Legend of Ransera

Curiouser and curiouser, he thought to himself.

His eyes did widen at the mention of a Great House, though his manner didn't change otherwise. Korvaelis was just the man he was having tea with today. Of course, his mind started calculating. He couldn't prevent that. He was a survivor and was used to sizing up people and situations, not that he would necessarily use Korvaelis for his own ends. But, as he was quick to tell people, he was a bad man. Good men didn't think like that.

Aurin listened as Korvaelis began to spill his tea, figuratively speaking. Once the flood gates opened, there was a lot. Still waters ran deep, they said. He nodded appropriately.

"The only daughter of the Shokaze I know by name is Kisorika Novalys, who is now a dragon rider in Antiris, I believe." He paused, then smirked. "But I will take your word for it."

Eventually, he chimed in. "I am sorry for your loss." He didn't know from what Korvaelis said or what flashed in his aura whether he had loved his spouse, but the loss of his spouse had clearly sent his world into a tumble and Aurin could empathize with falling and having to get back up again, over and over. "And being a dowager lord with a business to sustain you certainly gives you some options, though I wouldn't dare to say I know what obligations come with it. What is this business you've inherited? Do you enjoy it? What sort of friends and connections do you crave?"

He thought he ought to introduce Korvaelis to Ashoka Lomris, who could certainly bat his social butterfly wings and help Korvaelis host a salon or somesuch to bring people into his home if he was lonely. Then, because he couldn't help himself, he smirked again at the blue lord—sharp, but inviting him into the humor.

"And, for what 'tis worth, I don't think you have to worry about fading beauty anytime soon."

"My abject apologies, my lord," he said with a wicked smile that bore no apology. "I am but a stupid, ugly human, barely housebroken or fit for decent company."

And that was all he had to say about much of what Korvaelis had said comparing races or his deceased husband. It didn't seem as though his death had been a great blow to the lordling's heart so much as the surety of his future, which Aurin could respect. Bards wrote songs about the loves of the high and mighty, but they were no greater than the loves that bloomed like lotus blossoms in the gutter. Even the lowest, meanest people sometimes reached toward the heavens from the mire.

In any case, he was more interested in how the talk of his work made him light up like a lamp in the dead of night. Aurin's smile was less sharp, amused but not at anyone's expense. He often smiled like he was the only one in on a joke, but this smile was just an appreciation of Korvaelis' small joy.

"I'm glad you've found work that makes your heart sing, at least," he said, sipping his tea but leaving the cakes mostly to his host. After all, he had eaten his slow fill with his previous companion. "Might I visit your establishment at some point? A friend of mine will be opening his own forge come Ash. He might want for a guard dog, or at least a puppy to help make his new house feel like a home."

He was curious to see Korvaelis in his element, and feeding into Korvaelis' business could be good for his own business—a virtuous circle. At least, that was how Ashoka had sold him on the idea of the keiretsu that he was striving to build out of his humble little business.

Aurin laughed quietly, appropriate for the calm environs. Even with his Semblance trick, he wasn't certain whether Korvaelis was jokingly taking him seriously or not. That made him even more interesting.

"You are too kind, my lord," he said urbanely. "If you had me stand next to your average Avialae, though, I'd probably look short and scrawny in such close comparison." All the same, he flexed his bicep, looking curiously at it. He wasn't scrawny by human standards; through his summer-weight clothes, that was clear. He was on the taller side, but leanly muscled. He wasn't even using his Masquerade trick to seem more impressive, at least in that.

"I do speak Synskrit," he added. "I've picked it up while living in their stronghold." But Korvaelis seemed to have left all thought of that behind when he got on the subject of his dogs, which suited Aurin just fine. Knowing a man's passions was a key to knowing him entirely. "Well, if someone's going to bite my ass, I'd rather it was you, my lord. I don't think you have quite the jaw strength of a mastiff despite your pretty jawline. I could come with you today if you wish or, if you would like to enjoy the tea and company here, I can easily come at a later date when you will be there. There is no rush..."

