Not long after Lureene leaves the room, a shimmering appears in the room, and then Grak emerges from the portal created. He flies over to the ed, notes the sleeping form of Alis and also Suny snuggled together. He nods once and then alights at the foot of the bed, to gaze watchfully around the room.
Before opening his eyes, Rath painfully speculates so this is what it would feel like if my skull was lined with gravel...
His eyes open and he sees Biter, putting the final touches on an ingenious contraption that looks to give him a dowsing. Hm, I was just thinking I could use a bath...
Biter, with the honed hunting instinct to know when the quarry has turned to fight, sees a wicked, evil grin play across Rath's bruised faced. Oohhhh, schac...
With a flick of finger, Rath sets off the trap and the whipped cream and water concoction pours down on both of them, Rath smiling all the while.
Lureene sees the antics of Rath from the kitchen, and when she sees Rath set off the trap Biter laid so carefully, her laughter fills the kitchen and the common area with its hearty pleasure.
Knocking on the door to the bath and hearing no answer, Alis skips inside. She pours extra soap into the spot right below the faucet, adjusts it to a nice steamy setting, and lets it rip. After a minute or so, she tests it with her toes...
Perfect!
Crossing her hands to opposite shoulders, she whips off her negligee in one smooth motion and lets it fly onto a bench as she jumps in practically disappearing beneath a towering mountain of bubbles.
Now where was that loufa brush...
Grak watches the young woman enter the bath and, following the orders of his mistress, quiet pads into the bath to keep an eye on her.
There is a long moment of silence as Biter and Rath, soaked and sprayed with cream, stare at each other. Biter's mouth splits into an improbably wide grin and they both burst out laughing. Biter shakes the foam and water off himself like a dog, a Goblin Dog, spraying bits of whipped cream across half the bar.
"Biter, now I have to clean that up!" Despite his protest, Rath claps the diminutive warrior on the shoulder, genuinely liking the little fellow. "Well, at least I'm more cleaner."
Hearing Lureene's laughter, Rath approaches the mercurial barmaid stating the obvious, "I'm wet. I would like a room with bath or a large tub, if you have that hm tradition. Can you help me even though Master Mors never said I was worker here?"
Hearing Lureene's laughter, Rath approaches the mercurial barmaid stating the obvious, "I'm wet. I would like a room with bath or a large tub, if you have that hm tradition. Can you help me even though Master Mors never said I was worker here?"
Lureene, still chuckling on the antics, says, "Sure hun, let me find you an unoccupied suite, if mors has any issues, he can just...talk...to me about it."
She looks for the master key rack, and finds a key, then takes the two cream covered individuals to an unoccupied suite and says, "Here ya go, have fun you two lovebirds, he he."
Rath bows his thanks to Lureene, tosses his backpack on the bed and strips off his soaked clothes with an economy of movement bordering on the unreal. He pads into the tub room like a nutmeg-colored, well-muscled jungle cat... before Lureene even makes it out the door.
Lureene watches the lean muscled monk head to the bath, with a look of appreciation on her face. Just before he enters the water, she calls after him, "Maybe you would like Suny to join you?"
Did his movement falter?
Is that a hint sadness or pain in his eyes?
Rath turns and says quite earnestly, "That fate, I think, will not be mine." He turns back into the tub room and closes the door.
After Rath closes the door, Lureene stands in front of the suite door, andwonders at his cryptic statement. All of the sudden, an image of her father popped into her head, although she had never seen a picture of him before. Lureene, you look much like your father, just gaze into a pool, and see him in you, my daughter.
Sighing, she returns to the bar, with only the goblin to keep her company, she heads back to the kitchen to look for items to fix a breakfast, in case someone was hungry.
Rath bathes using a bucket, brush, and his last small bar of Vudra soap before sinking into the steaming water of the tub, sprinkled with a few exotic, fragrant herbs he brought from Jalmeray. He sweeps water across his bruised face hoping the heat will provide some relief.
