As parties sometimes did, things had taken a turn for the sour. The fellow with the thorny face sucked the fun out of the room like a particularly talented hooker. Saturday wanted nothing to do with him. He wasn't in the mood for a confrontation or ferreting out the layers of the fellows lies. One had already come undone. That was enough to indicate there would be others.
Perhaps it was time to pursue other entertainments then.
Saturday looked around for a juke box or something similar.
"Miss Harumi, we need ah better quality of noise."
"The cost of others, yes, a low cost indeed." Sicarrius muttered around the lip of his fresh drink. Allowing the liquid to cool his temperament a bit.
"Oh I think everyone would be more comfortable if I refrained from wielding weapons here." he proffered with a humble nod.
Perhaps I'll burn this place down tonight while the other's sleep. the thought brought a look of cruel delight to the redman's face.
At the mention of music, Sicarrius perks up. He had constantly blasted music all over the prison city for the last 40 years, he never got sick of Slayer.
"A great suggestion, sir. Perhaps some dancing as well?"
Everything seemed to be spiraling a bit out of control, the only thing evidently keeping things somewhat in order was the unwillingness of those present to cause damage to the bar itself over what was at present simply unsubstantiated beliefs, the notion that something about the newcomer was just so off that it was driving a number of the patrons up the walls, it made Cassandra more than a little uncomfortable as she wasn't quite sure which side to place herself on. She'd seen more often than not this sort of attitude directed at perfectly innocent but 'strange' looking people, herself included though never to this extent.
But there seemed something just so utterly 'off' about the newcomer, she wouldn't go so far as the other woman had to outright claim it as a negative but something about the man just had her on edge. Thankfully the dark skinned man that had initiated the knife challenge reappeared, from where she did not know perhaps he had simply slipped off into the bar and thankfully he was making an effort to relieve the situation seeking some way of livening the mood with music while Yldrath suggested perhaps another go at the knife challenge again.
Normally Cassandra would have jumped at a chance of redemption over her earlier failings but adding KNIVES of all things to the situation seemed to her the fast way to actually increase problems, especially when adding a competitive edge to already fuming tempers. "Perhaps Yldrath it would be best to avoid that game fort he time being, perhaps once we've got some nice music and everyone's had a chance to lighten up over a few drinks." Cassandra suggested "Our new arrival might look a dangerous sort but looks can be rather deceiving. And if he's not the sort of man many of you are quick to think him you might very well drive him that way. If someone only ever expects to be treated like a monster then they are rather likely to become one." Cassandra said hoping to cool everyone's heels for a few moment.
"Personally a bit of music and dancing seems like a very good idea to me. Does anyone have any musical talents is the big question however?"
Gortech the Cursed
He had been tracking the trail for days and had only recently gotten wind of fresh tracks and a campfire. Bear tracks were not unusual in these parts and on any other day they would mean a good challenge, a chance to die and a good meal if that failed.
But these tracks were keeping company with a human, and making campfires to boot. Now that was unusual and had piqued Gortechs interest. As such he had been following the trail for the last few days and had been stedilly gaining when he came across the campfire and the town just down the hill, the sound of civilization and the smell of cooking wafting upwards.
With his stomach growling Gortech headed into town, all the more curious as to this unnatural bear that kept humans company, slept near fires and willingly entered small towns.
Looking up from his thought provoking persuit, he grinns at the big storefront in front of him
Been a few years since i last saw a WalMart. WaMat eh? I like it. Rolls off the tounge better. Now all i need is a McDonalds for a taste of hamburger and im set.
He said to no one in paticular, resuming his trail (it was VERY fresh now, his curiosity would be saited soon enough) he almost laughed out loud when he saw the tracks enter the local pub. An unusual beast indeed! It must think of itself a right propper hummie! Did it wear a tira and tutu as well?
Well time to grab that bite to eat and get a gander at the look o this thing.
The doors to the pub opened once again only this time it was a short dwarf, bare chested with long red hair done up in a mohawk and covered with long, viceral scars and orange tattoos criscrossing his body. Slung across his back is a long-hafted axe as tall as the dwarf and ordimentally engraved.
The dwarf seems to take a long, bemused look at the barbarian and his bear before heading to a table near them and flagging the barkeep for a pint of dwarven ale and a burger.
