Who

Karysha, Tolavin

What

Karysha and Tolavin meet again - this time, at Southern Weyr. Flirting ensues.

When

It is midmorning of the first day of the sixth month of the sixteenth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Treble Clef, Southern Weyr

OOC Date 04 Mar 2019 00:00

 

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Treble Clef

This is a place of idyll repose, a place of music, a place of soul: no liquor finds the tables of this endeavor, nor does darts nor dragonpoker. This is a place for the Harper's soul to rest, with hearty fare served to a degree of sophistication higher than the kitchens in the weyr proper, if for a price… but the draw of it is no doubt the open platform front-and-center, where a bar would likely stand. The Treble Clef does not deal in alcohol, but it does promote the artistry of amateurs and Harpers alike in the well-outfit stage for those to entertain those who stop to sup within these gently-outfitted walls.


Winter is here! But it's still freaking warm, and the Treble Clef is cool. No wonder, then, that it's a favoured place for people to go for some relief from the sun, and a refreshing drink while they're at it. Tolavin is not performing this mid-morning, and instead is here to enjoy the entertainment. Sure, there's no alcohol here, but there's still music and atmosphere and ladies. Like the lady on stage, a soprano showing off her impressive coloratura. The sound seems to fill the place, and Tolavin's nodding approvingly at his table, eyes bright as he watches the slight woman on the stage. He's relaxed in his chair, his orange-yellow drink on the table, condensation on the glass indicating it's a nice cold beverage.

A nice cool drink sounds wonderful right now to Karysha who arrived that morning from Igen to enjoy a day of shopping far from home, a habit she's been making every couple of sevendays of late. How she's managed it, with her family being so strict with their womenfolk, probably has a lot to do with a certain bronzeriding cousin of hers. It's good to be connected. Wearing a breezy dress of the palest blush, with an empire waist and scooping neckline, small capped sleeves and a wispy skirt that flows all the way to the ground. Her golden hair as always is down, styled in artfully toussled waves through which she runs her fingers as she gets a good look around. She's paused at the entrance, sharp blue eyes taking the time to consider the situation, as well as hoping to garner a bit of attention herself with the way she's posed, fingers absently twirling in her locks, head tilted just so, posture perfect. There's a blink in surprise, and her gaze holds on a somewhat familiar face, although she can't quite place him. So instead, she just nibbles on her lower lip and see if she can't catch his eye, and maybe offer a small wave in his direction if he looks her way. One can't simply walk up to a cute boy after all.

The singer finishes her song, and Tolavin claps enthusiastically with the rest of the audience. It's then that he turns a bit, and in doing so spots Karysha. At first he does some quick ogling, because who wouldn't when someone looks that good? Then his eyebrows start to creep towards one another as a memory stirs. They're both doing the 'I know you, but can't work it out' thing, apparently. The small wave gets a bright grin in return, and Tolavin stands, pulling out the other chair at his table, a flourish of one hand an invitation for her to join him.

Karysha claps politely when the singer finishes her song, her smile growing as her furtive glances at Tolavin are finally successful. With a dip of her head, the Steen girl subtly sashays her way over with a curious smile, "My apologies for staring, you look somehow familiar but I simply can't place your face. I hope you don't think me terribly forward if I join you." Her manner is demure, but her voice carries a subtle purr to it, as she takes the seat offered. "I'm Karysha," she greets simply, holding a hand delicately in the man's direction.

Thank Faranth this isn't a cartoon, or Tolavin's eyes would be bursting comically out of their sockets at that sashay. Awooga! But this is reality, and it's the way he stares, starry-eyed, at Karysha as she comes to take the seat. Up close, he's definite that he knows her, but it feels like a long way back to delve in his memories. Taking his seat again now she's settled, he shakes his head, curly hair bouncing. "I invited you, m'lady! Karysha," he echoes, one large hand moving to take Karysha's in a gentleman's gentle grasp. "Tolavin. You seem so familiar…or perhaps it's your beauty bewitching me." Beam beam, eyebrow waggle.

Karysha giggles softly, "I'm sure you say that to all the girls," before dipping her head to hide a blush that blooms over her cheeks at the man's compliment. But she lets her hand linger in his for another long moment before gently taking it back. Setting in her chair, her posture is perfect, shoulders back as her eyes takes an appreciative assessment of the man next to her. "It's uncanny. I'm not even from Southern myself. I'm only here for the shopping." When a server comes over, she'll order herself some fruity concoction before tilting her head back in Tolavin's direction with a bit of a curious smile. Leaning forward she props an elbow on the table, cupping her hand to support her chin as she looks at him for a long moment before whispering dramatically. "It's a mystery."

