Abel closes his eyes, remembering the scene that played in rapid recall Comfort and fire, two figures blocked by shadows bow. The pleasant sound of a soft crackling fire linger. Abel takes a breathe, That is what i remember.
"At least it doesn't sound like anything unpleasant," Serephina mused. "A meeting of two people in warm room seems a lot better than most visions. I'm guessing if we see something like that we should act on it."
Twas a campfire actually, outdoors. Which strikes me as odd considering where i am.
"Two people had visions? I consider myself a somewhat religious man. If you ask me, that's no coincidence. You really know how to pick them, hon. Did you see the fortune teller to line 'em up?" Morganna stays almost completely stone-faced, but still cracks the faintest smile when Kal talks to her anyway.
"Hardly. Yet... the street you mentioned for the Tar Pit is in fact also home to that snake isn't it?" Morganna looks at her employees before finishing.
"'Mama' Graymand. Bishop?" Bishop nods at Morganna's request before she even asks and produces checks for each of the guests near the door.
Morganna gets out of her seat."We should be off. Oh and keep the weapons you four. On site security or not, it lends a certain air of validity to ones words to have a few points to press." The chamberlain moves to lead the party and hold the doors for them as they go. Somehow he manages to move from the front to the back of the group repeatedly without appearing to rush while doing so.
---------
The party makes their way down to the same stop they boarded the Excess Express at just a couple of days ago. There they are met with a very different response from the assortment of people in the area. Rather than either a split between complete non-response or hushed gossip, folks seem to crowd in near Morganna and Kal. By extension, near the party as well. Bishop does his best to deflect attention from his Lady, but there are enough press junkies that it simply doesn't work especially well. A barrage of questions flow in from the common folk, some of which can be made out. Among others:
"As the CEO of Goldtrust Finance does the Festival make any new business opportunities?" This directed at Kal.
"Are those weapons real? Follow-up question, can I hold one?"
"Are they your bodyguards? What about the skinny guy in black?"
"Why is one of them carrying just a shield? You can't hit people with that you know."
"Is it true that the two of you are dating?" This directed at Kal and Morganna.
Whatever the answer to these questions, Kal and Morganna stay tight lipped on their end. Reporters crop up into view as the tram reaches the station.
"Time to leave."
"Oh yeah." Kal concurs with Bishops observation and hustles to the tram with Morganna in tow.
-------------------------
The group is lead to the back where six seats have been kept clear. Bishop stands. The trip is clear and quiet to the uptown area. And a short one given the proximity of the Ainsworth Estate to the ritzy part of the city. The party catches sight of many people wearing clothing almost as pricey-looking as Morganna. Not that the other two are slouches themselves. Morganna's red day-dress is still quite a notch above.
The streets are lined with clothing stores, hotels, restaurants, Cafes, an entrance to the subway, and all manner of niche stores that could only survive through proximity to clientele with enough money to support an expensive hobby.
The street sign reads "Castle Rd." as the Tar Pit comes into view. Also worth noting on the street as you make your way there is a branch of Goldtrust Finance, a hotel, and a human fellow being denied entry to the Pit by a fairly large lizardfolk bouncer in what is evidently the uniform consisting of a dark blue jacket with the employee's name "Runek" stitched in white on one side and the restaurants symbol on the other. The symbol also white, resembles an elephant or mammoth? Hard to tell, falling into a pool while giving a thumbs-up and a smile.
What do ya mean I'm not on the list?!!
Mindos throws his hands up in frustration. Listen bud. I'm not some random guy trying to bluff his way in to free food. If I was, I'd already been in there by now, I'm supposed to be here! Check the list again! He paces back and forth on the sidewalk, ruffling his hair a bit. Can this day get any worse! He notices his employer out of the corner of his eye, and turns to face them. Er... Hello there!
"Hello." Serephina glanced over at the others. It wasn't really there business...but on the other hand, she felt a odd desire to help the young fellow out. "Having trouble with the guest list?"
"I already checked the list punk. Yelling at me won't put your name down. The Ainsworth reservation was made at approximately 12:35 yesterday, and 'Mindos Rakhir' isn't on it."
The bouncer folds his arms and begins to stare down the man making a scene.
"Ainsworth?" Serephina asked brightly. "That sounds familiar. Don't suppose 'Serephina Drakyos' is on that one, is it?" She paused for a moment. "That would be me."
