"Call me Hobbes. I'm new here. Let your sister know I mean no harm. Just tryin to be polite is all.""This guy is way too popular."
"So what's your name, silent but beautiful?" He asks Percy when she sits down at the bar.
Smooth...Percy thinks to herself. She gives the Halfling a once-over before smiling. He's not bad looking.
She has the same red-themed beauty as her sister. They are identical in fact. The main distinguishing factor is Percy's blackened, cracked arms and, if you look closely, Allie is 1/4 inch shorter.
Percy. Percy Silvershaper. You? She turns on the charm just a little, letting her typically large, expressive, gnomish eyes pick up and lock Mr Halfling's.
Percy is removed from, and returns to her seat by him. She is a little less bright and sems to be looking for the wizard when she comes back, but picks up the conversation smoothly and gives you her attention soon enough.
Allie? Oh, she'll be fine, as long as I'm around. Where ya from, Hobbes?
The church, of course. Maldrek relaxes, taking on a much more pleasant expression. Suddenly he becomes keenly aware of the increasing temperature on his left arm. "Apologies my lady, I though I had known her from somewhere. You would probably care for the details of my job as much as our newcomer would, but suffice to say it is not pretty work."
Content that she wasn't being ignored anymore, she cooled down, quite literally, too. "Thats the best kind of work! Why do something pretty and dolled up when you can get down to the nitty gritty and get your hands dirty?" She giggles innocently and finishes off her drink. "Isn't that right Gruff?" The goat bleats in response, happy to have some attention paid to it.
Erika laughs slightly at the gnome's response. She made a mental note to keep away from the fire. "You appreciate getting your hands dirty milady? Perhaps we can be friends." She arches her eyebrows and motions to the bartender to buy a drink for Allie. "One more for my Gnomish friend...uh..."She broke off.
Allie smiled at the new tall lady. Allie. Allie Silvershaper! And over there is my twin sis Percy! But she has the red hair and I has the black. So its easier to tell us apart." She smiles and looks up at Maldrek. "Which of us do you think is prettier, hm?" Her face grows more seductive than innocent, and it is obvious she is a young woman and not a child.
Maldrek holds up his hands as if to ward off a blow. "Ohhh no, I'm not getting involved in that!"
After sulking a bit from Maldrek's comment about lack of good conversation, Blik takes Allie's advice and turns his attention to the goat. Animals are easy, these people are so much harder. Blik pulls a carrot from his animal feed and offers it to Gruff. Though there is something strange about this animal...
(+2 circumstance bonus for the food, -4 for being a magical beast)
...although goats can be tough too...
Allie laughs again. "Good answer! Better not to tell a lady she is prettier than her sister!"
Gruff looks at the little mans offering and bleats happily. He takes the carrot from the small hands of the halfling, munching happily on the juicy carrot. He rubs against the halflings hand, presumably in thanks.
Excited to have finally made a friend, the halfling will happily dote on the friendly goat, scratching his ears and pulling out more feed for him.
"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Gruff! It's funny, I'm used to being the big one out of all my friends, everyone here is so big!"
The sound of the door slamming open resounded through the wooden walls of the tavern, a tall man, with short blond hair, a black overcoat and a sheathed longsword held in his arm entered, his face showing a scowl but after giving his new shelter from the whether the once over he cracked a smile "Hey Barkeep I'll have something hot to fill my belly and..." Enzo paused when he caught sight of what seemed to be a goat in the corner and then he started laughing...loudly.
The cackling didn't stop even as he got closer to the bar "Hey Barkeep!" He said amidst his fits of laughter "Is business so bad you have to turn half this place in to a farm?" He continued as his laugh descended into a mildly quieter chortle.
"Anyway get me something to warm my body and fill my stomach, cook the goat if ya have to I can pay" Ordered the former bandit before propping his sheathed sword at the bar just near his stool.
A blast of cold air accompanies the opening door as a powerfully built redhead enters the room,her icy gaze taking in the room as she strides towards the nearest available seat at the bar.
Erika's eyes darted at the laughing stranger as he entered. Brash and abrasive... the perfect target. She sidled up next to him. "Hey fella, I see something hot right here." She looked up and down the stranger and then winked seductively at him.
Feeling the cold breeze tickle his back, the green eyed swordsman turns towards the door "It was just getting warm ya think you could have entered..." It was then that he took notice of the newcomer's appearance; she was a beauty to behold indeed, but everything about screamed warrior, fighter and killer Just the kind of woman that could get you killed...literally Another laugh escaped the lip of Enzo, but since most people can't read his mind, they never understood that his amusement was over his own mental quip.
