Thinking Ruika was going to challenge Corneilious, Alik is a little caught off guard when the hooded female grasps his hand. Her grip was firm even if her hand was not. Her skin was like the touch of silk, and Alik found himself wondering if he would even be able to keep a grip on her if she chose to pull away.
As she topples over in his brawny display, Alik feels regret as he certainly didn't mean to overpower her so dramatically. Knowing that offering her assistance would just add salt to the wound, Alik avoids looking at her and chooses to finish his ale.
Seeing that Alik has finished his second, Ruika quickly drinks hers and slumps against the table looking off into the distance. A lock of silken hair escapes the hood.
Seeing his challenger fall over, Alik leans over in concern. Placing a light hand on her robed arm, Alik says,
"Ruika, are you well? Have you determined yourself unfit for further contest?"
|
Garruth sigh softly when Keiko declines to partake in the contest "Oh don't worry about Jay, she's fine. Aren't cha sweetheart?" He puts an arm around Jaykae assuming she and her sister allow. She does seem a little wobbly, but there's nothing to worry about, she can lean against him for support if need be.
He sees Ruika challenge for an arm wrestle and trying to take on Alik, but failing horribly, it probably wasn't her forte. He intends to moves over and offer to help her up, but before he can disengage from Jaykae she's already on her feet so he decides he'll keep his arm around the hiccuping bard. When the cloaked woman downs her ale Garruth realises that he must be falling behind, having only finished one. He quickly downs his second as Ruika does the same.
Garruth slips his arm away from Jaykae in order to lean over so he can get his face eye level with Ruika slumped on the table the catman peers towards her with some concern "Ruika? Does that mean you're done? You can lean on me too if you're feeling wobbly."
"I'm not done, nev-er sssurrender. she slurs slightly. "I can sstill go, right as light." She holds out an arm, looking into Garrath's eyes. He can see a soft pale face to go with the gruff voice.
"Cornelius if you fancy a go? Then I'll out drink the insulting hunk, then you Mr Cat-man...." She smiles and takes another sleepy sip of her drink.
Alik laughs heartily into the night. He felt at home amongst these folk despite only just having met them during this ride.
Alik places a coin on Ruika's side of the table, silently declaring a wager if anyone is willing to back Garruth. He takes a deep swallow of water before going to his third ale tankard. He knew how one stayed alert and enjoyed his drink.
Ruika looks down at her exposed arm, then in a sing-song voice. "Cover up, must cover-up. Else bad things'll happen." She pulls her sleeves back over the arm, and sits up straight at the table trying not to wobble.
|
|
Garruth grins at Ruika as she looks back at him from beneath her hood then pokes out his tongue teasing "Oh So he's a hunk, and I'm just the Cat-man? I see how it is."
The feline man looks towards the coin Alik put on the table then up at him "Is this a wager for a challenge?" He gets himself another drink as well, and since it's ok for Alik to have water it must be for him as well so he gets some before raising his tankard towards the man.
He looks curiously towards Ruika when she talks of covering up and wonders why it would be so bad if she weren't. He supposes it probably isn't a good thing to have her pale skin exposed to the desert sun, but the sun was down now. "What bad things darlin?"
Drumming her fingers softly upon the table, in a soft rhythm. Ruika appears to be looking out into the dark desert; then with a strange lyrical slightly child-like accent she starts speaking, slowly remembering. "I had a sister, my twin, we were the tribes totem. The pale orcs they rescued from the desert. Elyssa enjoyed the sunlight on her pale body, playing in the sands. But..." her voice cracks.
"But her skin darkened, browning. The Elders said it was a sign of her impurity, that she was lost. They took her and..." she pauses her small pitch light, but thick with emotion.
"She died hard.... I don't remove my cloak..." There are wet circles upon the wooden table. Then she sticks out her arm challenging for another round.
"Your elders are *hiccup* cruel, cruel, *hiccup* meanie heads..." Jaykae states as she leans against Garruth still.
She gives a low laugh just at the edge of hysteria, before controlling herself; "They're dead... all of them..."
|
|
Garruth listens as Ruika explains about her sister and why she keeps the cloak on all the time. 'How could those elders do that to her sister? Just because her skin turned brown in the sun... isn't that what pale people with no fur's skin did? The humans had a name for it, what was it... tan?'
The cat-man makes sure Jaykae isn't going to fall over "Hold on a minute Jay... Ruika sounds like she could use a warm fuzzy hug." He eases away from the bard woman putting down his tankard, and shifts towards Ruika holding his arms out to her. "Come here hun... sorry I teased about your cloak, I do want to see your face, but I understand if you don't want to take it off."
