Pursuit of the Sun 1.2

- Your residence has exceeded all my expectations entirely and then some, your lordship, - the Lady responds to Oswald's boasting with a smile as light as a sea breeze and a polite half-bow of her head. - Some people are utterly devoid of taste, in their ignorance neglecting style and descending into garish, absurd, soulless gypsy kitsch, but a man of business, and a practical one at that, always has a sense of how to strike a balance.

-- Oh, do stop embarrassing me with such excessive praise -- I merely try to follow the trends of fashion, -- the sheriff blushes with theatrical exaggeration. Tifa knows he thinks highly of his own sense of beauty, he knows she isn't impressed by this decor, which she, by virtue of her profession, could have observed dozens and hundreds of times, but isn't that the very essence of high-culture parties -- to lie so obviously and pretend not to notice how everyone else just as obviously weaves webs of flattery, hypocrisy, and games of being special personalities before you? The one who lies most beautifully and is most willing to be deceived wins.

- Your residence has exceeded all my expectations entirely and then some, your lordship, - the Lady responds to Oswald's boasting with a smile as light as a sea breeze and a polite half-bow of her head. - Some people are utterly devoid of taste, in their ignorance neglecting style and descending into garish, absurd, soulless gypsy kitsch, but a man of business, and a practical one at that, always has a sense of how to strike a balance.

-- Indeed! Your charming arrival made me forget my manners as a host and I neglected to introduce the other guests. Master Tancred, by virtue of his modesty, failed to mention that he is the head of Dismal's merchants and one of the wealthiest men in the city; Sir Hakon -- our honored guest from the northern lands, -- he nods toward the redhead, who still sits reclined comfortably in his chair, taking slow drags as if watching a performance, -- And Sir Vazo, -- he nods toward the big man, -- my valiant bodyguard, who has earned his place at this table through years of faithful service.

Added after 13 minutes

—..An instructive story, Sig. —Taking a sip from his mug in turn, Hargen nods to his mentor. —In the details, each has his own, but in the general sense, anyone can relate to such a tale. Yesterday you fight tentacles, today you drink with comrades, and tomorrow who knows... Human fate is merely a grand word for a battered little vessel named "life." Everyone decides, or rather it is decided for them, where to send this little boat, but in essence, no matter which way you steer — sooner or later you'll take on a critical leak and end up in the bottomless abyss. But this path, though it leads everyone to the same place, is unique for each person — that no one can take away. Just think: many of our life decisions were imposed on us by others without our consent, or by our own short-sighted desires, yet in the final tally, without their fortunate convergence, we would never have gathered here together like this today. Only the present, which is granted to us as a reward by the void, matters, so that is what we should live by.

-- Deep... You should write books.
-- Nah, songs would be better. 
In between sessions in the tubs, thrashing with birch brooms, consuming beer, and enjoying the ladies, the fighters could listen to a couple more stories -- about the Sillentian gladiator fights from Dail, who once ended up there working off a gambling debt, and a scary bedtime tale from Hans about a noble but wicked woman who lures young men into her web and forces them to participate in her extremely depraved nightly affairs, dangerous to health and especially to sanity, in exchange for her patronage.
When the time comes to part ways, everyone feels they have spent the day as pleasantly and productively as is at all possible.

Hargen and Sandar: +1 to endurance, +1 to accuracy and evasion, +1 to sanity, sanity fully restored

Added after 1 minute

"A bit pricey, of course. But then again, what could be better for a reception with the regent?" - thought Voldemar.

- I'll take the black one.

-- Sir, I need to dress up too, -- Gita tugs at his sleeve. -- I can't be seen beside you in these rags.

Added after 10 minutes

So be it 😈

Kassius delivers a hefty slap to Amalia, hard enough to knock her down. 

- Don't mind it. That's not a punishment, that's just for nothing, - he addressed the slave girl. - Training is good, it won't hurt anyone, especially before a campaign.   

-- You should get married, my lord baron... and have plenty of children, -- Amalia remains lying down, figuring it's safer that way.

-- Well then, I suggest we all get together tomorrow in a big crowd and have a proper brawl, yeah? More people and a medic will be there.
-- Nah, if anyone's itching for it, I'll keep you company, -- says Rigobert. -- I don't have any blunted swords with me, but we can do it with sharpened ones, what's the big deal.