The Elves are all speaking in Elven, so nothing there for Johnny. The fighters are cheering and hooting or bantering. Nothing substantial. The gnomes and the halfling are pointing and snickering at Korrith and Freia. There is a comment that the rat catcher must have run out of rats in reference to Korrith, and the halfling craks a joke about Freia's old style uniform being a "filthy rag". They're not exactly trying to hide it either.
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Rats? I didn't catch any rats. And I haven't eaten rats on purpose since I hatched.
Korrith is genuinely oblivious to what they're saying about him.
He does, however, understand the insult leveled at Freia.
Oy! Be nice! Korrith's face is normally locked in a mad grin by his physical layout, but his smile somehow seems more savage now.
Remember that she's friends with a madman whose solution to every problem is to make it explode.
He chuckles a bit, though it clearly doesn't sound humorous.
The halfling sits back on his bench and grins at you. Make me, lizard.
Everyone is noticing the new blood now. One of the elves pipes up and says, Bloody... Cool it, Casper. We don't want more Sorrows in here today.
The halfling ignores him, preferring to level his gaze at the new kids in the playground.
Pelgrev walks up behind Korrith.
We have problem with haffun?
He places a gentle hand on the kobold's shoulder, and looks over him at the halfling.
We need bash? Or we all be nice?
His face is stony and serious and his muscles are bunched like coiled springs, ready to move at the slightest provocation.
Freia arrives a few short moments after the others, holding a small box in her hands. The box has a few holes poked in its top and judging from the care she shows it contains something fragile or important. She looks around trying to spot Zayid or Noro. Instead she hears the familiar sound of heckling.
She throws the short crowd a glance Huh? before looking down - realizing it is Ryan's resizes uniform they are gawking at. And it is not filthy. There is a spark of anger in her eyes but it is quickly replaced with contempt. There was a long time ago since mere words from strangers had caused her much distress. They would have to do better then that to annoy her. Sighing she says to Korrith in an attempt to defuse him
She starts to head over to the wall where Zayid is leaning still keeping an eye open for Noro, the halflings already pushed to the back of her mind.
"Hey Zayid, have you seen Noro? I've picked up something for the two of you !"
She sounds happy - with a playful hint - and she is grinning ear from ear. She removes the cover from the box and holds it forward for Zayid to see - and anyone else of her friends whom wants to see.
"I thought you needed a pet of a more manageable size - and there is always more cats then needed in the old church near where I usually work. I don't think they have any names yet ..."
Zayid's dark brows rise in interested curiosity as Freia approaches. When she opens the box and shows him its contents, he glances at it only a moment before looking up at her face searchingly. In his quiet voice he begins, "You... you're saying one of them is for me? Did you... are you... I mean... will they allow us to keep them?"
He looks back down into the box, and a light smile touches his face. Reaching down slowly so as not to scare them, he taps the side of the box and watches as the black and white creature identifies the source of the sound. Without looking up he checks that there's no one else around before speaking again. "You didn't tell her what I nearly did."
"I saw no reason to. You only nearly did it. You didn't do it. And if the captain of the town guard can have a tiger at his office I suppose these are okay..."
Zayid nods slowly, his gaze still on the small creatures in the box. Slowly, hesitantly he reaches down and begins stroking the black and white one, scratching its chin lightly and smiling as it plays with his hand. After a few seconds he scoops it up and holds it near him, then looks up at Freia. His dark eyes study the woman for a moment before he smiles again. "Thank you," comes his quiet voice. He nods to the side, indicating Noro where she's trying to get into a scrap with the other Tears. "She's over there."
Freia follows Zayids nod and spots Noro a bit further away. She turns back to Zayid "Just take good care of him - I thought they could play with eachother back in our bunks when we are working and then we can feed them and play with them during the morning and evenings. I'll head over to Noro - do keep an eye on Korrith. I've got the feeling neither he or that halfling will back down easily..."
She starts to head for Noro with the remaining content of the box, throwing the occasional wary glance towards the showdown. It worried her - but yet, on the other hand it felt good. Good that both Korrith and then Pelgrev had intervened. And besides - they gave her plenty of cover to slip away. Well - if the worst comes to the worst ... I don't think the halfling throws that hard of a punch..."
The halfling smiles and hops down onto the dirt, followed by his gnome companions. All three are wearing loose working clothes and covered in a slight layer of construction grime. The other fighters take notice and everyone seems to circle slightly. The halfling looks up to Pelgrev and down to Korrith, utterly confident. The gnomes stand a step behind and to the sides.
The same elf who referred to the halfling as Casper sighs and half-mumbles Not on my hands...
