What's going on?
Perception=
The woman waits for the orders flying around the table to peter out a bit, and then nods. "Right, so that's a pot of tea - would you prefer herbal tea or black tea? - two loaves of bread, a standard cheese platter, two cream buns, and one plate of poultry and greens. Anything else?" She's keeping half an eye on the commotion across the street, but doesn't seem too interested or worried.
"You'll kill a crusader with this rot! They'll depend on your snake oil in a pinch and end up dead, you demon-lover!" the crusader woman continues her tyrade in a loud voice, waving one of the merchant boy's vials over her head for emphasis with every other word.
"Black tea will be fine."
"Oy. Now THAT'S not nice!" Cernan says with a furrowed brow, after hearing the latest declaration from across the street. His tone is,... dark. As opposed to his seemingly perpetual good cheer.
"I think I'll just have word with the good crusader. Shyster or not, there's no need to go ruining a perfectly good Armasse day by throwing around dangerous accusations like that. Excuse me."
Cerna gets up from the bench and starts walking calmly towards the excitable group.
He is halfway across the street before you realize that he didn't refer to himself in the third person. Not once.
"Black tea, with a small pot of milk." she says with some concern as she watches the cleric rise and move over to the commotion.
With a glance to those remaining at the table she adds; "Do you think one of us should accompany him, make sure that he doesn't make things worse." there's a definite hint of apprehension, not just about losing a commission.
"I guess that's a good point." Ionnia gets up and follows Cernan, leaving her shield and backpack behind. "I'll be right back, hopefully."
With a twinge, that Willow just knew Ionnia would offer. 'She is really selfless, though it wasn't meant to be a hint.' she thinks guiltily.
Turning to the pair remaining at the table; "Fortunately, Hero, it is not always so busy a time. A festival is underway, which is good for us merchants." with a curt gesture of her charcoal darkened fingers, incongruous with the rest of her projected persona, she motions to herself and Kipka.
The woman waits for the orders flying around the table to peter out a bit, and then nods. "Right, so that's a pot of tea - would you prefer herbal tea or black tea? - two loaves of bread, a standard cheese platter, two cream buns, and one plate of poultry and greens. Anything else?" She's keeping half an eye on the commotion across the street, but doesn't seem too interested or worried.
** spoiler omitted **
"You'll kill a crusader with this rot! They'll depend on your snake oil in a pinch and end up dead, you demon-lover!" the crusader woman continues her tyrade in a loud voice, waving one of the merchant boy's vials over her head for emphasis with every other word.
Watching everyone else get up and go towards the commotion, Willow decides to stay seated. Looking to the table, she addresses Hiro; "So I hear in the country of Tian they have tea ceremonies. Ceremony is very important, as is tea. Do they still have them in your time?"
Hiro watches as Cernan, Ionnia, and Kipka all get up to investigate the commotion and seems unsure as to whether or not he should join them.
Fortunately, Hero, it is not always so busy a time. A festival is underway, which is good for us merchants.
"A festival you say? I never been to a festival. We have not had anything to celebrate in my lifetime. What do you do at a festival?" Hiro asks.
So I hear in the country of Tian they have tea ceremonies. Ceremony is very important, as is tea. Do they still have them in your time?
"Oh yes. Ceremony very important. My master was strict on ceremony. He always say 'If you don't know where you come from, how do you know where you going. Ceremony tell us who we are so we always know who we want to be.'" Hiro responds. "We have many ceremony. Young Samurai often joke there is even ceremony for bathroom!" Hiro laughs at his own humor despite the enormity of the task before him. Hiro likes these good people he has so recently met and hopes that they survive the war to come.
Flushing demurely and instinctively at the mention of toilet humour, she joins in the laughter with soft peals. The artist can sense that Hiro isn't used to humour, or that he takes what humour he can find.
Her finger running across the grain of the table, she answers his queries about the festival. "Well, it's a place to have fun and be entertained." she starts; "I personally paint and draw to make money, well I find the first entertaining and the looks upon my customers faces is satisfying."
"There's foods from across the land, entertainments, face-painting. Peoples of all ages join in a joyful celebration of life, the many differences and experiences." there's a real zest in her tone, she hasn't seen too many festivals and certainly none of this size. "Since it's the start of a crusade, there are many physical contests. Young men and women testing their mastery, as well as experienced knights." Willow glows thinking about the forthcoming games.
Unconcerned with whether the others have joined him or not, (Or simply unaware) Cernan steps firmly and evenly towards the primary commotion-maker. As he draws closer, his usual smile winds its way back onto his face.
"Hail and well met good Crusader!" He begins, his voice loud and clear and meant to be heard. It is the volume of self-confidence and authority, and not the screeching cry of a street vendor or trouble maker.