Runek turns an eye to the lady speaking to him before looking down to the clipboard in his hand. A slight nod follows.
"Mmhmm. Yes, ma'am. As well as Abel -no last name given-, Azrael, Bishop and the lady herself Morganna Ainsworth, Gwynn Cleary, Lanliss Seldlon. And Mr. Savard. Welcome back sir." Kal responds to the bouncers acknowledgement with an exaggerated bow. Morganna nods for Bishop to move forward.
"Hmm. Unfortunate. My Apologies. I am Bishop of house Ainsworth. The reservation we sent yesterday has become out-of-date I'm afraid. Mr. Seldlon will not be arriving I'm afraid. I contacted Mr. Rakhir last night in hopes he would be willing to fill the seat. Again, my sincerest apologies for the confusion Runek. I know workplaces have obligations and information to sort through. Errors like mine are inexcusable. I hope you weren't held up too long Mr. Rakhir?"
Gwynn shoots Kek'Ra a look. I hope that that isn't a hobby that you indulge in oftentimes. She said, noting the new face and waving to him after he said hello, then waves again as Kal say her name amongst the introductions.
Mindos nods to the group in greetings.
He holds up a hand at Bishops apology. No, no, it's fine. Honest mistake. He turns to Runek. My apologies for getting too... agressive.
he isn't wearing armor.
The doorman waves off both apologies. "Yeah, yeah. Look y-. Uh... Who's that one talking to?" He points a thumb in the direction Gwynn's looking.
"...Um. Well, uh..." Kal seems unable to offer an answer.
"Hardly very important now, is it?" Morganna is entirely unentertained by the .
"Certainly. Right this way folks."
Serephina also wondered about Gwynn's conversation, but she'd been around her long enough to not think her mad. Most people weren't mentally compelled to heal people when asked, after all. It was just one of the oddities of her magic.
She followed along, wondering what the menu would be like.
Just Abel is indeed correct, if i do have a last name it is unknown to me. Though i have taken the title Wanderer as of late Abel responds with a smile, turning a greeting to the newcomer greetings
Mindos replays the scene in his head. Huh...... who was she talking to? He handwaves it off as some sort of magic, and follows along with the group.
The bouncer/doorman opens the glass doors under the canopy for the party and guests, mentally keeping count of how many people he's letting in. The sounds of the club inside are muted in this entrance hallway, lined with portraits of the countryside, and the interior of what must be the Tar Pit's previous location. It seems on the small side and rather bare for the prestige Kal implied about it.
But the vibrations through the wall and floor make it clear there's some lively action awaiting. Sure enough, the next door opens and a loud drumbeat erupts almost on cue.
The dance floor is at least thirty feet around and packed with scaled members of Caldaen society. The tables on the sides, also full with reptilian patrons. Some smoking, though all on one side of the building, some already looking like they've had too much to drink. The lights are bright, illuminating several kobold and lizardfolk servers hustling to and fro, a bar attended by two nagaji, an especially rare sight, identical to one another.
The band mentioned is playing on the other side of the building, three different lizardfolk on piano, clarinet and guitar respectively, a kobold on the sax, a slightly taller kobold-at least three and a half feet tall-on trumpet, and a very distinct figure on the drum set with a snake-like head, but the body of a human woman. A slanaad without a doubt.
"Oh, these guys are great. More of a fan of their newer stuff, though. Our reservations over here." Kal remarks exitedly to a large booth against the right wall, currently the only clearly unoccupied seating in the house. Bishop follows along, keeping an eye on anyone who happens to stray a hair too close to Morganna, who for her part seems to be reserving judgement so far.
Everyone manages to seat themselves comfortably, partly in thanks to Bishop choosing to remain standing. After a couple minutes to settle in, their waitress approaches. The kobold's dull black scales and slight sluggishness are telltale signs of age. She speaks in the voice of a woman who either gargles rocks, or has a lifetime of smoking behind her.
"’Ey, folks, waddya want?" She pulls out a pen and order booklet.
[spoiler=DC 23 Perception]Amid the smoke of cigarettes and cigars,
a faint unmistakable aroma of sulfur wafts through the room.
Serephina's eyes widened at the sight of the Slanaad, and her head bobbed to it in recognition but did nothing else to draw attention to it. Well, other than watching it on drums. It wasn't exactly subtle.
