Narnel looks around, nodding to each as they introduce themselves. Finally he stops at the woman, realizing he doesn't know her name yet. "And you are, Miss?" He gives a small smile to each of the others, a look which doesn't come easily to him. "It is a pleasure to meet you all."
He turns to Zareby for a moment, explaining. "I was simply going to give them a bit of coin for their performance, and was invited for a drink. I thought it rude to abandon our conversation though without warning. So, I believe we both are invited."
Clasping her hands together the dancer bows her head respectfully to the group. "My name is Rashmi"
Glancing about cautiously, he takes notice of the dancer's withdrawal. Despite her eyes being downcast,they cast light into his dark world. Rashmi He took a note in his head. Despite her exotic looks, something about her reminded him of his mother. And he thought it odd that he actually didn't detest her.
"Please let us go get a drink. The names Zareby Grenache, Rorsius, Rashimi, and Narnel shall forever be cause for a song in my heart."
An impish giggle comes from behind the gathering "Would you know the ogre and the candle maker? I so like that one" A pale gnome with a freakishly large smaile looks at the group " Did someone say a drink, I do find my self thirsty I'm kratos By the way" She says as she skips about the group 'You guys look intresting, I like intresting people, and I like stories" She flashs the group a thoughly gnomish smile the kind a human face could never make
Rashmi gives a genuine smile at the gnome's enthusiatic attitude. "It seems the table we'll need is growing quickly in size" She remarks lightly as she watches the other woman move around excitedly.
Narnel is rather confused by the appearance of the gnome, but not overly surprised anymore. As he said before, this socialization does seem to be a disease, now that they have chatted more just continue to spawn around them. By the end of the night there will certainly be the whole town at their table.
He nods his head to the newcomer though as she introduces herself. I am Narnel. He tilts his head towards Rashmi and gives another small smile, trying to make a joke though it comes a bit awkwardly. If any further newcomers are of like size, our table will not need to grow so quickly."He clears his throat after as if regretting the attempt, hanging back for the others to begin to move inside first.
Kratos smile grows even wider, a bit distrbing to behold." Is that a short joke" She laughs with impish giggle "Oh , I like you Mr.tall pointy ears."
Haha, this group is surely a motley crew. But, forgive my ramblings why don't make our way to tavern where we might get to know each other better. Oh, did I mention that the first rounds are on me. Come I am sure the the stories that will be shared will be as varied as it's members He starts to walk toward the tavern and in a polite way gestures the party in the direction. as he chuckles Kratos I am sure your tale will be the tallest of all to top. I am sorry Kratos but I do not know the story of the Ogre and Candlemaker, but I would be grateful if you would enlighten with the tale.
Narnel touches the tips of his ears a bit self-consciously, then can't help but give the gnome a smile. "Fair enough, little one. I believe our musical friend has a fair idea in this. Let us make our way inside. This tavern will be crowded tonight with spectators for the tournament. It will be good to claim a table early if we all are going to sit together."
With his normal discomfort in conversation in mind, it may seem odd when Narnel moves ahead of the group to find one of the servers and ask them to find them a spot, waving the group to the table once it is secured, but there seems to be a bit of warmth to him that has been missing thus far.
Jean-Paul sat at the bar nursing the brandy he had ordered. It was certainly no Chelaxian red, but it was pretty good none the less. As he mulled over the upcoming gambling tornament and his chances of getting noticed by the manger of the event, a large group of people moved in from outside.
"well now" he thought to himslef "this looks to be an interesting group". His five years abord the Siron's Song had allowed him a wide selection of experiences, so he could tell when something unusal was occuring.
Shifting in his seat, he turnd to listen more carefully to their conversation, not paricularly caring if they observed him or not. One of the group carried some type of instrument, perhaps he was a performer worth noting. The human girl had certainly caught his eye, "Hmmm, very interesting indeed".
Rorsius Walked steadily in the midst of the group, glad to remain silent. He had no need to voice any opinion and no sharp reply. He followed the group in took a seat at the appointed table with a seat facing the entrance. He Glanced about the table and took a series of meticoulous mental notes.
"Met with group. I fear I cannot discover the source of the blot on my own. Five of them. Narnel, Elven Intelectual type. Morose. Hardly removed gaze from Cyphergate-Is this the man to help me figure out the source of Blakely's 'Atmospheric Shadow'? Zareby, Human-Unsure of him. Content to let absurd concepts of fate guide him. A gambler. A gamble himself.Leux, Half blood-Not like me. The elven type. Performer. Those types usually have friends, and plenty. Could prove useful. If nothing Else-I like his music. Kratos-gnome lady...different. Again, this is one i'm not sure of. Rashmi....Human...Foreign, a beauty. Graceful. Caught my eye. Something good and true about her. Something-"
His note is interupted as he catches the blue eyes of a human. Someone onto his plan? His eyes instinctively narrowed and he let his canines show for a moment of brevity. He quickly bit down upon his lip to hide the scowl.
