Clearly confused at what she's seeing, Yeda simply nods.
I will. go get them. Loxley are you okay?
Waiting only a brief moment for any answer, she heads back into the kitchen expecting to see the Duchess and Ameiko there.
I have no idea what is going on out back there, but Zeldana is asking for both of you. At this point today, nothing surprises me.
The elf sheepishly stood there looking at the ground, his fancy cloths looks a little dishelved and his pants had ceratin spent a little time sitting in the dirt.
did were rats attack here too? does anyone know? I killed the one in the stables and the other out front ran off...
He said sounding a bit sheepish, despite the fact that killing a wererat was probably no easy feat.
He could not help to think about his current state, a dalliance that he was now somewhat committed to but was a damsel in distress. While the one he would be more inclined towards, was definitely not in distress but most likely not all interested based on his current situation. A missing finger because he stupidly tried to be a hero when faced with an evil minion which he should have known would not have dealt with him fairly. Life must be laughing at him big time right now as it has never seemed to be all that caring towards him.
'So Bandit what do you think, is this trying to be a hero really something I should strive for, I mean I am definitely not all that good at it as it seems even if it is a label that I have seemed to acquire. It just seems rather... I don't know... more like pie in the sky dreaming on my part.'
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A sharp tug upon sazzat's hair is the response from Bandit, followed closely with a sharp retort. Now is not the time for dramatics, Sazzat. Be the melancholy bard later. For now, hurry up!
While it isnt a lolly-gag of a walk through Sandpoint, the prescient need for survival having long passed, yet its lingering effects puts an urgency to your steps, allowing you to quickly walk through Sandpoint with alacrity. Walking though the quiet town, the stillness of the evening meal, the early hours of night times haunt upon the land, is broken by the cries of shouting for help! of something large and metallic being hammered on. Its disjointed ringing a ferrous cry of help! a call to arms!
lanterns in windows are lit, candles in upper story halls, Torches begin to flare to life as villagers begin to respond to shouts, to cries of help! to calls for aide! Sandpoint awakens!
Men rush out of houses, out of shuttered buildings, from warehouses and a stable. Spears and axes, short swords and halberds, every man is armed with weapons. Through streets, out of alleys and narrows, down avenues and broad roadways, they rush out. Several rush past the three of you, only for them to stop.
Jorn! Jorn! Heaven's below! what happened to you!?!?!
the man known as Jorn looks from Neari to Sazzat, a questioning look upon his face.
I- I- well, dont just stand there, get after it man! Jorn says suddenly in a commanding voice.
the men look shocked, and take a step back.
Yes, i am fine. get on with it! I'll be along. i must escort these two to The Rusty Dragon Inn
The men, blinking once, nod finally and hurry off.
Both Sazzat and Neari look at the man.
It sounds like an alarm has been sounded. I figured it best that they go worry about lovely Sandpoint than myself.
Your steps stretch out, jsut short of running, yet not walking either. Men run past you, some looking at your companion but never stopping to ask more.
Jorn! dear gods man a man interrupts you as you round the corner, approaching the rear of the inn. what happened to this man?
He- neari begins
It would take to long to explain what happened with the sheriff. Sazzat interjects smoothly.
The man holds a long look at sazzat. Chiseled features with blonde hair make him a striking figure. the cut of his cloth denotes him a noble.
Sheriff huh? the nobleman asks suspiciously.
Anulus? Anulus Scarnetti? Jorn asks suddenly, equal suspicion upon his features.
the nobleman blinks. Noo... I am Titus Scarnetti, his son. he blinks.How? How did you know my father, jorn?
Its a long story, Scarnetti sazzat interjects.
thats Lord Scarnetti, to you. the Scarnetti fixes the thief with a piercing gaze for a moment, almost daring the man with the racoon to say something else.
Satisfied, Titus Looks at Neari. take him into the Rusty Dragon inn. I'll take care of the rabble. the man walks away, wiping a bloody sword on his short cloak before sheathing it, rounding the corner as he does so.
Several steps later and yourself inside the Rusty Dragon inn, in the rear.
Ameiko and the duchess both are easily moved into Ameiko's quarters. Corrin lingers just a moment, his mind distant to Dewdrop, reassuring his companion that everything is ok. Just as he brings himself to his surroundings, He spots Sazzat and Jorn step in through the back door. a moment later, a rather attractive woman steps in as well.
