An Offer You Can Refuse

Log Info

• Title: An Offer You Can Refuse
• Emitter: Cryosanthia
• Characters: Ashes, Sabina
• Place: A03: The TarRaCe
• Time: Monday, November 16, 2020, 7:18 PM
• Summary: Ash has dropped by the Tarrace to pick up a meal, and leaves after updating Sabina on her activities. The Tarienite returns inside to find a casual looking adventurer who wants to have a serious talk. About the 'Big L', Love, or Lust and Loneliness. She explains her current prospects haven't panned out and grills Sabina regarding her tastes and preferences. She receives few details, and after some mildly successful flirting, says she will reveal her cards. She, Rupi, is a succubus and Sabina has her attention. She wants a pact, and agrees that while it would be difficult it would never be uninteresting. Sabina wants to reject her outright, but feels tempted and is convinced to at least think about it. Rupi agrees to give her some space to consider, then heads out.

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Inside, this two-story structure has been almost completely opened up. Generous windows on both stories allow daytime sunlight and cooling night breezes to flow in as needed, while the brick walls have been whitewashed - contrasting with the dark-stained beams and supports, and the rich polish on the wooden floor. A broad strip of stone runs from the entrance to a framed doorway set into the opposite wall, with a sign above the lintel declaring that the baths are to be found that way.

The ground floor is sprinkled with tables and chairs of assorted sizes, offering welcome to guests both large and small. One whole corner of the building - into which guests are not permitted entry - has been given over to the kitchen, which serves as the domain of the famed monster chef Ligum Serforus. Mundane meals are available, but the chef delights in offering up obscure dishes made from the freshest of monster ingredients.

Opposite the kitchen a small bar runs in front of an array of shelves, displaying a broad selection of beverages (most of them alcoholic). The bar-top has been fashioned from what looks to have been old pieces of armor, fused and welded together before being polished to provide a near-smooth finish. Set above it, three human-sized statues have been built into an alcove in the wall: Tarien, Rada and Ceinara jointly keep benevolent watch over the room and its occupants.

To the right of the entrance, a small stage offers a platform for a handful of performers at a time. To the left of the door, a spiral staircase of wrought iron winds its way up to a balcony dining area, that is chiefly reserved for special events and parties.

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An ashen Arvec waves farewell to Sabina, departing the Terrace. Ash stopped by to quick up a pick meal for later, and to fill her friend in on some latest developments. Information shared, she drifts towards her mountain temple.

Leaving the Tarrace empty of exceptionally unusual people. It has several 'regular adventurers' seated in groups of twos or threes, and the more daring of the Alexandrian civilian populace.

One individual does stand out, because of her very casual attitude. An early middle aged woman is sitting in a seat, legs out and leaned back. She's wearing a loose robe, like a monk or an aesthetic might, but she does so with none of the pious stoicism. It's belted at the waist with a rope, and the bottoms of her feet are dirty.

She's also looking in Sabina's direction, and raises a glass, beckoning her closer.

Ever the hostess, Sabina moves towards the woman with a smile and mask in place. Emp watches from above in what's become his nesting area in the rafters and he lets out a cry as the thurge runs her hands down her dress in a motion formed of habit.

She checks to see if the guest is in need of a refill of food or drink and then speaks, "Hello there and welcome to the Tarrace. How can I help you?"

"Heeeey," the woman smiles up at 'Bina, with a glow to her face that suggests she's a few glasses of wine in. Her smile is nice, otherwise her features are plain, forgettable. Her nose has a jank in it, as if it was broken once, and her hair is a simple shoulder length cut that hangs and isn't styled. Even with a lot of effort, she wouldn't be attractive, and she hasn't put in a lot either. "I was looking for someone to talk to. You're Sabina, the owner. You must be good at talking."

"Any time to sit and chat?"

Bina casts a look about at those at tables and bar. Checking to make sure all is as it should be and that the staff are doing their job. Happy at what she finds she nods to the woman and takes a seat with grace. "I am, Sabina. One of three owners, though the others would name me first of three I think. And they'd also say I was good at running my mouth." She offers the woman a wider grin. "So. What did you wish to chat about and may I have your name? 'Hey you' just doesn't have the polite ring to it."

