=======================
– Lamashan 28th 4710 AR
– Evening
=======================
The tavern’s interior is filled with the harmonious music played by Jocyn, and the Kassen’s youth graceful dances spice up the night. Even the thoughtful Trelvar can’t hold back a smile in front of such joy and lightheartedness.
---
There’s a constant coming and going in the tavern: some patrons come in, some other exit, in an almost perpetual flow. Among the newcomers there are a man in his thirties and a young girl (about 18 years old).
______________________________________
in any event...
Goldi was enjoying the music and even having a dance or two with some of the other patrons. as the others come in, to her they are just more people she doesn't know yet. she shrugs and continues to enjoy the music.
after a bit , her feet begin to hurt some and she makes her way back to the fire. she plops down and takes off her shoes to rub her feet. breathing a sigh of relief.
Rylka watches the newcomers enter as she dances. With a sudden glimmer of mischief in her eyes she catches Calden and pulls him, unwillingly, into the dance. "Isn't that Dimira who just walked in? Why don't you go talk to her?" She whispers in his ear. As she let's him go, she spins him towards the young girl.
Nuts. JUST missed it. I wouldn't have gotten it by taking 10 anyway.
Merephel laughed, as she danced alongside Calden.
"I certainly do, Calden. Korech is a sweet young man. People always get hung up on exterior appearance, but it's really about what's inside that matters."
She paused for breath. She didn't dance often, so she was starting to run out of breath.
"But anyway, why do you ask?"
Calden is about to answer Merephel when he finds himself pulled into dancing with Rylka. He gives a wistful glance over his shoulder at the priestess, before bending on one knee when it's clear Rylka has something to say to him. He barely has a chance to reply "Yes, did you know Roldare is involved in -" before he finds himself flipped around and shoved at Dimira.
He greets the young woman awkwardly, hesitating between a handshake, a wave or a kiss on the cheek. "Hi Dimira, nice to see you here. I hadn't had the time to thank you and your brother for the dinner last week. You make a lovely roast... So, how has business been this week?"
Artix notices and recognizes Roldare and his sister step into the tavern. Taking a brake from his moderately to adequate dancing, he walks over to speak with Roldare.
"Hello Mr. Roldare, how are you today, how is business?" he asked noticing Calden conversing with Roldare's sister.
Dimira suddenly blushes when Calden is literaly thrown at her. She greets Calden with the same amount of awkwardness showed by the lad. "Hey Calden...Thank you. Nothing special, business has been going pretty good as always. But now we have to take a brea...". The girl hold her tongue before revealing too much, and with an embarassed expression she ensues: "A breath. We have to take a deep breath and enjoy a vacation. Me and Roldare are going to leave for a few days. We're going to visit some relatives in Tamran".
Trying the conversation elsewhere, Dimira smiles and says with a giggle: "Anyway, I would never say you were such a skilled dancer Calden".
---
Roldare tries to draw Shirzon or Rylka attentions raising his hand. When someone comes to him, he asks with a smile: "Would you mind to bring me a beer please? My mouth is so dry lately". Then he switches to Dimira and Calden: "Hey Calden! How you're doing? Is your father fine? Here, I had this letter to deliver him but completely forgot about it. Give it to him once you get home, please".
Finally, Roldare turns to Artix: "Hello Artix, Father Prasst gave you the night off? I'm fine thank you. The emporium is lively as always. We recently got some rare qadiran spices thanks to Ilimara's help. Oh, remember we stay closed for three days to attend to the Ques...".
"", interrupts him Dimira. "We're going to Tamran to visit some relatives Artix. My brother tends to blather when evening comes. Excuse him please", she says with an intimidating gaze addressed to her brother.
______________________________________
Korech nods absently to Illya. That is until someone comes in with a baby bear. Korech's eyes go wide.
"Is that... “
His chair clattering to the floor, Korech finally stands, just a little drunk. He careens past the tavern past the pantry entrance, sending an unfortunate gnome sprawling.
He gasps, and quickly holds out a hand for Kaya.
"I sorry I clumsy like Anarma say and... Uh is that your bear?"
Despite his panic at having offended someone, Korech keeps stealing glances to the bear cub by the door.
Merephel chuckled at Calden's antics, and her eyes followed him across the floor. It was because she was watching him that she noticed Dimira, when Calden was shoved her way.
Merephel's eyes lit up at the sight of her friend, and she stood to greet her.
