2015.08.27:All About a Rose

All About a Rose
A quest for a symbol of love turns sour at Rhapsody Freehold
IC Date	2015.08.27
IC Time	Mid-morning to Midday
Players	Alandra, Keris, Kuba, and LilyJane
Location	Rhapsody Freehold
Prp/Tp	PRP
Spheres	Changeling
Theme Song	Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

LilyJane is sitting outside the bale chamber, watching in fascination the cycle of life and death happening to the local plant life. She seems transfixed, really, having quite forgotten the basket she carries with her. It dangles at the end of one arm as she closely observes the chaos.

Two souls wandering towards the chamber, or at least into the hold, Kuba is in the company of Alandra. Here, Kuba stands at his goodly height, just shy of 4 and a half feet if one counts by such means. Alandra certainly standing over him and most likely getting more attention. One may notice in their approach, Kuba stands just ahead of Alandra, not by much. Not to lead, he couldn't lead her, but perhaps protective even, it takes subtle perception to know, or being a boggan it would be readily recognized perhaps. Even as the moves they are in conversation of some sort, light perhaps, until the chance upon LilyJane, lost in her thoughts. Giving a pause to their topic, he looks over to her, and nods a little. Curiousity in her availing, as she is lost in thought while watching the cycling of life amonts teh chaos here and its affect on the plants. "Good day," he calls with a greeting, "All is well?" As she is transfixed it seems, that intrigute afoot in his mind. He glances between her and Alandra, for her take as well.

Alandra walks just behind Kuba, her pace seeming rather casual for when she enters the freehold she often has reasons to slow down and either enjoy, or reflect on, her surroundings. While Kuba may not necessarily seem in the lead, many things may appear to distract the sidhe from walking in a straight direction. Maybe it's the colorful chimera or other things of the dreaming that call to her? But then, when Kuba walks ahead she is likely sure to follow. "Yes, it is a good day." she comments and then blinks a moment as she notices he was actually conversing with someone here. Not recognizing Lily, she appears to be curious about her and waits for her answer to the question, as if she would likely ask the same thing.

LilyJane jumps a little at the greeting, dropping her basket. Fortunately she was sitting, so it merely tumbles over instead of doing anything more physically dramatic. "Oh eh!... Hullo." she says, blinking at the pair of you. She spies Alandra, and the redhead quickly gets to her feet and curtsies. "Good day. Oi beg yer pardon oi'm sure."

Giving a grin himself, Kuba turns towards Alandra more. While he meant it as a greeting to the new face, he's always welcome to conversation with her. "Good day for the market even," perhaps why they came, and he turns back towards LilyJane who is rising and curtsying. No comment from him on the greeting there, maybe a step aside for her to feel its proper even. "Seems you've already been there." By way of observation even. Looking curiously to see what she might have in hand, market items perhaps, or something randomly gathered.

Alandra studies the woman for a moment. Her lips purse a moment as she appears the be thinking. Yes, quite a lovely lady, but, not quite one of her own kith? Still, her demeanor is as pleasant as her looks and she nods, "Yes certainly." she won't disagree with her, at least not yet, "The market is one place." her long, white fingers move to the top of Kuba's arm and then shoulder, "That my champion may want to go. He is searching for many things but, he might have found one blessing, yes?" her green eyes sparkle with a sense of mirth that the two could notice. For now, the gorgeous sidhe appears to be in a good mood and that makes her content.

The basket appears to be full of small stoppered bottles and pretty, if nondescript boxes tied together with a green ribbon. Wares for the market then.

LilyJane is neither here nor there when it comes to the nobility vs. the common folk. Her looks shout "noble!" but her demeanor and the lack of Sidhe otherness proclaim her to be common... or at least common-ish. Lil is a strange one, even among the Fae. She rights herself, then stoops again to regather her wares. "Oi were just goin' t'market. But oi spotted the..." she points "The strangeness. Oi had t'have a better look didn't Oi?" her speech is pleasantly lyrical and her accent most markedly Irish.

"I confess, I was hoping to hear tales," returns Kuba on him going to the market in search of things. There is a smile to him, at the touch and at being her champaion. One hand crossing over towards his shoulder to brush at that finger, over it. That smile holds pride more than mirth itself, but it touchs at him at having found a blessing. "The company of my lady is always a blessing," turning it a bit in play to make a compliment of it. "One of many to come," he furthers, curious at the boxes tied by ribbon a moment, his eyes move from Alandra to LilyJane. "Well, I wouldn't mind more company, if my lady is amiable to adding another to our party?"

Alandra continues to study the woman carefully and smiles just slightly. It may be hard to tell if such a smile is one that means she is happy, or if she simply notices something after surveying the girl. However, she does realize she doesn't have a regal air about her, but such a realization doesn't distress her. "My champion is on a quest to find one of the most priceless red roses ever to grace the lands. Perhaps, you have heard rumors of such at a market or likely, in other places of note? Come my dears, we shall talk of such treasures, aye?"

