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Julen's face is still stern and business-like when he says,
It seems a maudlin thing to make child's play of such a king, but if gentle Cyrdak is writing still, mayhaps I may lend words and quill. May I know you by your names? For I am Julen, and a blade who knows few actors like yourselves. Julen extends his hand to offer in a brutally firm handshake.
Titus cracks not quite a smile, but a slight smirk, as if pleased with his glibness.
So where does a Tien Varisian noble barkeep go on vacation?
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It is more of a comedy, than a tragedy, the older one responds, A cautionary tale, if you will. Where are my manners? My name is Graham, and this is here is Nosh. I have seen you about town, Mister Julen.
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The young woman laughs, Noble? Not quite, just because my father is rich, does not make me noble. But to answer your question, I do not know. Mayhap, I would visit the North, Riddleport has always sounded fun.
Lou just smiles back at Amieko.
glancing toward Titus
I have yet to ever leave Sandpoint myself
Lou takes a few more bites of his chicken
looking back at titus, you care for some chicken and rice also?
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Julen enters the theater, greeted by a small gaggle of young actors ranging from age 10 to the mid-30s. A man in his late-20s dressed in the heights of fashion, with all the pomp and circumstance of a lead actor or lesser noble, flitters from one actor to another. He sizes them up, and says, Too old. or Too fat. The man always seems to find something wrong with each of the actors.
I suppose I was misinformed. to Mr. Kasuri I suppose if it's what Ms. Kaijitsu eats here - she'd know what's good. That'll be great, thank you.
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With a sharp intake of breath, he sizes up the room. Julen looks to Nosh and says, "That is our patron, I assume?" while gesturing at the lesser nobleman.
Maybe there is some door where I can slip back to find the man in his office later.
He starts to look around for any doors leading either down or backstage.
He quietly asks anyone near him, "If that's him, then who are the best other actors in the room?"
I suppose I was misinformed. to Mr. Kasuri I suppose if it's what Ms. Kaijitsu eats here - she'd know what's good. That'll be great, thank you.
Lou gives Titus a raised eyebrow look.
I'll fetch some for you then he says as he heads back to the kitchen.
a few minutes later Lou comes out with a nice sized bowl of spiced chicken over rice. here ya go. you know, back where Amieko comes from, its an insult to the cook if you don't finish all that you are given he gives a wink to Amieko
[/ooc]
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Julen Standing in the entrance hall, Cyrdak seems conceited enough to even deny the stage to actors that he deems unworthy. He starts sectioning off the potential auditioners.
Nosh leans in, Aside from Cyrdak himself, Arika there is becoming quite the actress, since she has been hanging with one of the Sandpoint Heroes. Grinoc stole the show as the male lead in the Harpy Queen a couple of years ago, and since then, he and Cyrdak have had a bit of a rivalry. Luckily for the man, Grinoc has been entirely too busy with adventuring of late, to be a threat.
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Ameiko laughs, Really? Of course, until recently, I have not really thought to study the culture of my people. I have spent much of my life trying to be my own woman, and as different as possible from my father...
Almost as if just coming upon the idea she grins, Perhaps, I shall visit the homeland.
Nikolia blushed heavily when Ameiko told him that she hadn't been in yet. He had hoped it wasn't as obvious who he was asking about, but apparently it was. And apparently he wasn't that good at hiding his feelings in general if Ameiko could pick up on them so easily. He only hoped that Shalelu herself never noticed. THAT could be a disaster.
He finished his stew in silence while listening to the others converse. He heard Ameiko say she might want to visit the home land and chipped in, "That would be a great adventure! Traveling all around the world, you'd be bound to run into brigands, dragons, and maybe even worse!" He was standing with a big grin on his face by the time he finished this exclamation. For a moment, he was reliving the stories of glory his mother told him when he was younger.
A moment later, he realized that he was standing with his spoon held up high and a dumb grin on his face. He quickly sat down and the blush returned to his face.
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Julen makes a show of adjusting his belt while muttering to Graham and Nosh, "My thanks. Methinks we should have words with the sharp woman before she slices our chances thin. Can you make an introduction?"
