Henri eyes the cup with a heavy, disappointed air. "When you said you'd fill up my cup, I assumed you'd be buying me something. Pouring me my own wine isn't exactly what I had in mind."
His voice has a plaintive, whining tone quite at odds with the rest of him. It is as if the addiction itself is speaking to Rayka, a greedy grasping thing careless of all else but desire.
"I said I'd pour you a drink, not that I'd buy one. But...if you can tell me more than what I already know then we can go somewhere and I'll buy you whatever drink you want."
She tried to get him to refocus. "Now, tell me everythin' about these parties that you can remember. Did you play at any of them yourself? And keep in mind, the more interestin' the stuff you tell me, the better chance you have of gettin' the drink you want."
The man nods, "Again, that sounds better." he leans back, closes his eyes and for a moment Rayka is worried he went back to sleep.
'Yes, I played at a number of the big parties, even a few of the small ones. Usually a soloist, but sometimes part of an ensemble. The pay was half of what he should have been, but work is work."
"They hired by word of mouth although you could apply. I know many musicians 'audition' for the job, most of them getting turned away. However, someone with a good ear can get in. I got in because I knew a man who was working and he got ill, and sent me to fill in. I was better so they kept me and never hired my friend again. I felt bad, but I needed to eat."
He opens an eye and says, 'So you are trying to sneak into a Chelish mansion?"
Rayka looks at him warily, "And if I was? Would you have a problem with that? Or more importantly, would you help?"
Henri stays silent for a moment, and his eyes wander over the room. They linger on men and women sculpting with clay, singing in a small chorus, or simply sitting and laughing. There is a sadness in his gaze, despite the joy and merriment he can see.
"The Chelish are evil." he says bluntly, "They have stolen our land, our pride and most importantly our future."
Then his face falls and says, 'But I have seen what they do to thieves and rebels."
Rayka has seen it too. In the public squares, Rayka has seen men flayed alive, screaming in agony. She has watched as women have been brutally crucified. She has even seen children thrown to hungry, savage dogs. Her plan may very well end in horror and pain.
Rayka nods her head slowly as the thought of failure is quite sobering. "Everyone has seen what they do to thieves an' rebels - or those they consider rebels. I think that's the point. Keep everyone scared an' you keep 'em paralyzed which keeps 'em controlled. Nothin' changes if no one takes a stand. An' you're still dying if you're starvin' to death - you're just doin' it slower."
She shrugs, "I guess you just have to think what is worth takin' a risk for. Or if bein' passed out drunk is a fulfillin' life."
The man sits quietly for a moment, one hand still cupped as if carrying the wine bottle. His pale eyes seem to lock onto Rayka's a few times but then he drops his gaze.
Then, in a quiet voice, "Are you...planning to kill anyone?"
Rayka tries to determine whether he's asking because he's against violence or is secretly hoping that Chelish would die in this endeavor. Then she wonders if she looks like the killing type that he would be asking. It's not like she carries a barrage of weapons but maybe she looks a lot rougher than she thinks.
"Plannin'? No." She hesitates briefly before adding, "But if someone tries to kill me, I will defend myself. And others I'm with."
Henri seems to take heart at this, "No? Then what exactly are you planning to do? I have to say, I don't want to be part of an assassination or anything, but maybe something to knock the Chelish down a peg....that would be good."
He catches himself and lowers his voice, "So it is you and Knne then? Anyone else? What else do you need from me?" Suddenly he sounds excited and eager to help. Rayka guesses it has been awhile since he has been part of anything worthwhile.
Rayka keeps her voice low and leans in a little. "Nobody wants to be killin' anyone. Embarrassin' 'em, yes but killin', no. I figured if they didn't want to share their wealth then we would make 'em. But hopefully without bein' noticed."
"Knne and me for sure. There may be another but I won't know 'til tonight. But what would be of highest importance, and where you would be needed, is to be that inside man at the party. We would use the party as our distraction. If you can get hired to play at one of the parties at the Iuncus House, that's what we need."