LilyJane tilts her head and looks between the two of you, clearly puzzled. "What koinda rose is that?" she says, then looks between the two of you and mutters in Gaelic. Still, she falls into step with the two of you, clutching her basket before her. Lil moves with easy grace. Not the feline otherness of the Sidhe, but with the ease of someone comfortable with their own body.

"Indeed," agrees Kuba, on talking of treasures, and heading towards the markets. Turning a glance to LilyJane, curious if she has heard it, he lifts a brow at her return. "Well, it has petals of ruby, emerald at its heart. Rumor enough is that it may be not far beyond the Barony of the Shadowed Souls." Easy enough, just like that. Or not so much, "Before I journey there, I was hoping for more information. It may grow in fields there, but I think I should be aware of any possible dangers, and of course, affirmation that is where it may be found."

LilyJane tilts her head, looking intruiged. "Oi hadnae heard of sooch a thing." she says "But oi should verra much loike t'see it."

Alandra squeezes the top of Kuba's shoulder again and then moves her hand to rest at her side, "My champion will certainly be successful at finding it. Supposedly, it's one of the most magical and amazing roses in multiple kingdoms and anyone who looks upon it cannot forget its beauty. I would hope to keep it to hold onto it, as a prize that regalness and beauty will never be forgotten."

LilyJane lives with not one, but -two- Sidhe, and still she gives Alandra an odd look. The high mindedness is somewhat new on her. "Er... yes?"

That smile remains even after the squeeze and the hand returns to her personal possession. "Once it is found, I shall give it as a token to the lady Alandra," returns Kuba. "She may keep it, and if she wears it, I am sure all may see its beauty." Turning steps for the Lost in Time Market, there may be more individuals about as they head in that direction at least. "Of course, I'll still listen and seek information on this quest, but what is it you may be after today as well?" Returned to LilyJane curiously. As if they two might align, depending which merchants she may need to see.

LilyJane's mouth curves into a delicate frown as he speaks of giving such an item to the lovely Alandra. Something about it displeases her. "Eh. Were just gonna sell a few t'ings." she says. "Got an overabundance just now. Figured oi'd see what oi could get fer me wares."

Alandra narrows her eyes a bit as she moves closer to Kuba. "Something about the rose, not make you happy?" she enquires as she notices the frown. For now, her lips turn from a grin into something a bit more smug. She isn't frowning but she appears a bit perplexed. In this case though, such curiousity may not be from a jovial cause.

Kuba is, well, a guy, and all seems in order for him and the case of the rose. All in all, still a purpose to to visit the markets. "What've ya got there," he says with some curiousity, reaching for his chin, and then taking more notice on the idea of unhappiness as its pointed out by Alandra. His eyes first go to LilyJane of course, curious, then to Alandra, as if they could share some look, that he might have a bit of a clue.

LilyJane isn't good at hiding her feelings. It's just not a talent she ever cultivated, apparently. Green eyes widen and she blinks over at Alandra. "What. Oh. Oh no." she says quickly. "It's just, oi'm a gardner and a... oi guard th' land." she says after a moment. "Such a rare thing should never be given loightly or treated as a mere bauble to be... shown off." she says finally. "Not that yeh aren't deservin' of foine things, m'lady." she adds, hurriedly. She shrugs nervously at Kuba "Eh. Just some tinctures and medcines oi growed." she says. "And some pastilles oi made."

Alandra begins to feel a bit of her arrogance and pride take shape, and as a hint of anger starts to rise to the surface her nostrils flare to reveal such displeasure. Then when LilyJane says she may be deserving of such things, the pretty sidhe's temper halts a little which likely stops a flood of horrid emotions from bubbling forth. After all, she put Kuba on the quest to begin with but Lily's humble remark may have calmed her down, for now. She doesn't say anything much, but she does turn to Kuba as if wondering what his reaction may be from Lily's statements. Maybe not everyone supports the quest she issued so readily.

"Ah, but I mean to acquire the flower," returns Kuba, though some understandings in his word, "And perhaps a good reason to have you along, that the plant be preserved in its habitat to bloom again, while the flower is cultivated." Maybe he tries to appease both, he is after that flower after all. "The plant can be saved, I can certainly mend damage done from taking the flower. The blessing of the company of my lady has perhaps led us to you, your knowledge key to this quest." It seems good to him, a nod even. "Forgive me my manners, I am Sir Kuba, of the Vale of Nappa."

LilyJane nods as Kuba introduces himself, and she reaches into her basket for abrupt gift offerings. Must further placate the Sidhe. She offers forth small tins. Rescued and repurposed Altoids tins, actually. Though she's repainted them and affixed slightly glittery flower stickers to 'em. "here. Please. With me compliments." she says. And there are peppermint candies inside each tin. They smell heavenly. "Lily Jane McCarthy of nowhere verra much." she says. "Formerly of th' Deep Woods an' th' Court o' The Moon, County Cork."