Upon hearing request for music and a song, Gortech starts banging his mug on the table and stomping his feet
Thunk, thunk BANG!
Thunk, thunk BANG!
Thunk, thunk BANG, Slam!
He then adds in a palm slammed onto the table for emphasis, getting the start of his beat going, and a rymithical tune is hammered out.
Thunk, thunk BANG, Slam!
He then begins to sing:
Thunk, thunk BANG, Slam!
Beer, cider, spirits and ales
Listen to the drink, dwarf tell us his tales
Loosen your belts and cups in the air
The barrels o' mead dont have a care.
Thunk, thunk BANG, Slam!
Pour the dwarf 'nother, his cup has gone dry
Please, O please hurry or he just might die
Oh what a shame that would be
For that dwarf, O me be he!
Thunk, thunk BANG, Slam!
If'n drink till we die then come an join
All sweet spirits an song, for soon they be going
They be gone.
Gone. Gone. Gone!
Thunk, thunk BANG, Slam!
So all sing along and sway side to side
No single voice is to ugly to sing or to hide!
Thunk, thunk BANG, Slam!
So pour me another and you take one too
An we'll keep drinking till the morn strikes two!
Thunk, thunk BANG, Slam!
Jus you an me, my friend!
Oh, good. They weren't expecting her to do that bit. Which was probably for the best, since she didn't really want to sing or dance in these clothes... nor did she have much training in any of those pursuits. Of course, that did assume that the other patrons would accept other singing voices, but they usually did. Enough alcohol tended to make people far more accepting of others' faults, including terrible singing voices. Or it made them brawl. One of the two. Most people came into the bar and expected a certain amount of drunken singing, though, so at least there was that. "Excellent job." she told the dwarf, smiling widely as she continued to make her rounds.
The atmosphere of the tavern seemed to be lightening up; a welcome change indeed. The dark skinned man had returned from the shadows of the crowd and was already trying to work his magic, and the newly arrived dwarf was quick to help out.
"Ah, just like the campfire songs of my tribe!" Baird found himself tapping along to the beat, and Stryke seemed to be lightening up as well. One would think that loud singing and revelry would startle the bear, but he was used to it from ten years of living with Baird and his tribe. Everyone seemed to be calming down just a little bit, which was a very good thing. "Dwarf, know you any songs of heroes and epic tales?"
Val notices the smirk from the horned stranger.
"I would be careful about what you thinking about doing in town as this place is owned by Guerrero and his friends.
He's nice to those that respect him and his stuff, and your nightmare if your the target of his wrath."
At the mention of singing
"Let see where is the stage?"
when she finds it in the corner, as just a elevated floor.
"I hope folks don't mind my singing."
And sings a nice tune
Saturday smiled. Sometimes all it takes is da smallest nudge and everyt'ing falls into place…
The physician took his scalding hot water to a corner near the back of the common room. He pulled a jury-rigged tea strainer (made from the mesh of screen door) from his bag and began to slowly steep a pitifully small pinch of dried oolong leaves. The tea was thin, barely more than water, but the faint scent helped to cool his nerves and calm his mind.
He watched the bar's denizens talk and laugh and sing, the mood overtly cheerful--with a subtle tension still simmering underneath. The permanent residents of the town had nonchalantly cleared out a little while ago (around the same time a massive bear wandered in and made itself at home). The bar was mainly occupied now by a colorful assortment of travelers, adventurers, and vagabonds. The quick-witted bartender flitted gracefully from table to table, bartering shrewdly for the drinks the crowd craved.
The young grizzly bear kept drawing his attention, its muzzle damp with blood and chunks of raw beef, bones scattered on the floor in front of it. Comfortable with people, yes--but not tame by any stretch of the imagination, he muses.
After a while, the elf began to carefully approach the bear, watching it warily for any change in attitude. "Stryke? Is that your name?" The bear, drowsy after so much meat, slowly opens one eye. "Heh. You're not so unfriendly, are you? My friend Chen wouldn't come near this place because of you. Smelled you from a mile out, he did."
Over the course of the next twenty of minutes or so, the physician patiently earns the trust of the bear, eventually coming close enough to scratch the fur on its shoulders. "Let's take a look at you, my friend."