[ooc]and with that, everyone is in the private quarters of Ameiko Kaijitsu, owner of the Rusty Dragon Inn, sister to Corrin Whisperwind.
When the group entered the room, Zeldana was glad to see Sazzat, but when she noticed Jorn behind him and covered in blood fear covered her face. "Jorn?!" She gasped as she swiftly moved to his side. "What happened?! Is that your blood?! Someone else's blood? Are you alright?" The half-elven woman asked one question swiftly after the other, worry clear in her voice.
When Sazzat explained the worry spread to her face as she looked back at Jorn. Her voice gave away she was a little hurt but there mostly sadness in her eyes. "So... you do not remember me?
His hand hovered near his mask half way down his face.
"Other than that... Father Zanthas was badly injured and of course, Jorn cannot recall everything. Which seems to be the results of something that took place within the Jail House which while I got there, I never got inside. However, please meet Neari she's a member of the temple and perhaps she can explain better tell what occurred within the Jail House."
"Oh and Neari this is..." Sazzat then goes about introducing everyone to Neari that is currently in the room.
it was clear he was embaressed... and he slid his mask down over his face to clearly recenter himself.
"Kill.. the witch?" Zeldana asked nervously as she looked to Sazzat. 'Does it mean me?' She wondered "Did they say... what witch? Or even the kind of witch?"
However worry for her own wellbeing was pushed away when she heard what Corrin said. "She raped you?!" Zeldana asked, as fury built within her. Evriani had been their friend, their friend! Zeldana hoped the pair were correct in the fact that Evriani had been possessed, because if not righteous fury is what Zeldana would rain upon her. But that needed to be pushed aside for now, and she reached out to Corrin but let him make the choice to take her hand or not. "It isn't your fault. No one here thinks less of you Corrin." Zeldana promised.
Yes I am Neari, priestess of Sarenrae. And you are the other heroes of Standpoint. I wish we could have met in more peaceful times. Her face sours and she begins to speak with urgency. The prison. Zantus was under attack. Jorn was covered in blood. I thought him dead. Golzar, my fellow Sarenrite, healed Jorn minus his memories. I used magic to harm any evil near Zantus. When I got a good look into the cell Nualia was dead and Evriani; she attacked me with magic. We fought but she escaped. She takes a deep breath continuing. If this Evriani was your friend, demon possession would explain her behaviour. But we don't know where she's gone, Corrin just mentioned wererats and the townsfolk are responding to an alarm, so shall we leave longer discussions till later?
"You and your friend have my thanks priestess Neari. You and your fellow worshiper." Zeldana said with a half smile. Too much troubling news had been laid upon her heart for her to fully smile. "I have not seen any wererats nor do I really have a way to deal with them, but this alarm could be either very bad... or a distraction.." Zeldana pointed out. "Something is clearly going on that we are not privy to..."
Sazzat nods to Zeldana's question "the witch?" reaffirming his statement, and then shakes his head no to her next set of questions saying, "No and no." He then waits to see what the others would choose to do, his forray into herodom having been an utter failure he was in no hurry to put his foot forward first, it seemed it was simply better if he just followed along.
To Zeldana's final statement he retorts, "Perhaps this incident with the Goblins is greater than we initially understood. So far, we have found two citizens of Sand Point that were behind it, what if there are more that we are just not aware of yet, and they continuing to further whatever their plan was. In fact, I am aware of at least one evil deity, whose eye has been cast upon this town, plus the one we hope has been capped at the Light House. Still how much do we really know, about the supernatural forces that gird this town."
Hello Neari! A slighty wave from Yeda as she's introduced.
It sounds like quite a lot happened at the jailhouse.
She glances at Jorn. So you don't remember much, eh?
She bristles visibly as Zel exasperatedly recounts what happened to Corrin.
The thing is... we still don't know if it's really her, her body taken over, or even just a clever likeness. No, of course no one thinks less of you Corrin.
She frowns and scratches her chin. The Neari begins to speak of the scene at the jail. She holds out Nualia's blade and focuses on it at the mention of her name.
Dead... and then Evriani attacks. She can't shake the feeling there's a link. Perhaps Nualia is still with us in there.
