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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - EVENING
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Leana is coiled at a table, enjoying a simple platter of meat nibblings and a glass of wine. The swan-snake has really not found any kind of stride in Respite, and it seems that whatever 'spirit' took her as a new home has also vanished. Not that she really minds, her urges being her own is hardly a downside of any kind. She is dressed in her usual white dress-wrap and white gloves, intending to look good as she always does... for the sake of looking good.
Louma lands outside the tavern, having had to circle overhead for a minute or two in waiting for a crowd to clear. She shakes her wings out, adjusting the black sashwrap dress she's opted to wear, while slithering through the doorway. A bit of down clings to the dress, some more floating in behind her as her wings tuck back out of the way. She pauses partway through the door on spotting Leana, letting out a light yelp when it bumps against her tail on swinging closed. Louma casts a glance over her shoulder at the offending portal before slithering inside with a little less dignity than before. "Good evening, Leana. I see you're still frequenting the tavern rather than someplace more suited to your fancy Sarn tastes."
Leana looks up at the yelp, then gives her sister a wry smile: "Evening. As it happens, while I do have much more dignified tastes than you, they are not free."
Louma shrugs, settling on the other side of Leana's table without being invited, letting out a little 'humph'. "You say dignified, I say snooty. Just because the wine cost triple, does not make it taste any better." She gives Leana a smirk, "Does that also mean your talents have found no ground to stand on yet?"
Leana gives Louma a similar 'humph', and a lopsided smile: "Unfortunately, my talents seem to go waste here. I may have to reconsider what to do, sad as it sounds."
Louma shakes her head a little. "Even with all these new arrivals. Tsk tsk. You could always come work under me as a guard, though you will need to train. A lot." She hums, thinking for a moment. "Until you make a decision on that, how about I show how much more generous I am than you, and commission a painting? Whatever you like, as long as it is tasteful."
Leana is slightly taken aback by this, but hides is (mostly) well. "W-well... if you are modeling, tasteful may be of questionably supply, but..." She frowns: "Much as I don't care for the saying, any port in a storm. I am short on money." Deeefinitely not proud about that part.
Louma huffs, crossing her arms and puffing her chest pouff. "How dare! That jab aside, you think I am so vain as to want a painting of myself? At the least, if I were to ask for that, I would want one of something special."
Leana raises an eyebrow: "Oh? Well, what would be on your mind then, Sister dear? One of your Important Spears, perhaps?"
Louma scoffs, shaking her head a little. "No, my silly sibling, I-... Hm. Yes, a portait of my silly sister." She smirks, "So I may blow raspberries at you any time I please."
Leana looks at Louma evenly: "Classy."
Louma grins, shrugging. "That is my offer, you may leave it if you like."
Leana sighs, rolling her eyes: "Doesn't look I have much of an option. Very well." She almost adds 'thank you', but swallows those words before they get out. One must have some pride.
Louma uncrosses her arms, breathing a sigh. "Excellent. This will make a fin addition to our home. Such a luxury of taunting!" She chuckles, though she seems to look a little relieved as well. "Oh, I am glad I ran into you here, though."
Leana is in the middle of taking a sip of her wine, but lowers it. "Oh? What might be on your mind, then?"
Louma sighs dramatically, "Well proper social protocol and all, and at least I will not have to use my time penning your invitation; my wedding is finally set for the last week of July. I must invite all family... within reason..., so as is proper, you have been formally invited."
Leana pauses, then nods: "I suppose there is at least that in me landing here. I get to see how you do a celebration your style."
Louma shrugs, considering what her style would even be. "It may seem dull by your inflated standards, darling, a simple ceremony and feast. Perhaps a dance, if we can find some musicians. We expect some diversity in the food, as guests are being encouraged to cook a large dish rather than trying to find a gift. After all, we already have more or less anything we need for now, and well... A child is highly unlikely."
Leana chuckles softly: "I sure hope so, or it would get weird an painful for someone involved." She shakes her head: "Dull perhaps, but still my only sibling I can possibly tolerate being in the same room with." She pauses, giving Louma a sideways look: "Assuming you don't still plan on running me out of town."
Louma hums, considering Leana for a moment... And another moment. And another. "Well... For now, at least. You have been tolerable enough, yourself."
Leana gives Louma a brief glare: "Such a vote of confidence. But I'll take it, if it means I don't have to find another distant hole to live away from Family's reach."
Louma nods, "On that, we agree." The lights overhead flicker slightly, dimming more after a few seconds before coming back to their full brightness. "...And the gods seem displeased about that."
Leana looks up, then shrugs: "Mm. At least we agree on that." She takes a sip of her wine. "Long-term, I have to figure out what I am doing down here. But for now... a portrait of me, really?"
Louma looks back to Leana, nodding. "Yes, I will not change my mind now. It does not need to be a large portrait, but as I said I will leave the general details to you."
Leana stares a moment... then just chuckles. "Fair enough. I know better than to try to change your mind once it's set. As your commission, you will get a portrait of me."
Louma finally orders some food and wine, though only a small snack of a meal, as an excuse to sit and continue chatting with Leana in their own snippy way as the evening draws on.