Armando
*While Ves napped in the pool, Björn and Varnis discussed topics. Not having to hide his origins was a breath of fresh air for the Goliath and he believed that it would be beneficial to tell someone his story. Besides, if he turned out to be a threat, he could easily deal with a guy like him. Their conversation spanned how Ursa Majora was taken and moulded into a gladiator - a slave groomed for fighting and nothing else. They discussed his plans to find his people in the North and his future. Björn learned about Varnis too - a being who is fuelled by affection, trying to become an author and studier of the divine and demonic.*

**"...And that is what led me here, a bottle of Alynthian brandy and a heart locked in a box."** *Varnis explained as he sipped on a glass of water while relaxing in the pool. Björn was certainly confused by his story but it made sense. He felt strange, seeing how Varnis and his body operated.* "It is very... Interesting. No, really I mean it. I found I like books myself."
**"Ahh, a lover of literacy in the body of a Giant... Well, a Goliath."** *Varnis was soon learning his jokes and absent digs were lost on the Barbarian. He was somewhat smart, but not studied.*

*The duo got up and dried off, changing back into their folded clothes as Björn marvelled at how crisp his shirt looked. By the time Ves had awoken and hurried outside, Björn and the tall dark figure were standing in the doorway to the bathhouse. Both were painted in an orange-purple light from the newly setting sun. Varnis had a hand on Björn's shoulder that softly glowed blue as they talked. The Goliath seemed majorly unbothered by it as he spoke, laughing to himself as he did. Hearing familiar footfalls, he turned to look in Ves' direction as his eyes widened; Varnis turned with him, his hand on his shoulder and a sly smile on his face.*

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David
Ves' eyes immediately sought out the familiar figure of Björn. He was standing in the doorway and the way the colors of the sunset washed over him made him look like he was glowing. But there was someone else beside him, hand on his shoulder. They were talking and laughing together and seemed unusually close. Had Björn found a friend? 

They both turned in unison and Ves met the stranger's eyes. She didn't like that sly and knowing smile. The little Kobold felt her defenses rise and a part of her shut down. Her shy smile was still there, but there was hesitation in it now. She suddenly felt ridiculous in her pretty gown. She wasn't dressed properly and she felt naked and scrutinized. Her long ears flicked backwards and her tail, usually expressive, was eerily still behind her. 

"Hey, Björn," She said lamely. "Did you enjoy your bath? You look refreshed. Sorry I took so long. Umm... Who is your friend?" This was not how she imagined this would go. What had she thought would happen? Would she rush into his arms and be lifted and twirled and told how beautiful she looked? *Stupid.* Part of her seriously considered retreating and changing outfits. She shifted uncomfortably as she waited for Björn's response. 

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Armando
*Björn glowed in the light as he turned to face her, his expression was... Dumbfounded. He looked at her, there in that dress and he didn't know what to feel. Varnis' hand released from his shoulder, a bit of blue electricity fading from his palm. Björn immediately began to walk over, slowly. He never said a word, instead he loomed over her, his yellow eye glowing slightly in the light. He knelt down to her level and looked at her in the eyes as he fought back a tear that glued to his blinded eye.*

"Ves... You look stunning, lass." *Was all he could say as he looked at her. The dress wasn't silly at all. He liked it, he liked it a lot. He didn't know what it was but the way she looked so formal, it was simply stunning to him. He smiled and reached out to touch the side of her face, slightly brushing her ear with his finger.* "Honestly... Belle of the ball."

**"I concur Björn..."** *The man said with a smile that seemed a bit unnatural on his face.*
"Oh, right. I almost forgot..." *The Goliath stepped back and out of the way, gesturing with his arm.* "Ves, this is Varnis. I met him inside, and he taught me how to fold clothes. Thank you for that spell you cast by the way Varnis."
**"Nonsense, anything for a friend, no? Besides, a simple calming spell stops any anxiety or rage-induced bouts."** *The man seemed to smile to himself as he clenched his fist, a few sparks of magic coming from them before leaning down to offer his hand to her.*

 **"Varnis Baragon, esquire. You must be the femme fatale Björn was telling me about... Ves isn't it?** *As he leaned down, there was something strange about him for sure. Was it the way he held a cane under his off-arm? Or was it the fact it looked like something was hiding in his hair? The man was handsome, that much was true. But was his kindness enough to win over Ves?*

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David
She gazed up at Björn as he crossed the room to stand over her. They stared at each other for a moment before he knelt. His words almost made her lower her guard before the stranger. Almost. However, Björn's reaction was the one she desired. The look of admiration and shock in his eye was what she had imagined. *Belle of the ball.* His words echoed in her mind. She smiled dreamily at him, the scales across her nose turning red.

