[ Krome ] A Little Party Never Killed Nobody

[Yndira]

He remained charming, even as he moved on to his next questions. Yndira, as she could with compliments, could appreciate this. But, his eagerness was clear. She crossed her legs, awaiting his next round of questioning with a smile. Doing so lifted the soft fabric enough to show slim ankles leading up to the hint of shapely legs. Hooking her fingers around her knees, she snorted at his next question.

Didn’t everyone like to be in control? Even then, it was just an illusion. No one, when with her, every truly had control. “Yes.” It was nice to be the director of an interaction, of a person. It was a powerful sensation that ranked high in her pleasures. Even now, one could say she exerted some control over this little “game”. She suggested it, had she not? And while his questions were headed in the right direction, they could be answered either way. It was a matter of her choice that would shape the way the game went, as per the rules.

Seduce was such a nuanced word. Men were indeed lured by the possibility of sexual gratification, but that not had not been the case for all that Yndira had come across. Hearing his question, she cocked her head to the side and regarded him from the corner of her eye. Not an unusual line of thought, but she suspected he might have worded that question differently with a little more whiskey in him. Rather than show any offense, she merely chuckled. “Yes.”

It would seem that he indeed had enough whiskey in him, or perhaps he was further emboldened by his success. Her eyes widened, lips formed an inquisitive, “Oh?” This was a first. It was decidedly not what she had thought he might ask. A spy; that sounded like a fun thing to be. But tasking and such was not in her interests. Recovering from the pleasant surprise, she shook her head with a grin. “No.” The word was melodious, sing-songy almost. And now it was her turn. His advantage lost, Xander was now at her mercy.

Yndira had spent a lot of time around people of a certain type, and while Xander did not fall completely in line with this, she figured she could peg his type well enough. “You don’t like these kinds of parties, do you?” It had to be evident with the way he’d barreled into her inside. He was either of a solitary nature, or he just couldn’t stand these things. She could follow in the same direction as he, and stick to one line of questioning spurred on by the previous inquiry. Or, she could jump from one aspect to the next with no clear relation and keep him guessing.

“You’ve wooed quite a few young ladies, haven’t you?” If he was this charming with her, surely he was the same with other women. It could very well just be the way he was naturally or something ingrained in him.

[Xander Andaris]

He had not had high hopes for that last question, he had not thought about it and had just shot it off with a lack of great consideration. Quite a foolish move for him, as now it appeared it was his turn to be questioned. He had no doubt she had figured out much from his earlier actions and probably a tremendous amount more from his questions. The questions a person ask reveal a lot about themselves. For example his thought that she might be a spy could be very revealing of his fearful side that someone had discovered his secrets.

Her first question was quite obvious, but he was still happy to see his partner in this game was not stupid. "Yes, that's correct, I do not." He smiled as he kept listening, the suns rays still blocked by the tree providing them with a semi cool area for the game. He just wished he had a lake nearby, swimming then in this weather would have been great. Not only would it have cooled him off but it would have been a great escape from the crowded party. It would also have given him chance to do some exercise, he needed to keep himself strong and fit when there may be war in his future.

The next question came quickly. This was he was not completely sure about, really it depended on her definition of wooing. If it was just flirting with women and showing interest in them then yes but anything further than that no. He was still a fresh young boy in the area of the bedroom and he even had little experience with kissing besides that from his childhood when it was nothing but pure curiosity and copying what the adults did. "Yes." He decided he would say so, it was the truth he supposed, he had spent time wooing women before but always for the sake of gathering information.

He had never approached a woman with the intent to love them, or bed them. No, Xander was much more interested in what they could offer him intelligence wise, gossiping women were often the softest target. Put a few drinks in them and offer them a compliment and they would spill their heart out. Of course Xander was not interested in their hearts, he was much more interested in what they had to tell about his enemies and allies. There were many Lords and Ladies out there who knowing the right rumour about could destroy them. Xander very much wanted that knowledge for himself.

[Yndira]

It had occurred to her that Xander might have something to hide. A little late, but not too much so that she couldn't form a question around the realization. She would hold off on it, wait a while longer before asking. It might turn out most interesting to see his reaction to the question. And so, she stored that tidbit away for later in the game.