"Pray goodwoman, tell Cernan what troubles you so this fine Armasse day? For verily Cernan did hear your cries across yon street, and in such a voice! Obviously such a fine woman as yourself is far more used to raising her voice in merriment or cheer than in the sour notes I do hear! Fear not! For Cernan has heard your cries for assistance, and is here to give what aid the damsel may require!" He finishes with a sweeping bow.
A couple of the crowd surrounding the vendor chuckle, having caught the intertwining of flattery, compliments and subtle insults woven into Cernan's tapestry of words.
** spoiler omitted **
"...Young men and women testing their mastery, as well as experienced knights." Willow glows thinking about the forthcoming games.
The glow quickly turns to a flush as she realises the double entendre; 'Oh, I hope his command of common is no better than mine and that passes over his head.' She takes a sip of the tea.
Cernan stands there before the female crusader, hands on hips, feet apart, smile (and skin) gleaming, waiting for her to respond.
Or swoon before his obvious awesomeness. Whichever comes first.
While Cernan does his little speech, Ionnia catches up with him and takes up a supervising position to his side, looking over the guards and the potion-peddler.
1D20+1
"So you left your homeland and time to come and find the lost heroes? To help your people and all those in between." With a pause and looking the man a glint of admiration in her eye. "Your name is apt."
"But won't you find it lonely? Cut off from your friends family, home comforts and dropped in a strange culture, a strange land." she concludes; "Or do you have a way to return home?"
Willow continues to probe, trying to work out if it's a mania or if he really is genuine. There's ambivalent feelings about the latter, for it would mean a horror yet to come - however the Tian would at least not be a crazy-man.
So you left your homeland and time to come and find the lost heroes? To help your people and all those in between." With a pause and looking the man a glint of admiration in her eye. "Your name is apt.
"Yes, I left everything behind. It my duty as Samurai to serve the people, not just my people, but all people no matter who they be and to defend those that cannot defend themselves." states Hiro. "As for my name, I am not hero yet. That is still to be determined as to whether or not I succeed or fail."
But won't you find it lonely? Cut off from your friends family, home comforts and dropped in a strange culture, a strange land." she concludes; "Or do you have a way to return home?
"The way of the Samurai is lonely path. My friends and family are most likely now all dead. We attacked during ritual to open portal to this time. Our forces were overrun when I knocked through portal. As I understand it, this is one way trip. I cannot go back home." Hiro says with a touch of sadness and regret in his voice. "Should I succeed, that will be comfort enough knowing my home is safe."
Cernan stands, his teeth gleaming in the pallid sunlight, his fists on his hips, smiling at the female crusader as if expecting her to swoon at any moment.
"Oh my, that's a lonely course you have taken." she says to Hiro, ambivalently half-hoping his is a lunatic because that'd be a happier future for him and all. Whilst deep in her romantic soul, she enjoys the concept of his brave sacrifice.
"But if you succeed, save the future maybe you can go back?" Willow takes a sip of tea; "Well see if we can get an audience with the crusaders after tea. Ionnia has some influence." she adds proudly.
"But if you succeed, save the future maybe you can go back?" Willow takes a sip of tea; "Well see if we can get an audience with the crusaders after tea. Ionnia has some influence."
"I do not know if able to go back to my time. Will certainly not be same if I succeed in my mission. At very least if I succeed I would like travel to my homeland in this time and at least see cherry blossoms..." Hiro states solemnly. "Would be very kind of all of you if you can assist with seeing crusaders. I have no way to repay your kindness now but will find way to make it up to you." he adds.
"If what you say is true then you won't have to make it up to us" she says patting his hand, maybe misinterpreting his words; "You'll have saved us and the future with the fore-warning."
She rotates the cup twice in an anti-clockwise direction so the hand is facing correctly.
The crusader turns toward Cernan, her eyes narrowed and angry. "And a happy Armasse it would be," she ground out between clenched teeth, "if this charlatan wasn't selling virgin's blood as a protection against demons!"
"My good lady," the young Varisian man protested, "I can assure you, many fine soldiers have bought my goods! I only seek to help in your holy and mighty crusade!"
"Nevermind the method of procuring this 'virgin's' blood," the crusader continued, a scoffing tone entering her voice as she turned back to the protesting merchant, "Sunnestier himself has declared that such flim-flammery is useless! He will take gold that could be used for better arms, armor, or proper potions, and have men waste it on useless lies!"
Sunnestier is Eterrius Sunnestier, a half-elf cleric of Iomedae and the priest that normally runs more military based holy matters, and a renowned demon hunter. He runs services at the Cathedral of Saint Clydwell, which is often the center of divine military based matters in Kenabres.