"Someone is watching us."
One of them at least had seen him watching, and it didn't look like they'd enjoyed it. The fghter smiled, knowing the next few moments could prove entertaining either way.
He slipped a wink at the small red headed man and raised his Brandy in an almost mocking salute. Somewhere inside, his conscience scolded his arrogence, but he mentally shrugged and ran with the show.
"Let's see where this goes" he thought to himself, hoping he wouldn't land himself in the brig on his first night in Riddleport.
Rashmi moves with consideration, hanging back to allow others to chose their seats before seating herself. She does pause however as Rorsius speaks, her gaze following his to the man at the bar. With a polite smile she inclines her hed in a bow of greeting to the watcher before returning her attention to the group. "We are a rather interesting looking group, you can't blame people for looking"
Politely takes a seat, and removes his hat. That we are, an interesting group indeed takes a mental note of Rorsius quick aggressive burst quietly he saysYes I see him too He waves the nearest server I will take a glass of your finest brandy, and I will cover the rest of my fine group. When the server takes everybody's order he simply asks in a jovial manner What brings all of you, my fine friends, here? Besides the tournament of course
Well, it looked as if they weren't here to fight at least. When the girl acknowledged him with a smile and a nod, the young fighter took it as a cue. Standing from the bar, he moved over to the table where the group had taken up their seats. Grabbing a nearby chair, he reverses it and sits, with his arms crossed over its back, carefully holding his Brandy sifter so as not spill the dark liquor.
"Well met! he states boldly to the group in general "Are you all here for your chance to Cheat the Devil? He smiles as he asks the question, hoping to disarm any tension his uninvited arrival might cause. Something his old etiquette tutor had taught him as a boy.
Seeing the new comer swagger over she noticed the roll of his legs, that mean seems to have spent some time on a ship. Good she though this group is interesting she could almost smell the conflict coming off the redheaded one. Yeah it was in the air around this group this will be fun " Hummm never cheated a devil before, knew a man called em self the green haired devil, he got eaten by a shark. We had to disembowel him and push him over the side first, was a lovely frenzy though" She cheerfully as she munches on a bread roll.
Ah, little one sounds like you do have some stories to tell. Cheating the devil, huh. I beleive that act can only be done once. For if done you might want to either off that plane or long gone before it notices. Haha
"Well met! he states boldly to the group in general "Are you all here for your chance to Cheat the Devil? He smiles as he asks the question, hoping to disarm any tension his uninvited arrival might cause. Something his old etiquette tutor had taught him as a boy.
"Yep, and I'm going to take him for all he's worth."
Zareby edges away from the gnome slightly. "Well, that's interesting. So, why did you disembowel him in the first place?"
Looking over at Zareby and staring at him with her dark red eyes, like small pools of blood she smiles "Oh that, eh we had a disagreement. The look upon his face as Scrgos gutted him and we sent his soul to Besmara was priceless I tell ya. It's like that on the sea sometimes. Watch your back and don't be pissing off ones crew, or the priest" She giggles and slaps the table "Ho, it where funny though" She seems to give Zareby and appraising look." Say your a cute one. Ever find interesting uses for that scarf?" She says with a wink
Rashmi listens intently to the gnomes words, her expression difficult to read as she politely refrains from any comment. She does however clear her throat at Kratos' remark on interesting uses for Zareby's scarf. She doesn't seem embaressed by the topic, more finding it inappropriate as a topic for a first meeting.
"Well Met... He adresses the new entry. Something in his voice sounds less than sincere. But he does his best to keep an open mind."Remain optimistic. He tells himself in an almost insulting manner."Maybe I shouldn't talk to myself so much." He cant help but smile at the irony of telling himself that . And at Leux's question of why they are all there, he leans forward and tells them in a gravely whisper, soft as to make those who'd listen pay attention."The shadow in the sky is more than some random occurrence. It is something of great consequence. Someone in Riddleport or the festering city itself has become so corrupt that it's no longer content to cast it's grotesque bubbling shadow on the soil, but now grows so bold as to cast it upon the sky.Perhaps a natural defense against things that dare shine light upon it's filth. Someone here is connected to the blot. Someone knows something there not letting anyone find out. Something is behind this evil. I plan to find out what." Content with his explanation, he leans back and watches closely for reactions.
