I indicate towards the bottle of liquor on the table, and Urta slides it over to me. I take a quick swig off the bottle of booze, getting about a mouthful. I don't want to get trashed, as I'll need to be heading home before too much later, as I will surely be missed. Still, I'd like to meet Urta half-way between my sober and her drunk state to ensure I get my points across.
We begin discussing ourselves, and Urta surprisingly seems to know much about me, current events, and the world outside of their little communities. She tells me they have many secret friends in the Capitol, and even a few in the castle. They often visit the towns at night, disguising themselves as cloaked travelers, for trade, supplies, and entertainment. I am baffled that they are able to secretly make their way through such populated urban centers unnoticed, but apparently the beast-races have a knack for clandestine activities, both natural and learned through years of persecution.
After some talk, and a few shared drinks, we come to the most current event: the upcoming matter of my marriage, and my quickly approaching rule. Urta genuinely grieves at the loss of my father, saying that she respected him greatly, and is sure I will be a worthy successor. I also assure her that I will make every effort to ensure their kind are welcome and protected under my rule. She then asks me whom I plan on wedding. Urta is a very kind and charming woman, if a little on the alcoholic side. I can tell she's been hurt in the past, although I'm not about to pry further into the matter. I decide to answer her in the best way I know.
"I'm not sure, yet. At least, I don't think I'm sure." I reply, genuinely trying to weigh my options. My buzzed state has me feeling a bit more sappy and open than usual, "If things were different, perhaps you'd be a fine option, my dear." Urta smiles at this, knowing the realm would not approve of such a marriage. Little does she know, I care little for the opinions of some racist farmers.
After some more light flirting, each of us enjoying the other's companies, we decide that it's getting rather late, and I've already been gone for some time. Urta assures me that I am more than welcome to one of their spare boats, and that a replacement wouldn't be hard at all to come across.
