A large grin on his face, laughing with an ale in his hand, he quickly turns to the front door as Ameiko comes into the bar badly beaten. Upon first instinct he stands, attempting to move to help the on-staff bartender get Ameiko out of her chair and into the proposed room. "This does not look too good" he says solemnly, his typical happy demeanor replaced with worry.
He offers a shoulder for her to hold onto.
"Oh shush... Your figure has never been better and you know it. I mean, without the ah... Cut's and" he lets out a fake cough, deciding to just shut up.
Alfonso is seated at a table with a nearly empty bottle of claret and a battered copy of Historia Naturalis.
He loks up in shock when the bloody specter enters.
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair"
Alfonso moves to aid the bartender.
"Allow me..." he waves his left hand, the air feels sticky for a moment, and all the dirt and grime and dried blood flows from Ameiko like a thousand snakes. Those with sharp eyes will see the collected foulness flow into but not soil or stain the floor boards.(prestidigitation to clean the patient. now at least we can see what we are dealing with.)
** spoiler omitted **
He lets out a 'Hermph' as he's shoo'd from the room. "Fine, fine... I'll be outside the door if you need anything." He stands outside of the room, leaning against the wall as if standing guard. "May as well do something useful, I guess" he grumbles to himself as he awaits, resting his hand upon the hilt of his flacata.
He tries to sneak a peak inside of the room as the bartender emerges from the room, having nothing but good intentions of checking on Ameiko. "We should ask Shalelu if she knows anything too... She's always outside'a the town, maybe she's already heard something."
He walks back towards the bar with the bartender, pondering in silence to himself what could have possibly happened. His silence very abnormal for him, as his outspoken nature usually precedes him.
As Ameiko bursts into the room, Garesh moves with the bartender over to her. "Let me at least make you comfortable." He'll cast cure light wounds on her and then shy away little to let her friends take care of her.
He responds, "I will at once my lady."
He will go to find Koya at this time.
All the shouting makes Zhao wake up from that table in the corner. He looks around, noticing an aglomeration of people, and approaches them.
"What do you mean? She'll be fine? Of course she is. Why wouldn't she?"
Thanks for helping clean her up...Can one of you two go and fetch the sheriff, I want to make sure he is apprised of whats happened. I need to stay here and watch the bar...you know make sure no one burns it down.
Alfonso tends to talk piffle when nervous..
"My fleet feet fly at your command. I shall not be late with the law."Alfonso heads quickly out the door. Twisting clumps of light forming around him as he heads into the night. (dancing lights)
"Wait, why would we need the sheriff?"
Zhao scratches his head, trying to tie the pieces of information together.
Garesh responds to the bartender, "Glad Miss Ameiko is doing well, does Koya need me to assist her? Not meaning she can't do it herself just...I'm already here." The Drow gives off hopeful eyes they will need his further assistance. If they don’t need his help anymore, Garesh will go get a couple of ales and bring them back to Notick and wait with the half-elf.
He scoops up the Ale in which the oddly wrapped elf had brought him, taking large swigs of it. "Ms. Amekio isn't as defenseless as you might think. Stubbornness can be a useful trait too..." he scratches his head with his free hand, swigging at his ale again with the other, trying to play off his own stubborn nature.
"Any specific word on why those Gobbies attacked her? I didn't think they were much of'a problem anymore..."
Turning to Garesh the bartender shakes her head a little and rubs her temples I'm sure your mother has it in hand Garesh, why don't you go have a seat and have a drink, I know I need one now.
In response Garesh looks puzzled at the bartender. "It is quite obvious that she is not my mother, I am probably well above her age. We are collogues in the divine arts working off of each others strengths and weaknesses. You understand me? She is not my mother but a mentor I look up and maybe one day stands alongside." He says in a calm tone.
Garesh responds to her information
"Are there any towns near the marsh? Maybe I should go over there and see if any one else was inflicted with a test of pain."
While he's waiting for his answer from Koya, He looks to the young half-elf with a scholarly expression. "Stubbornness is a test of others patience, you know." Then his attention goes back to his fellow healer Koya.
"The mistress has been ambushed in the marshes!? I need to have a word with her, someone must defend her honor and slay those beasts!"
Zhao dodges around anyone who tries to stop him on his way to Ameiko, or, at least, the sheriff.
"What has happened? Who attack you/her? I must know!"
"Not my patience!" He can't help but smirk at Garesh.
His attention pulled away by the high-strung man charging towards the Sheriff, he himself moves over to him, gently trying to calm him down, "Now now, let's not obstruct the law man... I'm sure he'll give some answers. Ameiko is fine - so stop'ya fretting." He flashes his 'million platinum' smile.
Alfonso looks down his nose at the sheriff.