"Oh, you've got a few old scars, don't you?", he says, rubbing the fur along the bear's back and forepaws. "Not afraid of a fight, are you?" The bear grumbled and yawned.
"But you're in very good shape--very healthy. Your companion takes good care of you, doesn't he?" He smiles, though there is something dark and sad in his eyes. "And you take good care of him too, don't you? You're a good bear, Stryke..."
He rubs the bear's head one last time, then stands to leave, stretching. He slowly returns to his corner and his weak tea, mind swimming with memories of loyal old companions, all long since lost to the relentless passage of years.
Walking towards the light and warmth of the tavern Coel MacMorn sized up the establishment, smells of horse, man, alcoholic beverages, and cheap food predominated. Under that was the smell of more exotic people, old iron and steel, and, Coel checked the dust and a bit of hair on the post of the porch yep bear, but not much blood or gunpowder, probably not too rough a place, he thought to himself.
Coel paused before entering the tavern scraping the mud off his boots with a stick before even using the 'boot scrapers', Don't want to add fifty miles of mud and dust for someone else to scrape off, Coel mused as he took off his hat and dusted himself with the weathered wide-brimmed stetson.
He took off his hat before entering as his late mother and grandmother had drilled into him and opened the door coming in quickly and closing the door behind him. No need to silhouette himself against the open door. Resting his hat over his quiver, Coel made his way to the bar sizing up the others, his eyes were drawn to the tall woman and horned man.
Sure enough, a bear was next to a muscular man of medium height with more fur and hair than the bear. The pale complexion, clothes and body language said, 'Northern Barb'.
Good Bear Coel thought firmly, Nice Bear, Coel wasn't sure who he was trying to convince the bear or himself.
"Beer, cold if you got it," Coel said to the bartender.
Alright. Heres one for you bear man!
Gortech starts to get another beat going, sounding like a marching tune.
Come listen to this dwarf and his tall tales
of a man who lived on the island of Whales
a lumberjack by the name of Fred Frincent Fick Fails
And upon yon tree, with his axe he doth flails
Hi ho! One two three four
New wood for his front door!
On the fourth swing it does fell
And just in time, theres the dinner bell!
Off he goes with yon log on his shoulder
But on yon road theres a big brown boulder
Alas! Not a boulder but a big brown bear!
""
Now our poor Fred Frincent Frick Fail
A peculiur shade, he did turn quite pale
""
Now poor Fred, he was poor, he didnt have much
Come home with me, Elisa is cooking some lunch
""
Now my moral to to you my good fellow
always have a rabbit in the cellar below
You never know when a hungry bear you might meet
You better have some meat else it is you he will eat!
After his little song, Gortech gets up and taking his drink, he goes over to the bear and his man.
Thats quite the piculiar sight to have a bear follow you 'round like a trained puppy, Im Gortech. Whats your story?
A musical dwarf, Coel wondered as he sipped his beer. His eyes scanned the room as he waited the bear and broadly muscular man's response to the friendly dwarf. He gave a silent chuckle and his lips gave the ghost of a smile. You didn't often see a human hairier than a bear with a better beard than a dwarf. Looking at the tall woman Coel thought about buying her a drink. Maybe something to eat first?
"A great story, Gortech!"
Baird like this dwarf, he was quite the amusing and friendly fellow, a welcome addition to their once dour congregation.
"My name is Baird. I lead a tribe far to the north of here, though I have been traveling with Stryke for little over a year now. Will travel by the will of the Great Bear, guardian of my people, most powerful of nature's beasts.
Indeed it must have been strange to see a young grizzly bear following him around. He had already received a number of comments from those in the bar, but they all just accepted it and never questioned it further. The strange elf was even friendly and tried to communicate with Stryke before seeing himself out.
"Stryke and I have been together for ten years now. I have raised him since he was a cub, and we have gone on many a hunt and seen many a battle together. I would rather have no other man at my side! Our travels have taken us near and far, and I am not quite sure where they will take us before they end."
Baird eh? Leader of a tribe. What would cause a leader o' men to take flight an travel tha world?
Me. I'a used to be a watchmaker. He pulls out an old pocketwatch. A very old watch. Ya don' see many o' these around anymore. Dont got a clan anymore either.
Anyho, hows a bear fer coumpany? Is e loyal?
