"Good to see you lot are awake. And gods, man, that smells worse than a smithy ever dared to be. Or the worst crypt. And I should know somethin' about each, mind yeh."
Thirzin seems a bit more than relieved that Noro is up and about. At least more than he should for a stranger.
Asuriel studies Noro's reaction to her statement but is confused by her response for some reason. When she looks away, Asuriel looks down at the table in silence. Her posture slumps some and a slight rosy color tints her cheeks.
I guess I've offended her. You should be ashamed of yourself Asuriel!
She eventually engages Olivius in conversation and changes the subject. After offering her help and smelling the tea she turns away from the bag and pinches her nose "Ewww, disgusting! Home smells like a chamber pot?! Ugh"
Horatio staggers downstairs, gripping the rail with white knuckles. His hair's loose, half of it hanging out of his ponytail, the other half barely held together by the leather tie. He pushes it out of his eyes as he takes a seat, falling heavily into a chair. His brilliant green eyes are bleary, but his fingers seem as swift as ever as he tunes his violin and begins practicing his scales.
His mood brightens considerably when Ameiko brings food, tea, and alchemist's kindness. "You're a real sweetheart," he grins at the Tian woman, genuine appreciation showing in his face. "I could just kiss you right now. This is just what I needed."
He downs half of his tea with a relived sigh, settling back in his seat to finish his scales and arpeggios. Had to keep the fingers nimble, after all. "So," he asks, looking around at the others with a raised eyebrow, "Who put me to bed last night? And why didn't they stay?" After a few minutes, he finishes his warm-ups, and leans forward to eat.
Though the drink has lifted his face somewhat, he still looks dishevelled - a pale stubble is starting to grow on his jaw, and his untucked shirt hangs wide open, revealing a good amount of chest. As the alchemist's kindness starts to work its magic, he starts looking around at the others.
"Good gods, man. From the smell of that, I'd say you dont believe in hair of the dog!" Horatio nudges Olivius in the ribs, catching a whiff of his cup. The conversation between Noro and Asuriel goes right over his head, however - he's too busy eating to notice the subtle signs.
Olivia's simply shrugs at the criticism of his drink and sips on it again.
"I dunno, you and that Foxglove fellow were talking about putting on a concert and having pixies dressed as... um, what was it now... Oh yes, Calistrians. Having those be the wait staff. Dunno who put you to bed, but Ameiko was laughing so hard at you two, I think she forgot to breath for a bit."
Ping only asks for some fruit, and doesn't put up much of a fuss when Ameiko once again refuses payment.
As the little gnome wakes up, she finally notices the smell of Olivius' "tea."
"Sweet fuchsia! Why does that smell like something devils would have for tea?!"
"Pixies dressed as Calistrians?" Horatio's brow furrows in thought. "Are you sure it wasn't the other way around?"
Almost as if summoned, Lou appears behind Horatio.
"That would be me, and no offense, I am attracted to the more curvaceous sex." Lou looks to Noro and gives her a smile.
"Hello Noro, are you feeling any better? Hannah was kind of insistent that I not worry over you."
Ameiko sneaks up behind Lou and makes the man jump with a pinch in the ribs.
"'Insistent?' The woman almost threatened to turn you into a eunuch!" She says with an impish smile.
"Say, wasn't there two more? Where's woshername? Pavanna? And, Saroune, yes?"
"Pixies dressed as Calistrians?" Horatio's brow furrows in thought. "Are you sure it wasn't the other way around?"
"If the two of you had tried it, I'm sure that's exactly what would have happened. You two were pretty sloshed after about an hour."
Asuriel avoids eye contact with Noro and looks over at Horatio as he stumbles over. "Horatio, you appear to have had quite a good time last night."
Horatio's comment about someone taking him to bed causes Asuriel to slink further into her seat.
After blatantly ignoring his comment she moves off from the womanizer over to Ping, "I'm sorry, I've forgotten your name. What was it again, I admit to be a little distracted yesterday. You know, green hair and all."
When Ping mentions the tea Asuriel responsd, "I know, it's quite revolting, isn't it?"
Turning to Olivius she offers a small smile, "Sorry, no offense. It smells as pleasant that that goblin horde yesterday though. And two warchiefs? You have faced the likes of that before then?"
