((Thursday April 3, 2008 Very Late Night Hours - Adapted from RoomPlay))

It was several hours later when a restless Izira made her way from the inn. She had been half tempted to find her way towards Alain?s place, but made her way to the Red Dragon instead. It was her hope that Eva would be there as Izira wanted to be around someone for a while. Even for it being so late, Izira was dressed in style. A soft grey dress with short capped sleeves, it was cinched by a thin black belt at her waist and sported a line of tiny black buttons down the center of the torso. Black heels, a full length black trench and a grey umbrella finished the outfit. Light rains falling about Forgotten Layers Inn, Izira suspected the weather in RhyDin would be much the same.

Upon entering the inn, she shed her coat and set her umbrella aside. Spotting Eva at the bar as she was talking to a tender?who gave Izira an up nod as she entered, Izira was faintly sure she heard her friend accusing the tender for not being the man Tucker. Curious and thirsty for conversation and liquor to distract her from a wandering mind, Izira returned the tender?s nod and made for the bar. A have lifted to wave towards Eva at the bar and Rena who was tucked away in a booth.

?Tucker was in here earlier.? She caught the man saying. So Eva had been asking after her man. ?I?m Keaton. I work here.? The man added lamely as he placed a mug of what smelled like coffee in front of Eva.

?I'm Eva. Thanks for the coffee.? Was heard from Izira friend before the woman waved, smiling at Izira?s approach.

"Nice to meetcha, Eva."

Coming up behind Eva, "Did I hear you giving the nice tender trouble, Eva?" Izira was certainly in high spirits, or perhaps it was she had too much energy to burn. Her smile stead as she teased her friend.

"She was harassing me. It was terrible," Keaton replied in a perfectly dramatized fashion, earning himself a smile from Izira.

?No I wasn't...? Eva said, a slight flush coloring her skin at hearing Keaton?s reply. ?I don't even know him...?

Keaton quickly made amends, catching Eva?s discomfort. "Just teasing,"

But Izira was not swayed from her teasing mood. "Eva. If you can't play nice with the others we're not going to let you out to play anymore." Admonishing her friend with a playful grin, she leaned against the bar near Eva. Then speaking to Keaton, "A bourbon if you please?"

"Bourbon," He repeated with a nod, and fixes up a glass.

Eva quirked a smile, raising a brow at Izira, then smiles towards Keaton again, and looking to relax a little more. ?I was just expecting Tucker, that's all. Sorry.?

"Things are well then?" She pipes to Eva, hopefully. Izira knew that things between Eva and her interest were not sailing the smoothest of seas.

"It's all good," Keaton said to Eva before turning to another patron.

Eva pushed back a loose strand of wet hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. ?Status quo.? She offered a smile and a shrug. ?But hey, it's raining, so, spring's coming...and you know... you never know things can change.?

"They can, they can." Picking up her bourbon glass belatedly from the bar, "Thank you!" said towards the tender. Then back to Eva, "Bar is a little crowded, want to move?"

Eva nodded and smiled again, ?Sure.? Picking up her coffee cup and following Izira across the room. ?It's good to see you...?

A glance was casted towards Rena to see if she wanted company before heading that way as she responds to Eva, "Only good? Because I was going to say it is great to see you." Chuckling lightly to herself, she sipped her drink.

In the background Izira heard Keaton?s voice again, "You tryin' to leave me high an' dry?" Looking over her shoulder to find him speaking with another tender, "I was dying out there. You tell 'im," Directing the last comment towards her.

"He was!" She called back over her shoulder to Keaton and the other man. But letting their conversation fall away, Izira caught Rena waving them to sit in the booth opposite her.

Eva?s brow arched again at Izira. ?Jesus Christ, what made the sun rise in your panties??

She looked back to Eva as she made her way to Rena?s booth, "Hm? Oh..." A low laugh, "Forgive me. I'm just suffering from untold levels of sexual frustration."

Reaching the booth, Rena greeted Izira, ?Evening, Izira. How are you??

Eva smiled to Rena as she set her coffee cup down, sliding on into the inside spot of the bench across from her, and then looks at Izira. ?Sexual frustration... oh... well this is RhyDin... that shouldn't be a problem.?

?Depends.? offered Rena with her two cents' worth.

Izira slid in next to Eva. "It wouldn't be - if I was that type of person. Which, I'm not. And if I was I would have had this problem fixed earlier which is the whole reason I am suffering from it now." Gulp of her drink. "I am more or less well, Rena - you?"

?I am good... I'm getting a puppy in a few weeks.?

?Mmf.? A small noise of understanding was emitted from Eva for Izira, before she looked over at Rena. ?What kind of puppy??

"Puppies seem to be very 'in' right now."

?From what I could make out... a mutt.? Rena answered Eva with a chuckle. ?Should make for an interesting household.?

Eva smiled at Rena. Then she glanced over at Izira. ?In? Like a trend? How can a dog be a trend??

"When everyone is getting one. Alain, Cassandra, some other woman... I don't know that I caught her name.? She was tapping a finger against her glass, "And Rena now."

?She's giving them away... why not?? Rena asked with a shrug.

"Not that dogs aren't wonderful creatures... but Silas would have a fit. An outright fit." Smiling to Rena, "I'm in full support of you getting one."

?Oh...? Eva took a sip of her coffee, licking her lips and looking at Rena. ?Who is?? Then looks at Izira, ?Whose Silas? I thought you were single.?

?Seeker... I think her name is.? Rena pointed to the wall, ?She left a paper over there.?

"I am. Silas is a cat. I also live with a rabbit and two ravens."

Eva craned past Izira to see the paper. ?Oh...? Then settled back, eyes moving to Izira and echoed, ?Oh...?

Izira just glanced towards where Rena pointed but made no attempts to move as she didn't need a puppy just now. No, what she needed wasn't available just now.

Eva?s coffee cup was turning in her hands and she looked across at Rena. ?How's Aaron??

?Having fun with his work bench.? Rena responded, smiling a bit.

?So... things are good...? Eva said, sort of lifting her eyebrows encouragingly and hopefully.

Izira drank of her bourbon, when she wasn't drinking it her fingers were worrying about the rim as she listened to Eva and Rena talk.

?I heard there was a bit of a blowup here Monday night... but things are good.?

?Blow up? Who was involved? I haven't seen the Gangstar this week.? A blush touching Eva?s cheeks as she added, ?Not that... I follow it regularly or anything...?

"Gangstar?" Izira inquired, interrupting and tilting her head.

?Not a physical one. Seems he was upset that I called him my roommate.?

Eva?s eyes moved to look at Izira, a little bit of surprise showing in her face. ?The gossip rag...? Then she glanced back at Rena and smiled ?Ah... well that sounds like good news.?

She pondered this gossip rag in the back of her mind as she heard Rena mention referring to Aaron as her roommate. "Downgrading?" she asked while looking to Rena.

?No? he actually did start out as only a roommate.?

"Not sure if he gets to become more?" Her bourbon glass turned in her hand. Izira still had a bit of energy tonight, a continuing high from her earlier exchange with Alain.

?At that time, I hadn't planned on it.?

From the corner of her eye Izira caught Eva looking at her curiously, then the woman raised a hand again to push another wet strand from her face. Izira gave a nod at Rena, lifting her bourbon glass and downing the rest. The empty glass was held up as she called towards the bar "Does the tender make booth calls? I'd like a refill on my bourbon, hun!"

The new tender laughed as he calls across the room, ?Bourbon on delivery soon's I finish this guy's drink, yeah??

"Great!" She replied, Setting her empty glass on the table.

Eva blinked at Izira, turning in the booth towards her a little. ?Jesus, Izi... what the hell happened to you? When I met you, you were perfectly mopey. Now you're shouting across the room at bartenders.?

?Can you add an Irish coffee with that, Johnny?? Rena called to the tender.

