The Local Inn is appears to be a good place. There are many people in the place, the barman a fat bald middle age man. The bar maids and dancing girls all around the place. Many of the customers appears to be soldiers in free time. Drinking, eating, gaming, flirting.
As Seren enter the place, one of the bar maids turn to her and says ”Welcome to… Ohh! You have such a beautiful skin miss!” then she remembers where she is and continues ”Welcome to the Lords! Please make yourself confortable!”
Seren watches Zerik care for the cat in an almost loving way and shakes her head. I guess the cat is here to stay... That one should be a fun one to explain to the folks of Aldencross.
Seren smiles and chuckles at the comment. "Thank you miss, you are really too kind." If she had any idea...
Seren looks around the bar for a table for her and her companions to sit. Finding one near the action. Seren sits backs and waves over the complimenting barmaid.
"Something to drink please. I've liked your judgement so far so I'll let you decide the drink but before you leave, I'm new to these parts and would like to get off on the right footing in this town. Is there anyone here that is worth knowing?" Seren asks sweetly.
Play the long game. Try to be nice to these vile Mitrans and learn what you can now. Soon enough their world will end around them.
Seren scans the bar while awaiting her response.
Nahia grines at Seren and says ”Plan on drinking that much? Then I definitely want to be there…” before chuckling to herself.
- - - - -
Her equipment unloading done, Nahia approaches The Lords Dalliance, looking for Seren. Seeing her sitting at a table, Nahia will approach and sit with her, smiling while taking in the sights around her.
It has been quite a while since I have been in a place like this again. The people, the noises, the smells… all the energy from everyone. Just watching people be… people. In a lot of ways, despite the companions that I have, the training, the time... I have missed this. It is a pity that I don’t have more time to just stay and enjoy this. To feel the excitement of the cat and mouse game. To lead someone on, have them hanging on my every word, lightening their purse just in an attempt to please me, to hope that I will give them my attention, my favor. That is a power that I have truly missed… and one that I doubt I will get to enjoy again for a while yet… But still, I can have some fun.
Finally turning to Seren after having been lost in thought, Nahia nods and says ”So, have I missed anything interesting?”
The bar maid smile at your suggestion, you see mischief in her smile before he says ”I know just need!” she then began to clean your table while saying ”Well, there are some names you need to know. First and most important its Lord Thomas Havelyn. He is commander of Balentyne and Lord of Aldencross, then Father Donn, oh.. I mean, Father Donnagin is the most liked person in this town, but the scariest one is Tacitus of Morimun, the tower mad wizard! And there’s my boss, Bellam Barhold.” she finishes cleaning the table and continues ”if you are a bit more specific, maybe I can help more! Now, lemme stop talking and get your drink!” and she runs off.
You do not see anything out of the ordinary while you wait, then you see the noise dies and everyone is staring at the bar maid, more than that, at the bottle she is carrying. You notice some smiles and jokes, everyone looking at you when the girl gets to your table.
”This is the best we got!” she saying putting an empty mug and a really old looking bottle in front of you.
Well I guess I have their attention now...Nahia really better show up with that gold else this could get rather ugly quickly.
"And pray tell what have you brought me here?" Seren asks curiously, looking over the old bottle. She reaches out and takes the bottle uncorking the top and pouring herself a glass.
"Tell me more of your boss, this Bellam Barhold. I'm sure to have gotten his attention, and would like to know more about him and this fine establishment." Seren continues, inspecting the liquid in the mug in front of her.
” Bellam Barhold is brother to Captain Samuel Barhold of the tower guard. He is a good boss, he always defend us and let us work in peace. There’s not much more I can tell, you should talk to him yourself! I’m sure you’ll like him!” says the girl. ”He does enjoy his wine. He’s always complaining about how he can’t get any of the good stuff here in the borderlands”
Brother to a captain eh? hmmm.
Seren lets out a polite laugh as the barmaid explains her bosses complaints.
"I just might have to do that." Seren replies jubilantly. She takes a sip of the drink in her mug, surprised at the taste and smoothness of the offered drink.
"My you do have good tastes." Seren adds taking another drink from her mug.
Gods below I think I may have to kill this whole town at some point for making me put up with being this social. hehe. Sigh, deep breath, back into the social niceness.
"Do you have time to tell me about the others? I think I may be in Aldencross for a while, and would hate to seem uninformed about the goings of the town." Seren asks sweetly.
