Keltza raises an eyebrow and nearly loses it when she sees Bel trying to hide his own laugh. "A poet you say? My, my, a lot has changed in the sole year that I've been gone. He never struck me as the type, but as I think we all know at this point, people change. Sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse. But, change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past and the present are sure to miss the future!" She raises her glass for another round of cheers. "Here's to the future! Huzzah!"
Rin sighs softly before laughing. "Erastils eyes okay. You are right. I do have some stories worth the telling, you are right Bel. Thank you. I will make sure to remember that. It just didn't feel right is all, it didn't feel like the thing of stories. It felt like here, it was real and dangerous and depressing. I buried a 17 year old man from Vigil, a couple of days before I left for home. Me and three of the squad dug the grave and lay him to rest in the cold lonely earth. If their was any good in the world he would be at home, in his own tavern like we are, talking and laughing, surrounded by good people," he draped an arm apiece across the shoulders of Lys and Nerak, "not on his way to Pharasma to be weighed and measured." He sighed, shrugging and taking his arms back to raise his mug towards Beltzer.
"But you are right. Stories are all we have in the end!"
"Slainte!"
Beltzer scratches the owl on his shoulder remembering the loss of his own dear friend and carer. "To those that have had their stories ended too soon." He razes his tankard to meet Varin's. "Tales can be sad too. The earth might seem lonely but I'd like to think that man from Vigil is somewhere amongst the gods' realm now, laughing about the times he had with his friends. I would like to think when I pass, I'd be sitting on a fluffy cloud that was shaped like a mammoth. Sauntering through the sky. He chuckles. "The Kellid didn't let me ride one when I passed through their territory." Beltzer pouts a bit, wishing he got a ride.
Keltza grows quiet at Varin's story, shaking her head somberly and putting a reassuring hand on the man's shoulder. "Too many good people have died in this land. It is a harsh reality indeed to know that this place we call home is inhospitable to all but the most hardy... and those who have sacrificed their morals long ago, like the orcs who raid and pillage the innocent."
She takes another gulp of water and shakes her head. There is far too much evil in this land of ours. If only there was some way to simply... exterminate it. That would be for the best. Then, the good can prosper.
She looks up, a grim look on her face. "I too have known good men and women who have had their stories cut short. It ended in violence, as most lives in this land do... we must honor their memory, if nothing else."
Varin shot Keltza a look of gratitude, squeezing her hand where it lay on his shoulder briefly before joining in with Beltzers toast.
"Aye this place is hard, this is true. But we are harder, or we wouldn't be here, right?" He smiled. "We will honour those lives lost every day, with the strength of our backs and our unwillingness to bend. This is our home after all!"
Mellisa shakes her head to Beltzer's question about her parents' hometown. They were true Varisians. Wanderers. Nomads. The road was their home. She pauses, looks down for a moment. So I suppose I did, for a time.
Eager to change the subject, she looks around at the group singing the songs of the fallen. Too true. I've heard a lot of you mention Lastwall. Is that where you all went?
Varin grinned at Mellisa and nodded, patting the symbol emblazoned on the leather strap across his chest, the mark of Lastwall. "Aye, I traveled to the capital, Virtue, as did Menas and Lys. We all took different paths it seems. The Soldier, the Priest and the Legend!"
He sighed for a second, staring down at his hands. "Virtue is a nice place. Well... It is a big place and it is very ideal. It was good while it lasted, the brief time I was there. I am glad to be home though!"
"I am intrigued that nobody decided to join the knights of ozem by what I can see. Though I am guessing you made a piece of armour or two for some of those knights eh Varin?" He turns to Menas asking partly in jest. "I'm guessing they might've asked you for divine guidance?"
Varin shook his head before pausing for a moment in thought. "I didn't make anything for the Knights but I did run a few repairs on some of their gear. We shared a camp at one point, I can't even remember when now, but they were short a smith. I was actually on active duty at that time, not working the forges, but our own Smiths were worked to the bone so I stepped in as a favor." he nodded.
"I actually forged myself a stamp, in the shape of the symbol of Iomedae for the job. Besides... Iomedae isn't for me. I respect the tenants and all but, besides not being a holy man, my faith lies somewhere else!" He patted the symbol of Gorum stamped on his gauntlet, which rested on the table before him.