Last time I checked, we all got tatt'ed he chuckles, still completely confident. The last thing I want in here is a pet lizard.
Casper looks you over carefully. I see no vials, no potions. You can light a stick on fire, so you're magical. People say I'm magical too. Especially the lady people. He grins at his own joke.
Lay off it, Kobold. Says the elf who has been chiming in. Sorrows will show up if you start anything unsporting, and they tend to look unkindly on the guy who threw the first punch, no matter the words.
Noro has been keeping to herself since returning. to the 'base'
she managed to get her hands on a bottle of cheap wine. and and has been taking out any frustrations she may have had on a "heavy bag" practicing her kicks and throwing a few punches. working up a sweat.
every so often she takes a break to take a swig of the wine, but she soon is at it again.
Pelgrev - He certainly seems willing, and, if what the elf said before was true, it wouldn't be the first time today he had provoked someone.
Little one talk big. Stir soup. Korrith, we ignore buzzing fly.
Pelgrev starts gently pulling Korrith backwards, away from the halfling. He leans down and whispers, We finish. Earn respect, then he no talk.
Casper snorts at you mockingly. Go ahead, listen to ol' Ravalan. He always kills the fun anyway.
The Elf Ravalan stands and drops into the sandy arena. He approaches Korrith and Pelgrev with sure, swift strides and says to Casper, You already started one fight today. Go strangle something.
Casper finally backs down and stalks back to his place, gnome buddies in tow. Ravalan watch him go before addressing you, Greetings. Sorry for that rough introduction. I'm Ravalan. Welcome to the only fun we get. He gestures to the Gauntlet.
Pelgrev watches the band of little ruffians move away with a look of mixed relief and regret. He shifts his focus to Ravalan and responds.
Well met. I am called Pelgrev. Little lizard with hot spirit is Korrith.
Pelgrev nods towards Casper and his band.
You have earned respect from haffun. It good he knows when sense is made.
Ari watches the exchange between Casper and Korrith quietly. She stretches her fingers a few times, debating whether to stand up for the lizard if a fight breaks out but decides its not worth the bother. She'd already offered her precious books up for teamwork.
The elf will stride into the gauntlet though and walk up to Ravalan. "Greetings. Thank you for helping resolve that without fighting breaking out. I am Ariana..may I ask how long you have been working with the Tears?"
Ralavan nods in greeting to you both. He doesn't seem uncomfortable around other races and his manner is not as haughty as some elves.
No problem. Casper is a mean little creep, and his shadows are no slouches either. They already beat the snot out of a half-Orc today. Took them all of six seconds to knock him out cold, but he threw the first punch so he technically started it.
I've been serving for about a year now. In for forgery and fraud. What about youall?
Noro continues her work out almost not noticing Freia approach at first.
but she soon catches sight of her.
stopping her work outs she grabs her wine and takes a swig.
What? you come to watch, or you need shome lesshons?
Noro seems a little...upset.. at something, hard to tell what exactly but apparently the wine and the punching bag seem to be helping her.
Freia gives Noro's bottle a cautious look before answering."Lessons?" Her eyes quickly darts between Noro and the mauled bag. "No thanks - I'm supposed to show Korrith my book - " She glances once again towards the showdown, noticing that the situation appears to be defused. "- unless he gets solitary or something worse. But it looks like he is in the clear for now..."
She turns her full attention back to Noro and holds the box up to her. The grey kitten finally realizes that there are life outside the box and looks up. It's bright eyes meets Noros and if she leans in to close, it will try to playfully swipe its paws towards her in a feeble (but cute) attempt to catch her. Freia seems both happy and proud - best mood she has been seen in infact. "I saw you trying to pet with one of the dogs we caught earlier - and I thought this one might easier to manage. I brought one for Zayid aswell - since he also seemed fond of animals. Maybe they can play together when you are not around?" She pauses to see how Noro reacts, then adds - "They are both from a church near where I work. The priests always have too many cats for their own good... But if you don't want her I suppose I could hand her back ..."
Ravalan chuckles, Well, that one's new. What's your story, big guy?
Freia gives Noro's bottle a cautious look before answering."Lessons?" Her eyes quickly darts between Noro and the mauled bag. "No thanks - I'm supposed to show Korrith my book - " She glances once again towards the showdown, noticing that the situation appears to be defused. "- unless he gets solitary or something worse. But it looks like he is in the clear for now..."