Jaykae stares at Ruika for a few moments as Garruth hugs the other woman and hiccups a few more times during this then snorts, "Well, a leas *hiccup* does meanie heads can't *hiccup* hurt any'un ewlse an' yer bedda wif us cause we likes ya *hiccuppp*."
Leaning into Garruth she motions for Jaykae to join them in the embrace. Her slim body molds against the compassionate pair. There's a fierce power beneath the robes. Ruika rubs Jaykae' back as the little hiccups take hold, being reminded of her companion Lyssa. The petite fox had already taken to bed, as if anticipating the calamity that would be Ruika trying to bond.
Slowly disengaging from them she looks around slightly abashed at her actions. Realising her gruff persona is slightly marred, she shrugs, a thought starting to come to her that she might have to reinvent herself again. "Thanks." she grunts.
Alik looks away from the soft display. Shameful and weak behavior could be overlooked when drink was involved, but there was no need for an onlooker to watch so as to make the shame permanent. He took a long swallow of his tankard and tried to make note of everything but the hugging and affection.
So it had been in the circus. An assortment of races all thrown into whirlwind of performance and cruelty. No weakness was allowed to be shown, the circus master had made certain they all knew that rule.
"I suppose we should postpone further celebration until after we secure the temple of the mighty Sarenrae. I am willing to watch first if the rest of you are ready for sleep. But allow me a moment for relief."
Alik stands with this statement and goes to use the camp latrine.
Memories of the past upon the surface, Aliks words cut her like a knife; "Yes, we kill them all and reclaim the temple." she says wickedly.
|
|
Garruth smiles when Ruika accepts his embrace and hugs her and Jaykae in close. Nuzzling against Ruika gently, something she said nags at him 'Wait... did she say orc?
He puts the thoughts aside as the cloaked woman moves away and smiles at her "Anytime my dear, and you don't need to be shy about it, no shame in a little love." Leaning in closer so that the others wouldn't hear, unless they were really trying to overhear, he adds "No shame in a lot of love either, but I'd usually find a less public place for that."
The cat-man nods to Alik's mention of postponing celebration he supposed the man was right, they had work to do tomorrow and probably shouldn't get too carried away. It sounds like Ruika may already be somewhat carried away though perhaps not with the celebration. "Alik is right of course, let's call our contest a draw tonight. I haven't a tent of my own to share, but I can certainly share a bedroll so long as the person, or persons, sharing are friendly enough. Of course more than two of us might require an extra bedroll."
Ruika harrumphs and moves over to her bedroll, where Lyssa is curled up. She looks darkly at her companion, Rui had chosen area's further from the others during the trip there. Privacy denied; because the Pale orc doesn't want to wake her friend. She prepares for sleep.
Reaching into her backpack carefully she removes a leather back and scatters caltrops in the area around her bedroll. Then in her dark voluminous cloak she curls up around the small fox.
Alik sets up his small tent near their group's campfire and drags a good size rock to lean against while he keeps watch.
He chuckles at Ruika's caution after the brazen Garruth made his desire to tomcat be known. He had no doubt that the fox Lyssa would not take kindly to anyone approaching the sleeping female without permission.
Alik watched to see how the twin bard women would react to Garruth's very open suggestion and began to watch their surroundings.
The hug is comforting and warm, the rub on her back helping to assuage the hiccups and suddenly makes the little bard's eyes droop. Not being used to drinking so fast the twin yawns and falls asleep, not even hearing the cat's request to share his bedroll.
|
|
Garruth laughs softly at Ruika's over the top reaction to his offer "I didn't mean it like that anyways... it gets mighty cold out here at night, and none of you have fur to keep you warm. Not like I'm going to try to take advantage or anything." He shakes his head at the scattered caltrops "I am pained that you would think me so low as to approach you in your sleep."
The Cat-man smiles towards Jaykae who appears to have passed out against him, then looks around for her sister. "Keiko, Jay seems to already be out, does she have a bed set up somewhere? I can take her over there."
Alik chuckles at Garruth's verbal denial of Ruika's forethought against what is most likely something the furry Lothario would indeed have tried had he thought the invitation was there.
Corneilious sits at the table and assumes the arm wrestling position, prepared to accept any challengers.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Huh? No, I'll take care of my sister, catman, don't you worry about it or share any bedrolls with her. I'll take care of her... but first I'm gonna take care of something else!"
Keiko sits across from Corneilious narrowing her eyes slightly and says, "Alright, big man, let's see what you've got!"
Keiko puts all of her strength into the armwrestle with Corneilious, face turning beet red from exertion!
Corneilious blushes with embarrassment at his loss. Red in the face he gets defensive at his loss.
"I was just taking it easy on you that time. A re-match will no doubt prove my physical superiority over you, tiny one!"
