Darkly attractive with an intense gaze that can easily be found unnerving, the young human woman simply oozes a sense of the supernatural. Her raven black hair against the dark leather of her armor and the dark cloak she wears, give the impression of someone draped in shadow.
Her body, well formed and sleekly muscled yet carrying a sultry feminine grace radiates a subtle predatory danger.
Sharp violet eyes seem to study those around her, a full mouth within a cool, calculating face, beautiful yet imposing.
Along her left hip working its way down her thigh is an elaborate Dragonmark, visible under the short skirt of her armor, the mark of The Sentinel to those familiar with such things.
”No problem,” she responds with a smile. “Normally don’t like to get involved but something about it just made me twitch. The name’s Akasha.” she says extending a hand.
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Slightly tall for an elf, with lean, corded muscles, Vannevar is a somewhat miserable sight to behold. His thin lips are pursed in a perpetual scowl, and rarely do they part to speak. His steely grey eyes are pale beads peering from dark sockets. The fall of pale blonde hair from his head cast long shadows on his pallid cheeks, giving him the look of a starved corpse. Despite his sallow appearance, his scarred, muscled physique reveals him to be the honed victor of many fights.
His dress is simple, consisting of a cotton tunic and leather breeches with sturdy boots, adorned with a dark blue cloak and hood with his familiar, notched greatsword strapped to his back.
His thin lips curl into a faint smile as he accepts Akasha's hand with his own. "A pleasure. Vannevar is my name."
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Looking over Akasha, Silian's eyes fall upon the mark upon her leg. His eyes light up.
"Ah, Deneith, if what I can see is truth enough." Silian winks. "I am Silian, an heir to House Thuranni and gifted with a 'mark of my own." He flourishes his hand to emphasize the dragonmark under his left eye. "A rare pleasure indeed. Vannevar, did you not tell me that the last time you encountered a Defender his lifeblood coated the edge of your blade?" Silian clucks his tongue. "Hopefully no one you knew. Oh well, all is washed away in the blood and rain of the war. Cheers."
Akasha's eyebrow arches slightly as the elf noble gives her the once over, locking in on her dragonmark. One of the things that came with being a marked member of the famed house of neutral mercenaries was that everyone had a story of a friend or enemy that was a member of House Deneith. It wasn't a bad or good thing it was simply part of post war world.
She gestures with her drink in acknowledgement of the questionable greeting with a chuckle.
The old man's eyebrow twitches at the pricey drink that Silain orders, but he doesn't deny Silian his choice. He does, however, seem relieved by the more modest drinks chosen by the other two. He orders a mug of mead for himself before paying Mrogab and turning to the three of you. "My name is Timothy. Thank you again for your help out there." He raises his glass briefly before taking a long drink. He allows himself to become a part of the background, listening as you converse amongst yourselves for awhile. Before long he has finished his drink and announces. "It's getting late, I best be going. Thank you all again."
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"Well met, Timothy. Thank you for the refreshment. Hopefully your purse stays with you in your travels from here on out." Silian notes the time of day, and turns back to his companion. "Have you given thought as to where we are staying, Vannevar? I still have yet to place a wager for tomorrow, and the shadows of the towers grow ever longer."
Mrogab accepts Silian's money (5gp) for his second drink and fills his glass. To Vannevar he says, "Aye they're filling up fast, but I've got room for ya. It would save ya money to just get the one but it's your choice. As for wagering on the races, I reckon Jess should be coming in here pretty soon and she can help you with that."
"Ah, there she is now."
~~~~~
The door open and the half-elven woman known as Jess enters. Many of the familiars holler out greetings to her and wave. She smiles politely at them each, but makes her way straight to her red-headed target at the bar. She slides into a seat next to Lianna and says to Mrogab, "Mrogab, get this beautiful woman a drink on me!"
Mrogab rolls his eyes and mumbles something like, "Here we go again. Always a sucker for the pretty ones, she is." He does as she asks though, and gets Lianna another drink.
"Jess, these fellows here were talking about placing a bet."
She turns towards Silian and Vannevar, and eyebrow slightly cocked, "That so?"
~~~~~
Flenn comes stumbling down the stairs and locks eyes on Aeyra. He makes a straight line for her and slams a fist down on her table. "What's that then? What did you do to me? Where's my stuff at?" Before she can answer he swivels his head around to Mrogab, "Hey, Mrogab, this b!$*& knocked me out and stole my stuff."
His face instantly turns two darker shades of red as it dawns on him that he just confessed to being taken by a woman publicly.
Aeyra originaly smiles at him and waves when he comes down, but her face turns to fear and confusion when he gets angry. Finally she shifts to anger, standing and jabbing at his chest. "Just because you were so drunk you don't even remember me doesn't make it my fault somebody slipped into the room and robbed you!" Aeyra slaps him across the face, looks incredibly insulted at the fact he doesn't remember their little adventure and embarrassed at her sex life being talked about openly.
"I'd watch my back out there Timothy," Akasha warns the old man. "This part of town may not be the safest if you aren't from around here. Hell, it isn't even if you were."
