Nightshade and Orlander

[Ekaterina]

Taking the acceptance for what it was, she settled into the seat before looking back over the commons. The study didn't take long. She turned her attention back to her with a smile of curiosity. "You seemed very distract today when you rejoined us. Is all well?" Asked without meaning to pry, she was just the sort that inquired of well being. And an incurable curiosity.

Slight cant of head as her gaze fixed upon Selena. A moment of silence to pass between them, as if she was thinking back over the situation. No change took place upon expressionless features during this time, soon to soften with the smallest appearance of a smile. "Yes, all is well Mien Dame. I appreciate your concern."

There was a moment she considered her studiously before the smile broke free. "I am glad to hear of such. Although we had just met, I was .." her hand lifted to flounder in the air as she fought for a specific word to define her concern."..Not necessarily concerned...but innately curious?" Sometimes truth blurted out at the least expected moments.

"Oh!" Just the slightest lift of that left brow's corner. For a long moment she studied Selena before leaning forward slightly. Features took on that expressionless state for that moment. "If I told you, I'd have to kill you." Head tipped to the side slightly. Was she being serious? Hard to tell at the moment, that's for sure. Easing back to that normal position of sitting, a moment before that shadow of a smile would return.

Oblivious of being observed, she was settled into the chair and the drink in hand, now of more importance than her surroundings. And of course, Ekaterina. Which her latest rejoinder had Selena lifting a sharp brow as well as her eyes that shadowed at the hint of seriousness. "Well then, I shall not ask again." It was followed up by that hint of a smile as well.

"I understand you trade in herbs. Are you an Apothecary?" Genuine curiosity to touch upon youthful visage as those pale pools of blue settled upon the woman.

Her brow wrinkled at the question, her eyes dropping back to the drink to avoid direct contact. 'In a manner of speaking. I suppose I have been accused of such."

"How knowledgeable are you with Oleander?" Casual was the inquire placed. Mug on the rise to slowly sip of it's contents, studying the woman over the brim.

It was getting to the point Gawain could keep up with him better than most considering the short time of training. He hadn't come home beaten up or bleeding in a long time either. He waited for him under the: shadows of an old oak as he watched the tavern before him.


She studied her drink for a long moment before lifting her eyes to the woman. "I could tell you...but." There, the smile lingered. She knew the deathly qualities of the lovely flower. The glint in her eyes spoke of such.

He had managed to send one or two home in that condition instead which was nice. He slipped out of the shadows to stand beside Mack, hands sliding into his pockets.

He got the acrobats down nicely too which he had him swinging from chandeliers, walking beams blindfolded. Lots of fun and it paid off well. There was still a lot more to go if he wanted to continue to learn, that was an option. "Ready for a drink?" The cigarillo plucked from the clench of his teeth and dropped to be crushed underfoot as he pushed up.

[Ekaterina]

The smile took on a bit of a twist, perhaps more of a smirk? "I know of it, Mien Dame. I'm in need of refurbishing supplies. Everyone carries Nightshade and Hemlock, Oleander is not so easily found." Should be explanation enough for the woman. Stated in a tone that was for her hearing along. A moment after, the smile returned to it's prior state.

Leaving off on the tit for tat cross questioning, she leaned forward, the drink forgotten to the side. "And the Foxglove? Have you enough of that as well?" Her own voice was but a whisper that carried across to the woman.

Of course he wanted to continue. He gave a slight nod as he glanced toward the tavern. He was ready for something strong.

Slowly shakes head. "It's not to my liking. Takes too much, I'm limited on what I can carry." Responded in that low tone, yet it was business like in nature. How strange is that?

She dropped her gaze to the vessel holding the drink. To give so much away to a stranger was wholly idiotic. "I trust your need of Oleander is for a teasing nature to the eye?"

"Charms." Offered in a casual reply to perhaps offer a bit of confidence. "It's used to make charms." Smile grew just a bit more before being hidden behind the lift of that mug to sip from.

Steps were taken in a quick bout as well the porch leading him inside the tavern. The door would be held long enough for Hawk to catch as he would start using his name earned. Place was crowded but he had a shoulder to use in urging his way through to the bar. A bottle of whiskey ordered and money shelled out to cover it once Bess got down his way. "Find us a table, Hawk. Or at least a good patch of wall."

She withdrew her study of the woman to consider her environment. Questioned twice in a day was a bit disconcerting. "Charms are most welcoming. When created specifically. For a purpose." Green eyes dropped to the table, considering the risks. "How many charms do you wish to create?" Finally drawing her attention back to Ekaterina.

A nod was given in answer, not wanting to speak over the crowd. He pushed forward when he spotted one and headed for it. The serving maid was just starting to clean it off.