Rashmi bows her head a little to Rorsius, a faint smile on her lips. "A noble goal" She responds simply and politely, no hint of approval or disapproval in her tone.
Rorsius takes the faint smile as all the approval he needs. He prides himself on reading people, even if it's wrong. He nod's back at her"Do not confuse me for a noble man Rashmi, instead know that I am a driven Creature, given direction by the unwashed masses and ignoble world I was born into." He replies dryly, as if parched."Cheers." says his gravely voice as he takes a sip of the brandy and raises a mocking cheer, directed especially at the newcomer.
Jean-Paul's eyes widen a little as the Gnome goes into details about the shark frenzy. "Aye, you do have to be careful at sea. On land occasionally too I've been told. Tis too easy to slip and accidentally gut yourself on someone esles knife. And from what my old captain used to say, you should never annoy the cleric. 'Course, he was talking about a card game.".
The sailor also listens to the others at the table and laughs easily as the lanky one with the scarf talks of taking the devil for all he's worth. There was a sentiment he could live with.
When the red head speaks again, he merely shrugs.
"Not sure as I know much about that, but certainly may the lady of luck shine on you in your efforts. Me, I'm just here for some work, or the gambling. Whichever nets me the most money really." he finishes the last with sardonic smile, and carefully finishes off his brandy. The dark liquid warms his belly as it settles and he can feel the tension leaving him, though he still listens carefully to their words. Expecting to hear lies and deceipts from the mouths of others was a hard habbit to break.
"I seem to be ready for another drink? Any one else interested?, while the question is asked generally, his gaze lingers momentarily on the young and exotic lady. Seeing as the group had just had drinks ordered for them, he wasn't expecting much, but you never knew.
With a silent bow of her head at the redheaded man's words Rashmi turns to face the others, again politely refraining from making any comment.
At the offer of a drink she shakes her head gently "I am fine, thank you" She deflects the question with a gentle smile, content just to listen to those around her and not be an unwelcome intrusion.
She seems to give Zareby and appraising look." Say your a cute one. Ever find interesting uses for that scarf?" She says with a wink
"I have found many uses for this scarf, none of which should be spoken of in polite company."
Zareby looks over at Rorsius. "You know, I heard Argentus Blakely flew up to the Blot a few weeks ago. According to him, it was just a cold black cloud. Shouldn't be anything to worry about too much."
"Oh, I'll take an ale."
After finishing what was left of his first drink, Leux puts down his glass Sure, I am up for another round. By the way I go by Leux, and you are? good sir. nodding his head in gesture He pulls his fiddle out to tune it since he knows his limit of potent drink.sloppy reflexes always hinder the performers art he thinks to himself
"You'd do well to look past what your told Zareby." Warned the gravely voice. Rorsius took in the rest of the dark liquid and felt it warm his innards and blamed it on loosening his lips, but deep within knew it was his fervor that loosened them."The accumulated filth of Riddleport's sex and murder and gambling threatens to overtake the Calphiak mountains themselves. The Streets are extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood. Cromarky and the other robber barons do a fine job of washing that blood down the drain before we notice but I notice. When the Drains scab over, all the vermin will die. This gambling hall is a scab in need of picking. You have a choice. Whether you follow in the footsteps of good men is not my decision. Instead, all of the ignorant masses have followed the droppings of lechers like Blakely and Boss Croat without realizing that the trail led over a precipice. I'm not sure if it's too late. And now we stand on the brink. Looking down into hell-Looking up at a cold dark shadow. I won't settle for anything less than my own answers. If you wish to gamble your life like so much copper, be my guest. The house always wins." Despite the urgency in his words, his tone comes off as too-calm. He was unnerving.
"If you always look to the bloodfilled gutters you will never see the sun and the stars" Rashmi speaks up calmly "There is a lot of darkness in the world but to let it plague on your mind too much will cause you to be closed to the potential to experience moments of enlightenment."
She pauses, appearing to be in deep thought before speaking again. "But I apologise it is not my place to comment on your outlooks, we all follow our own paths and are just fortunate today that our paths all crossed at this point."
"No apology is needed Rashmi. You're opinion is as valid to me as any man that sets at this table." The words come calmly. She was a good person. Seemingly wise beyond her years."I'd be happy to look at the brightness of the stars-Save for the fact my view is obstructed by a cold dark blot.."The last words have an audibly sour tinge to them.
If you wish to gamble your life like so much copper, be my guest. The house always wins." Despite the urgency in his words, his tone comes off as too-calm. He was unnerving.
