Mice, hmmm..I do know a good recipe for rat stew. Sparrows are a little small, we should cook grouse or turkey!
And they are not just for the nobility, my home would have a harvest feast when all the fields were taken in.
The main course was bread and beef and pig, but while we waited for it to sear we would have the small foods.
The littles would catch fish, the girls gathered berries and mushrooms, and the boys would bring out beer and spirits.
I had to bless the spirits and sample them to "make sure the blessing took hold."
Grins sheepishly at the last sentence.
My great uncle had been "blessing" the spirits for a half century when he let me in on the joke.
Frowns slightly, picks at a thread, sees it was in fact good.
Begins a third silver swirl.
Allie begins to grow impatient. "Neverhome! Don't be rude! Hug me back! You should always be respectful to a lady!" She squeezes a bit harder. "Vashti! Tell him to hug me back! He is being rude!"
No little bright spot! You have discovered a new magical power! One grasp of your loving little hands and you have frozen him solid!! You let him go so you don't freeze him to solid ice. I can't fix that!
Smiles at the gnomes antics, frowns as she finishes her third swirl and starts another also silver.
Closing her book tightly, the armoured Aasimar packed her book away and decided to engage in conversation with all those surrounding her.
So what brings you all here? I've been working hard this last year so I decided to suit up and go travelling. I sure hope this Festival's better than the last! Things sure get crazy around here.
Last year? That was pretty funny. A Dwarf being mocked by a Halfling. Something about the Dwarf not being manly enough because his beard was shorter than the Halfling in height. One thing lead to another and then boom, both were exiled and the Swallowtail Festival was put on hold for half of the day. I wonder what ever happened to those two? They're still probably fighting now! Hehe.
She raises an eyebrow at Vashti. "Hah! I wish! That would be powerful and fun! But I'll let Neverhome slide this time, since he is an idiot right now. But we must teach him, okay Vashti? And please teach me how to tell stories through scarves!" She released Neverhome from her not so tight hold and patted his kneecap. "I'll help you, Neverhome! You will learn how not to be a dunce!" She smiles at him again and heads over to hang out with Vashti and Maldrek.
She looks at the pretty lady in armor. "Oh hi! You are quite lovely. My sister and I are here cause we can be. I dont really know why, she dragged me here so I came. Ask her and she will tell you." She draws a lovely portrait of the Aasimar in fire in the air and sends it over to her, dancing in greens, blues, and of course, reds.
Finally taking a breath as he nearly collapses into the chair Vashti provided for him, he begins to sputter before full words finally come out, "My... my continued apologies, the last one to hug me was my wife and... and." His features harden as he begins to regain his composure. "We haven't seen each other in awhile so it took me by surprise is all."
What an adorable little party trick you have there! I'll have to show you some of my paintings sometime, and then we can be artsy together.
Smiling and crouching down to the Gnome, Kei whispers gently into the females ear.
You remind me of the Fey I used to play with as a little girl. I loved them all because they were all so playful! Between you and me, I think we'll be good friends one day.
Still crouched, Kei looks up to Neverhome and whispers once more to the little Gnome.
He seems like a gentle guy. A little shy and lacking confidence but I think he means well. Play nice with him for me? I think he's quite sensitive.
Before standing, Keinara asks; And which one is your sister? Oh and I'm Keinara, what's your name? smiles the girl.
The shiny armored woman with the book kept catching his eye, well the corner of his eye. "is that why your name is Neverhome?" Maybe you should change it to Sometimes home." The lithe and tall feline began his eyes once more following the little gnomes pretty images. "my foster father called me Iluthien..." the look on his face summed up what he felt about that. "But im full grown now i think, So i named myself. My name is The Quiet pause one moment before the pounce upon ones prey, in a cool winter evening with a slight wind blowing from the east... Most folk call me Silence though.. and im okay with that too." He grinned and glanced about. This was indeed a good trip so far, even if he didnt have any furs to sell.
"I believe she said her name was 'Percy', though the Fey children are hard to miss." He says as he points over towards Percy as a morbid thought crosses his mind, with her arms like at least I don't have to worry about any hugs from that one.
Turning towards Silence "Aye, and when I finally do return home I will no longer be 'Neverhome'. You'll have to forgive my earlier rudeness, I'm not used to seeing cat spirits like you up and about." He lets the grand name process for a moment before he decides, I guess he isn't a Lycanthrope, they tend to not have long fancy names like that.