Smiling at the waitress as she approached, Serephina nodded and looked at the menu, Serephina scanned through. "Vegetable Chilli on a veg and pasta base topped with a strong cheddar cheese, please. A spiced red wine too, if you wouldn't mind?"
a faint unmistakable aroma of sulfur wafts through the room.
Hmm, that is big, Gwynn said to Kek'ra. Does he look mean? She asked, then half-flinched when said big man makes an appearance and points to where she was staring. She opens her mouth to answer, closes it when she realizes better, then tries once again. A bird. She said.
Entering into the club, Gwynn turns to her team and says. It's quite loud here. She said. The woman who raised me would hate it here. She nods. It's nice, though.
Gwynn orders a plate stuffed mushrooms and and a glass of sparkling white wine, setting her finger on the Roaring 20 and asking Kal, Have you ever had this before?
As she takes in the smell of cigars, a smell she normally loves, she cringes with a new sensation. Anyone else smell sulfer? She asked.
"Mm-hmm. Love the chili." The waitress comments while she scribbles down decidedly less than one would expect given the orders thusfar.
Kal looks over to the Roarin' 20 as Gwynn points to it with a modest smile. "Ooh. Let me tell you. If you want to be completely sure you can't remember the last couple of days, that's the drink for you."
"Why would I want to forget the last couple of days?" A flash of memory back to the fight made Serephina wince. "Actually, I think I'll try one..."
I will have the stuffed mushrooms and green tea Abel says politely smiling, I smell nothing, though i am becoming used to the smells of the city. He responds with a slight grimace.
Mindos looked through the menu. I guess I'll have the chili. And some red wine. Thanks.
Mindos notices nothing.
Gwynn nods in aggreement with Seraphina. Don't make it sound too tempting now. She said. Last couple of days 'ave been rough. In particular, she wouldn't mind forgetting she died.
To forget would be an insult, death is not the end but a beginning to a new adventure. All experiences can be learned from, always seek growth.
"But I really, really want to forget." With a sigh she looked at the waitress. "Would an orange juice with a twist of lime be possible?"
No need to tell me twice, Abel, Gwynn said with a thin smile, looking at Kek'ra.
In that case, luv, orange juice ain't gonna cut it. I'm sure if we split the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster Roarin' 20, we might even survive it. She said, herself not really willing to actually entertain the notion of drinking such a drink.
The truth does sometimes bear repeating youngling He responds with his usual calm smile
The waitress seems well-practiced in ignoring the idle-chatter of the guests. "The smell's the Pit hon. Sometimes the gases leaks inside. I'll have our guy take care of it for ya. I'll startcha with one Roarin' 20 and we can see where it goes from there." She acknowledges each of the orders in turn, rarely looking down to her notebook with slightly sunken eyes.
"You gettin' your usual, sugar?" Cheryl asks Kal, who confirms quite enthusiastically. His hat is on the convenient coat hanger.
Morganna takes her turn ordering "Make me a cobb salad, without the meat of course. Add olives to it -the green ones- and please don't overload it with watercress."
"I'll see what I can do, hon. Whats tall, dark and handsome want?" Apparently she's referring to Bishop.
"A black tea if you would, please."
The kobold takes the menus from the group and vanishes into the crowd for a moment. Before leaving, she produces several copies of Calwelds local paper, the Daily Grind. Morganna breaks the silence with a question.
"So. I have been wondering something. What do you wish for as private security under my employment? Obviously you may have questions of your own. I feel that given the events of the past few days a time to unwind and perhaps a bit of clarity could help us both." Morganna directs a calm, inquisitive eye to her employees, both prospective and otherwise.
"Experiences," Seraphina replied. "I grew up in a Monastery. It was safe, comfortable and stable, but every day was the same. Kalmistra teaches that I should my gifts to help those who need it, and I don't actually have a choice in that. But I wanted to see the world too. This seemed like a good way to do it."
Darling, I am sixty-three years old. I can't imagine that you are much older, Gwynn said, still flattered that some still think her young in any way other than that of an Outsider's perspective.
Gwynn then takes the paper, perusing it as Morganna talks, looking for anything of note, or anything related to them, however unlikely.