An older woman walks up to the table, a platter held in both hands. There is a slight shake in them as she sets the platter on the table. She removes the hot iron teapot and a clean but mismatched set of clay cups for the table, and offloads a the plate of assorted cheeses. She has pure white hair, done up neatly in an unusual hairstyle for Mendev. Her almond shaped eyes indicate she is Tian, and her hairstyle and seems to match, but her light grey eyes don't match with the rest of the figure she presents. She is wearing a white kimono embroidered with silver thread and sleeves that come down to her knees, with an intricately tied obi belt holding the impeccable ensemble together. Her movements as she empties the platter and measured and precise, but with a sudden mischevious grin she tosses the platter behind her and sits down next to Hiro. The platter lands on the only empty table nearby.
"A happy Armasse to you," the elderly woman says as she reaches into one of her long sleeves and pulls out a porcelain cup. She places it before her on the table and turns to Hiro, saying something in a strange language. It sounds like she's asking Hiro a question.
As she waits for an answer, she looks pointedly from the teapot to her porcelain cup.
Okay, ma'am, you've made your point. Clearly the salesman has been reading the wrong books. You don't have to be Sunny -or even bright- to know virgins blood doesn't have many uses for anyone other than a lonely necro... mancer. Now if you want a *real* apothecary, you can check out my father's store yonder, ma'am, otherwise leave this one to the authorities....
Willow nods respectfully at the woman who sits down across the table, inspite of the unusual routine the sorceress is intrigued by the tea ceremony. For she has studied the ceremonies across Golarion, but it's unusual to get a genuine first hand example. Thus she keeps her mouth shut, her eyes open and her mind clear.
The merchant obviously wants the scene to be over and done with, but doesn't seem penitent in the least.
Ionnia squares her shoulders and steps forward, addressing the crusader with the authority of one raised by nobles and paladins. "Now listen here. Seeing as we're all fighting for the same cause, it'd be a shame if we were to stoop to arguing with each other when there are demons to be fought so close by.
It may be that this young man seeks to earn gold that could be put to better use by some of our other fellows in arms, but that is a matter for the city guard to deal with, and once the Armasse celebrations are over, I certainly intend to talk to them about this incident. In the meantime, however, I suggest you leave him alone for now."
She then turns to the young potion-peddler. "As for you, may I suggest that you hastily change your inventory into items that will actually aid our brave soldiers in their struggle against our mutual foes rather than continue to take advantage of their more gullible members?"
"Oh, yes, my ladyship, of course. I meant no disrespect on such a holy day, only to help in this holy crusade as best a poor merchant can!" The Varsian merchant begins busily packing up his cart.
The crusader grunts and holds out the vial she's been holding with the tips of her thumb and forefinger, as if it is too disgusting to touch anly longer. "Take your foul wares and go, you huckster, or I will inform Lord Hulrun of this! I know his Inquisitors are eager to find more evidence of those working for the demon hordes throughout Kenabres."
The merchant snatches the vial from the woman and quickly packs it away, wheeling his wares away as his cart folds down like a wheelbarrow. He hurries down the busy street as fast as he can.
for first check.
for second check.
Hiro, blindsided by her approach, completely loses his composure with respect to this strange Minkai woman. He is not sure whether or not to stand and bow or start pouring tea for her and finds himself bouncing up and down out of his chair flustering over words that fail to properly remove themselves from his mouth while nearly knocking over the tea pot.
"Honored ancestor," Hiro begins in formal Tian while finally bringing the teapot under control, "allow me to apologize for my lack of proper formality. I am completely at your service. I also apologize for not having ritually cleansed any of the utensils an for not having them all present." Hiro then bows respectfully to his honored guest and pours the tea into her cup.
Hiro notices Willow's interest at the ceremony and switches back to common, "Normally, all dishes ritually cleansed and tea first poured into single, large bowl that each guest drinks from. Then individual tea's served to each guest in own cup."
Turning back to the strange woman, Hiro switches back to Tian, "I am here on a very important mission for our homeland. How may I be of service to you? And if it is not to forward, may I ask your name, honored one?"
"Ah, no worry, young man," the woman says in Taldor, her eyes crinkling with amusement as she lifts the delicate, handleless cup to her mouth. She takes a sip and smiles. "Lovely. This is not a formal ceremony. But no one should have to fill their own cup when drinking in good company."
She puts her cup down and takes one of the cups provided by the shop, placing it in front of Hiro and filling his new cup with hot tea. "So what brings you two to Kenabres this Armasse?" she continues as she place another cup in front of Willow and fills it. She then takes another sip from her tea as her eyes go back and forth between Hiro and Willow.
