Olivia is a bit confused at the wordiness of Gaer's response, though she thinks she follows most of it. "There certainly aren't enough of these sorts of unusual jobs here in Longsaddle to keep you all employed for too long, are there?"  She then listens to Spira's comments. "Ah, you're a priestess and Arvandor is where your goddess lives!" She clearly had no idea that was what that place was.  When Spira says the wizard wrestled some extraplanar creature, she just shakes her head, clearly amused. "I can hardly imagine a wizard wrestling anyone! Why did he do that?"  She considers a minute. "Was it that orc? I mean, still surprising, but maybe he's used to being more physical?" 

Olivia does smile again as Spira mentions relationships among siblings. "I'm not much of one for word games, but I do know what you mean. Roxy and I always seemed to get along well. Not like Samira or Quinn." Roxana gives Olivia a smile as she says that. "We got along well when you weren't being a little brat!" she says playfully. "Oh yea?" Olivia retorts. "Well, you were a pain a lot of times too! Especially when you were planning to marry Mister Fancy-Pants." Roxana just scowls at the girl, again, rather playfully.

"Alright, enough banter," Roxana says. "Why don't I show you to the guest rooms." She glances at Olivia. "The two rooms are available, right?" Olivia laughs, "Of course! Who would be here?" With that confirmation, Roxana motions to Gaer and Spira to follow her down a hallway to the left. 

Gaer jumps slightly, perhaps intrigued, at the mention of this 'Mister Fancy-Pants' and this possible marriage with him (an event that never occurred, in the end, judging by how it is talked about), but this time he seems to keep his curiosity under control and not ask questions, soon finding again the amused smile that the exchange between the two sisters had brought him.

He follows Roxana towards the guest rooms, delivering a sneaky kick to Spira's shin.

Mostly used to building makeshift shelters during outdoor bivouacs, the tiefling comments, upon seeing a real room: "Convenient and comfortable!" and those dark eyes, which make that particular contrast with that smile now so open, are fixed again in those of the girl from Longsaddle "I will probably remember your hospitality for a long time!"

"Not that I don't intend to earn it..." he rolls up his sleeves "After all that talk about how well we work together, I certainly don't intend to let work you alone here!"

(@Culuril, if you like to role-play the 'work together' part also, by all means go on; but if you prefer to skip it, we can fast-forward to the night or even to the morning of the new day)

Meanwhile, Aidwyn recovered Balfby safely and returned to Sharnshield Mansion.

Although Aidwyn had warned everyone, the common ranch workers look at the monstrous canid with wide eyes - and there are a good number of experienced Cavaliers (mostly women), wearing armor and with their hands constantly close to the hilts of their weapons, who keeps an eye on the situation.

"How nice of them, Mistress" comments the Yeth Hound with ironic telepathy "to gather here to greet me... It would be rude not to reciprocate!"

The next moment, Balfby lets out his blood-curdling howl... the one that had hopelessly terrified Xomox...

Everyone present is visibly shaken... The workers suddenly run like hell to take cover, while the Cavaliers, although not indifferent to that frightening noise, keep their position... except for a couple, who, despite their companions trying to hold back, quickly retreat towards the nearest door.

“It was just a greeting, Mistress” Balfby sneers telepathically, in Aidwyn's mind. "If I scared them, please, apologize in my place and explain to them that I didn't think they were that impressionable..." - but in fact the supernatural beast seems quite pleased with the effect achieved...

Rash and Anita, however, always remained at the Sharnshield Mansion. Thia took care to find double rooms, for those who might like to share a room (like Rash and Anita, in fact, or Aidwyn and Solitude) so the wizard and the ex-Zhentarim may have decided to prefer the intimacy of their room... or they could have gone down to the common room of the mansion, where many of the workers, Cavaliers and family members tend to meet at the end of the day, some to have dinner, some to chat, play or have a drink until late.

Wherever they are in the mansion, however, they certainly hear Balfby's 'greeting' now (and its terrifying power) without being thrown into panic by it, thouogh.

"Don't know 'bout you... but I think I'm ready to turn in for the night," Rash tells Anita with a tired smile. "If you want to spend some time socializing that's fine... but wrestling devils kind of takes it out of a guy."

