<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=205751.msg12014954#msg12014954">Quote from: Chloe Milev on 23-01-2016, 15:24:43</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Kleris watched Craig aiming his squat metal weapon, then jumped in alarm as it exploded with smoke, supposedly trying to strike the target downrange.  It was just another confirmation why he avoided evocation magic himself.  "Yeah, it seems a lot easier to hit things with a ray then exploding at them, but I guess that's just something to practice."  As Craig started loading powder, wad, and bullet, Kleris tried bring up a casual interest.  "Well, I wasn't just checking out the target range.  I just wanted to see if there were any good parties going on, nothing so crazy as that last time, heh.  Have you met anyone for drinks or anything recently...?"  It wouldn't do to be too circumspect, or they'd get nowhere, so he just stopped short of asking if anything happened with Zull the other night.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Craig blushed a bit.  He recalled last night's meeting, how the drow's lips tasted nice and faintly of grapes, like wine...<br/><br/>"It's about that, right?  Kleris, I know you're her roommate, and Zull's right to have you as a good friend.  I...well, I worry I might have done something stupid.  I met Zull...last night, and she came on to me, and we made out a bit, and she stayed in my room.  Uh, yeah...but when I woke up she was gone."<br/><br/>Locked and loaded, the pistol was primed for another shot.  "It's weird.  She's not the first, second, or even third girl I've had here, but our last few interactions she didn't seem interested in me, and sometimes I'd try to flirt with and tease her.  I don't know if it's the same with you girls, but the fact she was untouchable made it all the more tempting to try and woo her."<br/><br/>A deep breath escaped from his lips as he took aim.  Another crack and whiff of smoke, and the bullet hit its mark.<br/><br/>"Maybe she gave in, to get it over with.  Or maybe she decided to try it, and regretted it.  Maybe I'm just worrying too much, seeing her departure as a sign for the worst.  She's probably just shy is all.  But you and Rensha know her the best."<br/><br/>Then Kleris saw a glint in Craig's eye.  "No, this won't do!  How can I, Craig the ladies' man, be getting all worried sick over what may or may not be!  It is on my honor as a gentleman to ensure that every lady of Redhurst leaves my arms better than when she came in!"<br/><br/>Turning back with a confident smile, he extended a hand to Kleris.  "As one of her best friends, I humbly ask of you to subtly find out the inner thoughts of Zull without her being the wiser!  If there should be a problem, I shall do everything in my power to rectify the situation.  If not, I'll be happy to make her acquaintance in the future!"<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote"><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Fun &amp; Games</span></div><br/>"Well girls, I think the rest of the night's entertainments are on me!" he giggled with Asma and Elmira, showing off the now heavy purse-full of gold.  "How shall we blow this money now?"<br/><br/>[<em>Glamour</em> for +5 Bluff and Diplomacy<br/>Bet 20 gp<br/>Bluff 5+21 = 26<br/>Win 100 gp!]<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Elmira was at a loss for words.  "I...I...wow."<br/><br/>"You're on fire!" Asma exclaimed with a congratulatory slap on the back.  "And thank you so much for your generosity!  I've got just the thing in mind!"<br/><br/>"I don't suppose we save the remainder for a rainy day...?" Elmira clearly was not used to seeing that much gold in one place.<br/><br/>"We should visit a brothel and find ourselves some cute guys!" Asma exclaimed.<br/><br/>"Uh yeah, that sounds good too!  But still, that's a lot of money..."<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Savia's</span></span></div><br/>This three-story establishment was not as flashy as the casino, but a more subdued aura.  The sign was the brothel's namesake encased inside a red heart, with some<em>continual flames</em>glinting off the windows in mesmerizing colors.  Even so it was hard to tell if anyone was inside, for some odd properties of the glass made it impossible to discern the interior's specifics.<br/><br/>Elmira and Asma nervously floated about on the other side of the street.  "Uh, are you sure this is the right place?" Elmira asked.<br/><br/>"I'm sure of it, the brochure's map leads right up here!"