Coel finished his beer and made a decision. Careful not to intrude on the bear's space he approached the musical dwarf and the bearded northener. He figured the two must have traveled a ways to get to, what was the name? Wilma? WalMa? Sounded like a woman's name but no way of knowing since The Fall. They might have news from the road. Besides, the dwarf was intriguing. Dwarves where Coel came from kept to themselves and certainly didn't sing in public.
Only place he had heard dwarves sing was at his grandfather's funeral ten years ago and that had been a solemn dirge in their own tongue. Nothing at all like this humorous troubadour.
"Mind if I join you gentlemen?" Coel asked politely, "I'm Coel and I'd share news if you have any and company if you do not." Coel unwrapped a length of pre-fall insulated copper wire from his wrist and snipped off a length with his thumb nail, "Let me cover whatever you're having."
"As loyal as it gets, but that's just the bond that we've forged over a decade. We've faced plenty of bears and other creatures out in the wilderness, but none of them seem quite like him. I think his mind works differently than theirs, sets him apart from the more common beast."
Another man approached Baird and Gortech, offering to cover their drinks and to provide them with more company.
"Free drinks? To you I say welcome, Coel! What sort of news would you hear?"
Coel's was an odd request, but good information was a rare commodity in the wasteland, and Baird was happy to help a fellow out if it meant keeping the wilds from eating another man alive.
"Why whatever you have of course," Coel laughed, "If I knew of it, it would not be news!"
"But tell me what do you know of our horn'ed neighbor?" Coel nodded in a friendly fashion to the demonic looking man, "Don't see many folks like that in my neck of the woods"
An odd looking scarred man pushes the doors open he walks in with a limp in his right leg. He wears what looks like it might have been a uniform at some point. His hair is a odd shade of sliver and he is unmistakably part elf though his ears appear to have been docked. He gimls up to the bar and rapes out. I have 6 pounds of fresh deer meat and the hide. I want clean water, a hot meal, and whatever passes for whiskey in these parts. He pulls a bundle from his pack setting it on the counter. He then spins around and eyes the other inhabitants of the room.
Should you take a closer look his weapons you can see look very worn and very well maintained.
Ooh, another half-elf! That was fun. "We've got more than whiskey." Harumi said, a cheerful smile on her face as she began to measure a small glass of the drink for the man. She slid it down his way a moment later, then pulled on the much-used gloves and brought the deer to the back, where the rest of the staff could clean and prepare it. Some things didn't last for too long, so you had to get on top of that right away. Let's see, if it was a hot meal he was after... "It'll be a few minutes while they cook it." she said as she came back to the front. "So, what brings you out this way?"
Shakes his head as she returns as if clearing away the shadows of his own mind. He looks at her. Wonder what she thinks of this world. And how its all gone to hell.... He realizes sheasked him a question during his wool gathering and struggles to recall it.
I heard there was trouble out this way. I came to see if I could help. Can't stand the way things are so I try to put them right. Seems like it didn't take to long though... He trails off wool gathering again. Didnt take but a single generation to turn into wolves and sheep. Well there are a few of us sheep dogs left and be dammed if I let the last of our nations values and history vanish on my watch. He shakes his head and smiles at her. So what about you pretty lady? Whats your story?
Harumi looked down at her outfit, which had obviously been designed to emphasize certain aspects of her existence. "Oh, I'm just traveling around to gather as much information as I can." she said cheerfully. "We may not have magic anymore-" Coughcoughhack "-but that doesn't mean we can't accomplish things with our own power. I just thought I'd work here a bit and earn some extra money for the road before I kept going." Money was a useful thing, but as far as she was concerned, it was really only important for the knowledge it could help her acquire.
He nods. A quest for knowledge is always respected. Unless you push to far to fast. Make sure you take your time and understand what you know. I have been told this is the beginning of wisdom. He smiles warmly to the lady.
This one seems nice wonder what she knows. He clears his throat trying to get some of the rasp out but its of no use. Well I am Darius and am very pleased to meet you. As he says thus he stands bows slightly and if she will let him takes her hand and lightly kisses the knuckles. He then returns to his seat. Heh showing my age there but oh well So have you any theories on what broke our world? I have one or two share yours and I will share mine. He grins a bit. Lets see what she does with that...