Keltza shakes her head. "But Iomedae has such great philosophies. Admittedly my own god's may be seen as extreme by some, but I think that Iomedae is a nice middle ground. Tell you what, I'll buy you a holy symbol when we get the chance, eh? Tell you a few stories about her?" She smiles. "Nothing against Gorum of course, but it is possible to worship more than one of the gods... unless you're a priest. Always found that bit weird. Dozens of gods, but you can't gain power from more than one..."
Varin laughs and unhitches the belt that usually holds his quiver in place, and lays it atop of his gauntlets, turning it so the symbol of Erastil is visible. "I worship all the gods but rarely pray to any but these two. I will listen to your words about your deity though, and may even be swayed to your side. You were always very convincing!"
"I don't think priests only worship one god. They are devoted to one god but I'm sure they can believe and follow the tenants of multiple. I'm pretty sure even some deities have allegiances with each other. Makes that whole umbrella of divine power turn into a big mesh. Beltzer lightly smacks himself with the tankard in his hand. "Deep religious thought might be best put aside while under the influence of alcohol...unless... we're talking about Cayden Cailean. The epitome of 'hold my beer, watch this', the lucky drunk indeed."
"So ah.. Lys, thinking of trying to rejoin the guard here or did you have something else in mind? You were quite good at the nightwatch last I remember." Trying to sidetrack his mind from getting into a religious debate with Keltza, not so much because he didn't enjoy it but because he'd likely be asking too many questions then making the night's conversation nothing but that. There was time for that later.
Nerak remained silent when they spoke of the fallen. He had made some friends among the varisians but no doubt their goddess of luck protected them as they all lived. More times then he had liked he was the one dealing death, then again such was the way of the world. His hopeknife was ever a reminder that his life was his own, to live and take. He would fight viciously to defend it as anyone who lived well would. He took a deep drink of the altered moonshine. As the subject changed to their respective gods, Lorn flew before him holding his wooden symbol of Nethys.
"What are you a thief now? Give it here."
The familiar places it in his hand and he pockets it.
"I guess it's clear Nethys is my god of choice. Wonder what that says about me, considering."
He chuckles at choosing a mad god known not to care a lick for those that worship him. He figured it was much like magic itself. Then again he was not the most godly minded man himself.
Keltza calls for another water and smiles. "Here, here, I think we can all agree that nearly every god deserves to be revered from time to time." She raises an eyebrow and winks. "Well, except for Rovagug. From what I hear, he's a bit of an ass. But every god besides for him!" Shaking her head bemusedly, she sets the goblet down. "But enough religious talk for now, I suppose. There will be plenty of time for that in the days to come. Now that we are here, together again at last."
Keltza's hate for orc can be very useful for the defense of Trunau
"Too many good people have died in this land.
"At least they died defending the land they loved and the people they called family...and their dead have been accompanied by the dead of many foul Orc...hopefully with you guys here the Orc casualties will increase by ten"
As he takes another sip from his drink, Torean finds himself a bit overwhelmed.
I'd forgotten how good it was to be among friends.
Smiling, he turns to Varin: "Before I forget, Karskax sends his regards. Says he misses having you in his forge."
He chuckles before continuing: "I'm afraid the apprentices that replaced us after we left are not quite up to the same standards."
Varin grinned at the mention of his old master and shook his head softly, sighing. "Now THAT is one conversation that I am not looking forward to having. I uhm... I never actually told my family or Karskax that I was leaving. I mean I left a letter for both of them but... Didn't do it face to face. Was afraid I'd have been locked up by my mother!"
He grinned, patting Torean on the shoulder, "Aye, we were very very talented after all, prodigies some would say!"
" I've heard a lot of you mention Lastwall. Is that where you all went?
Lys takes another dwarfworthy swig of the flagon, and sighs, thinking back. "As if. I left for Nirmathas, originally. Did some work fighting back the oppressors from Molthune, but, in all honesty, Nirmathans are about as organized as an orcish tribe. I left in about a year, and ended up going all the way around the lake. I ended up in Vigil with pretty much nothing but this 'ere contraption,", she says, pointing at her crossbow, "and the clothes on my back, but I realized I'm not actually as aimless as I thought. I didn't have much desire for the military life, so I became a courier of sorts. And the rest, as they say, is history!"
Turning back to Rin, she puts on a smile, being called a legend. "Weell, they may have over-exaggerated a bit. It is surprising, though, what a wand of Fireball can achieve in the right hands, especially when delivered on time. I guess I am kin of a big deal."