"I speak only the truth," Tolavin croons, more than happy to let her hand linger. Only once hers is gone does his move to his glass. He's not oblivious to someone checking him out, but he's acting casual. Karysha gets in an order before he can offer to do so for her, but that's fine - strong, independent ladies are totally his type. Well, all ladies are…but especially strong, independent ladies! "Oh? You're a visitor?" He grins when she leans in, keeping his chilled out pose sat back in his chair. Totally casual. "A mystery I'd love to solve. Your beauty reminds me of…Igen's. Warm, sultry…an enchanting place." His voice is that little bit huskier now (thank you, harper training!), and the memory of where he knows her from seems to be stirring.

With a bit of a smug smile, Karysha's ego getting a healthy stroking from this strangely familiar man, she raises a brow more sharply in his direction as he makes his comparison. "How fascinating, since that is where I hail from. You have a Harper's tongue sir, and…" she trails off a moment, a, catching her lower lip against her teeth for a quick nibble while a memory dawns on her, "…I think I remember the first time we met, it was spouting some rather scandalous lyrics, that would have any proper lady blushing like a redfruit." A playful smirk teases as her lips as the server comes with her drink and lays it down in front of her.

Tolavin leans back into his chair, watching Karysha as his words seem to have the effect he desired. Grin turning mischievous, eyes dancing with delight at the recognition now dawning, he can't help but give a hearty chuckle. "Ah, I do remember. You were the lovely lady with her friends, who I was so honoured to entertain." The server gets a quick look for the brief interruption, but it's not long enough to put Tolavin off. "Perhaps I may have the pleasure of performing for you again, some time?"

Karysha pulls her drink towards her, but doesn't go for a sip yet, just lets delicate fingertips play along the condensation forming on the outside. Instead her blue eyes are still considering the Harper, the mischievous grin of his drawing her gaze to his lips unconsciously. "We really enjoyed the show, all of us. Many of my friends were quite taken with you," she drops that little tidbit casually before finally lifting the glass to her lips for a small sip before putting it back down again. "Perhaps you may. You'll have to let me know when you're performances are, and I'll see if I could make one."

It's like dangling meat in front of a dog, letting Tolavin know about that. There's a flash of the drooling hunger in his face, before he slams his expression back to a coy smile. "Oh? Well, next time I take to the stage here, bring them along. An appreciate audience is always a pleasure." There's a definite purr as he says that last word. His drink is all but forgotten, Karysha far too distracting. "I regret leaving Igen, knowing I was so popular."

"Maybe…" Karysha muses noncommittally, letting her finger run over the rim of her glass idly with a considered glance in the Harper's direction. "Although, smaller audiences can be appreciative too…" was that a super subtle hint? Perhaps. Of course, it could be merely an observation as well. There's a certain coyness to the Steen girl as she tucks her thick blonde hair back behind one ear, peeking at him through a flutter of lashes. "Hmmm….but now you live in a veritable paradise, so I would say you chose right." Her last is a little thoughtful, almost wistful as she takes another long sip.

That finger. That finger. She's playing him like a fiddle, and Tolavin probably knows it. Whether he does or doesn't, he loves it. "I'm sure a private performance could be arranged," he says, with no small amount of teasing. "Ah, but to leave behind such a beautiful bloom in the Igen desert- perhaps my choice was too hasty." Or forced upon him by a Master? Let's not go there! "Although perhaps the paradise calls to one who would complement its charms?" Now it's his turn to go dropping some hints around!

"Private performance, hmmmm?" Karysha echoes with a lift of her brows in the man's direction and no small amount of consideration. "A little forward perhaps…but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was intrigued." Being so far from her family and their judgements, and Kary is definitely developing some boldness. Although secretly, her heart is beating hard in her chest with the flirtatious banter, trying not to let her own inexperience show. But she can't stop the rosy glow of her cheeks at his further compliments, his observant last getting a hum of consideration. "Southern does have it's draws…" she replies coquettishly with a waggle of her brows in his direction. "I've been visiting fairly often these last few months. More than anything, I appreciate how foreign it is. So completely different to Igen in many ways." There's a slight crinkle to her forehead, as a soft sigh escapes from between pursed lips.

Tolavin somehow manages to eye-twinkle back at Karysha as she considers the offer. "Any time you're here in Southern, the pleasure would be all mine." Forward, much? The fact that she seems so interested in the tropical Weyr, yet with that sigh and the sense of being held back - that's got Tolavin's firm interest. Time to probe! "What's keeping you at Igen? Don't tell me you have a beau waiting for you there - my heart couldn't bear to hear it." He's joking, of course, but with a splayed hand laid on his chest as he milks the moment for all it's worth, eyes still glittering.