Jorn looks at Zeldana, fixing his gaze upon hers. his large eyes taking her in, he slowly looks her up and down. The intensity of his gaze upon her takes Zeldana aback for a moment. the man, blood stained clothes and hands, steps up to the young woman, the height difference between feminine half elf and human male is striking. he looks down at her, unblinking. his lips crack into a slight smile as he raises his hands up to her and cups her cheeks. Warm and gentle they feel upon her face, while the faint metallic scent of blood tickles her sense of smell. He leans forward, tilting Zeldana's head up slightly, and lips touch lips.
His hands drop lower upon you, yet he never breaks contact with you, with your lips. lower, until one cradles your shoulders, another presses your hips into his. He shifts slightly, and bends you backwards, dipping you as you kiss.
Jorn bends zeldana over in a romantic kiss, dipping her slightly over as the kiss is long held, yet sweetly passionate.
finally, just at the moment where it would transition from romantic to obscene, Jorn lifts Zeldana up and releases her from his lips, and his grasp.
He smiles once more at her and says sorry, not my type
he shrugs once and steps away, standing next to neari.
Zeldana was taken aback for a moment when Jorn pulled her closer. A hope, a wish, that maybe he did remember... And when he took her first proper kiss she felt hope grow within her heart... Then his words ripped it out of her.
Her eyes went wide as they filled with tears, however she swiftly she rubbed them away. "Of course." She said, doing her best to keep her voice from breaking. "You cannot be faulted for that..." Zeldana stated as she struggled to hold herself together.
"Be well." She breathed out, doing her best not to think about the future that had been lost. It was never promised anyways...
Jorn nods once. great! Im thirsty. and this is a bar. Im getting a drink the man turns, nods once to Neari, and turns to walk out of the room.
The Duchess, who had been sitting in the lone chair in the, now cramped, living quarters of ameiko, coughs once, drawing everyone's attention to her.
Corrin, that was no spell that was cast upon you. that was your clan's curse. that is the reason why you wear the mask. Tell me, does the name Maliphviston mean anything to you? Did your elders have stories about men who lost their mask and were consumed by an unnatural desire?
The moment Jorn left the room and the Duchess had taken everyone's attention, Zeldana took the chance to move towards the door of the room. Her intentions had been to ensure other could not easily see her as her mind was spinning. With everything told to her this day, Loxley's dilemma, the problems with her cards, the possible corruption of possession of their friend, and many other things... Zeldana broke.
She clasped onto her hands and knees gasping for air that her lungs couldn't process in time before she was exhaling through broken sobs.
Ameiko’s Quaters
Loxley had nodded and followed along with Amieko’s decision to take all of this to her rooms. She did her best to support herself along the way, but in the end had needed a shoulder to lean on most of the way.
She was aware of encountering Corrin and Yeda in the courtyard. Loxley had managed a small nod for the two when someone asked if she was okay. She thought it was the warrior woman, but was too distracted to remember.
In the rooms, she realized Sazzat and others had joined them. She heard the distress in Zeldana’s voice and forced herself to look. She saw Jorn and the set he seemed to be in and wanted to move but at the same time, all she wanted to do was curl up into a ball and hide from the world.
When Sazzat started to fill them in on want he had been through and discovered she found some strength. As Corrin and the new comer, Neari, continued their tale, she used that strength to push past what she had seen in her visions. She used the anger that was beginning to grow to focus on something else.
She listened carefully, trying to sort out details. It was a difficult task trying to wall off the part of her mind still reeling from the events in the kitchen. Her friends needed her right now and that would have to be enough.
Evriani and Corrin, Jorn and Neari, wererats…
Loxley shook her head.
“Perhaps not Nualia, but the one she served.”
When the Duchess finally spoke she felt a small shiver. She regarded the dwarf as she asked of Corrin’s clan.
Could there be a connection between this thing and what they found below?
Lost in thought she missed Zel slipping from the room.
Sazzat continued to listen and watch. He had initially gotten concerned with Jorn's actions with Zeldana, with all-things-considered there might have been a chance that Jorn had been effected in a manner similar to Evriani.
However, he had to internally wince at the harsh callousness of the conclusion of Jorn's actions. Even on his worst day, he would not have treated someone thusly. He watched as Jorn, left the room and wondered once more to himself if something more had happened to that man, than was visible upon the surface. They were discussing things one would think a sheriff of the town would be very interested in but he seemed to have no concern for anything but his own pleasure. 'So Bandit, do you think Jorn might have gotten some demonic influence? He seems rather cavalier about Zeldana, and the happenings within town.'