"Barmaid seems to know quite a bit of gossip about the important people of the town." Seren says, taking another sip of her drink.
She nods in the direction of Barhold.
"Seems to be brother to a captain of the tower, and to enjoy his wine. Could be a possible contact point to figure out what we need to do." Seren mentions cryptically, suspicious of people overhearing.
"Oh! and I know how much you like your fine drink! So I left some of this for you, grab a class, it's quite simply amazing."
Nahia smiles at Seren and says "I, generally, make it a rule not to turn down a drink from a friend." After sniffing the strong drink, Nahia takes a sip and just lets it sit in her mouth, enjoying the taste for a moment. "Wow, that is good! I wonder if they have any more that I could take home with us later?" Nahia says with a bit of a mischievous grin.
After taking another sip, Nahia gets back down to business with Seren, saying "Well, judging by the looks of all of them... and their qualities... it does not surprise me that they manage to get a lot of information out of the soldiers here. Indeed, while we might want to be careful of what we hear, this could be a good place for information. And I say that completely without being influenced by the idea of a warm bed and fresh, hot food."
Nahia takes a moment to look around with a smile, examining the soldiers and the barkeep, before continuing, "Speaking of looks, we should be a bit careful here, considering the kind of attention that women of our beauty might attract." Nahia grins at Seren playfully, with a subtle, but purposeful, hint of warning in her eyes.
"As far as business goes, we can discuss that in our room, where it will be quieter and we will be able to concentrate better. For now, let's just take in some of the local... color... Though that is good to hear about the barkeep. Maybe I'll talk to him tonight about his wine selection, being a connoisseur myself. When things are a bit more private, of course." Nahia says closing her eyes and smiling as she takes another sip of the drink.
The bottle they brought you is a really old one, and the drink is a really strong one too!
You get a lots of stares, but no one approaches you.
Seren laughs loudly. "the bed and hot food certainly swayed my decision. If I never have to be on a bloody boat again I'll be happy."
"Have you seen our other companions recently? I wonder where they disappeared to."
Nahia will giggle with Serens response, saying "Indeed, I'm quite happy to be away from that mess... And no, I have not seen them, at least not since we were dropping things off with the merchants. I figured they'd come here after they did what they needed to. Though I hope they show up soon. While we haven't started proceeding yet, should a special opportunity present itself, it would be better for us to be together to react to it."
Zerik and his new little panther pet (size:small) Zeus, explore the town of Alendross learning its layout and who the important people are.
After spending a few hours exploring he finds his way to the Lord's Daliance Inn and settles down with Nahia and Seren, Zeus lazily relaxing next to Zerik.
How's it going ladies? Have you learned any thing interesting?
Zerik then tells them what he has learned about the town.
Seren watches Zerik entrance while sipping from her mug, the sight of his new companion worrisome.
As if we didn't have enough attention on us. Now lets bring a killer panther into a Inn...
"Well met, just local gossip and the names of some important individuals that we may want to introduce ourselves too." Seren remarks.
Zerik pours himself a glass of the drink, savouring the flavours of the strong beverage. "This is good."
Zerik looks around worried not to see Erik, but as he gets through the drink he starts to feel relaxed and begins to enjoy the company of this beautiful companions, whose social graces he find himself envying.
"Hey gorgeous." he calls out to the barmaid. Drinking the strong drink before dining he finding himself slightly intoxicated. "Could you bring me something hot and spicy. I'm starving. And a piece of raw meat for the cat." He flashes a smile at the barmaid thinking himself dashing but ends up looking awkward.
Nahia smiles at Zerik, especially at the cat at his side. Not showing any of the disdain that Seren might, she looks down at the beast and holds her hand out, letting it get the chance to sniff at her and to check its friendliness.
Nahia brings her hand forward to pet the cat, scratching it behind the ears, trying to find that perfect spot. And, after a moment of it, she will leave it alone to its own thoughts.
Smiling at Zerik, Nahia will say "That is a lovely cat you've got there. Such a nice coat, and so strong." After remembering a moment later that Zerik had asked a question, she will also respond with "Oh, and I got fair market price for our goods, a bit of a feat considering the market, but hopefully it is enough for us to get supplied and down to business... But enough of that, let us enjoy a bit. We can always discuss business later... in private."