Another call carried across the room in answer to Rena, ?Sure thin', Rena! Hey, ice with th' bourbon??

Izira said something, but it came out too quiet and fast, in response to Eva's question about what had happened.

Eva frowned and poked Izira, motioning her towards Johnny for her to answer him.

Coming to surface from her thoughts, the word ?ice? reminded her of ice cream and earlier events. She called back to the tender "No! Sorry! Naked is fine!" Then muttered to herself, "Crap, why did I say naked." And she shouted back to the tender yet again, "NO ICE!"

The tender laughed, ?No ice, go' it!?

Eva?s mouth opened a little as she stared at Izira, then muttering, ?Gotta start a gigalo fund for this one.? Her statement followed with a sip of her coffee.

Settled back into the booth, or seemed to do so. Her head found its way to rest on her hand. "No. No. I'm fine. I'm just... I'm having trouble calming down from earlier. I don't need someone else to take care of my needs." Rena and Eva?s words came one right after the other.

?What happened earlier??

?Earlier when?? Eva glanced at Rena then back to Izira. ?Just spit it out already!?

She was about the answer slowly when Eva told her to spit it out, so she did! "I kissed Alain. He kissed me. We kissed!"

Rena raised a brow, but said nothing.

Then the tender was approaching the ladies, ?Special deliv'ry!?

Eva looked at her, then raises a hand twisting her finger in the air. ?That detective guy?? The oncoming tendering distracting her, as she looked towards him with a smile.

Rena reached into her pocket, dropping several coins into his hand. ?Thanks you so much.? Said to him with a grin.

"Booze is here!" Izira declared, like she admitted nothing. Turning towards the delivery man she said, "Thank you kindly, Sir."

Some random man in the inn called out to Eva, "That's the one!"

The tender grinned with a nod to Eva as he slides down the Irish coffee in front of Rena and the bourbon for Izira. ?Sure thin'! An' don' bother with th' sir - m'name's Johnny, an' yer more'n welcome ta be shoutin' it if'n ya need more. Thanks, Rena.?

?Thank you, Johnny.?

"Thank you, Johnny. I'm Izira. Incase you need a name to complain about later. Better than... 'that annoying customer woman'." smiling to him apologetically for the yelling and the ice incident.

?No worries! Nice ta mee' ya, Izira. Ain' nothin' I can imagine complainin' abou', though.? He said with a friendly grin before he headed back to the bar.

Eva snorted and sipped her coffee waiting until Johnny's moved on, then turned to Izira again. ?Wait - isn't that guy with someone else?? Her voice low as her hands gestured, ?Purple hair... Cass... I think I patched her up once when I had just gotten back to town.?

"Cassandra." Izira replied with frowned, considering that side of the story for perhaps the first time. More as an explanation to herself, Izira added. "They're not together anymore. He said they were on a break." Looking off as she found something interesting somewhere else in the inn. A hand ran through her hair as she worried her lower lip with her teeth.

?So... he's single...? Eva?s voice was pitched with protectiveness, she looked at Izira, glancing at Rena, then back at Izira. A hand reached out to touch her shoulder gently. ?Right??

"Single. Yes." Turning back towards Eva and Rena. "It was only a kiss. It was a nice kiss... but only a kiss. It's too soon for anything else." Her bourbon glass lifted, she took a slow drink.

Rena did the same, lifting her mug to take a long sip of her coffee.

?But you want there to be.... right?? Eva was watching Izira, not looking away, just watching her.

"I do." Giving Eva a smile that said there were many things that kept her from what she wanted. She lifted her glass for another drink.

Eva smiled softly at Izira, and nodded. ?Yeah... well... you know...? Her words fading as she just smiled and then shook her head and cursed. ?I need a drink. Don't get up.? Standing in the booth, she started to climb over Izira next to her.

"You could just call to the tender." her head lifted upwards to speak to Eva.

?No, no. He's busy.? She hopped down to the floor, taking a deep breath as she heads towards the bar.

Izira watched Eva make her way off, moving towards the wall of the bench so Eva could just have a seat when she returned. Silently, Izira began thinking to herself. The mentioning of Cassandra had caused Izira to doubt the intelligence of outing her feelings towards Alain, worrying that even with just a kiss between them she pushed the issue too soon.

?Are you okay?? Rena?s voice brought Izira?s attention to her, catching the woman watching her with a canted head.

"I'm... just... I'm at a lost." A soft smile given in return.

?A lost of what? To keep pushing or back off and wait??

She shook her head. "I won't push. If I push, I force something to be there that hasn't gotten the chance to develop. I kill it before it truly starts."

Rena noded. ?So you sit and wait... and be there when the time is right.?

"If it ever is." A slow turn of her glass, Izira realized that while part of her worries about risking her heart again the other part of her was even more worried to never get the chance to do so.

?He kissed you back... must mean something. He's not the type to just throw them around like that.?

Her voice lowering to Rena, "Actually... he asked if he could kiss me after I told him how I felt about... whatever might be between us."

?So he feels something too?? Rena asked, lifting her mug up again.

"Something." A little nod. She was not sure what else to say about Alain's feelings which had seemed so clear hours before. It was not only that she didn?t know what words to use to explain the bond and understanding between them... but also that Izira didn?t know if Alain would even want her talking about his motives to others at this point. A hand ran through her hair, catching Eva's return.

She smiles at Izira, setting her glass down as she slides into a seat at the end of the booth. ?So... what'd I miss??

"I'm at a lost. Alain had asked to kiss me after I told him how I felt. I'm not pushing because I think in doing so I will kill whatever we could have before we have it... and I fear that I don't know if there will be a time in the future for us what with the future being all uncertain." A bitter sweet smile was given to Eva, picking up her glass and taking another drink.

?And that's it in a nutshell.? Rena agreed, more coffee taken from her mug.

Eva appeared to be drowning in information, then she smiled softly. ?Well... it sounds like you've got it all figured out.? She took a deep breath, her glass starting to turn in her hand. ?Rena is very much in the ?take it slow? camp, I think, and it's worked out for you and Aaron, right Rena??

?Yeah, but what works for me usually doesn't work for others. I just happened to meet someone who feels the same.?

"We're 'taking it slow' in the 'not taking it anywhere' sense." Izira said as she was looking down at her glass.

?And it's still the getting to know you stage? Rena added, breaking her words with a sip of coffee, ?there's been no saying the four letter word.?

Eva pushed back at her hair impatiently. ?Well... that's the same thing right... just sort of waiting to see what happens? Nothing wrong with that...? looking over at Rena with a nod.

Izira gave an uncommitted shrug of her shoulders. She was starting to doubt putting her feelings out there for Alain already, it was too soon for even such a simple thing.

Eva cursed quietly, and then looked over at Izira. ?Oh this is totally me... I'm like... toxic to relationships... don't listen to me... you were all happy when you came in and now you're worried or something...? Looking to be trying to put on a smile for Izira, ?Come on, this can be exciting... why can't it be exciting? You shared a kiss... a good one, I'm guessing... right??

?Would she have told us about it if it wasn't??

Nodding in agreement with Rena, she smiled getting more confident and then looks back at Izira expectantly.

Izira released her glass, leaning back against the booth seat. It had been a nice kiss, the nicest. But they didn't stop the clouds that were moving in... She sighed, "Don't worry about it." Offering her as much of a smile as she could muster. She swallowed hard. She'd been alone for nearly tens years - what's a few more?

?What happened to sunrise panties?? A gentle elbow to Izira side and Eva smiled.

Izira mumbled, "Not wearing any." Then snorted at her own comment, giving a soft chuckle. Followed by another sigh, and a warmer smile to Eva.

Eva looked at her, a brow raised, then laughs... no she more than laughs, she can't stop laughing, a fit of giggles, her body leaning against Izira's shaking her head. ?Ohhh..?

