So you were critizicing me yesterday and today I am a hero... I am curious what you will tell me tomorrow Sandpoint.
Looking as Vivi steps out, Delendir tries to make signals without much success.
He asks someone nearby, not quite recognizing him "Have you seen the Major? She was here just a minute ago. Can you point me to her?", Delendir's rage seems to go up and up the more difficult to find and talk with Sandpoint leaders becomes. And people know he is not the kind able to control his emotions. People around can easily see if they care that something is going wrong with him.
People are more than happy to point out the route the mayor took to Delendir, grinning and nudging each other as he slowly wades through them in a southerly direction. It appears she is likely headed to Deverin Manor.
Vivi smiles with the barest hint of a blush as he takes the key.
Seeing Tal approach he switches back to common and winks at Ameiko.
"If Tal is buying I will have some plum wine if you have it."
Turning to Tal, he indicates his chest wound with his hand.
"Oh, crowds and I get along fine enough... but I am not quite dressed for speech making or hand shaking. Besides, killing is not a heroic action, even in defense of self or others. A real hero would have found a way to defend the town by getting to goblins to leave peaceably."
He shakes his head sadly.
"Still, I am grateful that I was able to help, if only a little. What about you? I would think that you would have liked being the center of attention, with all the local ladies lining up to get a kiss from the might Talwin, hero of Sandpoint."
Kiley makes her way back to the Dragon once the crowd has thinned. She wasn't used to adoration. Pity, perhaps. Affection, maybe from some of the older clergy. Adoration, being cheered as a hero, that was something new.
"Wonder what momma and papa would have thought..." She asks herself quietly.
Finally slipping away from the crowd, Jessica makes her way to the Dragon as well. Arriving, she finds her friends and joins them, "Well, that was certainly unexpected. I'm glad we've made it out of that crowd, I'm not used to being at the center of attention like that."
In case Delendir manages to get out of the crowd also, he will head to Deverin's Manor before going to the Manor. He feels fooled and enraged by the way the Major is handling the crisis. If a guard sees him before he can catch up Deverin, they will feel he can be a potential danger.
@ Vivi -
@ Vivi & Tal - Ameiko shakes her head as Vivi and Tal speak. "You won't be paying for anything this day, my friends. Your hard work deserves a bit of reward, don't you think?" She grins, barking out an order for plum wine and whatever Tal desires.
@ Kiley - Ameiko sees Kiley enter, lost in thought. She puts an arm around the younger woman's shoulders, giving her a squeeze, before returning to the back to check on things.
@ Jessica & Kiley - Nothing really happens upon Jessica's arrival, besides any drink or food you might desire.
Ameiko approaches the table. "As I have already stated to your eastern friend here, you may have a room here if you would like. On the house!"
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Delendir heads south at a brisk pace, receiving curious stares, but nothing more. He quickly catches sight of Deverin and Hemlock casually walking down the street, apparently deep in conversation. As the ranger approaches, they turn and do not appear to be surprised at Delendir's appearance. They calmly await his approach, the Mayor with a more reserved smile than she wore at the meeting a few minutes ago, Hemlock a look of wariness. Delendir notices that the man tries to subtly loosen his sword in its scabbard.
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Tal thanks Ameiko annd orders a nice brandy. Tal smiles at Vivi's words. "We can find a snazzy outfit for you, no worries. About the goblins, there is no peaceful way. They are inherently evil creatures that enjoy inflicting pain and killing where they go.
Sure they extra attention and benifits are all right now, but before you know it they expect things from you. Do tasks like rescuing cats from trees and finding lost dogs, killing monsters and all that. Believe me, sometimes you are better off when no one knows you. It won't be long before they ask us to put an end to the entire goblin tribe, mark my words." he ends glumly as he downs the drink and asks for another.