Allie giggled at Keinara's request. "I paint too! I like working with others on artsy projects! Its most fun! And with regards to Neverhome, I'll do my best, pretty lady! I can play hard sometimes. Us Firey types tend to have some burn! My sister is that clone of me sitting by the halfling called Hobbes. We were just about to start playing a game called lucky 13 before everyone started getting exciting. I'll have to go get Gruff! He would love to meet all of you." She smiles at Neverhome. "You will go to one of your homes one day. And maybe your wife will be there too! I don't know when your deity will call you home, but you'll be happy then!"
Hobbes snaps out of his daydream and starts dealing cards to himself, percie, and 2 others who want to play. He starts off by laying down a pair of 3s. "If the fella or dame can beat that, they can put something down . Otherwise we move on to the next playa.
His face softens at the Gnome's words, "Thank you Allie, these kind words mean more than you know." His face on the verge of a smile soon turns to one of mild puzzlement. "Although I don't know how what I eat will determine when I get to go home."
Allie giggles. "No, silly! The powerful being in the plains that you worship! Not diety! Deity! Poor idiot Neverhome!" With that she runs upstairs. A few moments later, she is accompanied by a small baby goat, horns just growing in. Its bleats at everyone in welcome. "This is Gruff!" Gruff looks at Enzo and screams in anger, its nostrils flaring.
He thinks for a moment. "The only "Poweful Being" in the plains that I know of is the occasional Wendigo. And that is something I don't worship.". He pauses for a second as a look of inquisitiveness forms over his face. "If you mean God then I do pay some homage to Fandarra, although I wouldn't call it worship."
Upon seeing the goat Neverhome let's out a small sigh, "Well at least the goats here are normal."
At the sound of the goat bleating, Erika snaps back to attention. Wow, what was in those drinks. She realizes she's been staring into her empty glass for several minutes and suddenly looks around at all the people crowding into the tavern.
"Barkeep...something a little less strong please." She shakes her head trying to get rid of the grogginess.
The bartender slides the Time Thief some warm tea. "Here ya are, lass. This'll help you wake up."
Meanwhile, a few patrons (including the loud Enzo) finish their drinks and leave.
"God means deity, deity means god. Same meaning different words." She moves her hands up and down as if weighing something. Gruff goes up to the counter and puts its front legs on the bar. He bleats out to the bartender several times. "Anyway, he isnt that normal. He is my special goat!" She smiles brightly.
The barkeep chuckles and gives the goat a carrot and a pan of cold water.
Neverhome slides down off the chair to set cross legged on the floor, eye level with Allie. "Oh? And what God do you worship milady? I had heard there was other great spirits besides The Blood Mother but before today I had been unsure if it was true."
An exceptionally pale man in his early 20's entered the tavern. While most of his clothes are a little worn, probably by months of traveling, an extremely well kept, bright orange scarf, decorated by embroidered threads of green and pink, is fastened around his neck.
"So you said this is the place, Crow?" Asked to the raven perched on his shoulder.
"Yes" Answered the bird with a croak.
Let's see... There are a lot of small folks, a small goat, a girl with light blue hair, a Tiefling and OH WOW IS THAT A GIANT CAT?!
If he was able to, the raven would have rolled his eyes. "Look" whispered in his ears. Zsestrian saw that among one of the (few) normal patrons, there was a woman who was sewing a scarf much similar to his own.
Excitement suddenly flooded his much, much to Crow annoyance.
Maybe she could tell me where this scarf is from! Where I'M from!
Zsestrian run to the bar to order something, more to have an excuse to join the conversation than anything.
He slid some coins on the counter with his pale hand "Bartender, some ale please!" said to the bartender with a broad smile.
He then proceeded to present himself to the odd group of characters: "Good Day everyone! I'm Zsestrian Raven explorer, occasionally street mage and amnesiac extraordinaire!" declared with a bow. "And this is Crow, a Raven that has made home on my shoulder!". The sound of beak on skull was heard all across the tavern "Ouch! Anyway, could I join you?" And then proceeded to sit on a nearby stool.
To Vashti: "That's a very nice scarf you have there. What does those little swirls mean?"
The tiefling chuckles. "A raven named Crow. Are you sure amnesiac was the correct term?"
At the mention of the word 'Crow' Neverhome immediately tenses up, eyes quickly darting toward the source of squak. His hand steadily made its way for one of the harpoons strapped to his back. He began to hesitate upon eyeing the bird some more, even more so when the newcomer announced it as a Raven, and finally gave a sigh of relief when the red skinned man confirmed his doubts. This place is most definetly trying to do me in he thought, who knows what horrors would have befallen had I attacked the raven by mistake.
