A few days later...

~A few days later at Viramares Lair~

Van KNEW that he should have gone home long ago, but he had been on a winning streak earlier in the night, and stupidly thought that if he could just win one big round, he could make up for the slew of losses that had hit him. Scoffing at himself, Van downs the last of his ale as he sees yet another loss. Viramare looks across the table at Van, as one of his girls proceeds to pick up the coins on the table. "Another round my friend?" Viramare asks with one hand spread to the table and waves his other hand to have Vans glass refilled. Van looks across the table to Viramare and sighs, "With what? I have already lost everything I brought with me." Gripping the glass that had just been refilled, he takes a large drink.

Viramare smiles and leans back, "You know my love of gambling Van... I wouldn't have the night end just because the gold has run out." Viramare leans forward with a gleam in his eye, "What if... We had one last game? One big gamble." Viramares grin widens, "Nothing is as exciting to me as when the stakes are truly life changing." Viramare calls over one of his girls and has her bring over all of Vans funds that he had lost that night. Van can't help but stare at the bulging sack of coins as it hits the table. Tearing his eyes back up to Viramare, Van asks, "I would be able to win all of that back in one game? What's the catch?"

Viramare shakes his head, "No Van, you misunderstand." Viramare pulls up another bag, with what seems to be a matching amount to Vans bag, and lets it drop to the table with a loud jingling. "I would be willing to DOUBLE what you brought tonight. What I ask for in return... Is a favor." Viramare crosses his muscular arms as he continues, "I know of your past as an adventurer, and understand that what I am asking is not a small thing. This is why I have brought out this large sum of silver and gold."

Van can't help but admit that the offer is tempting, but the promise of an open ended favor.... Van quickly tries to think of what Viramare could ask him to do... Did Viramare have enemies that he needed taken care of? Van didn't think that to be the case, but maybe.... Van looks up from his musings into Viramares gaze. "I will not throw my life away, so I am sor-" Viramare cuts him off and states, "Of course, I will add caveats to my offer. I will not ask you to put yourself into a life threatening situation." Van sits back in his chair as he starts to think about the offer anew. Viramare continues after a moment, "I will go even further for you Van, and promise, on my honor, my life, and my hoard that I will not ask anything of you that would put your life in danger." Van sits and stares at Viramare while he thinks the offer over, but can't help his eyes drifting to the piles of gold strewn on the table. That amount would be equal, if not greater than, an entire half years worth of his previous mercenary/adventurer pay. Reaching over to his glass, he downs the remainder and says, "Alright! I'm in. Let's do this."

Viramare smiles wide and claps his hands together, "Excellent!" He motions for one of the girls to bring over a cup of dice for the game. Viramare explains the rules of the simple game to Van. The name of the game, The Commander's Dilemma. Rolling five dice, the player must decide to keep or reroll each of his dice. The point total is equal to the die remaining after they have been re-rolled. The dilemma is that if the die is re-rolled, the new roll must be higher than its previous value, or the die is considered dead and will not count towards the point total. Van rolls well, but loses both dice that he attempts to re-roll, giving him a final score of 16. Viramare rolls his own, giving him a natural 15. Van realizes that it's all going to come down to Viramares re-roll. Van lets out a defeated sigh, as Viramare successfully re-rolls his die to give him a final score of 18.

Viramare stands from the table and grabs one of his girls, groping her as he lifts her to whisper into her ear. She giggles as she is let down, and glances at Van before walking off towards the living quarters. Van slowly gets up from the table with a sigh, and thrusts out his hand, "I lost big on this one. How do you plan on reaching me to call in this favor?" Viramare grips Van's hand and smirks, "I was actually thinking I would call it in right now." Van's own smile falters as he hears this. "R-Right now? It's late! A-and I have been drinking! I don't even have my gear with me!" Van sputters. His mind instantly goes to dark places as he tries to imagine the kinds of enemies and monsters that Viramare is going to send him after. Viramare bursts out into laughter and says, "Please Van, don't worry your pretty little head so much. Follow me."

Van is silently panicking in his head as he follows Viramare up to the living chambers. He nearly bumps into Viramare before noticing that he had stopped in front of a large room. Inside the room are what Van guesses are some of the other "girls" of Viramare's Harem. They are all in different states of undress but are clearly waiting for something. Viramare glances back at Van, before gesturing grandly with his arms to the room. "This... will be the favor I ask of you."

Van looks back and forth between Viramare and the room full of his harem members. "Ummmm..." Starts Van, "I think I'm missing something here..."

Viramare laughs and says, "Ha! Apologies, but I do enjoy a dramatic reveal." Gesturing to the girls in the room, Viramare continues, "I want you to look over my beauties here, choose one that has assets that you find irresistible, and tell me exactly what it is about them that you desire."

Van stares back at Viramare with his mouth slightly open, "W-... That's it??" Van stammers. "You want me to choose one of your... "girls"... that I find desirable and just... tell you why??" Van takes a deep breath to straighten out the jumble his thoughts have become. "Viramare, I may be shooting myself in the foot by mentioning this, but I have to tell you that I would have done this without you needing to use your favor."

Viramare nods once at this, "Oh, I may have forgotten to mention this... But I expect you to spend a night with your chosen to fully experience your desire." Viramare finished the statement with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

Van's face goes through a slurry of emotions. Shock, happiness, shock, pain. The silence stretches into a near awkward state, "Is anything wrong Van? Oh... I think I see the issue here. None of my girls are a species you desire?" Viramare looks over at Van with a questioning gaze. Still reeling from the situation, Van answers quickly without thinking, "No! No! They are beautiful... but..." Not sure how to state the obvious, Vans voice fades into a mumble. "Good! Good! So choose whomever you prefer!" Viramare states loudly, completely talking over the flustered Van.