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"Well, looking at a map every few hours and talking to people helps a bit, y'know?" Vence replied, smiling at the humor. Unfortunately, he really didn't have anything to say after Mayloo actually took the time to skip over to his side of the table of kiss him on the cheek. What did you say in a situation like that, anyway?

Luckily for him, she spoke first, even if she was tripping over her words. Apparently she was just as surprised as he was in her own actions. Trying his best to keep from blushing (anyone would, right?), he shook his head lightly, still smiling, and stood up himself.

"How about we both go?" Vence suggested as he leaned lightly against the table's edge.

"Well, yeah, but that's why you gotta' know which taverns are the best," Vence explained, replying to Mayloo's map question. "Some places will have a map on display, usually two; one of the city, one of the province."

Vence scanned the table, making quick note of all the food and drink available. Most of it was food he wouldn't normally eat: too fancy to his liking. But tonight was an exception he was wiling to make, supposed. All he had to do was keep himself in check of how much he ate. Letting his appatite do the talking was impolite in public, and more importantly, in front of a girl his age.

Quit it, buddy, you're already letting your mind wander, He said to himself. Still smiling, he took two plates, offering one of them to Mayloo. She still seemed a bit...on the iffy side, for lack of anything else coming to mind. And she had good reason for it, too. Personally, he got over things pretty quick. He would think about it later, no doubt, but the present time was never a time to think about for him.

~~~

Their backs are turned, The man noted, referring to the two younger adults. He had only glanced their way a few times, and had found some amusement in them as well as the royal family, doomed to die in the next few minutes.

Yes, it only took a few minutes of planning for him to devise a death sentence. After living so long, it was fairly easy for him to do.

He would kill the three of them the easy way, he had decided. Let them live only just long enough. Just. Then, after a quick speech to the people who by then would be in terror, and then he would vanish, letting the world crumble to disarray. He would act then, too. As long as no one interfered, he was fine. There was little chance of that happeneg anyway; his power was nearly unmatched, unless the gods had some planned trick up their sleeves, damn them to the netherworld if they did.

"It's not required to pay upon entry, is it?" Vence asked, A broad, friendly smile coming to play when she laughed. It wasn't often when he smiled like that, in all honesty. H e hadn't been in the best of moods, as of late. Tonight had just seemed different. Hopefully, his current mood set would stay the way it was.

"See you in a few," Vence replied to her last comment, already making his selection. Definitely cheese and crackers; that was a must for him, regardless. Two baked potatoes, buttered with melted cheese (Notice how much Vence loves cheese), and a fire-roasted small steak filled his plate, as well.

It's limited enough. I'm glad it's free, otherwise it'd be a fortune to pay," Vence thought to himself. Content as he looked at the rest of the food. If seconds was possible, which he doubted, he would be back. Before he made his way to the table, he made sure to grab a glass of ice-cold water. Not much of a drinker, he preferred staying clean in general. A drink once in a while, but rare, even with special occasions like this.

"Having fun?" He asked, sitting down once again in the same place as before.

(so, are we ready finally for the grand murder? xp After five pages of mentioning it over and over?)

"Well, that's why we cut with the grain, see," Vence said, throwing in the obvious for some humor. He found it amusing when she asked her own question, then going off on explaining. Trying not to be rude, he could plainly tell. He took a bite out of one of the crackers, a slice of cheese on top.

Any special occasions or holidays we have feasts similar to this, but other than that, we live off the land. Fishing and grain mostly: rice, corn, stuff like that. I don't like seafood though...except for tuna. Tuna is good." Vence answered. he paused, taking another bite, before continueing.

"But you mentioned the truth. I never grew up wealthy, or even middle class. Low middle or high-lower class was where we stood. I did a lot of the work around the house, while my mom did some low energy housework...like knitting or sewing. My dad had the job of village patrol. Circle around once or twice, make sure nothing's going on, then take a break before circling again. Not much pay, but it was enough."

[Cool...not yet, sorry. xp The tension is getting high...or the annoyance is. xd ]

"I found time somehow," Vence replied, taking a smaller bite out of a piece of garlic bread he had snatched as well. "Mostly like weekends or on slow days. The techer tha taught me lived only a few houses away, so I would hop on over there to see about training. If he couldn't work with me, he would give me a long term task to take up my time," Vence explained, happy to tell.

"And you are right about the streets. I made no money personally, really, but I did odd jobs that gave me a name. Tips were nice," Vence finished up, taking some time on eating and less talking. He was really enjoying the conversation, though. Travelling alongside Mayloo wouldn't be a problem at all, as far as he could tell.

[Next post, I promise 3nodding . I'm exhausted (moved a whole house into a moving van sweatdrop ), so I'm going to bed now]

"Hey, ladylike-ness might be useful sometimes. You never know. I've had to learn some customs of dwarves before, and even if it's strange, if we stop by a town with dwarves, I can get us through. If there's rich people with manners, you can get us by," Vence noted, smiling. Personally, he had some decent manners, but nothing serious. He had relations with certain people, that was all.

"And you're right. Selfless service is a trait that people are willing to help those with it. If we can put in some effort, we'll have no problem," Vence finished, serving himself another cheese cracker. Mayloo seemed really into this idea, by now. Less encouragement, more mentioning of danger, Vence thought to himself. As if humor to himself was funny at all. It was a serious topic though. There was danger involved,no matter where you went or what you did. It was a life that many people feared to have.