"Mind your business!" croaked the raven to Maldrek.
"Crow! Don't be rude! Apologize to the sir!" said Zsestrian, mildly irritated. In turn, the bird stole the slice of bread that the witch just pulled out of his bag, and flew across the counter to offer it at Gruff, the only one that he deemed worthy of attention.
"Please excuse him" said Zsestrian apologetically "he tends to snap like that sometimes."
Then he added with a bright smile "But yes, you could surely says that memory is not the only thing missing in here. He pointed where Crow had pecked him. Tough" chuckled. "wouldn't it have been even more strange to call a raven Raven? Something so obvious would have been even more silly". Zsestrian, after a sip of Ale, gave a short laugh.
Rocking his head from side to side he mumbles to himself, "Raven good luck, Crow bad luck. Something that obvious keeps you alive longer."
A young woman enters the bar in a simple traveling clothes, but when he pulls back the hood of her cloak, eyes all around the room take notice. She was beautiful, yes, with powder white skin and pale blonde hair save for a lock of auburn like the leaves of fall against snow. But it was something else. The way she entered was like she owned the Inn, or maybe even the town itself. Like she was a queen.
"Hello, some chilled wine please." She says as she slides onto a stool at the bar. It sounded like a request, but not one you would ignore. The sweet voice had a odd accent to it. She wasn't from Taldor.
Her heavy pack drops to the floor and she rubs her shoulders. "I told Elizabeth that armor was too heavy. Besides, how can I practice magic in it?" she mutters. She looks around suddenly realizing the others in the room. "Oh, hi. Are you all here for the festival too? I am."
"My name's Vesna." The tone of her voice changes slightly, becoming harder, colder. "I'm sure it will be an exciting festival."
Having heard that the half-orc was saying something, but not sure of what, Zsestrian remembered that he noticed some uneasiness in him, when he presented himself and Crow.
Have I said something wrong?
He walks to the half-orc: " I couldn't but notice that my words had made you uncomfortable. Have I said something that offended you?" he said with a kind smile. "In that case, I would be honored if I could offer you a drink sir..?"
Meanwhile, Crow would have joined with his croaks in whoever Gruff was bleating at.
Eyeing the pale man cautiously before standing up to greet him, "My apologies, but where I hail from Ravens are seen as protectors and good omens. Crows on the other hand are seen as harbingers of doom and bad luck. Switching your friend's name like that struck me as odd but I guess the stigma doesn't exist down here." He folds his hands behind his back and gives a slight bow. "And thanks for the offer but I don't consume spirits. And milk here appearantly does strange things to the drinker." As the those last words leave his mouth he tosses his eyes quickly at Silence before returning attention to Zsestrian.
Only slightly breaking his concentration with Zsestrian to take note of the lady who walked in his face began to contort worse than when he heard the word Crow. "Jadwiga." was all he muttered through gritted maw.
"The pretty bird talks, pretty good too." The feline humanoid began tilting his head to the side and staring at it for a moment his eyes gleaming. His tail lashed back and forth for a moment before he managed to notice it. "the festival yes yes, there will be games and food and of course the release of the flutterbyes." He slid up to the bar again a wild half feral grin on his face.
"More milk. I do so enjoy it." He half turned and grinned at Neverhome, the idea that this milk was anything but well just milk was almost preposterous, but the half orc had his own way he supposed.
Without turning around, "Curiouser and Curiouser these strange southern lands. Curiouser and Curiouser."
Vesna looks at the half-orc with daggers in her eyes. "Never, call me that." She glares and him and huffs, turning away and flipping her hair. She sips her wine and closes her eyes.
The young woman takes her glass and pack and moves deliberately away from Neverhome. She finds an empty table on the other side of the room and sits. She lifts her glass again and you swear you see frost for a moment before she drinks.
"Oh, that explains it". "Where are you from,then? I would like to introduce my homeland first, but I can't remember where it is." he added with a smile. "I'm here at this festival to gather clues, as I have a faint memory of this place".
Meanwhile, Crow had jumped near the large feline humanoid. "Thanks sir" he croaked with a little bow.
As soon as Zsestian heard talks of strange milk, and as soon as he saw the grin of the Catfolk, he tried to inspect the mysterious white liquid from afar...
I'm not sure if it's some kind of height augmenting potion, but if Crow went to talk to him he's probably a good guy.
Cat.
Feline.
Am I sure he is even a guy?