The half-elf girl shrugged, letting her black hair ripple backwards. "I've got no idea." she said honestly. "Things don't happen for no reason, though. It could have been an angry god, or maybe somebody reaching further with magic than they should have. Like splitting the atom, but with magical particles or something. What I'd really like to know is if magic was affected everywhere, or if it would work perfectly somewhere else." She glanced over to the wall, where an ancient, faded poster showed an image of the Moon.
He chuckles. Very astute. I think something similar to your second theory. Execpt even worse. They ment to do it. Someone was developing a weapon a spell whatever. With the purpose of denying a whole country magic and it went horribly wrong.... Look at us look at the history of this world. All our worst demons are those we brought upon ourselves. He pauses remembering the wars of the past and how true that phrase is. Then he sighs wistfully. I always did want to see space. Wonder how hard it would be to build a rocket.... no never mind without magic for support it would never work.
He looks interesting her eyes and grins That is also very astute I doubt what happened affected everywhere else. But it would be fun to find out. The moon huh? I take it you dreamed of going one day?
She seems like an alright sort. Wonder if she will ever give me her name since I gave her mine heh.
After Val finishing singing, she goes back to the bar, and orders a drink.
Coel waved to Valeria and silently offered her a drink with a tilt of his cup and a raised brow.
Turns to Valeria. A wonderful performance lady. Here's to you. With that he lifts his tumbler in a toast and takes a sip of the whiskey enjoying the slow burn. Wow whoever makes sure knows there stuff. Man I could go for a bit more.... Nah I will savor thjs best not to over do it.
"Thank you, gentlemen your to kind."
"I've dreamed of going everywhere." Harumi said as she delivered Valeria's drink. "After all, there's only so much you can learn by staying in one place. Imagine the sorts of experiments we could run if we had access to somewhere that still had access to magic. Maybe we could even reverse it and make the world a better place. I know a lot of people hate magic nowadays, but plenty of them seem to have forgotten that we used magic safely for thousands of years. If there are problems, we just adapt and overcome. Isn't that what sentient species do?" Ah, talking with customers. One of the best ways to pass the time.
Coel gave a smile in acknowledgement to Valeria then went back to his conversation with the dwarf and the northerner. The bear was facinating as well how often did you get to study "old Eph" alive and up close?
Ah the good ol'days experiment til you discover.... Now its like oh god he's trying to make something to make our lives better. Burn the witch.... Such silliness. I agree if I could turn back the clock I would. He falls silent letting it stretch into one of those uncomfortable ones where you wonder where in the hell your dog is any why isnt it making noise to save you? Only to realize you dont have one.... However his stomach rumbles saving you both from the awkwardness. He jerks and realizes he was wool gathering again and smiles broadly. Sorry bout that.... perhaps my dinner is done? And do you tinker with anything yourself?
Things seemed to have mellowed out again. Saturday nodded to himself and finished off his bottle, sighing contentedly.
Something was supposed to happen here. Some of these people were important. He just didn't know which ones yet.
Ah well, if one has to wait, der ah worse ways to do it. he mused. I had nearly forgotten how much fun dis side was.
"Coming right up!" Harumi said cheerfully, heading into the back and pulling out a plate that was actually steaming from how hot it was. Cooking was all about power! Or, er, something like that, anyway. "I'm mostly focused on the study aspect, though. I'd rather start putting knowledge to practical use once I've actually gotten enough of it." Too little of it and she could end up making a major mistake... the world did NOT need another serious magical disaster.
Sniffs the food and smiles in appreciation. He begins to eat nodding as he listens. I can understand that. I am a bit of a scholar myself. Perhaps I could aid you in your studies for a time. I have... He leans in close for a whisper.
He leans back and takes a bite of his meal savoring and watching her reaction.
Cassandra let out a content sigh, hostilities were quelled rather quickly by the musical talents of one of the bars patrons and a new arrival, a dwarf(by his stature Cassandra assumed him to be such) who regailed the bar with a few dwarvish songs, it kept the mood light and friendly especially as the man wearing all the pelts was then drawn into conversation with the Dwarf and another new arrival meaning his attention was drawn away from the horned man.
Not long after the singing stopped Cassandra found herself growing a bit hungry having forgotten all about feeding herself after getting caught up in the activities in the bar, the thrill of competition and the tenseness of the bar nearly descending into violence had been more than enough to quiet her stomach for a time but now it voiced its objections over how empty it was causing Cassandra to cringe slightly.