He had seen the Duchess when he had entered, and while he wonder about her presence the others seemed okay with her being their, so he had said nothing. Then there was that name again, Maliphviston. Was Corrin some how tied into the demon lady as well? It just seemed to Sazzat that this town was getting darker and darker as if something wholly evil was present and infusing itself into the town, or it was already a part of the underbelly of the town and and was just now seeping out in greater quantities. Either did not spell good tidings for the folk of Sandpoint, nor any declared heroes there of. 'Hey Bandit, you seemed to know something about this Maliphviston, might you care to enlighten me as to who and/or what they are?'
He watched the ... strange happening with Jorn and he felt a weird rage settle in his heart. His hand hovered near the mask. he trailed zel with his eyes for a moment. a deep sigh forming in his chest as he watched her falter. He wasn't sure if this was a console moment or let the warrior have their moment in peace so he made a mental note to check on her later. When the dwarf spoke to him and uttered a name he had not heard in a very long time He jerked the mask down over his face as an instinctual reactions the name Maliphviston was mentioned.
for a moment when he spoke his voice was different, deeper definitely a wiser tone to it.
"We do not mention that name. Call them the deceiver if you will... but that word if poison. If it were not for the dire nature of its existence we would have forgotten the name and let history wash it away."
His head jerked up slightly and he lifted the mask up.
He seemed to shrink again unconsciously hunching where he stood like he was in trouble.
"its not just the men, the females too... sometimes they would get lost...it wasn't always breeding either... Alynthia was she was my cousin... she had been out with some hero's far to the east came back home with stories and riches some old tomb they discovered... She was all laughter and smiles.... she cut her own throat that night screaming in terror about the futility of it all. The elders said it was a curse.. they led us to think it was from the tombs she helped them rob.... He rubbed at his face at his eyes. it wasn't a curse from the tombs i see... or at least not the one she explored with those outsiders. As a child growing up there... it always felt strange how... sometimes adults would just disappear sometimes.. then be back months.... even years later with no explanation of what happened."
He eyed the dwarf for a moment longer trying to figure out her role in all of this.. and how she seemed to know so much.
Evriani killed Nualia?"
He asked hand frozen up near the pretty much a Placebo at this point.
"Is it possible that Nualia was also possessed? Perhaps whatever evil resided in the aasimar feld her form when she was put behind bars and into our friend. at least that is my hope. the other options hurt my heart. Is there a way to check with Nualia's spirit? I know my people had ways of speaking with the fallen. They used it to make sure that our people died of natural things and not some attack by followers of that which we do not speak of."
He pauses for a bit, then thinks to Bandit once more, 'You do understand if I tried to state that a Raccoon told me, most folks would think I was rather touched, and others might try to nab you. Neither of those outcomes sounds pleasing to me. As such, just consider what we discuss here in this mental space, to just be between you and I and if I feel sharing any insights with others might be helpful, those insights will inevitably come from me, regardless if it is you or us that came up with that insight. The less folks know about you, the greater our edge when things go south, as they often seem to be doing as of late.'
Yeda frowns and looks down.
No. I do not have capabilities to contact spirits. Nor do I know of any means to test our theories about Nualia or Evriani. We just have to be on our guard if we see her again.
It's moments like these she's painfully aware her blade does not solve all.
There is a spell to speak with the dead, though I have not yet been granted the power to cast such a spell. Father Zantus might be able to tell us what happened once he's feeling better. This is all too much. Hopefully, the others can comfort Corrin and Zeldana. In the meantime... Neari steps back outside looking about for anyone still running around, hoping to get an answer as to why the alarm was raised.
The Duchess listens with rapt attention to what Corrin says. Hmmm... interesting. that's not what i had learned about your tribe, corrin.
she stood up, stretching her dark arms over her head. A wince flashes across her face, and she glares at Ameiko as she rubs the back of her head. (ameiko, for her part, shifts in her seat, a look of pain upon her fair features). Its interesting. From what i was able to learn, Mal- she cuts off in mid word, looking at Corrin the deceiver, only affected males. strange... she trails off, looking up at the ceiling, her gaze growing distant.
Ameiko coughs, a sharp retort to fill the silence.
The Duchesss blinks, and then looks at everyone. Oh? oh yes, my apologies. Sometimes, when i think, i do that. Was checking old information.... i digress. she walks to a corner stand where several small bottles holding different colored liquids stand. she pours herself a small glass of a strange green fluid, and takes a sip.
