Terence
Tiny Vik
The Mizzen Market, Tonate Proper

Vik clapped against his wrist softly.

"That's exactly what it's like and more.  To be honest, I feel empty when I can't help, it's like being hungry but food doesn't work."  He took another sip, then poured himself a second glass of tea, quietly giggling at the questions.

"Those are much simpler answers.  I didn't accept payment because I don't need it as much as you, I never carry more than I need.  It's you, because Jax told me about you in a way.  You deserve help just as much as anyone, despite where you're from or how you were born.  And frankly Arin, I've already helped you."  He took up his cup and sipped again, humming with glee.  "Like I said, this is my *Special* Tea.  Can't you notice anything different?"
Ora
Arin Cragton
Mizzen Market

The puzzled look on Arin's face told a far better story than what could have come out of his mouth. Maybe the ale had reached his head, or he was dreaming, but he couldn't figure out what the small man was talking about. 

"How did Jax... What?" He stammered, his brain failing to comprehend the being that sat in front of him. As Vik continued to talk, Arin began noticing a strange feeling. His hair was tickling his ear. He slowly reached an arm up to move it, but groaned as he moved it. 

"What the?" He asked, struggling as he moved his arm. It wasn't pain, but something else was holding his arm back. His muscles ached as he moved his hair, but grew even more confused when his fingers brushed against his hair, but not his ears. Before long, he realized the throbbing was no longer present in his body, and his puzzled look became an excitement he could barely contain. 

"Vik. I do not want to claim something that isn't true, but am I dreaming? Moments ago I was in agony, now I can barely even feel it." He said, slowly standing up with a small grunt. He slowly stood on his now uninjured leg, before his eyes grew wide. He flexed the muscle on his arm, and looked over at Vik. 

"I don't know how, but thank you." He said, before groaning as his muscles began to buckle under him. He could barely move, and he just collapsed and sat with his back against the ground. His adrenaline was high, so the pain barely fazed him. He looked over at Vik, before looking up at the ceiling. 

"I'm starving." He said softly.
Terence
Tiny Vik
The Mizzen Market, Tonate Proper

"I could pinch you, if you'd like."  Vik giggled and sipped his tea.

"I promise you aren't dreaming, lad.  Besides, I already told you how.  It's my tea, Arin.  It helps speed things up a bit, so you just went through two months of bedrest in just a few minutes."  He spoke as Arin stood for a few seconds.  "However you might have atrophied just a bit, nothing some exercise can't help."

He sipped his tea before setting it back on it's saucer.  He quietly stood up, disturbing Tiddlywinks from his nap.  Waddling over to the bar, he jumped onto a stool.

"Excuse me!"  He began, placing his hand on the bar top.  "When you get a chance, I'd like three bowls of stew and bread brought over to my table."

"We just have black bread."  The bartender said, pouring rum into a flagon.

"We aren't that picky, thank you!"  After speaking he placed a golden coin on the counter and leapt to the floor, waddling back to his seat.

"I hope you like stew, Arin.  Protein will help."
Ora
Arin Cragton
The Mizzen Market, Tonate Proper

"Stew is better than some of the shit I've eaten on ships. Have you ever eaten a water biscuit? It's where you live a water skin out, let it warm up, and drink it as fast as possible to trick your body into thinking it has eaten. I've gone to sleep with only a water biscuit many nights." Arin said, stretching slowly. His body was tense, as if he had been climbing for days on end. He popped the joints on his fingers, smiling as each pop was louder than the last. He slowly used the floor to pop his back, before popping his neck as well. As he finished, he yawned before sitting up and looking over at Vik. 

"Hey there kitty." Arin said, pulling himself into a chair and disturbing the cat. He laughed as it yawned, and slowly moved his arm over to give it a rub. The cat began reaching out its paws, meowing as it held onto Arin's arm for a moment before Arin scratched his head. The cat's loud purrs could be heard throughout the small building. 

"He's adorable." Arin said, grinning as he rubbed the cat from head to tail. He looked up at the man at the counter, before taking a coin out of his bag. 