His smile was expected; the first question had been an easy one. Yndira had wanted to seem somewhat observant, but not outright stupid. She thought again that she would be so much smarter if this were her native tongue they were speaking in. She watched as he contemplated the next answer for a moment, a brow raised as she reached for her drink. There was something in that delay that she would have to capitalize on. After taking a sip, she pursed her lips together in a short moment of thought, eyes narrowing for just a trill.

"You," she began, but stopped. The word she was looking for alluded her. Brows furrowed, she attempted to seek an alternative. Anything that would translate from Pailtic to Common would do, but as it was, she could not find it. A beat passed before she gave up on the question and started anew. "You like knowing things, information, people?" The only thing that made her statement sound like a question was the uncertain dip in her voice, echoed in her posture as she sat straighter for the time it took the last word to leave her lips.

Her next question was at her tongue, but she waited. There was a chance she could be wrong. He could merely have asked the questions prior to the game to facilitate conversation. He had, after all, turned into quite the charmer for the sake of this whole interaction.

[Xander Andaris]

She was good at this game, it appeared she had a strong mind and could trace the clues and hints with ease. He watched her eyes narrow and lips purse together as she appeared to be considering her next move. It was strange how he had gone from wanting little more than to get outside and be alone to enjoying the company of one of the many annoying party guests. It appeared he had been lucky to bump into her and not some random old noble or rich merchant's wife, he was sure they would have been much less good company.

He listened intently as she began to speak, one word leaving her lips before she suddenly stopped. It appeared she was thinking, Xander could almost see the mental cogs turning behind her eyes. He had not realised this to be her second language and there for he had no idea she was trying to think of a word. No, he just assumed she had started to speak prematurely and after the small break assumed she had managed to think what she wanted to ask. They had both started with her saying 'you' after all. He was not surprised she had picked up on his like to know things, to be well informed was to be in a position of power. Whole empires could be brought down by one piece of vital information.

"I do." He looked at her wondering where she would lead on from this, was she going to accuse him of being a spy now. Perhaps she would think him some kind of professor, someone interested in gathering and preserving all the information possible. Of course this was not even close to Xander's reasons for seeking knowledge and rumours. He may one day need them to bring his enemies to their knees. If you can cut off the head of a snake then its tail does not make much of an adversary.

His idea in that was that by discrediting those who appose him and having them fall from grace those below them will be all but hopeless. If you take away a leader from something with hundreds of ambitious secondaries you create a void that must be filled and in doing so the power structure and organisation of that group will fail. Ally will turn on ally and even armies intended to fight the decapitator will be without orders and may even end up returning to settle the war for power. When this happens a distant leader and group such as Xander and Krome would be able to go about its wishes unhindered.

Of course Xander would be willing to fight a long drawn out war too if this could not be achieved, he would fight until the bitter end to free Krome and its people. They had been through enough and had sacrificed enough for kings that were not their own. He waited for her follow up question curious how she would continue.

[Yndira]

Yndira was not at all inclined to think about war. While she had been fortunate to be brought in a place of wealth and continue that lifestyle, however means necessary, never once did she truly have to think of it. As such, she had no intentions of using any information she had towards power. Not yet, at least. But she did understand the relationship between power and knowledge. Her father had been knowledge and thus he had been wealthy. This power, though, had been fleeting.

Xander had asked if she was a spy, and that alone was telling. He was paranoid, or felt so in her presence. And there was only one reason someone would be so and suspect someone of a spy: if they had something to hide. It was basic reasoning, maybe just common sense. While he did not exhibit the traits of terrible liars and thieves, the question was enough of a tell as any. And so, she drew on it. Just as he had been emboldened by his nearly impeccable inquiry, so was she.

"There’s something you’re hiding--something big.” Not a question, really; an observation. Her tone might have formed it as such, but it had to be evident that the Naer had found what she was interested in. Her smile widened ever so slightly, an incremental turnup of her lips that would be missed if Xander looked away. Her words had been slow, almost confident. Her confidence, though, was sure enough for her to continue. "And it’s been something you’ve hidden for some time?”

[Xander Andaris]

It appeared the young woman had caught onto his secrets. The fact he was hiding something, he had known asking if she were a spy had been foolish. However, it was done now and all he could do was attempt to deflect and dodge any particular questions. The more specific they got the more dangerous this woman would become. It was down to him to now control the passage of information, the stream if knowledge. Especially as they were delving towards his deep secret, his dreams and aspirations that were punishable by death.

