The House of Good Fortune

[The Forgotten God]

A gambling den, favored by wealthier clientele. Horse racing, boxing, wrestling, and more are gambled on here, and if a client has enough money, special events can be requested....

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

The invitation had come soon after the Westerlander entourage had settled in, Ser Jason's squire had brought it personally to Reynard's chambers in the mighty castle. The name had made the Lord Treasurer very curious about the establishment: The House of Good Fortune, it sounded very Eastern. It ought to prove to be something exotic, maybe it was a tavern with foods and decorations from the far away lands of Yi Ti, beyond the Bone Mountains and south of the Jogos Nhai plains.

Reynard had been pretty excited.... Until he opened the establishment's door and realized the name was quite literal.

"Really, Jason?! Out of all the places in one of the mightiest cities in Westeros, you brought me to a Gambling House?!" He said incredulous, staring at all the different opportunities of wasting money that the place offered. "I had believed you were trying to help me have some fun."

[The Forgotten God]

The knight shrugged. "Quit bitching," he said. "They have chicken flavored with Lysene spices, close enough to culture for me," he said.

A busty woman smiled at the pair. "What will ou two be playing today?" Jason grinned.

"What do you say Reynard? Boxing or cards?"

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

"Oh no, ma'am. I don't do gambling, I'm just chaperoning the lad. Keeping him in check so he won't drink too much." Reynard said apologetically to the busty woman, he forced a smile. He had tried gambling once in Lannisport, right after he lost Elenya, it didn't go well. "But I'd love one of those chicken flavored with lysene spices he mentioned. And would you happen to have any exotic drinks from far away lands to wash it down?"

[The Forgotten God]

"Exotic? Aye my lord we got exptic," she promised. She checked his rich dress and nodded. "Tell the guard over there at the stairs Delena said to send you to the third floor. Best seats in the house and the best cooks too," she promised. "And much prettier women, except for me," she winked. Jason laughed and clapped Lord Serrett's back.

"I knew you had it in you," he said. "You sly fox, coming to a gambling house and then pretending the food is what matters!"

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

"That's great, Delena." Reynard said, smiling at the woman. When he had come in here, he had not expected that the place would actually have something distinct from the East. But hey, turns out Gambling wasn't their only trade and they might actually have something that would peak his interest like a child's. The mystery was exciting, what could it be? Maybe a flame eater from Asshai? Or a Snake enchanter? Best seats in the house, she had said. Maybe it was a full on Yi-Ti shadow theater! He had always wanted to attend to one of those.

"What do you...Oh no." He said turning to Sir Jason. His smile fading away as soon as he realized he might have misunderstood it all. The thing about being an overly polite person is that often you find yourself not being able to backtrack on decisions, in fear that you might upset someone. "Jason... What is this exotic thing?" He asked hushedly, trying to keep the other patrons from hearing.

[The Forgotten God]

The knight shrugged. "He'll if I know! Who knows what manner of insanity these Hoares purvey in!" He walked over to the guard and spoke to him, and the guard moved aside to let them ascend.

The third floor is sealed off, and the guards look at them long and hard before admitting them. A shirtless woman wearing a skirt walks over to the pair, a pale black haired girl from somewhere far away. She takes Reynard's hand, recognizing the money when she sees it. "Welcome," she purred, "I am Shin, how may I assist you this evening?" She nodded off to the side and a slightly less attractive girl came for Jason. She smiled at him. "Are you here for the eastern magic?" She whispered into his ear, her breath hot and smelling slightly of almonds.

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

"Jason... I think we are in too deep." This was making him somewhat uncomfortable. But surprisingly, at the same time, somewhat... exciting. There was no way back now, and everyone had told him he should enjoy new things, he might as well try to appreciate it. Reynard took a deep breath.

"Show us the magic, ladies..." Those words, he felt dirty, but good, but very dirty. He smiled at Jason and winked.

[The Forgotten God]

Shin nodded and led them to a table, where the smell of spicy chicken could wafted through the air. A hairless man with tattoos all over his body juggled fiery knives, and a woman played some sort of flute. Shin sat on Reynard's lap, she was only two inches shorter than him but her weight was scarcely noticeable as she reached over to a server and grabbed a drink. She arched the cup towards his lips. "From our lands, my lord," shebwhispered. "The Dragon's Caress. Reynard could identify perhaps the fact that rum was in it, the fruits were entirely unfamiliar.

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

Reynard raised an eyebrow at the drink, he was not very fond of rum (and most other strong alcohols), but the fruits in this piece made it quite enjoyable.