"No no no, the house usually wins. Ninety nine times out of one hundred, the house earns more than the players. However, that one time, all the cards will be drawn and we shall come out ahead. Besides, any gambler knows not to risk what he couldn't stand to lose. If I find something worth wagering my life over, I'll do it without a second thought. I just haven't found anything worth it yet."
"You dont get it Zareby." He said."As long as you let the powers that be function without question-Your life is being gambled away in a foolish game while you stand idly by content to suck the utters of fate and nurse at the breast of Lady Luck. Aren't you too old for breast feeding?"
Rashmi observes Rorsius closely for a moment, long enough to take in the details of his face and his expression but not so long as to be considered rude. Another gentle smile curls her lips as yet again she lets her thoughts remain unspoken.
Shifting her attention, her eyes come to fall on Zareby as he speaks. Folding her hands in her lap she listens intently to his outlook, her eyes betraying her curiousity as he mentions having not found something worth dying for, intrigued as to whether he's looking for that something.
"You dont get it Zareby." He said."As long as you let the powers that be function without question-Your life is being gambled away in a foolish game while you stand idly by content to suck the utters of fate and nurse at the breast of Lady Luck. Aren't you too old for breast feeding?"
"You call it sucking luck's teats, I call it being willing to accept that we all do it, whether we realize it or not. Let's face it, we're all just playing in a cosmic game of dice. When things don't go our way, I just can admit the dice didn't fall my way tonight."
Gently smoothing out the soft fabric of her saree Rashmi listens carefully, her expression calm despite the storm of internal debate raging within her, sparked by the conversation at the table. Polite as ever her arguements supporting and opposing both men remain silent as her eyes slowly travel back and forth between Rorsius and Zareby.
Narnel seems quite content to have sat silently through the conversations, listening as if gathering information but seeing no reason to comment. When the server came, he simply asked for both a light wine and a water, mixing the two until the wine was rather tame.
His eyes followed the newcomer over, but he waited until the half-elf saw fit to introduce himself before doing the same, letting the more sociable one lead. "I am Narnel, Greetings."
He watches the debate go for a fair amount of time before he finally pipes in. "Perhaps you are both right in a way. Fate was a true and known thing before the fall of the last azlanti. Many could see it clearly and played directly into it through their auspices. But the gods death has clouded that. We each may be fated in a way, but through our own actions we can change that fate for ourselves or others. A gambler who cheats the house changes the risk, but the man who is told by divine mandate that he must walk a path walks it unquestioningly. Aroden's loss has removed such mandates. We walk a path that no one can see, so it is up to our actions when we stray or change paths, even if each footstep may appear as pre-ordained as the one before it."
With the words spoken he looks almost embarrassed to have said so much and he returns to sitting back in his seat, sipping his wine.
At seeing what appears to be mild embaressment on the elven man's face Rashmi offers Narnel a supportive smile, as glad to hear his opinions on the matter as she is to hear the others speak.
Leux stops tuning the fiddle and leans in and snaps his fingers as if something just came to his mind."Clearly we have an intellectual in the group. Haha so you are not just another pretty face. Are your skills just limited to well thought out but nonetheless wise aspects of philosophy or do you hold knowledge in other areas as well." He now tries to recline with his feet up and his calves are on the table (he does remember manners) with his feet off to the side. "Sorry about the jab at you Narnel but I felt the mood escallating to an aggresive outcome that need to be brought down a little. No hard feelings? now with the fiddle in hand he strums a few notes and taking mental notes in a tune he was fine tunning in his head.
Narnel nods his head a bit, as if accepting the smile the woman gives him but not quite willing or able to return it. When the half-elf speaks he shakes his head a bit. "No, no hard feelings. I read often, on many subjects. Fate though, may not be something you can understand from a book, but it is something I have thought often of. Tried to understand." He frowns again at that and returns his gaze to his glass.
Rorsius takes a deep breath as if to deliver a retort, but closes his mouth as Narnel speaks. Apparently content with the man's words, he nods simply and looks around the table. His eyes stop upon Rashmi again and he observes the intricacies of her face and expression, a fleeting look-over that lasts just long enough for an observant person to notice, similar to the one that Rashmi gave him moments before. The faintest smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He, however was not content to stay quiet."What's on your mind Rashmi?" He asked in his politest fashion, but it came out a bit more bluntly than he had expected.
"Nothing of great importance, Rorsius" Rashmi assures the redheaded man with a smile. "I was just, thinking" She adds simply in a gentle tone.