Rin laughed and took another sip of mead. "Oh I know you are... I was just about to ask for your autograph. I am blessed to finally meet the fabled Elize Brokenshild, the finest messenger in all the lands. No word of a lie, I DID hear stories about you, along the front. It was amusing, one of the men in my squad even swore he was to wed you once!" Rin grinned, sticking out his tongue at Lys to show he was joking.
Waving his fingers in his best approximation of an Arcane gesture, Varin nodded and stroked his beard in mock contemplation. "Ah yes... Magics, of course. I too know how to do such things... Sort of... I have a jar of explosive goo. Does that count?"
Keltza smirks at the thought of this 'explosive goo'. She leans in closer to Varin and raises an eyebrow, obviously curious. "Magic you say? Did you happen upon some alchemist fire then? or did you actually study to become an alchemist? I hear they have their own batches of chemicals to make bombs of sorts. Fascinating stuff really."
She waves her hands around and speaks a quick incantation. Upon completion of the spell, she appears far more alluring to the eye and seems to carry an additional aura of charisma. "As you can see, as a representative of Ragathiel, he has touched me with a portion of his divine magics." She smiles proudly, obviously glad to be a prophet for the General of Vengeance.
Varin shook his head softly before speaking, "No not an Alchemist, just picked up a few jars of it. Found it was helpful to be able to set," he paused arching an eyebrow and coughing softly, "...things on fire. Also grabbed a couple jars of acid too. I used it mainly for acid etching, on my blades but it does as a weapon in a pinch!"
As Keltza casts her spell, Rin laughed softly, sitting back and appraising the women anew. "Well I'll be... That is an interesting use for magic, one I would not have thought of. I would be careful though," He coughed and nodded towards Menas casually, "Father Flirt over there might get the wrong idea!"
Keltza rolls her eyes. "Believe me when I say that I would prefer his advances over those of the orcs outside these walls... though that is not saying much to be honest." Letting out a short laugh, she eyes the Paladin with a curious glance. "Too bad he isn't a dwarf. I might be encouraged to play ball had he been. But alas, there are very few dwarves here in Trunau and even fewer outside these walls, from what I've seen."
Lorn flies through the air, landing on Varin's head. Quickly proceeding to pull his hair, bring down his own braid upon his face like a make shift mallet. Nerak watches with a vindictive look.
"For once, I agree with Lorn. No respect for us lowly mages and alchemist. Devoting years of study to our craft only to be mocked with a reduction of our art to mere jars of goo and finger wiggling. Have at him Lorn. A rude brute that one."
His smile wide now as he sips his drink. Observing the whole scene unfolding before him.
Varin laughed softly and sat back, resting his arm on the back of his chair, turning more towards Keltza. "What is it with you and short hairy men? Is it the hei..." Biting off what he was about to say, mid sentence, Varin growls at the fresh "assault".
"Oh lay off it. I have nothing but respect for the Mages of this world. I swear by all the gods combined that if you don't stop this I shall be made to force feed you to a goat!" Staring at Nerak through the ongoing bludgeoning length of hair, Rin sighs.
"Can you call off Pebbles here? Bloody being murdered by my own noggin. I should have shaved my head bald as an egg like Karrd!"
Ah Nerak, don't think of it like that. Often it's that people don't appreciate an art unless they have true knowledge of it. I can be impressed by magic but I don't know the full intricacies of a spell." He does a small presdititagion spell around his tankard. " I can tell good craftsmanship but a good craftsman can truly show me the difference between two pieces of work." He taps the back of his hand on Varin's armour.
"Many appreciate the words of Epics, but few remember why they were spoken in the first place." Betlzer chuckles. "What's gotten your current fancy with dwarves anyway my dear Keltza? Don't like men taller than you?" He says playfully swinging his head to get the tassels of his bandanna to swing at her direction.
Keltza rolls her eyes. "As a matter of fact yes, that's exactly it. You find me a good looking gnome or halfling, and I might settle down with one of them too." She sticks her tongue on teasingly and flinches as she bangs her arm against the table accidently. Those of you who may not have paid too much attention to it before now notice that her arms are completely wrapped in white bandages.
Frowning and rubbing her arm through her bandage, she regains her smile fairly quickly. "You see, I can now consider myself in the good company of mages as well. Ragatheil has blessed me with quite a few of his gifts, including the powers of healing, enhanced battle techniques, and the ever cleansing fires of Heaven. I also know a trick or two to play with the minds of our enemies. Fascinating stuff magic is."
"Indeed it is." His eyes shift over Keltza's bandages showing some concern though the fact that she's moving them seems to put him at some ease.
