Ladies Night (Scene/Episode 2) Tajuri/Jael/Kris

While the violinist is performing, Tajuri and Jael notice the occupants of some of the other tables in the dining area. Two of these groupings stand out. The first comprises the vampire, Sanguinor, in conversation with a bald and tattooed male who also appears to be a vampire and behind this individual stands a female tiefling, arms folded and leaning against the wall. The second group consists to two more barely clothed females, a tiefling and a pale humanoid, fawning over a bald unattractive human male with a long nose.


As quickly as her number is finishes, Tamblyn turns to Kris and throws her arms around the young Champion. "Kris! Is it really you?! You've changed—well, a little bit. Love your hair!"

Kris returns Tamblyn hug and holds her tight for a moment. "You look the same as remember, dear friend." She responds in kind. "I didn't know at start whether you'd recognize me with the white hair. Do you really like it?" She releases her old friend and brushes a hand along her own temple and pulling back a lock of her hair. "I have missed you. We should catch up when you have the time."

"I would like that very much, Kris." Tamblyn agrees. "After my sets? Maybe? If you have some time?"

She forces herself to pull away, straightens up, and moves a short distance to begin her next tune.

"I will make the time for you." Kris promises. "I would love nothing more than to spend some quality time with you after the performances."

During Tamblyn's set, the dark-haired waitress who had been seen earlier, bringing out drinks to the dining area on a tray, approaches the table and crouches down between Tajuri and Kris. "Is there anything I can get for you ladies at the moment?"

"Another round of drinks, please and one for the minstrel as well." Tajuri conveys to the waitress and gestures for the woman to draw closer. "Who is the bald one with Sanguinor? We're new to T'Lorn and have never seen him before."

Without giving a tell by turning to look in the direction of the table with Sanguinor and the other vampire, Megan answers, "That is Vryth Streck. He is the major partner in The Runeblade. The female standing behind him is Daashar, our head of security and his chief enforcer."

The waitress resumes her upright stance and smiles. "I will be right back with your drinks. We do have food stuffs as well, if you get hungry."

Kris attempts to stay aware of her surroundings, but in truth, her attention is focused on Tamblyn and the memories of their past moments together at the academy. She engages in light conversation with Tajuri and Jael while awaiting her friend's next break.

Between her sets, Tamblyn rejoins Kris and the others at the table. "Thanks for the drink." She says, holding it up toward them all, as she is not sure who to thank personally. "I have another set coming up and then the pit fights begin." She looks over to Kris and places her free hand lightly over that of her old friend. "We could ditch then and catch up, if you'd like?"

Kris nods. "Let's do that. Spending some time with you means more to me than satisfying curiosity about all the offerings available here at the Runeblade. There is always another night to explore, should events allow." She grasps the tips of Tamblyn's fingers lightly that are lain over her hand. "I have a room at the palace."

"That sounds prefect, Kris." Tamblyn agrees, with a smile. "You don't think it will be problem if you bring a guest into the palace, do you?"

She casts a glance toward Tajuri and Jael, as if to include them in her question.

Tajuri enjoys the company of Kris and her friend, Tamblyn, and the music while they wile away the evening with drinks and conversation. She occasionally steels a glance to the others in the posh VIP areas of the Runeblade, because she generally likes people watching. In particular, she gives some focus to the table with Sanguinor and Streck, as well as the one with the intimate companions-for-hire and, what Taj assumes, is their handler, Master Kleg.

The evening moves along without incident and soon Tamblyn has finished her sets and returns to the table with her violin. She places it in its case and smiles to Kris, before turning to both Tajuri and Jael. "It was good meeting the both of you. I have a feeling we will cross paths again during your stay in the city."

She looks again to Kris and Blue. "I am ready, if you are?"

In agreement, the two friends and the familiar depart, leaving Tajuri and Jael at the table.

No sooner had Kris and Tamblyn departed from the dining area, when a small man with a mustache appeared from the doorway nearest the arena seating section and stops near its center. Tajuri and Jael recall his name is Tom. Tom opens his arms wide and holds them up, while announcing loudly, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Sluts and Monsters! Behold! The fights begin in five minutes. Everyone grab a seat while you can! Bets can be taken my yours truly before each match! Enjoy!"

The Tiefling standing against the wall behind the bald male at the table with Saguinor moves and exits the room by way of a door along the northwest and the rest stand and begin migrating to the seats overlooking the pit.

Eager to see what's next, Tajuri takes Jael's hand, picks up her drink, and follows along to the viewing seats to find a good couple of them together to watch.

With everyone settled in for the first match, the Tiefling enforcer, Daashar, steps out onto the sand of the pit and holds out her arms and hands in a gesture for quiet. As the room goes nearly silent, her voice carries over the entire amphitheater. "Runeblade! Bloodfight enthusiasts! Enjoy!"

Two robed combatants enter from opposite sides of the pit and toss off their concealing garments to reveal their near unclothed forms. Their hands and feet have been fitted with gleaming wicked claws.

Somewhere out of sight of the crowd, the rhythm of deep drums begins a slow cadence and the Deathdansers take starting positions.

Taj's eyes widen slightly, as she watches the combatants reveal themselves. "Oh MY!" She utters, while squeezing Jael's hand. "Bloodfight indeed. This is certainly shaping up to be interesting." She looks up and raises her hand to get the attention of any wait staff looming or passing by. "Another couple drinks, please?"

The two combatants whirl into action to the rhythm of drum in their deadly dance of seductive bodies, gleaming blades and blood. Midway through the match, Tajuri catches sight of two newcomers to the spectators in her peripheral vision. They proceed into the viewing seats and join Sanguinor and Streck: A light-skinned blonde with a brace of pistols and a slight figure in a white robe and wearing a blue and white mask.



End Scene