Reaching over to take one of the offerings, Kuba notices the repurposed tin. He'd always thought they were great for holding other things as needed, tacks and pins and such. Little bits of metal he uses in his own work, or rare rocks even. Now theyse come complaing with new paint and stickers even. "Oh, you're too kind, these are rather nice." Then he takes a whiff of it certainly, the smell lifting to his nostrils. Not realizing them more he holds it the more his fingers may be laced with THC oil. A slight grin, "Nowhere verra much, but alas here the same. And this we that has helped you, this is another gardening friend, perhaps the two of you are privy to a wonderful garden to call you own?"

Reaching over to take one of the offerings, Kuba notices the repurposed tin. He'd always thought they were great for holding other things as needed, tacks and pins and such. Little bits of metal he uses in his own work, or rare rocks even. Now theyse come complaing with new paint and stickers even. "Oh, you're too kind, these are rather nice." Then he takes a whiff of it certainly, the smell lifting to his nostrils. Not realizing them more he holds it the more his fingers may be laced with THC oil. A slight grin, "Nowhere verra much, but alas here the same. And these medicines ... and tinctures, they're sort of a cure all, made from things harvested from a garden you have perhaps?"

LilyJane shrugs and she gives Kuba a bemused sort of look. "Oi do have a garden, aye." she says "A friend of moine is lettin' me plant on his lands." she says. "Provoided oi keep up his as well, a'course."

LilyJane considers her basket "Well. They do make me feel better of an evening." she offers, all unhelpfully.

Listening to her response, Kuba has lifted one brow with that interest. Curious interest it is, between the scent of that box and the garden. Then he nods. Tucking the box away for the moment. Alandra seems to wander off a bit, or up ahead towards the Markets on her own course for the moment. "Sort of lift the spirit do they?" Her medicines that is. "Sounds like a good thing between you and that friend. You ever sort of help others with gardens, advice and such?"

LilyJane seems a little perplexed when asked for information. "Oi dinno." she says. "Nobody ever asked me about it." she says.

Pursing his lips curiously, Kuba lifts a free hand to scratch his face, probably getting some THC oil there too even. "Well, there you go." Then a slight grin even, "So, lets assume I have a garden, what would it get you to come for a look. Just to give some advice mind you?"

LilyJane is interested, of course she is. She nods a little "Aye. Oi spose so." she says. "Where are yeh livin then?"

"Well, this is hypothetical," returns Kuba. "See, I've come under inheritance of a manor off towards the south." Simple as that, "I'm clearing up all legality of this through the local courts to make sure no toes are stepped on. I imagine there is room for gardens. Sort of thinking forward I guess. Maybe I'm assuming too much, but with caring for the land, I took it as your passion, and surely you must be well versed in that care."

LilyJane looks non-plussed when you explain. No actual garden. You tease! She crosses her arms over her chest "Oi care for me lands and fer rare plants." she says "What anyone else is doin' about theirs is their business, innit?"

A slight grin, Kuba holds up his hands palm outwards to her, meaning no harm or foul at least. "Yes, certainly. I'm sure whatever is there now I can maintain, if anything. Just if I want to bring in new plants or flowers, I think you're advice would be higly prized is all. In a manner, I'm asking if we might come to some accord. I just need to know what exchange you might like if I came to you for help and advice is all?"

LilyJane humphs softly and she quirks her mouth. "If yeh want me help, yeh won't give your pointy eared lady that rose." she says "Such a thing is a rare dream not t'be fetched up fer the loikes of her pointy hoighness." she says. "Make her a damned rose, but don't be stealin' what ain't yours t'give."

"I do not mean to destroy the plant where it grows, but harvest a flower. Much like picking a rare fruit from a tree. It will 'fruit' again, will it not?" His eyes more mirthful and hopeful in this being the way it shall work. "If it is not me who takes it, surely another will come along. It may not even exist, only a few tales have been told of it. And for her, I fear I must. I am her champion, she my lady, if I am to prove myself worthy of her affection, I must take to this task."

LilyJane's expression grows haughty, and a hint. Just a -hint- of Sidhe otherness creeps into her features. "Oi dinnae know if it would grow anew." she says "Plants out in' the dreamin' have their own rules. There may be a field of th' bloody things. There may only be th' one bloom, and once plucked, it may cease t'be." she says "If yeh had any bloody self respect yeh wouldnae be obeyin' her whims." she says, outright treasonous now. "Champions defend honor and fight battles as proxy." she says "They don't run off bloody stealin' things."

Standing up more rigid to that full 4'5" mark, Kuba nods, "I do defend her honor and fight her battles. The ruby rose has been heard of in various markets, a rare find indeed. Must be more than one, perhaps more than one field even. Just the journey to find it must be treacherous. And its not rightly stealing is it, not like someone claims the flowers?" He breathes softly, "If I find where it grows, you're welcome to come with, to assure I am not cultivating the last of its kind that the dream is barren of the ruby rose?"

LilyJane's mouth purses and she nods tightly "Oi just better." she says after a moment. Because let's be honest. She wants one too, damn it. Only she'd like the whole plant to place with much honor in her own garden. "Oi just don't loike th' oidea of goin' about th' countrysoide just... grabbin' shite because some bit of pointy eared tail tells yeh it moight be jolly fun."