I know of this Nualia, even though i wasnt here, at the start. she looks at everyone Nualia is, or was she nods at Neari was possessed by her own demons. Her story, well, it's slightly tragic, more pedantic on the cosmic scale, but still, to her, it was all to real. However, i can say this, This evriani, i met with her. at the Hagfish. She sips again her drink She sought me out, seeking my help. Said that she knew why I was in town. The Duchess looks at Loxley with a long look and offers to help connect me with you. But, she had a price. she looks at the huddled form that is Zeldana. She wanted her. She wouldnt tell me why. When we departed, she said she the Duchess' voice changes, tone and inflection perfectly matching that of Evriani Had to meet with an old friend make him feel loved. She reverts back to her original voice.
i can only assume she means her she nods at Zeldana lover, the man Jorn.
We're closed. the Shoanti barbarian, muscles rippling like corded steel bands, stated with absolute finality.
You had little more than a moment to grasp your coin purse before you were rudely picked up from behind by the two other Shoanti bouncers. The one who spoke, (Ehlm was his name), grabbed you by an ankle. and lifted you high. they wove easily through the main room, and roughly threw you out the front door.
You lay in the dirt for a moment, wondering what the nine hells above happened to close a brothel in the middle of a work shift?
Youre not the only one who was rudely thrown out the front, as several more men (and a couple women) dust themselves off and stand up, grumbling to themselves and to each other.
what? what happened someone asks, standing up, naked.
I dont know. some kind of shouting
a bang!
yeah, a bang. more of a thud. but either case, something happened.
Where's our clothes! a voice cries out.
everyone stops and looks at the building....
second floor windows started to open, and clothes, bags, and other items start to be hurled out of them, falling to the ground.
There was not much that Sazzat could do at this time but rub the stump of his missing finger and think angry thoughts aimed at a certain maligned deity. Not that it would have any affect on them, but he definitely decided to make it personal endeavor to befoul any of their followers or their doings should he ever become aware of them.
"This is a how do you do," he said after being rudely tossed out. He was a bard who played the lute, and he had to check his lute to make sure it was not damaged. And no, it had not been. Lice and all. He was just trying to make a Shoanti woman more than ready to receive him with a strung diddy.
Crusk was a man who was half human, half orc. His mother was human, his father was an orc. She was brutally raped, and now she had a bundle of joy that was Crusk. Crusk was always quiet growing up. He was almost sold as a slave, but he was deemed to be too ugly. Crusk then was apprenticed to a bard master that didn't care about his past. Crusk had sung, badly, but he took up the lute. And he mastered the lute, even as he bedded many a girl with loose morals.
He hoped to find his father, and tell him that he was here. He also hoped to find him alive, and not waiting for a violent death. Crusk was also known for his mastery of certain sexual techniques. Something he honed while sleeping with "loose women." He was to practice those techniques again, only to be thrown out of Sandpoint's brothel simply because he lacked the coin to pay for the Courtesan. But Crusk dreamed, and he dreamed big, about buying a Courtesan slave with which he could practice with. Orc or human, he didn't care. Of course slaves are found in Varisia, at least that's what he had been told. But, now, his quest for his real father was also there.
Crusk put his clothes on, what he could find. "Well, I don't know about you," he said to the others. "But I intend to find my father -- and probably pay for a Courtesan of my own."
** spoiler omitted **
The Duchess listens with rapt attention to what Corrin says. Hmmm... interesting. that's not what i had learned about your tribe, corrin.
she stood up, stretching her dark arms over her head. A wince flashes across her face, and she glares at Ameiko as she rubs the back of her head. (ameiko, for her part, shifts in her seat, a look of pain upon her fair features). Its interesting. From what i was able to learn, Mal- she cuts off in mid word, looking at Corrin the deceiver, only affected males. strange... she trails off, looking up at the ceiling, her gaze growing distant.
Ameiko coughs, a sharp retort to fill the silence.
The Duchesss blinks, and then looks at everyone. Oh? oh yes, my apologies. Sometimes, when i think, i do that. Was checking old information.... i digress. she walks to a corner stand where several small bottles holding different colored liquids stand. she pours herself a small glass of a strange green fluid, and takes a sip.