She turns her full attention back to Noro and holds the box up to her. The grey kitten finally realizes that there are life outside the box and looks up. It's bright eyes meets Noros and if she leans in to close, it will try to playfully swipe its paws towards her in a feeble (but cute) attempt to catch her. Freia seems both happy and proud - best mood she has been seen in infact. "I saw you trying to pet with one of the dogs we caught earlier - and I thought this one might easier to manage. I brought one for Zayid aswell - since he also seemed fond of animals. Maybe they can play together when you are not around?" She pauses to see how Noro reacts, then adds - "They are both from a church near where I work. The priests always have too many cats for their own good... But if you don't want her I suppose I could hand her back ..."
Noro gives her, and the cat, a cautious glare. approaching the two and looking a bit menacing. she bends over to get a look at this cat.
What makesh you think I like theshe, thingsh? she asks as she picks up the cat but the back of the neck.
Of courshe, It can't hurt to keep thish thing around. still holding the cat, Noro turns and starts to walk away with it.
You think she may have named the cat Lou
Freia remains standing with the now empty box in her hands a few moments after Noro leaves. She recognizes the shield Noro put up around her - she had done the same many times before. Yet she couldn't help but wonder whom was underneath that shell - what that woman wanted, felt and dreamed. Maybe with time ...? Tilting her head and listening really carefully she could make out one thing - Noro liked Lio - or maybe Lou.
With her minor cat-quest done it was probably time to focus on something else. Like that read-through she had promised Korrith. And Ariana had actually offered her to look through her book aswell! They both seemed to be engaged in conversation with another Tear - an elf. She carefully made her way towards them, the box still in her arms. She takes her place behind Pelgrev, glancing around the side of the large man. She tried to look over his shoulder first - but the effort was in vain. Her resolve fortified by the presence of her companions she takes a (for her) leap of faith and attempts to take part in the social conversation with a careful "Hi!"
Ravalan smiles and nods at Freia, not wanting to interrupt the massive man before him.
Murder, but is false. Guilty of many crimes, but punished for crime not done.
Pelgrev nods towards the group that moved off.
Casper? Likes to fight too much. Like rabid dog. Someone will put him down.
So say they all, my friend. Thankfully, I don't care why you're here. As for Casper, he could use some someone to knock him around. I'm his equal. Just be sure not to throw the first punch.
Hat about you, little Teifling? What'd you do?
The elf raises a curious eyebrow. Is this true?
Freia peeks forth from her cover behind Pelgrev to answer "It is true... There are very few organizations or opportunities for my kin. In the end, this one seemed the most noble one." blushing she pauses. I hope he won't take that the wrong way. "Better then the alternatives at least."
Well, that'll teach me to say I've seen it all! Wow! Alright then. Welcome, I guess.
Make yourselves at home. We have a bit still before they here us to bunks, so knock yourself out!
He gestures to the area in general.
The fighters have already started their bouts back up. They seem to be keeping an eye on Noro, perhaps wondering why she's taking all her sorrows out on a practice dummy.
Johnny shakes his head a the little almost fight but was ready to jump in if needed.
As the conversation with the elf goes on he listens but says nothing aloud.
Funny but I seem to be one of the only ones that deserves to be here
Ariana has no interest in sparring or engaging in the rabble. She'll retire to the room to study and meditate on the information gathered during the day.
"Thank you for the offer"
Freia thanks the elf but have no intention to take him up on hit. Not today atleast. Instead she tugs on Korriths sleeve and leans closer.
"Do you want to go through my book ? I saw Ariana leaving for our room so it might be a good time."
Noro seems rather amused with the cat and she heads off to her sleeping quarters with it.
Pelgrev wanders over to the group surrounding the sparring fighters. He watches in silence for a while, mentally going through the strikes, counters, and avoidance maneuvers. He loses himself in the flow of a skilled martial contest, and begins to gently "coach" the fighters in whispered Shoanti.
One of the fighters, a man about 3/4 your size, approaches and greets you enthusiastically.
In the fight before you, the larger of the two lands a devastating knee to the gut, sending the smaller partner sprawling to the dust.
Zayid crosses the Gauntlet, moving to a spot behind the practice dummies where he won't be visible to most of the rest of the Tears. Kneeling down and resting on his heels, he sets the kitten down and begins speaking softly to it in his native tongue. "O bu ihe kasi mma mgbe ufodu, o bu ihe kasi njo ugboro. O bu afo nke amamihe, o di afo iri na nzuzu, o bu oge nke nkwenye ya, na o bu oge nka, o bu oge nke Ihe, o bu oge ochichiri, o bu mmiri olileanya, o na-bu oyi nke obi nkoropu."
After an hour or so, Zayid scoops up the kitten and stands. Yawning widely, he heads back to the bunk room.
Pelgrev grins widely and grasps the fighter's forearm companionably.
One With Shadows thinks for a moment before speaking.