"Part of our arraingement is free food as long as you eat here. Bess and Renkar have a long-standing contract. I'm sure they can keep you in venison and ambrosia, no worries."
Bethany smiles and despite her beauty one can clearly see a predatory gleam in it, a throwback to her more bestial Harpy ancestry.
"That is wonderful news. I was actually beginning to get worried that I would be unable to afford meals soon."
Hanali smiles
"We run a top-shelf agency here, Lady Bethany. You wont regret allying with us."
Ramona brings a platter with a seared fillet of venison. A jug of Avariel ambrosia soon follows. Hanali takes in a small salad and some white wine.
Ramona smiles at the young elf girl"Pleased to meet you! What can I get you two to eat and drink?"
"I think I'll have my usual but I'd like something a little harder to drink today please!"
"Anything would be fine thank you." the elf whispered timidly. She wasn't particular about food. People always expected her to be because she was an elf, but she learned early on that you eat what you can when you can. You never knew where your next meal was coming from.
Merle sighs a little as Seph passes out. She gently lays Seph on a chair before turning to Swift looking somewhat uncomfortable.
Swift looks a little unimpressed at Merle before replying in a quiet chain of rowling and hissing.
feline;
She reprimands, her happy air disappearing as she looks over the other feline woman, her mood flipping as quickly as to be expected of a teenage, slightly drunken, cat.
feline;
She adds pointedly before turning on heel and heading for her room.
Merle's mood Darkens and Immediately she grabs Swift by the shoulder and does some hissing of her own.
Feline
Swift shrugs Merle off with a low growl.
Feline;
Swift shrugs Merle off with a low growl.
Feline; ** spoiler omitted **
Feline
Feline;
With a sad mew she looks away.
Feline;
She snaps in addition chosing anger over upset.
Feline; ** spoiler omitted **
With a sad mew she looks away.
Feline; ** spoiler omitted **
She snaps in addition chosing anger over upset.
Feline
feline;
Swift rowls angrily
feline;
Merle's face goes red with anger and for a minute she looks like she is going to swing for Swift. Until she hears Swifts second comment at which point all the anger leeches out her body and her shoulders sag. In almost a whispered Meow that Swift barely hears.
Feline;
Swift mews, suddenly sounding a lot younger than usual before composing herself again and fixing her hair.
Feline;
Feline
Feline;
Merle just nods mutely goes and collects Seph and heads for bed.
With a tiny sigh Swift scampers off to her room and closes the door firmly behind her before finally taking the timne to sit and try to work out everything that just happened. Utterly lost in her slightly drunken state she twirls Nye's card between her fingers before giving up on the notion of thinking straight and curling up into a small ball and falling asleep.
The next morning starts for Merle with having to make a grovelling apology to Seph which he eventually excepts under certain conditions of course.
For the next week or so Merle spends most of her time waiting on Seph hand and foot. Bathing and grooming him bringing him new things and providing fresh Milk and snacks on demand all much to the amusement of the other inhabitants and customers of the copper cauldron who probably wonder who is the master of who.
Also during the week at some point. She and Seph find themselves knocking On Swifts door.
Bethany and Hanali discuss Conchord and Sigil over their food and once finished, Hanali departs to organise the refurbishment of the attic into Bethany's loft.
Finally happy for the first time since she arrived in Sigil, she takes some time to fly around the surrounding neighbourhood and get to know the area. Once she is moderately confident in not getting too lost, she wings back into the loft to supervise the arrival and setup of her new home.
Swift, as always, keeps herself busy with personal errands, studiously avoiding Merle until her fur becomes less ruffled. A few of her days are spent as 'Blacky', making sure Karrin's cat is seen about the place and she also makes sure one day to take a trip to pick up her stashed trapped box.
Other than that some research into the 'Codex Sanguinus Militarus' and the mysterious Mr. Sage is done, but that soon bores the tibbit as she's sure she'll need to read a lot of books to find out about the Codex thingy. Finally she decides it's best to just go ask Edwin and Mystery to see what they know.
It's whilst preparing to head out to see her old wizardly friend that she hears the knock on the door and sighs. Flinging the door open she takes one look at Merle before greeting her a little flatly.