Looking around the tavern's common room she sees a number of people engaged in conversation. The energy was what she'd come to expect this time of year, making her feel oddly at home.
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"A wager? Why yes, please m'lady." Turning towards Vannevar and whispering low,
Silian takes a drink of his brandy, smiling warmly.
Prior to leaving, Timothy acknowledges all of the wishes for a safe travel and offers his hand to each of his saviors.
~~~~~
Flenn stares at Aeyra slack jawed for a second, clearly confused. Then, unexpectedly he slides his hand around her waist and pulls her close. "How silly of me, I'm so sorry my dear. Do allow me to buy you a drink again, and I'll be sure to make it up to you in every way possible."
~~~~~
Jess smirks and hands Silian the list of odds, "Big money to be made on the Gargoyle and the Griffon if you're a real gambling man who's not afraid of the risk. Safer bet's the Hippogriff and of the Pegasus. Or maybe you're a middle of the road kind of man, eh?"
Gargoyle: 1:10
Gildwing: 1:5
Griffon: 1:5
Hippogriff: 1:2
Owl: 1:5
Pegasus: 1:2
When Flenn starts making a ruckus, she splits her attention between Silian and the scene, a frown upon her face. She scoots to the edge of her seat and places one foot firmly on the ground, perched, somewhere between sitting and standing.
Aeyra throws off his arm, clearly still upset at him being too inebriated to remember her. "You're a jerk, and a creep! Besides..." She speaks up so the tavern can hear her. "You were lousy anyways."
And with Aeyra's final outburst, Jess glides forward taking Flenn by his ear. "What have I told you about coming in here and harassing the nice ladies, huh? Out with you Flenn! Out! Out! Out!" Jess drags Flenn to the door, which is being held open for her by one of the regular customers. She shoves him out the door with a foot to his rear before closing the door behind him. She makes a show of dusting off her hands, and plastering her most charming smile back on her face before returning to Lianna's side and resuming her conversation with Silian. "Now then, where were we?"
Aeyra mouths silently to Jess thank you with an honest smile. Well I suppose that could of gone worse. She opens her journal again, but after a minute finds herself unable to concentrate she goes back to the bar. "I don't get to meet a lot of elves, wasn't raised with them. Strange, seeing your own culture as if it's another race's"
Akasha snickers at Silan's heavy handed flirting, noting the other elven woman's comments about feeling like a stranger. It was only then that she really considered that she was one of the few humans in the room. Not that things like that mattered. She'd fought alongside all kinds of people and they bled, lived and died pretty much the same.
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Addressing Jess, "Then I'll place ten galifars on the Gargoyle, and five on the Hippogriff." Silian raises his glass to Lianna. "May we both find fortune."
Turning to Aeyra, "Not raised amongst our people? You poor dear. However have you gotten along?"
Noticing Blaze, "And speaking of not our people, what a fine mechanical mystery we have here. Tell me, what brings a 'forged to an inn?"
Silian seems genuinely interested and happy in getting to know everybody as he drinks his brandy and enjoys the conversation.
"Highway robberies and burglary mostly, although once or twice we did hold up a bank." She smirks, nursing her drink. "I'd like to hear a bit more about my culture though."
Jess smiles and winks at Aeyra when she mouths her silent thank you.
Jess accepts Silian's money and writes him out a slip, reminding him not to loose it before turning her attention more fully back to Lianna. "So tell me, what turn of the winds brought you to our lovely Dura and here to me?"
Blaze pays the barkeep for the privilege of spending the night in the common room and continues to sit next to the two elves. As more and more people come into the Cracked Mirror, his attention shifts from conversation to conversation, trying to follow the nuances and interpersonal relationships. He is somewhat relieved to have something to focus on when Silian addresses him.
"That is a question with several answers. In the short term, I have decided to place a wager on the race and this seemed to be a locus of such activity. As I was curious to know more about the associated customs, I came inside to talk to others who are similarly engaged. More broadly speaking, I suppose you could say I am on a pilgrimage to find my optimum place in the world." Blaze pauses, remembering the blank looks such wordy answers often elicited from his taciturn dwarven co-workers back at the smithy. Further, he recalls the rules of polite conversation that he has observed. "How about yourself? Would it be rude to inquire about your purpose here?"
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Silian smiles at Blaze. "First off, it is always rude to ask personal details about anybody, but that's why they invented taverns and inns in the first place to ask rude questions and excuse them with inebriation. Secondly, I do not offend easily, so I will gladly answer any questions you pose to me. I have been to Sharn many times, back when my family were escorts to the Carnival of Shadow. Since my family has... struck out on their own, as it were, I have not had many opportunities to revisit the City of Towers. Recently I found myself sailing the Thunder Sea and upon a whim decided to tour the spires once more. The call of the Race of Eight Winds just gave me more reason to do so."
Turning back toward Aeyra, "A bank job, you say? Well all you would need to do is hold their beard combs just out of reach and those dwarves will cave to almost any demand." He chuckles, "As for our culture, all you need to do is ask. I have traveled many lands, but my home lies in the isles of Lhazaar," Silian points out the door, "Juust there on the other side of the world."
