Qiu slowly moves his eyes from the "lady" to the bar owner, before quickly bowing and starting, "I am sorry, sir. I did not mean to aggravate you or possibly sully your reputation, but your companion reminds me of someone. Now I may be mistaken, and I sorely hope I am, but she reminds me of some one who betrayed my sister once in a most horrible fashion."
The ebony-skinned elf then moves over to the bar, giving the lady a wide berth. At the bar he orders an expensive drink for himself; his friends and friends of friends; and the bar owner and his friend. He also leaves a generous tip as well.
"I hope this will help bridge my horribly rude manner earlier."
Figaro seems elated at the current turn of events but sadly is not overjoyed at the sound of betrayal. He had heard of such things but so far in his lifetime he had never experienced it. He hoped he never will, as Figaro wouldn't know how to feel about it let alone deal with it. BUT, that was enough of that the time for drinking was at hand! Figaro pined like a cat and even shifted his hips a bit at the thought of Fire-Bred Blue Dragon Whiskey to drink!
Figaro hops to Qiu and hugs him around the waist smiling in a comforting way and nodding in approval.
"Ah thank you dear drow person, Qiu was it? Sanobi always loves getting gifts!" She smiles at him, and sets the drink next to the one she is already drinking.
Syntriani visibly relaxes, but remains alert. Since she's up, she helps bring the drinks over to the table.
"So, what's the story, here?"
The exquisitely beautiful lady chuckles at Qiu's comment "Perhaps it was in fact me. But then again, maybe it was not. She would not be the first to suffer such a fate at my hands, were it I who betrayed her."
The gentleman takes the offered drink from the drow "Welcome to the Shadowed Dragon, please enjoy your stay, for however long it may be"
Figaro noticeably twitched with Qiu in his arms and sought to hide himself behind the dark elf. Though it was something he couldn't understand nor liked; Figaro had to admit it took a special kind of person to announce betrayal as if it were nothing. She was either overconfident or truly strong.
The moving winds of his hair the only indicator of what Figaro was thinking he at least felt good that the owner was...kind on the outside. As such he simply Smiled.
A little shocked at Figaro's outburst of happiness, Qiu just pats him on the head before becoming a little flustered over Whiskey's hip movements...
Trying to hide his discomfort over the possibly drunk Wisk, he pauses just a second before stammering back to Sanobi, "Y-y-you're welcome, glad I could make your day better."
He then turns to Syntriani and responds, "It's a bit of a long story, lets just say she is dangerous. And thanks for helping."
After Wisk retreats from the talk of betrayal, Qiu gives a small sigh of relief and then gives a winning smile, "Well, if it were you, you must be very cunning indeed, as my sister is not known for her gullibility."
Sipping his drink, and then gagging on it, Qiu hands it to Wisk. He then turns to the bar owner and asks, " You're a native to this area, no? Do you happen to know of any interesting areas near here to explore or visit, my friend and I were thinking of visiting the Spellscar Desert, but we don't have plans for a few more weeks and would love to go someplace before that."
The lady smiles softly at Qui's words "Why thank you" She says simply.
Her companion responds to the dark elf's questions "I am not, but I am quite knowledge about the area. What type of adventure were you looking for?"
Sanobi is visibly containing herself. She obviously has an idea but also obviously isn't going to mention it, not yet anyhow. She is looking at Qiu awaiting his response to the question.
The lady notes Noyata trying to keep herself constrained and arches an eyebrow "Something on your mind dear?" She says asks politely, trying not to scare the girl into keeping quiet.
Poppy makes her way back into the bar.
she notices some new faces around the table, having heard much of what was said. she decides no point rehashing introductions and such stuff.
She makes her way to her elevated seat and climbs up. thumping her hammer on the ground to sit beside her.
So, we gonna smash some evil doers? be it a dungeon or the fields of war, I don't care, but Spot and I will just demonstrate Hammer Diplomacy.
Thumping her hammer to accentuate the Hammer part.
"Anything that can make us some good money is fine by me."
Sanobi laughs, "Something strange starts today. Just excited to find out what." She speaks confidently, as though what she said is an obvious and irrefutable fact.
The woman looks straight into Sanobi's eyes, and for the first time the Nagaji as well as those around her can tell her eyes are deep purple. The way she looks at the Bard it's obvious few secrets escape her notice. "Dear, it's best not to attempt to hide things from me. Especially when they're potentially interesting. You have an idea, do not? Share it with us, for I am ever curious." She speaks softly and without force, but its clear she expects to be obeyed.
"I am quite curious about how the wastes here came to be and would enjoy visiting an old ruin or two, but if Mrs. Sanobi over here has a better idea I would not mind it either."
"If Sanobi has something to truly hide, then you won't know there is something hidden. In this case the desire to hear what he was going to say was greater then the desire to speak." Sanobi gestures at Qiu.
Sanobi seems quite confident in herself and certainly doesn't seem to notice the women's "superior/dominating" nature.
"Ruins are indeed enjoyable places Qiu. Any around here?"
The man thinks for a few moments. "There is a half buried city about a days ride from here. A lot of the buildings above ground have mostly been looted, but supposedly there are at least two dozen rooms and chambers buried under the sands."
"That sounds.... perfect. I would be glad to see such a place." Qiu states as he moves back from the table and attempting to avoid more tkme with the unnerving woman.
"Sounds awfully... dry. But, if there's a chance of treasure, I'd be willing to take a look."