"Say, wasn't there two more? Where's woshername? Pavanna? And, Saroune, yes?"
Asuriel rises up some, "Oh, perhaps Pavanna was summoned home and had to leave abruptly?"
Horatio simply shrugs at Ping's words. "Well, I like to enjoy a good drink with good people." He frowns slightly, looking around for Saroune and Pavanna. "And thankfully I have the aid of an angel in surmounting Cayden's Revenge." He says this last with a wink at Ameiko.
At Lou's answer, he laughs, shaking his head. "Well, I suppose it was too much to hope for."
He grins at Asuriel, though her obvious discomfort causes him to regret his words. "Well, the drink was good, and the company was better." He raises an eyebrow at the angelkin inquiringly. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"
Noro tries to hide her smile, but it does slip through.
Noro's mood seemed to lighten up ever so slightly when Horatio showed up
but it doesn't last long. the events of yesterday still plauge her mind.
Assuming Noro is furious at her, she avoids looking at her completel, missing her smile completely.
Asuriel was looking at someone else when Horatio answers with his comment on the angel. Asuriel automatically assumes that he is speaking of her course.
Wait, what?! How does he know?!
She swings her gaze to him as looks very surprised. A look of puzzlement clouds her face and she asks, "I'm sorry, come again? What was that bit about the angel? I'm sorry I wasn't completely paying attention, everyone is all chatty this morning."
She tunes everyone else out and focuses on Horatio solely, watching him with renewed interest.
Olivia's simply shrugs at the criticisms of his drink and sips on it again. Just a bit of brimstone and salt in sugar. I never said you had to like it.
He was about to answer Asuriel about his experience with Goblins when she gets distracted by Horatio.
He settles into his chair with this "mineral" tea and enjoys the crowd around the table. It's been a long time since he had a time like this and he was savoring every moment.
He was also relieved to see Noro smile. It seemed rare for her, but it really lit up her face well.
Even Thirzin was showing relief at Noro's well-being. That was a little surprising for a Dwarf, but it served as evidence for that little piece in Oivius's mind that was analyzing everyone as potential assassins.
Probably not everyone here. After all, I'm still alive...
Saroune came downstairs slowly. The night's rest had done wonders for her sluggishness yesterday, but there was no need to rush it. She noticed that Ameiko was serving a hearty breakfast and took a seat at the table. "Good morning, everyone. I apologize if I overslept."
She ate slowly, listening to the others talk.
Horatio catches a glimpse of Noro's smile,but thinks nothing of it. "Good to see you're feeling better," he nods.
When Asuriel suddenly fixes her attention on him, he raises an eyebrow, nodding his head at Ameiko again. "What else would you call someone who provides free food, drinks, and hangover cures?" That was an alarming reaction... I wonder why? In his pondering, he misses any significance Noro's smile may have had.
He grins at Saroune as she makes her way to the table. "Welcome to another fine morning! Missing your admirer?" he teases gently.
"Ping, Ping Ibbleting at your service. I have to disagree with you on the smelling as bad as goblins. Goblins still smell worse."
Ping finishes her meal then heads back upstairs. a few minutes later, she comes back down, looking significantly more presentable.
"Well, thanks for the food and the warm bed! I best be... off."
Ping's voice trails off as she notices Ameiko in the way.
"Uh, what's going on?"
Noro is starting to lighten up some. But she still is bothered about he fight with Yuto.
Eventually she looks to Lou. Lou, I'm shorry about everything.
"What do you think Lou? Should we keep him?" Ameiko asks at Horatio's compliment.
"Sure, as long as he's fine complimenting all of the ladies, and not just you."
Things continue to pick up in the common room as guests begin to come downstairs after sleeping off a night of drinking.
Of particular note are Tharis and Korl who both do admirable impressions of Ping and smack in the door jamb on their way down.
"Tell me again why I decided ta try an' outdrink a dwarf?" Korl asks his companion as he rubs his head.
"I dunno, same reason you try and drink me under the table every night?"
As ping tries to leave, Ameiko bars her way to the door with that impish grin that seems to mean trouble for someone.