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Suddenly realizing of his rage by Hemlock's move, Delendir tries to control himself to avoid hitting the Major while he talks. "What's all this about? You cited us to come here to talk with you and we got this? It feels much like a trap. And you know, my friends are now hidden at home shivering by the responsability and expectations you have thrown to them from now on." Delendir closes his fists with so much strengh that his arms starts shaking "What are your plans now? Please tell me this hero's trick is just part of a plan. You know the goblins are not defeated and in case they did not got what they were looking for, they will come back looking for more; better armed and in large numbers."
With everything having calmed down, and the stress and activity of the day, Jessica seems to be wearing down as the excitement wears off. She looks around at her companions, "Well this was a very full day and I am completely worn out. I think I am going to bed for the night, if no one needs me of course." She leans over and gives Tal a quick kiss on the cheek, "Thanks for a wonderful day Tal." Looking back to the rest, "I'll see you in the morning. Oh, and Vivi, I will see if I can do something about your clothing in the morning." With that, she gets up and heads to her room for the night.
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"You are missing out on a beautiful sunset over the cliffs, but we can do that tomorrow if you are too tired now." Tal says with a smile and wishes her a good night if she goes up.
Tal slumps in his barstool and lets his head fall down on the bar with a loud enough *tonk* "Oh bloody hells, that reminds me, Niskha asked me to get her some goods. *sigh* I better be off too and see if the shop is still open." With that Tal slumps out of his bar stool and lazily walks towards the door. "See you all tomorrow, I'll bet the mayor will have us do some hero tasks next, ugh!" He finishes as he walks outside.
Smiling at Tal, "That would be nice, but for now, a bath and then to bed. Night everyone."
@ Tal - You find Mr. Vinder starting to lock up his store. He grumbles and complains, but the prospect of losing business is one he doesn't enjoy, so he allows you in to get the goods. (1 cp)
@ Vivi, Kiley, & Jessica - Jessica retires early to her room, leaving Kiley and Vivi in the tavern area. The place starts to get crowded quickly, and opportunities for privacy and rest seem to be declining by the minute.
@ Delendir - Hemlock starts to move forward aggressively, but Deverin puts up a restraining hand. "I am sorry for the subterfuge, Master Delendir, but we do have plans in place, and are making them even now. Just so you know, so your temper might be eased, Sheriff Hemlock is planning to go to Magnimar to recruit some mercenary help until this goblin threat dies down. The townspeople will be scared and frightened, but if their Heroes are seen about town, strutting about, reminding people they are still here, morale would be resolved." Deverin smiles gently at Delendir. "Do you understand our game now, sir?"
Hemlock scowls, asking "What makes you think they were after anything at all beyond killing?
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"Thank you kindly good sir. And greeting to you from Niskha." Tal says as he drops the copper piece and heads back to Niskha's place with the goods by the normal direct route.
Tal enters the house and puts the salt and flower on the kitchen counter "I'm back. I got the goods, though Vinder wasn't too happy about me getting them at this time, hehe." Tal says with a light tone.
"You never guess what the mayor did. She named me and a couple of others I met today heroes of Sandpoint. You might want to talk to her or she will send your nephew out for dangerous missions of slaying evil goblins, trolls, giants and the like!" Tal half jokes.
Vivi nods to Jessica as she leaves. As the crowds begin to arrive, he too decides that it might be wise to get some much needed rest.
He turns to Kiley and gives her a bow.
"I appreciate all of your companionship and help today, Lady Kiley. The better part of today would not have been quite the same without you, and I might very well not have survived the attacks if you had not been there. I will see you tomorrow I am sure."
Rising, Vivi heads upstairs to his room, giving a appreciative smile to Ameiko as he goes.
Kiley tells Talwin, Vivi, and Jessica good night as they retire for the evening, and about a half-hour later, she checks to see if the bathroom is empty before fixing herself a hot relaxing bath and going to bed once the stench of sweat, blood and goblin is gone and after telling Ameiko good night.
Ameiko smirks and strikes a curtsy to Vivi as he proceeds upstairs.