"I'm here for the celebrations. To observe the beauty on display, to capture it upon canvas." Willow takes the cup to him hands and absorbs the aroma; "For I am an artist you see." The tone holds a confidence that nearly borders upon arrogance, however she knows she can back up the boast.
"I am here on very important mission to save world." Hiro states evenly. "Miss Willow and her friends," Hiro gestures to the trio outside dealing with the upset Crusader and the vendor, "have been kind enough to help to talk with people in charge of Crusade."
on the mystery Tian woman. Not that Hiro does not trust her or think she is lying (he truly does not believe she would lie to him) in any fashion but just to try to get a "read" on her.
And with that Willow's posturing implodes, as she looks between the woman and Hiro, her sapphire eyes darting about sheepishly. 'Oh my, he really is naive.' she thinks noticing the honest look upon his visage.
Cernan stands and smiles as the Crusader explains her views clearly and loudly. He waits until he is certain that she is done, then opens his mouth,... only to be a beat behind Ionnia.
He looks confused for a moment, clearly not used to others speaking before him. (Or just never got used to the idea at any rate.) So that by the time he is ready to speak, again, the situation has been defused. With the Clearly non- recalcitrant peddler going one way, and the irate crusader moving another.
"Yes! Excellent! So glad we could solve this amicably! Glad I could help! Blessed Armasse day to you all!" He declares cheerfully to the crusaders, winking at the woman if she looks his way as they depart. If not, he shrugs his shoulders and turns back to the others.
"See? no one really wants trouble on such a fine day. They just needed a little help in channeling their enthusiasm." He grins.
He makes his way back to their table and rejoins everyone. It is only after he has seated, drunk half his drink in one long pull, and helped himself to a handful of food that he realizes there is an extra person in their little group.
"Hello there! Where did you come from?" He asks grinning broadly.
"I hight Cernan Cereznin, Cleric of Caydean, at your service!" He says, saluting the older woman with his earthenware mug the drink was brought in.
Having made sure neither crusaders nor potion-seller is about to start up something again, Ionnia walks back to the others, and seeing the newcomer gives her a quick bow before settling down in her seat again.
"Greetings lady. I'm Ionnia von Sturnidae a paladin-squire of Shelyn."
"She's lady of the tea. Mistress of Ceremonies." Willow responds to Cereznin, not knowing the ladies actual name and not wanting to say waitress about one as wise but forth-right as the new-comer.
"She was wondering how we are enjoying the festival and our purpose." Willow adds try to stimulate conversation. "Did you sort out the kerfuffle? What was it about?"
"Hah! 'Kerfuffle', Good one! Nothing much really. Just an overzealous crusader taking offense at the probably well-intentioned if obviously ill-conceived marketing strategy of a would-be potion-peddler. Just High spirits looking for an outlet on this fine day!" He says, automatically raising his mug once more at the mention of 'Spirits'.
"Hm, "Mistress of Ceremonies', I like that!" Cernan continues boisterously. However his keen eyes take note of the precise way that his new 'friend' Hiro pours the tea and moves the cup.
"I'm sure you would like that." she says archly raising an eyebrow; "Or a spot of rum in you tea, I suppose."
Willow considers the implication of the crusaders' actions and any potential consequences. "I hope there was no repercussions, we artisans have a tough time as it is."
Did you sort out the kerfuffle?
Hah! 'Kerfuffle', Good one!
"What is this Ker...Kerrfuff...Kerrfluffyel? I am not familiar with this word." Hiro asks, continuing to pour tea for everyone at the table.
"I'm sure you would like that." she says archly raising an eyebrow; "Or a spot of rum in you tea, I suppose."
Willow considers the implication of the crusaders' actions and any potential consequences. "I hope there was no repercussions, we artisans have a tough time as it is."
"Yes please." Cernan replies instantly, then winks at Willow. "Well, maybe later. No lasting harm done there I think." He waves in the general direction of the departed former Arguees.
"What is this Ker...Kerrfuff...Kerrfluffyel? I am not familiar with this word." Hiro asks, continuing to pour tea for everyone at the table.
Cernan laughs loud and boisterously, but good-naturedly, at Hiro's question.
He DOES manage to restrain himself before slapping the smaller man on the back and spoiling his pouring of the tea.
"I should think not! Considering our friend here just made it up!" He explains, still chortling.
Ionnia turns to Hiro. "It means a disturbance. I think it's an Iobarian word to begin with."
"And yes, it wasn't much to speak of. I don't think they really wanted a fight, so it was enough to speak firmly to them."
"I'm quite the linguist." Willow says blushing at the choice of words used, he eyes darting around the table trying desperately to think of something to change the conversation to.