Feline;
It is actually Seph who responds to Swifts remark
Feline
Swift looks a little suprised before giving a defeated sigh and replying.
Feline;
At the mention of codex's and spells Seph perks up
Feline
Swift looks thoughtful before scratching Seph behind the ears with a smile.
Feline;
Bethany and Hanali discuss Conchord and Sigil over their food and once finished, Hanali departs to organise the refurbishment of the attic into Bethany's loft.
Finally happy for the first time since she arrived in Sigil, she takes some time to fly around the surrounding neighbourhood and get to know the area. Once she is moderately confident in not getting too lost, she wings back into the loft to supervise the arrival and setup of her new home.
Lady Bethany settles in well. True to her word, Hanali sends over some workers to renovate the room to Bethany's needs. In no time the garret appartment is a decent approximation of living quarters.
As Lady Bethany explores the area surrounding her new employment she makes an interesting discovery. There is actually a Sigilian society of winged folk that has its own roosts, eyries and mews far above the swarming mudcrawler streets. This loose society, sometimes called 'OverSigil', is comprised of winged planars and Prime beings alike. Though not as numerous as the legion of ground dwellers, they are a respectable number.
Near the Great Bazaar an ancient stone tower rears. The ground folk use the base for grain storage, but the grey granite upper floor is accessible to avians only, and it is there Bethany discovers the Kite's Swoop tavern. Catering to avians, it is much roomier and pleasant than most mudcrawler dwellings, with perches instead of the horrid torture devices of chairs.
The Kite's Swoop's owner is an old Aarakocra named Krrsqua. He seems a decent sort, and promises Lady Bethany he will keep a beady eye out for any harpies coming through from her homeworld.
Seph simply nods from his perch on Merle's shoulder
Feline
Swift quickly finishes getting ready before bounding towards the door and onwards towards Edwin's, leaving it to Merle and Seph to make attempts to plug the silence between them all.
Heading to the nearby Herbalist's Row, the trio walks down the crowded boulevard of Copperman's Way. The crowds help distract the three from the awkward silence between them.
Taking the corner at Wooly Cupgrass' potion shop, The three come to Edwin's shop.
After a few minutes of uncomfortable Silence Merle finally breaks it
Feline
Swift simply shrugs at Merle's apology before giving a smile at spotting Edwin's place. Picking up speed she bounds over and knocks on the door before letting herself in, looking forward to the distraction of seeing her frends again.
Merle shoulders seem to slump a little bit at being brushed off but then she knew it was not going to be easy to win back her trust. Her depression turns to mild horror as Swift just swings open the door and strides in expecting Swift to go up in a ball of flame at such an abrupt entrance to a wizards lair.
The shop's parlor is empty, but Swift can her a rattling of crockery farther in. As she walks in, the small form of Mystery strolls through the partly-open farther door
::Hello Swift, what bring you to my lair?::
With a grin Swift kneels down and scratches under Mystery's chin and replies in a quiet purr.
::I needed to check up on how the watching of Emelia was going and to ask Edwin a few questions, is he busy today?::
Merle slowly steps in behind Swift Apparently trying to avoid touching anything in the room
Fernicia smiles gummily up at Justin"Yer a foine lad, Master Case, an' let no one say otherwise. According to yon paper, it's just a small package, what my great uncle Philomenos left for me."
Justin has to wonder how such an ancient old crone had a great-uncle who just popped off, but decides not to inquire, seeing as it will inevitable end up taking an hour to explain.
The sound of glass breaking echoes from the Magic Vat. Justin sees the blonde headed form of Skyy through a grimy window hurling an glass alembic at her portly beau Maxus.
Justin smiles at the ancient woman. Noting that her eyes were as sharp and clear as as glass. Oh yeah, there was a reason she didn't want to go and collect this item herself.
"Shouldn't be a problem then Miss Fernicia. I'll be back soon."'Oh yeah, I can never say no to a lady. Even an ancient one. One day they are going to be the death of me.'
He tips an imaginary hat at the elderly landlady and turns to go. He can't resist the urge though, and quickly steps across the narrow street to the doorway of the Alchemists shop. He leaned on the frame and stuck his head into the doorway.
