John
Puck
Tonate Proper

Puck was now a little paranoid at the last comment about finding out where he was going. He looked over at her with mild disturbance as he bared his teeth mildly at her very presence. He acted a little more like a beast than a boy, it seemed. Something that Bradai was hoping to quell. 

Puck's teeth were gapped and yellowed, a sad difference to his appealing pretty-boy outer shell. He turned back to the road and picked up the pace. As soon as he made it back into Mansion grounds, it would be easy to depart from her. 

Hopefully.

"I'd rather not tell you my name." He looked over. "It makes bad things happen," He warned, his voice lowering as he sneered at her. "If you have nothing better to do, go make yourself useful somewhere else. Go fishing or something. I dont know what you islanders even do."
Cedric
**Bastien de Lysse**
**Streets of Westward Keel**

As he went in the direction of Maith Mansion, Bastien found himself gazing at the bath houses that lined the streets. The tropical weather had made him perspire more than he would have wanted to admit. It was much warmer here than it was in the North, especially this time of year. Rejoining the group, and greeting King Maith, did not sound appealing if he was to be covered in a coat of shining sweat.

"Something on your mind, my lord?" Valmour asked, noticing how Bastien's eyes were straying from the road.

Bastien sighed, glancing at his squad of men. His father would most likely have a fit if they were to return without him. "No."

Valmour studied his employer with a flat look. Bastien could be a pain when it came to saying what he truly wanted, and thus Valmour had become adept at reading in between the lines. "You want to go bathe?" He asked, as if reading Bastien's mind. He smiled. "I don't see the problem in that."

Bastien's frown deepened. "I'm not going to go into a bath house with an entourage," He said as he glanced back at the squad of men surrounding him.

"Then send them back to Maith Mansion with your things, and I'll stay to guard you. We all know that I'm an excellent guardsman, which is why you've put up with me for these past few years." He shot Bastien a dazzling smile. "Unless it was due to my dashing good looks?"

Bastien gave him an annoyed look. "My father wouldn't be pleased with me not being heavily guarded." He was not going to give Valmour the satisfaction of acknowledging his trailing remark.

Valmour moved his horse to be closer to Bastien's, lowering his voice so that the other men in the squad couldn't hear him. "So? He will get over it when you come back unscathed and sparkling clean. You're a grown man and are able to make your own decisions." Only due to his close relationship with Bastien could he speak about Lord de Lysse in such a way.

**. . .**

Bastien was tempted to argue, but he knew Vamlour was ultimately right. His father had been known to be overly dramatic now and again. Bastien could take care of himself. Besides, he was practically glowing with sweat at this point. 

"Fine," He said as he pulled back on the reins, halting his horse. He dismounted, and Valmour followed suit. The men took over their horses and continued to the Pirate King's mansion.

 "Wise choice, my lord," Valmour said cheerfully as he clasped a hand on Bastien's shoulder. "A nice, quiet bath would do you good."

———

Bastien found himself, instead of relaxing, glowering in the far corner of the bathing area, towel still in place despite him being submerged in water. He glared daggers over at Valmour, who just smiled back in mock innocence. 

He had never been to a bath house in the Isles before, but he knew that Valmour had. Valmour, who had just happened to forget to mention that the baths were *Unisex.* Unisex as well as children splashing around. Bastien could feel numerous eyes on him, and he hated it. He felt extremely out of place, with all of the naked women about. He sunk lower into the warm water until his mouth was barely above it. The architecture was remarkable, as was the tiling. Bastien knew, because these were the only things he kept his gaze on.

"Something troubling you, my lord?" Valmour had the audacity to ask as he leaned over to rest his arm on the tile outside of the water, close to Bastien. So smug, so cocky. "You seem to be a little *Flushed.*"

Bastien turned his eyes from the ornate ceiling to give his guardsman a dangerous look. "If there were not so many women and children around, I would kill you." His eyes narrowed. "You purposefully did not mention it."
-

Valmour shrugged his tanned shoulders, not even pretending to look ashamed. "Must have slipped my mind," He replied. He didn't even bother to ask what "It" Was. He knew.

"Just as it conveniently 'slipped your mind' to grab your funds before the men took off so I would be forced to pay entry for you?"