”Yes.” the bar maid says. She leaves and some minutes later she gets back with a big piece of meat, and with her, the innkeeper, with a steaming pot. ”This is the house pride and joy!” he says cheerfully ”I took the liberty of doing it a little more spicy since you asked.” he turns then to Zerik and continues ”A really beautiful animal you have there, I’m just afraid you need to take it outside.” he look around then continue ”We don want to make others stop eating because this big one here is on his meal, heh?” says the fat man look at the big chunk of meat that the bar maid is holding.
Worried about her companions reaction, Nahia seeps a little deeper from her glass, preparing to save it from any unfortunate fights.
Damn it. Can't say I'm suprised.
"Mr. Barhold, please, the cat won't cause any issues, on that you have my word." not that it's worth anything. "Bring another bottle of this fine stuff and let the cat stay? Also, you must tell me what this is, cause it is simply divine." Seren asks naively, holding up the near empty bottle they had been consuming.
The sooner I can burn this place to the ground... Being nice really is not as much fun as I imagined it would be. No... it is, and I was right in how much this is not fun.
Zerik does not like the innkeeper attitude he is about to snap back, when he sees Nahia and Seren expression. He calms down a bit and says ”Fine, as you say.” he get up and in a brutish way get the piece of meat ”Follow me Zeus, I’ll get you somewhere nice to eat.” and he leaves the inn for a while.
The innkeeper you see now is relived that the assassin cat is no longer inside then he turns to Seren ”Good to hear you liked it! They are very rare on these parts, I have only more bottle. I’ll ask Sissy to bring to you.” he says looking at the bar maid she then smile a big smile in your direction and in a naughty way she says ”Told you would like it!” and she run off, to bring the other bottle.
Nahia frowns as Zerik leaves with the cat, but does turn to the innkeeper when he mentions having another bottle. She grins at him and says "Well, I'll pick up this round. And since this is your last bottle, and since I've heard you have a preference for good drink, would you please have a glass with us, to commemorate such good taste?" Nahia brings her hands together in a prayer positions as she kicks her head to the side at the innkeeper, waiting on his response.
He laughs out really loud, drawing even more attention ”Me? You sure are charming miss, but my wife would gut me and you, had she heard that!” he laugh some more ”But I prefer wine other than a 200 year old whisky. Now if you excuse me. I hope you enjoy your meal and drink.” and he leaves you to alone again.
Nahia smiles at the innkeeper and says "Oh now, I far more innocent then that. I just think it good to reward good taste. However, the choice is yours, of course. I'm a bit of a wine connoisseur myself, but all I've got on hand is a bottle of Sealord. While this whisky is plenty for now, maybe later we can talk about what you have in stock?"
"Pleas sit Mr. Barhold. We're new to town, and it would be nice to know some people here. Plus Sissy said that you're such a good man and I must talk to you." Seren adds sweetly.
You see the resolve in the innkeeper face crumble, how can he refuse such lovingly and charming woman? ”Well, I think a drink or two will not kill anyone, eh?”
Nahia will grin at the barkeep and say "Well, it's your stock, so you'd know better than we would." Giggling, she pours each of them a drink from the new bottle, and continues "But I'm glad to hear that you changed your mind. Let's have a quick toast to our good Mr. Barhold."
Nahia grins again at the innkeeper, saying "So, one thing that always interests me is what drives people..." Nahia will sip from her drink again, letting the pause settle between them, before leaning just slightly towards the innkeeper and continuing, "So, if I'm not asking too much, what made our good Mr. Barhold decide to open an inn, and what made him open it here?" Nahia swirls the drink in her glass, bringing it up to her nose and closing her eyes as she samples its fragrance again.
"Excellent. A toast to fine establishments, fine friends, and meeting new people!" Seren cheers raising her glass.
Seren sits back after the toast and enjoys her latest mug of the fine whiskey.
haha, best to let Nahia work her manipulative ways. She'll get way more out of him then I could, well more then I could without using that knife over there.
Momentarily collecting herself she stares deeply into the mug filled with rapidly dwindling whiskey.
"This is really good. I'm starting to understand why you always have such expensive wine you. Fine liquor is...umm, good" Seren comments nonchalantly at Nahia.
”Oh, well. It’s a secret that no one bothers to keep. The lords was a brothel, but with the ban of those houses, the owner had no way of keeping the place. I thought it would be good to open an ‘inn’ here, in this soldier town. You know, soldiers must have fun too! ” he says taking a sip from his mug ”Sissy, go look things while I entertain our guest.”