"It's 'Rupi'," the woman says, sitting up a little and scraping her chair. She places the glass on the table and holds out her hand. She continues to grin, "Oh, you know, the big things. The big 'L'."

Sitting straighter, she indicates the rest of the Tarrace, "I reckon you see a lot of people come through here, and being a Tarienite have a good sense of humour. I wanted to talk about 'couples'. What's the funniest pairing you've seen?"

Bina leans in and props her head on a hand. Elbow o nthe table she takes in the woman and smirks a tad bit. "The big 'L'? Would that be Loneliness? Or Laziness? Perhaps you meant Love? Or was it Lust? Lots of big L's in the world and some of them walk through the door to my place, tis true." She ponders then the second question. "Pairing.. Well, not that I've seen it but some of the Crimson Pen stories come up with some /very/ interesting pairings. For what I've seen? I've not thought of any of them as funny but odd? I saw a Sith male with a gnome woman apon his arm. They were either good friends or lovers i thought to myself when I saw them. And /that/ relationship is bound to have a lot of work involved. Many such pairingsdo, due to racial ways of thought."

Rupi eagerly leans forward, elbows on the table. It would be poor manners if she was eating. She nods, tilting her head to the side. "Well I meant 'Love', but Lust, Loneliness can be a part of it." She glances down at her clothes, "Well they do say 'be yourself' and I didn't feel like dressing up. Not for a drink."

She takes another sip, "That gnome and sith'makar do sound interesting. So no making fun of the romantics, got it. And well, I should come clean. I had my heart set on a tall, dark, handsome man, but wouldn't you know someone snapped him up and locked him down. I'm doubting my life choices."

"I reckon you, or more wine, might have the answers."

Bina looks down at the outfit and shrugs. "Sometimes the outfit makes the woman. Sometimes it's the other way about. I'm sorry that you've found yourself without the man you seek. Yet I'm a firm believer that there is someone out there for everyone. It's the finding of them that most often drives one to drink. And if you're going to drink then why not wine, yes?" She motions to the nearest of the waitstaff and then points to Rupi's drink. The woman nods and moves to get the bottle for a refill. "As for answers I'll try to help if I can? Tell me your story if you care to speak about it."

Rupi waves her hand as if swatting away the question, although she does answer it to a degree, "Oh, it's the old story. Girl impressed by Boy, Boy ignores her to pursue someone else, Girl declares her Love too late."

She eagerly watches Sabina's face, "I'm hoping there is someone out there. I'm worried I'm looking for the wrong thing. What interests you, for example?"

The woman points at a musician walking on the stage, "Like, him, the thin oruch. Do you like the way his leather pants are glued on tightest pair of buns I've seen in a long time? Or..." she selects a woman at random, "Or is her and her dress more to your taste? I need some new ideas, new things to look for."

The Tarenite looks from the man and then to the woman and then shrugs with a smile. "Everyone has their charms, Rupi. True that some have far less charm then others. It's not about what /I/ would find attractive but what you would if you're the one that's looking. I've had both male and female partners in my life. And as a Tarenite I feel the pull of someone with a sense of humor as well as an honest heart. My first bit of advice to you would be..stop looking with your eyes. Look with your heart and with your ears."

"But isn't attractiveness a part of it?" Rupi says, her voice a little bitter, "You aren't feeling anything looking me. I know that. I know what I look like. 'Try oruchs, they like women in the rough'. I've heard the jokes."

"'Listen to your heart' is all good if your heart talks to you. How did you figure out what you liked? What did you like about your partners. You're single right now, because of the business?"

She points, "If you could close your eyes, open then, and the perfect person for you walked in. What would you see, what would they be? Funny and Honest, but that's inside, that's not your first impression. What would they be, the person that makes you feel a spark, and a curiosity to look deeper."

"That's just it. That spark is different for everyone, Rupi. My sparks are varied and different. My first love was the man who helped me become a priestess. A lucht. I grew into that love and then expressed that love with him. A fling? Flings catch my eye more often tis true but that's not love. A fling may be a handsome woman or a beautiful man. Or the reverse. It could be a man or woman such as yourself that carries themselves in that way that speaks to the volumes that they hold within that can't be defined by their outside." She grins warmly but sighs. "I know I'm not answering the question directly but.. why would I narrow the field that I view and loose out of the beauty of the whole? Most often the person has that defining quality that speaks of knowing themselves. That they show an interest in me without being rude or grabby. And atop that are 'fun'."