However, she noticed the blush that seemed to live on Dimira's face when Calden was around. Merephel thought she would still visit her friend; she'd just take her time walking over there.
She thought to herself with an inward laugh, 'This should be interesting...'
As Roldare calls her over, Shirzon crosses her arms and snorts, upset to have her break interrupted. However, an idea strikes her and she grins with mischief in her eyes. "Sorry, Mahath, I've got some work to do." She pats the young man on the back as she gets up - perhaps a little more roughly than is warranted - and snatches a mug of beer off the table.
She approaches Roldare as he chats up the other youth and gets scolded by Dimira, her best service face on. "Here you go, Roldare - dammit!" Shirzon curses as she "accidentally" spills the beer down the front of Roldare's clothes She looks around and points randomly, landing on Artix. "Watch where you're going! I could have fallen and split my head right open! Hold there, Roldare, I'll get you a towel," she offers, placing one hand on the older man's shoulder in a reassuring manner and the other in his pocket to see what she can find.
The half-orc girl heads off to the kitchen and brings back a towel with just the barest hint of damp mildew smell to it.
Illya watches Korech's drunken antics, shaking her head I hope he's alright, maybe someone should help him
watching the newcomers coming in.
Calden waves away Dimira's compliments of his dancing, staring at the points of his toes. "Nah, it's nothing special."
He is taken aback at Roldare suddenly addressing him. "Ah yes, of course. He's fine." Absentmindedly he looks at the letter's cover before putting it away in his coat pocket. If she's going to Tamran, I can catch arrows while blindfolded... Now what was it she said? "hung up on exterior appearances". She wasn't talking about me, was she? She knows she's pretty, of course. Ugh! Why does she make a simple question so complicated?
Shirzon's clumsiness causes him to jump back, giving Calden some more time to think. Hah! So they are helping out with preparations for the quest! Well, I suppose talking a bit more with Dimira couldn't hurt...
"Come on, Shirzon. Watch where you're going... Get him a drink, at least. It's cold outside." He turns to Dimira. "What can I get you? Do you want to sit near the fire? I was actually done dancing."
"Getting really busy in here," mutters Hrolf, trying to keep his head down. "All I wanted was a quiet beer on my way home. Now there's a bear, a pig, and a drunken half-orc. It sounds like the start of a joke. I bet they don't have evenings like this in taverns in Lastwall..."
Realising he's muttering to himself, he shuts up and just enjoys watching the escalating chaos.
Merephel walked directly back to her seat by the fire, trying to get there before Calden. She immediately sat down, taking a long drink of her water. She was trying very, very hard to look nonchalant, as if she'd been there the whole time, just watching the dancers.
Artix noticed something was fishy with Dimira's story, but was stopped from going further into the query when the half-orc accused him of making her spill Roldare's drink.
Something wasn't on the up and up with the half-orc, as he watched her dip her hand into the man's pocket. He chose not to go after it, but to use the less confrontational method and find her later and inquire of her actions. He decided to play along with the rouse.
"I'm terribly sorry for that Roldare. Is there anyway I can fix this for you," he said sincerely. It stung him to lie like this but, he chalked it up for 'peaceful resolution'.
Goldi was sitting quietly by the fire rubbing her aching feet. the antics of the others was quite the entertainment actually.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Truffles was wandering about the tavern. looking for more things to get into until the familiar scent crossed his snout.
snort he lets out rather loudly as he eyes the bear cub by the door. Truffles and Saqui have been both friendly acquaintances and rivals over the years.
Truffles moves to the doorway dashing between Korech's legs. stopping right in front of the bear cub. [/b]snort[/b] is all he says, well actually its all he can say, he is just a boar.
|
Korech nods absently to Illya. That is until someone comes in with a baby bear. Korech's eyes go wide.
"Is that... “
His chair clattering to the floor, Korech finally stands, just a little drunk. He careens past the tavern past the pantry entrance, sending an unfortunate gnome sprawling.
He gasps, and quickly holds out a hand for Kaya.
"I sorry I clumsy like Anarma say and... Uh is that your bear?"
Despite his panic at having offended someone, Korech keeps stealing glances to the bear cub by the door.
Kaya gives the outstretched hand a curious look and picks herself up, as if unsure of what Korech is trying to do. Panic takes over her features, as she stares unwavering like a cornered animal. Feet rooted to the ground, the gnome gradually relaxes, nose twitching somewhat. Spotting Korech's glances she finally speaks up. "There's no need to be nervous. That's just Saqui." he says, as if that put everything at ease. Then, loping around the half-orc, he gives him a tentative sniff. "You don't smell like you're around here, mister."