Giggling at the innkeeper, Nahia will reply "Ah is that why this place is... was... so popular? I mean, I can see the charm of this place, even as it is. And you must be a tough man, to have to deal with all of the interesting things that could happen with so many... insatiable soldiers about!" Nahia giggles again, a bit of a blush coming over her cheeks, as she raises a hand to cover her mouth and seem just a bit more lady-like.
That's it, get him comfortable, get him telling stories... make him want to impress us.
Seren looks deeply into her mug, watching Mr. Barhold and Nahia out of her peripheral vision.
What kind of town bans brothels? Such a good den of corruption and gossip. Oh wait, that's why they banned it. Damn these goody towns and their infuriating practices.
"But I saw them bring a stew to Zer... wait, oh I get it now." Seren adds giggling near the end.
Really? Men can be so predictable at times.
Zerik leads the panther around the back to what appears to be a vegetable patch garden and it seems to be quiet around here. "Alright Zeus, I hope you enjoy that lovely bit of meat. Try not to kill anything for a bit eh." He says petting the magnificent cat.
Zerik heads back in and seeing the others engrossed in their conversation he decides to sit down at another table with earshot and calls the barmaid over.
Barhold look at Seren confused for a moment then he understands ”Well Miss, I think you got it all wrong. I said it ‘was’ a brothel. Sure thing I always try to employ beautiful girls, and try my best to make then seems accepting, but only to make soldiers want to come here. I’ll not allow my girls to do this kind of service, and anyone how tries get their way with them, are sure to receive a visit from my brother.” he sighs ”I can’t of course prevent then from involving themselves with the soldiers, but I’m not allowing them to sell their bodies.”
==//==
Another cute barmaid approaches Zerik, passing in the Barhold table first and getting the hot food. She put it in the table and asks ”Anything more I can help you with good sir?”
Nahia giggles at Seren and smiles at Barhold, saying "Do you get a lot of people that try to... treat this place as if it was under its previous ownership? And is your brother successful at making the soldiers act more gentlemanly? I have trouble seeing who a professional soldier could be afraid of. Then again, I don't know your brother..."
”Well, It’s not that hard when your brother is their superior. But they are good folk. They know the rules and they obey then. It’s rare when my brother must intervene.”
Continuing to giggle and smile, Nahia will say "Oh, I'm sure they're fine men. And I'm sure you do fine enough without needing your brother." Nahia's will take a sip of her drink and her smile will drop, going into a concerned look, and she will ask him "I came here to gather herbs and plants that only grow in this weather. And I was thinking of setting up shop here for a few months while the stock is good. But I've also heard rumors about strange and malevolent things creeping through the north. Do you think this town will be safe?"
Seren, don't jump in and say "Not if I have anything to say about it!"... Seren, don't jump in and say "Not if I have anything to say about it!"... Seren, don't jump in and say "Not if I have anything to say about it!"...
"I'm sure we'll be fine, I mean the Watchtower has never been infiltrated before. Though I guess we're not within the tower are we? well that sucks, guess everyone's going to die to strange and malevolent things. ooh look, more whiskey!" Seren sputters off in quick succession, before taking another sip from her mug.
"I'm sure Mr. Barhold here and his brother can protect us. Your brother does come to visit sometimes right?"
To Nahia he says ”I’ve heard those rumors too, some say it’s true, other says it’s just a joke. I say it does not matter. The tower never failed and never will.” then he hears Seren comments ”I’m sorry but, what? I understood nothing of what you said miss.” then he hears the other question ”Well, yes, you see. This is the only inn in the town. The magister and the lord are the only ones that never set food here.”
Nahia will smile slightly at the Barhold, and say "Yes, I'm sure that I don't have anything to worry about." After hearing his response to Seren, Nahia furrows her brow and asks, "Why wouldn't they come here? Do they have vows against fun or are they just stuffy?"
”Nah, I don think so. The lord I reckon is just because he is the lord. You can't be to friendly to those you rule. The magister is a more delicate case. Never talked to him, but he has a bad reputation. Most feared man in the town. I reckon he does not come here out of kindness, to not ruin my business.”
Nahia will take a sip of her drink, continue to look confused, and reply, "I guess that makes sense. But why does the Magister have such a bad reputation? Especially if he is nice enough to consider your business over his own entertainment."