Valmour put a hand to his tawny chest in mock-hurt. "Your words wound me, my lord."

"If only."

"You know, if you would relax a little, you might find that it's possible to enjoy yourself," Valmour replied as he glanced around. He caught the eye of two women on the other side of the pool drinking wine, and gave them a wave and a charming grin. They glanced at each other, then waved back with a smile. 

Bastien made a noise of disgust, but it was lost under the water.
Edith
**Lord Kirk Pinewood
Outside Maith Mansion**

"No. *Cough* I can still feel the smoke. *Cough cough* I'd rather walk a bit." The tuna that the pirate king had provided for lunch did not make Kirk feel more sick, thankfully. Still, he still didn't feel like he had a clear head after drinking rum on an empty stomach, and he was still coughing after accidentally directly inhaling a puff of cigar smoke while laughing at his own joke. After lunch, Kirk decided to take Dennon's suggestion of going for a walk. Those working for Bradai had offered to give him a carriage ride to wherever he wanted to go, but Kirk felt like he could take deeper breaths by walking instead. He walked alone, though Bradai's men still followed him.

He traveled several blocks before reaching the Westward Keel, an area of Tonate known for its many bathhouses. As Kirk looked at the outside of the buildings, he became more aware of how dirty he felt, not only from the walk on this hot, sunny afternoon, but also the many days they had spent on a ship getting to the Isles. He reached into his pocket, wondering how much entry might cost before suddenly remembering that he was a guest. Lord Pinewood turned to the men from house Maith that had hesitantly approached to see why he'd stopped walking. "What are these buildings for?" Kirk asked curiously, as though it hadn't occurred to him to read the signs.
** **

"The bathhouses, my lord. They are a staple of city life here in the Isles." The man of house Maith that answered seemed to have fielded this question more than once from a foreign visitor.

"Oh, really?" Kirk feigned an expression of wonder at the thought. "Bathing sounds like such a relaxing idea after all those days at sea. I'm not sure if I have enough..." He began to feel inside his pockets and pat the outside of his clothes, touching everywhere except where he kept his coin pouch.

"Consider it a gift from house Maith as thanks for making the journey here." The armed mansion worker waved his hand for Kirk to stop looking for money.

"Islander hospitality really *Is* As great as they say." Kirk said before walking toward the one that most caught his eye. "I see this one sells wine!"

**. . .**

Kirk innocently twiddled his thumbs as his entry was negotiated by the representatives of House Maith with the owners of the bathhouse, but it wasn't until he was let inside naked with a glass of wine that he realized he may have gotten more than he bargained for with his con. The bathhouse was quite busy. It was the day of the festival, so there wasn't the usual evening rush. It seemed that some had chosen the bathhouse as a locale to experience the festivities before the main events began. When some rather young patrons came by, Kirk instinctively grabbed his willy, using his free hand to cover it.

"Hey, no funny business like that in here," Said a fully nude man, who noticed Kirk grabbing himself.
** **

"No no no no. You misunderstand." Kirk stammered, trying to keep his hand incredibly still so that there would be no confusion about what he was doing. "I just didn't want to be... Exposed."

"Why, afraid someone will bite it?" This brought an uproar of laughter from the bathhouse patrons, along with a few murmurs of "Mainlander..."

Kirk, now quite self-conscious, began to look for an open area by which to get into the water. The most available space was near a man who looked to be in a rather sour mood with a companion who bore a more pleasant expression. The brooding one was still sporting a towel around him even in the water, which made Kirk think he was also not of the Isles. Kirk did his best to approach their section of the pool and entered the water gingerly. "Busy today, eh?" Kirk finally muttered aloud, trying to break the ice.
Cedric
**Claude Valmour
Westward Keel Bath House**

Claude glanced away from the two women to look at the man who was carefully entering the water beside him. He noticed with amusement that the man was covering himself conservatively until he was in the water. "It seems that way, doesn't it?" He said, giving the man a friendly smile as he leaned his back against the rim of the pool, resting his elbows casually on the tile as his hands hung half-submerged in the water. He seemed perfectly at ease amongst the naked people about. "It must be due to the festival."