"What if you know yourself, and that there isn't much there to know?" Rupi finishes her glass, gives it a longing sort of look.

She meets 'Bina's eyes, her own are a medium brown, average and uninteresting, "I congratulate you on your insight, it's better than most. 'Fun' can be one of those things, as are 'Rude' and 'Grabby'. Not everyone puts the same things in those boxes. I've known a lot who have a cruel bottom to their fun box."

"I just think my strategy of 'wait for a tingle then try to be what they want', isn't getting me anywhere."

The waitstaff arrives and pours more into Rupi's cup and quietly disengages. Bina herself gives Rupi a more serious look as she leans back int other chair and away from the table. "I'm not sure I like the idea of trying to be what they want, Rupi. It speaks to me of have a lessened self value. That you need to be what the other desires you to be in order to find or keep love. And that's not love. That could be a form of lust though." She links her fingers together and continues to watch Rupi. "What do /you/ want, Rupi?"

Rupi laughs, it's a coarse and rough laugh. Not quite a donkey-bray, but it isn't a cute 'tee-hee'. She points a finger, waggling, and winking, "What if I looked inside and there isn't much besides lust?"

She sits up, "What I want? Well, what you have. A partner, or partners I can trust, that 'get' me, that support me and have my back. That willingly give of themselves, that want something I can offer. That maybe they could get elsewhere, but they like how I do it."

"Someone that I'll feel great about, now and forever. To be entwined with. You know. Adventuring, and beyond."

Bina smiles now, "Yes. That's a good thing and a good goal." She leans forward again. "So you're an adventurer? I don't remember seeing you about the guild. Not that I'm there very often. And yes..Liking how you do things and are is the thing to aim for." She motions to the outfit again. "I'm guessing that you are practiced of the martial arts? Do you not have others of your group that may desire the same things you do?"

"I am practiced in the physical arts, that's true." Rupi grins. Her teeth aren't perfectly aligned, but she has all of them. She tugs her robe, "This was more, 'washing day?'. Easiest way for an mature woman to turn invisible is leave off the makeup and fancy clothes, am I right? I didn't want to talk to anyone today without choosing to."

She leans into 'Bina's lean, searching her face and looking at her reflection on the silvered coyote-mask's surface. She meets her eyes through the eyes, "I gotta say, your mask is an excellent idea. Really ups the challenge."

"Do you play Poker, do you trust me? I'm thinking of showing my cards." She moves her hand a little closer on the table also.

Bina smiles. "I don't gamble as I have a tendency to loose. Tarien's way of having fun with me, no doubt. I do play games, verbal and non-verbal. Cards from time to time. What cards are you thinking of showing, Rupi? Are we playing now?"

"Cards, Poker, those are as much skill as luck. You have to play what you're dealt." Rupi leans back a little, "Aren't we always playing, everyone, wearing masks and presenting their good side. You never really know who you're dealing with."

She makes a gesture, as if flipping over an imaginary card, although at the end of it there is one. Some sleight of prestidigitation, perhaps. The Queen of Hearts.

"I'm interested in you."

Being a woman and the owner of a 'bar and bath' leads one to get proposals from time to time. This flirting does not shock, Bina but there seems to be more to it. Th Tarienite decides to continue to play with a hand she can't see.

She glances down at the card and her smile widens. "So I see. In what way or ways are you interested in me? Spell it out if you're truly showing all your cards." She meets the other woman's eyes and waits for the answer.

Rupi repeats the gesture. As she does she tilts her head, just a little, adds a small smile. Reduced flirting, as the effectiveness may have decreased now that the cards are coming out. The Queen of Spades.

"I'm an Outsider. I went through a lot to get here. It's painful to stay even. I don't want to give up. I came seeking a certain someone, who was taken, that's true, but the ocean is a giant oyster full of fish. I think that's how the saying goes."

Another card flip. The Queen of Diamonds. "I'm interested in a contract. A pact with you. Everything I said, something strong and meaningful, we can work out the details."

She produces two more cards, showing plain backs, and holds them ready to flip over, "What do you want me to turn up? The last Queen, Aces high? A pair of jokers? A deuce and a seven?"