"What did you do for the four years that you were here then Kel? You said you only left for a year was it? He asks, hopefully hearing some fun news about the times he missed the village.
He stroked his beard for just a moment before speaking.
"Alright Lorn, behave yourself."
The familiar stops mid swing, as if thinking about it. Then sails across to land back on Nerak's shoulder.
"No real harm done. At least he didn't sand in your cup. That is one taste you don't want to know. Or so I have heard."
The elemental like being gives a sense of smirking at Varin. As if it was taunting the large man. Nerak raises his hands.
"Well truth be told I can't ask for respect. Not like I can blast a raiding party of orcs to cinders yet or anything. Mostly I can make you as tough as a bear and grant you burst of strength or speed. I chose a less destructive form of magic to specialize in. Not that I don't have a few goodies for a fight. But nothing like Keltza seems to have been granted by her god. That's not fair sweet talking those high and mighty types."
He gives her side long nod with a half smile.
Keltza grins. "For the first four years of it, I stayed here as a guard, mostly patrolling the walls. There was a raid every few months, but we pushed back the orcs and bandits every time. By that time I'd been working as a guard for... nine years, so they finally gave me the position of Captain in my final year." She stares off for a second before continuing. "That's when I decided to take leave. I couldn't just break the promise I made, even if it was under Cayden Caileen's influence. Well, I certainly learned more about the world, but I'm thinking I would have been better off staying in town." She gestures to her bandaged arms, raising them. They look noticably frail, even with the heavy bandages covering the actualy skin. "Let's just say that I won't be holding a bow ever again. I have the orcs to blame for that."
She giggles in delight at Nerak's comment. "Sweet talking those high and mi... no, no, I think you have the right of it. To be honest, I don't know how my powers are granted other than through Ragathiel. Most priests must pray for their powers, and wizards study. Mine just... appeared. Not like those sorcerers, but... it is strange."
"Hopefully your experiences don't dissuade you from travelling anywhere else. There are far more beautiful lands than Traunau. I know this is our home but it is a dirty ugly place at times. Don't get my wrong this is OUR dirty ugly place and we like it that way but there are plenty of things to see out there. I don't have any mental magic to show you some the picturesque mountains" Beltzer rubs his chin "How about a soliloquy? I'm sure my feelings of the views can pass off some inspiration for trailblazing!"
Beltzer chuckles at the exchange between Lorn and Varin "Heh, hey Varin, want to feed my owl? I promise he won't peck at your head." He says taking out a piece of meat and passing it over.
Varin laughs softly and flips the wrist thick braid back over his shoulder, grinning at Nerak. "I will endeavor to avoid such a thing happening, if only because him 'Sanding' in to my cup doesn't sound hygienic!"
Taking the meat cautiously, unsure as to the intentions of his friend, Rin narrowed his eyes and held out the meat to the owl.
'If it bites me I WILL punch it. And then the pile of stones will get one and all!'
Alabast swoops down from the top shelf in the bar and lands on Nerak's table, looking inquisitively at the ioun wyrd. "Alabast! Be nice!" Alabast sways his head to get a better look.
The owl flies over and sits on Varin's shoulder. Slowly it descends along his arm till it reaches his forearm to grab the piece of meat. It then turns only it's head around to stare at Varin in the eyes. As it slowly eats the piece of meat, hopping back towards Varin's face again. Only to suddenly fly off back to Betlzer's shoulder to swallow it.
"See, told you he wouldn't bite. You're covered in plate anyway, what's the worst that can happen! Least I didn't command him to poop on your shiny armour." Beltzer smiles slyly and scratches the back of his shoulder where the owl landed. The owl didn't actually do anything but he is strongly implying it did in hopes that Varin would panic.
Sighing and running his hand through his hair, Rin sits back away from the table. "So many pets in one place. And not the normal pets of course. Anyone got a dog or a cat? Maybe a nice little rabbit?"
He shrugs at Bel before smiling. "I clean my armour every morning I have time. I am used to it being dirty. Besides, it wouldnt be me informing the owner that there was bird crap over here. Only thing I brought was that hammer over there. I caller her Gwenavier. She sure is a pretty thing!" he grinned, sticking out his tongue at the Half Orc.
