Constructing an Escape

[Drache]

At the unspoken invitation, Drache pushed back from the mountain of lumber she was leaning against and strode gracefully through the office door. It wasn't the grace of a well-bred noble, more like the sliding of a panther through trees. The soft wool cloak bulged oddly at her back where her wings were covered, giving her a sort of hunch-backed appearance. She smiled at Stefan's compliment and gave a gracious incline of her neck. It was a gesture accentuated by the delicate shape of her ear-frill and the back-sweept of her horns. Or at least it would have been if anyone present appreciated such things.

"Good afternoon, Renea. I wont take up much of your time. And thank you, Massster Berdini. You are correct in that it was not you I anticccipated ssspeaking with thisss afternoon, but I consssider it fortunate that you are here." Still mostly blocking the door, she extended a warm red-scaled hand a full set of claws for him to shake.

"I originally intended to asssk sssome questions about thisss project and offer my asssissstanccce too, but I couldn't help overhear you and it anssswered a lot. I also couldn't help noticccing the rules posssted out front and I daresssay that not being able to use magic really limits what ussse -I- could be." She chuckled a little then, her pearly fangs showing briefly.

"It isn't my intention to requessst partnership or become involved in any kind of planning," she stated firmly, heading off the declination Renea had recently delivered to Berdini. "I have little enough connections for thisss sssort of thing and I am hardly a performer, and whatever revenue generated by events held here should benefit the cccity. But I'm a dragonesss who appreciatesss music and art, ssso I'd like to help in the one way I can, if you'll allow it. An offer I would have made to the Gilded Lily sssome monthsss ago if I hadn't been turned away at the door the firssst time I tried to see a show."

This last was directed strictly to the Marshall, and the dragoness finished with her clawed fingers spread, palms upwards.

[Caile]

"Ahh Drache. Welcome." It was a timely interuption and one that she was thankful for even if she was still wary in the dragon woman's company. Her comments were quite on point, any revenue should benefit the citizens of the city, it was meant to be a community space and a not-for-profit one at that. "I'm sure your strength alone could provide more benefit than you realize Drache though I could see how some of the work could prove troublesome for you. You're more than welcome to help out in any non-magical way you like though, it might even prove intriguing." Renea stood as it seemed the dragon woman wouldn't be staying long enough to want to sit, it was only polite afterall, and moved closer to allow for a more familiar conversation rather than raised voices across a room.

"That sounds interesting, what offer would this be then?" She was sure that a part of that comment was a dig at the councilor who had yet to exit and found herself watching him for a reaction. Drache wouldn't find herself turned away here unless she was causing the same sort of mayhem she had at the tavern that one night, and Renea didn't think that was likely.

[Dulcie]

"Turned away at the door? Well this is the first I've heard of such a thing. The Lily welcomes all guests to our shows. In fact when I first arrived it was a challenge to even get the townsfolk to attend. It was utterly discouraging and I feel accomplished that we've come as far as we have. As a matter of fact I would have loved to have included you in one of my shows. I was short an assistant for some time and it is so difficult to find a woman in this town with your level of elegance. Alas, I digress, I haven't performed in a year now as i've been overseeing other productions, but do come by again, at my expense of course.". He would now his head to them both then. " Now, if you'll excuse me ladies I have other business I should attend to. I look forward to seeing the completion of your project my lady.". After a full waisted bow he would straighten up and turn to leave, taking his exit unless one of the women gave him cause to stay.

[Drache]

The dragoness offered a soft snort and a grin at the invitation to provide physical labour to the arena project. Strong though she may be, she was no workhorse, and even the unintentional implication offended her a little. "Intriguing for you, perhapsss, but I shall have to passs." She shifted aside a little as Renea approached, turning their grouping into more of a triangle, and took the oppurtunity to glance sidelong at the Councilor. Her wings shifted under the cloak.

In answer to Renea's question, she shifted the front of her cloak, releasing a small burst of warmth, and pulled a large leather sack out of the folds. It was well-rounded with whatever filled it, and jingled as the fire-drake held it out to the Marshall. It was full of gold coin. "A donation. Or rather, part of one." A suspicious move. Drache rarely did anything that didn't benefit her in some way.

As she waited for Renea to take the bag she turned a fiery eye on Stefan. "I doubt I could be much of an asssisstant to you, but I do appreciate the consssideration. I will come by again sssoon. Thank you, Massster Ssstefan." A puff of smoke escaped her nostrils as he departed.

[Caile]

"Good day then Councillor." She nodded to the man as he made his exit and then returned her gaze to the dragoness and the bag which she held in offer. Renea didn't know Drache well and so was unaware of what her motivations usually were, but she was a naturally suspicious woman and so while she did reach out to receive the bag of coin she did so warily. "As long as there are no strings attached any donation is welcome. You say 'part of' though, this donation is a rich one to begin with, what more did you have in mind?" If the dragon lady wanted to help fund the project as a gift to the people in order to increase her reputation that was something Renea could understand and even welcome, it was part of why she was doing it after all and could hardly gainsay others for wanting to do the same.

[Drache]

When the bag of coin was lifted from her claws, the drake brought them back to fold just inside the warmth of her cloak. Her head tilted slightly and she offered a gentle shrug of her wings. "The only ssstring I am interesssted in is the one that offers me jussst as much right to visit thisss ssspaccce as anyone elssse. I have a lot to offer, for more than jussst thisss project, but my visage holds me back. I could asssert myssself by laying wassste to the countryside and then taking sssolace in my mountain, I sssuppose, but I'm human enough that it would bore me after a while. Coin is the one resssource I have that will be easiest for people to acccept, and in time I hope for..." her hands appeared again and she spread her claws palm upwards, "...more. I intend to raise a child here after all." There was more coin where that came from. "And when I visit Razasssan in coming weeksss I will be sure to ssspread the word about your Arena. It ssseems to me that Myrken can use all the income it can get." A gravely chuckle. Drache was not used to living in a landlocked area and the pathetic state of the tiny province's economy was almost an insult.