Just after dusk at the Quiet Lobster inn and tavern. It's on a quiet street near the Absalom Docks. The smell of sear air fades and that of cheap but tasty ale and cooking food wafts in as you enter. A couple of serving girls tend to various patrons as the dinner rush sets in. There are a good many people here and clear tables are scarce.
Roog, the barman is laughing as he pours a couple of mugs for a pair of lightly armoured men.
There is a group of performers playing a soft song and a group of half a dozen men, all dressed in foreign clothes, seem to love the song. Surana sees Ryko and Kyan as they enter.
Seated at the bar conversing with the barman, Surana looks up. "Ah, Roog... I'll wager these are the two I was telling you about. They have that look about them... the look of two who're new to the world and newly-entranced by its wonders."
She chuckles softly at the barman's unheard response, and waits.
Ryko walks into the inn and looks around, grimacing. "Damn, what a dump!" he whispers to Kyan. "Azlant is such a step down from Westcrown. And my clothes are getting the scent of poor all over them! This Surana chick better not be leading us on some kind of wild goose chase."
To be honest, Ryko was only complaining and joking to do his best to take Kyan's mind off the current situation. Since the accident, Ryko hadn't heard from Kyan, not until Surana had contacted him about the ruins outside of Azlant. Even though Kyan seemed to be doing okay, there was something different about him, though Ryko wasn't quite sure what. Still, he had to cheer his friend up as best he could.
Completely missing the joke, Kyan shakes his head a little at Ryko and says, "Absalom. This city is called Absalom. It is one of the largest cities on Golarion. One should expect a little bit of everything here, from the heights of society, to places like this, and probably worse."
Ryko frowns and glances around. "Absalom? Wait, what? Are you sure we're in the right place? I could have sworn she told me to meet her in Azlant...or at least mentioned it...I admit I did skim that letter rather than reading it properly."
He sighs and shrugs. "Well, you always did pay more attention to details than me, so I'll just trust that you've led us to the right hole in the wall. Abadar help me, I'm going to be scrubbing the scent of tobacco and ale out of my hair for weeks! And I think I'll just trash this outfit as soon as I get home. A shame too, I look rather dashing in it."
Ryko bites his lip. Something was really bothering Kyan but he wasn't sure what it was. He reached into his pocket and nervously traced his finger along the surface of the shard. It had become a habit for him, the surface was smooth and that calmed him down.
Watching the newcomers, the woman with pale blue skin and pure white eyes continues her conversation with the barkeep. "What do you think, Roog -- should I go and speak to them? The human child they sent to find me seemed likely enough to neglect details, such as a description of the person they sought to meet."
She pauses for a moment, observing the pair, then adds: "Ah, but perhaps such young, innocent expressions ought not be cut off prematurely." Chuckling again, she sits and watches.
Krevek walks down the stairs, trying to wake as he finishes strapping his sword on.
Shaking his head What the hell happened last night, where has the day gone
*absent-mindedly scratches the scar on his chest* "Ryko, so you see this Surana person we're supposed to meet?"
"Well, I dunno. The messenger was probably deceived by some kind of magic or something, because he said the scholar had blue skin and white eyes. I swear, commoners will believe anything these- holy crap!"
Ryko's wandering eyes catch sight of a stranger at the bar, someone with an off-color skin tone. He rubs his eyes quickly and looks again. "So...she's trying the same deceit with us, huh? Well, at least she's saving us the trouble of looking for her."
Ryko walks calmly over to the woman. "Good evening. Surana Vilyan Hukni, I presume?" he asks, bowing politely.
Kyan follows Ryko's gaze, and then follows him to the truly exotic woman. "Good evening Miss. This is my buddy Ryko, and I'm Kyan." He then holds out a gaunt, hand to the woman.
Krevek looks around the bar, Praise be to Abadar, she is still here. Might not have been out as long as I thought!
Krevek walks towards the blue lady and upon seeing the other two approach, holds back.
He instead approaches the bar Bartender
And then whispers to him:
As the two men approach and address her, Surana smiles congenially and inclines her head, with a hint of an amused twinkle in the lines around her eyes. "A good evening, indeed, if your tidings are truth." Her voice lowers slightly, and she continues. "You do not strike me as mad dreamers, so tell me... how did the two of you come to find the object of which we speak?"
Ryko shrugs. "We found it. I happen to be an explorer, of sorts, and when we came into contact with the item, well...things turned sour. Still, we managed to recover a shard of it, and Kyan is still alive and well, so that's what matters."
Surana raises one eyebrow, and speaks softly. "You tried to enter it? A shard? Tell me more, Ryko... tell me all."
She looks over at Kyan with a thoughtful and -- something else -- expression, as if weighing his presence.
Ryko wordlessly reaches into his pocket and grabs the shard, pulling it out slowly. He narrows his eyes suspiciously, but extends his hand. "Look. Touch. But if this shard leaves my hand, you die." His words were cold and carried with them a sincere and violent promise.
Surana: 'Ah, but perhaps such young, innocent expressions ought not be cut off prematurely.'
The barman opens his mouth to start a response, but is cut short as someone drunkenly taps him on the shoulder to order a drink. He winks at Surana and goes to attend his patron.
Krevek: 'Also, my memory is a little clouded over the happenings of last night, did you happen to be here and maybe able to fill in any of that?'
Roog smiles knowingly 'Well boy, I'd have hoped you'd remember a night with Lysha.' He nods at one of the serving girls busily waiting tables. 'But then, you had had more than a few last night.'