"Shin, is it?" The treasurer tried to start some small talk. "Where are you from exactly? You see, I have a great interest in the lands out in the East. Especially, Yi Ti. A thousand Gods, a hundred princes and one God-Emperor as described the great Lomas Longstrider. I wish to someday be able to gaze upon the Jade Gates, the gold flux that goes through that Route must be impressive, I wonder what system they use to keep track of all of it."

But clearly, he had no idea how to start a conversation with a normal human being.

[The Forgotten God]

Shin (actually Xin but no Westerosi would ever guess that) is far from a normal human being. "Would you like the truth," she whispered, letting her tongue tickle his ear a bit, "or some fantasy?" The drink is run but flavored with several fruits Reynard can't place, sweet and sour at the same time, with the wine of rice forming the backbone. "Our emperor is a god," she agreed, rotating slightly to straddle his lap, her breasts only inches from his face. "But who are you?" She asked. "The locals are rich but hardly full of...culture."

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

"Alright, I can't do this..." Yeah, those breasts in his face weren't helping Reynard get comfortable, neither was her crotch rubbing against his nethers. He was trying but this wouldn't work, even if the rum had been making him a little lightheaded. You can teach an old dog new tricks, it just takes a little longer. He wouldn't change in a single night.

"Ma'am... First, please, take a seat beside me. Then maybe we could try going a little slower?! Maybe talk a little more before we engage in something else." He smiled awkwardly, trying not to offend her. The was some sweat trickling down his forehead. "It's not you, definitely not you. You're beautiful. And so are your breasts. Your crotch can probably feel the truthiness of my words. But this... This isn't me. So, let's talk a little more about your homeland, I'll have some more drinks and we'll see where the night takes us."

[The Forgotten God]

Shin nodded and motioned for a robe. She put it on and sat across from him now. "Are you at least hungry and thirsty? Part of a business does involve spending money," she pointed out. "Fetch him the jade chicken with vegetables and rice!" She demanded. "What do you wish to know? Of the river of gold, or perhaps Black a dragon Mountain and the Mirror Lake below?" She snirked. "Usually our guests only need to know what the Jade Empire...looks like."

Jason is actually somewhT paying attention, but one of the exotic drinks seems to require him to drink it off his companion's body so he is slightly distracted.

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

"Much better!" Reynard was genuinely happy now. He could actually breathe without her on top of him. "Alright, let's start from the beginning, eh?! My name is Reynard Serrett, Lord Treasurer. I'm from Siverhill, a beautiful little castle is the Westerlands. I wish to know more about you, my lady. Were you born in a small town? Do you have any family? " the treasurer smiled, he knew he was doing it the wrong way. He didn't have to talk her into bedding him, he just paid and she did the thing. But call Lord Serrett one thing, call him an old school romantic.

"Shin, I want you to be comfortable tonight." He caressed her face. And waved for someone to bring her a drink and a plate. "I'm not used to this whole thing, so at least I'd like to believe that you're also having a good time."

[The Forgotten God]

Shin chuckled. "I must allow myself a moment of honesty,@ she said. "I am Xin Zheng, and this is my establishment. Anyone who has wed a princess of House Lannister is someone who I am aware of," she said. "But your nobility to a nameless courtesan is noted." She let her viper shaped eyes widen with amusement. The food comes out piping hot and spicy as hell. "So then, this Silverhill, is the name literal?"

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

Reynard raised an eyebrow at the new information, then, after a couple seconds, let out a small grin. He liked being kind to people and also liked getting special treatment, so that was a combo he got there. That way of thinking would probably get him killed sooner or later, but he didn't like to dwell on that thought.

"Miss Zheng, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He smiled kindly at her. "That is a tricky question to be answered, ma'am. It's not literal, as in it's not a hill made out of pure silver. But it's a hill, and it has some silver mines and so do the others in the region." Reynard raises his glass silently, his eyes enthralled by the woman's seducing foreign gaze. "The mines are actually quite uninteresting themselves if you'll allow myself a moment of honesty." He winked at her. "When I was but a small kid, when I first visited one of those, I was expecting shiny chrome walls. But turns out its just dirt and rocks."

[The Forgotten God]

Xin nodded along. "I have seen mines," she agreed. "Big holes with dirty workers. But they build this," she waved her hand casually. "If my men had told me you enjoyed our culture so I'd have visited you privately...long before now," she said. The food she picks at is delicious, cumin and some green pepper giving it a potent bite.

"Your are not like your friend," she said, as Jason was playing a drinking game with another man and three women. "Sometimes that is good. Sometimes..." she looked dismissive. "That is not living, numbers all day. How does one quantify a good night?"