He ponders Lureene's comment. Perhaps she meant it to be funny instead of cutting? Or perhaps her demonic heritage gave her something of a cruel streak? Or perhaps as a being intensely desired and accustomed to intimacy, she simply can't relate to those of us for whom sex or even love aren't quite so easy to find?
Rath found the idea of talking with Lureene about these ideas fascinating - too bad my common sucks and she'd never understand what I'm trying to say. Rath laughs to himself at this and attempts to shake off his mood. He grabs his discarded clothing, bringing them into the tub for a wash. Might as well do something useful instead of thinking. Still, he thinks, I would like to see her in that dress, but then again, maybe not. Temptation is a double-edged sword.
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Gyldyr gets out of bed, and wonders for a while wether he risked going without his hood down for once. Closing his door, which the raven had left ajar after apparently finding a way to open the door, dressing in his crumpled tunic and trousers, he looks around for his robe and therefore equipment so that he could provide his familiar with breakfast. Then, looking around, he sees that that.. insufferable raven had placed his robes on a peg, apparently trying to hide them, since there was whipped cream on them. Where'd he get that? the drow wondered, and levitated up to retrieve the robes. Realizing that he'd have to clean them, and that his room didn't have a tub, he gathers his nerve and leaves his room (leaving the robes and his pack in a heap on the bed), feeling highly conspicuous as he makes his way downstairs. Lureene hasn't been chased out, so I can have some hope that my idiocy won't end up with violent expulsion from the inn.
Lureene looks over in the kitchen area, and wonders just how she was going to make breakfast. Both Mors and Therena had disappeared, probably oversleeping she thinks. Still, how tough could it be?
She starts with some eggs cooked over easy and some baked bread with honey on the side , and samples the results. After she tastes it, she thinks, Well at least it's not poisonous. Fortunately, no one was up, so she starts to think about starting over...then she sees the drow walking down the stairs, unhooded. It's about time he stopped hiding his heritage.
She waves him over to a table, and says "So, you hungry hun?"
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"A little," he admits. He seems mildly uncomfortable, as if he suspects that there's a dangerous monster lurking next door or something. And, from his somewhat bedraggled appearance, he didn't get much rest last night.
"Actually, I came down stairs to ask you where I could find a place to wash the robes my familiar somehow got food on. But breakfast sounds good. Do you know who else is awake?"
"Well, the dark skinned monk is awake, but upstairs in his room taking a bath. No one else has stirred yet. Just you and me and where ever the goblin ran off to." she sets the eggs and some toast along with some honey in front of the drow. "So, you don't look like you slept too well last night, anything wrong?"
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"Well, it seemed that at least one person was up and about whatever the time," he says. "And it always seems too bright anyway. Another century and I'll probably be used to it. It's possible that traveling to a demiplane, my first actual extra-planar experience, might have something to do with it. That, and the usual nightmares. Also the fact that I have a large quest waiting for me back on my home world, and my arrow wound is still acting up a bit." He sets a coin on the table to pay for his food and starts eating his toast. "So, no, nothing wrong, or at least nothing unusual. Except for the planar travel."
"I have never been bothered by planar travel, but that is because I was not born on any of the Prime planes, and I have demon blood in me, which I was told, mitigates the effects as well. You say you have a quest? Is this a quest you wanna complete, or is it something being forced on you? Is it related to the nightmares you have?"
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Gyldyr is surprised she's even listening, and it shows for a moment. "I don't have much else to do, and I'll get paid for it, there's a rather altruistic excuse, I'm getting pressured into it as well, and I'm going to, well, keep an eye on Luthien." He looks intently at the remains of his toast as he says this, and pauses for a moment. "And, no, it's not related to the nightmares. I'm not quite sure why they're bothering me again." He subconsciously reaches up to touch his shoulder, grimacing slightly. Those old wounds hadn't bothered him in ages, they were supposed be completely healed anyway.
"I have not started traveling between planes, until recently, but I have studied planes, and I am somewhat familiar with how planes are structured, and also many creatures from outside the planes. My last place of residence was a hellhole called Khaledrun, the Crossroads of the Worlds, where my former employers are based from. I also am on a quest, to find my father."