As Kiley bids Ameiko good night, the woman smiles and says, "Get some well-deserved rest, Kiley. And why don't you take the next couple of days off and enjoy yourself. Or, if you prefer, hide?" She chuckles and waves.
Coming out from her room the next morning after her morning prayers, Jessica sits down at one of the tables and looks around for here friends from the day before. When one of the servers comes for her order, "What is on the menu for breakfast? I'm very hungry this morning." She keeps an eye out for Vivi in case his clothes still need repairs and begins performing her obedience for the day by singing a hymn praising the beauty of a sunrise for those who care to listen.
"And miss the compliments? Never!" Kiley jokes, "Thank you for that. I promise to enjoy myself while it last."
Kiley wakes up shortly after Jessica and dresses in a simple white tunic and dark tan breeches with a bright red scarf tied about her waist. After getting dressed, her stomach growls and she realizes that she's not hunger, she's ravenous, as she walks into the common room from the back.
"Morning, oh goddess of beauty! How your hair shimmers like dew laden silk in the morning sun," she says to Jessica, over-doing the theatrics on purpose. "So, know what's on the menu yet?"
Ameiko responds to Jessica's question with a smile. "We save the foreign dishes for supper, mostly. Breakfast is mostly your normal fare. Bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, perhaps some pancakes. Fruit, too." At this the Minkai woman looks at Kiley pointedly as she arrives.
"You do look rather lovely this morning, Jessica. Unlike our Goddess of War here, who doesn't get the sleep out of her eyes until midday at best." Ameiko laughs amiably, ruffling Kiley's hair before heading back to grab the two women's food (once they request it).
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Nishka pulls out a grey cloak with a hood, chuckling as she pulls it out of the closet. "Not as flashy as what you normally wear, but this should do the trick, Talwin. Hmmm, the Rusty Dragon? You're sure to pick up a flock of admirers there. Best try the White Deer."
Vivi awakens, refreshed. A few scars and damaged clothing are the only reminders that yesterday was not just a festival. I must ask Ameiko or Kiley where I can get some incense. And some paper and ink as well. <rumble><rumble><rumble> ... but first some breakfast.
Vivi sighs as he puts on his now slashed outfit. Add getting a second set of robes to my to do list as well. Kiley said she could take me to a tailor and Jessica said she might be able to help with repairs. I hope I run into both of them.
Vivi heads downstairs and conveniently runs into all three of the ladies he is looking for.
Giving a polite bow to them, he smiles.
"Good morning all! I am in need of many things today, but I think the first thing will be breakfast. Would it be possible to get a plate of fruit and maybe some rice?"
"I'm up and my clothes aren't falling off, I'd say I'm doing pretty well today." Kiley laughs back and flips Ameiko's hair in revenge for getting her hair messed up.
"So, you said bacon and pancakes, right? Did we have any of that syrup left over from the last time you tried on of those, um, what did you call them? Culinary experiments?" Kiley asks.
Finally understanding, Delendir's rage clearly recedes "I see Deverin. You are the boss here and know better than anyone what's good for Sandpoint. I just had the impression you were not understanding the thread. My house was destroyed one month ago, burned to ashes." Delendir has a hard time at this point to restrain his tears "Now this. Something is going on out there in the wilderness, and we better discover what it is soon. I am relieved thinking you have a plan. I will try to cooperate with this hero stuff. I have little to lose, but please, don't place my friends life in danger. They are young and have plenty of things to enjoy in life. Please do not place them in danger for some political intrigues."
Having made out all he had inside Delendir feels much rested. If they do not have anything else to discuss, he will walk back to the Rusty Dragon, have a sour drink and sleep.
Ameiko's laughs, her dark skin darkening further as her eyes cut to Vivi and Jessica. "As a matter of fact, I think we do still have some of that. Let's see if we can find the syrup a more worthy flavor transfer vehicle."
The woman turns to Vivi, smile in place. "Master Vivi, we have a wide selection of fruit, but alas no rice this morning. I'll make sure we prepare some for our midday meal."