"Hey Vik, I may not know any real magic, but watch this." He said, before waving his hands together and quickly rolling the coin behind his hand. He reached over at scratched the cat, palming the coin before running his fingers under the cat's head and pulling the coin seemingly out from underneath the cat's chin. 

"Magic." He said, laughing.
Terence
Tiny Vik
The Mizzen Market, Tonate Proper

Vik shook his head as he settled back into his seat, his tiny legs and large feet dangling over the edge as he wiggled to find his comfort.

"Fortunately I can say I haven't had a 'water biscuit,' the worst thing I ever ate was tree mold on hardtack.  Starting a garden has it's hard times."  He giggled again, watching Arin scratch Tiddlywinks.

"*Mraow*."  Tiddlywinks said.

"He says he isn't adorable, you should see him when he's angry." Vik translated, before continuing in interest of Arin's magic.

"How did you do that?"  Vik asked, watching the coin roll over the young man's knuckles.

"*Mraow*?" Tiddlywinks said.

"And he wants to know how you did *That*," Vik translated, referring to the palming trick.
Ora
Arin Cragton
Southern Isles

Arin smiled softly, scratching the cat's head. "Angry? I'm sure you are a terrifying beast when you get angry." He said, before looking at Vik. 

"The key is in how fast you can move the coin. All it takes is a small distraction." He said, lifting his hand, slowly moving the coin so Vik could see, before doing the small wave again, showing him how to distract the other person. 

"And choose your target, keeping the coin out of sight." He said, slowly moving his hand so Vik could see the coin being held up by balance, the point resting on his knuckle. 

"Then you just reveal it." He said, showing Vik the final move. "It works on everyone, and the harder people stare, the easier it is to distract them." He said, before looking at Vik again. 

"Like this. Watch closely." He said, before holding the coin in his right hand, palm up. He closed both hands, turning them over, before smiling and clapping. He kept the coin out of Vik's sight, and quickly moved it along the outside of his knuckles before turning his hands over revealing his two empty palms. The small coin dropped into Arin's sleeve, and Arin turned his hands over again, revealing he wasn't hiding it anywhere. He smiled, before flinging his arm out and catching the coin on the outside of his hand before pulling the coin back off of Tiddlywinks. 

"A pirate by the name of Fink taught me it. He used it to steal, but I use it just to show off to children, or their parents." He said, giving the coin to Vik. 

"Wanna give it a go?" He asked, looking over.
Terence
Tiny Vik
The Mizzen Market, Tonate Proper

Vik watched the movements closely as Arin did the trick again.  When he eventually offered the coin to him, he took it, nodding vigorously.

"I have to ask, Arin."  He said as he punched the coin between his knuckles, attempting to roll it over to his next finger very slowly.  "What is it you want to do now?  You spoke of always losing, do you want to get revenge?"

Vik spoke as he concentrated, trying to roll the coin over his knuckles.  It was a slow process, but he made it to the last pinch.  However he seemed puzzled at how to move the coin from his pinky, to the other side of his palm to start again.

"How does this part work?"  He asked a second question.
Rhonda
The Pirate King Bradai Maith
The Festival, the Maith Mansion

The Captains and the King paused when Caderyn brought the little girl aside, giving her the skull instead. Bradai watched as a look of puzzlement crossed the faces of his men. Caderyn's explanation softened the expressions of a few, but not many. They had wanted their golden skull. But the war was long and his sister had been right. There would be many, many skulls. There would be gold in Sol, too. _Perhaps we will have golden skulls on the way back. When Caderyn is King and the girls come back._ He thought about the Princesses, all of the wards, coming back to spend some time in Redwall. To learn and rest and prepare. He smiled. When his men saw that, they smiled too, and some even cheered and toasted to Fleur's health and the bout of justice that had occured. Vronti Kelwynd had killed three hundred and seventeen Islanders in the Amorothi colonies. Provided they could find any of the loyalists in Vronti's reign, they would exact their revenge.