Eighty four actually, to me most of you are still children in both mind and body. Abel responds with a chuckle, As for why i'm here, I received a vision to find and save someone from something. Abel seems to be being purposefully vague about this once that's accomplished i must be leaving i did not receive the title" The Wanderer" for nothing after all. Until I complete my objective i am stuck here, as such i am in need of coin and combat happens to be a skill Lord Soriel ensured that i knew before leaving the Temple.
Mindos speaks up.
A long time ago, my life was saved by someone, and I'm still trying to figure out who that someone is. This can help me meet those who'd be able to give me answers.
He takes a paper and starts reading it.
The sporting section is advertising two upcoming events for the festival: The Ries tetrathalon. An infamously brutal course filled with both hazards and spectators, sometimes one and the same. It's allegedly an abridged version of the travels of Saint Ries and the challenges she overcame during her legendary years of travel so long ago. They probably didn't get the actual Wendigo for an appearance.
Also taking up ad space is the Tournament of the Damned. This creatively named fightin' time is an event created as, shockingly, a performance of combat. The twist that makes this one interesting for prospective entrants is the timing of it. As the Festival occurs, fighters from around the world have the rare opportunity to converge on the stage of history. And the chance to meet Calayas Hightower in person.
Both attractions are sponsored by the church of Ashtoreth.
There's a job section with separate offers for a stablehand, a low-end position on a factory line, and an apprenticeship for one of the few evocation guilds in search for a new pyromantic engineer.
A rather out of place help wanted ad is inserted into the paper this time around. It offers a reward for taking care of a pest problem in the basement of a wealthy merchants house. The sum proposed is somewhat below the paygrade of people like the party members.
And of course, a military recruitment advertisement, featuring a human soldier in caldaen uniform saluting into the sky with a boot on the back of a winged humanoid with a defeated look on it's deformed face. "Stay Vigilant! The enemy could be anywhere!"
There's also the comic section. In it, a man gets hit in the head with a coconut. In the next panel he moves to the right. Then he gets hit in the head by two coconuts.
"Well. Those are certainly not the answers I expected for the most part. I do hope you will find what it is you seek. Some goals are of course more open-ended than others." Morganna sounds more contemplative than usual.
"...So, this band doesn't have a singer? Seems like a waste."
Kal looks up momentarily "Well, they do. And they don't. Their more recent setlist has a singer, but he's not out there at the moment."
"Huh. Wonder if the singer will be along, then." Serephina shrugged. It didn't seem like they had that unusual a mix in terms of goals, but she was woefully short on life experience. Perhaps the boss had been expecting more in the way of 'fat stacks of gold coin!' or 'Honour!' or 'To woe you!'. Although the last one did sound fun...
The front page headline reads LOCAL VIGILANTES SAVE HIGHTOWER DISTRICT ONCE AGAIN! and attached is an image of 5 individuals posing next to part of a large creature lying in the street. The article explains that yesterday this creature escaped from an offshore containment facility. It was then that the five figures in color-coded attire and distinct helms appeared from out of no where to defend the city before vanishing once more.
A report in the corner of the back page mentions strange disturbances in the industrial district last night. Witnesses complained of noises and headaches due to a large group of monks walking aimlessly through the streets in the dead of night.
Morganna is silently reading the last section with intent.
"Oh, thats right! They have backstage guests sometimes. He's probably there. I hope this push for a paper system goes through. A fiat currency would do wonders for just the sake of convenience alone." Kal sets his paper aside with satisfaction.
Bishop silently stands with stiff posture, peering over the booth the party sits at momentarily. He seems to be looking into the back corner where the lighting in the high ceiling doesn't quite reach all the way.
Soon enough the waitress returns with a display of expert balance skills. Bishop offers a hand regardless.
The chili comes in a ceramic bowl with breadsticks. The red wine bottle she hands off to herself from its position in her tail reads on the label as Oolone Mountain Spirits, one of those expensive brands. "I'll have the white wine out in just a sec, luv."
The stuffed mushrooms have easy to spot cheese oozing out of some of them, with a side of melted butter available. Morganna's "Cobb" salad is well-prepared enough, if plain. Leafy greens, egg and tomato.
Tea's come in a mug. You get the sense that there are no dedicated tea cups. Then there's the Roarin' 20 placed in the center of the table, brushing aside a couple dessert menu's to make way for the massive drink. It comes in a chrome flagon with an o-ring reinforcing the seal on the lid as well as stainless steel cups.
"If ya finish it, it's free." The waitress leaves at a relaxed pace despite the bustling restaurant.