Figaro tipsily wanders from Qiu's waist almost falling to the ground as he puts an arm over Syntriani's shoulder ad raises his cheer in a silent cheer to treasures and adventure. Or maybe that was the drink.. Or both. He breathes upon her neck and brings her into a hug as well clearly excited to have so many people this time around. His gleeful disposition innocent and child-like even by the amount of excitement.
At the breath on her neck, Syntriani's eyes open wide. "Oh! Down boy," she says mischievously, then melts into the hug.
Wisk refuses and holds Syntriani tight though clearly getting woozy more resting upon her and the other patrons
still here, so you better watch out!
Qiu orders a sweeter drink from the bar and then moves to a chair sufficiently far enough from the 'dangerous' woman and sits down, waiting for his drink.
The man walks over to one the raised tables and spreads out a map. He then beckons you all over.
"This is a partial map of the city. I bought it off an explorer who made it, but was unable to complete it due to the dangers he found within the ruins." He points to a large, half complete drawing of what seems to be a temple "There's rumors of an obsidian scepter buried deep within the temple's dungeons. It shouldn't be too hard to spot, as it also bears a large ruby. If you should find it, I will reward you quite nicely. Keep anything else you find within, but return the scepter to me"
"Oooh, obsidian. Sanobi loves obsidian. So is it some kind of death scepter? It must be pretty awesome if you want it so bad. Think they have other obsidian pretties down there?"
Sanobi looks over the map memorizing it in an instant.
"Sounds good to me. Sounds profitable."
Figaro, cuddling Syntriani for a second, looks up and puts a thumbs up and nods to the current plan. He pats his weapon reassuringly and throws back another swig of his namesake. A little red among all that pale grey.
I'm fine with this..." Qiu states, obviously intent to get away from the woman with enough adaucity to cheat his sister and claim it... once his drink arrives he sips it, cautiously.
The man flashes a bit of wicked grin at Sanobi "It might indeed be some sort of death scepter. Those things tend to be cursed, so be careful, as just picking it up could be dangerous if you don't take the proper precautions."
With that, he and the lady take their leave, heading to the back of the tavern and disappearing from sight.
Qiu gives a sigh of relief as the two leave the bar. Looking back at the group he asks, "So what now? Me and Urah have a room here, and they should have more rooms available..."
Figaro blinks each eyes separately in a slowed motion, before a warm smile growing upon his face. He drunkenly signs ' Then-we-sleep-together-all? ' leaning on Syntriani and giving the thumbs up as the area around his upper mouth and nose becomes a deeper grey.
Poppy grabs another treat from the table scraps for Spot. you know me, I sleep where ever Spot does. she tosses spot some of the scraps and asks the innkeeper, got a room for Spot and myself? indicating her dog by the door.
"Yeah, we're gonna need to get a room. Somebody needs to sleep it off," Syntriani says, a corner of her mouth creeping up in a fond grin.
She guides "Whiskey" into a nearby chair. "You folks watch him for a minute, while I go arrange a room."
She looks back after taking a step away and adds, "Shall we head out to this ruins first thing in the morning?"
"As long as someone is ready to face the world by then," Qiu rejoins, giving the obviously drunk Sylph a glance.
The inebriated Wisk can only smile as his eyes close, a small trickle of saliva running down his mouth as he lulls to sleep with a satisfied expression on his face.
"Bright an early! Right Whiskey!" she says loudly as she shakes him to keep him from sleeping just yet.
"Oh, he'll be fine," Syntriani says, coming back with a key. "He's got the endurance of a horse. Trust me," she adds, with a grin.
The blue woman then hoists Wisk up on her shoulder with practiced ease, and walks him to the room.
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Figaro's eyes snap open momentarily to Sanobi's shout, nodding up and down repeatedly. Soon enough Syntriani returns hoisting him up in a very common position, leaning upon her. His warmth spreading to her body and vice versa. Just as they start getting out of eyesight Wisk gives a thumbs up to the group as if to signify him being alright, confirming the Undine's words or promising to awake early.. your not sure.
The day dawns awfully bright and very early, at least for the rather hungover Figaro. The group enjoys a tasty, hearty breakfast, complements of the house and saddles up. Horses are provided for those who lack them.
"Ahh! What a beautiful day!" Sanobi walks around singing What a Beautiful Day (or whatever that song is called), and particularly loudly near the hungover folks, except Whiskey.
Figaro's head throbbed with an intensity and everything seemed much too loud or apparent to him. His senses fired off much more than he was used too. It didn't help that he could barely remember the events after his third bottle but he knew he was relatively unharmed BEFORE he got to the room. Right NOW however he was sore and had no idea why, it wasn't a bad feeling however. He nodded and waves to everyone Hugging Sanobi gingerly before leaping upon his own Horse.
'let-Us-ride-into-the-BRIGHT-SUN-ouch'
Sanobi laughs, "Now, now, the others are being slow pokes. Perhaps we should go disturb their morning." she says as a mischievous smiles finds her lips.
Qiu spends part of the night transcribing the scrolls he bought earlier that day, using the 20 GP worth of supplies he also bought.
"Sorry about running so late." Qiu says as her exits the inn. "Looks like Urah is completely against visiting the ruins. Apparently underground caves get too cold for the poor man. Oh well. Wait, are these horses for us? It seems our sponsor was serious about this scepter..." Qiu says inspecting the horses. After deciding on one he load his gear on it and then waits next to Figaro, slowly patting the obviously sick man on the back.
Poppy was ready to go shortly after sun-up, she has Spot all fed and saddled up.