Her friend?s laughter definitely helped in lightening her mood, the laughter was contagious. Chuckling along with Eva. A little fuss/whine as she was looking down towards Eva again with a smile. "I'm sorry for being Ms. Gloom Panties."

Eva managed to quash her laughter long enough to bark, ?More like Ms. Invisible Panties.? Then laughing again, her eyes started to water.

?Well ladies, we must do this again. Right now I'm about to fall flat on my face so I best be getting home.? Rena said as she stood to make her leave.

Trying to contain her laughter, Izira managed to offer Rena a nod and a wave, "Fare eve too you!"

?Good night, Eva... Izira.?

Eva was sniffling, trying to gather her wits long enough to say goodbye to Rena. She took a deep shaky breath and smiled at Rena. ?Good night Rena!?

Once Rena was off, Izira leaned towards Eva and gave her a hug. "Thanks."

The hug returned, Eva turned her body towards Izira, her voice soft in her ear, ?I want you to be happy. I know... I know you've been sad... but I want you to be happy.? Then letting her go with a smile.

A smile in return, "I'd like for us both to be happy." Picking up her bourbon glass, she watched Eva.

She picked up her glass as well, the contents near gone, and tipped it gently against Izira?s, a little clink. ?I'll drink to that.?

"To eventual happiness." Another soft chuckle, her glass tipped as she and Eva drank the remains of their drinks.

Empty glasses returned to the bar, Izira was smiling back at Eva when she noticed the woman?s scar. Tilting her head, with Eva's hair back the scar along her face was more noticeable and Izira was noticing it with a light frown. It was quite the scar, cutting across the left side of Eva?s cheek from her eye to her chin. "What happened?"

The expression on Eva?s face changes instantly. Her smile wavers looks false. She reaches up and touches the scar, then starts to pull her hair free. ?Does it look awful? I usually don't pull my hair back when I'm out, but it got wet in the rain...?

Izira moved her hands to stop Eva from fussing with her hair. Frowning at her friend and the change she saw in the woman?s smile. "Don't hide from me. Okay?"

Hands dropping away, Eva looked at her and smiled faintly. ?But I'm good at hiding.? then she shook her head, and reached for her glass. It was empty, so she toyed with it. ?You don't want my sad stories. Tonight is a good night.?

"I want all your sad stories." She said with a warm smile. "You'll take mine won't you? But we don't have to exchange them tonight if you want. Or here."

Eva nodded, returning her warm smile. ?I'll take your sad stories. Just not tonight.?

A warm smile, Izira indicated Eva?s glass. "Do you want another?"

She shook her head. ?Nah... should be getting back soon...? starting to slide out of the booth.

Izira thought Eva intended on leaving ?then? rather than ?soon?, "Mind if I walk with you?"

A quirk of a smile as Eva looked at her. ?Do you have an umbrella?? Her tone joking, she waited for a response.

"I do. Also an uncanny knack to keep warm."

A grin from Eva, ?Then yes.? She pointed, ?My coat is at the door.? Then she waved at Johnny the tender as he headed out into the night with a lady.

"Mine as well and the umbrella." A wave after the tender and his lady as well.

Eva smiled and headed towards the door, grabbing her jacket and tugging it on. She had the sense not to wear the leather but the coat she was wearing was still a bit damp. She slid it on anyhow, her holstered gun disappearing as she shrugs it on.

Izira slipped into her black, water resistant, full length trench and picked up the umbrella from its lean against the wall. Giving Eva's coat a glance, she touched her friend's elbow - causing the coat to dry. Then moving to open the door for both of them.

Still smiling, Eva moved out onto the porch and offered Izira her arm which was taken. Clear of the front door, Izira shook open the umbrella and placed it over their heads before the rain reached them. Arm in arm and huddled together, the two made the way off towards Eva?s place.

((Saturday April 12, 2008 at Night))

After going to the Engagement Party held for Jonny and Sianna with Eva, Izira met with Alain outside of Silver Mark so that he could walk her home.

It takes Alain a couple of minutes to find his backpack and cram everything he needs into it, and then he's joining Izira at the front door of the Silver Mark. Once certain it's late enough and dark enough (i.e. no demonic lawyers to spy on them), he offers his arm to her. "Ready?"

"I am." Slipping her arm into his, feeling the closeness that the bond gave her to him. "How was your night, Alain?"

Troubling - at one point he hurled a glass against a wall. It has something to do with those evil men he has to work for... "Very interesting. I met a strange little woman named Tara." He lifts his chin a little, smiling to himself, banishing the more troubling thoughts. "She asked if I would kiss her."

She felt the darkness beyond but did not allow it to distract her. Alain knew if he wanted to speak of it she would listen. Instead she focused on what was said, raising a brow at him. "Did she? Doesn't sound like she wastes any time." She smiled fondly at him.

He nods to Izira. "I weaseled my way out of it through cunning and wile." That's an outright lie, and he amends, "Or by continuing to say I'd do it later and escaping outside for a cigarette."

"And if you see her again?" A light-hearted chuckle, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, "Which is very likely in this city."

"I'll make sure to have a cigarette handy," he smiles at her, giving her arm the lightest of squeezes with his own. "A private eye has to be a masterful escape artist."

"Perhaps smoke bombs would make a good gift for you, to help stop unwanted attention." She continued, voice light. It had been a good night, after all. "Unless you already have some..."

He actually has to think about this, dipping his head thoughtfully. "...I think I have a single smoke grenade left over, tucked away in my room at the Red Dragon somewhere." He pauses. "No, I think Jewell has it - she never returned my grenades from the night she thought she'd need them."

A brow rose, but no question was asked. "A grenade sounds a touch more serious than what would be needed to fend off unwanted advances. Unless it was a horde of women." Another light chuckle, a wide smile towards Alain. "If that is the case..." Leaving it open for him to respond.

"Now, Izira - for what other reason could the Division possibly keep an armory?" He grins at her, and then looks ahead and heaves a sigh. "At the moment, I am, regrettably, defenseless."

"Don't worry, Dear Alain," A playful smirk coming upon her face, a touch of mischief in her gaze. "I will protect you."

He looks at her expression appraisingly. "...But protection always comes at a price. I work in the security business, I know this for a fact."

Thinking towards the behavior of one of the merchants she deals with, she responds in a manner much like he brought to mind, "Price, what is price? Money? Favors? Fair exchange. Trust, Alain, trust." Patting his arm as she finished. "Would I steer you wrong?"

His lips curl in a smile. "Why, Izira - I didn't know you were such a savvy merchant."

"When I deal with so many?" Giving Alain a knowing look with a smile, "Pick up the tricks or fall victim."

"Could be said of any profession." He looks over his shoulder at RhyDin as they leave it, always loving the sight of the city from afar. "Even a bookie." Lead-in to a story...

((Thursday April 17, 2008 Evening Continued))

Izira made her way from the Red Dragon to Silver Mark with Alain, the night's air cooling down the warmer temperature of the day. Her hair was done and the short full breezes moved her hair and the loose collar of her top. Occasionally, she would look at Alain from the corner of her eye as a faint smile graced her lips. In a brushing touch of her hand against his, he would know her to be happy at that particular moment in time. Though, deeper there were things she wanted him to know and a longing to know more about him. Still, for that moment, the uncomplicated silence was more than welcomed.

He smiles also, enjoying the silence, and then opens the door to the Mark, nodding to the 'tender on duty as he holds the door for Izira - "She gets her pick of the liquor," he explains.

"Your best bourbon, please." A smile to the tender behind the bar, she glanced back to Alain after entering and making her way towards the bar. "Something you tuck away for special guests?"

The 'tender moves off to collect the indicated bourbon, and Alain grins proudly. "We've got a pretty decent selection here..." He up-nods an off-duty Watch lieutenant who waves at him from a table. The bourbon arrives in front of her?an old Kentucky bourbon.