His dark eyes glanced over at Bastien, seeing if he would interact with the stranger. The scowl from Bastien's face was now gone, replaced with a tense, unreadably numb expression. He was staring rather intensely at the water, his fair cheeks flushed. *Odd.* Claude raised an eyebrow, then looked around the room. He didn't notice it at first, but then saw in the crowd a small group of women staring at Bastien. 

One of them had long, elegantly curled blonde hair. It was the same group of women they had run into earlier to ask for directions to the blacksmith's. Now stark naked a few paces away.

Claude laughed before he could stop himself, and he received a dark look from Bastien because of it. "Laugh while you still can," Bastien hissed. His deep, raspy voice, normally so pleasant and attractive to listen to, sounded extremely menacing.

"I fully plan to," Claude remarked pleasantly, as if his life hadn't just been threatened. "As well as ordering some liquor. This fine gentleman inspired me with his glass of wine."He turned around to wave down a nearby steward. "I'll take a scotch, if you would be so kind. And-" He glanced at Bastien. "Yes? No?"

***"No."***

**. . .**

*Pity. Bastien is quite fun when he gets tipsy.* He flashed a smile at the attendant. "Then just the scotch. Thanks, love." He turned to the man who had just joined them. "So, you aren't from around here. Are you?" Claude kept his expression friendly and inquisitive, though it was painfully obvious that the man was not from the Isles.
Edith
Kirk pretended to be more focused on the color of paint on the walls than the quiet, seething exchange happening next to him. Once the drink had been ordered, he answered. "Indeed I'm not. This is only the second time that I've visited the Isles. You don't sound like you're from around here either." He looked at the more sour-faced of the duo. "You could have my wine if you'd like, scotch can be a bit strong. I just had rum with my lunch, and it didn't occur to me until after I had the glass that wine might be an unwise addition to the mixture."
Cedric
Bastien glanced over, realizing that the man was addressing him, and tried to make his expression less murderous. "Oh. I see." He wasn't very much in the mood for drinking, but he knew the man was trying to be kind. Besides, rum and wine did not sound like a good combination. He glanced down to make sure the measly towel around his waist would stay in place, then took the glass. "I'll repay you for it."

"That's the spirit, my lord," Valmour said, earning a squint from Bastien. He was handed his scotch by the attendant and took a sip. "Mmm. Delicious! But ah, yes, you're right," He said with a nod to the man. "I'm from Ibethiel, and Lord de Lysse-" He gestured to the white-haired young man holding the wineglass- "Is from the North."
Edith
Kirk would not remind them of the reimbursement both because the drink was on the house and because it would be rude to ask. However, if they remembered, he was never one to turn down free coin. "How far North?" Kirk further inquired if the man who accepted his wine.
Cedric
Bastien had taken a sip of the wine, and was surprised how it tasted. It was very good for being served at a bathhouse. "The Grey Hills. It's in the southern part of Northwind," He replied as he took another small sip. The contrast between Lord de Lysse's dainty sips of wine and Claude's swigs of scotch were almost symbolic of their clashing personalities.
Edith
"Ah, not as far North as my wife. She's actually from The Witherlands." Kirk turned to the scotch-drinking fellow. "I'm from Ibethiel too. Hexrakes or elsewhere?"
Cedric
Claude grinned. "Ah, a fellow Hexrakian," He said approvingly. He took another swig of his scotch, then narrowed his eyes as he studied the man. "What is your name? Perhaps it will ring a bell for me."
Edith
"Kirk Pinewood." The antiquities dealer answered, forgetting to mention 'Lord' in front of his name, as it was a title he had still been getting used to since his wedding. "I own an antique shop near the castle. Pineworks, if you've ever been."
Cedric
"Pineworks," Claude repeated. "Clever name. And a fascinating vocation." He shook his head in defeat. "I don't recall a Kirk Pinewood. I don't suppose you would recall a Claude Valmour?"
Edith
"I do not, unfortunately, but I'm sure if I had, it would have been all good things." Kirk briefly dunked his head under the water to wet down his face and hair. "If you don't mind me asking, what brought you down to The Southern Isles, or was it only for the festival?"
Cedric
Bastien made an amused noise when Kirk made the comment that he would have only heard good things about Claude. "We're here for business," He said he put his glass on the tile, his back straightening a bit from its slouched position. He was much taller than he initially appeared. "Though I suppose the timing with the festival is- convenient." He was about to say *Inconvenient*, but he didn't want to be rude. Seeing that Claude was again momentarily distracted by the two women on the other side of the pool, it looked like it was Bastien's turn to carry the conversation. "Are you and your wife here for business as well? Or pleasure?"
Edith
"Business, but for a- ...Friend of mine. I came along because I'd been to the Isles before, and it was his first time. I'd hoped to get some pleasure out of it too though." Kirk then remembered that his wife had been mentioned. "And she uh, stayed home. Didn't want the house to get too dusty, know what I mean?"