"See, there we go," grins Kuba at first, a slight victory in a way, not that he knows her intents, but it secures some companionship on the journey at least. Relaxing just a little. If she finds a whole plant that she can really cultivate, that will be some added bonus come to think of it, but neigher her nor now. "Well, its a quest of love, I don't think there is much rhyme or reason to it. And if it turns out fun," and no deaths, "All the better right, not like we're getting any days younger."

LilyJane snorts and she sighs. "Bloody hell. Oi beg yeh t' shoot me if oi start demandin' such nonsense." she says, grumpily. She rummages in her basket, and quite irritably grabs one of the ribbon tied boxes. She breaks it open, revealing a neatly packed line of joints. She extricates one, then flicks her fingers, lighting the end. A deep inhale, and she relaxes. "Fuck me." she says, smoke escaping lazily from her mouth and nostrils. "But yer kind of a dumb little shite, ain't yeh?" It doesn't sound like the insult it clearly is. She's mostly just curious.

"Okay, if you start demanding," nods Kuba, him looking more at LilyJane in that moment, mirth in his eyes, like, you said it, if you get shot some day, he won't be blaimed. Then again, it takes her holding those silly romantic ideas and challenging some suitor to some quest of course. The grin doesn't stay long at his lips when it comes, but dances in his eyes, as she finds a joint to help with the moment. "Sure, quite dumb. Should I answer poetically ... I am dumbfounded by beauty?" More a curious grin at that.

LilyJane makes a profound yuck face at Kuba. She's smoking a joint, eyeing the little man with haughty disdain. Though she'll relax once the pot kicks in. Probably. Sometimes it's hard to say with Lily. Something has her hackles up. "Clearly." she says. "Then again, oi've got t'budge me fellow out o' th'house with a damned crowbar sometoimes. Oi doubt he'd be so inclined t'just bloody run off and steal proiceless artifacts fer me."

Stepping from one of the back-hallways of the club, Keris actually seems a little annoyed. Why? Probably because he has to brush off white powdery snow off his shoulders and hair. Still, the mood only lasts for a short time, before he begins to move further into the club proper, letting the music and mood seep in. It has been a while since he last been to this side of the place, and he takes in the various changes that have been made. Next stop? Bar. Can't be in Rhapsody without beer, right? Ahem.

Stepping through the old door that once might have led to a pantry in the ruined keep, Keris brushes some foam from his shoulders. Apparently somebody thought it would be a good idea to start a foam party in some part of the mundane part of the Freehold. A hand holding his walking cane, the other a half-full glass of beer, Keris mutters faintly under his breath, even as he closes the door -- and the trod -- behind him again. A brief glance around is given, a couple of quiet words offered to thin air, "Peace with you, Guardian.", he half mumbles, and when no answer comes, he smirks. "Guess it does not matter I don't have any icecream with me.", he adds, with a faint crooked smile, soon to step further among the rubble.

Kuba is standing near LilyJane, smoking nothing himself. They are between the freehold itself and moving towards the markets. Probably initiated but derailed just the same. "So you do agree at least," he returns cryptically at first. Giving a good pause to that idea, "It is a pricesless artifact." A slight pull at his clothes to put them right, not that they were disarrayed at all either. "And how do you know, have you asked him?" If he heard of ice cream, that might really get his attention, not sure how mumbled the comments were.

LilyJane shrugs and takes another pull on her joint. Their movement was indeed arrested by her need to smoke and bemoan stupid people. She glances up when she hears Keris, nods in his direction. "Yeh do pop up a lot once yer in someone's story, don't yeh?" she asks him. As for Kuba, she says "Oi don't ask. Because it'd be bloody stupid."

Keris tilts his head as he is such adressed, and he gives Lily a wide grin. "Is that complaining I hear between the lines, Oh Poioson Ivy. Would you see less of me? And perhaps it is you that keeps popping up, unbidden, in /my/ story?", he wonders at her, only to step closer to the pair and the smoke of MJ that is the constant companion of LJ. "Asked what stoopid thing whom?", he wonders then, before finally turns his eyes to her companion, offering a dip of his head to him, not quite deep enough to be a bow, but too much so to be a simple nod. "And you found a new companion to keep you joint company, I see.", he adds, grinning even wider.

Turning to the arrival of another, Kuba takes in the other curiously for a moment as if noting the garb. But hints of mirth remain to him, more so in his eyes at least. Glad she seems to know this ellow, or the two know each other in some way, he accepts it as everyday. Can't comment on their stories, that's between them. As for stupid, he does have an opinion, its put on pause of course. A chuckle given at the play of words. A slight nod, "Yes, joint company for a joint venture, needle in the haystack sort, or flower in the weeds." Cause to keep it going. Then a nod, "Stupid is up for debate, what is your take. The woman of your dreams asks you to find a rare item for her, some quest of love, is it stupid, or honorable to do this thing, find this item?" He spills it all, mostly, turns back to LilyJane of course, "Not too stupid though, I mean, what if its something you really wanted, or needed?"

