Date Night

[Ceutinde]

"I assumed, but didn't want to assume. If that makes any sense." Ceutinde told them with a smile. She hustled across the parking lot to her own coach, and told the driver quietly, "Go back to the House, quickly. Tell Carl we're going to Old Rhianne's. They say it's an hour from here, but that could be anywhere. And make sure to tell him not to worry. We can take care of ourselves."

She walked back across to the waiting Night Carriage and climbed in, next to Silvia if that was an option. "Settled. Let's see what Rhianne's is all about."

[The Forgotten God]

There’s no visible light source in the Night Carriage but it has a dim purplish glow all the same. Gregori took his seat across from them and another man entered at the last moment. He’s a tall and powerfully built man. He doesn’t look like a merchant. He grunted at Gregori and then smiled a handsome smile at the two women. He’s about Ceutinde’s height but probably weighs a hundred pounds more than she does. He has a short red riding crop at his belt.

[Ceutinde]

"Good evening, sir. I don't believe we've had the pleasure. I'm Ceutinde, and this is Roxanne." Ceutinde held her hand out to the newcomer.

[Silvia Raizer]

Silvia smiled politely at the stranger. She was beginning to worry over the fact that Canelo had vanished. The newcomer was handsome but she knew nothing about him.

[The Forgotten God]

The man leaned forward and kissed her middle knuckle. “Jon,” he said, and if Roxanne offered her a hand he did the same kiss. “I had a nickname but I think I shall have to be known as the Enchanted for this evening.” He smiled at the pair. “First time?” He asked. They don’t actually feel the carriage moving which seems odd.

[Silvia Raizer]

"Going to the club, yes. In a carriage, no." Silvia smiled vapidly at him and batted her eyelashes. "Jon the Enchanted. Are you a wizard then? Are you going to cast a spell upon us?"

[The Forgotten God]

“That would make me Jon the Enchanter,” he said with a smile. “I am quite vulnerable to your mind tricks.” Gregori seemed uncomfortable around the giant. That alone made him a bonus. He pulled the rope and said “wine please,” and a moment later a small tray with a bottle and some glasses materialized near the door. “A drink, ladies?” He asked as he began filling them. “And you old sport?” He added offhandedly to Gregori.

[Ceutinde]

"I wouldn't say no to some refreshment. But may I ask what happened to Robert? Didn't care for our company?"

[The Forgotten God]

Jon handed her the light red. “Robert?” He asked. Gregori piped in.

“Robert went to go get his wife,” he said. “She’d kill him if she went to Rhianne’s without him.” Jon nodded knowingly.

“Oh, that one. With the wife who gets drunk and tries to sleep with everyone else’s wives. She’s usually good for a laugh or two.”

Roxanne and Silvia both feel a strange feeling in their stomachs like they had jumped off a horse or something. The other two slightly grimace as they apparently feel the same way. “I always forget that,” Gregori said.

[Silvia Raizer]

"What does it mean?" Silvia asked. She accepted a glass of wine. "I feel like this is the grandest adventure of my life. Maybe you fine gentlemen could tell us a bit more about the club?"

[The Forgotten God]

Gregori finally spoke up, with Robert gone Roxanne seemed a bit more attainable. “Old Rhianne was a sorceress a long time ago,” he said. “When she retired from adventuring her children all used her wealth to form a merchant empire. They kept having their licenses and such held hostage by magistrates and corrupt barristers addicted to the tit of bribery. One of her children made this club as a sort of guild for merchants about twenty years ago and here we are now,” he concluded. “Like I said, exclusive. You two are exactly the type of ladies we want.”

[Ceutinde]

"Upstanding members of the community?" Ceutinde deadpanned.

[The Forgotten God]

Jon leaned back and looked at her with a hungry but not exactly predatory smile. “Rich and beautiful, and not members of the government,” he said. “But Cerberus will tell you all the rest. It’s sort of an initiation talking to them.”

[Silvia Raizer]

"I think he means he wants us to be pretty and smile at the guests," Silvia said. "I can't imagine what else we'd be needed for."

[Ceutinde]

"I look forward to it." Ceutinde replied, sipping whatever it the drink that had been poured was. "But what happens if Cerberus doesn't care for us?"