Hand on his sword, the guardsman coming out in him, Krevek turns to regard the conversation taking place with the woman he is supposed to meet.
I hope this does not turn ugly, I haven't even had anything to eat today
keeping his eyes on the conversation, sparing a glance at the woman.
I might have to have another, only this time on less ale
The girl stifles a giggle as she walks past Krevek. She is pretty, but has her hands full of dirty dishes. She disappears into the kitchen.
Roog watches the conversation between Surana and the two men from afar. It seems he's not completely aware of what's being said.
At the bar a man suddenly falls out of his stool. A hood falls back as he clutches his head, revealing a somewhat scrawny looking man somewhere in his mid-twenties. He is breathing heavily and checks his nose with a shaking hand as if he expects it to be running or bleeding maybe. He looks dazed.
Krevek moves to the man who fell and offers a hand while still watching the conversation.
Are you alright? he asks, not really paying attention for an answer, his attention clearly on the conversation where a threat of violence was made.
Kyan places a hand on Ryko's shoulder. "Rkyo. Calm yourself my friend. You found her to help us, so let her help us if she is able."
Surana narrows her eyes at Ryko's words, but reaches out carefully and touches the shard, attempting to discern what it is as well as whence it came. She sighs and shakes her head, frowning. "It is unlike anything I've seen... Kyan, why is your friend so attached to it? I have seen bewitchments in my days..." Her voice trails off, and she gazes at Ryko. "Is it... intact?" she asks finally.
Kyan stammers nervously at Surana's question, "Um..uh..uh um... Well, I..um, don't know for sure if I should say."
As soon as she stops touching it, Ryko's hand immediately clamps over the shard and he stuffs it back in his pocket. "Bewitchment? Don't make me laugh, witch. No. This shard is precious to me, because a man I knew gave his life for the expedition that led us to it. If I ever lose this shard, it will all have been for nothing. I will never disgrace his memory like that."
"Peace... no harm was meant."
After a moment of waiting for Ryko to relax, Surana continues. "Why have you come to me?" ... if you won't tell me anything about what happened...
Ryko frowns. "I...well, to be honest the only reason I'm here is because I'm worried about what happened to Kyan. It seems he's reluctant to talk about it, though. But if he doesn't want to tell you what happened, then you can't expect me to go behind his back and tell you myself, can you?"
The man hauled himself up with Krevek's help. He speed and relative grace seemed to indicate there was something other than alcohol wrong with him. With a mumbled thanks, he brushed the man off and rushed from the bar. His gait too stable and coordinated to be just another drunk.
"Indeed not."
With that, Surana looks expectantly at Kyan.
what a fool Krevek thinks to himself as he pats himself down to make sure everything is in place.
Krevek then moves toward the woman he is to be meeting, assuming that the drunken fool didn't take anything.
Jim makes his way outside and the streets are pretty quiet.
Roog starts to pour Surana a drink.
"I...um...I don't really know what happened. We were exploring some...place, found this weird table, which is where Ryko found that...thing. Then...it gets a little hazy. I believe we ended up getting separated...then I was attacked by something. The next thing I recall was being in a bed, with Ryko sitting next to me, and I had the wounds causing these scars." Kyan pulls open his shirt a little to show part of his chest scar. "Aside from that, I'm at a loss for what actually happened."
Surana frowns, clearly thoughtful. "Why do you think you found..." -- she lowers her voice --
"I honestly don't know what we found. If you like, I think Ryko and I could find our way back there, maybe...." Kyan looks at Ryko.
"Would you be willing? I have heard many tales since I began my research into the ancient ones... but yours rings true, and I would know more."
"We'd be more than willing to show you the way," Ryko answers. "Though I guarantee you it won't be a safe journey."
"If what you have discovered is that which I've been led to believe... I would be truly remiss to ignore the opportunity to investigate. Will a departure on the morrow allow you both time enough to prepare?"
"As you wish. Come, Kyan. Let's get a room," Ryko said, reaching one hand into his pocket and stroking the surface of the shard with his finger. He walks over to the innkeeper and asks for a room for two.
krevek approaches the woman upon the other group leaving
They seem a little on edge, do you mind if I sit?
Surana inclines her head graciously toward Krevek, sipping the wine Roog provided.
Krevek sits down across from the woman. Thank you for meeting me, I was afraid I was not going to make it.
Krevek unstraps his sword and sets it on the table. I wish to learn more about this weapon.[b] He slide it out of the scabbard a bit [b]This word is all I have to go on, and I do not even know what it says.
Roog nods at Ryko "I got a room for ya. Eight silver for the night, unless yous wanted to arrange longer."
Surana silently examines the sword, as well as the word Krevek indicates.
After a few moments, she looks back up at Krevek, her solid white eyes betraying no hint of emotion. "Where did you get this?" she asks.
My family shop, though I did not craft it, and do not believe my father did either.
"Eight silver? Bloody hell, I bet a night with her wouldn't even run me eight silver!" Ryko exclaims, gesturing to a passing wench. "And yet the rooms are pricier than the women who decorate them? This witch's expertise had better be worth it."
Ryko fishes into his pocket and tosses a few coins onto the counter. "There. And I assume that comes with a meal, right?"
Kyan shakes his head wondering why Ryko is so high-strung as of late. He then turns to the barkeep and says, "Forgive my friend, he's always held a tight grip on his purse."
he sure can make a scene Krevek states glancing over at the loud one.