~~~

Enough of this delaying, The man thought to himself. He had watched long enough. Those two children were still discussing whatever matters they had, while everyone else did the same. They all looked pathetic, all of them. Even the royal family; they were too at ease in their current situation. No gaurds, even. He turned away, grinnig a wicked smile hidden from view, before he put upon his face a more common, friendly smile. How could the royal family refuse a fan from a quick conversation and a signiture? A plan divised, he even had the parchment and pen... a pen that would never be used.

He stood up and calmly made his way to their table, Though giving an outward appearance of excitement. One of the quirks of being labeled as insane and a genius both, was that he could act very well and play on people's every whim.

[I lied again. whee I'm a terrible person, I know. But don't worry... it's near. Very near. twisted ]

By tough predicaments, do you mean physical work?" Vence asked, intending it to be a joke. People had relied on him for that before. He wasn't bothered by it in the least bit, of course, and anything mentioned was an avenue for humor.

Forests and lakes are ok places, I'll say," Venec nodded. "But what about mountains and deserts? Trecherous and potentially deadly... If you don't know what you're doing, that is," He added, not wanting to sound too threatening. For beginners when it came to travelling, the danger part is what set most people regretting their choice. While he knew Mayloo here probably wouldn't care either way, a warning was always decent.

When she pointed out the man on the other end of the dining hall, a barely noticable slight chill came over him. Something was off about that man, even with the smile and all. A pain on his side flared up, and he flinched. Before anything else could be done, htough, the pain had subsided, and the chill was gone. Weird.

"I wonder about that," Vence said more quietly than usual, rubbing his side for a moment. That pain... he hadn't felt it in years, now. But to have it act up so quickly, so violently... something was up.

~~~

"My my, I could hardly believe my eyes when I sw you three walk in the doorway here," The man said, false joy written into his words. "I have heard many tales of your family, but to meet you in person... it's an honor," he finished, making a formal bow before the royal family.

"Please, we are just like everyone else, tonight," The queen replied, a warm smile greeting his own.

"We do accept the compliments, of course. Thank you, kind sir-"

"Please, call me Rem," The man quickly said, giving his false name with little doubt traced in among his words, mock apology in his voice. "I am sorry for not introducing myself sooner. I am Rem, a smith from Oakvale. I would have brought my family along, but, work is work, see..."

"That is perfectly understandable, good Rem. How is your family faring?" The old king asked, a smile on his face as well, his interest having been snared as well.

The fools are playing in my hands. "We are doing well, as it seems these days. Production is a little slow, but smithing is not something that can be rushed, you understand."

"Of course. That is good to here."

"We all like to learn of our subjects' circumstances, to see how we can further benefit the people," The queen added. The new king simply smiled, still a bit shy.

"You are too kind to us folk, your excellencies," The man said, once more giving a light bow. "Please, on behalf of my older son... he holds great respect for, as we all do, and I wanted to give him something special for his birthday. In about a week I'll be home just in time, and I feared I'd have naught to give him but my congratulations. But I got this idea last night," He continued, now showing the parchment.

"I thought to myself, "If he adores our rulers so much, why not give him something to look upon in his spare time?" It may sound childish, coming from me, but, if it is not a bother, Would you be kind enough to sign this parchment?" I'm only seconds away, this is too easy!