Then the stranger spoke and Ves' little bubble of happiness shattered. She looked up at the man and, while her expression wasn't considered *Warm,* It wasn't cold either. The man seemed strange to her. Something about him was off-putting, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Not yet anyway.

She listened to the introduction in quiet contemplation. He had taught Björn how to fold clothes and now he was casting spells on her friend to ease his anxiety. Anxiety? Björn had anxiety? Of course he did, though Ves had never really stopped to consider it before. It struck her as strange, however, that Björn had let his guard down so much with a total stranger. What had transpired at the bath in the few short hours they were separated? This man was obviously some kind of spell caster. What if he had Björn under his control?

Ves hesitated as Varnis offered his hand to her. She wasn't keen on touching the stranger, especially without knowing if Björn was under some kind of curse. But she didn't want to be rude either. So she did the first thing that came to mind: she curtsied. It was clumsy and unfamiliar, but it was a polite way to make introductions. At the same time she smiled. It was a well-calculated expression, one meant to be unassuming and shy. Her suspicions were already growing.

"It's Ves, yes. But what has Björn been telling you?" It scared her a little to realize he knew of her. What had Björn said? Surely nothing important. Unless he was under Varnis' control. Then there was no telling what he might know! *Calm down,* She chided herself. She didn't need to panic and let her imagination run wild. She needed to remain cool and composed and ready for anything.

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Armando
*Varnis watched her curtsey, his expression shifting to a satisfied smile as he bowed himself.* **"Forgive me, I did not know you were a woman of grace."** *He bowed his head and for a moment, it looked like the man had horns. He moved quickly though, snapping back up into his original position.* **"As for what he told me..."** *His face shifted as he spoke, his smile fading as he looked down at her with an air of caution as he slipped a black glove over his heavily marked hand.* **"The walls have ears in places such as these. I am sure Mr Majora would prefer we speak elsewhere, hmm? Perhaps where friends can speak uninterrupted."** *Varnis looked at her, in his eyes he seemed he wanted her to understand something. Why did he call him Majora - as in Ursa Majora?*

"Varnis is right, Ves. We should go someplace else, for all our benefit." *He paused, debating his knowledge of the area - which was shoddy, at best.* "Let's go see Daggar. Frogleg's bound to be open at this time." *Björn looked up at the sky and smiled, spotting something above him as the stars began to make their presence known. He rubbed his wrist as he gazed at one set of stars in particular and his eye twinkled with potential.*

**"Frogleg? Oh you mean the Tavern, right? Be a good as place as any. I don't know about you but I am starving... Ravenous even! I'll buy us all a warm meal, how about that? Consider it... An olive branch, dear Ves."** *He smiled, earnestly as he spoke. His mannerisms were very well kept, yet something about his words... It was a double-entendre with every line he said. Almost as if he has danced these steps before.* "C'mon Ves. I am sure they got something other than fish for once, right?"

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David
Ves almost laughed bitterly at Varnis' response to her curtsy. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was making fun of her somehow. There was something tricky about his words. And although it probably *Was* A good idea to speak elsewhere, she didn't like how he had suggested it. Something about the whole situation made her bristle. Internally anyway. On the outside she wore a concerned smile.

"Of course. Back to the Frogleg Tavern then," She agreed with Björn. He seemed to like the place more than she did. It was exciting, but the noise hurt her ears a little and she didn't like shouting to be heard. How were they going to find someplace secretive in such a place? Maybe Varnis knew something they didn't. *Obviously* Varnis knew something they didn't. Or at least that *She* Didn't. Still, she had already agreed. It was too late to change her mind now.

Ves bit down on the inside of her cheek, her sharp teeth making her taste blood. She didn't like how Varnis was talking to her. It almost felt like he was being condescending, but it was more subtle than that. Ves couldn't exactly describe it, but she knew she didn't like it. "A warm meal sounds great, thanks Varnis," She replied, her smile never once wavering. She could play games as well and had more up her sleeve than most realized. She was, after all, only a cowardly Kobold.

Unless Björn had unwittingly given the game away. 

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