"Thank you." Given with a kind smile to the tender, then her eyes travelled the interior of the Mark before returning to Alain. She stood before the bar, but hadn't taken a seat yet. Noting the wide selection of bourbon and scotch, but not much for wines. "Not a fan of wine?"

"I like it okay, but my clientele doesn't care for it," he answers truthfully. He watches her linger by the bar a moment. "Did you want to go back to the Layers, or...?" In his defense, his back is really sore.

"?Or? is good." She nodded to him to lead the way to 'or?. Lifting her glass to her lips for a drink. "You haven't given me a tour yet, after all."

"Here works," he nods. "I won't show you the cellar, though... that's where we had the, ah..." He lowers his voice. "...demon problem." The 'tender winces, apparently somehow involved in the demon problem.

"The problem has been seen to?" A glance from him towards the tender and then towards the floor beneath her peek-toe black heels.

"I shot it with a holy bullet and it exploded," he says with a firm nod. "We tried saying its name again, but it didn't reappear, so we assume it?s dead." RhyDin's such a strange and funny place...

Bourbon in one hand, the other reached up to pull her hair away from her neck a moment. "Would seem a safe guess."

He pours himself a glass from the bottle and sips it. "...I've been in RhyDin too long." He looks over at her. "I said all that without missing a beat."

A soft chuckle, she leaned towards him lowering her voice. "Not at all, Alain. You've been in RhyDin too long when you have stories that begin with 'I was wandering the city in a stolen bath towel' and end it with 'And that is how I lost my vampire lover." A smile, would it be hard to tell if she was joking or not? She would kiss his cheek were it not for those others about them.

He raises his eyebrows... and then considers. "Never slept with a vampire, actually... And as far as wandering around in a bath towel goes, sometimes my Saturday nights get a little fuzzy..." He fights back a grin.

"Nor had I. Well, that night." Her expression thoughtful before turning playful towards him, "I don't recall any towels in recent events."

He chuckles softly and sips his bourbon. "I'm proud of myself. I've only actually been very drunk once in the past year or so... You should've seen it." Another sip.

"It is perhaps best I did not. The last man I dealt with in such a state did not make the greatest of impressions." Taking a slow drink of the bourbon.

"Oh, I would've made an excellent impression." He pauses. "...I think I sang?"

She tried to recall if Dakota had sung that night so long ago, but could not. "And was your audience impressed?"

"Dakota didn't boo me or anything, so I think I did okay..." he muses. Then he grins. "I'll give it another try in another year - or perhaps a lot sooner. The villagers are thinking about holding a great feast once the hall is completed."

For those that didn't know her, there would note nothing. But for Alain, Eva or Paladin - the slight frown would probably be noticeable. It had been months since she had seen the man, who was head over heels for Cassandra. Well, perhaps if he surfaced the man would have a chance now? The expression passed, she smile to Alain. "Sounds like a nice event."

"I honestly doubt I'll be drinking much there, but it'll be pretty nice." He notes the expression, but it passes, and he drains some of his glass. "I'm not sure what they're planning - a lot of the women in the community are organizing it, but they won't tell me a thing..." He looks hard at her. "Have you heard anything?"

She shook her head with a smile. If Izira knew anything she was not sharing... female solidarity.

He resists the urge to reach out and touch her to check. He sips again, and a pair of Watchmen wave to him on their way out. He's smiling, though, not entirely believing her.

She drained the rest of the bourbon from her glass, setting it on the bar. "How is your back?" A brow raised, perhaps it was all a ploy to get her there.

He decides to test it out, placing a hand against it and trying to pop it - apparently it won't budge, and he looks pretty stiff. "Pretty terrible - the winch we were using to haul the silver up broke, and we all had to leap onto the chain, haul it up by hand."

Izira nearly winced at the thought of it, shaking her head.

He finishes his bourbon. "It could've been a disaster... Silas says he'll get to work on using magic to ease the process. Said something about golems..." He shrugs. He barely knows a thing about magic.

"Hopefully Silas is very skilled and knows what he is doing." She wasn't going to go further, no need to truly alarm Alain.

"He's only seventeen... but he does things with magic I can't begin to wrap my mind around." He looks over at her. "I've seen him put out enough lightning magic to power a small city."

"Very impressive." A nod. "I could only hope to burn a small city to the ground." A twist to her smile and a soft chuckle.

He chuckles also, shaking his head. "I pray 'hope' was just poor word choice..."

That comment brought laughter to the air, her smile sparking in her eyes. "Yes, yes... a poor word choice."

He decides to give his back another try. "If it would just pop, I don't think it'd be that bad..."

"Do you want to lean against the wall for me?" It was a harmless request, but her tone was playful.

"I may actually ask you to stand on my back."

"With or without the heels?" A soft smile, she assumed without--but who knew.

"Definitely without." A dirty thought passes through his mind, but perhaps she'll learn later... Heels on shoulders in...certain positions? Hot.

"Where to?" Her drink empty, she had just been waiting on his cue.

"This way," he says, nodding in parting to the 'tender and making for the stairs. He unlocks the door into the stairwell and then leads the way up, onto the second floor. It's... surprisingly nicely decorated, considering he did it all himself. Mostly nice dark wooden furniture and a lot of books, a couple classy couches and high-backed chairs, and even some paintings. The first room they come into is a living room of sorts. Jean is nowhere in sight, still sleeping downstairs by the fire. Beyond is a library, a large bathroom (nowhere near as nice as Izira's), and his bedroom. A fire crackles in a second story fireplace, a rather rare architectural feature.

She looks around, taking it all in and nodding in approval. Lingering glances over the books that were closer to hand as she slipped out of her heels. The shoes were set to the side near a wall.

Many of the titles are in different dialects of French, though a fair number are older tomes in Middle English. He also gets out of his shoes, making his way over to the bed - where, in melodramatic fashion, he spreads his arms and falls forward onto it. "Oomph."

She moved over to the bed, careful of her skirt as she got onto the bed and stood. Waiting for him to settle himself, before she stepped onto his back. Remaining mindful of the weight she put on him and where, each foot was settled towards either side of his spine as she moved from the lower back and up.

"Mmh..." He rolls his shoulders carefully, stretching his arms out. "Right shoulder blade...press hard..." There are more scars on his chest than on his back - most have had the common decency to shoot or stab him while looking him in the eye.

Following the directions given, Izira soon heard a crack from his back. Standing still, "More?"

"Ah!" He breathes a sigh, and nods. "Just... walk up and down a little bit..." She may not be able to feel it yet, but his muscles are quite tense. "Could you use your hands...?" His words come out kind of muffled through the mattress.

"You want me on all fours on your back?" The smirk could be heard in her tone, "Or are you requesting the use of my hands in place of my walking all over you."

She shakes a little on top of him as he chuckles. "No, just your hands, not all fours..."

She hopped down from his back, sitting next to his torso with her legs tucked beneath her. Using the full of her hands in various ways over his back to work out the tensions. Not bothers to keep track of the minutes as they slipped away.

"Mmh..." Yes, pretty soon, he is beyond words, so he doesn't say much at all. Eventually he ditches the shirt, if she hasn't already removed it. He drags a pillow closer to put under his head, looking over his shoulder at her. "...I really needed that."

Now falling into lightly scratching his back, "You are welcomed."

"Thank you," he murmurs happily, reaching back to slide a hand over her arm. He looks back at her again. "What about you?"

"I am happy to have been of help." Leaning down, she placed a soft kiss to his lips before pulling back.

He kisses back a moment and smiles, turning over onto his back and sitting up. "You sure? You've been working pretty hard..." Sideways look at her, as if he can discern the tension in her muscles that way.

"I am sure." She sounded it and looked it too. "What business are you up to tomorrow?"