Then he noticed that he was laughing as he was looking at the latest customer No since in starting a bar fight...way too early for that Drawing his lips into a smile he fully turned his body to face the red head "So sorry, believe it or not that was not directed at you, and just to show there are no hard feelings I'll pay for whatever you order tonight"
The barkeep glares at Enzo and ducks behind the counter - coming up a minute later with a shot glass of pinkish liquid. "Business has never been better; thanks for asking," he answers sarcastically as he hands over a bowl of beef stew as well. His demeanor noticeably improves as he crosses to the other end of the bar where Sigrun sits. "Well, hello there, lovely lady! What can ol' Kerro do ya' for?"
Allie looks across the room, glaring at the man who dared to insult her goat. "GRUFF!" She jumps from the tiefling's lap and stomps right over to the man who insulted her goat. "Hey mister! So I see you have a problem with my friend here!" She gestures to Gruff, who's flaring his nostrils at the man, by her side. "How much of a problem would you have if I burned that smirk off your face!" She tapped her tiny foot, her hands, again alight with dancing flames. This time, however, her eyes were darkening. "You see, this goat is far more valuable than you could ever be, and I have no problem disposing of gutter trash like you! You wanna get warm you toad, I can make that happen!" She pulls herself onto her tippy toes to look taller and more intimidating. Gruff yells loudly at the man.
Maldrek begins nursing his drink quietly, knowing full well these are the kind of people he ends up getting into fights with.
Feeling a bit miffed at being ignored by the brash man, Erika turned back to her drink and downed it in one swig motioning to the barkeep for another. She looks back at the halfling, chuckling a bit at the rambunctious mage. She whispers to the gnome and pats the short sword on her own hip,
Before Enzo could react to the delecious food that appeared before him and what appeared to be the flirtatious words of a woman in his ear, he was confronted by what he thought to be a farmer wielding a fire spell of some kind or another "They teaching farmers spells now? Well I guess it makes sense, last I heard bandits have been pretty active in these parts" Enzo raised his eyebrow in surprise, clearly not recognizing the person in front of him as a threat...yet.
"Just calm down I ain't here to steal yer goat" Said the man in the black coat as he waved off the fire wielder in annoyance I got standards, besides the thing looks ti be way more trouble than its worth Green eyes gave the goat a quick appraising glance.
Allie seems to hear Erika, but continues anyway. "FARMER?! You believe me to be a farmer! Ha! You are as stupid as you look! Take a look bub, take in my body and clothing and you will see I am no farmer!" The fire burns brighter and the goat seems to be fuming. "Do you take me for a farmer because I am a gnome? You think that because I have a goat I am lowly? Gruff is no ordinary goat! I pity your ignorance. One day it will get you killed." The tips of her hair burst into flames and her hands glow with the light of a dying fire. "Think twice, you idiot. Not all is what it seems! Gruff, please go up to our room. I will meet you up there shortly. You know how to open the door, dont give me that look!"
She walks back to Maldrek trying to pretend the idiot didnt exist. "Pick me up again with your glorious tail? Order me a drink? Please, my fiendish friend. He insulted my poor Gruff."
Gruff makes his way up to the room she shared with her sister. He opened the door with a little trouble, then made his way over to his corner to sleep.
Percy simply sighs at her sister's tirade. She should have jumped in and stopped her, but Percy's mind was wandering. As Allie begs for another tail ride, Percy catches her attention and mouths Not thrown out, to her in an attempt to emphasize earlier points about warm beds and hot breakfast, for once.
She didn't really blame her sister. She was a little annoyed at the "farmer" comment too, but if Allie got them thrown out again she promised herself there would be consequences of the sort only sisters can contrive. Possibly that spasm-inducing nursery rhyme. All. Night. Long.
She orders another drink and proceeds in the most direct route possible toward Tipsy Town.
I sorta feel sorry for the goat now Enzo stared at the back of the gnome as she walked away from him "You might want to put out that fire before it eats up the rest of your hair" He called to her back with a chuckle before focusing his attention on the warm meal the barkeep placed before him.
Allie? Oh, she'll be fine, as long as I'm around. Where ya from, Hobbes?
"I grew up in Absalom, but I've spent the last few years wandering around doin odd jobs. Where are you and your sister from?"
Sigrun's eyebrow arches slightly at the collection of characters at the bar, and for a moment she gives the brash man an intense, silent look. Smiling at the bartender's address she responds.
"Spiced ale, and keep it coming I suppose. He says he's paying." she chuckles indicating the offerer with a nod of her head.
Little town, Village really, a ways south of here. So pretty much the opposite of Absolom. She gingerly touches the mug as she drinks, minimizing contact between object and her blackened, cracked skin.
We got the Itch, if you catch my meaning, and decided it was too dangerous to go alone. We took each other. This hlfling was surprisingly easy to be around.
Little town, Village really, a ways south of here. So pretty much the opposite of Absolom. She gingerly touches the mug as she drinks, minimizing contact between object and her blackened, cracked skin.
We got the Itch, if you catch my meaning, and decided it was too dangerous to go alone. We took each other. This halfling was surprisingly easy to be around.
"Didn't figure yas for small town girls. It's good to have some fam around, makes things less lonely but ya knew that."