Suny wakes up alone but warm and snuggled amongst the covers. Though a bit disappointed at being on her own, having the blankets and covers all to herself is nice compensation.
*Mmmm...snuggly* She thinks. Then another thing makes itself known to her as her tummy grumbles. Warm and snugly feelings war with the tummy grumbling feelings. Snugly, hungry, snugly, hungry till eventually the grumbling tummy winds out.
She wriggles out from her cocoon and pads about the room, eventually finding the dress she'd been shown how to wear the evening before. Suny quickly pulls the fabric over herself, wriggling to adjust laces, strings and straps, even as she skips down the hall.
Gyldyr and Lureene watch Suny skip and bounce down the stairs. Stopping even to jump back up a step or two to bounce back down as the Elf lass grins and giggles at the feel of the fabric swirling about her legs. Even as Lureene notes Suny isn't wearing the shoes that had been part of the ensemble, the fact that the dress hangs slightly 'looser' than when she and Alis had shown Suny how to put the fabric on.
At the base of the stairs Suny notices Gyldyr sitting at the table in Lureenes' company. Suny stills and walks slowly and gracefully over to them both. Though her large, blue eyes only look at Gyldyr.
Splashing...
Laughter...
The smell of eggs...
All these perceptions force Bit out of sleep. He trips the latch on his cubby hole and climbs out of the wagon. He sees Lureene, Suny, and a drow. This place holds many surprises. "Good morning, All! I trust you slept well." He busies himself with opening up his cart. When he finished, he says to Suny, "Miss, I plan to leave today... but I owe you something for the Tarrasque bite you suffered. After you break your fast and at your convenience, please stop by and decide what curiosity you'd like to own." With that, he turns back to straightening his wares.
Lureene sees a sleepy-looking Therena come traipsing down the stairs and towards the kitchens. A few heartbeats after she passes through the doors, you hear the (not too unexpected) screech, and Therena comes back through the doors looking accusingly at those assembled, with an extra-mad glare at the mutilated food. She turns back in before anybody can say anything and you hear banging and clattering as she begins cleaning up and preparing a "proper" breakfast.
After a nice long bath, Alis cheerfully towels off, wraps herself up in a towel, and heads back to her suite, negligee in hand. Upon entering, she finds that Miss Nell is helping Alexis to get laced into her corset.
"Good morning!" she call out. "This inn has the most wonderful hot baths. Sister, you should inspect them yourself this evening and see if you can't deduce how they are engineered."
After the three exchange pleasantries, Alexis leave the room with their retainer while Alis remains behind to get dressed. Phew, at least she doesn't suspect anything...
As they walk downstairs together to look into Limbo's breakfast offerings, Miss Nell comments, "Highness... if during the course of the day your sister offers you a drink, see if you can't find some way to distract her whilst you switch the goblets. She has yet another prank in mind to which I am quite certain you would take offense."
Alexis sighs softly and shakes her head wondering what nonsense her beloved sister is up to this time.
Lureene sees Suny coming down the stairs, and nods appreciatively at her outfit, good thing Rath isn't here, otherwise he would have to find his eyes, after they popped out of his head. She motions Suny over and watches curiously her reaction to the drow, knowing the two races were mortal enemies, but not here, at least for now.
As Therena heads to the kitchen, a child look of embarassement, with a trace of fear, flit over Lureenes face. As Therena glares at her, a look of ...can you believe it...sheepishness comes over her face.
She notes Alis sister and the guardian for the two sisters, I wish I had a sister, is that what it must be like?When she hears about the goblet, she remembers about the Shadow Liquer. I wonder if I could pilfer it somehow?"
Then the gnome starts to stir, and after he talks to Suny, she inwardly sighs, but looks up and asks him, "How much for that talking Skull of yours?"
Bitiborium climbs out of the wagon. He sees Lureene, Suny, and a drow. He busies himself with opening up his cart. When he finished, he says to Suny, "Miss, I plan to leave today... but I owe you something for the Tarrasque bite you suffered. After you break your fast and at your convenience, please stop by and decide what curiosity you'd like to own." With that, he turns back to straightening his wares.