The witch's baseless (and rather improbable) speculations where cut short by the outburst of a blond,young woman, who seemed angry at Lyosha.
"What was that? Why did she snap at you like that? And you said a strange word before...Jag,Jav... Jadwiga was that? Is that her name? Do you know her? He whispered to the half-orc, in a way that he could not have been heard by the emotionally unstable blonde.
Something about her did look off, tough
Zsestrian,with a smile, reciprocate Lyosha bow, and goes back to the bar.
What an interesting fellow. I would have liked to know where he came from, tough...
And I wonder what's happening between those two... He threw a last, quick glance to the half-orc and the blond woman.
At least they don't seem to be at each other throats anymore... what a relief. This place is sure lively, but I sure hope that there won't be fights or something like that...
Meanwhile, having caught Zsestrian worries (and rather surprised by the giant house kitty), Crow will try to inspect under the barkeeper counter, to see if there are any nefarious potions down there.
At the same time, Zsestrian would try to catch some informations about Vashti scarf.
"Hi, milady" he started with a smile "I'm sorry to have been so blunt before, and I apologize if I am being rude, but could you tell me if that scarf of yours has some particular significance?"
"You see" he took off his scarf, a long cloth of a bright orange with numerous green and pink embroidery, to show it to the woman "I'm afflicted by amnesia, and this scarf is one of the only clues that I have. I thought that maybe, being this city and the swallowtail festival something that I vaguely remember, this garb holds some importance in the folklore of this region. Can you help me?"
Oh, how silly of me! There she is! she says in response to both Allie and Neverhome.
Peering across the room, Kei "cutesily" waves with an overly joyous smile, as Percy (the small Gnomish girl) comes into sight, before looking back to Allie once more.
Playfully, Keinara states; "You guys....you've got such an unfair advantage when it comes to playing hide and seek! You must be unbeatable. she says, smiling, before continuing her response to the main conversation at hand.
There we go! A pretty attitude to match that cute little face of yours. With that kind of attitude you'll have all of the guys after you, and as for our shy Half-Orc friend over there? I'm sure that'll make him happy.
Smiling still, Kei raises an eyebrow as she hears the word "game" mentioned.
And as for your little game? Where's my invite huh? Teach me how to play! Us ladies have gotta stick together, and that little Halfling over there.....Hobbes you say? Consider him one lucky boy to have such wonderful company!
Lessening her smile and energetic vibes, Keinara once again kneels by Allie's side as she whispers some words of wisdom to the lively little Gnome; And that firey temper you have? Keep hold of it cutey. You never know when it might help you.
Thanking the barkeep Erika sips the tea slowly allowing the taste to fill her mouth. She swallowed and breathed out in a gust. Looking around the tavern she regarded the catfolk sitting at the bar. "What did you say your name was again my feline friend?"
Upon seeing the goat Neverhome let's out a small sigh, "Well at least the goats here are normal."
Looks up from sewing,
I would not be certain of that, if I were you.
Neverhome slides down off the chair to set cross legged on the floor, eye level with Allie. "Oh? And what God do you worship milady? I had heard there was other great spirits besides The Blood Mother but before today I had been unsure if it was true."
Chuckles quietly at the answers to come.
This should be amusing!
The dark furred feline grins toothily again. "Oh, hello new friend, I named myself when i was younger, The Quiet pause one moment before the pounce upon ones prey, in a cool winter evening with a slight wind blowing from the east..." His chuckle came out with a bit of a throaty purr like sound. "Most folk call me Silence though. His tail slowed its crazed movements for a moment merely swaying slightly back and forth. The sound of the woman sewing at a table distracted his attention for a moment. It seemed he certainly had a hard time with focusing on any one thing for long.
snip
The swirls are my poor imitation of my goddesses holy symbol
Pulls her symbol from beneath her shirt so he can clearly see it.
Each swirl is a deed I believe important. The gold are children I help birth, the silver are souls I've laid to rest, and the white...well, those are THINGS I put back in the ground.
Looks carefully at his scarf, reaching into her memory. Nearly three decades since she last sat at her great grandmothers feet, rapt at her songs and stories.
It had been to long, the memory had faded, nothing left but warm feelings and half remembered words.
I do not know this, your story is shrouded from me, I am sorry. I learned at my great gran's feet, but her stories are lost in my memory of three decades age.
Eyes Silence with amusement.
What I wouldn't give for a ball of yarn just now
Looks at the smaller folk, Will you teach me this game? I have only played Towers before.