She retreats to the back, and bacon & pancakes are brought out by some kitchen help for Jessica and Kiley. Ameiko brings out a wide tray with sliced apples and pears, along with whole plums, oranges, and lemons. She sets it down in front of the monk.
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"We have no intention of anyone being injured, Delendir. This is purely a patch so the town won't panic until Hemlock returns." The two wave to Delendir, who proceeds to return to the Dragon, hear he has a free room, and promptly goes to bed.
"Thanks!" Kiley tells her co-workers before saying a short prayer over the food and digging in.
Vivi looks over the plate of fruits with undisguised amazement.
With an almost reverential air, he takes one of the plums and gingerly takes a bite, savoring the flavors of the juices and the flesh of the fruit as he chews and swallows the bite.
"I have questions for all of you... but I will not dishonor this fine meal by even thinking of them while eating it. Please be patient with me."
Without further thought to such things as "tailoring" or "incense" he enjoys the rest of the plate of fruit, even the lemons (which he finds to be surprisingly sweet once the initial bitterness passes).
Delendir wakes up and joins the breakfast. He silently eats some fruits just making a faint smile at Vivi's face on eating the lemon. "It gets better as you get used to the strong flavor." He takes one more and explains "I am sorry guys, but I think we will have to continue on with the hero thing at least for a time." He returns to his quiteness while finishing the breakfast.
Once she has finished her song, Jessica looks to Ameiko, "Thanks Ameiko, it looks delicious! " She starts in on her food, savoring it. When Vivi arives, Jessica looks to him, "Do you still need the damage to your clothes fixed Vivi? I have an orison prepared that I can use to take care of it if you want."
Finishing his breakfast, Vivi finally responds to his new friends.
"I do, Miss Jessica, thank you. And I could use a tailor to make me a spare set of clothes. And some incense, ink, a brush, and paper if I can find them."
Responding to Delendir's bit about being a hero for a bit longer, Vivi shrugs in an noncommittal fashion. "I am not a hero really. I will continue to be Vivi, and I will continue to try to help those who need it, especially you my friends." He smiles, and inclines his head at them.
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Tal casts his prestidigitation spell on the cloak turning it into a dark green. "There we go, fashionable already. Just have to remember to recast it every hour. I have to go past the Rusty Dragon to say hello to my friends, but afterwards we can probably check out the other place.
Anyway, I'll see you later and be careful, there might be goblin stragglers about. The pesky critters sure can hide well enough." Tal says as he leaves home and heads for the Rusty Dragon with his new green cape over his head.
"I think this is yours, thank you a lot Vivi" as Delendir returns the borrowed sling to the monk. The half-elf talks a bit with the others then, after an hour or so, if nothing relevant happened he will pack his things and go to work.
Once she finishes her breakfast, Jessica looks at Vivi again, "All right, I need you to take of the clothing that needs mending and hand it to me. Then I need to be undisturbed for the next ten minutes, I don't need privacy, just to be uninterrupted."
Jessica takes the clothing and lays it on the table so the damage is facing her. She begins to chant a prayer, her hands making a weaving motion. After a minute or two, a glow begins to appear around her hands and eventually it spreads to the clothing. Once the glow has infused the target of the repair, the damage begins to repair itself, slowly re-knitting until, after a full ten minutes from start to finish, the clothing is good as new. Once it is done, she hands the item back to Vivi, "There you go Vivi, good as new."
Vivi nods in appreciation and removes his much damaged tunic (now stained with brown-red splotches around several gashes and and tears) as well as his undershirt, damaged in the chest and abdomen areas from lucky arrow wounds and dogslicer slashes.
His light gold muscular skin bears the scars of the previous night which correspond to the damage on the tunic and undershirt. Most are healed, apart from one on his chest which still looks raw and deep (though not as deep as before).
"I appreciate this greatly, Lady Jessica. At least I will not look like a beggar when I leave the inn today."