The drunkard looks wistful for a moment, "You know, I've never played there before. The Iuncus are supposed to be the finest and grandest of all of them. They only hire the best musicians. Good thing you have me."
He attempts to stand, wavers, then manages to keep his feet.
'Shall we have a drink to celebrate our new alliance?" Herni says eagerly looking around as if he expects a tavern to materialize.
"I did promise you a drink that weren't from your own wine bottle but it'll be just one to toast our partnership. If Iuncus only takes the best of the best, you need all your wits and talents available. Too much alcohol dulls that."
She quickly gets to her feet, ready to catch Henri should his balance fail. "But you won't find anythin' to drink here other than your wine. Does this mean you're ready to leave?"
'Actually I think I play better when I'm a little...merry, shall we say/" he flashes a winning smile at Rayka and she sees, once, he was probably a handsome man but the years have been hard on him, even in his youth.
He manages to take one step toward the door and then nods, 'I think so. I can't practice in a place like this and I need to talk to some friends, get an interview..." Then, suddenly he turns and says, 'Where shall we meet up again and when?"
"Merry is fine but you need to be able to walk a straight line...somewhat quickly."
Rayka is a little caught off guard by his question. She hadn't thought about that yet considering the events of the day had happened so quickly. She still didn't have Anax's answer and wouldn't know until later that night. "How about back here, tomorrow mornin'? Does that give you enough time?"
Henri nods, "I'll see what I can. First we have to tune up this old thing." he walks away, talking to his instrument. Rayka vaguely hopes the drunk isn't talking to pink elephants as well.
The bralwer looks over and sees Obella in a knot of people, talking animatedly. It isn't that she is happy exactly more...fulfilled? But time is pressing on and Rayka has an appointment in Lover's Grove.
Rayka moves over to where Obella is talking and catches her friend's eye. She motions towards the door and takes a couple steps towards the exit. As much as she wants Obella with her, she is willing to leave Knne with the crowd if that's what she wanted.
She mouths words at her friend but doesn't make a sound. You coming?
Obella looks a bit torn between her friend and the happy crowd of people standing next to her. In particular her eyes linger on Aman for a long while as she considers.
But in the end she grins, says something that sets everyone laughing and leaves the group. The small halfling comes over to Rayka and says, "Let's go. I don't trust those Jackals at all. You'll need all the backup you can get."
Rayka narrows her eyes slightly at Obella's last comment. "If you don't trust 'em, why are you hangin' out with 'em?...other than the obvious two-legged reason, of course."
When they are out of earshot and on their way to meet Anax, Rayka interrogates her friend. "So why have you never mentioned your friends to me before? How long have you been comin' here?"
"But you're right, I can't do this without you. I don't trust anyone but you to watch my back."
[ooc] hey, you are the one who set up the meeting with the Jackals, not me. In Lover's Grove, as well. Honestly."[/b]
As to Rayka's remarks, the halfling blushes a bit and says, "Only a few weeks. Remember when I said I was visiting a long lost cousin? Well...I might have lied." She smiles through the red cheeks, 'I didn't want to tell you because I was embarssed, and worried you'd think I was going soft. Spending all my time reading poetry and looking at oil paintings." She sounds a bit defensive, as if ready to fight to defend the humble temple behind them.
"Just 'cause we work with someone doesn't mean we gotta trust 'em. As long as we have each other's backs, we'll be fine."
Rayka looks at Obella with a slight hurt look on her face. "My mother was an artist and she wasn't soft. You can like art and words and music. If anythin' it reminds us we're human. Otherwise we're just animals walkin' around on two feet."
She looks at her friend with a penetrating stare even though there's a twinkle in her eye. "So which came first? Did you follow Aman into the temple and discover you liked poetry or did you find the temple and then meet Aman?"