Anita, who had spent a good hour briefing in detail Thia (who is finally on break from her service) on all the various events that had led to the liberation of Zentromya (and subsequent resurrection of Dobbian), smiles and replies: "Wait just a moment... I'm with you".

She has two cups of hot, strongly spiced mulled wine prepared, then follows Rash into the room, explaining to him: "This will do you good, you'll see... I'll take care of you... and tomorrow you'll be as good as new".

"Thank you so much for the explanations, Anita!" Thia greets, waving vigorously, with her curiosity finally satisfied "Good night to both of you! Tomorrow morning, for breakfast, come back here!"

And so, the wizard and the ex-Zhentarim turn in for the night.

(Maybe briefly continue the RP, but will try to keep it short-ish!)

Roxana shows Gaer and Spira the two bedrooms.  They're fairly small, just room enough for a single-wide bed, a little chest of drawers, and a small writing desk and chair.  There are however very plush pillows and warm blankets covering the bed. "Nothing too fancy, but should be comfortable."

She then glances over to Olivia. "I'll get something started for the dinner. You've got all the chores done?"

Olivia nods her head slowly. "Of course. I've been working on my sword technique for a bit too. Have to stay in shape if I'm going to join the guards."  She then makes a bit of a face. "Ah, you are going to have to fetch some wood for the stove."

Roxana shakes her head. "You didn't bring in wood? Livy, I think you best go get some."

Olivia bristles a bit at the nickname, then let's out a sigh. "Yes mom. Right away mom. Geesh, maybe I was wrong and I do want Samira back!"

Roxana turns from her sister, trying not to react to her pouting. "Gaer, seeing as you volunteered, perhaps you'll help me with the food? Spira, you're welcome to get settled into your room. You can come join us and I'll get you something to drink when you're ready."

Roxana then heads for the kitchen as Olivia had already headed outside.

(OK, guess not all that short!)

As Olivia leads the way towards the guest rooms, Spira takes the opportunity to whisper into her sister's ear, "I meant to tell you this earlier, Roxana, but we were all a bit busy.  Gaer and I do tease each other a lot, and I probably made him sound rather a scoundrel and a rake.  Well, he was; but he's not now.  And by the faith of my goddess I swear: he has never been serious about anyone before the way he is for you.  And I know I don't need to tell you to take care of him the way I've tried to.  I can see how much you care for him without any need for a spyglass."  She laughs softly.  "I'd suggest telling your sister everything before too long, though.  He is a bit of a charming rogue still, and you certainly don't need Olivia setting her cap for him.  That sort of thing can turn truly ugly real quick."

Rash smiles and takes the offered drink.

"Many thanks, my little bandit," he says tenderly, taking a gulp of the liquid. "All we're missing is a bit of magic cake to go with our drinks..."

He pauses, remembering something. He sets down his pack and checks on the little owl familiar, hoping it's finally slept off the effects of the magic in the dungeon.

"You doing okay there, little guy?" he asks. "You know, we really ought to name him sometime..."

As they had walked towards the rooms, Roxana responded to Spira's comment with a tiny chuckle. "We'll see Spira. I mean...  well, I'm sure Livy and I will get a chance to talk at some point. And I understand about you and your brother. It's the same with me and all my siblings." 

In the kitchen, Roxana starts to move through the larder and checks the ice box with a familiar smoothness. "We've got a bit of venison. Some vegetables. And I think just enough to make a small cake. Sound good to you Gaer?" She looks over at him, getting a grin on her face. "I can make the cake if you've got the rest."

Roxana's Farm:

Gaer smiles, seeing Livy leave: "Eh, sisters..." he comments, at the same time casting a sidelong glance at Spira.

"Anyway, I could have gone to get the wood in her place..." the tiefling says to Roxana "I wouldn't want it to be too heavy for her... Ah, do you prefer me next to you, in the kitchen?" he realizes "Yes, on second thought it's better this way, excellent choice".

“Oh, I see… garlic, beetroot, parsnips, carrots and even some thyme!” Gaer comments, pleased "They will go very well, with the roasted venison! You can immediately see that someone who has cooking experience lives in this house! Well, I'll get to work straight away!"

And while he cooks: "I don't know whether or not you approve of your sister's plans to join the guards... But it's worth noting that you have just won the gratitude of Martha Sharnshield... And apparently, it's that family who, primarily, is responsible for maintaining law and order here. Tomorrow morning, if you said the right word in good Martha's ear, you could probably favor Olivia's plans... Or even disfavor them, if you think that this of hers is a dangerous idea".