He was not sure when the main feast had come, but he had been drinking rum when it did. He had lifted his cup in between drinks, and when he lowered it, there were hundreds of plates before him. All of them steaming, vibrant, carried on spits or wheeled in on carts to then be prepared on moving trays. Bright orange monkfish, cooked in lime and grapefruit, was wheeled past him. Many of the southern wives eyed it hungrily, but he had no stomach for it. The bright yellow mackerel, with the skin crusty and seasoned, had caught his eye. It came to him at first in waves, but as he was forced to take the first bite of every meal, he began to send out portions to those he had invited. He sent one to Kirk Pinewood, one to Angelica Stafford and another to her husband. He sent a bright red lobster to Anyanka Durkhan when Silas mentioned that the two shared a similarly reddish hue. He sent scallops, fried in white wine, yellow butter, rosemary, sea salt, and bright red saffron to Eels Eels, The Kid, One Armed Waylan and Lord Cyprien de Lysse. He sent a bright green mackerel, stuffed with nuts and spices, to Gitten, another to Dennon Bigsby, and the last to Puckgordon, the court's most unruly squire and apprentice to the Seneschal.

When the fish portion was over, there was no hope for him. 40 saffron goats, 20 goslings, 12 stewed chickens, 60 rabbits had been given over as the gift of his wives on the estate. 20 herons, 10 ducks, and 10 fat capon stuffed with kumquats and apples from the Guild of Wharfmasters. The fat capon interested him most. The bite he had taken tasted like apples and cinnamon. 

Two of the ten steer that the Thissles had brought to the festival were being cooked tonight. They were wheeled in on spits in separate parts. The servants that had been cooking it all day came in, with the bones they removed draped over their tunics. The chef had already stripped the skin and viscera from the cow skulls, which hung at his hips and clacked noisily. Bradai was happy when the chef stood in the processional and gave them to him as a gift. He placed them on either side on his plates, to look down at those that gave him gifts.

Mountains of buttered rice with savory chopped onion, coriander, and peppers followed, carried out by multiple servants in heavy wooden dishes. These were deposited right onto the tables, and almost immediately, the Islanders began using their provided wooden bowls to serve themselves. They dug the rice into their bowls and began to pick it up from the bowl with bread, peppers, strips of fish, or their own bare hands.

When the mountains of rice were gone, the Islanders were amazed to see that there was more, this time with pieces of salty cod, olive oil, flakes of sea salt, and pine nuts. He watched as they ate this one quicker than the last. The King laughed aloud. 

" 'ave you not all been preparing for my feast? I am your King, I must serve you! We need rum! I will serve any man 'oo comes to me!" He began to laugh then, and he felt Silas's boot against his. He laughed harder when two barrels of strong, black Zulprisan rum were placed behind him. From that point forward, the King was rarely in his seat. After a while of walking back and forth to fill cups and pass them off to his wives, cousins, brothers, and sister, he ordered it removed, then called for his mother to see the ball. 

When they wheeled out his mother, the tiny Tenley Maith, in her wheeled wicker chair, the Pirate King got off of his dias and came down to say hello. Silas had insisted against it, but not a loyal man spoke out of turn when it happened. She was the Matriarch of their King, and there was no woman more respected in the Isles than the Royal Matriarch. She had been a viper of a woman in her youth and far, far into her old age. But she had sombered some in the last five years and with the incident his Council had ruled that she would only be brought out briefly.

" 'ello!" Bradai said, making the word a song. His mother smiled at that. He had rarely seen her smile, but these days in came easier. He still did not trust it.

" 'ello Bradai," She said. When the woman behind her looked down at Tenley with a reassuring glance, the two nodded to each other. Tonight, at least, was okay. And then he was reaching for her hands to squeeze them. 

"Are you 'appy?" He asked, and watched as her eyes filled with tears. She thought about that for a very long time, long enough to draw the eyes away from them.

"Poor Bradai-Daran," Was all she said in response. The two shared a long look before she added, "You used to be so young." She placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him lightly on the other side. She looked at him and then past him and then was gone.

"Let's..." Bradai stood, kissing his mother on the back of the hand, and took the cup of rum off the ground. He placed it on her lap and watched as her spindly fingers, brown and freckled, padded against the cup. "Let's get my muvher back inside. It's been a very long day for 'er. Aye?" He pursed his lips hard beneath his beard.