The brawler looks around for who may be listening before sharing her next bit of news with Obella. "I think we have our inside man. Henri wanted an opportunity to play at one of the parties."
Obella sticks her nose in the air in a fake air of superiority, "Wouldn't you like to know." She instantly breaks down into a mischievous giggle though and says, "I saw Aman first, in the market. I started following him and found the temple."
Her face lights up and she says, 'He is so smart, and kind. But I doubt he notices me, not really. Did you see some of those dancers at the temple? Not fair competition."
Shaking her head she focuses on business, "Henri, the drunk? Do you trust him? I've never even seen him perform."
Rayka grins at her friend, "And how'd you find out you needed to wear somethin' colorful? And why are they callin' you Knne?"
"I didn't see much of the dancers but what I did see was Aman comin' over and talkin' to you. He notices you but you need to be able to put more than two words together when he talks to you."
The brawler shrugs at Obella's last question, "I guess we'll find out tomorrow. We're meetin' him back at the temple to see how he fairs in gettin' an audition. He seemed pretty confident in his ability to play. If he's no good, he won't get hired and we're back to not havin' an inside man."
Obella nod and shrugs as well, "Unless he gets drunk in a tavern and blabs the whole story to a friendly Chelish ear. In that case, things might not go so well."
The halfling ignores the romance advice from Rayka, but she sees her friend hiding a smile.
They cross the streets as the sun lowers, lighting up the city with a fiery red glow. The blazing heat of the day is slowly subsiding, and the city is entering that brief period of comfort between desert heat and desert chill that will come all too fast.
They pass easily though the old ruined walls and are soon in the outskirts. At one time this was a vibrant community, the suburbs filled with small farms and market villages. Now though the fields are overgrown and the houses collapsing. The Chelish ignored the area outside the walls and it was now a lair for thieves and violent types. Rayka had even heard rumors of strange cults and beasts in this wild area.
Whatever the stories they soon reach the edge of Lover's Grove without incident. The massive palms, some of them hundreds of years old, tower above, casting long shadows into the advancing gloom. Quite apart from a romantic glade, the thick brush and stern trees look quite diabolical in the deepening dusk.
The scent on the breeze though is of fresh water, incense and growing things.
Drunk Henri is a sleepy Henri so I don't think he'll be blabbin'. But I guess we'll know tomorrow."
Rayka's eyes are constantly scanning the shadows for signs of trouble and is pleasantly surprised when they arrive at Lover's Grove safely.
"Have you been here before at night, Obella? Is it usually this creepy?"
She takes a deep breath, breathing in the pleasant smells around them. "At least it smells nice. Let's move towards the water and keep an eye out for Anax."
Obella shakes her head, "Never at night. Maybe a few times during the day..." she grins mischievously and together they head into the forbidding undergrowth. The area is covered with thick bushes and the trunks of tall trees, all intersected with many small secret paths leading to this little hiding place or that small glade.
It takes awhile but they follow the smell of water and find themselves on the edge of a large oasis, a pool of water ringed by reeds and other marsh plants. Unlike the rest of the dry, hardbitten plants of Osrion, here there are flowers, fruit and other soft growing things. As they near the water's edge, Rayka startles a duck, which flies away noisly.
As they watch the bird fly, they hear a voice behind them, "Don't turn around. We have you surrounded. Who are you?" Beside her Obella freezes as neither of them recognize the voice.
Rayka grasps Obella's hand. "Since when does anyone care who visits Lover's Grove? We were hoping to be alone."
"Well, you aren't." the rough voice growls threasntingly, 'So why don't you and your friend..."
He is cut off by a new voice, 'Peace, Tempha. Relax." It is Anax, who has seemingly materialized out of the rushes near the water's edge. "They are here for me."
The Jackal gang leader, now once again dressed in his white robes, walks toward them.
Now looking behind, Rayka sees a bulky, unshaven man behind them, leaning against a tree. While large, he looks unkempt and far down the road of 'bad days'. His lips are stained a dark, rusty red. The man, Tempha, glances at Anax, spits into the oasis, then vanishes into the trees.