Sharnshield Mansion (Rash & Anita):

"It's a pleasure taking care of you, Rash!" Anita smiles "I want to become an excellent assistant! But precisely because I am the assistant and you are the wizard... it's you who should teach me the procedure for enchanting cakes!"

As the half-orc wizards check his Familiar's condition, the Owl lazily stretches its wings and responds telepathically: "Of course, Master! Now that incredible tiredness is gone! I'm ready for anything! Are there any other places I need to explore for you?"

Sharnshield Mansion (Aidwyn, Balfby & Solitude):

Meanwhile, Aidwyn (OOC: Unless Frandal posts otherwise) actually apologizes to the people scared by Balfby and, to avoid trouble, retreats to the room Thia reserved for her and Solitude.

The Yeth-Hound follows her inside, evidently intending to assume the role of oversized watchdog.

"I must admit that you have really good taste in choosing pets, Aidwyn..." smiles the tiefling ex-prisoner "Keeping me at your side could have had unpleasant consequences... The distrust (when not hostility) with which too superstitious people welcomes tieflings, it could have cost you many enemies... But as long as Balfby remains with us, there won't be many who will try to give us trouble!"

"I'll be glad to hunt those who want to give you (or your friend) trouble, Mistress" assures the supernatural beast telepathically, in Aidwyn's mind. "Feel free to reassure Solitude... We could even agree on a signal! When Solitude feels threatened by someone, she might point at him and snap her fingers... and when night falls, I'll take care of it!"

Roxana stands in place, a tiny bit surprised as Gaer takes immediately to working to prepare the meal. "I didn't realize you knew your way around a kitchen Gaer," she says, sounding impressed. She lets him work, starting to pull out the ingredients for a simple cake. "Think there's just enough eggs. Wonder if Livy has really been tending to the hens," she muses.

Once set with all her necessary supplies and bowls, she gazes over at the Tiefling. "You are right, I was hoping to keep you with me.  Thought it would be nice to talk while we work."

She suddenly seems to shift gears, moving over to a cupboard to grab a tea kettle and place it on the stove.  She then checks the wood box, remembering it's empty. "Thought I'd get some tea going, though I'll have to wait on the wood.  What do you and your sister like? We do have some locally made beer - not the greatest really. But a nice change from tea."

Back to her cake ingredients, she starts to work and talk.  "So were you and Spira going to stick around for Martha and Dobbian's wedding? And what did you think about going back to that cave to explore more? I'd like to, but I'll have to see if I can get time off from the tavern.  But after all that what are your plans? Anything to do in Longsaddle? Or thoughts on some other location?"

The flood of words seems natural from Roxana. However, at the end the questions seemed more hurried and her voice a bit more concerned. She now steals a number of anxious glances over to Gaer as she still continues to mix up the cake batter.

Rash smiles and pats the owl gently on the head.

Nothing right now... but don't worry, your time to shine will come soon, he tells the little fellow telepathically.

"Well then, we'll see what we can do about that when we get back to mom's kitchen," the half-orc chuckles. "Though to be real honest... magic food is more a Druid thing than a Wizard thing. Come to think of it, I wonder if Milo might be a Druid... that would explain how he was able to soothe the wolf... maybe he could teach us how to make magic cake if we ever meet the lil' guy again."

Roxana's Farm:

"Oh, don't overdo it..." the tifeling smiles "Outdoor life has taught me to use some of nature's gifts to flavor game, but when it comes to cooking you probably beat me by a lot. To make a cake, for example example, I wouldn't know where to start - except maybe" and again those solid starless night eyes stare into Roxana's "from hoping that a beautiful and kind girl will do it for me! And yes, excellent idea, it's nice to talk a little together while working".

"Locally made beer will be fine, thanks!" Gaer assures "Martha and Dobbian's wedding will be in a month..." he reflects, starting to bravely face the barrage of questions "As I anticipated, it would be a long time to spend here without new work... In my opinion , if no new job opportunities emerge in, say, ten or fifteen days, we'd better get moving... maybe test the waters in the nearby towns. So, while we manage to attend the wedding, maybe in the meantime we'll also find the next job".