"...My salad is wrong."
"Ooh no. That's a shame. Still! I have a question. What do you guys do for fun? I know you've been working for Ginny for like, two days, but still. I do some travelling and impressions."
"No, none of you are allowed to call me Ginny." Morganna seems to be pre-empting the use of Kal's pet nickname.
Fun? Abel seems somewhat confused or at the least lost ,
I do not know...I have spent my life training and traveling, I guess i do not have hobbies.
"Darn, there goes my next request for a bonus," Serephina said with a small smile. She takes a small spoonfull of the chilli and chews for a moment. "Hmmm. I can still feel my toungue, so it's not too hot."
Taking a sip of wine, she added, "Fun? I...don't know. Dancing, mostly. I like to dance. Reading, although we had to sneak in some of the more fun books. Some of the Monks had views on books that deal with worldly matters."
Ginny! Gwynn thought, trying to hold back a smile. As it was, all she wanted to do was call
I read and I drink. Sometimes at the same time, Gwynn said, picking at her stuffed mushrooms, then pointed to the band. When I was younger and I had more time, I'd try and watch as many performances like this as possible. Well, not exactly like this, but I like live music. Especially when dinner is provided.
She turns to Seraphina with a wide grin. What kind of fun books? She asked. Fun books? Or fun books, hm?
"Both," Serephina laughed. "They tended to find the fun books a lot faster though, so I never got to read many of them." They had been educational. Well, sort of. She was still a little fuzzy on the idea of how some bits worked.
We keep the fun books at the back of my library, Gwynn said, running her fingers along the rim of her glass. We used to keep 'em in the front, but some of the clients complained for various reasons.
"Library, eh? You might just be one of the ten people on the planet my sister could get along with."
"No hobbies? hmm. That won't do. How do you train? That could be kind of a hobby." Kal strikes up a conversation and the remaining drinks come out. The wine is the same brand as before, and the OJ comes with a lime on the glass.
Morganna pushes her salad away from herself. "Excuse me, I did not want tomato on this."
The waitress pauses for the first time that you've seen. "Sorry 'bout that." Before taking the bowl and heading back to the kitchen back in time with her previous pace.
Training would have to be, it's one of the few things i did. I also spent a lot of time reading old training manuals and meditating. My training however was a lot of waiting and watching for signs, trying to find meaning or learn from the thing around me. Watching the various animals, ants, the river move and work while i stood still. Contact with other people was somewhat limited, at least until i left Greywater temple. I sent some time traveling from town to town, village to city. Helping people, giving advice and assistance where needed. So i guess traveling is a hobby of mine, i've certainly done it enough.
Taking another bite, Seraphina considered. "I've never really trained. Mostly I just...do...the things I want to do."
|
Azrael, whose thoughts have been drifting as the conversation went on, shyly smiled at Seraphina's remark "A blessing then, training can be pretty extenuating. I know mine was at times."
The paladin relaxed a bit now that he had a way into the conversation "I certainly enjoyed it, though, but can't call it a hobbie. Engineering, on the other hand... I wish I was half as competent as enthusiast. I find the perfection of machines, how a mind put through effort achieved it... Inspiring."
"Oh yeah, I could never get into machines. I swear they hate me. A few years in law school and some public education did plenty to get me where I am. Not so much uh, combat training. I guess my natural cunning and prowess were plenty. *Snerk* sorry, I can't even say that with a straight face." Kal waves his hand as he opens the large flagon of the Roarin' 20.
"A private tutor was my parents choice of education. It was for the best really." Morganna absent-mindedly adds her experience while she looks at the murmuring bar goers at the floor. Their attention seems to be directed at the stage with the performers having finished their previous song.
"New question now..." He looks around the room with a cartoonishly devious smile. With a hiss of steam the still bubbling, yet cold liquid inside is exposed to the air. A sweet, yet not too strong aroma wafts over the table, drowning out the smell of sulfur and cigarettes.
"Who's gonna help me finish this?"
A moment after Kal offers his request/challenge a commotion emerges from the dance floor in front of the stage. Cheering and whooping comes from the crowd as another lizardfolk emerges from backstage. A snappy white and black pinstripe suit cover him head to toe as he reaches down to give high-fives to the crowd with his gloved hands.
Kal mentions"That's gonna be the really good stuff to dance to."