"Aye," She said back, cutting into the conversation. She looked proud for having done it.

"Aye," He repeated, uselessly. She parroted it again, but by that point she had taken to the rum and was wheeled back behind the dias and brought inside.

Silas was there, then. Behind him, to help him back onto the stage as if he would collapse at any moment. He shooed him off and looked at the feast. They were wheeling out the last of the rice mountains, this one soaked in coconut milk and made sweet with cherries, bananas, and peaches, but he had no stomach for it. He took a bite and that was all. 

"I'll take tha next gift." Bradai said, standing behind his place at the table, cigar in his mouth. He was flanked on either side by cow skulls and barrels of rum, arms crossed against his chest. 


He was happy to see the Drase woman. When she unsheathed the sword, Bradai uncrossed his arms and began to clap. The thought briefly crossed his mind that she might try and kill him. It was only when her fool of a husband, dressed in a vibrant cloak tinkling with silver bells, capered up beside her that he wished that someone send the blade into his own skull. He removed the cigar from his mouth to drink the dregs of his rum. Pearlygob. He called himself the Lord of the Shrouds, and by rights he was, but everyone from the men in his Council to the vagrants in the streets and Black Houses called him "Pearlygob." Bradai could see why. Just to look at the man was to smile. Somehow, Bradai managed to keep his composure, even as the man insisted that it had been BOTH of them that found the gift, that he wished that he had kept it, and that he was sad that he would not wield it to kill the subjects of the little Queen he was addressing. "Yeah, it is a coincidence." Bradai said, curtly, moving to dismiss them both. Then all at once, he smiled and stayed his hand.

"Please." He smiled at Pearlygob, in a way that some might have considered to be overly familiar. "In vhese times uff uncertainty, we will need all 'ands. I would be mistaken to not send my most able bodied men to war. I will need you, and I would be remiss to let your ships leave 'arbor wiffout my most loyal lord be'ind an oar." He laughed long and hard at that, filling up a flagon of rum to pass it down to him. "A joke, of course. We will get you a position as a quartermaster or chef on one uff my galleys." He laughed again, filing up another flagon and passing it over the table to his servants, who passed it off to his wife. "I jape!" He barked, now straight faced. "Find a crew. I intend to see you use vhis sword you want so badly." He passed it back over the table, nodding to them both.

"And my Lady," Bradai addressed Pearlygob's wife. "Do please meet wiff me. You look ravishing tonight, but the only fing vhat I fink might improve your look is Company Coat." He smiled, taking a sip of rum from a tankard and squeezing half a lime into it. He knew of her origins, a minor clan displaced on Zulprisa due to their early declaration. "It is time to repay tha debt I owe your Clan. And you will need to look after your 'usband's port, if he is to use vhat beautiful sword you..." He cleared his throat, "Boff found." He nodded them farewell, and clapped both of his hands together to see the gift Lord Cyprien had brought him. A white stallion. 

"Did you know vhat people gift Islanders 'orses very rarely." Bradai said, filling a flagon and passing it over to Cyprien. "It is refreshing to 'ave someone break vhat tradition." He removed the cigar from his mouth and stuck it between the rings on his fingers, keeping it in place as he talked to the Lord of the Grey Hills. "We are finally met, and in auspicious circumstances. Your son is to be your new King's champion, and you 'ave given me a favorable gift. I do not suppose vhat you came all uff tha way down Souff just to award a King you've never met wiff an 'orse he's never been given, fhough. Your people are fhreatened. I know uff de Burgh. Is 'e as pious as Kelwynd? Or will we get to coat 'is skull in some uvher metal? Lead, maybe." He gave the man a raise of his eyebrows, "I trust you are finding everyfing in order. Vhere was a report uff you in the Irons. You 'ave a very nice ship. I will 'ave to see your port when I am next in Terresol, aye? I will require you at the meetings wiff tha Ibbish royalty tomorrow. To rid you uff your Lead Lord."