Anax nods to Rayka and Obella saying, 'Sorry about that. Tempha haunts some regions of the Grove. He got hooked on blood sap awhile ago and hasn';t been the same since."
Rayka knows the Chelish have encouraged the drug trade as an easy way to make money and keep the local population too dazed or high to resist.
'I am glad you came, I was slightly worried you would change your mind." Anax says.
Rayka breathes a sigh of relief and releases Obella's hand. "You have good timin', thank you."
Her gaze follows Tempha as he retreats into the foliage. "Shame. One more reason to hate the Chelish," she mutters almost inaudibly.
"That makes two of us. I weren't sure you'd show. You seemed unsure earlier. Does this mean you'll help?"
Anax shakes his head, "That isn't for me to decide. I run the gang but I'm no tyrant. We will put it to a vote."
The idea of a gang voting on things is totally unheard of, to Rayka at least. Obella looks equally confused, adding, 'A vote?"
Anax nods and leads them through some fragrant brush, stirring up dozen of white moths, flitting about like miniature clouds. Bats swoop down to capture them, a battle of life and death silently occurring all around them.
The gang leader ignores the display saying, "I don't rule by fiat. I value their input and their reasoning. You will have to convince them. The influential ones at least."
He leads them to a small isolated grove of tall palms, where about a dozen shadowy figures lurk in the gloom. Most are wearing the white robes like Anax, but not all. Everyone turns to face them silently.
Anax nods to them and says, 'This is the woman I told you about. I will let her speak for herself."[
Without further ado he steps aside and yields the floor to Rayka. She glances in the dim light and sees a smile play across his face, obviously entertained by throwing her to the wolves with so little warning.
A test, perhaps?
"I didn't realize that the whole gang was wantin' to be involved. I take it that you trust 'em all?"
"Convince? Wait, what?" Rayka's heart begins to pound and her stride slows as she enters the grove and sees everyone waiting. "This ain't what..."
She squares her shoulders and her muscles tense. This is how she responds to stress, not with elegant words. She's fairly certain that she looks like a child caught doing something they shouldn't but it's obvious that this isn't going to progress unless she speaks. She wants to move back into the trees and disappear into the dark but she feels Obella behind her who gently pushes her forward.
The brawler sees the look on Anax's face and her eyes narrow. She wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of running away.
"I ain't...I ain't sure what he's told you about me. But my friend and I are lookin' for help. There are some people in the city who have been hurtin' us and oppressin' us. They are too powerful to be fightin' 'em directly but there are other ways that we can make it uncomfortable for 'em. We have a plan to take some of their wealth. This will be embarrassin' for 'em and hopefully tell 'em that they ain't welcome here. But we can't do it alone."
Rayka keeps her eyes on her feet, absolutely hating every minute that she was the center of attention. "I won't lie and tell you it'll be easy. It will most definitely be dangerous. This ain't somethin' to enter into lightly nor are we guaranteed success. But if we can do what we set out to do, the reward will be worth it. Both with loot and by lettin' 'em know not everyone is scared of 'em."
It is hard to judge the response from the shadowy, unknown group of people. At least no one interrupts here. Surely that is a good sign?
A larger shadow, with bulky shoulders and a round head emerges from the gloom. "And what do you plan to do, exactly?" His voice is rough. "Rob some caravan or mug some Chelish noble? It would only earn us a crackdown."
There is a rumble of agreement from the others.
Years on the streets had taught Rayka to be cautious when dealing with strangers. "I ain't goin' to give you a full plan right now because we have no history together. I have no guarantees that you're not goin' to leave here and go runnin' to tell the authorities. But I can tell you that it ain't goin' to be somethin' so useless. I have somethin' bigger in mind than just muggin' a random Chelish noble or a small caravan. And hopefully we're in and out before they even realize anythin' is wrong. The whole point of this is to make an impact without drawin' attention specifically to ourselves."
