<JETMODE> *One dark night, a week or two following Whisper's encounter with the young beastmaster and his cat, another girl is seated in a bar, blowing on what appears to be a very hot drink. She finally waves her hand at the rising steam, then takes a quick sip, lowering it almost immediately. "Ah, too hot!"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper leans her elbow against the bar, slowly swirling her own drink -- a considerably cooler one -- with her free hand and watching her friend in bland amusement. "I told you it would be."

<JETMODE> <Merti> You're the one who recommended it! *sighs and blows on it again*

<TIAMAT> *A thin smirk twitches at the corners of Whisper's mouth. "Well, yes, but I also warned you -- it's rather good once it's cooled down a bit, really."

<JETMODE> <Merti> Honestly, you just wanted to see me burn my tongue. *sniffs* So, what have you been up to, anyway? You haven't been around as much, and you smell like horse. *wrinkles nose*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper frowns a little, sipping at her drink. "Do I? Bother. *wistful sigh* Why do all the cute ones always have to be so...so..." She trails off, searching for the right word.

<JETMODE> *Merti tries the drink again, grumbling when it's still too hot. "Smelly?" She glances over, looking curious. "What, found another one? And he works in the stables?" She looks mystified.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper gives her an indignant look. "He is not a stableboy, I'll have you know, so you can just stop any jokes you might have been thinking about before they even form." She downs the rest of her drink and slams the glass down on the bar, calling for another before continuing with a sweet smile. "He's a beastmaster, and his cat's cute. *thoughtful pause, smile turns slightly impish* Not nearly as cute as he is, though."

<JETMODE> <Merti> *arches an eyebrow* Beastmaster, huh.. well, I guess you won't let me make any of those jokes, either.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper shoots her a nasty look as the bartender comes around with her drink. "No, thank you very much, I won't."

<JETMODE> *Merti sniffs, finally taking a sip of her drink and smiling contentedly. "Well, tell me what he's like, if you're not going to let me have any fun."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper takes a sip of her drink, leaning back against the bar again and looking thoughtful for a moment, then grinning faintly. "Well, like I said, he's cute -- positively yummy, really. So NAIVE. He's never seen anything like the Arena before -- it seems to baffle him sometimes. *takes another sip* Which just makes him that much more .. delightful.

<JETMODE> *Merti tilts her head, taking another sip. "Doesn't seem like your usual type."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sighs a little. "Oh, I suppose not, but they do get so boorish after a while. I figured I'd try spicing things up a bit."

<JETMODE> *Merti laughs at her. "So you spice things up by taking away the spice! Well, whatever gets you going." She grins. "Think you can bed him?"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper gives her friend a devious grin. "Tell me, have I ever failed to get a guy I want?" She sips at her drink again. "I don't think he'll be hard -- like I said, he's naive -- probably doesn't know the first thing about having a good time, and I'd be more than happy to help him there."

<JETMODE> <Merti> *cheerily* I guess. But don't get too busy with him you miss the job, okay?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, blandly: Oh, stop nagging and don't worry. You could go for having a little fun yourself sometimes, too, you know.

<JETMODE> <Merti> *a little indignantly* I do! *takes another drink* Just not as often as you do. I like pretty things more than pretty boys anyway.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper chuckles. "You always have, but sometimes, really, dearest, I don't think you know what you're missing. *thoughtful pause* Want me to set you up with someone? I can think of a couple guys you might like.."

<JETMODE> <Merti> What, your castoffs? I can fish on my own, Whisper.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sniffs and finishes off her drink. "Well, I was just offering."

<JETMODE> <Merti> Yeah, I know! *tail twitches cheerfully* Uncommonly generous of you, really!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: What do you mean, uncommonly? Even I can be nice when I want to, Merti! .. I just save it special occasions, most of the time.

<JETMODE> <Merti> Yeah, okay, whatever -- so what's the occasion THIS time?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper pauses, then shrugs a little. "You finally decided to join me for a drink instead of chasing after everything that sparkles?" She calls for another drink.

<JETMODE> <Merti> Oh pleeease, we drink every week. Hey hey, how's your roommate working out? She's lasted longer than any of the others.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper pauses when the bartender sets her next drink down. "You know, you're right. She's not as bad as the rest, I guess...she spends a lot of time in class. Or reading. Or in the library. So I really don't see her that much. *takes a sip of the drink* She could really use to get out a little, too, honestly, she's worse than you."

<JETMODE> <Merti> *crossly* I'M not bad at all! Geez, just because sometimes I like to see a guy more than once before I move on .. *sticks her tongue out*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper rolls her eyes. "Well, Genoa's about the worst I've seen yet. I don't think she's been out with anyone since I've met her, at least not to my knowledge -- really, I don't think she knows what "having a good time" even means. *faint sigh* With that stuff she studies, though, I suppose it's not a wonder that the only creatures who might remotely be interested in her are those without a pulse."

<JETMODE> <Merti> *unnerved* DEAD things? That's gross, Whisper!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: I know that, and you know that, but Genoa's obsessed with them. I mean, not romatically...though I wouldn't be surprised if that happens someday, too...but she's into that necromancy stuff.

<JETMODE> <Merti> *shudder* I don't see how she makes a very good roomie, then -- I wouldn't want one who creeped me out.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper shrugs. "Like I said, I hardly ever see her, she's always at class or doing a lab or something...and she doesn't bring dead things back to the ROOM."

<JETMODE> <Merti> Oh, just you wait. Nialla had a necromancer roommate one time, and .. well .. it started out okay, but then he started bring home demonspawn and chimera flesh golems and --

<TIAMAT> *Whisper winces. "All right, all right, I get the idea!" She sips the at her drink, looking a little sulky. "If I have to move again, I think I'll come bunk at your place for a while, just for telling me all about it."

<JETMODE> <Merti> Ugh. Just so long as you don't bring anybody home while I'm there. It's a small room!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper gives her an absolutely brilliant smile. "What, you don't like groups? You could join us, you know, it'd be fun--"

<JETMODE> <Merti> *nearly jumps out of her seat* EW! WHISPER!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper utters a snort of laughter, nearly choking on her drink. "Well, if you really don't want to, I suppose I can refrain."

<JETMODE> <Merti> *sitting down again and looking huffy* You better.