LilyJane eyes Kuba narrowly "Oi'd say she can bloody well get it her own self if she's worth a toss." she says "Damn pointy ear's got yeh brainwashed, boy."

Keris grins at Kuba as he picks up on the wordplay and spons it oneards, though at the question of honor or fool's errant? Keris gives a little shrug. "It might be bo...". He does not get any further before the redhead lays into the boggan and Keris has to laugh, dipping his head to Lily. "I would agree. The kind of Lady I could love would not ask me to fetch it for her. She would tell me she is packing to go with me.", he agrees, before he looks at Kuba. "In fact, I'd probably would have to tie her down to stop her.", he says half meaninful, and half pondering but then shakes his head. "And you, good man, would you ask your love to find wht you need?", he queries back at Kuba, blinking those black eyes at him.

"Is it brainwashing if I'm willing to do it," counters Kuba, that grin peeking at the corners of his mouth in that thought. "Sure, whimsical as it may be, there is that little bit of pride in saying I did that for her. She could do it herself, but I may have indicated I would like to be challenged for that love too." More between them, as it sort of answers Keris in a fashion. "I would not ask my love to find what I need, I'd make it myself, take pride in that. But that is me. What I do for her, it is voluntary, I did ask her to give me a quest of love. She didn't ask for it at all, though was delighted that I'd say I needed such a challenge."

LilyJane rolls her eyes and mutters darkly in Gaelic. She smokes her joint most fiercely and looks very thunderously grumpy indeed.

Keris gives Lily a longer look, then shakes his head. "My dear man, if you volunteered such things are differently. But one has to wonder: Is the challange given by the Lady then one born of need? Has she been sitting on it like a hen on an unhatched egg, just waiting for that one man -- or woman -- that would ask her if she just _happens_ to have something that could be done for her to ascertain her of the love and affection?", he inquires. "But I suppose that one in Love would not second guess the heart of the one one Loves.", he smirks a little at that. "So let us not speak of potential faults in the Lady. Let us speak of yours. You take pride in having offered and being accepted for such a quest. And yet you say you would not do her the same favor as she did unto you?", Keris wonders. "You bar her the chance to feel such pride and accomplisment? Of besting a challange? Would you bind your Love and force her to be a coward then?", he inquires further. Still, as Lily grumbles and fumes, Keris' shoulders shake at her, mirth and amusment dancing in those dark eyes.

Keris is more or less airing Lily's feelings about these things. Lil's something of a proto-feminist. She's a queer lady, fiercely independant if her attitude is any indication, and doesn't like this whole "Fetch me a flower to prove you love me" things. It seems... just. Frivolous. You love a lady? Build her a house. A flower won't do anything practical, and it irks the shit out of the Clurichaun.

The grumpy, proto-feminist and her quietness noted of course, Kuba seems the chatty sort to take up with Keris as everyone loves philosophical discussion even frivolous philosophy. That Keris turns it around catches him inquisitively. A hand come up to rub his chin, pulling the non-existant whiskers down in thought even. "Ah, I could offer her a challenge. In a manner, she's taken one already. She's agreed to help forge my forge once the manner of my manor is secured and I can make claim of what is mine." As if tit-for-tat, though what he gets is less frivolous it seems. "Though I didn't challenge her to do that. I can't have her be a coward though. You raise a good point." As if he might just do that. Then a pause, "But that is neither her nor now. Maybe we could start from the beginning, its a quest for a ruby rose with an emerald at its heart. Maybe you've heard of such a flower? Lily Jane here hasn't but does want to make sure the flower is forever plucked from the dream, I've invited her along once I ascertain its location."

LilyJane snorts grumpily, but she relaxes a little at the mention that the Sidhe lady Kuba loves has -some- use after all. She grumbles in Gaelic again, then allows "Aye. Tis been a age since oi went questin' anywheres."

Keris' would be appalled at the suggestion of building houses, of course! But instead the silence of the redhead is source of further subdued laughter from the Eshu, before Kuba goes on about allowing the point. Still, while he listens, his brows furrow a little. "Wait..you...", eh glances at Lily. "...want to make sure it is plucked from the dreaming forever?". That seems to make Keris slightly confused and actually worried. He shakes his head however. "I do not think I have heard of a Rose made of ruby and emeralds. Not literally, anyway.", he points out, then tilts his head to one side. "Such would be a most unusual flower. Rarer yet because most who'd spot it would wish to pluck it. Few are immune to the call of greed, after all.", he points out. "so if it is still out there, then it is hidden or protected.", he reasons.

"If it is but one flower, she is there to observe it is not plucked away forever. And to assure, that plant is cared for should it be the last, that no damage is sustained in the plucking," returns Kuba on the topic. Or at least, what was verbally discussed prior to that point. "Should the flower only be seen and not taken, it will be a worthy quest indeed." To help further that hint of interest from the redhead of course, as Kuba considers Keris' insight into this quest. "Indeed, both most likely, hidden where few trod, protected by some care giver or some great beast I imagine. Rumored to have shown up in a rare market here and there, I was hoping a merchant here might have some insight, or at least a place to start this search."