"My name is Alfonso de Calientia, you would do well to remember it." The words 'you backwards hick' remain unsaid.
Alfonso will make sure he is the last person to arrive at sheriff's little party.
As he hears about collecting the ears for bounty Garesh grins and says quietly to himself; "Collecting the ears will give me a chance to practice my scalpel skills."
After hearing Alfonso complain about the sheriff not saying his full name he realizes that the sheriff said his first name with a similar last name but not his exact last name. He goes up to the Sheriff,
"Excuse me Sheriff, did you want me to come up or this Mr. Van’ dell to come up? Since my name is Vin'dell not Van’ dell I wanted to make sure I was the right person you were calling and not taking a spot away from another fine person. So if you were calling me its Vin'dell not Van’ dell, I know their spelling is close but they both sound very different if you would say it with me VIN'dell, and now your version VAN'dell. There do you see the difference? So what do you need of me if you truly called for me dear sir?"
"Zyan always told me Warden Walthus Proudstump was a wise man or rather Halfling, and he always had a sound mind....."
At the mention to travel the next day his eyes strain on there own, since he still hasn't gotten fully used to the suns rays. He looks to his fellow travelers and thinking they all see better during the day. "Probably best motion is to wait till tomorrow, 6 good eyes is better then 2 unless its your enemy... yes that’s how it goes." After reassuring himself the drow is ready for his comrade’s responses.
He seems to frown slightly at the announcement, the idea of harming the little goblins, vile as they may be, obviously not sitting with him too well. He follows the sheriff to the hall-way where the four of them hear his statement. Nodding to the sheriff, he reaches out and takes the Map from his hands.
"There isn't much else we can do, I suppose... We'll get to the bottom of this, Sheriff." He nods his head in affirmation of his statement. He then moves back to the bar area and unrolls the parchment across the table that Garesh and he had been sitting, awaiting the other three to sit down.
A distant light shines inside Zhao's eyes. Goblins. Hurt. Ameiko.
"Knowing we'll be restoring Ameiko's honor and ensuring the safety of the townsfolk is reward enough, sir Garesh. You can deposit your trust on us."
He approaches Notick, gazing into the map for a moment, and then saying:
"I'm ready to go!" Then he gazes down, noticing he's wearing simple clothes. "I will be ready to leave in just a moment!" And then he runs inside.
He facepalms in slow motion at the hyped samurai's reaction, "I guess some of us will have to prepare before we depart..." he let's out an exasperated sigh. "Should we let Shalelu know Ameiko is hurt? She might wanna know - may even be able to help us navigate."
...After a long pause, he mutters only loud enough for those around to hear, "And she'd tar my hide if I didn't tell her..."
Zhao comes back, his hair tied back and wearing armor. Although he still has baggy eyes and an unkept shabby beard, his posture is different and his eyes spell determination.
"We can tell her in the way to the Brinestump Marsh; we have to get them before they retreat!", he says as he pushes Notick out of the tavern.
Alfonso, his face registering some shock that a mignight foray into the swamp was even contemplated, speaks. "I have a standing rule not to begin foolishly suicideal quests in the prime of the evening. There is drinking and dancing to be done! You will probably find me in my room come morning."
He truns to the sheriff. "I also have a standing rule not to toss myself into meat grinders with out getting paid. While our drunken friend will work for honor and Mr. Mostriaré will do it to impress a certian other, I am resistsnt to the siren songs of love and honor. I require a more tangible reward if I am to spill my life-blood on behalf of this fair metropolis."
He would attempt to dig his feet into the ground to stop the crazy 'sammy' from shoving him out the door.
"Woah there little man... No-one's rushin' into the swamp at night!" he mutters under his breath, "And I thought I was the crazy one..." He side steps past the samurai and up to the Sheriff next to Alfonso, leaning in to whisper to him (Alfonso),
"Your words hold wisdom, Notick-sir. I'll go and stand guard over the mistress for the night."
When he comes near the bar, the bartender automatically offers him a drink, to which he replies: "Not now, I'm on duty. My mistress needs me."
"At least those poor souls that are playing hero, will have a healer like me helping them since they will share our path." He bows to the sheriff and all the patrons of the bar.
Then he will moves to the bar and orders a hot tea and joins Koya at her table, Garesh spaces these questions out and asks the next one after he gets a answer"So Koya, what kind of wounds did she have? Which techniques did you use on her? .......oh how are you this evening?"
He stays with her as long as she's there.
He would attempt to dig his feet into the ground to stop the crazy 'sammy' from shoving him out the door.
