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[Sierra]

All of these thoughts share headspace in the busy moment before Lucie decides to walk over and make herself part of Ilona's evening.

"Still not used to seeing a pretty young woman walk the streets alone," she admits with some amusement. "Can't help but think you need an escort. Or at least someone to shield you from the wind, if that's the most dogged sneak in this part of town. All done for the day?"

[Ebiris]

"Oh, I'm sure it's far too early in the day for me to be mugged," Ilona replies dryly, brushing back a loose strand of sunflower yellow hair behind her ear and turning towards Lucie. "All done with the dancing, anyway. What about yourself? Been busy, or has today been one of the many quiet days your work gifts you with?"

[Sierra]

"It was supposed to be, until some fools I call friends broke out into an honor duel. After that we were all obliged to spend the afternoon at the arena." Lucie waves dismissively, emphasizing the reluctance of her participation in the entire debacle. "Wasn't about me, which given the parties involved I think I call a relief. I could do with a quieter evening in more sensible company. Headed home, or can I cash in that tour 'round town you offered?"

[Corwin]

While far from an expert in such matters, Henrietta finds it easy enough to come upon a set of guidelines. It should be within walking distance so as to not drag Liamae halfway across town. It should be a tavern on the quiet side, given that this is the Arena district and the rowdier places are likely to get them drawn into some sort of brawl before they so much as get to the first course. The last criterion is that Liamae doesn't look bored by the tavern, and Henrietta is more than willing to keep an eye on her.

Henrietta's criteria are hardly exclusive, and after a pleasant walk they are shown into a an establishment featuring a majestic lion with a burning mane that must be illuminated with cleverly-concealed torches. Inside, frescos glorifying the eternal struggle of lion and man are lining the walls, putting to shame the poor display they were unlucky to see earlier that day in the Arena, and Henrietta gives them an approving look before securing an empty table in the back for the two of them.

"This is fine, I hope?" Henrietta asks, displaying more confidence than she feels. But she is fretting, and concealing that is quite impossible. "Should it be more formal? An expensive restaurant? Ah, but casual is also nice, that is, since it is really all about the company."

[Ebiris]

Lucie

"I hope no one was actually hurt," Ilona returns with some surprise evident upon hearing of the duelling activities of Lucie's friends. "I actually was heading home, but..." a glance up at the grey sky, "I suppose we could do something of a tour at least until it starts to rain. Still, it's a big city - is there any sort of thing or any area you're particularly interested in, Lucie?"

Henrietta

Liamae doesn't seem to have terribly discriminating tastes, and appears more than content with Henrietta's selection. "Yeah, this line of work takes you from supping with Lords and Ladies down to brawling in bordellos. Casual's nice for when you just want to actually have something to eat," the dark-skinned sorceress agrees merrily, rubbing at the crossed crescent tattoo on her cheek as she eases back into her cushioned seat.

[Corwin]

"Ah, really? That never happened to me," Henrietta admits, likewise arranging herself comfortably and giving Liamae her full attention. "The latter part with the brawling, that is. Is there an interesting story behind it?"

[Ebiris]

"Oh... I guess it's sort of funny," Liamae's dark skin flushes and she grins disarmingly. "You know the Crimson Genie? It's, ah, not far from Vanderboren Manor. Me and Zani got jobs there as dancers when we were trying to get some dirt on this Anowian who was in town doing some business with the Vanderborens. Tobin and Karkus were there as well in case of trouble, but as far as our target goes we couldn't pin anything on him - seemed a pretty nice guy, really, just happened to enjoy the shows and never took it any farther than that. However..." her grin turns into an amused leer, "Zani's exotic looks and inhuman flexibility managed to win her a few devoted fans of her own. One of them got a little bit grabbier than he should have, and Tobin took exception. Then his friends took exception, so of course me and Karkus had to get involved as well... and so ended my brief career as a cabaret girl. Still, I liked the outfits," she nods happily on that conclusion.

[Corwin]

Henrietta laughs, using her amusement to ward off the embarrassment she's also feeling. "You are very humble, but you had to have had your own group of fans," she offers sincerely.

"I had a similar experience, now that I think about it," Henrietta muses then, "and just recently at that. Well, not with a cabaret, I mean, but I was trying to be bait for a mysterious assailant while the others were shadowing me, and in the course of it I naturally had to pretend to be her. The best way for that was to, well, to put on her clothes to ensure the best sort of disguise. Her summer clothes, it turned out." Henrietta shakes her head in self-recrimination. "She never bothered with a change for the colder months, merely putting on a cloak, and I had already left without one. It made for an interesting time, walking around in the cold in tight leather."

She cracks a grin. "And the best part of it was that I did, indeed, get to draw the miscreant out into the open and attack me, yet it was not due to any disguises or cunning planning on my part but out of sheer coincindence!"

[Ebiris]

Shrugging at the reference to fans of her own, Liamae listens to Henrietta's subsequent story. "Ah, yeah," she looks down at her own seasonally inappropriate attire, "I'm a bit like that, too. Cold just doesn't bother me, so no need to wear more than I feel like. Still, tight leather, huh?" she smirks, giving the redhead an openly appraising look. "That the sort of thing Rudy goes for?"

[Corwin]

"I would not know," Henrietta admits with some mild consternation. "I was disguised as that woman most of that time, and another time he asked me to look like a blonde he remembered from his homeland. Rudy is a good friend and I trust him with my life, but I think I would prefer someone who liked me for me and as me. Plus he seems to go for everything and everyone and-- and I would rather talk about you, I-- I think," Henrietta concludes, catching herself before she goes on a rant.

"Do you have any other hobbies beyond finding interesting clothes to try on and studying the stars and their magic?" she asks Liamae. Learning more about her or sharing something about herself sits far better with her than badmouthing one of her friends in a fit of pique, however unintentional.

[Sierra]

"Nobody got hurt so much as to dent their egos," Lucie assures her.

Though Lucie has an abiding interest in Salerno's centers of obscure divine and arcane knowledge, Ilona's expressed disillusionment with the churches at the very least and the last thing Lucie wants to do is bore the woman. So...

"Well, I've not much experience with art," she says, reluctantly admitting, "past lewd scribblings on a wall, which is all you'd find back in Shadowshore."