He scratched down in his parchment the gifts he had received, then set down the quill and read. _One white stallion, indeed._ Bradai thought.
Phyllis
Alva Ivanova
The Ball, Maith Mansion

Alva sat alone at a far table, gently swirling a wine glass in her right hand. She stared into the small crimson whirlpool, losing herself in the spiral. Alva was usually quite attentive, but big parties like this brought back unpleasant memories and she had no intentions of stirring those up any further. She was considering not coming at all, but for her mother's sake, she figured she might as well keep up appearances. Diplomacy, that's all.

Deep down, Alva knew it was all fake - the Ivanova household was no longer what it once was. She hardly belonged here, if at all. All she could do now was count down the hours until she could leave.
Marguerite
Catarina Tanner
The Ball, Maith Mansion

The stress from her conversation with Valkrin was eating at her, pounding at the door and threatening to send her over the edge again. Should she run? Run before she hurt someone? Run before her *Curse* Hurt someone? No, not yet. If anything, Valkrin Farensun would be the one person deserving of whatever punishment the gods sent forth. Besides, why flee from a party such as this one?

She was more inclined towards indulgence now, to forget her problems, and was swirling through the party. It reminded her some of the old days, when she had flitted through crowds, dancing and earning coin. Like a butterfly, flitting from table to table to taste the sweet nectar of decadent food and alcohol. She danced, she ate, and she drank to her hearts content. Somehow, the more she drank, the better she danced.

Eventually she floated to Alva's table, smiling at the brooding young woman before settling down in an open seat across from her. This table, being more on the outskirts, had fewer guests, and therefore, more of the delicious treats she had enjoyed so much at the last table! 

"Rum!" She chirped, lifting a glass from a passing servant.
Phyllis
Alva Ivanova
The Ball, Maith Mansion

In spite of everything, Alva's mother would love a ball like this. The loud music, the plentiful food, the dancing - all the things Karolina relished about parties came together in a magnificent festival at Maith Mansion. Not only that, but she was also a social butterfly. There were few things she enjoyed more than chatting and laughing over fine wine and decadent pastries. Hopefully one day she could tag along with Alva when she got better...

Suddenly, a loud thump snapped her back to reality. 

Startled, Alva inhaled sharply and her head whipped to face the drunk woman who had sat down in front of her. She quickly collected herself and instead focused her attention - and irritation - on the woman across the table. Alva had nearly managed to forget she was at a party at all and she certainly didn't appreciate her thoughts being interrupted like this.

She clutched her glass a little tighter and pulled herself together; for diplomacy's sake, of course. That's why she was here, after all. Alva looked Catarina's way and tightly returned her smile.
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
The Ball, Maith Mansuo

This was her moment, Her opportunity. Calypso stepped forward, gesturing to the two nearby guards to follow her, who she had convinced to hold her gifts, them being far too heavy for her. The temmerre lady red dress waved with each movement following the curve of her body as she stepped where Cyprien was once standing "If I may, Your Highness..." Spoke up her. 

Up until now, The temmerre lady had been standing still in the back, beside Fleur, not moving a muscle to avoid any unwanted attention. But now she was bowing in front of the two kings, many eyes pinning on the unknown lady in red as her Jewelry reflected the lights of the castle. " My name Is Lady Calypso Kolgrim, Daughter of Lord Thorne Kolgrim, vassal of the De Lysse's house and from them so graciously nominated Lord. " Too many years Calypso had to face with the sneering faces of nobles who would be reluctant to accept the title that was gifted to her family as if they linage didn't come from the same sorts." Despite my presence being allowed here as part of the De Lysse family entourage, I humbly ask you to accept the gifts I bring today." Whether they like it or not, Calypso Kolgrim was now a Lady of Terresoll, and as such, she was going to behave. 

The two Guard stepped forward. One holding A long heavy sword while the other had a large metals kite shield in his arms. Both the shield and the sheat of the sword decorated with fine flowers motif, The vibrant red of the Poppins against the bright teal of the background, perfectly matched. The large cross guard of the sword imitating a couple of sharp-looking leaves, while in place of the pommel bloomed a blood-red flower like those on the decorations. 

"The sword goes to you Your highness, may your strength and wisdom cut through the adversities that may come down your path, like this sword cuts through the enemy's flesh."