Looking at Keltza, Lys laughs, perhaps a bit too loudly, "Ha! If they're short, their head's in the right place!" Looking around at the suddently quiet room, she continues, going closer to Alabast, using her armoured arm. "Who's a cute owl! You're a cute owl!", running her finger across his head. "So, how did you came to having an owl? And, he looks like a familiar of sorts. I mean, I have a horse, but I just call him, 'horse'. With all the names and listening to you, you'd say they're smarter than, well. Me?"
"Oooh! Poetry! Never was much of a fan, but I'd love to hear some! Please, do! Our hills are deserving of everything people can say about them. Except, the bad bits.", hearing the offer of Beltzer.
Turning to Nerak, Lys asks, "So where did you learn all that magic? Don't get me wrong, magic has saved my rather tender bum on a couple of times, but I don't recall seeing many wizards around here. Also, I thought it took years and years to learn the trade." Looking at Lorn, Lys says in a high-pitched voice, "What are you, you little troublemaker? An elemental of sorts?"
Keltza gives a thoughtful nod to Bel's comments about 'trailblazing'. "Well then, now you sound like that group of... what do they call themselves, Pathfinders? I'm content to stay here and protect the people of Trunau to be quite honest... though to be honest, I would leave should Ragathiel give me a sign. After all, this is not the only place in the world where one could be a bastion of all that is good and righteous." Her lips shift into a devious grin. "After all, as The General says, sometimes the fight must be taken to those who are evil. Ragathiel has marched into the depths of Hell before to prove that point and if he need me do the same, I would gladly do so."
She looks to the owl now being cooed over and holds out her arm. "Now aren't you the most adorable thing in the world? Smarter than some of the folk here too I'd reckon, me chief among them!" Gradually bringing her hand closer, she gestures for the owl to pop up and take a place on her arm.
Nerak gave Lys a strange look.
"I think the drink is getting to you. You forgot about Agrit Staginsdar? Owns the House of Wonders, only magic shop in Trunau, as well as a Councilor last I checked. I've been learning stuff from that lovely dwarven lass sense before I got my hopeknife, a good deal after too. I put the work in don't you doubt, not that I didn't pick up some tricks of my own on the road mind you. But I owe much to Agrit for being my master."
He gets a little solemn about that. As Lys speaks to Lorn, he turns slowly towards her. Staring in silence, giving the impression that he has yet to know what to make of you. Nerak chimes in.
"Oh Lorn doesn't speak, he understands and can gesture. But he has never spoken a word as long as I have known him."
Watching the Familiar turn slowly to appraise Lys, Varin tenses, waiting for the thing to spring in to action and attack the woman like it had attacked him. When no such reaction occurred he threw his hands in the air and exclaimed loudly, "OH COME ON!"
Shaking his head and grumbling softly he stared down at the Raven on the table before taking a long swig of water from his tankard.
"I'mma get me a dog. At least THEN I will fit in with the cool crowd!"
Mellisa sat and watched the banter, listened to the laughter and blinked with wide eyes at the antics of the familiars. She used to take such an active role in the group's conversations, but now she couldn't help but stay silent. It was so strange to her, like looking into a distorted mirror of her past. The names, the faces, were all familiar but just slightly off. The problem, she knew, was her. She was different. She felt different. She glanced back to the table where her helm sat, staring empty-eyed at her.
Suppressing a shudder, she pulls herself out of those morose thoughts. She reminds herself she is among friends.
Kel, that's about the tenth time I've heard you talk about Ragathiel tonight. What is it about him that's got you whipped up in such a fervor?
Keltza gives her friend a wink and leans in to whisper to her. "I'll say this... I may not be a priest... but I can feel his powers and guidance within me... I believe he means for me to be a prophet on his behalf, and to spread his word. How can I deny such a call?"
Beltzer grimaces "Maybe I should douse you with some of this free booze eh Varin? The smell doubtfully will come out then." He slowly brings the tankard over Varin's head as if to say, I'm going to do it!
Elize asks about the owl and Beltzer ponders how to answer. "I raised that owl as a chick, so to speak. It is a familiar but it will live as long as I. Magic is strange like that. I came upon him while I didn't even know what Traunau was, down in the forests near lastwall, Fangwood, you likely know it."
The owl hops onto Keltza's arm fairly readily, it is only a very small all so despite the bandages Ketlza wouldn't feel much from it's talons.
Torean chuckles at the menagerie of animals in front of him. Such an unusual crowd for the Killin' Floor.
"I don't think I would do well with an animal companion. Too much responsibility."
Turning to Beltzer, he says:
"The Fangwood, you say? I've heard of it but never been. I don't remember you ever mentioning this before you left. What's it like?"