"Do you plan to attend the joust at all, or will you be too busy with business?"
Cedric
"Ah... Yes." Bastien could never imagine making his future wife dust things. Who was he kidding, what future wife? "The tournament going on in Tonate Proper? I've heard it's supposed to be quite the spectacle." He took another sip of wine, longer this time. "I'm hoping to attend, but who knows if I will have the time to." He glanced at Kirk with his indigo eyes. "And you?"
Edith
"I do, though I may miss the beginning. Most events like this start later than planned anyway. I doubt I'll miss much." Kirk thought back to where the non-Ibbish man was from. "Lord De Lysse, was it? I must admit I lack some knowledge on Northwind politics. Are you the Lord of the Grey Hills themselves?"
Cedric
"You may call me Bastien. And no, I'm not Lord of the Grey Hills yet. That title belongs to my father." Speaking of Cyprien, Bastien hoped that he was making a good first impression on the Pirate King. Sometimes he could be oblivious to certain social etiquettes, and would come across as rather pontifical.

Bastien's gaze turned from Kirk to Valmour, his eyes narrowed. "I'd prefer it if you would just go over there and bother them instead of me," He said, referring to the two women his guardsman had been constantly sharing flirting glances at.

"Hmm?" Valmour blinked as he raised his glass to his lips. "Oh. Those two?" He gestured to the women he had been winking at seconds earlier. "Oof. Gods, no. They're not my type."
Edith
"A wise choice, I'd say. In a place like this, I'd hate to offend a woman whose father turned out to be a pirate. Notoriously, they are not the most reasonable chaps." Kirk chimed in, only partially joking. "I've also heard rumblings of a war going on in Northwind. Have the Grey Hills seen much action in it?"
Cedric
"Not as of yet," Bastien replied with a frown as he swirled the wine in his glass. "But it seems as though it is inevitable." His eyes wandered from his glass to behind Kirk, and he swore under his breath. The woman with the blonde curls from earlier was treading over, and at quite a fast pace. He rapidly downed the rest of his wine, then heaved himself up out of the side of the pool, clutching his soaked towel in one hand and his empty wine glass in the other. "It was a pleasure meeting you," He said quickly, his cheeks slightly flushed. And with that, he sped-walked away to the changing area.

Claude had watched him go with a grin, and then turned to Kirk. "An interesting character, isn't he?" He said quietly. Then, louder, he leaned to view the woman with the long blonde curls who stood behind Kirk, a disappointed look prevalent on her face. "Sorry, love. He's a busy man, I'm afraid."

The woman sighed, crossing her arms over her bare chest as she glanced back at where Bastien had gone before treading back over to her group with a pout.

"I suppose I should go after him," Claude said with a sigh. "The burden of being a good guardsman." He tilted back his glass as he drank the last of his scotch, then gave Kirk a smile. "It was nice talking to you, *Pineworks*," He said with a wink as he lifted himself out of the pool as well. "You take care now."
Edith
"Goodbye." Kirk said, not correcting the mispronunciation as the two men left abruptly. He then began to scrub himself so that he could consider himself bathed once he left the bathhouse, which also would hopefully give them enough time to leave ahead of him.

**. . .**

On his way out the door, Kirk was stopped by the owners of the bathhouse. "I swear I wasn't staring." Lord Pinewood explained defensively, but he was mistaken about the intent. The men in the pool had left him some coin for the wine. He had forgotten about it.

"Thank you, lads." Kirk expressed gratitude to the men of house Maith that awaited him outside. "That was just what I needed." He then began the walk back to Maith Mansion, wearing his shirt and pants loosely with his other clothes bundled up other his arm. A change in attire was needed before going to the joust.

**. . .**