Brothels and Signets

Lyric had been doing her best to stay in character, keeping up the bubbly façade of a well-paid, *ahem*, "companion." The lavish setting of the brothel had been overwhelming at first, but once they settled into their roles, she had fallen into it surprisingly well. Well, until now.

As Mariam’s words snapped through the air, and the merchant's wandering hand finally triggered her breaking point, Lyric’s smile faltered for only a second. This wasn't part of the plan, but that didn't mean they couldn’t salvage it. Quick thinking was *her* specialty.

With a laugh that sounded far too lighthearted for the situation, Lyric bounced forward, clapping her hands together like the giggly companion she was pretending to be. Oh, darling! Mariam here gets so *passionate* sometimes. That temper of hers! She fluttered her eyelashes at the merchant, giving him a dazzling smile that could rival the sun. But I’m sure you didn’t mean to upset her, right? Just a little too much wine, perhaps?

Lyric turned to Mariam, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and gave her a quick wink. Why don’t we pour our dear benefactor another glass, sister? Let him relax... Her voice was laced with suggestion, and without missing a beat, she refilled the merchant’s goblet, giving him an almost conspiratorial grin.

You’ve been so generous, after all. Such a powerful man deserves nothing but the best, right? Lyric leaned in slightly, her hand brushing ever so gently over his as she handed him the drink, trying to draw his attention back to his ego instead of Mariam’s dagger-sharp threat.

@Mariam DeTyne

Mariam's nostrils flared with irritation at the man, so much so that she didn't notice at first that Lyric had used her real name, but the man, currently accepting another full glass of wine, had caught it, "Oh you all use stage names too then! Are you really sisters then? Come now, let me see if that red matches down below!" Mariam was going to murder everyone and everything in that moment, even as she tried to let Lyric handle this part as she added a bit more sleeping powder to the bottle out of sight.

Of couuuuurse we're sisters, look at us, and tell me you can't tell we're from the same family, all this red hair and pale skin, why, everyone of us look like this, all six of us, all girls too, our poor Da. Because even if when he woke, he remembered a name, she had no family left in the world, save Gabe, so that would at least help her stay a step or two ahead.

And once the man was done drinking that goblet, she handed over the new bottle of wine, giving Lyric a face of disbelief the man was still concious, they'd given him enough of the herb to knock out a Warden completely, but the man was still upright, was he metabolizing it so fast that they couldn't get enough in him? But his eyes were glossy finally, maybe, just maybe they needed to wait a bit, another drink. Only the best for our benefactor.

And maybe a punch dagger through the ribs if he got handsy again like that.

@Lyric Oatshield