Danger and Diplomacy (closed)

[haremfaery]

"If we go to the toy shop next, we can send a runner to see if the wizard is accepting callers today. If not, we can make an appointment." She was interested in seeing both.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark nodded,"of course, that a perfect plan." He offers Morwena his hand, "It is time then for us to head to the toy shoppe."

The journey didn't take long for them to arrive at one of the shoppes. It was obviously the toy store since there were quite a number of children standing before a large space. The store had a rather large window, which was quite rare. But through the window they could see all sorts of little toys. Each was an intricately designed clockwork something. There were bears, and dogs, and small soldiers, a few wonderous beasts. It was quite the interesting display and then children all loved it.

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena laughed in amusement at the automatons and the children enjoying them. "These are amazing. May we go in? What spell keeps them going?" She opened the door to the shop and pulled Ark in behind her.

She walked around looking at all the contraptions. She was captivated so much by them that she didn't see the shopkeeper when he approached them.

 

[Lordmikel]

Indeed the shopkeeper did approach the couple. He had heard Morwena's comment about magic. "Oh no, no magic here." He says. He was an older man, seeming to be quiet jovial with a heavy white beard and a bit over weight. "It is actually a bit more of tinkering." He picks up one of the small soldiers and with a strange key like thing, puts it into he back and then turns the key. She can hear a strange clicking sound. Once done the man puts the soldier onto the ground and the soldier begins to walk on its own. "just gears and a spring." He says, explaining the magic behind the clockworks.

"Nick!" Exclaims Ark. "I had no idea you still ran the place."

The shopkeeper gave Ark the once over and then gave Ark a big hug. "Why I live and breath, Ark, it is good to see you've returned. It has been way too long." He looked at Ark, "You came back with ..." The shopkeeper pauses as he looks at Morwena, "Princess." He says, bowing as one unused to it. "I did not realize."

 

[haremfaery]

((LOL Nick, the toymaker.))


"That is amazing--and no magic at all. How very clever you humans are!" Morwena exclaimed.

She grinned as the shopkeeper, Nick, gave Ark a bear hug.

"Oh, please. This is an informal visit. Ark is showing me the city. Please call me Morwena. I can see why Ark loves your store. You must make children very happy. Perhaps you would come to Elven lands and demonstrate your wonders."

 

[Lordmikel]

((Yes, I went there))

Nick perked up at the mention of coming to the Elven lands. "Of course, Morwena." He pauses before continuing stuck on calling her simply Morwena. "Do you truly think your people would appreciate my wonders?"

Ark smiled at Nick, but then looked back to Morwena. "Be warned if you go down that path. Nick is quite the shrewd businessman, he might already be planning on how open a store there."

 

[haremfaery]

((And here I always thought Nick was "a right jolly old elf" ))

"I do. It is a different sort of magic that you make. I am sure many of my people will want to talk to you about how you make such intricate things. And of course, the children will love them." Morwena laughed. "I am sure a store filled with these clockwork marvels would be welcomed. It would help improve the relations with the elves and humans."

She squeezed Ark's hand. "Thank you so much for showing me your city." It may be dirtier and smellier than Elven cities, more people, more chaotic, and not enough trees and flowers, but it had a vitality and excitement that Elven cities lacked. Humans lived for such a short time, they had to cram so much into it. She was beginning to understand them. Or at least to understand more about their motivations.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark smiled as he watched Nick begin to turn the gears in his mind. "but you can discuss that all with her later." He knew if he allowed it Nick would talk Morwena's ears off in setting up stores and planning committees.

Nick looked saddened for a second, but then reverted to his happy self. "Of course, I will make an appointment to see her. I will need to make plans as well anyway."

Ark squeezed Morwena's hand in return to her own squeeze. "Perhaps we should go and find a place to eat?" He asked. "It has been awhile since morning."

 

[haremfaery]

"Yes, please. I will leave word at the palace to set up a convenient time for us. Part of the treaty is to make trade negotiations." Morwena smiled.

"I would love to eat more informally. The king's kitchens are impressive but ... I feel I am always on display there." She smiled at Ark and Nick. "Do you have a favorite place to eat? Is there some local fare that I must try?"

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark thought about places to go and eat. "There is a meat pie place." He suggests, "it is not too far from here." He thinks, "They also have fruit pies. It is quite good, also they have private booths, so we would not need to be seen my people passing by."

 

[haremfaery]

"A fruit pie sounds lovely. And a bit of privacy."

The her turban hid her ears, it was still obviously that Morwena was a highborn lady. On the street, Urchins begged for coins, people openly stared and bowed. They had picked up a small entourage of curious onlookers. And now many had heard that she was indeed an emissary from the elves. So much for enjoying the city on their own.

