CatalenaEven though it was still the afternoon, Catalena was dragging her boots. She'd been awake and on her feet for the majority of the last twelve hours. Her silk and linen were gone, her ceremony cancelled, her festival wrecked, her plans for a night of debauched revelry likely curtailed. And, she'd promised Aendell a reading so she wasn't going to start drinking. Though, she had to admit to herself, the prospect of warm water, soap, and a nap was the most attractive thing to her. Well, Aendell was certainly not bad on the eyes. She wondered if he had the ability to loosen up. Some companionship would not be unwelcome after such a day, she smiled.
Of course, she could always attempt another try at charming Ameiko Kajitsu. The talented Tian chef and owner of the Rusty Dragon held a complex place in Catalena's heart. She was intensely fond of the charismatic former adventurer and felt a great affection, if not outright awe, for her, while at the same time harboring a bit of a friendly, professional rivalry toward her. Ameiko was a more experienced and confident singer than she, and she could play the shamisen with a fierce skill and dexterity which Catalena felt would be forever beyond her to try to compete with. But on the nights that they collaborated on a harmony or when Cat danced to Ameiko's
bachi picking, she felt an intense desire to ask the older woman to continue their duet upstairs. But there was always a bit of darkness in Ameiko, some deep pain in her past, or some complex entanglement (oh, the rumors and speculation about Ameiko's "secret lover"!), that always kept Cat at an arm's length.
Before turning in, something had been nagging at her. While she had a fondness for her katana's quickness and lightness, she felt she could be more effective with a bit more reach. She had been eyeing a fine, very long sword in Savah's Armory for some time. It had a bit of a curve to it and was crafted of cold iron. She'd tested it for weight before and, being twice the weight of her katana, she'd not felt like she was ready. But after these weeks of patrolling in the armor of the Guard, she was feeling a bit more physically fit. Perhaps it was time to inquire about it again with Savah Bevaniky the weapon trader.
Catalena passed through the abnormally subdued High Street to turn on Market Street and see if Savah was open.
After she took care of this business, she planned, when returning to the Dragon's common room, to inquire about the availability of a warm bath at this hour.