Suny blinks at Bitiborium suddenly distracted. She pauses for a few seconds and then skip over to the Gnome, thence kneels down the better to be in level eye contect with the fellow. She leans closer and whispers.
Then the gnome starts to stir, and after he talks to Suny, she inwardly sighs, but looks up and asks him, "How much for that talking Skull of yours?"
Bit smiles but Lureene sees a look of concern in his eyes hearkening back to the first day they met and her personal quest. "Well, Mistress," he says with a gravity she hasn't heard before in his voice, as if he is trying to say this is important so listen up "I only trade in rare, unique, and truly one a kind things - the tears of Eidolon, for instance. Unfortunately, I recently acquired some of those... so I am looking for something even more rare and precious - a Demon's Kiss, perhaps. The thing that makes it so rare however is that one needs a special kind of demon... one with a good heart, one capable of love. That is a rare and wonderful creature indeed, a blessing on a world that often sees too much evil. That is evil turned to good - which is a gift that should be treasured. But I'm not speaking of any normal kiss, a kiss of thanks, a kiss of sisterly affection. I'm talking about a real kiss, as if to a lover." He pointedly notes her wings. "You wouldn't happen to know a source for so rare and wondrous an item, do you?"
Lureene hears the gnomes speech, and figures out what he is asking for, and finds herself close to tears again, the words of Rath coming back to haunt her again, 'That fate, I think, will not be mine.' I am beginning to wonder if he and I share the same fate.
She steps away for a moment composing herself, and thinks, Maybe he is right, Alis has not judged me for my heritage, and does not hold it against me. It is not fair, I never asked to be like this. I just wanted to grow up like any normal girl would.
She says to Bit, "Very well, I think I know of one who can give you what you are asking for.". She then leans over to pick up the tiny gnome, and then plants a kiss on his lips, that lasts for several minutes, hugging him close to her body.
Bit is dazed and wobbly after Lureene's kiss. When did I lose the bones in my legs?
"Mistress, I have no doubt you will find a worthy man who will cherish you for the rest of your life and see you for the great gift you are. All the goods in my cart aren't equal to the present you just gave me but please take this..." He bows low and presents her with the Ghost Skull of Majjeff and the magic'd glove for carrying him, placing both on a table nearby.
Knowledge: All +10
Performance: Singing +14
Scry (1/week) +10
Naturally, if Lureene, as Jeff's owner, wants to keep him in her room instead of the bar - that is entirely her choice.
Suny blinks at Bitiborium suddenly distracted. She pauses for a few seconds and then skip over to the Gnome, thence kneels down the better to be in level eye contect with the fellow. She leans closer and whispers.
** spoiler omitted ** Suny smiles cheerfully at Bit.
** spoiler omitted ** She winks and grins at Bit.
** spoiler omitted ** She hugs the Gnome. (^_^)
That color IS really nice on her. He takes a step back in surprise at her request. "Are you sure there isn't anything else in my cart you'd rather have? Another dress to go with the charming one you wear now? Anything other than what you are asking for?"
Bit whispers:
Lureene picks up the skull, after sliding the glove onto her right hand, to show the ownership, and give the skull an impish grin. I haven't felt this good in a long while! Maybe Bit is right, I know there is someone out there for me, who will love me for who I am.
She looks around for a moment then flies up to a high ledge and sets the skull up on the ledge overlooking the common room, where it has good accoustics and says, "So, I have been told this skull sings pretty well. maybe we can put on a show later this evening for all of you. It will be a big hit I assure you!"
She walks over to Bit again, and gives him another hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you again, I think you gave me the gift today."
Bit blushes and nods, genuinely humbled and touched. Mission accomplished.
She then leans over to pick up the tiny gnome, and then plants a kiss on his lips, that lasts for several minutes...
She then leans over to pick up the tiny gnome, and then plants a kiss on his lips, that lasts for several minutes...