The imposing shadow merely grunts at Rayka explanation. She does here some mutter of agreement from the others, out of sight. Apparently she isn't being totally dismissed.
Another, softer voice drifts out of the gloom. It is a female voice, with a slightly educated lilt to it, much like Anax's. "And what have you accomplished before? What is your past experience with such things? I would hate for us to fall victims to the wide-eyed naive claims of a common street rat."
Obella stiffens at her side, fists bunching. The little halfling had always hated that particular insult.
Rayka's voice grows cold. "I...we...didn't come here to be insulted. Not that I owe you an explanation but I ain't a common street rat - or an uncommon one for that matter either. I'm a victim of unfortunate circumstances."
"As for what I've accomplished, I've survived." Her eyes narrowed, "My experience may be limited but at least I'm tryin' to do somethin'. It's easy to stand in the shadows and judge."
A murmur runs through the group. Rayka detects voices in agreement and those in anger and even a few muffled laughs. Apparently the group appreciates a clever remark.
A slender figure strides out of the darkness, clearly the woman Rayka was trading barbs with. While her white robe hides her body and the mask covers her face, she is less solidly built then Rayka, but slightly taller. A bit of shining black hair pokes out of the hood, braided in tight knots.
"Judge fromt he shadows.." She is halted as Anax steps forward.
'Peace, Nefti." he holds up a hand in a placating gesture. "I would not bring you someone I didn't believe in. You know how she saved us from the Chelish."
'So you say." Nefti mutters quietly.
'Do you challenge me?" Anax says, mildly. Rayka has a feeling there is a deeper discord here, and she is being wedged between opposing forces.
Then the male voice that initially questioned her sounds again, "No, but perhaps an example of what she can do."
The large man with the round head steps forward. He is not wearing the white robes, but a thick hide shirt and muddy pants. Fully a head taller then Rayka, and with rippling muscles, his skin is bronzed from long days in the sun.
'I can test her, right here, right now in front of everyone. To see if she is worthy."
Anax throws up his hands in frustration and mutters to Rayka, "This is foolish, but if you beat him, it would hurry all of this up. Do you think you can take him?"
Rayka's brow furrows, "Probably. But what would beatin' up your man prove me worthy of?"
The brawler settles into a stance that is ready to react. She has no idea what is involved in this proposed test. "So does this test have any rules?"
To Rayka's first question, Anax rasies his voice so everyone can hear his reply, "Because they are fools who think physical power is the only power." After that sarcastic jab he speaks at a lower volume, "Many of them grew up on the streets and connect fighting with authority. They think hat if they beat you up, no one will listen. They might be right, the fools."
Meanwhile, the larger man is stretching his arms and legs, rolling his head. He looks formidable but Rayka doesn't seen any professional training about him. The man carries no weapon, at least that she can see.
Anax strides between them, face scowling, "I think this is foolish." he looks right at Nefti adding, 'Speaking of street rats, rolling around in the dirt is supposed to decide something?"
Bitterly, he goes on, 'Fair enough. Then let us have some common sense. This will be a fight to knock out or surrender. There is to be no blood, no weapons. We are supposed to be fighting the Chelish, not each other."
The others, seemingly more interested in a fight then Anax create a rough ring around Rayka and the bulky man. Before being half pushed away, Obella mutters, "Don't worry, I have your back." the halfing mutters, voice tough despite coming up to Rayka's foe's waist.
Then Rayka is alone in the makeshift ring of bodies with the man.
The man, Rayka still hasn't heard his name leaps forward first. He moves with a sudden fluid grace and Rayka suspects some form of magic or enhancement. In an instant he is upon her, lashing out with both fists and feet.
Rayka dodges them however, natural instincts kicking in as she blocks the attacks.
As soon as Rayka blocks the man's attacks, she goes on the offensive. She punches him in the abdomen with her dominant hand and follows it up with a punch to his kidneys with her other.