"The prospect of exploring more of that dungeon intrigues me..." the teifling smiles, moving on to the next question "I told you, didn't I, that I'm a curious guy? And we know" he adds with a smile of complicity "that you too are curious... And it's an exploration that could yield you much more than a few days of work at the tavern... so, in my opinion, you'd better prefer the former. We haven't sold Kylth's Flag yet, but I'm convinced that we can already get a good price for those. How many other valuable items, magical and otherwise, could still be left down there? If we are lucky enough to have the majority of the original party willing to follow us, we should not be at great risk...  so I say we should seize this opportunity. And if we get enough out of this exploration, we might even have less worries about the future and extend our stay at Longsaddle, among other things".

"It's not easy to make precise plans when you embrace the career of an adventurer" admits Gaer, coming to the final questions. "I would certainly like to give you time to understand that this is the life you were born to live. That it is a life full of uncertainty, but also of excitement. That forces you to take calculated dangers, but that allows you to earn otherwise unthinkable rewards - and I'm not just talking about material rewards (which are certainly not useless in this world), it's also about pride in what you can do... Would you have ever imagined being able to bring back an innocent person from the realm of the dead and thus save the happiness of a couple and a child?"

"Anyway, of course, we will have to leave Longsaddle, sooner or later..." points out the adventurer "You are too smart not to have already understood it by yourself, Roxana: even if by chance we find a new assignment here... sooner or later, this assignment too would end. And then we would have to travel. Look for places where we are needed".

"Roxana..." Gaer lowers his voice to a soft whisper, now suddenly closer to her, so close that it is possible to perceive a faint scent of aromatic herbs coming from him "You have also obviously already understood that my interest in you is not simply a professional one. If there is anything I can... do... or explain better... to help you decide, you just have to ask".

Did he get any closer? His lips are so close now...

Sharnshield Mansion (Rash & Anita):

Anita becomes a little sad when she remembers Milo: "I don't know, Rash... A druid? I've never met any, but I hadn't gotten the idea that they were so... gentle. Poor guy... He he didn't complain nearly as much as Solitude, but (like Solitude) he had every right to do so... He allowed himself to be captured practically without causing problems... Yet we mistreated him all the same... I... Now that I realize better what I did, I'm so ashamed... He... I hope that Mangy stays with him and defends him from... from any other rabble like we were; because he, Milo, no, he wasn't really good at defending himself. I would gladly try to help him in some way, if I met him again".

"I don't know for sure if he's a druid or not," the half-orc says after a few moments. "But I'm fairly certain that he used some kind of magic to calm Mangy."

Rash smiles sadly as he's reminded that, no matter how much she cares about him and vice-versa, Anita really has done some awful things. And he's not going to lie through his teeth, pretending that she's blameless.

"Well... yes, you probably should feel ashamed for how they were treated, and if you didn't feel any guilt that would be a serious problem," Rash says gently. "That feeling will help steer you away from dishonorable actions in the future. But... try not to beat yourself up too much for your past... no matter how much we may want to change it, what's done is done. And you weren't solely, or even primarily, the one to blame for what happened to them."

Rash pauses, and suddenly has an idea.

"Hey little guy," he says out loud, calling the owl familiar over. "I think I have a job for you to do while we get some rest... can you search the forest for a halfling and a wolf, both of whom probably look pretty ragged right now? I'd like to know they're alright, and if you can stop by wherever they're camping the halfling might even be able to talk to you if he really can speak to animals in a more than normal way... so feel free to let him know Rashugri the half-orc sent you to make sure he's doing okay. But... if you can't find him in four or five hours, feel free to come back here and go back to sleep."

Roxana listens very closely to all that Gaer has to say. She seems to be attentively weighing everything he says. With him suddenly near though she blushes slightly. "Umm..." she says as she fumbles at a response to his request. She stays very close though, her eyes closing, her lips pursed, her head tilted ever so slightly towards him.  She seems to hold her breath as though waiting. 

Roxana's Farm:

Roxana feels the tiefling's lips lean and part on hers for a kiss, while his hands gently open over her to caress her hair...

After some time, Gaer, with his face expressing enthusiastic satisfaction, stops to murmur: "Now that I think about it, Olivia might come back and see us... Maybe we should start dedicating ourselves to culinary pursuits again and resume this interesting conversation after dinner? Maybe in front of the fire of a fireplace, in a place where we won't be disturbed... There are still so many things I don't know about you... It would definitely be interesting to deepen our mutual knowledge".

