((Been horribly sick for the last couple weeks, so don't expect my posts to be anything spectacular. x3 It's hard to focus on them. Hopefully, will get 'to form' soon enough! ))<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"> At the table...</span><br/><br/>It seemed an impossibility that Tina could smile any brighter, her soft lips spread practically from one ear to the other. She really did look out of place in the relatively grungy town - her features were so soft and feminine, bordering on 'cute', with soft-looking cheeks, bright eyes, and long hair that was wrapped up into a pony tail. Yet, it was more her innocent demeanor that made her stand out all the more - how she'd come to work in such a place was anyone's guess. Nevertheless, when Alura continues to praise her 'serving ability', a faint flush rises to her cheeks, though her gaze remains firmly planted on Alura "I'm glad I did a good job. This sort of thing is all I've really known my entire life - was bound to get it down sooner or later."<br/><br/>Tina's embrace was every bit as soft as the girl's personality, and more and more Alura found the girl's soft breasts squeezing against her shoulder and arm, an inviting warmth after the walk in the cool night air that got them to the Gilded Rose "A little date? Haha - that sounds wonderful!" Even her scent was enticing, and though faint, the slightest hint of lavender tickles Alura's senses, even amidst the...less pleasant smells that tended to accompany the night-time at any tavern "Really, there's not a whole lot to my life. Mistress Vashra bought me...um...six years ago, I guess? I've been here for all of that time. She said I was 'free to do whatever I want', but...I like it here. Before that.." She purses her lips slightly, thinking for a few seconds "As a girl, I was a scullery maid for the mayor. I'm not sure what I did to displease him, but he put me up for sale. U-um...I'm REALLY glad Lady Vashra got me. The other alternatives..." She shivers slightly, though the bright, cheery look on her face never falters. It's easy enough to image the 'other alternatives'. Slavery seemed decently common in the Port, and it seemed easy enough for a slave to be come someone's dinner on a whim - especially one with no practical combat experience.<br/><br/>"Awww, that's so sad..." Meera speaks up, leaning forward onto the table as much as her elf-filled stomach would allow "...But...what's a scullery, and why does it need a maid?"<br/><br/>Rolling her eyes, Yumina - no longer under the attention of Alura's hands - once more props her foot up onto the table, muttering "Means she washed dishes an' things of that nature, numbskull. Might as well say she was a kitchen worker. Did whatever who ran it needed doing."<br/><br/>Ears flattening at the little insult, Meera casts a steely little glance at Yumina, who largely ignores it. Finally exhaling a little sigh, she quips "Oh, so like...dishes and stuff. That doesn't sound so bad! I actually used to live in a monastery! Um, not one of those...um...churchy ones, but one dedicated to fighting! Mind over body and all that stuff." Bringing her fists up, Meera cheerily fisticuffs some invisible opponent on the table before her "Was all 'Hooo!' and 'Haaaa!'. I didn't learn much of that stuff, but they taught me...um...I dunno, lotsa stuff! Course, the head honcho didn't like me a whole lot. Said 'Often, an empty vessel is easiest to teach...but your vessel is cracked." I dunno what he meant, but they kinda kicked me out. Said I ate too much. Jerks." Ears wilting, the catgirl settles herself back in her chair, lightly drumming her fingers upon her belly "Still, I was really good at hittin' stuff. All in the wrists and stuff!"<br/><br/>"Well, you seem nice!" Tina exclaims, shooting Meera one of those bright little smiles "...Seems like they're missing out, and your new friends are thankful to have you!" Meera instantly perks up, nodding enthusiastically, her voice filled with excitement "Yeah! And I'm a specialist now! Kitty specialist. Doing things that...are special!"<br/><br/>Leaning in close to Alura, Tina whispers with a little giggle "She's too cute."<br/><br/>Mention of 'getting somewhere more private' prompts Tina to get up from her seat, still smiling "Oh! Yes! Um, Suite 2, I think, would be best! It'll fit all of us, even if we'll have to doubt up in beds. There's...let's see..." Pointing at Chrystanthemum, Anatasia, Anya, and Meera in turn, she nods "Well, if the big cat is going to another room, should be six of us in there...the drow and orc is going to join the others ,right?"<br/><br/>"Naji." Naji says simply, taking another long draw from her now half-empty wineglass "And yes. I've intentions of joining them as soon as I finish my drink. It's been a long day. A good drink and a little relaxation are in order before...well, knowing those three, night-time shenanigans can commence. Don't be surprised if only one or two of us walk outta that room in the morning. An' I'm not exaggerating. " Running her tongue along the lip of her wineglass to gather up a few missed drops, Naji casts Drogjee a 'look', noting the longing in her eyes as he sipped a little more wine.<br/><br/>Grabbing Alura's hands, Tina gently tugs her to her feet, pulling her away from the table "The others can join us when they're ready! Um...let's go to the room, shall we?"<br/><br/>************************************************************************************<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"> Suite 2 </span><br/><br/>As many of the other rooms in the Gilded Rose were, the room was sparsely decorated, but cozy. The beds - of which there were three, all human-sized - were clean and neatly arranged, with soft and warm-looking sheets and a folded up blanket at the foot of the bed, lest it get a bit chilly during the night.<br/><br/>The room is only sparsely lit by two candles on a small desk, and a brightly burning hooded lantern nestled into the far right corner of the room, closest to the trio of beds. A small, brass tub sat proudly in the middle of the left side of the room, it's intricate series of fill and drain pipes disappearing into the floor.<br/><br/>It was 'Nice'. Nothing fancy by any means, but it was comfortable and clean, certainly more than could have been expected at other establishments in the town.<br/><br/>Pulling Alura into the room, Tina gestures with a wave of her hand to it's interior, chest puffed up with pride "What do you think? We've got some of the nicest rooms in the whole town! Lil' more expensive, but trust me - you don't get better than this, even in most homes. We have two maids that tend to ALL the rooms - takes them ages, but they do a wonderful job. W-well, um...did you want to take a little bath or anything before...we did...well, y'know. I'm...really no good at this whole 'leading up to' thing. This is pretty much the first 'date' I've been on. Oh, you hear the romance and stuff that goes into it, but...well, how much of that happens?"