Percy nods and swollows more of her drink. The road can get lonely, even with a sibling to keep you company.
"I get that. But yer here now, surrounded by a lot of er. people." Hobbes shrugs.
"Yes 'he' is paying for the first bottle " Replied the thug with mild amusement "Because while 'he' may look like a noble or a rich merchant 'he' most certainly isn't" The venom of sarcasm was pretty clear in his voice as he went on.
"After that yer on your own, but 'he' would be happy to give you his name if you gave him yours" He gave the woman a wicked smile "Or I could keep talking like for the next hour or two"
Ingvarr sits quietly by the door, nursing an ale and keeping an eye on the eclectic group of characters frequenting the common room tonight. He exchanges a few words with the locals and shares a nod with the barkeep.
Maldrek wordlessly lifts up Allie again, spinning enough in his chair to keep an eye on the hot headed thug but still keeping to himself. Perhaps I'll actually be looked over in the presence of all the other foreigners.
Erika used the distraction of the hotheaded gnome to slip around the man and and attempt to relieve him of some coin. If he isn't going to pay attention, all the better for me...
Maldrek shakes his head, going back to his drink. And I thought she was a threat...
Noticing a sly hand trying to snake its way into his coin pouch, Enzo waited till the the appendage was stretched too far to be pulled back and lightly slapped the invading fingers away with the back of his hand "Tsk, tsk...you know my sweetheart warned me about women like you" His head turned to stare at the would be pick pocket, his feral grin not wavering "Honeyed words, seductive gazes, and sneaky, sneaky fingers" The sound of his boots meeting the floor as he stood up clearly echoed his size, now he was easily staring down at the woman "You should be careful, ya know?" He took a step forward...and roughly patted her on the shoulder multiple times.
"Not bad, not bad" He complemented after giving out a low chuckle "don't worry I am not the type to hold a grudge, but I am not sure about the others" He continued as he pointed with his thumb towards the warrior woman that had just entered the tavern "She'd probably cut ya into two for looking at her the wrong way" Then Enzo walked off, handed the barkeep what he owed him, picked up his sheathed weapon and found an empty table at one of the corners, where he could have a good view of everyone here.
Her head bows in a tired slump as Enzo catches her. What is wrong with me...I must be losing my touch or something! She finishes her drink and sullenly and as silently as she can exits the bar to cool her heels for a while.
She steps just outside the tavern and leans against the side of the building fuming. "Of all the arrogant...stupid...men... She curses under her breath.
Strides through door, head directly to bar and tosses coin on the counter,
"Two whiskeys, please, and a round for all to celebrate three new babes brought to the world!"
Knocks back shot in one swift pull, then looks around the tavern.
See the horned man she is visible astonished!
Pharasmas bodice!
As the free rounds are brought about Maldrek leans in. "Something a little weaker, I am on business after all."
He turns to the newcomer only to see her openly staring at him. He smiles. "Congratulations, whose are they if I dare ask? I doubt they are yours considering your well being."
As the free rounds are brought about Maldrek leans in. "Something a little weaker, I am on business after all."
He turns to the newcomer only to see her openly staring at him. He smiles. "Congratulations, whose are they if I dare ask? I doubt they are yours considering your well being."
Taking the that as an invitation, she asks for something warm and sits beside the...interesting man.
No, no babes for me. I hired on to a cavern and payed my passage with my skill as a midwife. Poor thing was expecting twins, the moon passed three times before it was done, imagine her surprise at having an extra! The husband was the cavern master and he rewarded me with some extra coin for my work. Poor dear, he will have his hands full, these bring his count up seven!
Unwraps a long, multicolor scarf from her neck. Covered in many tiny swirls of gold, several in silver and a small handful in white.
She carefully retrieves needle and gold colored thread and begins to sew additional swirls on her long scarf.
Peers with unbridled interest at people in the room, her gaze often lingering longer than polite on all that appear...unusual.
Tries to not stare at the polite mans horns.
Likely fails miserably.
"That seems like quite the lively job. I imagine you get to meet a great deal of people."
Looks up from sewing.
Less than you think. Travel is new for me, my village was small and they did not welcome new people. This is, in fact, my first journey away from home.
Finishes sewing small golden swirl, holds scarf up closely to inspect her work. Finding it satisfactory, she begins another near to the first.
After a few minutes of standing outside the tavern grinding her teeth, Erika looks for an unsuspecting passerby and attempts to pickpocket someone else. C'mon...you can do this. Light touch...lift gently and slip away.
"Well I hope you are ready for anything, lady. There are a lot of jerks in this world." Her words come out like venom as she sits on Maldreks lap, fuming again at being ignored. "Is it because Im short or something? Hmph!" She puts her elbow down on Maldreks arm again, this time a little hard.
Short temper. "So Allie, I see...well feel that you have a knack for fire magic. Have any tricks for us?"