"Hello Maxus, how's business? Skyy! I thought I heard your melodic tones from across the street! You staying our of trouble? Oooo, you really don't want to do that! I'm pretty sure that one is real." Justin said in mock severity as he waved his hand and used a flicker of power to snag a glass bottle from Skyy's surprised hand and replace it back onto the shelf that she just picked it up from.
The fat Tiefling alchemist smiled, revealing a row of jagged, stained teeth.
"This one, on the other hand, i'm pretty sure is nothing but rose-water and Aboeleth-liver oil." Justin continued smoothly as he picked up another bottle from the same shelf and deposited it into Skyy's open hand.
The fat tiefling's smile fell, and Skyy beamed.
"Making money off the clueless is fine, but never try to peddle a fake potion to a guy who can Detect Magic at will." Justin added casually. He waved at he two with a smile. "I've got to run, you lovebirds have a nice day!" He called sweetly as he pulled his head back out the doorway.
He was two steps down the street when he heard the sound of the vial shattering. It wasn't far enough away to avoid the suddenly noxious cloud that escaped the alchemists doorway.
'THAT will put a crimp in business for the day!' Justin smirked to himself as he hustled down the street. With a regretful sigh he wished that he had time to look up Murphy, or Thomas. Even Micheal's preachy optimism would be welcome now. Not because he was feeling lonely,... Well, ok, he was feeling pouty, but because he had that hair-on-the-back-of-the-neck feeling that usually came when his old friend trouble was hanging around.
With another sigh he looked up. He needed to hurry if he was going to get back before it got too late. It wasn't that far of a walk, but the quickest way was through parts of Sigil that he didn't really want to walk through after-hours alone. Ever.
He resettled his coat onto his broad but skinny shoulder and started walking to the temple district. His pace was deceptively slow, as his long legs ate up the ground at a much faster rate than seemed at first glance.
With a grin Swift kneels down and scratches under Mystery's chin and replies in a quiet purr.
::I needed to check up on how the watching of Emelia was going and to ask Edwin a few questions, is he busy today?::
Mystery sniffs
::He's doing some monkey wizardry thing. I can go get him if you wish. I have seen some things with your little pet. Did you bring me some cream?::
Merle slowly steps in behind Swift Apparently trying to avoid touching anything in the room
The room is actually more of a sitting parlor. There are several comfy chairs and a fire burns bright in the hearth, banishing most of the early Peak chill from the room. Several odd trophies and tchotchkies line shelves. The strange cat came from a half-open door on the far wall. Faint clattering dish sounds echo out from behind it.
::That would be good, thank you Mystery. I have a little cream in my bag I'll get it out for when you return with Edwin::
Swift replies gently with a small smile although her eyes show a little concern at the news mystery has 'seen some things' with Emelia.
Justin turns the corner of Flourish Alley onto Copperman's Way. The wide street is its usual cacophanous self, with screaming teamsters cursing, pedestrians thronging, and Clueless goggling.
Justin strolls along, headed towards the high-end shops that line the border of the Market Ward and Lady's Ward. Copperman's Way is lined with literally thousands of shops, many piled on top of one another like fantastical wedding cakes.
As Justin walks he hears a voice:
"Oi! Justin! Wait up!"
He turns back to see Skyy hastening up behind him. The girl has a skin that matches her name, a light pale blue. Her blonde hair is cut in a spiky do, and colored random swatches in Xaosman fashion. She sports several piercings, including a garish nosering Xaos symbol. She is sporting a ragged greenish minidress and some high heeled boots which she is having problems running in at the moment. She is spotched with several odd stains, most likely backspatter from her alchemy fight with Maxus.
"Oi! Can yeh help a damsel out? That motherfncking rimjobber Maxus has thrown me on the bricks. I need to get to me workplace, an' I gots no jink fer a 'quin. Could yeh walk me there?"
::That would be good, thank you Mystery. I have a little cream in my bag I'll get it out for when you return with Edwin::
Swift replies gently with a small smile although her eyes show a little concern at the news mystery has 'seen some things' with Emelia.