As her spell works on the garments, Vivi looks on in amazement. "Now that is impressive. It is almost as if the clothing has come to life and is healing, much like my body or a tree..."
Taking the garments back, Vivi bows deeply.
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A stranger bumps through the door wearing a green hooded cape and bends forward to obscure his face. He peers left and right through the room and he moves to sit next to Jessica.
He whispers to her and raises a hood a little to her so she can see who it is "Don't be afraid, it is just me, Tal. I'm wearing a cape to avoid pesky locals adoring over me the entire way here. What do you say we blow this joint and head for a nice walk by the sea? If we move in a group we won't be able to move out further then the end of the road before we are bothered."
"Well, I guess I'd better show Vivi where Rynshinn's shop is. Jessica, would you like to come along as well, you can even bring Mr. Mystery if you like." Kiley says after finishing the delicious breakfast.
Looking curious, "Rynshinn's shop? What kind of store is it?"
"It's actually called Vernah's Fine Clothing. Vernah was Rynshinn's mother until, well, the Late Unpleasantness. Rynshinn's run the place since then and is quite the tailor, although that's not the reason Talwin was in there last month." Kiley says, her face splitting into a wicked grin at that last part.
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Tal dramatically throws off his hood and says. "For a shy girl who still hasn't had her first kiss you sure are quick to assume others do nothing but kiss Kiley! A lady does not spread rumors like that. Rynshinn has a skilled set of hands and she was merely demonstrating different outfits she had to offer that were hand made. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, I assure you."
Those skilled hands did more than demonstrate clothing. Something Tal finds ordinary enough with his charms.
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Her eyes lighting up at the prospect, "I'd love to go with you two Kiley, I always enjoy looking at clothing, and jewelry. I'll just be looking though, I don't have the money for new clothing today." Looking at Tal, "If you are really wanting to disguise yourself, maybe we can help you when we get there. After that, I'd love to go down to the beach. Just let me go up and get my equipment in case we run across some stray goblins."
"Whoever said I was a lady? Besides, I only assume that you're the only one that does nothing but kiss." The wicked grin is still there, and it's obvious she's just teasing Talwin some.
"Besides, I have two ears, and I know how to use them. People talk, and tend to be pretty dang loud too."
Turning to Jessica, the smile gets warmer, and more friendly.
"Great! I'll wait for you here, and I'll try not to spread any rumors about Talwin here."
Once everyone's ready, she leads them out of the Dragon and down an alley between it and the Sandpoint Meat Market . On the other side is a shop with a sign declaring it Verah's Fine Clothing.
Putting on his freshly mended clothing, Vivi nods to the not so disguised Tal. At Kiley's question of who said she was a lady, he solemnly and seriously responds, "I do. I am looking forward to going there. Would they also have ink, paper, and incense or would I have to go else where for those?"
He turns to Jessica and adds, "They are needed for my purification ritual, and while I have not decided when or where to do it yet, I find it is best to be ready for when the inspiration of the spirits strikes."
Vivi thinks for a minute, then turns to Tal. "I am looking forward to getting something a bit more western, yet humble as befits a monk of my station. Perhaps you can get her to show me how to use these skilled hands to me in the same fashion." You can tell by Vivi's expression and tone that he is not being ironical or anything but serious as he says this.
Ameiko wanders over, mischievous smile of her own in place as she adds, "Indeed...you would think that one would brag less over conquests in a public place if such a reputation was unwanted." She chuckles, giving Vivi's bare chest an appreciative glance before heading to the back again.
Kiley leads the intrepid group to the clothier's, ready to do battle over pricing with the fair-handed Rynshinn.
Not worried about clothing, Delendir takes his trapping tools and leaves to the nearby fields and places some traps in the stubbles. Well, I guess live continues and I have to pay for the week expenses. Let's get some money as usual.
Of course Delendir also gets a look in the fields sourounding Sandpoint.