I know of this Nualia, even though i wasnt here, at the start. she looks at everyone Nualia is, or was she nods at Neari was possessed by her own demons. Her story, well, it's slightly tragic, more pedantic on the cosmic scale, but still, to her, it was all to real. However, i can say this, This evriani, i met with her. at the Hagfish. She sips again her drink She sought me out, seeking my help. Said that she knew why I was in town. The Duchess looks at Loxley with a long look and offers to help connect me with you. But, she had a price. she looks at the huddled form that is Zeldana. She wanted her. She wouldnt tell me why. When we departed, she said she the Duchess' voice changes, tone and inflection...
"Why would she be interested in Zel at all... ? He said outloud tilking his head at the curious tidbit. It didnt make any senset to him. She wasnt a local from sandpoint Evriani.. he was sure of that. Zel was... well why a known quantity of the town not the sort of person to seem super important... was she?" "does anyone rmemeber any srange interaction between Zel and Ev in the dungeons? She seemed too preoocupied with me there... i had thought. then again I was... pretty fueled by the need to get the heart... hells still am." He grumbled looking out torwards the dining room. He wondered how long they woudl wait the nobles before making stinks... there was sa dinner thing suppposed to be being had. troubles or no troubles.
Yes. the Duchess steps close to Corrin, her dark hand laying gently upon his arm. well, it would appear that your particular curse is to bed any and all women when your in the thralls of its madness. she drops her hand and steps away from Corrin. The dwarf looks at everyone in the room and finally looks upon Zeldana. Yet, it is odd that she wants her.
Gliding upon the floor, she crouches low next to zeldana.
as you speak to the strangers that were likewise tossed out of the brothel, you notice movement at the end of the lane. You see a figure crouched over the largest man you have ever seen in your life. Or perhaps she is the smallest female you have ever seen and he is a regular sized man. youre not sure. But they sit in front of a tavern you had passed when you breezed into town not to long before. "the rusty dragon inn". An interesting name, but no wenches were to be found so you moved on.
Now, though, it seems to be the backdrop to some sort of drama unfold as several men move up to the massive man and take instructions from the woman. you cannot hear what she has to say, but her hand waves around, pointing.
Even more curious, you watch another woman, sword hanging from her hip, step out the front doors.
but, it isnt to them that your attention is drawn to, but instead the sound of commotion out the front doors of the inn.
A quick march across the commons and you easily open the doors. there, you see a woman hunched over the largest man you have ever seen in your life! A giant of a man, even his hands would easily cover your chest! But he is covered in bruises from head to toe.
Oh good! A follower of Sarenrae. Please, come here! the woman asks you. Please. lend me some healing for this man.
Down the lane to your left you see a group of men, polearms in hands and helms upon heads, standing at the foot of the bridge that leads out of Sandpoint proper. THe jingle of armor, the slap of steel sounds from around, indicating men under similar arms moving about with an authoritative stride. You spot several people standing up from the dirt road far down the steet in front of you, disheveled...and nude?
Miss? Help please? the woman asks, intruding upon your thoughts.
[/spoiler]
"Strange," he says as he gets his pants on. he was working on his socks and shoes next. "I've seen swordswomen before, but not like that one. I bet she can protect herself."
Crusk then puts on his shirt and cloak. "Brothel or no brothel, I feel I must talk to her," he states. He grabs his loot and starts running towards her.
"Wait," he says.
Zeldana's mind had been racing through many different things, but mainly she had been trying to keep her breathing under control. So when the Duchess spoke to her Zeldana let out a gasping cry she hadn't realized she was holding in. The witch settled back, sitting on her knees as she wrapped her shaking arms around herself. "I do not really drink..." She said through gasping breaths. "I am sorry... I am being selfish." Zeldana half chuckled as she ran her hands through her hair. "You... you believe I have an answer for you?" She finally asked, trying to smile, it was a very weak thing.
How do you feel now? What was the cause of these wounds? And does anyone know why the alarm was raised? Was this man's injuries related?
Neari looked quizzically at the the now dressed half-orc who seemed to be addressing her. I'm rather busy at the moment, she points at the injured man before continuing, so unless it's important or you have some way of helping this town through its current predicament, it would be preferable if you went on your way. Please no more emergencies. This was supposed to be a peaceful, little town.
Crusk was feeling like he could help the town in some way. If Neari required his aid, he can certainly give it -- well, in his own way of course. The town's brothel kicked him out and now this woman was saying she was busy.