Catching the scent of one of the newcomers meals Cassandra found herself no longer in her seat and already moving to the bar itself, the food smelled quite good but good food was rarely particularly cheap and a bar such as this was unlikely to have need of her more clandestine skill set as a means of trade. But there was always actual physical trade and if she was lucky perhaps they might have something broken that might need fixing.
"Sorry to interrupt, but after all the excitement I find myself a bit hungry and I was hoping to place an order, anything will do really so long as it's mostly meat. Ideally I would hope that I could pay with the use of some of my skills, I am quite skilled at the repair of most anything I can get my hands on so long as I have my tools. If not I'm certain I have something in my bags that would be worth a meal." Cassandra said with a friendly smile hoping that the latter would be an option.
"Goods are better than services. We've got most stuff here taken care of." Harumi told the catfolk lady. She turned back to Darius a moment later. "Well, everyone studies various things. I'm going my own way, though, so I can't promise that you'd really enjoy the trip or anything." In fact, she had no idea where she was going to do next, save that she wanted it to be... interesting. You had to dream big if you wanted to truly achieve something, after all, and her own dreams were a bit bigger than many people would have suspected.
Looks over at the woman... He quickly notes her growling stomach and her slightly slumping posture from hunger and makes a choice. Hmmmm... Well I dont have anything I can't fix. But I might be able to help you.... He chuckles to himself then gets lost in wool gathering again. My gunny always said no good deed goes unpunished so lets see how this bites me in the hind end. He snaps out of it with a shake and reaches in his pack and pulls out two rabbits. My last two catches from the road rabbits fully cleaned ready to cook and their skins for a whiskey and a meal for the lady. Can't abide letting a soul hunger.
Not many trips I enjoy anymore... but still it would be progress. Better than squandering more time here. Anything is better than squandering time really... And something tells me this is a girl who may just be going places. If she is brave enough to go I think I might go with her. He shakes his head at his lunacy and smiles.
Cassandra quickly found herself a bit disapointed, she had greatly hoped that she could use her skills at repair to her advantage here but evidently either the woman at the bar did not think she had the ability to come through on her end or the bar truly was better kept than most, Cassandra had gotten a bit used to being able to fix up a couple tables and damaged mugs and get herself a few free drinks and on occasion a meal. Today however was not such a day which meant trading was in order, she had a few options to work with, considering the fact the bar seemed to produce quality food there was a chance they might be willing to do a bit of a trade for the jar of honey she had back with Harley, she'd yet to obtain enough ingedients for anything worthwhile to use it on herself so trading it away for a meal and perhaps a bit more was certainly an option.
As Cassandra contemplated her next move the man that the woman behind the bar had been talking to chimed in pulling out a pair of rabbits and offering a trade, pelts for some whiskey and a meal for herself. Cassandra found herself in a rather surprising position, it was VERY rare that anyone offered her something with no obvious strings attached as finding a genuinely generous person out in the wastes was exceptionally rare. Now all that was really necessary was for the woman to accept the deal but Cassandra was grateful regardless "I.. Thank you, you are a very kind person to make such an offer to someone you don't even know the name of. If there is anything I can do to repay you say the word, my name is Cassandra." she said extending a mildly hesitant hand pulling her claws back as far as was possible in order to avoid accidentally harming the man.
Coel gave a smile in acknowledgement to Valeria then went back to his conversation with the dwarf and the northerner. The bear was facinating as well how often did you get to study "old Eph" alive and up close?
Valeria moves next to Coel MacMorn, and notices his hands are that of a martial artist.
"Well hello, I'm Valeria."
He chuckles. We will see.... I am Darius. A pleasure to meet you.
Cassandra rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly as Durran brought up her failed endeavor at the knife game. "At the very least next time I'll make sure I get food BEFORE gambling away my money no matter how confident I am." She said with a laugh, the knife game really SHOULD have been a simple endeavor but at least it was a lesson learned and had not been TOO heavy of a punishment.
Laughs at the banter. Well sir I have seen to much to let someone else suffer with such a simple fix at hand. And I have a bit of coin left if you want to try your hand at knives again? He winks to you both.