"Ah, ah, ah. Belor wanted to talk to you as well. And before you say it, yes you did help out a lot. Not many that would volunteer to be a runner during a fight like yesterday's."
And with that ushers Ping back to her seat before serving the other patrons of the Dragon.
[dice=perception Saroune]1d20+6
Noro is starting to lighten up some. But she still is bothered about he fight with Yuto.
Eventually she looks to Lou. Lou, I'm shorry about everything.
"Don't be. You are trying to be better, which is more than I can say for Yuto right now." Lou says as he gives Noro a hug, and possible risking a punch.
Pavanna, not having shared in the general inebriation last night and enjoying the clear head that comes with knowing her limits, rose just after dawn. After using her lesser magics to repair the damage to her shield and trousers, she strapped into her armour, swordbelt and shield, completed her morning devotions, and headed back to the White Deer to retrieve the rest of her gear. I really should have come for all this last night, she grouses to herself, not for the first time, but in the state he was in, Horatio needed someone to lean on if he was going to get up the Dragon’s stairs without breaking something.
Shaking aside the thought, she hands her room-key back to Garridan Viskalai and, perhaps with more courtesy than candour, says “My thanks for your hospitality, sir. Perhaps you’ll find a better guest for that room now that Ameiko’s generosity has, erm, relieved you of my presence.”
Pavanna comes through the taproom door in time to hear Ameiko’s words to the gnome who played messenger in yesterday’s fight. “Indeed, in many situations the runners’ efforts can be even more vital than the fighters’,” she adds, nodding to both women. “Sheriff Hemlock is coming? Good; I’d imagine we have as many questions for him as he does for us.”
She turns to the assembled others, carefully controlling her reaction to seeing Asuriel. “Good morning, everyone. Sorry I missed you earlier, but I needed to get all this from the White Deer. I’ve known an innkeeper or two who’d happily sell a guest’s things while they were out, and although I don’t know if he’s actually the sort of fellow to do that, I rather started off on the wrong foot with Garridan Viskalai yesterday, and I thought I’d best remove temptation from his way.”
Noro hugs Lou back but also follows it up with a punch to the arm, keep tellin ya, shtop being a pansy. gosh
Noro sits back down and has a cup of Amieko's Tien jasmine tea.
"What else would you call someone who provides free food, drinks, and hangover cures?"
Asuriel noticeably relaxes, letting some tension flow away from her.
Well that was almost embarrassing.
As Saroune sits at the table she notices everyone but the tiefling has appearance for breakfast. This puts a smile back on her face. She must have been recalled. Or sent away. Or oversleeping.
Oh darn. No teiflings this morning!
Just as the other two come down the stairs.
Asuriel gives a brief sigh.
Ah well, at least there aren't three of them
Pavanna walks through the front door and Asuriel's sigh this time was blatant.
Great, my day is now complete.
Asuriel looks away from Pavanna and catches Saroune shooting glances at her and distinctly looking away. Asuriel looks away but then snaps her gaze back when Saroune looks at her again and catches her eye directly. "Yes? Can I help you with something?"
Horatio gives Pavanna a sheepish grin as she mentions the White Deer. "Hey, I was only trying to be a gentleman."
He raises the eyebrow at Asuriel again. "What was it I said yesterday about playing nice?"
“Not your fault, Horatio,” Pavanna assures him, smiling and rolling her eyes. “You couldn’t have known he’d turn a simple kindness into a murderplay.”
Asuriel shoots a glance at Horatio out of the corner of her eye and pretends to ignore him as she focuses on the wizard instead. She looks at Saroune expectantly.
Patience Asuriel.
"Who, Garridan? The man's too stodgy for that." Ameiko says as she brings Pavanna a plate.
"Eat up, and let me know if there's anything else." Ameiko tells everyone before returning to her rounds.
A few minutes later, Belor walks in, followed by Kendra Deverin, the mayor.
"Ah! I'm glad you are all here. Please finish up and then we can talk. No offense to my brother, but I wouldn't take you away from Ameiko's cooking for anything." The big Shoanti says with a grin on his face.
"My, if I had known all it took to get you to open up was some of Miss Kaijutsu's cooking, I'd have her cater to all of the town meetings." Kendra says with a smirk.