Oh, much better. Oof- he grunts as he attempts to shift his position. Bruises upon his body had faded, yet still remained, having changed from the large red to even worse yellows and purples. ouch. Oh, the wounds here upon me are the same reason the alarm was raised. Had a bit of a fight between myself, a fierce warrior lady, a strange looking cat, and those pesky Triplets. Have had dealings with them before. both worked with, and against them. Duchess was here as well. Nasty bit of work she is. Holds their leash, she does. Althought, why they attacked now... i know not. My sword. Where is my sword? he asks urgently...
With the half orc's (crusk) arrival, the man falls silent, yet he moves with an urgency as he shifts his injured body, looking for his blade.
Sir, have you seen my blade? it's five feet long, a big hunk of steel to the likes of you.
the duchess nods once with encouragement at Zeldana. I think so. Have you ever met this Evriani before?
Ameiko groans, half biting off a pained snarl She just said she doesnt know this strange demon woman. she looks at corrin, concern evident upon her face my brother here, is he ok? will he be ok?
the duchess shrugs her shoulders. I- I am not sure. He's bedded the wench. His madness, i can only assume, has already passed a certain threshold due to him not having a proper mask
the dwarf snaps her fingers Ack. i am getting sidetracked. I promised you she looks at corrin how to redo your mask. For helping me find the Empress she nods to Loxley i will help you create a new one in the morning. But, for now, the Lady Loxley and I must finish our conversation we were having before we were interrupted.
Not wishing to get directly involved in anything that was going on, Sazzat along with Bandit quietly and hopefully unnoticed takes a seat where he still can observe and hear things and yet be mostly unnoticed or at least overlooked.
As for Zeldana he felt her loss, he knew what that felt like which is part of the reason he has not gotten very close to anyone since. Of course, considering how his life seems to be attracting the darkest of the elements, perhaps that is a good thing as well, or just another reason not to get to attached to anything. He unconsciously pets Bandit in a manner that Bandit has always seemed to enjoy.
To the Duchess' question about Evriani he thinks to himself, 'Does anyone really know someone else? Does anyone really care? Heck does anyone even really know themselves?' That last part of his thought troubled him the most.
Zeldana looked at Ameiko, her golden and purple eyes cold as she firmly stated "I did not grant you the right to speak for me. Never do it again. I have had more than enough of your disrespectful snaps and quips." Pushing herself up off the floor she looked to the Duchess.
"All of us met her." Zeldana answered. "We rescued her along with another, and brought them back here for safety." Zeldana explained. "She was nothing like what they have described now. She was friendly and aided us... But there had been no hostility between us. I do not understand why this possessed Evriani has become so focused upon me..."
"As far as I am aware Jorn was not seeing anyone when we began courting. And Jorn is the first person I have ever tried courting..." Zeldana answered. "And no, I never met her before that moment we found her imprisoned.... I know I am not very good at reading people, and I can say things that I do not mean as an insult but can come off as one but... I do not believe I ever met her before, and I tend to remember people." Zeldana rubbed the back of her head before she brought her cards out. "I am sorry, but I do not see a connection..."
At the mention of his name, Sazzat freezes and says nothing and then continues to sit perfectly still not moving or speaking until the attention is taken elsewhere.
Ameiko’s Quaters
Loxley had to sit as she listened to, well, everything. There was a lot to process. It didn’t help that she was still reeling from her own… revelations.
She had caught the Duchess’s look and had quickly turned away.
It was hard to think.
It finally registered to her that Zel was having no better a time taking in what was happening and she felt a little guilty.
Loxley slid across the room to sit on the floor beside Zeldana and put an arm around her friend.
”I think a little selfishness is forgivable give what’s happened this eve.”
She tried to reassure Zel. Loxley looked back up at Corrin and Duchess.
She flushed slightly when Duchess referred to her at Empress, though she gave a small sigh of relief when the dwarf said she could help Corrin with a new mask. A small part of her curious about its creation, but that was quickly overwhelmed when the Duchess once again brought up their own conversation due.
Hoping to delay that conversation a bit longer she thought.
”Perhaps it something she perceived as a slight, something you just hadn’t taken notice of. Or perhaps she had designs on Jorn but never acted on them before you began courting. It may well have been something she herself had no conscious thought of. Demons sometimes need no more than that.”
Loxley shook her head.
”We may never truly know.