He sighs, stretching out his arms carefully, collecting his shirt now. "I might head up to Esperance tonight or in the morning... but I've got to be back in town for business in the evening." He collects his shirt, though he doesn't button it, and he places his hand palm-up on the mattress for her hand.

Placing her hand within his, as she listened. Her fingers brushing against his. "Busy man."

"I need to talk to a smuggler..." Lacing their fingers, he lets his thumb brush back and forth. Eyebrows rise mildly. "Haven't been in that business in years."

"Why the sudden return?" Watching him carefully, there were many things one could be smuggling.

"I don't need anything smuggled or to get back into it... but sometimes truces have to be made with the questionable to deal with the objectionable."

A frown as Izira considered the deadly game he was playing at.

He sighs, and places his other hand on her shoulder - "I don't want you to worry. This one's an old friend - it'll be fine."

"But there is more to it than just that one, is there not?" Eyes searching his face, for what she was not sure. Perhaps it was reassurance that he too would not be taken from her.

"...There's a few more." And they're dangerous - he's wary of them - though he cannot possibly give them the fear he has for the evil men whose company he infiltrated... He squeezes her hand. I'm not leaving you, Izira. Not just in the sense of pushing her away, but also not leaving this world.

Her hand tightened against his, leaning in and placing a kiss to his forehead. Her voice was soft, a woman who learned from history and didn't pretend some things were any different than what they were. It wasn't that she was trying to be difficult, or milk him for more promises and devotion. She was just being honest, "You cannot promise me that."

"...No... I suppose I can't... but I can promise not to be reckless, because there are people I care about." He lifts his head to look her in the eye.

Her smile softening further. Lips moved towards his, giving him a light but lingering kiss.

His fingers curl gently at the back of her neck as he returns her kiss, and smiles softly at her. "...I'm thankful I never have to remind you not to march off to die..."

Never say never. But her smile was warm and she stayed close to him.

He lets her lean into his chest, putting an arm around her, leaning his head to kiss her hair. "Where are you going tonight?"

"Home. To sleep." Making herself comfortable against him. "Though, this is nearly as comfortable as my bed." It was the pillow-top of her mattress that made it so heavenly, that and the obscene size of it.

His is a full bed, maybe a bit larger than a full. He plays with her hands gently, enjoying the simple act of holding her protectively in his arms. "It's a good bed..."

Tilting her head upwards to look into his eyes, "You said you might go to Esperance in the morning?" The idea of staying put formulating within her mind. Of course, perhaps the Mark was not such a safe place for things?

The Mark is quite safe. It's warded, she can feel them if she scans for them, and enchanted against magical attack. "Yeah, I'll go there in the morning." He smiles.

"Perfect." Cuddling closer to him. There was no change of clothes. Stripping down would not lead to the sleep she needed so she was content to sleep there in the clothing she was wearing.

He smiles down at her and gives her a soft kiss, then gets closer, hands folded over her middle. Stretching out to cut the light, then settling back into place. Really, the man can sleep in just about any position.

Which was good as Izira was already starting to drift off in his arms. Her voice was sleepy and far away sounding, "Good night, Alain." Slipping further into sleep, "I love you," she hadn't even realized she said it aloud.

It's not something he admits to quickly - but she's already asleep, thankfully. Not that saying it or not changes much... He kisses her temple softly, and after a few minutes, joins her in sleep.

((Thursday April 24, 2008 - Part 2))

The bourbon lifted to her lips and her eyes turned towards her book, a book that discussed the artistic possibilities for elementals working together. It was very capturing, for not only did it give her something else to try with Locke but it also gave her an idea for decorations for the festivities to be held in Esp?rance during the month of May.

Izira noticed as Faenix made his way down the stairs, taking a seat at the bar. She held book in one hand, bourbon in the other. Legs crossed and glance to the clock. She offered the man a short nod. Hopefully the quick greeting and her book in hand would discourage him from approaching. He smiled and gave her a nod back, ?Anyone tending?? A shake of her head in response, she took a slow sip of her bourbon and returned her attention to the book.

As those within the inn went about their business of drinking and socializing, Izira continued on in her book. From time to time she topped off her glass again. It would be interesting, perhaps, if she and Locke could create such artwork that the book covered. It would be a pretty feat of elemental magic. While reading, Izira wondered when the blue elf would be seen again. A glance to the bar as thought about it. Maybe next week? A slight frown, a week would be too long. Attention ran over the others she could see in the inn for a moment. Another sip of her drink, back to her book she went.

After some time, Izira heard someone call ?Tuck? from the area of the bar. A glance up from her book and towards the bar, she spotted the man known as Tucker. He appeared to be looking for something. Izira gave a curious look over the man who was somewhat tied to Eva. A long drink was taken from her glass. Izira sensed she knew what Tucker was looking for, the bourbon bottle at her table. Glass set down and the bottle was lifted, a clink as she poured a refill. Tucker should have never let Eva seen his hiding spot. Izira smiled to herself. The bottle was set down in plain site of Tucker, upon the table and out of the way of Izira?s reading. The glass returned to hand, she took a sip. Then, glass in one hand and book in the other, she returned to reading.


Then Tucker was standing at her booth, setting an empty glass down on the table?s surface. ?Mind pouring me one?? He asked with a grin.

"A bit of a twist." amusement in her voice, as the patron served the tender. She set her book down and picked up the bottle, pouring the thickly built man a serving. "I was curious to know where Eva found it, now I have my answer."

?Yeah, well, don't go telling everyone, Ok?? The man wore an easy smile for one whose liquor had been swiped.

"And lose my new favorite bourbon to the masses?" A faint smirk appeared with the response. His glass filled she set the bottle aside and returned the glass to him.

?Thanks.? Said with a quick nod, he took his bourbon and headed back to the bar.

"Welcome." Said after him, not blaming him for a quick departure. He was on the clock. She returned to her book.

((Thursday April 24, 2008 - Part 4))

Faenix approached Izira?s booth. ?You mind me for company, or do you prefer space this evening?? His words indicated to Izira that he was at least aware that she wasn?t greatly fond of him. Still, he could work as a distraction from the area of the bar. There was little she could do about Alain here. With a little luck Locke would show up, she would speak to the blue elf and then return home. Glancing up at Faenix, she considered these thoughts. She then waved him towards the other side of the booth.

"Join me." Izira turned so as to be facing him once he sat.

?Thanks. I was getting kind of lonely.? He said, sitting down.

"It happens to us all." She offered lightly, meaning it. Glancing toward the bar despite her resolve not to do so, she considered Alain and Tucker. "Sometimes, even when you might not be." Thinking about herself and how distant this made her feel from Alain. Thinking about her friend Eva and the man known as Tucker and what was or wasn?t between them. Caring for someone, having them care for you in return, it didn?t always make for not feeling lonely.

?Yes, I didn't used to, but then Eva went and became a good influence on me, and I started noticing...?

Her attention returned to Faenix, "Noticing?"

Faenix sighed, drank and refilled the glass he?d brought along with his own bottle of bourbon. ?Noticing a lack of other people in my life. But then I wasn't trained to work with or pay much attention to people. Hence my lack of social skills.?

"That so." A faint expression, Faenix must have been telling the truth as he missed the point behind what she had been saying. It had nothing to do with the lack of numbers, but the remoteness between two who should be closer.

He nodded, not catching her lack of response to his words. ?I'm trying to do better, though. You don't seem to have any problem with people.?

"I don't? That is interesting." Izira didn't say further as to why, nor made any indication to him that she would. It was interesting because it was wrong. She managed enough to be polite to those she came in contact with outside of her home, but there was only a few that Izira truly cared about.

?Well, not that I can see, anyway.?

Izira considered there was a lot that the man didn?t see.

?Oh, but you might have problems, just don't want to... oh, sorry.?