"Thank you again, Nick. I will send word about a meeting to discuss bringing your marvels to the Elves." She offered her hand before she left the shop with Ark.

 

[Lordmikel]

Indeed they seemed to have quite a few onlookers. But Ark didn't seem phased at all by that really. He took Morwena's hand and began to speed through the market. The crowd attempted to follow and watch, but Ark seemed to know all of the places which made it difficult to keep an eye on them. Soon enough they found themselves in an empty alleyway and one turn more and they were in a small store.

It smelled like heaven. The aroma of food just fills the room. The place is not very crowded. Ark motions to one of the serving girls, indicating they'd like the loft upstairs. She nods and Ark lead them up a short flight of stairs where there is only the one table.

From here there is a small curtain that can pull back for even more privacy, but really no one would know they were there at all. "Better?"

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena had to trot sometimes to keep up with the ranger's long strides. Word had spread that the elven princess was touring the city. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of her. Or even better get close enough to touch or speak to her. They were friendly enough, but still, it was prudent to be wary. Most of the traitors had been rounded up, but there still could be those in the populace who had bought into the propaganda that a treaty with the elves was a bad thing.

But Ark was not surprisingly, adept at leading her trough the city by back ways and alleys until they reached a small but delicious smelling shop. The server led them to a private area all to themselves.

"Lovely." Morwena agreed. "Whatever they are cooking--it smells wonderful. I daresay even better than the food from the palace kitchens. Do they have a specialty?"

 

[Lordmikel]

"I think everything is their specialty." Says Ark. "But I do also know they generally have a special for the week too. Usually a special fruit that the farmers have in season."

The waitress arrives a few seconds later to explain the specials. A younger girl, she is most likely the daughter of the shopkeeper. "Our special for the week is white cherries from the northern province."

She then continues on, rattling off a variety of fruit and meat that they could order.

 

[haremfaery]

"White cherries? I've never heard of them. They sound luscious." Morwena said. She ordered a variety of fruits and a special ground meat dish with a lingonberry sauce. Morwena had never had a dish that combined fruit and meat.

While waiting for the food to arrive, Morwena moved her foot so it was touching Ark's. Now that they had a bit of privacy she wanted more contact with him.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark smiled at Morwena as he felt her foot rubbing against his. He smiles as he looks into her eyes, "mmm I have been missing your touch today. Having to not be able to touch you has simply made me want to touch you even more." He let his own hands slide underneath the table to feel Morwena's leg as well.

 

[haremfaery]

"There is nothing like forbidden fruit to make you want it more." Morwena laughed lightly. "At least since you are now my personal guard, we may spend our nights together. We must enjoy what time we have. I do not know when my father will call me back home." She picked up a piece of fruit, dipped it into the sweet creamy sauce and fed it to Ark.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark took a bite of food as Morwena fed it to him. The fruit tasted great as she smiled at her talking about forbidden fruit. "and you truly are a very forbidden fruit." His hand hand slides along her leg as he gets a piece of fruit, dipping it into the sauce and feeding it to her as well.

 

[haremfaery]

"Yes, I suppose I am the most forbidden of fruits. I needs must marry one of the Elven lords and take my place As queen when the time comes." She took a breath. "But no need to speak of these things now. Something I have learned from humans is to live and enjoy the moment.

She opened her mouth to take the fruit from his fingers. "I do hope there isn't another formal dinner tonight. I fear the king thinks he must treat each evening as a state affair."

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark nodded, "I'm sure there might be, but I can see what I can do about not having it."

Grabbing another piece of fruit and dipping it, bringing it to her lips Ark's other hand begins to slide along her leg. Where they were, no one could see them.

 

[haremfaery]

"I do not wish to upset the king. But perhaps if you could let him know that I find the lavish dinners with so many guests a bit embarrassing. If he has those he wishes me to meet, I would rather do it in a way where I can really talk to them. Plus," She smiled. "It would mean the dinners would not go on so interminably."

She let him feed her a few more bites then placed her hand over his where it was creeping up her thigh. "Perhaps we should go back to the castle." Her voice had taken on a sultry tone.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark nodded in agreement, "I would love that. I am sure I can get us into the palace with the least number of servants seeing us." He looks down at their food, "we may want some of this to go as well."

 

[haremfaery]

"What? You cannot wait until we finish our meal? Does the idea of being with me make you that impatient?" She gave a little smirk. "But then, that is a very human thing. I forget how it is with you all."

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark chuckled at Morwena's comment. "I meant to eat later, not to take our food now and go." But he does lean in closer to Morwena, "and true, I was thinking of going beneath the table and tasting you."

 

[haremfaery]

"There is plenty of food at the castle. But it seems to me you have a special preference for the food here." She covered her mouth to stifle a surprised laugh. "But what if our server comes back?"