"There's always a purpose, Mien Dame." Hushed tones continue. "Thirteen." responded to the amount as the mug lowered to settle on the table. Motion of hand towards Bess, who would get to her when able.

Swallowing back her apprehension, she reminded herself this was business. A brief nod accompanied her response. Though not an answer exceptionally liked, the woman was not one Selena would question or lecture about motives. She seemed too well equipped in knowledge to know exactly what she wished of the Oleander. There was a deep breath drawn in before acceptance was finally agreed upon. "It might take me a week or more. The hot house is just now producing. The plants more coveted"

He spotted both Selena and Kat as fingers pinched the brim of his hat in a dip their way. That gleam was back in storm blue eyes too that usually had one wondering what those thoughts were behind it.

Mack would be noticed and a mock return of his actions as she tipped that invisible hat in return. A nod then to Selena. "Let me know when, or leave word with Bess as to when I might receive it and your cost."

Though her back was to the room at large, she was reliant upon Ekaterina to alert her to what was happening beyond her shoulders. As of yet, she remained oblivious until the woman offered a mock return of a hat tipping and she glanced over her shoulder. The man received a generous smile before her attention turned back to Ekaterina. "The price will be steep. Unless you want it in full bloom, as a plant."

Eryn got a wink as he noticed her. Bess then blocked the visual as she brought the bottle and collected the fare. Once done, he collected it and the glasses before heading back into the crowed. Mack more sensed where Gawain was as he was lost from sight for the multitude, only a glimpse of his hat here and there then standing next to him. Glasses were set before he poured them both a hefty few drams. Once done in grabbed up a chair, brief glance to make sure it was without debris and then settled in.

[Ekaterina]

The table and chairs were somewhat clean. He settled in one, watching the different people. He didn't start this time when Mack was beside him, just looked at him and smiled slightly.

"No, the blooms are useless to me. Just the leaves and branches are all I require. " Offered with a bit of a smile, payment given to Bess when she arrived with her refill of that coffee that was brewed with the addition of vanilla beans. As aromatic as it was tasteful.

"As you wish." If she was dismayed at ripping a plant of its flowers, she gave no outward notice. Fingers played over the vessel a moment longer before she whispered, quietly, "And you realize that what you seek to do with the plant?" She couldn't still the question. It came by nature.

It seemed like a normal night here and he picked up his glass. "It's too quiet around home without Danny." And that would be the closest he'd get to saying he missed the brat.

Focus shifted once more to settle upon Selena. Slow nodding of head. "Yes, I do." Offered in return. Nothing more added.

A wandering study had Gawain noted with his companion. She offered him a bright smile before her gaze shot back to Ekaterina. "Then I shall contact you on the morn after next with the price. If that suits you?"

"That will be fine." Normal business deals would have ended as a handshake at this precise moment. Yet this deal was anything but normal, so it didn't apply. Just a nod of satisfaction, so casual she remained during the course of their interaction, unmoved. Mug on the rise to take another sip of that aromatic brew it contained.

Ben was given a dip of his Stetson before it was taken off. No. He wasn't bald beneath. Quite the opposite with thick curling hair he dashed his fingers through once to tame them back. Stetson was set on the table as his glass was taken up again and kicked back. Selena got a widening smile as he glanced between her and Kat, they were welcome to join them but if not that was fine too. They seemed to be talking low to each other on something. He recognized possible business deals or exchange of information. He lived his life doing just that.

Satisfied with the response, she turned her attention back to the drink she lifted, assured she was serving a purpose. If not always honorable, at least needed. "I shall contact you upon the first available moment." Distracted by the wave of a hat, she glanced back to Mack and offered her own Cheshire grin. "Trouble." Poor Gawain had missed her greeting and all. She should feel slighted.

[Ekaterina]

He took another drink and glanced at Mack. The man seemed preoccupied but that was understandable. He glanced toward the door then the women Mack had greeted.

Just a nod in response to the first, a glance over to where Mack and the other sat upon the utterance of trouble. "For whom?" Inquisitive she'd become.

"I rarely use the alcove room with the slew of them gone. Dam straight it is too quiet. Also has my instincts on edge like something big is going to happen so watch your back extra special."

"I will." He leaned closer so Mack could here. "Lass is suspicious too. Sure it's me following her."

He mouthed ... always .. in return as well that grin was met in kind. He didn't need to wink to have that feel about that gleam in storm blue eyes.

"That one that sports the fancy hat." She grinned as she tore her attention back to Ekaterina. "I meant, he is trouble. I think he likes to argue. Especially with women." She barely kept from rolling her eyes at the mans arrogance that he would think they spoke of him.