Varin grins and tilts his face up, waiting to catch the drink. When Bel doesn't pour, Varin laughs and takes a sip of his own drink. "By the gods it is good to be back home with all of you. But dear sweet Gorum I am hungry..." He frowned, staring around in thought.
'There has to be something to eat around here. I do have some tack and cheese in my bag I guess...'
He shook himself out of his thoughts and turned to listen as Torean and Bel began to speak about the Fangwood. He had heard of the place before and was interested in what Bel had to say about it.
"Well it's a wonderfully large forest, with fir trees as far as they eye can see. It's flora is beautiful with many flowers littering the floor of the edges of the forest. Despite the beauty of the place there is something darker below its surface. I can't say my last visit to the place was particularly good, I was too young at the time to realize the taint that was there. I don't know too much about it other than the locals call it some kind of blight. I have run into some of the .. creatures.. for lack of a better term that reside in the deepest recesses. I do hope Lastwall does something about the forest or at least what is living in there." Beltzer doesn't speak with his usual chipper tone when he finishes, something tells the group that he doesn't remember it too fondly. Betlzer takes a quick chug of his drink before scratching the top of the owls head as it coos a little.
"Ah, I did get this little guy. So it wasn't all bad, he is a great companion. Sometimes a bit dim, trying to fly in winds to strong for him but he has this ability to know my emotions. Happy when I'm happy, gets angry when I do, it's rather funny at times." Beltzer puts the tankard down and looks at him. "Let's show em a trick eh?" He does prestidigitation in front of the bird and you see the owl elongate itself and tuck in its wings. It becomes almost stick like and has a very angry face. "Neat huh?"
Suddenly remembering the other uses of her magic, Keltza promptly casts a spell to refill her water. "Forgot I knew that one," she chuckles, running her fingers through the owl's feathers. "You're lucky to have such an astute friend. My horse Diana, well... she's simply a normal horse and sees more use as a pack animal than anything else. I suppose not every animal can be..." She stops abruptly as Beltzar casts prestidigitation in front of the owl and watches as it elongates. "Now... I can honestly say that I've seen everything there is to see in Golarion."
"Nice trick, Beltzer.", said Menas. "Alabast, what do you think about being back in Trunau?"
"It okay. Dangerous coming back. Not safe. I liked when we at big wall city. But paladin go where needed. So Alabast go too", said the raven.
Rin raised an eyebrow and stared at the Raven in confusion, before staring in to the mug in front of him. He shook his head softly, blinked then picked up the jug of water and sniffed it suspiciously.
"I'm not drunk so the bird really did speak. Magic... So weird!"
Elize looks at the long owl, then at her tankard. Then at the owl again. And back at the tankard. She shrugs and downs the tankard, looking at the rest. Going back at the topic at hand, she looks at Beltzer with a raised eyebrow. "The Fangwood? Ha! I was there for almost a year! That's the first place I went to. From what I learned, stay to the outskirts, means more prey comes running out, and if the Molthuni are crazy enough to follow you, the trees get them. I stuck mostly in the camps there. It's where I learned to shoot, you know. And other things. Lastwall has better things to worry about, though. Live and let live, it's the Fangwood way." she finishes, feeling rather philosophical after the generous amount of moonshine.
Looking at the others, she realizes the problem at hand, and says, "Am I the only one that's hungry for something cooked? Grilled rabbits with a helping of berries is what I do on most days, and I could definitely go for something better. As long as it doesn't have rabbit in it. Or berries. Hey, Rabus!", she says, shouting at the owner. "Do you want us to have a hangover tomorrow again? Give us something to eat!", and stands up, a bit too fast, and goes to the bar. "An'ne wan'a cup'shtew too?", she says with a full mouth after Rabus hands over the cup and pours some with the familiar 'shloop' of tavern food.
Rin laughed and shook his head, drinking some more water as his stomach gave an involuntary turn. The thoughts of more tavern stew, or stew in general was enough to make him queasy. Military cooking wasn't fancy, slap it in a kettle, add some water and some veg and boil it till it could be mistaken for a saddle.
"I'll take the rabbit and the berries, if you've got it!"
Nerak keeps quiet as the topic of food comes up. His hand creeping to his pack behind his back. It returns with a strip of varisian caravan smoked jerky, a thin strip of thileu tree bark lining it for extra spice. A rare and rather expensive delicacy, gifted to him from his friends upon his departure. He watched while trying to keep from being noticed by the others.