Mystery disappears through the far door, and soon returns with the elderly Edwin in tow
"Hello Swift! How are you? "
The old wizard spots Merle
"And you brought a friend! Hello! I'm Edwin."
The wizard sticks a wrinkled hand out to Merle
Carefully Swift pulls out the last of her own cream she'd carelessly thrown in her backpack before leaving and opens it for Mystery before smiling a little at Edwin.
"This is Merle and Seph" She introduces the other two easily before looking back and forht between the wizard and Mystery, not sure who she wants to ask what first.
Merle takes the hand and shakes it
"Pleased to meet you"
Seph copies Merle's gesture offering his paw to shake as well.
As Justin walks he hears a voice:"Oi! Justin! Wait up!"
He turns back to see Skyy hastening up behind him. The girl has a skin that matches her name, a light pale blue. Her blonde hair is cut in a spiky do, and colored random swatches in Xaosman fashion. She sports several piercings, including a garish nosering Xaos symbol. She is sporting a ragged greenish minidress and some high heeled boots which she is having problems running in at the moment. She is spotched with several odd stains, most likely backspatter from her alchemy fight with Maxus.
'Oh yes. They will definitely be my demise.' Justin muses as he casts an appreciative eye over Skyy's outlandish and barely clad form.
"Oi! Can yeh help a damsel out? That motherfncking rimjobber Maxus has thrown me on the bricks. I need to get to me workplace, an' I gots no jink fer a 'quin. Could yeh walk me there?"
Justin;s brow furrows as he hears this.
"I'm sorry Skyy, I thought it was just another of your and Maxus' 'Intense Discussions'. If I had known it was serious I wouldn't have butted in." He says, feeling badly that he might have interfered in the relationship. Maxus' didn't really concern him, he was convenient, but there other alchemists to shop at. And if most were not much better than Max, at least they were no worse. But Justin genuinely liked the chaotic Hiver girl. It bothered him to think that he had inadvertently interfered in what may have been to her, a genuine love interest.
At the same time, even though Justin had no immediate plans for trying to take advantage of Skyy's new availability, he found that at least he could appreciate her petite form without feeling guilty about it.
Justin's concerns and musing both evaporated as the delicate -looking Hiver girl waved off his concern with a rude noise and even ruder gesture. Both of which spoke louder than a thousand words.
"Oi' don' need yer 'Sorry' Case! Ye didn' staart deh fite, an' yeh did'n' finish it." She smirked evilly, the large grin looking positively out of sorts with her otherwise cute fey if Xaos-adorned features. "But yeh he'ped with deh finale, an' fer dat ah thankee." She grinned even larger.
"But dat !@#$%^&* wuz usual good fer a ride, tah wurk ah mean!" She smacked Justin on the arm before he could even get his 'What did I say?' face out.
"An ah'm wearin' mah wurkin' shoes. So kin yeh he'p a lady out er whot?" She repeated as she posed with one hand on her hip at a jaunty angle.
Justin managed to stifle the giggle. Also the sigh.
'I have GOT to learn to say 'NO'. It's easy, just two little letters. N.O...."
"Of course, I'll be happy to help." Justin heard himself saying for the second time in what seemed like heartbeats.
'Oh yeah. That'll teach her.'
"In fact, I'll do more than that." He continued as he took her by the elbow and pulled her to the side of the street where the traffic was slightly less likely to trample anyone moving slower than they were. "Since I helped make the mess, the least I can do is help clean it up!"
He turned to face Skyy, and looked down at the much shorter Hiver girl with a smile. "Now, watch this!" He said as he clapped his hands together, rubbing them and muttering a short phrase under his breath. With a casual sweeping motion, Justin brushed air over the spots on the girls arms, causing them to disappear.
"Oi! That's a clever trick! Ah knowed yeh weren't a bad'un like Maxus said! Go ahead then, fix me up!" She crowed, standing with her slim legs akimbo and her fists planted on her hips. She looked like she was posing for a statue. But Justin simply smiled in response and began to clean her dress of stains. What there was of dress to clean.
When his hands began to reach her neckline, She raised an eyebrow.