He smiled and it might have shone a bit brighter for his trick, but he was being honest. This setting was pleasing and he had no reason to lie about coming to see the kennels and all. He would have come to make a connection with even a minor Dahshida, but he was actually taking a liking to this one and was honestly curious about his niche business, most likely up where the air was rarefied and the population noble. Aurin could clean up brighter than a new copper penny when he had to, so Korvaelis needn't feel ill at ease inviting a wastrel like him into polite society.

Aurin laughed again, and finished all but the dregs of his tea. He was glad Korvaelis finished his cakes; after a full meal previous to their encounter, he didn't want to overeat, but he hated to see waste, having gone longer hungry than a person ought to in darker times. Building back up to healthy had required a great deal of time and work, and sometimes, when he was nervous, it was still difficult to fight the urge to overeat when his body and mind leapt back to that place where he didn't know when another meal might come his way.

"Your wish is my command, my lord," he said, and stood, carefully pushing his chair into the table.

He considered making a joke and asking if Korvaelis' son also bit, but thought better of it. His humor was often transgressive, but it was an art to find that line with each person where it would titillate rather than offend.

"Shall we?" He offered his arm as a gentleman might, a twinkle in his eye though he wouldn't be bothered at all if Korvaelis took him up on the offer. The meeting had gone well, and now he was going to get a personal tour of a Dahshida-run business. That Korvaelis was handsome and interesting was just the icing on the cake.

"My friend isn't actually looking, but he would be an excellent dog father and I think a good guard dog who is good with children—he's likely to keep a young apprentice—would make his house feel like a home. It won't be until Ash, though, so I suppose you could show me the dogs you plan on breeding and I could express some interest in litters to come. I imagine I would take the pup to him as soon as it's weaned so he can bond properly with it, then have him return for further training should he wish it."

The proffered arm was taken and Aurin accepted things, not making a big deal of it as they exited together.

"Well... his probable apprentice is about twelve years old," he admitted. "He also thinks he's practically a man grown, but he's survived a forge for years so I don't suppose he's too fragile for even a less gentle dog." He chuckled, taking note of the lord's admissions about his stepson. It seemed odd to Aurin that he would be caring for his dead husband's child when it seemed they hadn't been married long, but the ways of the nobility were often strange.

When Korvaelis suddenly seemed anxious to return, Aurin took the opportunity to hail them a cab. The horses would get them wherever they were going faster; he just let the blue man direct the driver, and then they were on their way. He made small talk in the meantime, mostly asking questions about dogs and cats and their care and feeding just to keep Korvaelis talking about something that interested him, and so he could learn more. He didn't even stop him when the cab stopped, though he was unsure whether they would require some air transportation to get to where the Avialae lived. He supposed he would know when he stepped out and saw where Korvaelis had directed the driver to take them.

He didn't spend a great deal of time among the elite, and when he did, it was often in disguise.

"Interesting," he said to something Korvaelis had said, then opened the door to let himself out and offer the man a hand out of the cab.

Aurin often found that the easiest way to learn was to get an expert talking and just pay attention, but so many people he met loved to hear themselves speak more than they could school themselves to listen. He thought that was a shame, though it worked out for him.

Lore:

Aurin:
Masquerade:
Subtle Tones Below Notice
Making a First Impression Good
Standing Out
Blending In

Semblance:
Looking for Someone Noticing the Use of Masquerade
Recognizing Ill Intent
Reading Need

Investigation:
Offering an Ear
Knowing When You've Been Caught
When to Employ Kindness
Asking Politely
Continuing to Press
(You can have these if you want them but you are already over your max needed lores for Investigation, let me know if you want them changed to something else)

Leadership:
Explaining Your Method
Lead Them to Desire Your Company
Coaxing Information

Korvaelis:

Business:
How to make a proposal
Advertising Your Business
Making An Offer

Etiquette:
Proper Eating and Drinking
Voicing Opinions When Appropriate
Holding One’s Head High

Points: 8 each, Aurin can use for Masquerade or Semblance
Injuries/Ailments: None

Loot: None

Notes: Watching Aurin coax someone into opening their inner thoughts is worrisome even when he uses his powers for good.

If Korvaelis wants more lores just throw me a message and I'll add them in =)