<br/><br/>"Well then..."<br/><br/>There was a long silence.  The pair were blushing heavily.<br/><br/>"Uh, I err, uh, never<em>paid</em>for it before!" Asma stuttered.  "Is there some codewords or protocol we should know for this?!  Eeeek, what we pay for one thing, but it turns out to be the other?!"<br/><br/>"W-well, their jobs are to make us feel comfortable and happy right?" Elmira asked.  "So if we're confused, they should tell us, right?"<br/><br/>"Of course!  They're the best brothel in the whole dang city!  So why is it so hard just to cross the street...?"<br/><br/>Elmira took a deep breath.  "We won't get another chance like this, girls.  It's now or never."<br/><br/>The two girls tightly gripped Kleris' hands as they walked up to the front door.  Instead of opening, Asma gave a knock.<br/><br/>"Come right on in," whispered a voice.<br/><br/>Red carpet.  Silken pillows.  Fine china, the scent of tea, casual conversation and laughter in corner booths and behind closed curtains.  Well-dressed men of all races and body types mingled about with equally-garbed women.<br/><br/>An apparent noblewoman of pale complexion and middling years gave a friendly wave to the trio.<br/><br/>"Welcome to Firelight's little slice of heaven, darlings," she said.  "Come on, sit down, make yourselves comfortable.  My name is Savia, and if there's anything you desire, ask away."<br/><br/>"Th...thank you," Asma said, her legs quaking.  "Uhhh, sure, why don't we do that?"<br/><br/>Carving out a comfy space at a nearby couch with Kleris, Elmira and Asma watched as handsome men go by.  Some were alone, even more in the company of a man or woman.<br/><br/>Eventually a single man approached.  Clad in a black suit and tie with blue hair, he put forth a tea set on the table in front of them.<br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/CLOsnJH.png?1)<br/><br/>"Good evening, ladies."  His voice was light and soft.  "My name is Retorio.  Do you care for a drink?  We have over twelve kinds of tea, thirty-six of the finest wines, and juice from all corners of Khorvaire."<br/><br/>"By the four elements, he's soooo cute!" Elmira whispered to Kleris.<br/><br/>"Tea's ff-fine," Asma answered.  "Ummm, we were wondering..." she couldn't bear to look at him, her head turning away as she struggled with the next set of words.<br/><br/>"What.  Do.  We.  Do?  When.  We.  Want.  Someone?"  Unable to take it anymore, she grabbed a pillow and buried her face in it.<br/><br/>"Look for an escort here by themselves," Retorio answered.  "You can discern them by the white-and-green flowers they wear tucked into a front shirt pocket.  Once you've made your decision, your partner will escort you to a room and discuss what you want to do.  We have fees for length of time you choose to 'stay' with them, as well as some of the more...outre acts."<br/><br/>Handing a set of three pamphlets, the details made no bones about the kind of sex acts for sale, and how much they cost.  Elmira reflexively crossed her legs as her eyes went over each line of text.<br/><br/>"And in case you're wondering, I'm also for sale, if I catch your fancy," Retorio said with a wink, at Kleris in particular, before walking off to serve more tea to patrons.<br/><br/>"How about we split it three ways, just in case?" Asma asked Kleris between shaky sips of tea.  "We wouldn't want to end up not being able to pay, and I thought 33 coins can cover just about anything.  You can keep the 34.  So, who's going first?"<br/><br/>Elmira stood up.  Scanning the room, her eyes caught sight of a shirtless man wiping the sweat from his brow:<br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/oXKnZ1s.jpg?1)<br/><br/>"Go get'em, girl!" Asma said with a wink.<br/><br/>Watching from the safety of the couch, Asma and Kleris saw Elmira approach the man.  They talked for a bit before he led her by the hand down the hallway and into one of the rooms.<br/><br/>"I'll go next, if that's alright," Asma said.  "Oooh, I already see one I like..."<br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/vU1zIKK.jpg?1)<br/><br/>Approaching the boy in glasses, Asma stuttered a bit, her legs swaying as her head turned side to side.  He held her by the shoulders to help stabilize her, and this little action seemed to trigger something in her as she locked eyes with him.  Instead of being led, the two walked hand in hand down the same hallway, leaving Kleris by himself.<br/><br/>Their tea finished, Retorio returned to collect their belongings.  "Enjoying your drink?" he asked Kleris.