Saqui watches the pigs approach, placing a gentle paw over Truffles' snout as if it were a great, pink button, giving it a push and padding his way toward the door, beckoning the pig to give chase.
Aaaannnnddd off he goes, Truffles gives chase, hoping this time it isn't another ploy to get truffles caught in a trap again.
snort, snort, snort, snort
Completely oblivious to the goings-on with the dance floor and Dimira, Korech fixates on the bear. He briefly looks down to Kaya.
"I live here lots years. Come from forest before, live with animals. And I not nervous - I like bears!"
He crouches down, watching Saqui try to play with Truffles.
Rylka slows her dancing as Shirzon and Artix make a bit of a scene with Roldare.
She scurries over to to besiged man. "Why don't you come back to the kitchen. We'll dry off that shirt and get you something nice and warm to drink, what'd'you say?" Excited that her plan seems to be working she starts tugging him towards the warm kitchen.
As she sits him down with a warm drink in the kitchen, she chats. "So, where are the two of you really off to? Does it have anything to do with the Quest? You can tell me, I won't tell another soul."
Korech blinks, looking at Kaya curiously. He lowers his voice conspiratorially.
"What you have in mind?"
=======================
– Lamashan 28th 4710 AR
– Evening
=======================
Dimira greets Asina and Merephel with joy, then accepts Calden's invitation and sits near the fire with him. "Hey girls, how are you?", she asks to Merephel and Asina. The latter smiles and quickly answers: "I'm just fine, thanks Dimira. Is everything alright with at your brother's emporium?". Dimira smiles back and says: "Yeah, everything's fine thanks. Oh, d'ya remember tha' pendant you placed an order for? Well, it has arrived finally. Crafted from the finest artistans back in Tamran!". "Wow!", comments Asina, "It's a wonderful news. I shall collect it tomorrow then!". "Hey Calden, come here and join us!" calls Asina, "How is it goin' with your mentor? Ilimara is always so beautiful!".
---
Roldare ingenuously follows Rylka in the kitchen. When the halfling poses her question, Roldar laughs merrily: "You tried, lil' Rylka! This time Mayor Uptal has made me promise that I won't tell anything about the fake traps we're going to set in the Crypt...". He suddenly facepalms with a sigh: "For Erastil, I've just done it again!".
______________________________________
Illya looks on from her seat, thinking to herself
look at them all, either goofing around or trying to get answers out of Dimira and Roldare...we are becoming adults soon, and there they are acting like children. Well i can't fault them i suppose enjoying one night of celebration before the Quest. I wonder if Calden know about Dimira's little crush, maybe after the quest i'll help the poor girl confess.
Korech stares at Kaya, occasionally stealing glances to the playing animals. The half-orc is lean and wiry, closer to a human in build, but nonetheless towers over the tiny gnome. He goes to one knee to speak, his deep voice almost inaudible in the noisy tavern. He shoots a glance to the goings-on at the dance floor.
Dimira is hiding something. Probably a crush on something or someone. And... did Shirzon just steal from that man? Clever though. I wonder...
He turns back to regard Kaya.
The gnome is completely insane. Well, better than sulking into my ale.
"You tell me what do. I not sneaky. But maybe distraction."
Merephel embraced Dimira.
"It is wonderful to see you again, my dear."
Merephel had a genuine smile on her face. It was a bit different than the smile she usually wore; almost as if she was more relaxed.
"Don't worry, I won't try to pry any information about the Quest out of you!"
Merephel chuckled, and intertwined her arm with that of her friend's.
Calden turns around to escort Dimira to a place by the fire, and sees Merephel sitting there. Huh?
He stifles a groan when he finds himself facing Merephel, Dimira, and Asina. He is turning his head again and again while the young women chatter among themselves, until his thoughts drift away. Well, it seems I dodged that arrow. This could have been a lot worse.
Calden just takes a swig from his drink when Asina mentions his mentor, and nearly chokes on it when she remarks on Ilimara's beauty. Wha-?! He coughs some more to buy himself some time, then tries to act cool. "Well, err... She's not ugly, I suppose... But she'd have me running ten laps around the village if she thought I had enough time to think about things like that." He gives a forced laugh at his own joke, hoping that's enough to diffuse the situation.
Artix apologies again before Roldare headed to the back with Rylka. He slumped back down on his seat, watching the half-orc woman with a sad face on him. Erastil had possibly granted him yet another chance to prove his worth, and help the thief and the victim at the same time.