She then leans over to pick up the tiny gnome, and then plants a kiss on his lips, that lasts for several minutes...
(^_^)*That color IS really nice on her.* He takes a step back in surprise at her request. "Are you sure there isn't anything else in my cart you'd rather have? Another dress to go with the charming one you wear now? Anything other than what you are asking for?"
Bit whispers:
At the Gnomes' whisper in her ear Suny smiles and nods.
"Okeys, ye've thrown me of'n th' track.' She winks to Bit, though her large blue eyes twinkle with mischief as she glances at Lureene.
"Now, as fer wantin' anythin' else? How are ye stocked wi' potions?" She asks, trying to sound completely innocent.
Then watches the scene unfold between Bit and Lurene
Bit only spoiler.
He responds with a huge smile and whispers:
After she finishes getting dressed (with the aid of some magical tricks Alexis taught her), Alis slips back into Lureene's room. Opening the shadow liqueur, she fills the false bottom of her goblet before sealing the secret compartment again. There, that should be enough for a few doses at least. This is gonna be great!
Grak watches Alis silently take her bath and then as she dries off her body, he wonders whether his mistress was jumping at shadows. Still the instructions were clear, Do not let her out of your sight, and if the Snake Man approaches her, to return and let me know. He silently follows her back to the room, and waits outside, clinging to the ceiling , and then silently follows her back to his mistresses room. He sees the human playing with the flask, but thinks nothing of it.
Lureene sits down at the table, and watches the interaction between Suny, and Bit with a sense of amusement, she looks over at the pretty dress Suny was wearing, thinking, I wonder if Alis has any pretty dresses for me to wear, I wish I could wear more pretty dresses, instead of wearing corsets and bustiers all the time, but I always have to get the dresses altered due to my wings, and also I wanted to see those high heeled shoes. I bet I could knock someones socks off, he he.
He responds with a huge smile and whispers:
Suny continues to smile, "Okeys...but I wunt two o' them things." She holds up a hand to forestall any protest. "One, 'cause ye cain't give me th' first thing I was wantin' and th' second..well fer not bein' able t' give me th' second thing." She hugs the Gnome. "I know ye cain't have everything in yer box." And Bit sees an icy glint in her large blue eyes, "But that don't mean I cain't make a proper bargain now, does it?" She smiles and Bit notes a hint of white teeth in her grin.
"I may not be able t' talk proper to ye mate, but I know th' way o' th' world, luv." She purrs and perhaps Bit realizes what type of people have been teaching this gum-nut brown Elf this language.
(^_~)
Never noticing Grak, the half-elf whistles a jaunty tune and happily skips down the steps into the common room. She beams a smile like the noon day Sun to anyone who sees her.
Noting that her sister and retainer are seated at a table on the far side of the room, she first glides over to where Lureene is seated as if to inquire about breakfast.
"Hmm, you look different this morning, but it's certainly not make-up, clothes, or your hair. What did you do? Oh, and did you happen to read that note from Havelock, I fell asleep and forgot it in your room somewhere."
Alis glances at Suny and Bit and smiles impishly. "Any idea who her secret admirer might be? If either of you need to... host a wine-tasting for the shadow liqueur at the bar here this evening then be my guests. I've already got some stashed away inside my goblet."
She snaps her fingers suddenly, "Oh, I just remembered something. Well... two things. First, I did hear the footsteps of a short person moving away after Suny's package was delivered. Two, did you really knock on our door last night to play dress up?"
Rath, having thoroughly washed his clothes and himself, gets out of the sunken wooden tub. He wrings his clothes to dampness and then hangs them around the bedroom to dry. Unfortunately, having no other clothes, returning to work is problematic at the moment. He elects to practice his martial katas, whirling around the room and throwing combinations of hand and foot strikes. He stops after an hour, sweaty again... but his clothes are almost dry. He meditates for another hour, then a quick dip in the tub to rinse off and put on his now completely dry gi and hakama. He leaves his weapons in the room, save a few shurikens and heads out to the bar to begin his 'job'.