He looked at her and smiled charming as ever. ”Don't we all have secrets?” He looked at her smuggly, the rhetorical question was of course just to play with her. He was sure she had her own secrets he just hadn't the slightest clue what they were and she wasn't showing any kind of worry about it. If she was worried he would discover anything she did not show it. Like him she was in good control of her outward appearance, the cover of what was below. For all he knew she could have been some kind of murderer, powerful warrior or even a spy. There was of course the chance she was lying. Although he did not get that feeling when she spoke.

”But yes, I do.” He looked at her and sipped some more of his drink. The whisky was smooth and refreshing as it was still cool from the now melted chunks of ice. It was coming close for him to get back. If he remained out much longer his mother and father would throw a fit. He really felt more like socialising with the random rich than arguing with his parents. So it appeared it was time for their little game to come to an end. He finished his drink with one last quick swig and then stood.

He held out his hand to offer to kiss hers before he left. Of course he would also accept her taking it to leave into the house together or any other such action that might be taken by the lady. ”Regretfully I must be getting back to the party now.” His face really did express his lack of real interest in the party and his pain at having to get back to it. He would much rather continue his game and discussion with the most fascinating Yndira.

[Yndira]

What a simple evasion. Don’t we all have secrets? That was certainly true, but did everyone of secrets worth mentioning, really? Everyone might think they do. But some people’s secrets were insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Yndira, though, found that hers were not so mundane. It wasn’t often someone could just up and eat another person, walk out into the world, and disperse the news like some great revelation. No, they’d be executed on the spot. That was a secret worth knowing, and the Naer wanted to know what Xander’s was.

While the noble did answer the first question, he did not the last. Instead, he informed her that their time together was at an end. Rather than a smile, a pout settled over her lips. And they were just getting to the good part. A shame, really. The smile returned as he kissed her hand. As she had thought, coming out with Andrius had not been all bad. While she would have to see him again once inside, she had gone what must have been a whole break without seeing his face.

Xander’s lack of enthusiasm at having to return was heartening. As much as the time felt too perfect, she felt he might have answered him without a time constraint. Yndira followed as he lead them back inside, leaving with the usual parting pleasantries before searching for Andrius.

[Pegasus]

Yndira

Points!:

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/ 5
Structure: 5/ 5

Knowledge:

Detection: Noticing intensity when being asked a question
Etiquette: Parties
Etiquette: Being escorted by a noble lord
Intelligence: Gathering information from questions asked of you
Intelligence: Allowing others to feel in control can make them give answers.
Interrogation: Questioning techniques to gather "yes/no" answers
Investigation: Determining which questions are important by the persons' intensity when asking them.
Investigation: Putting together details from questions asked of you
Tactics: When to allow someone to win.
Tactics: Playing games and giving information for the greater picture,
Xander Krome: Bumped into you
Xander Krome: Lord of House Krome
Xander Krome: Appraised you physically
Xander Krome: Easy on the eye
Xander Krome: Vivid eyes
Xander Krome: Long legs, walks fast

Loot:

None

Fame:

+2 for being seen at a fancy party

Devotion:

None

Magic:

These points may NOT be used for arcana

Xander

Points!:

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/ 5
Structure: 5/ 5

Knowledge:

Appraisal: determining the worth of garments
Detection: Noise gives clues to how busy rooms are
Detection: Eyes and gait can tell a lot
Etiquette: Invite your guests to accompany you
Etiquette: It is bad form to ask women if they're prostitutes.
Intelligence: Parties are a good place to gather intelligence.
Interrogation: Questioning techniques to gather "yes/no" answers
Investigation: Determining if someone is single at a party
Investigation: Combining small details.
Seduction: Charm and wit are key
Seduction: Well timed compliments
Yndira: Short
Yndira: Shapely
Yndira: Easy on the eyes
Yndira: Travels for pleasure

Loot:

None

Fame:

+2 for being seen at a party

Devotion:

None

Magic:

These points may NOT be used for arcana

Overview:

Story Great story - I really enjoyed reading and reviewing this. I loved the interplay between the two pc's, lots there to work with - and the game was great!
Structure Xander - just a small detail ~ there were a few examples of mis-used words (bellow instead of below, too instead of to etc). Just be wary of that and make sure to proof read. Small detail, though, and didn't detract from the fun or enjoyment of the story.

Please do PM me if you think I've missed anything or you have any questions!