Izira simply waved off Feanix's tumbling of words, having caught Tucker cleaning up for the end of his shift. Picking up the ?borrowed? bourbon bottle, she gave Tucker a wave. "Pardon me a moment." was said quickly to Faenix. Izira stood with bourbon in hand and made to catch Tucker before he left. He stopped on his way to the door, giving Izira his attention.

"I could always keep it if you don't want it anymore." Speaking to Tucker, she offered the bottle out to him.

He smiled to Izira. ?Please. Enjoy it. I'll have it replaced in a couple of days.?

She nodded. "Very well. Have a good night, Tucker."

He nodded in return, ?Good evening.?

((Thursday April 24, 2008 ? Part 6))

After lingering at the inn a while, Locke had given up on the girl he was waiting to see showing up. Conversation was exchanged and Izira and Locke decided to practice creating elemental art in the area of Twilight Island. Arriving there they talked for a while before getting started?

?she waved a hand, swirls of flame lingering in the air behind it.

He watched the flames flicker through the air, a slight wary look in his eyes. Fire and him...didn't mix too well together. Still, he gave a whistle at the display. "Impressive. Wish I was as well-trained as you seem to be."

"I have been practicing on my own. It is easier now." Her hand returned to her lap. "I do not know if it would work the same for you, as our people are different... can you create ice?"

"Out of thin air? No." He chuckled a bit, at that thought. "Most of what I do is temperature manipulation. I already have a chill touch, but I can amplify it and send it across a certain distance, if need be. Organic or inorganic materials. To make ice, though, I would need water. I suppose that is rather obvious, though?" A slight shake of the head, as he realized that might have sounded insulting. "Sorry."

"No need." She waved it off, looking to the water again. Would it be easier to go into it? She tried to think it out. "I am used to the flames just being there, alive within me."

"So for you, it is more...intuitive." Time for an experiment. He got to his feet slowly, grabbing his cane and using it to traverse the sands up to the water. That done, he carefully removed his left shoe and sock, setting a bare blue foot on the shallow part of the water. He closed his eyes, focusing his magic on his foot, until the water froze beneath it. With a foothold, it was easier than to remove the other shoe and sock, and step out fully onto the water. Beneath the ice elf's feet, the lagoon started to freeze in a small radius around him. He crouched, to lay hands on the water and encourage the freezing process, a brisk wind whipping around him as he did so. Once he was satisfied that he had frozen the water enough, he started to take slow, halting steps around it. Walking on water, indeed.

"That would be a good way to put it." watching him as he stood and made for the water. She watched quietly. Izira chuckled, offering a clap at his success as he moved around and walked over the surface of now frozen water. She stood up and made her way over.

A deep bow, as he heard applause. "TaDa!" He paused, glancing down at his feet and the water, before giving a soft sigh. That was about all he could do to show off for her. No cartwheels or back flips tonight.

She stayed at the water's edge, brushing sand from the back and side of her dress. "Now try making something with a shape." She coaxed.

"Any suggestions?" As he lowered himself into a crouch, bare blue hands hovering above the ice.

"A lily." She responded after a moment, a water dragon had been thought of first and then a rose... but Izira thought those too complicated for a first go. Lilies were attractive but not too complicated in design.

The stem was the easy part, as his index finger touched the ice and drew it upwards, out of the flat sheet now covering the portion of the lagoon near Locke. The flower itself was harder. His other hand scratched his chin, eyes closed and deep in thought. Finally, deft fingertips moved to shape a flower. Broadly defined at first, they went to shape and texture the petals. He bit his lip as he worked, not used to using his magic with such precision. Finally, though, he was done. It was definitely a flower, with discernible parts, though it might not have been exactly the type of flower Izira was looking for. Still, there was a mixed look of pride and awe on the ice elf's face, as he stepped back on the ice to admire his creation. "Hmm..."

Izira watched with rapt attention, becoming eager as the flower was further formed through slow detail. A nod of approval, it was definitely a flower if not exactly a lily. "Good." She kept her distance from him, sensing his discomfort from before when she used her flames. Cupping her hands together, flames came to life in her hands... a small budding of licking yellow, orange and red... it grew, creating a flower in stages. The bud lifting up as leaves spread out, soon the flame blossom opened towards the sky. A rose. It flickered a moment then vanished in a wave.

"Thank you." He watched her create the flower of fire, dark blue eyes rapt in attention on her hands as she did so. The flames were pretty, even if he was afraid of what they could do to him. It brought a thought to his mind, as he saw her talent. "I want to be better at..." Sweeping a hand at her, then to the frozen water below him, and the ice flower. "this."

"Then make another. My first creation of fine was nothing pretty." Nor was it anything so pretty in intent and it had erupted only through great rage and deep need. None of that showed on her face, however. Nor the years wherein the flames boiled out of control within her, coming sometimes when called and often when it was not.

He made something simple, then. He touched the ice, then pulled his hand up, summoning a pillar of frozen water with him. "And what I have made is?" A glance to the flower, then the pillar of ice. "Most of the time, I just used ice as a weapon. When I wasn't close enough to actually touch them."

She nodded, looking at the pillar. "Perhaps larger objects would be easier... if you made more pillars, gave them a roof." An ice gazebo. Moving her hands to indicate what she was speaking of, though it was just a simple gesture. Another nod at his statement of using ice as a weapon. "I find.. I like making a kinder use of my gift."

He crouched, creating more supports for the makeshift ice gazebo. Once the four corners were created, he stepped to where the water was more like slush than ice, at the edge of where his spell had taken hold. He reached down into the water, pulling up a circular slab of ice. It was crude-looking, but with some effort, the slightly under-sized snow elf was able to top off his pillars with something resembling a roof. It was simple enough to freeze everything together. Panting a bit with the effort, he stepped back to admire his work.

"It's lovely." She offered with a warm smile. Recalling how happy she had been as she slowly learned to create images with her flames, the downside being that the fire would only last so long. Locke's ice had a longer life, when Izira thought she could lengthen with a preservation spell to make the dragons she envisioned last throughout the celebrations. Hopefully the women of the village would like that idea. Izira wasn't sure, but she was excited about the idea herself. "Just one thing missing." Carefully Izira moved out towards the ice gazebo, holding out her hand to Locke. "Give me your hand a moment?"

He moved toward her, a little closer to the shore, a bit more adept at navigating the slippery surface of the iced-over lagoon. Unlike last time, when it had taken quite some convincing to lend her his hand, he immediately did so now, holding out his left ungloved one for her. "What is missing, mate?"

"You'll see." Izira smiled, taking his hand. Again, as before, he was not harmed by the heat of her. Perhaps it was because of her father's people, given to multiple gifts, that Izira was able to mix Locke's ice with her own fire. Inspired by the sensation of ice flames she had created the previous day, this time Izira sought to create actual blue flames. From her other hand, it grew out like before. Shades of blue and white replacing the shade of flames. Out from her hand it snaked towards the gazebo, spilling around the pillars - splitting and climbing around them. Living vines, leaves and small blossoms awakening. When she was done she stood back, watching her handiwork with a smile.

Normally, he would have kept his eyes closed while casting his spell, or doing anything with his magic. This time, though, prompted by Izira's simple words, he kept them open. They brightened in the twilight, from cobalt to a lighter hue, as the energy shifted from his hand to hers. At the sight of plant life growing from blue flames, surrounding the gazebo, his jaw dropped a little, eyes widened about as large as they could. Only one word could describe what he had seen, and even that felt sadly inadequate to the task. "<vs> Stunning..."

Izira grinned, her voice soft and happy "Now imagine... Fire-breathing ice dragons." Still determined to get a more solid answer from him.