Her eyes are intent now, her question asked with deep conviction, "What do you want Sabina? For the rest of eternity. Who should walk through that door. What cards should I turn over?"

There is a very slow blink. Oh so slow. The words have a far different mean and structure then the words that she thought were going to come out and she's actually startled and doing her damnedest not to show it. This is suddenly a very high stakes game ans she's feeling like she's holding a fist full of nothing.

Her eyes wander down tot he cards and she tries to collect her scattered thoughts. "I am sorry that you are in pain being here." She says truthfully. "I do not wish pain on beings or creatures if I can help it. I'm sorry that I'm going to ask you more questions, because if you're telling the truth there are many more questions a wise woman would ask."

"I guess you'd prefer the whole truth and not some little white lies." Rupi leans back, space is yielded. The two cards remain face down, blank backs upwards. The woman breaks eye contact, takes another sip of her wine, licks her plain lips, "and not darkest night lies."

She seems relaxed and very focused, especially as she turns to gaze at Sabina again, "It would be wise to ask a few things, and I have a question or two more. Well... ask away?" Her voice rises hopefully.

"The first and most obvious question I should ask is what sort of planer being you are. Are you of the heavens or the hells or somewhere in between. And do I need to take us somewhere secluded for you to prove to me what you are?" Bina licks her lips always in a nervousness she can't quite control. The assumption that 'home' is 'safe' being in question right now. "The second most obvious question is why me out of a world full of people? Many of whom are better suited to your question of pact."

"I felt a tingle." Rupi sits forward, eager and intense. Her body points towards Sabina, knees together and in her direction. One hand on the edge of her chair, the other reaching out to almost touch the Tarien, but holding back. "That you would be interesting and entertaining, always a challenge and unexpected. A real treasure. One that would make me stronger, and that I could watch grow stronger."

She glances around the Tarrace, faces Sabina again. Moves her head so she can see easily through the eyeholes of her mask. "Isn't it safer for you here? Wouldn't you want assistance if you don't like my answer?"

Rupi turns her hand over, palm open and up, "Do you trust me?"

"Tarien teaches one never to trust the person that asks, 'Do you trust me?'. Mainly because trust is earned through action as well as word." Bina gives Rupi a smile that isn't fully an act. "I do like to be a challenge but I note you didn't answer my first question. So I'll ask it again. Which plane are you from, Rupi?"

Rupi winces, "Oh bad word choice on my part." She slowly withdraws her hand, then winks. "I did answer already. It was an answer you didn't understand."

She taps at the revealed cards. Queen of Hearts, "The suit of Love, is it not?"

The Queen of Spades. Tap. She holds up two fingers in a V. "It's almost the opposite of love, isn't it? Inverted and black, but almost the same shape. Useful for digging, a little like a spear. I'll admit though, I mostly thought of it because it resembles a part of my anatomy."

Tap. The Queen of Diamonds, "Beautiful, with no softness. Enduring. Transparent. Empty, but with the right light you can see all the colours in the facets."

The woman looks down at her fingers, at the revealed cards. She seems to be hesitating. An act? A delay to simulate though? Actual thought, weighing the risks, or marshaling just the right lie. An attempt to seem vulnerable?

"Iron Hells." Rupi meets 'Bina's eyes again, "I'm a succubus."

GAME: Sabina rolls knowledge/the planes: (16)+7: 23

Succubi tend to come from the Abyss, but there are some in the Iron Hells.

Bina continues to stare at the cards and then, as Rupi explains, her eyes lift up to the woman. The Succubus. And then a most unexpected thing occurs. She laughs. Hard and loud with true mirth held within it. In fact she looses her poise as the tensions ratchet too tight and an outlet must happen or something might break.

She raises a hand as if to ask for forgiveness and a moment to gather herself again. The laughter turns to chuckles and then to giggles that leave her smiling. "I'm so so sorry, Rupi. I'm not laughing at /you/. Please believe me. I'm laughing at this situation that I find myself in. Servant of a god of light and being asked by an ,admitted, servant of darkness who seeks to form a pact with me for reasons I.. I just can't comprehend." She says softly least onlooker overhear the conversation. "I am not a fallen priestess, Rupi. Nor shall I be. I would make a very poor choice for you, wouldn't I? And I'd think Tarien would have some disappointing words to say to me should I chose to make pact with you. Forgive me."