Olivius rotates in his chair with his wonderfully fragrant brew and waits until the chatter dies down.
Asuriel has finished two plates already and is quite done. Looking to Belor she rattles off several questions in rapid fire, "Sheriff, has anyone attempted to question the prisoners from yesterday? Do we have any leads on what was the reasoning behind the attack? Is there anything we can do to help?"
Saroune blushed furiously for being put on the spot. "I was just wondering why you were speaking Infernal yesterday during the battle." she spurted. If the question seemed overly forward, the wizard seemed not to notice.
Now you've done it. That was better off not asked, way to draw attention to yourself Asuriel
Quickly, think of something
Caught off guard she lets her eyes fall from Saroune to the table and says a little softer, "Ah, yes, there's that. My apologies for making the challenging situation more difficult. I hope I did not cause you any undue stress or distraction."
That's it apologize and now change the subject. She enjoyed talking about schoarly stuff yesterday, let's try that approach.
Looking back up at her she asks curiously, "But it appears your use of that spell to take down nearly half of the opposing force yesterday went off without a hitch. Tell me, how did you come to decide that was the best course of action? And what of the laws and principles required to pull of such a feat?"
I hope she doesn't ask me what a principle is, I don't even have a clue!
Now all I picture is the two of them finally getting a passed-out bard upstairs, dumping him on the bed, and staring.
"... you undress him."
"Why, 'cos I'm the guy? You undress him!"
"No way; I don't know where those pants have been!"
"Just... just leave him. We've done our bit."
As Belor and Kendra walk in, Horatio quickly gulps the last of his tea and starts tugging at his shirt-strings, trying to make himself more presentable for the authorities. He lets his hair down, combs out an annoying tangle with his fingers, and grimaces as he feels the stubble on his jaw. Good gods, I need a shave.
Presentable? Not quite, but it's an improvement over looking like something the cat dragged in.
While he's distracted, Asuriel jumps in and starts hammering out questions. He fights down the urge to roll his eyes and starts to ask another question - but realizes he has no more to ask. Furious with himself, he simply waits for an answer.
Noro satys a bit quiet as the "law" enters the tavern.
Noro tries to keep a low profile, past experiences dictates she has seen this scene played out before. and it always ended the same way....Noro in jail.
"Easy, easy! We'll be going over all of that in a minute. If you would follow me."
Belor leads the party to a large office in the back. There's plenty of room for everyone to fit comfortably.
Even if it means being a little too close to certain people.
Once everyone's seated, he turns to the party. The dour expression on his face back.
"First, I would like to thank you for all you did yesterday, even if it was as part of a sentence for minor misdemeanors." He begins, giving a knowing glance to Ping.
"Before I share everything that happened, can you tell me what happened at the North Gate?"
Asuriel shoots a glance at Pavanna.
I'm sure Queen In Charge over here is going to take command here and rattle off her account of what happened.
Asuriel sits quietly, folding her hands in her lap. She turns to face Belor and waits silently and patiently.
When he stands, Horatio takes the opportunity to tuck in his shirt. As soon as this is over, I'm changing, he thinks, suddenly feeling disgusted with himself. He takes a seat in the office, at the front of the group, sitting with his left ankle on his right knee, violin in his lap.
When Belor mentions 'minor misdemeanors', the bard glances sideways at Ping. There's a story there, and I must find it out later.
"The north gate was being attacked by goblins whe we arrived - they were harassing Aldern Foxglove, the noble, and his dog - 'Tribbles', I believe he said. We didn't arrive in time to save the dog, but we fought off the goblins. The second wave was..." He grimaces at the memory. "The second wave proved a little more difficult - and mentally scarring. The warriors-" He gestures to Pavanna, Thirzin, Noro, and Olivius "-managed to put down several between them, and Saroune's quick thinking felled much of their front-line with a single spell. Noro wrestled with their leader - rather impressively, I must add - and Asuriel made sure she stayed standing long enough to do so. And of course, a bit of music may have ensured our eventual victory."
He pauses for a moment, running over the events in his head. "The rest, you already know. We took a couple of prisoners, aided one of the wounded guards, and were promptly abducted by a certain innkeeper."