EVENT: Birthday Party

[1000_npcs]

The tavern is curiously more crowded than usual tonight. Perhaps it's the recent influx of travelers who have decided to stay at Budehuc, or the fact that it's a certain squire's birthday, but the barkeep hasn't seen such a big crowd since the days of Nadir's plays. Drowned out by the drunken men's laughter and absurd stories, a small band of musicians can also be heard playing near the stage.

Comments

[belfar_agent]

[ So mean. So amused. ]

Hehehe, I knew it! You really haven't! How adorable...... but you know... sooner or later, boys start to wonder....

[quicksmart]

Caesar is not that kind of man.

[ She says this while scowling at the liquid in her tankard. ]

[belfar_agent]

You're worried that he's got more experience with kissing than you, right? Poor, poor Agnes... it's completely understandable, I'd be worried, too! You know, I could teach you... [ Actually couldn't. ]

[quicksmart]

[ SPLUTTERING. This is-- ridiculous. ]

You are drunk again. Are you saying that you just go around kissing men?

[belfar_agent]

[ Now she sputters this time! ]

Wha-- I-I didn't say that! A prize like me doesn't just give herself away to anyone, okay?!

[quicksmart]

Then how can you be so experienced?

[belfar_agent]

That..!

[ Deflates slightly. ] Hey now, that's a low blow...

[quicksmart]

Have you even been in a relationship, Minen? These kinds of things aren't so important.

[ Is a bit annoyed at Minen sticking her nose into her business! ]

[belfar_agent]

[ Not answering that! ]

Relationships are all about intimacy, Agnes, of course it's important! Some pretty bar floozy might mistake you two for siblings and before you know it, you'll just go back to being a housekeeper while she teaches him "the ropes"! You need to strike while the iron's hot, show him who's in control!

[quicksmart]

If he would like some 'pretty bar floozy', then that is his business.

[belfar_agent]

[ Just grumbles, this was starting to be so fun. ]

I guess that means you won't be moving out of the inn, then? I swear, if your boy tries to kick me out because it's getting filled with new people..!

[quicksmart]

Is that all you wanted?

Perhaps you should move to the ship or manor.

[belfar_agent]

Do you think he would let me have a place in the manor? ...You're saying you'll put in a good word for me, right?

[quicksmart]

I am saying no such thing.

[belfar_agent]

Agnes. Are we not girlfriends?

[quicksmart]

[ Staring at her in a sort of disbelief. AFTER ALL THIS INTERROGATION!? ]

I do not know what you are talking about.

[belfar_agent]

[ Perhaps it was too much to hope for. She crosses her arms and legs, and looks away... her body language is on the defensive compared to earlier. ]

Despite my ways, I do want you to be... [ How to say "happy" without sounding too kind? Hmm. ] ...the best version of yourself that you can be. You may not appreciate my advice, but at least I told you so!

[quicksmart]

[ She notices the subtle shift, and does cock her head to the side a bit upon seeing it. She's being quite defensive herself, not used to this kind of behaviour from anyone! ]

I have never had a... girlfriend before, but I do not need one who gives me advice on something she doesn't seem to have experience with herself, Minen.

[belfar_agent]

Details, details! You're studying tactics, are you not? If so, then you have to hear your allies out, especially when it comes to the battlefield of love. I may not have experience, but at least I'd know how to do it if I had to... [ How hard can kissing be, she wonders? ]

[quicksmart]

That would be like taking advice on hand-to-hand combat from somebody who has never engaged in it before. I might think I know how to do it, but my advice means nothing.

[belfar_agent]

Yes, but in this case, we're both sitting on zero when it comes to "that"... as much as I hate to admit it. I'd hate to think you're looking down on me again, just when we're getting so chummy! [ Her tone has more of a hint of anger than cheerfulness at the moment. Must not brawl... ]

[quicksmart]

[ She replies quite evenly, even if her own temper is beginning to flare. But she doesn't want to brag about her situation in comparison to Minen at all, and that's the truth! ]

I am not. I am simply weighing the value of your advice, and I have equated it as equal to my own based on our... experience.

[belfar_agent]

[ That's... somewhat better? Even though it causes her to deflate further, there's a sense of camaraderie in the shortcomings they share. How pathetic! ]

H-Hey, don't say it like that...

In any case, girls are supposed to talk to each other about these things. That's just how it is! [ She picks up her tankard and clinks it against Agnes'. ]

[quicksmart]

I... would not know, but I will take your word for it.

[ Kinda' not feeling 100% on it, but she really is kinda' socially impaired, and Minen seems to be more knowledgeable on that kind of thing anyway, as much as she hates to admit it. She gingerly takes a few more sips from her own tankard after the clink, though not very enthusiastically! ]

... I am sure you will find someone soon. Perhaps even here. It is a strange place.

[ TRYING TO BE ENCOURAGING. ]

[belfar_agent]

You fly too close to the sun and your wings will burn. I'd rather stay on the ground. [ In other words, doesn't like getting too close because it ends up in hurt. ]