LilyJane looks skeptical at poor Kuba's hopeful theorizing. "Yeh think they'd wanna give away th' location of such a t'ing, do yeh boyo?" she says. "Better t'be askin' th' land or th' wind." she says "They dinnae suffer from th' small moinded greed of merchants."

Keris chuckles at the sourly Lily. "They need to make a living, those merchants. But it is true: If he tells you where you to find it, he cannot sell you one. And who is to say you won't undercut his prices once you found it?", he wonders. Keris shakes his head then, however. "But I can assure you you will have to travel far east from here, to come across it. I would have heard word or seen it myself if it was to be found in the County of Astral Seas. With perhaps the only exception being the Loadstone Islands now that they Lady of Liliac Snow has sunken her roots into the islands. Or the Spiderhallow Tree and the spiders won't mind you stopping by for dinner.". He nods. "East, past Snowpeak Mountains and the Shadow Sands. Or South East into the Jungles.", he sums it up.

There is that slow nod from Kuba, wisdeom from both, the merchants can't have the answer. Ah, the land and the wind though, Kuba perks up at that. They can be consulted, his eyes glimmer just a little with the idea put in there now. "Yes, that's it," he adds, turning to listento Keris offer more wisdom. "The islands, beyond the sands, or into the jungle," he ponders all three of those. "Is there a crosswind anywhere, perhaps Snowpeak. We will do just that, speak with a tree, or the stone of the mountain. Those that would get those distant winds, Keris. If they have heard, we can rule out some of those options before journeying too far?" As if the idea sounds solid as he puts it together, hopefully that's what they meant. He's ready to consult a tree now even.

LilyJane seems a little dubious "Oi dinno if a tree would be all too interested in what th' wind has t'say." she says "They don't really live at the same speed as us movin' about creatures." she says. "Better t'just foind a bloody windy place and ask."

"Don't speak to the trees in the Eastern Woods. Some of them do move and bathe their roots in blood.", says Keris, as if he was speaking of potential bad weather. "Snowpeak fortress is one of the windiest places you might find. But you better bring a proper gift for the Warlord. Or for the Bone shaman.". A faint smile tugs at is lips then.

Alandra has likely wandered off when reality beconed her to do so. Whatever the case, she slowly reenters the freehold and upon arriving she spots some who are familiar, and likely another face that may not. She doesn't approach the crowd just yet. Likely wondering how the discusson is continuing without calling attention to her presence. Perhaps she is being sneaky as she listens but her eyes remain on Kuba as he has her interest.

The snowpeak sounds brilliant enough. He'd been up there before, met some friendly faces even. Not so much looking himself for any return, this moment in covnersation is the heart of why he came to the market. That hand that went for his beardless chin before moves up to tug at an ear this time. Nodding, "Okay that's a start, the wind, or the peak." Then a new element enters play of course. "Wait, okay, I've heard of the Warlord, but not the Bone Shaman. Which one would bar the way to the peak to meet with the winds?" Then a gift could be decided on, a slight look towards LilyJane on that gift idea, she was the one who brought the trinkets to market today even.

LilyJane scrunches her nose and looks exceedingly grumpy at the mention of the warlord. It's a theme for her. Still. She reaches into her basket and pulls forth another of the tins, one of the wrapped boxes, and after a moment, she sighs and passes over one of the tiny bottles too. "Offer th' first two t'the Warlord." she says "The last fer th' shaman."

"Either. Neither.", is Keris less than helpful answe. "Locke might or he might not care. Sweet lovely Slaine? She would not bar you, I do not think, but she would expect a guest gift.". As Lily offers trinkets, he gives a nod to that. For a moment his form stiffens then, perhaps as if something alerted the Eshu for a moment, but his form merely shifts slightly to rest more on the balls of his feet, his attention still on the two people in front of him. A faint grin appears then at Lily's discomfort. "Will you accompy them to the peak?", he wonders, studying the redhead, before finally he turns back to regard Kuba. "But I think by now we have tarried long enough, no, with the formalities.". He places a splayed hand on his chest. "I am called Keris.".

LilyJane's pointed ears twitch and she shifts, looking about her with a frown. She sniffs, then grumbles and goes back to smoking.

Accepting the gifts, those hints of playfulness at his eyes that come and go are replaced now, a true warmth at least to Kuba's features, "Thank you LilyJane, let me know what I can do to repay you for this." The names noted for the Warlord and the Bone Shaman as offered by Keris. Even so, at his suggestion to Lily to accompany, "You should, to observe," that way he doesn't get the location and go pick the very last ruby rose in all the dreaming of course. To the hand splay and naming, Kuba turns formally and offers a bow, "My manners have escaped on a breeze today, I was caught up with the quest. I am Kuba." The sir business dropped for the moment, jovial in the conversation, all differences aside. "Thankful that I have met you, Keris. And you Lily Jane." Which he sort of commented on earlier, the luck of finding her.

