

 

The minstrel would hum a soft tune to herself, merely enjoying the quiet moments... for however long they lasted.

[Hal]

Not long, as it turned out.

 

"Oh?  Shall I demand a song in repayment for your drink?" Her tone was playful, but Tani watched Isabelle sidelong, never quite looking at the other woman straight.  There was a certain gravity in her eyes; a consideration in the way her eyes slid over that silken-clad body, that veiled face. 

 

Or not.  Aylwin brought her another chaser, as her fingers climbed up and down her mug: demonstrative, to say the least.

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle smiled and finished off the rest of her ale, "Is there a particular one that you'd like to hear?"

 

She would eye Tani, appraising her once more. She seemed a lovely maiden.. if not a bit gruff. The contrast made her stifle a small giggle. Thoughts drifted towards the contrast of on-duty Tani to off-duty Tani. The elezen was Quite amused..

[Hal]

Tani tilted her chin towards the old Keeper in the back of the room, sawing away at her stringed instrument.  "Not at the moment," she demurred.  "Shall I claim my prize at another time?"

 

She was, of course, perfectly polite.  Perfectly.

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle simply couldn't resist and responded in kind, "You may claim your prize whenever you'd like. Simply send me letter by delivery moogle if you can't find me." 

 

She would turn her attention to Tani. "I am curious.. has something come up? Your mood seems to have changed."

 

Does she know? Nonsense.. No one knows me outside of my armor..

Is it my voice? Hardly.. My helm muffles most anything I say or do. Besides.. I let my accent revert itself.

 

 

Am I being paranoid? Yes.. most definitely. None's the wiser..

[Hal]

"Because you know me so well?"  This time, Tani turned to look at her full on, one eyebrow arching up.  She pulled her tea into her lap, fingers yet roving over the surface of the mug.  "I think you've expectations of where this encounter will lead, madam.  Shall I be scandalized?"   Her voice was fair impish.

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle glanced at Tani. Her expression hadn't changed much, nor did her demeanor. Quietly, the elezen continued to strum without so much a change. She refused to let Tani get under her skin.

 

"I couldn't say much as I have barely just met you, my dear." She smiled politely, "I've been at this for quite some time, forgive me if I've come to realize that most of Ul'dah wish more than sweet songs and lovely lullaby's, especially when a drink is offered and I am taken to a remote and well hidden establishment."

 

Isabelle would chuckle softly, "I am here to entertain you. This has been my one and only True expectation. The manner is always up to those keeping my company."

 

She would smile at Tani, sweet and sincere. No.. she wouldn't let Tani's words get to her. Perhaps as 'Isabelle' but never as 'Minalla'.

[Hal]

"Could it not be said that you play to the expectations you expect to receive?"  Tani's eyes lingered over the elezen's exposed skin.  "People follow the script they've bought into, no matter where they are.  No?"

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle just continued to smile and strum her harp. "This is all dependant on what one would assume my expectations are."

 

She glanced at Tani and wryly grinned, "Would you say that such a thing is assuming that you.. know Me..? What if my expectations is not to expect more than a generally logical reaction towards one of my chosen profession?"

 

Isabelle would order them both another round of whatever they were having. The elezen would indulge in the warm brew and sigh softly with enjoyment.

 

"Is a prostitute not also allotted a customer or two who merely wishes an ear to hear their woes?"

[Hal]

"We've both had our share of innuendo.  My inkling as to your intentions is based off the things you've implied.  Persistence..."  She interrupted the other, pausing only at her last comment.  She clarified: "what is your profession?"

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle strummed her harp once more, "Tis not clear..? I am a minstrel. A traveller of lands as well." She smiled at Tani. "Yourself..?"

[Hal]

"Assumptions..." Tani shrugged her left shoulder, her smile crooked and sharp.  "I am a bookkeeper, who dabbles in trade laws.  As well, a practiced scoundrel in idle conversations."  She lifted her mug to the other: an indulgent salute.  "Tani."

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle would raise her cup of warm spiced ale towards Tani in polite response.

 

"Minalla."

[Hal]

Tani clinked her mug off of Minalla's, and drained it.  She followed it with the chaser, pushing both towards the other side of the bar.

 

"Tell me, Minalla, what do you know of dancing?"

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle tilted her head, "Dancing..? I know it's beautiful to watch and quite a skill to have acquired."

 

She mused and smiled a wry grin, "What do You know of dancing, Tani?"

[Hal]

Tani smiled, her expression cryptic, and gestured to the clothing that adorned Minalla.  "Did you pick that out for yourself -- have it made for you, I mean?"

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle nodded, "More or less. I fancy the design. I had it tailored to my form. Most others simply buy what size generally fits and often, tis on the floor more than one's body." She mused, "Not so for myself. I picked the color of the dye, the embroideries, the fabric itself. My garments even have my name etched in thread as proof of purchase."

[Hal]

That crooked smile did then grow sly, as Tani mused, "one could have one's name embroidered after purchase... may I?"  She pointed to the cloth that made up Minalla's sleeve.

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle's clothes had no sleeves but the cloth covering her arms was actually a shawl. She would offer the shawl for inspection, assuming Tani meant her garb as per the subject.

[Hal]

Tani's eyes widened slightly as she made note of the lack of connection between shawl and garment, followed by an appraising furrow to her brows. "You pay attention," she said, approval in her tone as she rubbed the cloth between her fingers.  "Or you use the right people who pay attention for you."  Her teeth glinted in a brief and brazen grin, before she turned away to signal the 'tender for another round.

[Moonlit_Demon]

Isabelle mused, "A woman must make her living somehow, mm?" 

 

She smiled at Tani, taking the compliment when it came. She finished her glass of spiced ale before the third round came.

 

"I prefer the company of people with quick wit. Keeps me sharp. A sharp mind is a perishable skill, as most things." 

 

The elezen would go as far as to remove her shawl proper, offering the fine silken garb to Tani for inspection. It wasn't the absolute best silk in Ul'dah but it was perhaps, second or third grade. The embroideries were beautifully hand woven of the same type grade of the shawl's fabric. Indeed, there in a corner, ~Minala~.

[Hal]

Tani wouldn't have expected a woman garbed in the best cloth one could buy would be willing to traipse through Ul'dah with her.  Minala's clothing was fine, while still being practical for the purpose of a traveling minstrel; it spoke much about her, without her needing to say a word.  Once Tani had her fill of exploring the cloth with her fingers, she offered it back with brief thanks.

 

"For your trade, or for your pleasure?"  The words came late, after the drinks had been accepted and tested.  Tani had turned around on her stool, resting her back against the bar, watching the old musician in the back of the room, nearly hidden by the lighting.