Aeyra snorts, nearly spitting out her drink at the mirth of the dwarven joke. "They take "harming a hair on their head" pretty seriously." She chuckles again. "Perhaps you could bring me there next time you visit..." She leans back, thinking about what her culture might be like.
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Blaze opens his mouth to reply to Silian, but shuts it when he realizes the elf has moved on. As Aeyra and Silian joke about beards, Blaze glances over with slight trepidation at the bartender. He knows from experience how little sense of humor dwarves tend to have about such things. He turns once again to Lianna, but keeps to himself when he sees that she is engaged in conversation with the bookie. He observes them with interest, but is soon confused by the tone of their conversation. It would appear that I don't understand the mating habits of the other races as well as I thought...
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"Perhaps indeed." Silian turns to Blaze, "Might want to get that jaw looked at, seems to be coming loose. I find your kind to be quite fascinating. During the War my family stuck to the realm of entertainment, and as amusing as it would be to see an iron acrobat, I do not think the trapeze is the place for you."
Mrogab's eyes squint ever so slightly as he takes in the conversation. After a moment though, he takes on a cheerful smile and offers to pour Silian more Zil. "A refill? A bite to eat perhaps?" He looks to each of you making it clear his inquiry is for any who wish to take him up on the offer.
Blaze feels his jaw briefly before replying. "No, indeed, I would not be well suited to such a profession. So, you are an entertainer?"
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Laughing, "Why? Are you entertained?" Silian winks at Blaze. "It was always intended for me to join the Carnival," Silian gestures to the dragonmark on his face. "Until this pesky mark developed and landed me in a life of luxury. Woe is me, whatever is a lad to due burdened with such stature?" Silian's laugh dies down as he wonders if warforged are familiar with the concept of sarcasm.
"I do find our conversation mildly diverting, but that is not what I meant." He considers Silian's next statement. "I suspect that many would not share your sense of...oh, I see. Very droll." He studies the elf a moment longer. "Another way of assessing your situation is by the opportunities it affords. You could do much to alleviate the suffering of others."
Blaze gazes at Silian for half a minute before responding. "This is really what you think? The purpose of our lives? How did you decide this?"
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"I was a child when the war began, but I have seen its beginning and end. The history of my people is full of struggle, Fury and Shadow even my family's fame came from decimating another. Legends say that Eberron herself keeps Siberys and Khyber from destroying everything. Your people were created as tools of war. Or take this city itself, segregated by levels to discern class and place. Surely you wouldn't find many bureaucrats down in the Cogs." Silian scoffs. "And how do you see the world, Plated Pilgrim?"
"I'd love some food and a refill, a room as well if you have one."
Akasha says reaching into her belt pouch.
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Lianna is listening intently to the Warforged and the other Elf speak while also speaking to Jess. "Oh gods, they've started talking about worldviews, I once saw an argument between a priest of Arawai, and one of The Keeper. This is shaping up to be just as interesting, though last time we were listening from a hilltop a few dozen yards away, just to be safe."
Blaze considers Silian's words. "It is true that the world is full of suffering, but it strikes me that this is a challenge to each of us to lessen it in whatever small way we can. Although I was created as an engine of destruction, I have found much more satisfaction in the act of creation. Many sentients are cruel to one another, but I, for one, do not wish to forsake the company of others. It may be that the purpose of our existence is unknowable, but perhaps the fact that we can frame questions and search for answers is enough." Hardly aware of his action, his hand goes up to brush the ghulra on his forehead. "But I don't think we are alone on this quest. The Sovereigns speak to us and offer us guidance, if only we take the time to listen"
Blaze realizes his hand is on his forehead and puts it down. "Yes, some have speculated that there is a connection between the ghulra and dragonmarks, or so I have heard. I prefer to think that they are a reflection of our true selves - our souls, if you will." He pauses to gather his thoughts. "Mine did not always look like this. Just two days ago, it spontaneously reshaped itself into the hammer and tongs you see now - Onatar's symbol. I cannot help but believe that this is a clear message, that Onatar has chosen me for some purpose."
Blaze looks quizzically at Lianna. "I am sorry to disappoint you. I shall endeavor to be a better debater in the future." He glances at Silian and holds his first finger and thumb over and under his right eye, bringing them together briefly in imitation of the wink he has seen others use to convey a jocular tone.
Mrogab gathers everyone’s money (7 cp for Silian’s food and tal, 4 sp and 2cp from Vannevar for the rooms and his iced wine, 2 sp and 9cp for Akasha’s food, ale, and room) and sets about serving drinks and bowls of rabbit stew with hunks of bread.
Jess giggles at Lianna’s jest and after a moment’s pause she reaches out and pushes a stray lock of Lianna’s hair behind her ear, and lets her fingers brush Lianna’s pointed ear in the process, ”You know, if you’re thinking about getting a room for the night, you’re welcome to save your coin and share mine instead.”