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“Are you enjoying the festivities, Lady Yadda?” Coifare inquired politely, approaching the bugbear woman at the refreshment table at the Council Cup Tournament. Her long, dark umber hair was pulled back into an elaborate braid, contrasting her ecru fur, both complemented by her periwinkle dress and lemon chiffon shawl. She was tall even for her people, broad-shouldered and hale, though in her nervousness she seemed to shrink in upon herself to take up as little space as possible.
“Hmm? Oh, my leid, I did not see you there,” Yadda managed, stepping aside nervously at the eladrin’s address. “I’m not in your way, am I?”
“Not at all, my lady; it was you I was addressing.” Coifare gave her a comforting smile, though they couldn’t say whether its intention landed.
“Right, of course. Uh, yes, it’s been quite the introduction to Highmark, my leid.” The bugbear held her glass in both hands nervously.
“Come now, Vilyawen at least, Lady Yadda, I insist.”
“If, ah, if you insist, my l- Vilyawen.”
“‘My Vilyawen’ has an intriguing ring to it, I must say,” Coifare offered playfully, “but perhaps is best left elsewhen. Your aunt said your uncle favors our foosball. Are you likewise an aficionado?”
“It would be difficult to be related to my uncle and not be at least mildly acquainted with it,” Yadda replied, a fraction less anxious. “Admittedly, this is much more…defined than in Nachtur, other than the Knights, of course.”
“More defined?”
“Nachtur doesn’t have a full internal league like Highmark and the other cities. Anyone can try for the Knights, and otherwise it tends to be ad hoc matches, essentially wherever they can find that’s big enough.”
“More real sport, that, done for the love of the game. I can appreciate that.”
“That, and it’s both good stress relief and decent combat training, depending.”
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience, my lady. Do you play?”
Yadda’s fur covered her blush, but the shy, involuntary glance sideways betrayed her nonetheless. “Would I seem equally unrefined if I said yes?”
“I would instead say it makes you even more fascinating,” offered encouragingly. “Which part draws you: the sport, the exertion, or the fighting?”
“That…is an astute question, my leid. Uh, Vilyawen.” Yadda seemed to give it genuine consideration. “I think I like that, in playing, I know what I’m supposed to do and am able to do what I can. I can contribute and not have to worry so much about a misstep.”
Coifare’s smile was gentle. “That does sound quite lovely. Freeing, in its way, not to have to concern oneself with the errant stumble or gaffe.”
“I’m sure that’s less of a concern for you, my leid.”
“You’re kind to say so, my lady, but, as I’m sure your aunt warned you before you came, people are always watching.” Coifare tried to make their expression sympathetic; they didn’t want to panic the poor girl. “The trick is to find the people and places that allow one the freedom you mentioned, so I might say you’re quite ahead of the game.”
“Oh! Uh, why thank you.” Yadda raised her glass too quickly, trying to cover her lack of preparedness for the compliment; she ended up fumbling it and spilling lemonade all over her front. The horrified look on her face nearly broke Coifare’s heart.
“Nothing to be concerned about,” they said quickly, daringly taking Yadda by the elbow to turn her away from any nearby event attendees. “We can get this cleaned up in a tic.”
“ Poica ,” Coifare intoned, investing the incantation with a small measure of will. The lemonade began to disappear from the embarrassed bugbear’s dress, though she still looked thoroughly mortified. The eladrin smiled up at her reassuringly, patting her arm. “See? Not a problem; it happens to the best of us.”
“You’re being ever so kind, my leid,” Yadda managed quietly,” but I’m sure you give yourself too little credit. I have a hard time imagining you making such a blunder.”
That drew a musical laugh from her companion. “My lady, I have been in much messier situations before, I assure you. Why do you think I picked up that little bit of will-work?”
“Are you a spellcaster then?”
“Little bits here and there. I like to dabble in a multitude of pursuits. What sort of avocation draws your interest?”
“I…have little time for my own interests, in truth,” Yadda confessed. “I enjoy my studies, so it’s not an interminable burden.”
“What do you study?”
“This, for a start,” glancing around. “I was born in the wilds. I’m keenly aware I don’t belong here.”
“Please tell me you don’t believe that,” Coifare replied. “The Wengals are the blood of old Nachtur, are they not? And, even if they weren’t, your family holds lands and title there now. You’ve just as much standing to be here as any of us have.”
Yadda could not have looked more astonished than if Coifare had turned into an owlbear on the spot. “I…am surprised to hear someone of your status say such a thing.”
Coifare chuckled. “Someone of my ‘status’ or of my House?”
“I would never disparage House Brescia, my leid.”
“Really?” Coifare smirked. “Maybe you should try it. I do it all the time.”
Yadda couldn’t contain the brazen laugh that elicited, a deep bark accompanied by a genuine smile. “Vilyawen, I think you might be a bad influence.”
“Ah, perhaps,” the eladrin conceded with a wink. “But I am very good at it. In truth, my lady, I adore your aunt, and you seem like a worthwhile and conscientious young woman; please don’t hesitate to ask if there’s any way I can help you with your season.”
Yadda found herself well and truly at a loss. It was a moment before she again found her power of speech. “Thank you, my leid. I…am grateful to be welcomed so warmly. It has…not been my typical experience.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Coifare responded, their tone disapproving. “I would offer to seek satisfaction in your name, but I have a premonition you are fully capable of pursuing your own vengeance should the need arise.”
“You’ve the right of it,” Yadda said proudly, with a spare glance encompassing the structured dance of social niceties surrounding the pair. “While many of this lot were learning their dance steps, I studied the blade.”
Coifare smiled at that. “Perhaps we can share a dance, then, blades or music as you like. We might be able to learn a thing or two from one another.”
“I shall be sure to save room on my card for you at the next event then, Vilyawen.”
“And I shall look forward to it, my lady. I shall leave you to your refreshments, and such entertainment as you can find in our woefully decorous games.” Coifare gave a short but flourished bow, which Yadda answered with a genuine smile and, after a moment, an almost painfully precise curtsy.