Nymara’s unearthly beautiful voice rang out over the jeers and taunts of the other patrons, immediately hushing them as an awed silence settled over the tavern. She’d actually cringed when a young half-elven minstrel began a well-known ballad, missing several notes badly, but the rest of the audience weren’t as reserved in their criticism. Feeling sympathetic for the lad, she rose and joined in as he reached the second verse, leaving him to accompany her on his lute. When they reached the end of the song an eerie pause lingered in the air, but then the place roared with applause. The young performer had never experienced such a reaction, but he knew all too well that had nothing to do with him and he beamed with appreciation at the otherworldly beauty who now stood by his side. Nymara’s talents had never been appreciated in Sildeyuir, where she was considered little more than a dilettante, so she was taken aback for a second, before beaming with pride. The duet quickly began another selection and the tavern fell almost silent again, beginning a cycle that continued late into the night. However, eventually the crowd began to thin as the locals were forced to retired in anticipation of another day’s labor and finally the barkeeper announced last call at midnight, prompting a vocal response of displeasure, which was quieted by one last number by the gorgeous star elf and her young accompanist. Returning to the table where Courynn and Talice sat, she found a fresh cup of mead and the jar of cream she’d requested earlier waiting, smirking as she plopped down wearily; “I guess I made quite an impression.” Taking a deep drink of the sweet, fermented liquid, which soothed her tired throat as it burned its way down, she met Courynn’s eyes as he smiled at her with the pride that she’d always wanted to see on her father’s face. But her joy at finally receiving the endorsement of her talents that she’d sought her whole life brought with it a pang of sadness, as it left him alone in the distain of the half-elven community’s prejudice. “I’m sorry… obviously you’re preparing to retire,” Talice stammered from the doorway, she was surprised to see Courynn wearing only a pair of light breeched and Nymara, who’d opened the door to their room at the boarding house with apparently no thought for modesty, in nothing but a nearly transparent chemise. She’d left the couple to return home for the evening but had been intercepted by a messenger. Stepping inside, she quickly regained her composure and advised them; “Dervila wants me to bring you to her in the morning.” “Alright,” he replied, more than a little annoyed at being summoned by the leader of the Masters like some subordinate after being completely ignored by her in the market square. Turning to leave, the half-elven druidess stopped in her tracks and looked back; “It isn’t fair that your actions go unrecognized… so if no one else will show you the appreciation you deserve… then I will!” Reaching out suddenly she took Courynn’s head between her hands, planting a deep passionate kiss on his lips. Caught completely by surprise he reacted on pure instinct, kissing her back until she pulled away and turned to do the same to Nymara, who was prepared to respond in kind.