Rayka's first blow hits, punching into the hard taut muscle of his stomach. As she staggers she tries again, but is skillfully blocked.
The man grunts in surprise and mutters, "You fight well, woman."
Then he lashes out with one fist.
The punch just misses Rayka, and she can feel her hair ruffle in the breeze he causes.
Rayak thinks she hears something from outside the ring of pressed observers, but is unsure.
Rayka keeps her focus on the man but raises her voice to address her friend. "Obella, I think I heard something from beyond the onlookers. Did you hear it too or am I hearing things? Maybe check it out?"
Meanwhile she jabs quickly with her right where she already hit him as she waits for Obella's report.
But the brawler is obviously distracted by what she thought she heard and barely touches the man as he takes a step backwards.
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Rayka, distracted, misses her mark as the agile man moves backward. Obella moves off, shifting through the crowd.
Just as she leaves, the man unleashes a powerful volley of blows.
But again, Rayka dodges them, although a few are close.
Just as she prepares to attack again, she hears Obella scream. The noise tears apart the quiet night as everyone turns and looks. Out of the fragrant twilight of the trees, comes a nightmare.
A shifting, vicious shape oozes into view. The obscene mass looks like a melted blob crossed with a spider, ceaselessly lashing out with its hairy, wriggling legs. The eerie shifting of the leg,t he bubbling of the body, the horrible wriggling motion marks this this as something left over from the Awakening.
Rayka doesn't take time to think but reacts. "Obella, get back! I'm coming!"
The brawler moves quickly to try to get herself between Obella and the coming monstrosity.
Rayka dodges in front of the men and women, moving fluidly. The fight is forgotten as the skittering, pulsating horror lurches into the glade. It flashes through Rayka's mind that she is fighting the same monsters that Shalina the Stalwart had fought. Or even Akraten.
Then all such thoughts as are gone as she stands directly in front of the creature. Three of the horrid, distended mouths begin to salivate and snap at the brawler.
One lands, causes some damage. Rayka can feel burning poison on the wound, but she shrugs it off.
From all around her, Rayka can hear shouting and yelling as panic sets in. Some of the Jackals are getting ready to fight, others running into the dark. It is chaos.
Obella begins drawing her own blades.
Her burning wound emphasizes how dangerous this new foe is. She's never fought anything like this before but she will not leave her friend vulnerable and alone.
She has a fleeting thought...Is what I'm thinkin' an' feelin' the same as Akraten when he faced such horrors?
Not knowing exactly what to do, the brawler does what she does know and punches the thing as hard as she can and aims for one of its eyes.
Sizing up the strange creature, Rayka decides one of the misshapen and weirdly places eye make a good target. Her blow lands and the beast shrieks and howls in a horrible fashion.
Instead of one of the mouths reaching out for her however, a weird spidery leg emerges fromt he goo.
A weird shock of pain leaps through Rayka, and she feels her muscles seizing in spasms of pain. Her body, so well-trained to be her weapon writhes with magic, painfully altered by the strange creature.
[ooc] Your turn, please roll that Fort save first and be sure to re-calculate your attacks and such due to the temp. stat loss.
Rayka's body was reeling and not responding as she was used to but she had no choice but to continue fighting. This time she tries punching it twice, still aiming for its eyes while being wary of its legs.
The punches land hard and the horrible creature is starting to look worse for wear. As Rayka dodges back, fists dripping with sickening ooze she hears Obella shout, "There is another!"
Out of the corner of her eye, Rayka spots a second horrible creature lurch into the clearing. This time however, a number of white-robed figures attack it, and she sees flashes of arcane magic.
Turning back to her own foe, it attacked with multiple mouths.
Only one mouth bites her, and it does little damage. So far, she has been lucky, except for the weird spasms running through her body.
"How many of these things are there? And where are they coming from?"
Not really expecting answers, Rayka continues to do what she does best and punches the aberration again and again.