Rorsius cocked his head to the left steadily, sincerely puzzled by the girl before him. He searched the annals of his mind, searching every cranny for some hint from working as an enforcer to help him decipher Rashmi's body language. For a moment, it looked as though his head might turn horizontal. Seemingly catching himself, something intrusive flashed across his green eyes. There for only a moment. Like his visible breath in the early morning cold-Coming from nowhere to show itself before quickly fading to nothing. His lip trembled slightly before it pulled up further into some sort of sideways fanged smirk."A blind man could see that Rashmi. Might I be so bold to ask what you were thinking?"
Rashmi bows her head gently, her movements polite and restrained. "You are free and bold enough to ask whatever you wish" She replies, her tone a little warmer
"Although I must admit that this is the first time anyone has felt the inclination to ask what I am thinking. At the baladata we were taught the merits of being seen and not heard. Unless spoken to of course" She starts to explain before smiling a little apologetically. "For what it is worth, more often than not if I am not sharing my thoughts then they are of little importance."
Rorsius frowns suddenly." I believe you've contradicted yourself Madame." He stated bluntly. His eyes going down to his fingers tapping the table. As if he had intimidated his own hand, they stopped. He brought his eyes back up the exotic beauty and smiled once more.That intrusiveness had returned to his eyes. But it now flickered steadily like a brush-fire. " You said that if you didn't voice your thoughts that they were usually of little importance. But previously you said you were taught to be seen but not heard, unless spoken to. I think it is more likely that you have been conditioned to believe your thoughts of little importance-rather than it actually being true Rashmi, If I might be so bold."
A faint blush settles in Rashmi's cheeks as the slight inconsistancy in her words is picked up upon. "I prefer to be polite and quiet, as I was taught to do. It is my lot in life and I am content with it" She starts, her slight embaressment quickly fading.
"I have, however, been travelling for a while and have learnt to speak my mind if it is needed. Of course with appropriate apologies afterwards for overstepping my bounds for speaking when it's undesired"
A soft chuckle come from the man as he notices the blush. He shrugs."And did you pick this lot or were you born into it?" He asks unapologetically, thinking just for a moment he might have overstepped some boundaries. "I think it's too soon for us to see what our lot in life shall be. As Narnel said- We walk a path that no one can see, so it is up to our actions when we stray or change paths, even if each footstep may appear as pre-determined as the one before it....Or something to that effect." He paused for a moment glancing over at the elf before turning back to Rashmi."Never apologize, never compromise, even in the face of Armageddon."
The girl, Rashmi's, gentle refusal to accept his drink had left Jean-Paul a little morose and quiet. However when Leux accepts his offer of a drink he perks up again. "Jean-Paul, sailer and soldier, at your service. At least I was until recently." he replies in response to the bards question.
He turns then, grab the attention of the nearest waiter and orders the drinks for those requiring them, another brandy for himself, though he planned to drink this one a little slower. It wouldn't do to be too drunk before the gambling started.
When his attention returned to the table, he realised that a rather intellectual debate was ensuing. Listening carefully, he eventually smirks and chimes in "Some fine ideals I am sure, my friend" he says looking at Rorsius. "I must say though, that five years on the ocean chasing brigands and coast runners leaves a man with healthy respect for Lady luck. Indeed all the gods have come up in my prayers at some time or antoher, anything to get me through some of the more....interesting encounters.". He uncrosses his arms and sits back slightyl, stretching his back to work out a growing stiffness form sitting too long.
" A sergent I once commanded told me not to turn your back on luck, for the moment you stop paying her attention, she deserts you. Besides, Lady Desna is reputably quite beauiful, who wouldn't take a chance at sucking those breasts!" the last is said rather loudly and he leaned over to heartily slap Zareby on the back. He had warmed to the man almost imediately when he had talked of the gambling.
It was only after the words were out that he realised his humour might be a bit crass for the current company. Good enough for sailors and soldiers perhaps, but maybe not the intellectual tyes gathered here.
He sipped at his brandy.
"It is the belief of my people that your role is determined at birth, the caste you are born into reflects your deeds in your previous incarnations" Rashmi explains calmly and certainly. "But perhaps now is neither the time nor the place to discuss such matters. I only wish I had a copy of the Vigrahin Patitraka with me, it explains far better than I can the notions of rebirth and the way one must live their life to move another step closer to Nirvana."
"Of course in some ways I do not fit well within this convention, none of the girls of the Baladata do. Girls are expensive to raise well enough to have a useful role in life, and even harder to raise well enough to earn a dowry and good husband. Roles in the lower castes are found for us, the unwanted female children who were not required" Throughout her explaination the young woman's tone barely changes, a gentle statement of fact.