Eyes shut, as if he was picturing the sight in his mind. A slight chuckle, as he thought of something he found clever. Fire and ice, indeed. "As long as it isn't next Wednesday night or Thursday morning, I believe I can rearrange my schedule to accommodate you." Eyes popped open, and a dimpled grin flashed on his face.

She could have hugged him, but she didn't. Instead she squeezed his hand and let it go. "Not Wednesday or Thursday." A nod. "I will haggle with the village women and try to get a date from them." For now, even with the lack of contact between the two, the ice-fire vines remained.

A quick glance at the still-present magical vegetation, as he only dimly registered the squeeze of his hand. "Sounds aces to me, mate." Something approaching awe crept into his voice, then. "I...didn't really think I could do that, to be honest with you. I suppose I must have learned more from school than I thought I did. Or else..." He playfully winked at her. "I'm a natural." He seemed to be forgetting the fact that she had done most of the heavy lifting, at least for the vines. "But I believe it is about time I head on back to the Inn, and my cold, soft bed."

"It is late." She agreed, then paused. "Would you accept a map to my home?"

He started to make his way to the shore, grabbing his socks and shoes and putting them on, then taking the cane back into his hands. "Aye. I will."

Taking the same path, she found her belongings - searching within for a bit of paper she had prepared. Holding it out to him, then a pause. "If you do visit... it would be better to come alone. If you bring someone I do not know, the realm might not allow you. I would hate for you to find yourself walking in circles to no end." Then she extended the map out again.

A nod, at her words, as he slipped on his gloves, then took the map from her. "Fair enough, mate." He pointed toward the portal, still waiting on the beach in all of its translucent blue glory. "After you?"

Bag and shoes in hand, through the portal she went...

((Saturday April 26, 2008 - Early Evening))

Izira had been out a lot lately. It was hard to catch her at the inn, she had even gone so far as to let some of the more experienced girls take over serving breakfast the last few mornings as she headed out early into her day. The business she was about wasn?t anything important, not to anyone but her that is. She had gone around visiting a number of locations once frequented so very long ago. Places that existed in memory that she wanted to see in reality once more. Everything had changed and yet some similarities remained. It was the same with her, she felt it. She was changed and yet not?

She approached the inn wearing a black top, wide v-neck collar that sat her shoulders and gave a more delicate view of her collar bone. It was not too low to be lewd, but it was lower than some of the other tops she went out in. It had caught her a few looks as she went around town, courteous looks of interest. A gray skirt that ended just below her knees with open-toe black heels completed the outfit. Her hair was down, covering some of her neck as more of her flesh was already in view.

Going into the inn, she paused with the door opened. Alain was on the bar a cocktail resting beside him. He was bent over a little black book. She hadn't seen him since Thursday night, when he left and she had remained in two until the late hours of the night. Of course she would bump into him at the place with so many eyes, where she couldn?t be herself. Almost feeling like leaving, she lingered before stepping inside and letting the door shut behind her.

He looked over his shoulder and smiled at Izira as he shut the book. "Hey."

"Hello, Detective." Izira couldn?t tell if she was playing at being distant from him as she was supposed to be doing, or if was it becoming a slow reality. Her smile was light, something Izira would give to anyone almost. She approached the bar, a glance towards a newcomer when he entered and made for the couch. That same smile given to Alain was offered to the man with a tail on the couch. Then the lady slipped through the break in the bar, to get herself a drink.

As she passed by, Alain mouthed ?I want to see you tonight?, quickly, and then sipped his drink to cover the action.

Her gaze studied him but for a second. He wanted to see her. The thought brought mixed emotions to her mind. She knew she was pulling away, guarding herself. She felt badly doing it, as though he was going out of his way to hurt her. He wasn?t. She turned and got down a glass, filling it with water from the tap. Rumors be damned, she wasn't doing anything that caused her to worry about the possibility of falling pregnant. Glass filled, she turned and leaned her back against the back bar counter. A glance given towards the water clock, then back to Alain a brow was raised. "What time do you think a tender will be arriving tonight? I like to know when I will start being charged for drinks." looking away and around the inn again as she asked.

"Not until late," He responded, lips thinning some. "After midnight - so you and the nice bourbon will have plenty of time." A faint smile and he takes another sip of his drink.

She was quiet a moment, not looking back to him. Taking a sip of her drink she moved from behind the bar and back towards the patron's side. She didn?t really have a response for the hidden meaning of their exchange. Rather she settled on one for the conversation they appeared to be having on the surface. "Good to know." Tone light. She slipped onto a stool at the bar.

The door was pushed opened again. A rather large man stepping through slowly. A warm smile on his face, he made his way to the bar. Eyes only fixed on the seat ahead.

Alain offered the man a small nod. Finishing off his drink, he reopened the book and wrote more notes within it.

Her drink was set down on the bar top, a finger tracing the edge. Over her shoulder she glanced at the new comer.

Alain began to whistle while he wrote.

Looking back to Alain, "I have had one success recently."

The other man bowed his head generously and sat at the bar, adjusting his plate armor as he did so. ?Good day.?

Alain?s whistling stops. He looks curiously at Izira for a second before the other called his attention away. "How's it going."

?I?ve had better days.? He said with a slight smirk. ?And yourself??

Izira gave the newcomer a polite smile, as Alain and he were engaged in conversation she did not continue with what she had been saying just yet. The man gave her a warm nod in return.

"Doing okay," Alain said, then his eyes went right back to Izira.

A brighter smile, her attention returned to Alain as she continued. "I managed to find this gossip rag so often refer to."

"Interesting piece of journalism. I read it daily, when I'm able."

"I don't know that I would read it so often, most mentioned I do not even know. Except for Eless, but I do not know her well enough to understand the gossip nature behind her life. I haven't seen the latest publishing."

"I find printed copies floating around all the time." He shrugged slightly. "It helps me keep tabs on who's frequenting the inn, who's slipping out of the limelight." Then he lit a cigarette. "Apparently Marc Franco's going to be in a dunking booth in Beltane - he mentioned that in his last update."

"That is the man behind it all? I should think that would be quite the event."

He grinned. "There'll be a long line of 'fans,' I'm sure. He's okay by me, but I wouldn't mind taking a shot and call it even from there."

She smiled softly, "Well, it's for a good cause? Don't such events usually end up providing something for charity?"

He dug the latest issue out of his pocket, unfolds it, and smoothed it out. "Ah - it's for the Boys and Girls Club of RhyDin."

"You have it on you?" A faint smirk, she held out her hand and he passed it over to her.

"I always find one floating around somewhere." Alain said.

The other man at the bar had gotten out a necklace, the flash against the surface catching Izira?s eye. A side long glance towards the man and his bracelet, then her attention was set to read the article. She was only a sentence in when moving eyes stopped as Alain?s name jumped out at her from further down the page. She skipped ahead, forgetting the talk of the dunk tank and charity work.

? Speaking of Awesome Alain, he?s definitely having fun with life as one of RhyDin?s most eligible bachelors! He?s been seen with the brunette twin Spice on several occasions and Wednesday night he was flirting it up with PAARTY Girl Chase! He?s certainly starting to adopt a type ? young, frisky, and not at all looking for a relationship! The pair were actually seen leaving the Inn together in the late evening hours. Can you say ?booty call???? Well, well, well, they all are grown adults!'

Izira already knew the truth behind the incident with the Chase girl, though she did not know about the other the article mentioned. Was she one of the girls she?d seen with Alain or another? Either way, Alain was definitely seen as being available and ready for some fun. She guessed that meant she play her part, or played the role of not having a part in his life well.

"Popular man." It was hard to gauge her tone. It was near void of emotion. A smirk went to her lips, but not her eyes. She made an attempt to go back and read the rest but could not - passing it back to him. As a man and the girl Chase suddenly appeared in the inn with a poof. A white rabbit perched on the man?s head.

Alain took the paper back and tucked it away. "The inn has eyes." He words were simple. Izira caught both meanings behind them.