Without waiting for a response, he calls out, "Mistress Arica if you will, I have a quick word, fortune-filled."
I think the boy's having a bit of fun at my expense. Well, I ordered some. May as well.
Titus eats some, gasping at the first taste. Ah! Mephistopheles' manparts! But it's a good pain, little-known fact about Cheliax, we like our food spicy because it reminds the devils of home.Titus finishes his food, with some effort.So, where precisely is the homeland, Ms. Kaijitsu? From what I understand Tien isn't a small place.
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[Spoiler=Aeshuura]Oh contraire, I hope to help you, Miss Arica. I am called Julen Brelade. He bows.
Would you your conscience lend to a proposal? For if Cyrdak should bend to employ your humble servant in his joy, you servant answers and wants and dances your command about the script, as yet unfinished, for it would be his toy.
While any scribe can write a better part. The muse can revolutions start.
Miss Arica, what do you say? Will new friends triumph today?
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Julen - Arika looks a little incredulous, but hesitantly responds, What do you request for this aid?
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At the Rusty Dragon - Ameiko smiles, That it is, young Master Rufius. From what my mother used to tell me, it is a place called Minkai. She used to tell me that my grandfather hailed from the city of Kasai. Aside from that, I do not know. I believe that my family has a tradition of being master artisans in the craft of glassworks.
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"Arica, a sweet word in Cyrdak's ear would be most dear. For I cannot say that he knows me or that I know him well." Julen says with a gesture towards Cyrdak.
"To finish his play, I may need his friends to set me in his graces. For this reason, approached I you before his players find their places."
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Arika ponders the offer for a moment, I will see what I can do.
She pulls Cyrdak aside speaking quietly, and occasionally gesturing in your direction. Cyrdak looks at you down his nose, scrutinizing everything, from your dress, to how you carry yourself. An arrogant smirk grows across his face.
Everyone! Everyone! Wait here for a moment, take seats, rest your weary souls, for I must conduct business with this young man, Cyrdak's voice drips with superiority like a master thespian.
Leading you into the theater down the aisle of seats to the base of the stage, he finally turns to you, Arika says you wish to improve upon my play... what do you know of it? What makes you think that it is anything other than immaculate?
'Young' master Rufius? Do I have a nephew in the bar? Where do you see a young man?
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Julen drops his voice low, so only Cyrdak can hear him, and continues, "Now, I know I have heard but cannot fathom your travail to bring to life the story of the Goblin King.
M'lord, such an outpouring of the soul is bound to take its toll, for goblins can be such filthy things." He scrunches up his nose with disdain for goblins.
"Your talents are better spent herding the mob, these actors and slobs who think themselves able players."
"With my quill, I will fashion in parchment a many faceted mirror to reflect and magnify your works a thousand times and make them still dearer."
Lou rolls his eyes at Amieko's attempt to flirt but does nothing else.
So you are from the same region my father told me he was from. he has mentioned that city as well. perhaps if you do go, might I join you on your journey, I would like to get out and see the world, like my sister did, just not quite the same way
Why is that? What keeps you here?
Titus nods in understanding before going back to his chicken.
Clearly this is something that she'd prefer not to talk about. I can relate. I suppose we all have things we'd prefer to not talk about, even pretty young innkeepers. His brow furrows in thought. Still, I wonder what responsibilities she has that could be keeping her here? I haven't seen any children underfoot, and I think I'd notice if she was her father's caretaker or something.
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Good, I will make my way back to the playhouse at sunset. Julen gives the man a curt nod and turns to leave.
As he passes back along the aisle carrying his best poker face, he gives Graham and Nosh a nod.
Outside the theater he has a look around the street.
Again with the fancies and frippery. I thought I'd left all that behind at Cassomir. Truly, Taldane man is beset on all sides by his lessers.
Lou says nothing. its as if he knows why she remains here. haveing known Amieko nearly all his life, and with her recent past, which Lou knows a bit about.
Lou comes to the table with a round of drinks and places them out for everyone.
he takes a seat. well then, heres to pipe dreams become reality
Titus lifts his cup nods and grunts in concurrence. It seems he has gone back to his previous introspective mood.