** spoiler omitted **
"Woah there little man... No-one's rushin' into the swamp at night!" he mutters under his breath, "And I thought I was the crazy one..." He side steps past the samurai and up to the Sheriff next to Alfonso, leaning in to whisper to him (Alfonso),
** spoiler omitted ** He wiggles his eyebrows up and down at Alfonso as he looks at him in contemplation to what he has said. He looks to the Sheriff with a tremendous grin on his face, wrapping his arm around Alfonso's shoulders, "Sheriff, I apologize for my friend here. We're a wirey bunch, but we'll gladly do this task you ask of us!"
Alfonso shrugs off Notic's arm. "Hmm well I appear to have been drafted. I will do what I can sheriff. May we say that we are acting at your behest?"
"Intresting....yes I am curious on what wounds my new allies have a potential of getting, thank you for sharing with me. Though you said the burns were strange, do you have any ideas of the cause? I will keep an eye out for Sandru, if only to put you at ease Koya."
He sips his tea, "Were her burns close to the burns you found on me?"
"I promise we'll honor that responsability, good-sir. These villains will pay for what they did!"
Zhao will position a small blanket near the door outside Ameiko's room. He will proceed to kneel on it, eyes pointed at his front, swords at his hip.
"Oh but of course, sheriff! What could we possibly do to abuse your power?! It will be completely safe with me!" He flashes his typical smile.
"Now, my young apprentices!" he turns to the group, obviously trying to hold back a smirk, "We shall be departing at first light. In the mean time --" he claps his hands twice, "Barmaiden - drinks on the dear sheriff as his departure gift!"
As he is talking to Koya, he looks to Notick as he says something about apprenticies. He turns back to Koya, "What a odd little boy he is, I always wondered is he Amieko's little brother or dare I say son? I just realized he is always around talking about her." he shrugs, and goes back to talking shop with Koya.
"Quick, barmaiden! The purse holder is escaping! SHERIFF!" He jokingly laughs at his comment, shaking his head at his own silliness. He randomly sneezes legitimately, looking around the room like a deer in the headlights. "Excuse me! There must be a beautiful woman talking about me somewhere" he flashes his smile.
"Anyways, to all seriousness --" he maneuvers over to Garesh and Koya's table, "Perhaps we should discuss a game plan, Garesh?" He raises his hand towards Alfonso, motioning him to join them. He looks to the Samurai to motion him over, stopping himself before he does. 'No... He's too crazy to help anyways' he thinks to himself, his grin widening upon his face.
Eyes alert, Zhao notices when Notick looks at him and ponders for a second.
"Yes?"
He swiftly gets up but approaches calmly.
"We depart in the crack of dawn, Notick-sir. You'd better rest whatever little time we have, for the road leading to honor is long and full of perils."
Although his words are harsh, the look on his face is serene.
Garesh looks to Koya and responds, "Thanks for the information I will try to put it to good use. Also it helped prevent a awkward situtation with my new comrade Notick." As he says that he points to Notick at the seat next to him.
Then looks to the odd boy, "Well you sure like to interupt conversation don't you Notick. Anyway matters aside, once we get to the area I say we look for burn trails if these creatures are using something to burn there victims with they will leave a trail."
After Zhao tells them his plan, "Another rude one. I know were in a bar ,but even Zyan's cave we used these things called manners. Any way I agree with moving early since the goblins can see better in the dark then you all. We will talk with warden and locals to see where these goblins are. Then simple enough we collect ears and leaders head all while finding Sandru's caravan so Koya can sleep better at night. Did I miss anything else?"
He smirks at the Samurai before responding to him, "You know, if you sit there and stew all night... You're a hypocrite, right Taijuro?" He leans back in his chair, propping his feet upon the table in front of him and interlocking his fingers behind his head, turning to look to Garesh after he's finished speaking. "No, I do believe you've pretty much stolen my plan out from underneath me, again, Garesh."
"As for liking to interrupt - I never do such a thing. I may talk loudly... Maybe even hold everyone's attention... But, never interrupt." He flashes his million platinum smile, as always, towards the oddly wrapped elf before his face turns a bit more serious. "Any idea where or what those burn marks derived from, Garesh? I've never seen anything like them, or the cuts she had," his voice trails off slightly - he does his best to hold back his worry for Ameiko's safety from his voice, "Is she gonna' be okay?"
"I'm glad we are on the same page then Notick, as Koya just told a moment ago the burns were created from a mundane source not magical. As for her cuts were done by slashing weapons, probably dogslicers knowing goblins. She will be fine, and...(He moves in close to whisper to Notick)I believe she talked about you in the room." He then gives Koya a big wink.
"Unlike me don't the rest of you need some sleep? You shouldm=n't be wasteful of the night, day will soon be upon use. Even though Desna's eyes shine bright tonight maybe you younger ones should get some rest."
He motions for another tea and will talk longer with Koya if she wishes.