Keris has to laugh softly. "Thankful to have met me. That is a rare sentiment to last.", he says, even daring to give Kuba a wink at that. "Give it time. I am sure you will find reason to loathe my arrival as much as our lovely Lily Jane here did earlier.", he teases her. As for her going to Snowpeak? Keris shakes his head. "Ah, I am sure she would like to, but I am afraid I have some messages I need to impart on our Poison Ivy when we have a moment of solitude. It is unlikely you will find the flower there, and to venture further into the Sands or the Green labyrinth you will need supplies and will have to return here, surely again. Spare the lady one trip?", he urges, giving Lily a glance, his head tilted.

LilyJane blinks in surprise at Keris, then she nods. She gives Kuba a look of very nearly sincere regret "Oi should stay here. Oi got t'tend me garden. Especially if oi'm t'be gone any length of toime. There's things need seein' to."

"Oh, plenty of chance to grate at my nerves later," nods Kuba to Keris, "Just the wisdom was needed, the right timing to meet you." Complete agreement about needing to come back to the market. "I'll leave the two of you to messages." A beat, a curious brow, messages, or something else a foot. Though the grin suggests he doesn't care either way, truly messages or otherwise. "And let me know what you need," more to Lily, anything to repay her for the gifts that is. Then he turns, not for the market this time, no need to go there now himself, but back in search of Alandra instead.

Finally, she decides to step forward and quit sneaking around. Maybe she's heard enough, or maybe she just doesn't have much of a nack for being sneaky? Whatever the case may be she walks forth and eyes Kuba with a curious glance, "Discussing the sacred rose which seems to hold a fascination for me?" she asks and then looks over at the other two, "As if one could ever question if I would be worthy of such a trinket, aye?" her voice sounds pleasant enough, but one can perceive a hint of arrogance in her tone. But it's polite. Some may enjoy polite pride, while naturally, others may despise it.

LilyJane is stoned enough not to comment. Her expression remains somewhat dark as the beautiful red haired Sidhe reappears. She exhales a cloud of bluish, fragrant smoke instead. Pot it is, but she rolls hers with a mixture of other things to make it smell minty and floral all at once. Really quite pleasant, even if Lily isn't particularly nice.

Keris chuckles softly at the words of the boggan. "You are welcome, Shardseeker, May the winds blow at your back.", he offers the boggan his own brand of blessings, but when Alandra steps up, that faint tension in his stance intensifies, the cane in his hand is gripped tighter, enough to turn the knuckles a light shade of bronze, before she decides to speak up. If she might be aware of it or not, the sidhe only narrowly escaped a less than friendly welcme from the Eshu. A deeper breath is taken, before slowly his form relaxes again. Perhaps it is the second-hand-smoke from Lily? Ahem. "If one stopped questioning ones worth, it is a good sign that one lost the claim to such. Especially if a curious rose now is named sacred instead.". He gives Kuba a look at that, before he turns his eyes back at Alandra. "One has to wonder what would lead you to try to possess a blessing of the Gods?".

Alandra narrows her eyes on the one unfamiliar to her. Not pleased by his reaction, at least that's the look in her eyes. But she doesn't verbalize such thoughts. After all, maybe she still has yet to pass a true judgement on him. When he mentions the value of questioning one's worth, her green eyes widen a bit as she studies him. Does Keris mean her harm, or does he mean to pass judgement? But she speaks with a firm tone of voice, "I know the value of this rose, as it is valuable to me. One perhaps wonders why you seek to make statements about something which you may likely know, little about, yes? Is your wondering something that may inspire my knight, or do you imply something else?"

LilyJane is again, stoned enough to no longer really care about... say, insulting a Sidhe lady to her lovely, lovely face. "He means, what roight d'yeh have t'the damned t'ing?" she says "Did yeh plant it and water it with yer own crystal tears a millenia ago, or what? Or do yeh just want the gullible little man t'go get yeh somethin pretty fer yer hair?"

Giving an eye between Alandra and Keris, Kuba listens to the play of words. Less a play perhaps in some ways, the weight bending serious of course. About to offer quiet words between them, to appease all accounts on the topic. That's when it seems to erupt a little. "Please, it is but a rare rose, sacred of her heart." He seems to accept gullible, no defense of himself in this matter. "My ears have not been twisted to some nefarious plot, she does not seek mal-intent by this acquisition." He does move to bet sort of between people if he can, a little, just slightly forward of Alandra at least. Hoping things don't blow up, thinking there is more misunderanding betwee parties than anything else.