He tries to hide his watchful eye.
Ok, finally got something I'm happy enough with. Sorry for holding things up but at least one other person took advantage of the deadline extension so I don't feel completely terrible. I was kinda having trouble coming up with an idea that felt exciting to me. I'm already playing a sorcerer in one game so I tried something completely different with this guy to mix things up a bit. Not what I'm used to so it'll probably be terrible. =P
Hoping to have him be somewhat melee focused for awhile, then switch over to a supporting and summoning role once the difference between a full bab class and his half bab starts getting really noticeable. Anyways, here's my character.
Shirzon smirks and hands off the towel to Rylka and Roldare. She plays with the new coins in her pocket, returning Jimes' wink and chuckling that Artix even apologized for getting in the way! No wonder he moved out here to play in the dirt with his plants. Easy mark like that wouldn't last a day in a proper city, I bet.
Shirzon's smirk quickly fades when she spots Kaya and Saqui. Truffles was one thing - but a pig, a bear, and a half feral gnome meant a lot of cleaning up in her future. "Hey!" she calls out as she approaches Kaya and Korech. She stands with her fists on her hips, tusks raised in a snarl. "You best keep that bear under control. I don't want an incident like last time when Saqui went around snatching food off people's plates. Do you have any idea how hard it is to clean bear spit?"
Watching Shirzon from his seat, he formulates a little plan. Looking down at his coin purse, he counted out a few pieces of gold, and got up from his table, walking towards Shirzon.
"Hello Ms. Shirzon, I was wondering If I could speak with you about your uncle, or, well, the half-orc from earlier," he said brightly, but momentarily forgetting the orcs name from earlier. He was now nervous, "In private please."
Korech sees Shirzon coming and straightens up, looking to the intimidating half-orc woman. Just tipsy enough, he doesn't back down as is his usual wont.
"Is just baby bear. Not hurt people. Strange gnome make sure bear not steal food, right gnome?"
As Atrix approaches Shirzon, Korech does nothing to hide his relief.
"Sound important. You go talk with Atrix."
Looking up at Roldare with a gleefully mischievous smile, Rylka promises, "Oh, you don't need to worry, I certainly won't tell him."
Hearing Shirzon's raised voice carry in from the common room, Rylka scrambles back out. "You stay here, who know what's got her going now."
She reenters the common room trying to hide her glee at getting Roldare talking, she hurries over to the half-orcs, but Artix beats her there. Stupid short legs, Big Folk have that advantage too.
Shirzon turned toward Artix, brow furrowed and hackles raised at the mention of her "uncle."
Her voice churns out in a quiet growl. "This had better be good..." With that, she stalks off toward an unused table in the corner that was usually left vacant because the view of Jocyn's stage was blocked. She looks over her shoulder at Artix and jerks her head toward the table as a grudging invitation.
"Well, look at that. They're causing a lot of ruckus over there," says Calden, sounding relieved at something to distract the three women. "Maybe we should see if we can help out?" He doesn't move from his chair though. That'll make it seem like I'm fleeing. Best to hold still when you're being sheared.
Merephel hid her knowing smile with her hand. She gently nudged Asina with her elbow.
"Asina, how about you and I head over to see what the commotion is about?"
She wasn't being anywhere near as subtle as she thought she was.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Artix nods with a smile, still a little nervous, and walks over to sit opposite of her.
"Now tell me about your uncle. How is he, what drove him to this, what was he like before, how much money did you steal from Roldare?"
Calden nods at Merephel's suggestion, happy with the prospect that he's not faced with all three of them any more (and completely oblivious of what situation that might put him in).
Hehe, that seemed to have worked well. It's pretty easy to distract Meph, it seems.
Rylka is left standing with the Kaya and Korech as Truffles and Saqui scamper around them. "So, what're you two up to that had Shirzon in such a huff?"
"Is it any fun?"
"I don't live with the man anymore, why would I know - wait, what?" Shirzon interrupts herself as she starts to rant. She narrows her eyes and crosses her arms as she leans back in her chair. "Oh. So that's what this is about. I guess you've got a more clever tongue than I thought."
Shirzon pulls four gold coins out of her pocket and sits them in a stack in front of her. "There it is. You gonna take 'em from me? Maybe call the guards to drag me away?" she taunts. "Because if this little charade was just about pocket change, I've got better things to do with my time. Do you?"