"Oi, careful there. Ah charges extra fer that!" She declared.
Justin merely raised his own eyebrow in response, and quickly moved downward, cleaning the all too brief skirt. He then leaned over to do her boots, and at the same time she (accidentally?) leaned forward, bumping into Justin's head and giving him an even better look at her barely covered legs. And anything else he cared to look at.
'Oh-Kay. It HAS been too long.' He thought. Hastily finishing the boots so he could quickly, but carefully, regain his full height. As an afterthought he flicked his fingers a couple of times, and Skyy grinned as the aroma of vanilla wafted to her nose.
"Well now ain't that nice?" Skyy grinned as she admired herself in the grimy window they were in front of. Justin inwardly groaned as he realized they had attracted an audience of customers from inside the shop. Their faces pushed up against the glass didn't seem to bother Skyy any though. "Finally, a !@#$%^&* gennl'man whot knows how to treat a !@#$%^&* lady like a lady!"
Justin simply smiled. He was pretty sure that Skyy could only be mistaken for a lady if she could keep her mouth shut for more than a minute. In response he simply held out his elbow.
"Shall we m'lady?" He asked. Skyy hooked her arm through his.
"We shall!" She declared.
Justin once again entered the dangerous realm of streetside navigation. Adjusting his longer legs to match Skyy's shorter stride he began the perilous journey up the street towards,...
"Um. Where did you say you worked?"
"Anything would be fine thank you." the elf whispered timidly. She wasn't particular about food. People always expected her to be because she was an elf, but she learned early on that you eat what you can when you can. You never knew where your next meal was coming from.
"She'll have the special as well," Karrin says glancing up at Ramona, "also a bit of water and some wine. I think I'll have some whiskey and some water. Thank you!"
Karrin glaces over at the young elf.
"I like to get the special because they usually have it already made and all they need to do is put it on a plate. Normally I have milk or water or sometimes grog or ale, but I think it's a fey holiday somewhere and I thought I should have a bit of something to celibate.
"What sort of work could you see yourself doing?" Karrin asks, suddenly changing topics (as she's prone to do), "because that would be useful to know if you're looking for work. You have some cool looking armour and that bow looks to be in good condition. Do you know how to use them? I don't know much about . . . um, that thing you said you do, but I suppose it could be used to guard stuff. People are always looking for hired muscle to guard stuff. That sort of what I do sometimes. Renkar has me doing all sorts of things, but it's dangerous work and stuff, and you seem kinda, no offense, but you seem sort of timid. About a month ago I had a bunch of angry goblins baring down on me and there's no chance to be timid in that situation. Kill or be killed really."
"What sort of work could you see yourself doing?" Karrin asks, suddenly changing topics (as she's prone to do), "because that would be useful to know if you're looking for work. You have some cool looking armour and that bow looks to be in good condition. Do you know how to use them? I don't know much about . . . um, that thing you said you do, but I suppose it could be used to guard stuff. People are always looking for hired muscle to guard stuff. That sort of what I do sometimes. Renkar has me doing all sorts of things, but it's dangerous work and stuff, and you seem kinda, no offense, but you seem sort of timid. About a month ago I had a bunch of angry goblins baring down on me and there's no chance to be timid in that situation. Kill or be killed really."
"I am quite good with my bow. I am usually better at acting when someone else is in danger. As for what I do," she shrugs. "Some things are easier to show than to tell."
She concentrated for a moment, her eyes briefly glowing with power, before an unoccupied chair 'walks' over to Karrin.
"Wow!" Karrin cheers, "neat-o! So you're like wizard or something!? I bet we could use more wizards! Anything else you can do?"
"Wow!" Karrin cheers, "neat-o! So you're like wizard or something!? I bet we could use more wizards! Anything else you can do?"
Naridre smiles at her new friend's enthusiasm. "I can heat things up, create arrows out of nothing, scare the living hell out of someone, cause pain when I need to, and sense when someone means to attack if I concentrate on it. Sometimes those things work better than others. That's what a kineticist does. I use the power of my mind to bend reality just a bit."
"Neat, that's useful, and I think Renkar is hiring. Maybe we could ask . . ."