Keris lofts a brow briefly at Kuba at the last, before he once more settles black eyes on Alandra. "I never doubted that _you_ know the va...". And he is cut off by a suddenly talkative LilyJane. Well. It is not the words he would have chosen, and the redhead gains a bit of a amused glare from Keris, but he dips his head at her then. "In a nutshell, our Poison Ivy has the right of it.", he admits. "As for statements. Most of my words were questions. Which is what one uses to learn the Truth behind things one does know little about.", he lectures patiently. "At least if one is up-front about such tings, and does not step amid strangers on the road unannounced without greeting nor assurance of one's lack of ill intention.", he adds, his head tilting. As Kuba steps protectively in between him and the sidhe, he once more takes a deeper breath. "_Sir_ Kuba. You were grateful for my wisdom moment ago. Let me offer you two more. I never take kindly to those who seek to bar the path between me and whatever holds my attention at the moment. Such has been invitation for me to go through such obstacles in the past.", he states, oh-so-very-calmly, lifting his gaze to Alandra then. "And if I meant your Lady harm, I had plenty of time and opportunity to already inflict it. So please do not insult me with the implication that she needs to be shielded from me.". A faint tug of his lips upwards is then given. "To own something, is in turn to be owned by it. It does not have to be nefarous. Ignorance is often worse than ill-intend.".

Alandra immediately looks cross. The idea of sending Kuba on a quest sounded like a grand one, but apparently such a notion is not too well received by others she encounters. The sidhe would have likely assumed the news of such a journey would be a good one, after all, how can one strive to be great and grand unless there is a need to search and long for..something?

Whatever the case such words have her furious. "Ignorance?!" she seeths as she speaks of such a word in question, "Ignorance has little to do with a vile and foul tongue!" Keris did not please her, and neither did his reaction. When he seems to have an amused glare her green eyes reflect feelings that are far from being merry. "You two mean clear harm but disrespect, especially you." her eyes narrow on LilyJane and one may even start to see a flicker of flame beneath her emerald orbs. She's truly that mad, and not in a fun way, "You have insulted one who is beloved of the Fiona. He is NOT gullible. He is a man of honor and how dare you even refer to him as little, with his heart is one of the greatest things I have encountered in my life! All of my house will know of your slanderous words. Until you apologize to him, I will make sure you have no respect from us, lord and lady alike!"

As if enough insults were thrown around, the fact Kuba is called gullible sets her off and she begins to storm out of freehold.

LilyJane returns Alandra's look without flinching. Her own green eyes slightly glassy due to all the THC in her system. The reaction, far from seeming a dire threat, just makes the pretty little woman laugh uproariously. "Bring it on!" she shouts after the stomping Alandra. "Oi'll beat the shite out of every last one of the fuckers!" she snickers and shakes her head, highly amused. "Oi can see why she appeals so much." she says to Kuba "She's so verra reasonable an' sane."

Also, Greatness is not achieved by finding baubles. Treasures do not equate true power. Blah blah blah.

For his part, he hears the words back and forth. Kuba nods to Keris though, "The implication isn't to shield her from any damage, only to hope we all realize there is greater misunderstanding here than we all my realize. We've changed the intent, from merchants who harvest the rose to it becominng sacrosanct for one to find these roses where the merchants do. Both rare quests, but it seems this is less of the item, these words between us all and something else entirely." There is some pride from Kuba in Alandra's words at least, though he didn't speak up for his honor, she offered a little in that way. He is turning to follow Alandra, though the words from Lily Jane are fairly straight forward, there is a pause as he turns, "And perhaps this is why no one will quest for priceless artifacts and meaningless tokens?" His hand comes to rub his face a moment, a slight sad voice, "Ignorance is often indeed ill-intent, none of use know of this rose other than what we've implied here and it leads to this." Arguments for no reason as he can tell, some feeling insluted, some seeming to hope for a fight. He makes to catch up with Alandra.

LilyJane snorts as the pair retreat, shaking her head ruefully. "Oi don't follow Uriel about loike that, do Oi?" she sounds mildly concerned, offers Keris a drag from her joint. Rude of her not to share earlier, really.

Keris watches the sidhe storm off, her words to wash over him for a moment or two. "Disrespect and Ignorance often go hand in hand, Lady Alandra.". Oh yes, he knows who she is, apparently. Are there faint tendrils of dark obsidian dust that gather around him? Though the glamour never manifests or draws tight enough for any Art to manifest, the anger projected at him apparently the trigger of such and with the woman leaving, so do the dark pebbels of sand drop to the ground and dissipate. Lily's words and shouts? Well, Keris shakes his head a little, actually rising a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. "That is gonna be a headache.", he half laments, then just seeks to reach out to touch Lily's arm. "Now now. I know it would be fun, but...", he sighs. "...there are other angles to consider, hm?", he gives her a meaninful look. Yeah, he has a lot of confidence in the THC-fiend's ability to add two and two together now. As Kuba speaks up, he turns his attention back to him, nodding his head. "It was her that claimed it being sacred. Not me.", he reminds him, but then he offers a light smile nonetheless. "Some storms need to be let to pass before the air is clear again, Shardseeker. One cannot protect even those one loves from everything, though I understand why you sought to do so.", he dips his head to him, even as he leaves. "Save travels, to the both of you.", he offers.

Fade