"And For Your noble sister, The shield. For her who protect this wonderful kingdom that you build and now shines like the waters which surround it, May she stand tall and proud for many years to come." 

"I offer you these weapons, in substitution to my father's pledge of loyalty, who had tragically passed away less than a month ago." She looked up, meeting the Gaze of her new king. 
"I know that if he was still alive, there would be no hesitation to swear his heart and sword to our rightful king. " And bowed her head.
Marguerite
Catarina Tanner
The Ball, Maith Mansion

She took a long sip of rum, then set the glass down and began happily digging into her food. She was definitely inebriated, at this point, but to the point of being tipsy and bubbly, rather than outright sloshed. She held her liquor well enough that she could act with some level of decorum, so hopefully Valkrin wouldn't have to carry her out tonight. She'd rather not humiliate herself in front of half of Marin.

Eventually pausing in her indulgence, she said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Catarina, and yours?" 

A part of her wondered why the woman appeared so tense and unhappy. Perhaps she just needed a bit more alcohol to loosen up.
Phyllis
Alva Ivanova
The Ball, Maith Mansion

"Alva Ivanova. And the pleasure is all mine." 

Alva studied Catarina for a moment. She was drunk but not quite intoxicated. Regardless, she didn't particularly feel like watching this woman eat all night and she should probably mingle a little at some point anyway, so she opted to make some polite conversation instead.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself. Maith knows how to throw quite the party, hm?"

Not exactly her strong suit.
Harvey
Captain Valkrin Farensun
The Ball, Maith Mansion 

*After all the trouble I went through to get that, you'd give the skull to a girl?* Valkrin let out a small scoff as he turned and walked away from where Maith's party was sitting. His most trusted guard, Sergeant Mathias, approached him with a recruit following close behind.

"I wouldn't've give vhat skull to nobody, Captain. If you ask me, vhese men should be givin' you all vhe gifts tonight." The young boy chirped without even saluting his captain before speaking. When the sergeant lifted his hand to strike the lad, Valkrin stopped him, giving the boy two taps on the shoulder and sending him to fetch him a drink. "Are you feeling well, sir?" Mathias asked, with a bewildered look. "You've never allowed that behavior with any other guard." 

"I'm feeling grand, sergeant. Just wanted the boy to grab my drink before I gave you the order to wire his jaw shut." Valkrin replied lazily, with his drink being handed to him a few seconds later. "See if he speaks out of line after that." As the pair walked off to the barracks, the Captain took a seat next to a dark haired woman, one he knew from his time as a Black Poppy. 

"Miss Orviati, I wondered when you'd pop up around here again."
Ora
Arin Cragton
Mizzen Market

Arin shook his head, smiling softly. "Revenge isn't truly what I'm after. It's... More of a respect thing if I am being honest. These men, they didn't just throw me in a garbage pile, they beat me, and even after being told to take me to a doctor, I ended up behind this... Place. It led me to you, which I am thankful for, but I wasn't supposed to be here. The disrespect that those men portrayed cannot be let stand, or they will never respect me. The price they pay is not up to me, but it is truly up to them." He said, before looking back at his sack of coins. 

"Catch the coin with your thumb, and slide it across your palm. It is simple, yet it is the part people have the most trouble comprehending. There is no... Special way. There is just you guiding the coin across your palm." He said, turning the coin from finger to finger before letting it rest on his pinky, and catching it with his thumb before sliding it back to its original place. "That's the first step, the first trick I ever learned. After that, I taught myself how to do the rest. It's all about making people pay attention to the wrong details." He said, before staring at the coin. 

"My favorite trick is one of the most simple. You take two coins, have someone hold one, while holding the other one in your palm, before claiming you can make them multiply. As someone exclaims 'no way' you say that you can. All it takes is a simple wish. And as they make their wish, you slowly place a hand on their shoulder and look at them and tell them to look under their shoe. The entire time you have kept their eyes away from the ground, and voila, a second coin that is identical to the first." He said, smiling. 

"It works sometimes, but most of the time people just claim luck. It happens." He said, before looking over at Vik. "Keep the coin. It's fun to learn to play with." He said, rolling his own coin across his fingers again.