Sharnshield Mansion (Rash & Anita):

"Thanks Rash!" Anita hugs the half-orc wizard on impulse "Always willing to understand me, to motivate me, to console me... You're really a very good person, you know? Isn't it that your non-orc half... is celestial?"she smiles "Maybe I should ask Zentromya to check..."

When Rash sends the owl on a mission, to bring Milo the greetings of 'Rashugri the half-orc', the ex-Zhentarim adds: "...And of the redeemed wizard-assistant, Anita! Who feels indebted to him and will do everything to help him if he needs it one day".

After which the family leaves, leaving the couple alone in the room.

"You're right Olivia might come back! Roxy! Is that sort of thing really sanitary here in the kitchen!" Roxana's sister is standing there, laden with a large stack of wood. She's grinning as she tries to make a joke.  But it's clear from her expression she's surprised.

"Oh!" Roxana replies, clearly startled. She steps quickly away from Gaer. "It's... perfectly fine. Not like we're handing the food with our lips," she says a bit tentatively, making an attempt at a comeback to her sister's remark. "Let me help you with that. I'll get a fire started so we can a kettle going." She quickly moves over to take some of the chopped logs to place them in the stove.

Olivia works with her sister to place the rest of the wood in the wood box by the door. She then glances over at Gaer, "Will you be needing me to get some more wood for your private conversation later?"

Once the wood is taken care of and the stove lit, Roxana goes back to where she was working on the cake.  She comes over close to Olivia, keeping her voice low. "Please just let us get back to making the food. We can talk later, ok?"

Olivia stares back at her sister a moment, then nods. "Sure hope you know what you're doing this time." She then turns and heads back outside. "Just taking care of a couple things. I'll be back."

Roxana then does get back to work. "Aren't sisters loads of fun?" she says with a stained laugh.

Roxana's Farm:

"As if I didn't have one..." Gaer agrees - and only then realizes that in fact Spira may have remained nearby too... He had delivered the agreed-upon kick to her shin to signal that she could back to Sharnshield Mansion, but she hadn't taken her leave right away... Is she still here at the farm? He looks around, discreetly...

However, regardless of the presence or absence of Spira, the tiefling focuses again on the venison and the vegetables, mentally pondering yet another reference to a probable story of Roxana's that ended in an unpleasant way; Oliva... hoping that Roxana 'knows what she's doing this time'? Roxana usually knows exactly 'what she is doing'... at least in dangerous situations - as Xomox soon learned the hard way. Maybe in the sentimental field things went differently and the girl was hurt by a relationship with the wrong guy? However, he decides to keep his curiosity in check, convinced that rehashing such a past cannot be particularly useful to anyone.

When dinner is ready, while bringing the roasted venison, complete with garlic, beetroot, parsnips, carrots and some thyme, to the table Gaer winks at Roxana: "And now let's hope we've done a good job... Or Olivia will never forgive us for being distracted for a moment!"

"I guess that's my job now," Rash says with a smile as he reciprocates the hug. "But... pretty sure my other half is human. You're free to have Zentromya check just in case, though. Now come on, let's finish our drinks and get some sleep... I don't know 'bout you, but for me it's been a long, exhausting day."

Roxana wanders about, inspecting the items that Gaer has prepared. "Hmm," she says, then moves to peer from a different spot. "Interesting," she says this time. She leans in close, looking at the venison and giving it a slight sniff.  "Ok..." she mumbles.  She then straightens up, trying to give the Tiefling a serious look. However, the corners of her mouth creep up to a grin, betraying her attempt. "I just don't know Gaer, this better be good."  She then starts laughing. "Aw, it actually smells delightful. Let's call the others. Do you really think Spira left? I'd hoped she eat with us."  Her cake had already been in the oven and come out to cool.  She has it sitting aside on a rack.  A decadent frosting has already been prepared and set aside in the ice box to be used after dinner.

Within mere moments of calling Olivia appears. "About time. What have you two been doing?" she says. She sees the pitcher of beer that Roxana had set out on the table not long ago, and quickly slips into a seat, filling a cup.  "Gee, you're breaking out the good stuff for our guests!"