faderift | after all these years, you don't want to see me poppin' outta da cake?!

WHO: Twisted Fate & OPEN
WHAT: Everything is super serious and elves are in baby jail, so it's a good time to have your birthday party and have it be as loud as possible.
WHEN: 4th of Cloudreach
WHERE: Herald's Rest
NOTES: There might be nudity. Heinous!

♠ EARLY AFTERNOON.

So bees aside.

Yes, there was a bit of a bee problem a few days ago in the room that Twisted Fate had acquired while Sera was gone. As he said, all was fair among fellow thieves, and he really doesn't need the room, but it's such a good location he thought he'd... borrow it awhile, at least until it stopped being funny. He isn't even sure he managed to get all of the bees out, but he does need to eventually plan a little strike back to her.

Post-birthday, anyway.

For now, there are drinks, there is cake -- red velvet, thank you -- and little paper hats for you!

Socialize, be merry. Twisted Fate is around somewhere, no doubt.

♠ EARLY EVENING.

At this point, there are games to be had, as one might expect.

Wicked Grace and Diamondback are the popular choices, though Twisted Fate might encourage a few drinking games as well. Alternatively, perhaps you come up with your own game.

After all, he's never opposed to try something new.

♠ LATE, LATE, LATE.

Plenty of people, perhaps even yourself, has probably taken in so much drink by this point that nothing is quite even and thinking is hard. But it's all in good fun.

How are you feeling? Or is the party over?

♠ WILDCARD.

Choose your own adventure!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In a matter of gifts, he certainly appreciates Nerva's rapier much more. It's elegant, beautiful, and something new to try. She wants to protect him, and ensure he remains so even if she isn't around. That's something he can appreciate.

This is a gift that he thinks Beleth is clearly attempting to dig at him. It's incredibly Dalish. On one hand, it is lovely in its own way, and not useless. That he can appreciate, but it's far from suiting him.

Twisted Fate simply smiles at her. It's difficult to read, but he takes the gift, which at least in itself is not a Dalish reaction.

"How generous of you, my dear," he says pleasantly. "I didn't think we had anyone skilled here to forge Ironbark."

Beleth studies his face carefully for a few moments before speaking. Whether or not she's pleased with his response, she doesn't let her face show. Instead, she gives him a smile back, just as pleasant as his. "We don't," She replied cheerfully. "But I have connections, and--" Her lips twitch, just slightly. Say nice things. "--I thought that you could use something dependable, and easy to hide. The lightness of it means that you can put it just about anywhere without weighing you down."

She pauses for another moment, trying to decide if she really wants to go for this--and if she wouldn't just end up embarrassing herself. Creators give her strength. Perhaps she should be praying to Fen'Harel for this one.

"I have one other present for you, but...I thought I'd give it to you later." Beleth gives him a small smile that she's pretty sure is in no way seductive but it does look Highly Suspicious which is close enough, really.

"Connections indeed. Dalish, I'll bet," he says, his tone honey sweet. "But I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness, and going outside tradition nonetheless. That is not something I would have anticipated."

Unless it was a means to her own ends.

The next few words and implications would be charming and fascinating coming from almost anyone else, but he is immediately placing this under High Suspicion. Just what is she up to? Sadly, he's far too curious to put an end to it or call her out.

So he can play along.

"My my, two presents? You're just full of surprises."

"Me, using Dalish connections to secure Ironbark weapons?" Beleth's tone is as dry as the Hissing Wastes, calmly raising an eyebrow. "What a risky bet that would be." So much for playing it nice, but Beleth is but an elf. Besides, it had been a long shot that she could get Twisted Fate to buy it, particularly with their...rocky relationship.

What she can do, however, is challenge him. Dare him to figure out what she's up to.

So she smirks at him, raising her glass up to him, and taking a sip. "Clearly, you shouldn't be betting against me at all, should you. I thought that surprises were some kind of tradition for birthdays? So, I arranged a few. Just for you."

"I dare to imagine what description you gave to get the gift so right." Because it's completely wrong, but there was some mild effort, he supposes. There is a moment he debates giving it to someone else, but he's not going to squander it. A gift is a gift, even if it comes with an ulterior motive.

"Oh, I don't doubt you have surprises. But what sort they'll be, that's another question indeed."

Fate is going to bet that it's a surprise meant to frustrate him in some way, but what specifically is it, he isn't certain. Not knowing isn't an option.

"When should I anticipate your next lovely gift, my dear?"

Hey, hey. Beleth put a lot of effort into getting a gift that was that wrong. That amount of wrongness doesn't just come naturally. She had to sit down and think of what kind of gift would be just that special kind of awful.

At least he hasn't told her to get lost. She gives him the sweetest, most saccharine smile she can manage, fluttering her eyelashes at him. She's pretty sure this is not even remotely seductive, but. Whatever. It's certainly a great deal more fun.

"Hmm. I'd prefer to give it to you in, ah. Private. Maybe your room, if you're free tonight?" She tapped her fingers on the table thoughtfully. "I'm sure it'll, ah. Leave you speechless."

No, it definitely rings all of the She is Up to Something bells, but Twisted Fate is ever curious and ever interested in seeing where this road is going to take him. Maybe he can flip it into a benefit of some kind.

Better yet, pull the rug out from under her feet.

So, for him, he leans in carefully, his fingertips sliding up her arm to rest over her hand. He whispers:

"I accept your gracious gift and implications, Beleth. Come find me upstairs tonight, then. When the tavern quiets itself."

"Excellent." She isn't sure if she's more glad that it worked, or surprised. Either way, it worked, and that's what matters in the end. And she didn't even have to pretend to be nice or anything. Well, she didn't say anything mean, which is a step away from being nice.

She leans in as well, giving Twisted Fate a smile that didn't even bother to try to hide the mischief behind it, and turns her hand over to give his a firm squeeze that might have been some form of kind if it had been just a little less firm. Just how carefully that smile and that squeeze is measured out hints that she knows Twisted Fate is aware She is Up to Something. But that doesn't stop her.

"I can honestly say that I am looking forward to it." And with that matter settled, she stands. "I'll see you then."

after all these years, you don't want to see me poppin' outta da cake?!

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