Keiko blows on her hands and says, "Well, I'm feeling pretty dizzy from the last one. You're pretty tough, gotta admit!" Keiko takes Corneilious's hand and tries again.
Keiko tries hard enough, but is no match for the might of Corneilious, eventually resorting to using two hands and then getting her fist slammed down.
|
|
Garruth blinks towards Keiko, not that he didn't believe she could carry her sister, but she might not have the easiest time of it. Then she the woman proceeds to best Corneilious in an arm wrestle, and although he won the rematch it still didn't look like he had the easiest time she must be stronger than she looks.
The cat-man chuckles at Corneilious' defensiveness due to the loss, and shrugs his shoulders "Well Kay I was a bit hesitant before thinking you might have trouble carrying Jaykae, but if you can best Corneilious in an arm wrestle you ought to be able to handle her..." He shakes his head a bit "She didn't say she wanted to share a bedroll so I'm not going to assume she does, if you make sure she is warm and safe that's good. Of course the offer is for you too, if you're cold, you're welcome to come snuggle up, as long as you don't try anything funny." He looks to Corneilious "And same to you... although I must say the idea of a snuggly Keiko is much more appealing."
Once he's sure Jaykae is well taken care of Garruth looks to find his own bed and turns to Alik "I suspect you'll be warm enough with your tent, but I can take watch after you, wake me when you are tired."
"Very impressive Keiko! There is more to you than there looks to be. Let's just leave it at a tie for now. We can always prove ourselves in future contest."
"Yeah, that's fine, my arm feels like a noodle that's been boiled for days now anyways..." says Keiko to Corneilious, grinning. "You're like. Really strong. My head just about exploded!"
She glances over towards Garruth and says, "Err... maybe I will need your help after all. My arm's super tired. But I'll worry about keeping my sister warm." Tricky catmen and their snuggle offers. Suspicious.
Corneilious moves to where Jaykae is sleeping. As he prepares to lift her, he questions Keiko:
"Where would you like to move her?"
|
|
Garruth chuckles and shakes his head when Corneilious comes to take Jaykae "Ahh thanks Corneilious, but since she's already here in my arms it's probably easier for me to carry her rather than trying to pass her over to you. Don't worry I may not have all your muscles, but I'm strong enough to handle sleeping beauty, I won't drop her."
He smiles towards Keiko "I'm ready when you are. Lead the way."
Corneilious returns to the table looking for a new game.
Morning follows your night of merriment all too quickly. The cool, crisp air gives way to pleasantly warm rays of sunshine. From your past week of traveling in the scrublands however, you know that in a few hours, it will be far too hot for comfort. Well aware of this, Almah insists that the camp be packed up within the hour. None are too happy to skip breakfast for the task, least of all the mercenaries. Nonetheless, the tents and animals are loaded onto the wagons posthaste. All traces of the company's sojourn at the Sultan's Claw are erased, save for what remains of Eloais' ruined wagon.
Despite your destination being a mere mile away, the increasingly rough terrain does no favors for the heavy wagons. Throughout the entire trip you can hear the jingling of glass bottles from within Father Zastoran's cart. At least twice he holds up the trek, anxiously checking his wares to see if anything has broken. It takes well over an hour for the monastery to come into view. At last, the caravan comes to a halt about a hundred feet away from the building.
The edifice is just barely recognizable as a place of worship. Just from a cursory glance you see that its outer walls, while intact, have been scaled by creeping weeds. What might have once been a tower lies in ruins, leaving several gaping holes across the monastery's roof. The only two entryways visible are a massive pair of open archways, one larger than the other. They have both seen better days.
"The Monastery of St. Vardishal... it must have been abandoned for as long Kelmarane itself," Almah remarks, assessing the structure from afar, "It is in worse shape than I feared, but if it has stood for this long, I believe we can count on it to not fall on our heads."
Alik nods his head as Almah speaks, surveying the ruin. Th sight of a place of worship dedicated to his favored goddess Sarenrae lying in such disrepair fills Alik with religious fervor.
"Lady Almah, I stand ready for your instruction. Let us rebuild this holy place so that fiery Sarenrae will bless our quest."
Ruika nearly rolls out of bed, her tongue feels like the desert and the steady pulsing of her head is only matched by the roiling in her stomach. Cracking open her eyes, she fumbles to find the caltrops whilst Lyssa gambles through the camp.
By the time the group reach the monastery ruins, Ruika has draw herself into some semblance of normality. Downcast and embarrassed she has slightly aloof from the group during the journey helping Zastoran as needed.
Casting gaze at the crumbling architecture, the cloaked one nods; "We scout it out." she taps Alik in the broad chest with the back of a gloved hand. "Be careful of the openings, perfect place for ambush. The brush won't give us too much cover." she states simply.