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

"Well, I imagine one could devide the number of hours slept by..." He paused for a bit, putting her question into context. "Nevermind, that was rhetorical."

"The truth is, Miss Zheng. I was never like that. " Reynard nodded towards Jason, then poured her another glass of rum. "But neither was I always like this. I believe I once lived in a healthy halfway between the two. But I've had bad times in my life, and the only way I found to get over them was through work. Some men drink, some men gamble, I work."

"But I'm learning to be a little less like that." He finished his glass and poured some more. "The simple fact that I'm here is proof that I'm trying. And, with all my heart, this is turning out to be much better than I had expected. So cheers for us."

[The Forgotten God]

"Cheers to life," she agreed and drank. She smiled. "Now then, what sort of eastern magic can make your night the experience you desire?" Jason is being led off for some of his preferred style at the moment.

"I'll be back for you!" He laughed.

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

"The night is still very young, my lady, and for now I am enjoying what we have for the moment." Reynard smiled comfortably. "Tell me your story, how did Lady Shin Zheng from the far away east end up in the centre of Ironborn society? But I don't want made up stories, I want to meet the real Shin."

"That unless you actually now some type of magic, in that case I'd love to see some of it." He nodded excitedly like a child.

[The Forgotten God]

"Real stories have pain and sadness," Xin said. "But I ended up here simply because my family's business expanded this far, after four centuries of steady growth. My father said I could work for his...establishments or I could own one," she added, "the choice was quite simple. A sixth daughter has few choices in life, but even I could pick that one out."

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

"I must beg your forgiveness for the question then, my lady." Reynard said grimly, upset with himself. With all the privilege and pomp he had been raised with as a major westerosi Lord, he hardly ever stopped to think that his hardships were nothing compared with those of the common folk. "I did not have the intention to pry into your past and bring up bad memories. It was just curiosity about the life of people in the east."

"But then, continue your tales. Have you ever been to the great Jade Gates? Have you met the Emperor? Are your lands as rich and fertile as legends tell?" His voice showed genuine interest not on her breasts, not on her figure but on her as a human being.

[The Forgotten God]

"No one meets the emperor, save his Golden General and his concubines," she said. "Such is forbidden. The gates are three hundred feet tall, and made of enchanted green jade, warded against intruders from Leng or the women fighters of the north." She chuckled. "I was being dramatic. A ninth child was I," to a family who owns a third of the western districts of Yi Ti." She leaned in. "I have the black bridge in volantis and the fortress you call Dragonstone." She moved her fingers up his leg. "What have you seen?"

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

His eyes widened with amusement, he envied the girl and all her journeys. One day, he dreamed, he'd board a ship and sail across the four corners of the world, visiting all the places he had read about in his books.

"Nowhere, actually... I've never got to leave the Westerlands, I've always lived in Silverhill and Casterly Rock, which is a beautiful place but nothing that could be compared to the wonders of the East, or even Harrenhal and the Eyrie to be sincere." Reynard said, a little dispirited. "I'd love to have seen Dragonstone during its years of glory before the Ironborn came. In fact, since I became Treasurer, I have hoped that the King would send me to run errands in Pentos, so I could lay my eyes upon the valyrian beauty of the Targaryens and their dragons."

(I just intend to talk, so we can have a fade to black and then come back to Rey saying his farewells to Shin).

[The Forgotten God]

///

By the time Jason comes back, Reynard has had more drinks and expressed his desires to travel anywhere save where he actually lives. Xin is a perfect hostess and listens intently, and the knight looks at the treasurer. "Looks like you had fun," he said, looking at his shirt, which he'd buttoned wrong so it was uneven now.

"I am glad to have met you, my lord," Xin said. "Please come back anytime."

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

"It was an honor, ma'am." Reynard said with a smile, kissing Xin's hand. He hadn't had an evening like that in ages, he felt so fresh and youthful. "I will. Do you play cyvasse, my lady? I'll bring us a board next time and if you don't know how to play it, I can teach you. It's fun, I hope I'm not bothering you." He smiled awkwardly.

"Jason..." He said approaching his comrade in arms, giving him a little punch on the shoulder. "Thank you so much for this."

[The Forgotten God]

"I would sooner play Go," she said. "The cultural significance of your game makes me understand why you lot are always at war," she smiled. Jason nodded as they slaked out.

"She is...seven above," he said, "I've ever seen a woman like her, even among her employees."

[Lord Reynard Serrett]

"She is, isn't she?" Reynard said dreamily, opening the street door for Jason.

"Now now, my Prince is probably after me. I'll see you soon, Ser." He bowed to the knight and made his way back to the Keep.