A pity it doesn't have a heart as well, Izira thought. Looking towards the newcomers as several followed the arrival of Chase, the dark man and the rabbit. Attention flickering back towards Alain. "That it does."

The dark man with the rabbit and girl laughed oddly, then addressed the rabbit on his head. The girl went off and got herself a drink. More people entered. Exchanges going around. Izira slide the water glass away from her. Speaking to Alain, "Could you dump this for me?"

"Sure. The tap water's not good for you, anyway." He dumped it in the sink.

The Chase girl nodded to Alain casually, then to Izira politely. Blue fingers saluted mockingly to them all.

There was almost a polite smile from Izira in return to the girl, but it froze at the mocking salute. She looked back at Alain, "How so?"

"It's probably a rumor, but there's a lot of talk linking it to pregnancy."

"I have heard that. It's not a current concern of mine." She was sleeping alone again after all. Standing up from her seat, Izira made ready to leave. A glance around, there was quite the number gathering and she felt the need to be surrounded in silence for a while. Gather her thoughts. "Have a good night, Detective." She didn't doubt he would, afraid he was enjoying certain aspects of his task at hand. Turning, Izira made her way to the door.

"You too, Izira." Faintly she heard his tongue ring clicks against his teeth.

Without so much as another look around, or a glance back - she left the inn.

((Saturday May 10, 2008 - evening))

Alain is seated by the fire at the Silver Mark, which he's closed on a Saturday night, of all nights. Because it's his birthday, and he wants some time to relax in his own home. He's smoking one of the cigars Serena gave him, enjoying a cheap little paperback spy novel, of all things - one of 'Lanta's gifts. She said the picture on the cover reminded her of him, he recalls, which makes him smile to himself as he turns the page. Jean is snoozing outside and enjoying the night air.

Izira made her way through the night, a basket in hand. A light coat over her dress, heels sounding on the street. It had been a while, waiting at the inn and wondering if Alain would appear. Perhaps he didn't know she knew what day it was? The villagers weren't the best at keeping a secret. More reason for them to stay within the realm if Izira's relationship with Alain was to remain unknown to the general public. Eventually she packed up the dinner and set out to RhyDin. It was spelled to stay fresh, if she didn't find him... she could leave it for him to find, maybe?

The door is left unlocked, for now, though set only so a friend may pass through - a little favor Silas did for him. He sets his cigar aside to take a sip of the fine scotch... though there's a twitch at the back of his mind at a familiar presence approaching. As he's still no good with this sort of "psionic" thing, he doesn't yet recognize it for what it is.

And in she slipped, picnic basket in hand. A glance around as she undid her coat. A white blouse and black skirt. Simple yet still classy. Her hair was wore down. The basket was set down a moment and she hung up her coat, then picked up the basket and made for the bar - having spotted Alain near the heart with a soft smile.

He looks up as she enters... and grins slowly. Drink set down, spy novel set aside. He smokes as he watches her move. He studies the basket, then her face, and says, "Someone told you."

"Some-ones told me, yes. Strangely enough, you didn't and perchance weren?t planning on it? I went by the Inn and there's a statue outside of you." A faint smirk, she started to unpack the basket. Pasta with crusted chicken, vegetables... all still piping hot as though they had been taken out of the oven only moment ago.

"Didn't want to put anyone to the trouble. And I think the May Queen, Detective Assistant Trinala, is responsible for the statue." He watches her unpack the magically (literally) steaming food and adds, "Sometimes I thank God you're an elemental." Eyes search the hearth area, then the rest of the room, briefly. "We can eat by the fire, or at a table. It's your call." He gets up at last, moving over to steal the first of his birthday kisses.

A smile at the idea of the bubbly May Queen being the one behind the statue. Childlike innocence, she hoped that girl never lost hers. "Bar is fine. I'm use to eating at the elevated level." Giving him a kiss that doesn't have to be stolen, before going behind the bar to get a glass for water. "Are you set with your drink?"

"If you could fix me a glass of water," he says with a soft smile, and takes a seat. "I was just reading a little spy novel 'Lanta gave to me - she said the man on the cover reminded her of me." His smile turns to a grin... it hasn't taken him long to adopt 'Lanta as a kid sister.

"I think I have seen her a couple of times? You should introduce us, when you are able." Taking down two glasses, filling them with ice and water and setting them down on the bar by the food. Reaching in and even taking out silverware. Putting that last bit together, she sat down with a smile. "Happy Birthday Alain."

"Thank you," he smiles, and kisses her again, softly, lingering near to her after it's broken. "That's two... you owe me twenty more, at least." He starts on his food.

"I have time." A light smirk, eating a small bite and watching him. "Young to have done so much with yourself." Then looking back to her food and taking another bite.

"Never thought I'd get so ambitious, honestly," he says, chewing thoughtfully. "Before the civil war back home? All I wanted to do was become a bartender." He grins. "Always thought it'd be fun."

"Here you are." Gesturing to the bar with her fork. "Is it everything you hoped for?"

"It is." His grin softens somewhat. "I have other concerns, other businesses... but each one gives me satisfaction." As he takes another bite, he looks around the room, surveying his pub with no small amount of pride. Sometimes he can be a very simple man.

Smiling as she watches him, she remains quiet and enjoying the company and the food.

He enjoys a comfortable silence for a while, glances stolen at her, smiles shared as he works his way through his meal. "Esp?rance." He looks up at her. "That's how you found out."

"Took you that long, Detective?" A smirk as she went for her water glass and looked at him from the corner of her eyes.

"At first I assumed it was the statue," he smiles, and gestures her over after a sip of his own water. "But then I remembered how you referred to it, and realized it couldn't have been."

A soft chuckle, she leaned over giving him a kiss before speaking softly. "I am impressed by your power of deduction."

He guides her gently closer to him, arms settling around her. "Then I remembered, I'd let it slip to 'Lanta, who I remember telling one of the villagers. And as much as they gossip. And as your friends here aren't that close to me... that made the most sense." He kisses her again, grinning. "Sorry - I can never resist a little detective work."

Her own stool moved closer to him, she settled within his embrace. It would be precarious to try to sit in his lap, to have them both on one stool. Leaning against him. A kiss and more soft silence before looking up to him, "Have you had a good birthday?"

He nods. "Serena took me to dinner. We had a cigar and some scotch and talked about ships." He smiles a bit, fingers trailing over her back. "Wish I'd gotten to see Shannon," his kid sister, whom he's mentioned before, "but she's made herself pretty scarce. I might go find Elly tomorrow and have lunch with her, for the hell of it."

Watching his eyes as he spoke, listening to his words. Offering a nod, sipping her water just after the mention of Serena. Then more nods to the rest, "With luck and good detective skills you will find her."

"My sister and I don't have the best relationship," he says with a shake of his head. "But our paths will cross again, when she wants them to." Another shake of his head, after a pause, he says, "Happier subjects for my birthday dinner." A smile. "How have things been at the village?"

"Happy? Productive? You haven't been around. I haven't gone and visited them." A little shrug of her shoulder. "They seem very content and pleased with things."

"I've heard murmurs of a festival." His smile turns to a grin.

"There was Beltane." Said in agreement, Izira was an unbreakable safe.

He narrows his eyes at her... and then points at her and shakes his finger, apparently quoting something as he says, "Ve haff vays of making you talk..."

Smirks at him, leaning in and giving him another kiss. What were they on now? "You're not interested in getting me to talk, though."

He's lost count. "No chance you brought that costume, is there?" he says between kisses, leaning closer.

A soft laugh, she shook her head. "Sorry. I didn't know if I would find you."

"I think we can make do without, then, don't you?" Eyebrow waggle.

"I take it you are ready for dessert?" tilting her lips to his.

"I'm famished," he replies, drawing her into a deeper kiss.