Rupi shakes her head, "That's why it would be perfect. You're not fallen. You could make a contract that binds me so tightly it takes ages to wiggle out of. It would be a much, much bigger conquest to turn you with everything so out in the open. Almost everything I advise might be wrong. You'd have to really think."

"Doesn't it fit too? You're seeking, and the first thing Tarien allows to stumble your way is me? He didn't send me, that's true, but it is uncomfortable being here." The woman adjusts herself on the chair. "And you did laugh, c'mon, that was genuine. Maybe I'd like a laugh too."

"I can be anything, Sabina." Rupi lowers her head a little, "Everything for everyone. I meant what I said, I've looked inside and there is nothing." Her chin lifts a little, "struggling against you, I think I would find the parts of me that won't change."

And there's the hook of the offer. The challenge of who can turn who first. If it's even possible to subvert a succubi at all. After all she sits there openly admitting there is nothing within her. Is it a cry for help by a soul forming within a demoness or is it still all smoke and mirrors? Bina prays beneath her breath.

"I can be many things, Rupi. Not as many as you, I'm sure. What I can't be is a liar in this situation. I'm tempted. Likely for reasons you may not understand unless you're reason my thoughts as we speak. And yes there is a thrill in the offer of a struggle. But I can not trust you, by your own words, because of who you are within and from."

The woman, the succubus. The very, very, unwrought and plain succubus sits quietly. A tactic? Her currencies are lust and interest, it could all be smoke and mirrors. It is an unusual approach to take though.

"I'm not reading your thoughts." Rupi admits, "I could, but it wouldn't be a challenge. And I could cast a Charm Person, but it wouldn't be real, and you might resist. Then it would be completely lost."

She looks down at the table, "What if someone asks, 'could you ever trust me?' instead of 'do you trust me?' Is that the same, automatic dismissal. You still didn't really answer what you want. In a partner, in a pact."

"Here's what I was hoping for." She flips over the last two cards. It's a pair of jokers, a black and a red.

"A full house with a couple comedians."

Bina laughs, its a good joke for the situation and Rupi has good timing. "That.. was funny. You have good comedic sense, Rupi." She sighs and the smile withers away. Instead it's just a woman sitting there in a mask who is regarding the being across from her with all seriousness. "I am tempted just to say no. It would be the safest thing to do. And many would say the right thing to do. However I will tell you I need serious time to put thought into such an answer. As well as another question. "What would this require me to do?"

Rupi sits up straight, and there is a formal, businesslike manner to her. She's mirroring Sabina, but it is also clear the moment has moved more serious. "It would be, and you probably should, I will take the non answer for now."

She looks at her glass, which is empty. She doesn't call for a refill, "And I'll give you the space to think. I hope that means you will consider my offer before anyone else's, but I understand."

"As for what it would require..." She looks down at the table as her voice trails off, "We'd have to work out a contract, there would be details. Something you'd have to do, I'm sure and not sure." Rupi meets Sabina's gaze, whether this is to emphasize the truth in her words or add the pretense of it, isn't clear. She seems sincere; she's had a lot of practice. "You would have to want it. Genuinely. Walk into it in full agreement. No tricks. So you know what you're getting and what you're giving up."

Bina nods slowly and again seriously. "Thank you, Rupi, for your apparent straightforwardness and at least the appearance of truthful statements. Either way I choose I have no complaint with your approach and speech. I'm sorry to make you wait if this place pains you so. But I will consider things. On that you have my word." She grins. "The word of a Tarienite but still a word." She gets up from the table and offers the succubus a tiny bow before moving off.

The succubus rises and returns the bow, "You're worth the wait, and thanks for your word and the wine." She puts an appropriate amount of coins on the table. No tip; that proves she's evil. She leans closer, "It's regular money from here, it's safe."

"I will stay distant." Rupi seems to promise. She turns and leaves. As she walks by the other tables a few people, mostly men, turn their heads as if something piqued their curiosity. Only to be followed by abject disinterest as they return to their meals and other companions. There's nothing interesting in how the woman walks, no alluring sway, no sensual flash of ankle. Only the boring progression of a rather plain seeming adventurer-monk with dirty soles to her feet.

And then she's gone.