"She picked up on that. That says a lot Gawain." His words only going lower. "You think she's the one behind the attacks on Lorcan in the shadow realms?"

That gained a bit of a grin in response. "Such is the way of the male persuasion, Mien Dame. You just have to be one step ahead to lead it down a path your sure you will win. Or be manipulative enough to make them question themselves." Mug set upon the table as she stood from her seat, collecting her cloak in hand. "I'll be awaiting your word." Just a slight forward tip of her head. "Guten Nacht." Not one for long goodbyes or fancy farewells. The white tail pelted cloak adorned about shoulders. Glance in Mack's direction, the faux motion of hat tipping sent his way, with a bit of a grin, before she turned to head towards the back door. Stepping out into the night with which she'd eventually become one.

"I don't know, Mack. I don't feel anything dark about her but I'm too new at this to be sure." He rolled his shoulders in a shrug. "But she's on edge for a reason and it's not just me."

Was it arrogance or the fact he had looked her way when she said it and looking their way? So he would tease back if she had. Which he did in Kat's return being his was on the table.

"And a good evening to you, Ekaterina." Rising from her seat in a show of respect. "I look forward to that next meeting." Arrogance in a man was both amusing and welcomed. After the woman had departed, she settled heavily back into her seat with brooding thoughts.

[selena]

Bundled within the large cloak of hunters green, the hood fell over her brow, lending to the concealment of stormy eyes as she stepped out of the shadowed path leading away from the Seedsman’s establishment, a place she had both reluctantly and graciously called home these last few years. As the weather dictated, she was wearing breeches of tan tucked into scuffed and well-worn boots of black. A thick wool scarf wrapped about her neck kept the worst of the biting arctic wind from slipping down the modest peasant blouse that hugged her shape beneath the cloak. Fanciful dress and vanity was not what drove her. If the articles of clothing kept her warm, the purpose was served.

Ascending the steps, the slant of her eyes swept across those on the porch, a secretive smile flashed for those she knew by name, followed by a wink. Others got a brief nod in greeting before she was heading inside to find Bess.

The newest plant, recently arrived from afar, had produced many seeds, which she had stashed away for further study. The rest marked for delivery. Cradled beneath her arm, the various pieces of three oleander plants had been carefully and meticulously packed within an oilcloth, the bundle tied loosely yet firmly with strips of leather. A piece of vellum with Ekaterina’s name scratched across the surface was firmly wedged beneath said strips. “Evening, Bess. Coffee please. ” The hood was tossed back to lie upon her shoulders. Gloves peeled off and shoved into a pocket as the bundle was gently placed on the bars rough surface then pressed across the expansion of wood for Bess to place aside for the woman. An extra coin was pressed to Bess’ hand with Selena’s murmured thanks, nothing more needing to be said as she took up the mug of coffee and Bess took up the bundle.

With business concluded, her left elbow was braced against the bar, fingers wrapped about the mug as she rummaged around in her pocket to find the small leather bound journal. Eventually, she was forced to set the coffee down so she might pull the binding loose and open it to the last page. Here she recorded the seeds, how many, what strand, and the variety she wished to test it against. Her uncle had taught her enough. Indeed, perhaps too much over the course of her years under his care and tutelage. Intent on taking her mind off a troubled past, she was a fast learner, leaping past his teachings of the passion he derived for preserving unique and colorful ethnic seed varieties before heirloom seeds and ancient knowledge completely disappeared.

It was upon the death of an alley cay found in the hot house that she had first suspected what a variety of the eye-pleasing and fragrant foliage could accomplish. Curiosity piqued, interest had steered her down a darker trail; learning the deadly qualities of the beauties he cultivated and grew to perfection. After years of experimentation and testing on barn rats, a complicated process of inbreeding and cross breeding, those vary plants had resulted in a particularly strong expression of some of its genes. By saving and planting seeds, she was adding her own chapter to the story. A story not intended for every eager ear. Eventually, a word was whispered into a greedy ear, a disgruntled soul intent on justice. Or revenge. Few sought her out. But those that did knew what she offered. Selena herself was content to not know more than was absolutely necessary. She delivered items that were hard pressed to find year round. She asked no questions, answered even fewer. She preferred it that way.

Knowing she would be questioned about the recent plants delivered, and now disappeared, she pulled a quill from her pocket, dipped the point into the coffee then proceeded to mark down an amount of coins to pass off to her Uncle in hopes that would appease too many curious inquiries as to their whereabouts. A simple, ‘They were sold’, should work fine. If names were demanded, she could always figure out something.

Recalling the previous nights escapades, she jotted down the obscene amount of mistletoe delivered to the Hart clan. "Incorrigible curs" With a small laugh, the journal was closed and she was taking up the cooled coffee for another swallow.