Then she looks to the others of the trusted group. "Sound good?" the gruff words have a hint of uncertainty when she remembers words and hugs exchanged the previous eve.
|
|
Garruth yawns and stretches fighting off the sleepiness, then proceeds to pack up the few belongings he has. Along the way to the monastery he chats with whomever is interested most frequently Keiko and Jaykae. With Almah appearing to be impossible to get close to at this time, and Ruika who seems somewhat aloof, the twins are going to get most of his attention.
He looks out towards the dilapidated building, it certainly did look like it was in rough shape. When Ruika suggests they should be the ones to scout it he nods then smiles towards Almah "Yes, we can scout. I would brave any dangers to receive your smile my dear Almah, and I couldn't possibly hope for better companions" He puts his arms around Alik and Ruika's shoulders "Together nothing can stand in our way." His bold words are accompanied by a wide grin.
Jaykae wakes up dazed and with a small headache. She splashes some water from a canteen into her face and on her head then wipes it off her face and shakes her head like Lyssa would, droplets flying all over and her hair sticking up on end just the same as the little fox's.
She gets her items bundled up easily and nudges Keiko, "We have to get going, Kei." The twin knows her sister would be just as fast as her and was probably just reveling in the morning aura.
As they go along on the trek she is mostly quiet, saying a few things here and there and playing her flute at times. They are disjointed ditties but somewhere she was putting it all together in her mind.
Then they get to the building and she whistles, "There's going to be a lot of hiding places in there." She looks to her sister, "We're going to have to be extra careful."
Alik looks down at Garruth and smiles.
"I am glad your spirits are high. Your enthusiasm to help restore Sarenrae's holy fire does you credit."
Clapping his own hand to Garruth's opposite shoulder, Alik asks, "And what great adventure has brought you out this far into the deserts, Catman Garruth?"
Turning the dark hood she looks to Garruth; inside there seems to be a pale face quirking a smile. "Good, confidence is good."
"True, Jaykae. I can be quiet." growls low. Lyssa moves between the party nudging them with her nose.
The position feels similar, she leans towards Alik, not realising Garruth can still hear her.
Seemingly pleased by your group's enthusiasm, Almah nods. "There is no telling what might have taken up residence in there - it would be foolish to assume that it is truly abandoned," she says, "Clear everything out and then report to me. The caravan will remain out here in the meantime. And, oh..." She snaps her fingers, as though she had just remembered something.
"There is one last thing," she says, turning to look towards one of the wagons, "Father Zastoran has agreed to sell some of his potion collection to you as needed. I tried to talk him into lowering his prices, but he has lectured me repeatedly on how doing so would be counterproductive for Kelmarane's restoration... At any rate, his services should prove to be useful."
"Best of luck to you - we will be waiting."
When Jaykae wakes her up, Keiko seems a bit surprised, rubbing her face lightly. While she had nothing to drink, she's still not an easy riser but she wakes up rather quickly as she starts to prepare. As usual, Keiko is rather talkative on the walk over, discussing whatever thoughts flit through her head, sometimes pausing to test alliteration or rhymes on particular words.
"Potions? That might be a good thing to keep in mind. I don't have a ton of money or anything, but maybe we'll be able to salvage something worth a bit of trade," decides Keiko.
'Hopefully there's no more of those pugwampi's. However, the shade in the harsh desert climes mean that many an animal will hide during the day. And most desert creatures are venomous.' she smiles as her thoughts include herself in that venomous category. 'However if we are careful then we won't disturb them, it's the sentient creatures we need to be careful of.'
"Potions, I'm not fiscally solvent at the moment; so that'll have to wait." Ruika adds, "Thank you for concern, Almah." The witch thinks through her goods and what she'll need to leave behind.
Corneilious, having woke early to begin packing, is high on a cloud of self satisfaction for not waking up with a hangover much like the rest of the party.
He follows Almah's instructions and begins cleaning out the Temple while spending much of his time gossiping about how the lazy, brutish Mercenaries wouldn't stop complaining about skipping breakfast to pack up camp.
"Corneilious, lead the way to the Temple. We scout around the outside quietly, so as not to disturb the inhabitants." Ruika states looking at the huge ruins.
She starts off padding softly towards the Temple, her sandals gently sliding against the ochre sand with a sigh.
Scanning the ground for tracks, Ruika uses her scant knowledge of animals and their habitat's to predict what is nearby. Believing the the monastery could contain gnoll scouts or ambushing force. Obliviously she stumbles up the hillock towards the Holy Chapel.
Circling towards the easterly most archway into the huge dilapidated monastery. "We enter from the east, the sun at our backs. The animals inside should be in the west, resting away from the scorching heat." Ruika says with impeccable, but unreasoned, logic. Slowly she moves towards the entryway, trying to ensure a silent entry.