Karysha just laughs at his forwardness, not accepting his offer outright, but not rejecting it either, just remaining a touch coy in her responses. His probe though, does sober the girl a little bit, and her pretty features take on a thoughtful quality, gaze dropping to her glass. “Family…duty…the promise of a financially stable husband who will provide for me everything my heart desires…” Her tone is wistful, with the barest hint of bitterness as her finger traces idle curly cues on the condensation of the glass, her blue eyes somber as the flirty smile falls from her lips. His last does garner a crooked smirk though as she looks up at him through golden lashes. “No beau, no nothing, actually.”

Why does Tolavin seem like he’s heard that one before? “Pft - there’s worthy bachelors all over Pern, y’know.” He manages to resist the urge to wink, settling for a twinkle in his eye as he half turns his head to get a little look at the next performer taking to the stage. A guy with a guitar. So over done. Full attention back on Karysha again, he can’t resist that smirk of hers, sending back a flirtatious smile. “No resistance to the allures of a tropical paradise, by the sounds of things….” His drink is lifted for a sip, watching her over the glass with those still-glittering eyes.

“Maybe so, but can they all meet my father’s approval?,” Karysha replies, her smirk deepening as she catches the twinkle in his eye. The rest of the tension leaves her features on a heavy sigh as she makes it a point to relax and enjoy the moment without worrying about the future. The newest harper to the stage gets a considered look, but she quickly decides that her current company is much more appealing, giving Tolavin a sidelong glance as he looks at her over the rim of his glass. ‘No resistance, no…It’s a lovely place to visit, but…” she trails off with a little nibble to her lower lip, “One’s duty to one’s family isn’t easily discarded either. But enough about that.” She dismisses the bad thoughts with a flick of her fingers, “I am here…now…with you…and so I’m going to just enjoy this moment.” Another long sip of her juice, blue eyes not leaving his dark ones. “So there has to be a story as to why you’ve come to Southern…” she asks rather pointedly.

“A forbidden romance is twice as sweet,” Tolavin counters, jesting, before the conversation turns to their current situation. The guitar’s sound seems to fill the Treble Clef, providing an unintended background to their talking. “A fine moment it is, too.” Tolavin’s drink comes to settle on the table again, so that he can keep that eye contact and focus on Karysha. Her question is met with a broad smile and a poetic sigh. “What can I say? The draw of the jungle was just too much. To walk the beaches, swim in the sea, climb the trees - how can a man say no to an adventure such as that?” His eyes take on a misty sort of look as he speaks, though when he's finished, they focus on Karysha again, crinkling at the corners as he grins. That's the question answered, without actually answering it properly?

“Maybe in Harpers’ songs…” Karysha counters coyly as a clever ruse to mask her own inexperience with romance, forbidden or otherwise. She finds the eye contact unnerving, but thrilling as well, her heartbeat picking up a bit in her chest even though she retains a cool exterior. Cool except for that little nibble of apprehension she takes of her lower lip before she sips gently at her drink to relieve the dryness of her throat. Listening to his reasons, her perfectly shaped brow is raised skeptically. “I thought Harpers were assigned their postings…” she muses with a little shrug of her shoulder and a sharp tilt of her head at him. “But Southern does have its charms….” Like the one sitting in front of her, though she’d never dare to say it.

Tolavin offers no elaboration on the matter of Harper postings; there’s a wriggle of his eyebrows, and then he drains what little remains of his drink. “That it does. And alas…they must pull me away.” He can’t resist giving her one last seductive look, those dark eyes a-glitter. “Will I see you at Southern again?” There’s a yearning sort of hope in his voice as he asks that.

Karysha tries not to look too crestfallen when Tolavin finishes the last of his drink and notes that he must go, although that glittering look of his softens the blow somewhat. Dropping her gaze to her juice, she shrugs a little bit absently, “Perhaps…” she drawls, dragging out the word until she lifts bright blue eyes to his again, her lips slipping into a coy smile, “If you’re lucky.” Giggling softly at that, she pulls her glass to her for another small sip. “You have a fantastic rest of your day Harper Tolavin.” She adds as she dips her head slightly in farewell.

There’s not even a hint of worry that Karysha won’t respond as he hopes and - there it is! The coy smile, coupled with the bright eyes. The giggle is the cherry on top and his grin grows broad and toothy. “Then I can only hope that Lady Luck smiles upon me.” With a wink, he draws out of his chair, dips in a bow towards the Igenite lady, and heads out of the Treble Clef. As he walks out the door, there’s a final glance back at Karysha, before he slips out into the cool air beyond.

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