AACH!! Curse the sun!!
Teras wakes to the sun, breeze and sea.
Surf, eat, sleep, repeat... almost makes living in a tent on the beach the way to be.
He starts the day with a run along the beach, keeping his meager belongings in sight. Just as muscles warm and start to limber, Teras grabs his board and dashes to the surf.
Think I'll see how it's breaking out at the Old Light.
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As you paddle out, you see a man you have come to know as Kyrthe, sitting on his board. He smiles as you approach. As usual, he doesn't say a word, and merely points out at the horizon.
Staring for a while, you see the wave sets that he is pointing out. You can almost see him thinking, This is going to be an epic session...
I let Kyrthe have the wave and try to learn something about how he drops in.
Nice to have someone to share this with and learn from, can't own every good wave...but the next one is mine!!
I alternate my rides between getting pure speed and getting large cuts up and down the whole face of the wave. The planned exit is always maximum air over the topside.
Nikolia sat and pondered the request for a story from Ameiko. He only half listened to the rest as they continued their talks about the food and Ameiko's homeland. The talking reminded him of a story his mother had told him only once when he was a very little child on a cold night in which they had to bundled together under the same blanket very close to the small fire she had made for them. He had heard it many times after from others in the caravan, but never again from his mother. Not even if he begged her for it. At first he thought it was because she thought it was too dark a story for him, but now that he was older he understood that it was a painful story for her.
He waited for the the natural pause that came to the conversation after Lou returned to them with the drinks and said, "I believe I have a story if you'll hear it. It's good you brought drink, Lou, because we may need something to warm our bones after this one." He gave a sad smirk and delved into the story, looking at each of them in turn as he spoke:
"There was once a pretty young girl with no husband, no father, no mother, no brothers, no kinsfolk: they were all dead and gone. She lived alone in a hut at the end of the village; and no one came near her, and she never went near any one. One evening a goodly wanderer came to her, opened the door, and cried, 'I am a wanderer, and have been far in the world. Here will I rest; I can no further go.' The maiden said, 'Stay here, I will give thee a mattress to sleep on, and, if thou wilt, victuals and drink too.' The goodly wanderer soon lay down and said, 'Now once again I sleep; it is long since I slept last:' 'How long?' asked the girl; and he answered, 'Dear maid, I sleep but one week in a thousand years.' The girl laughed and said, 'Thou jestest, surely? thou art a roguish fellow.' But the wanderer was sound asleep.
Early next morning he arose and said, 'Thou art a pretty young girl. If thou wilt, I will tarry here a whole week longer.' She gladly agreed, for already she loved the goodly wanderer. So once they were sleeping, and she roused him and said, 'Dear man, I dreamt such an evil dream. I dreamt thou hadst grown cold and white, and we drove in a beautiful carriage, drawn by six white birds. Thou didst blow on a mighty horn; then dead folk came up and went with us--thou wert their king.' Then answered the goodly wanderer, ' That was an evil dream.' Straightway he arose and said, 'Beloved, I must go, for not a soul has died this long while in all the world. I must off, let me go.' But the girl wept and said, 'Go not away; bide with me.' 'I must go,' he answered, 'God keep thee.' But, as he reached her his hand, she said sobbing, 'Tell me, dear man, who thou art then.' 'Who knows that dies,' said the wanderer, 'thou askest vainly; I tell thee not who I am.' Then the girl wept and said, 'I will suffer everything, only do tell me who thou art.' 'Good,' said the man,' 'then thou comest with me. I am Death.' The girl shuddered and died."
Nikolia took a drink from his mug to show he was finished and then added, "A journey would be good. I don't think my wandering days are quite over and I constantly feel the road leading out of town calling me by name." As if hearing it right then and there, Nikolia looked towards the door and half-smiled towards the sunlight shining in towards them.
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Such a sad story, Ameiko comments quietly then smiles at Nikolia, After such a song, perhaps a happy song is in order, wouldn't you say?
She picks up her exotic stringed instrument again, and begins a lively tune! Link