”Because he is mad?” laughs the innkeeper ”Don ask me this, I’m not the one to say anything. I know nothing about the magik ways of those. But he is a mage and only that is enough to make him feared.”
Seren laughs aloud at the innkeeper's last comment. "Sorry, sorry. It's nothing."
Afraid of magic? Oh this is too good.
Nahia laughs with the innkeeper, grins at Serens laugh, and then responds to the innkeeper, saying "Of course I never meant any harm. I was just curious if he was someone that I should be careful of myself. You seem well connected, and being new here, it does leave my in somewhat of a precarious position..."
”I’m sure you both will do just fine.” says the innkeeper ”Now I must go. Talk to any barmaid or with me again when you are ready to go to your room. It was nice to talk with both of you.” says the fat man before getting up and leaving your table. You notice now that he only drank once from his cup.
Nahia will smile at the innkeeper and when he starts to leave, she will reach a hand out to him and say "Oh! You know, my friend is a bit deep in the cups right now. Maybe it is a good time to go ahead and take us to our room. We'll finish our drinks there so that we won't disturb the rest of your customers with our coyish giggles." Once again, Nahia giggles at her own joke at the end... also kind of proving her point.
"A room might be good. yep Definetly good." Seren giggles.
She reaches over to Nahia and whisper's "Also some Alchemist's Kindness for the morning..."
The first day went in a hurry, you drank, eat, bath and sleep in a warm and comfortable bed. The hardship in the sea now just a bitter memory.
Morning greet you, the shinning sun a telling you a secret joke: ‘The sun shines even to those how will burn it all down’.
Seren stretches lazily on the bed, an unwelcome headache greeting her in the morning. Well I probably should have expected this.
She stumbles over to Nahia's room.
"Please tell me you made some Alchemist's Kindness last night." Seren pleads, the hangover in full force from the horribly amazing whisky the prior night.
Seren groggily heads to the bathroom, looking at her glamour-less complexion in the mirror with a sad smile, horrified in her realization that she walked to Nahia's room without her disguise in effect. One day Seren. One day this will not be your fate any longer.
Seren contemplates what the day should bring. Sissy had been kind enough to give her the names of the important people around town last night, and she supposed today was the day to see what sort of rumours she could pull out of the naive citizens of this town. What sort of secrets she, Nahia, and Zerik could find and exploit to gain them entrance into the tower.
Knowing the amount of contact she was sure to have with people today Seren takes her time in the bathroom, ensuring to cover and hide the more obvious of discrepancies with her glamoured image. She concentrates on her image in the mirror, memorizing the looks she wants for various individuals. The striking natural beauty for the soldiers, the pretty girl (but not overly so) for the various woman at the market, and the ravishing seductress for those special few who are looking for something more. Today is not going to be a fun day...
Satisfied with her various disguises Seren meanders downstairs, hoping to procure a good meal before starting the day's adventures.
Nahia, who was still lazing in bed just enjoying the sun on her bare skin and the softness on her back, will look at Seren, giggle and grin and say "Have I mentioned that you're very cute when you're drunk? The blush in your cheeks, the smile on your face, that sweet yet chilling giggle, that wistful look you get in your eyes when you talk about torture... We really should get you like that more often".
"And don't worry, I always have some of that. In the box on the dresser, the vials with the gold leafing. Help yourself, I'm not done being so wonderfully comfy yet. By the gods, I can't wait until we are done, when I can lay in my big, comfy bed, the sun streaming in through the window, a girl waiting over there to bring me wine and grapes, a boy over there to fan a breeze, and my lovers laying right here resting up before our morning exercise." Nahia mmmmmmms as she slips into telling the fantasy, that should have been kept in her head, out loud.
- - - - -
After some time Nahia will get herself a nice bath and prepare for the day ahead. She will take on the guise of her herbalist again and begin tracking down some supplies, as well as speaking to some of the locals about some topics relating to Ballentyne, spread out over multiple conversations about other topics, of course.
Nahia, after her bath, will kneel in the center of her room, her sickle in her hand. She will mutter under her breath : "Lord of Darkness, I offer some of myself to you, that you may grant me but a portion of your silver tongue, that your will may be done. Please accept my blood and my pain... may they bring you pleasure and glory.", her face blushing as she gives her chant. And with her words spoken she takes the tip of the sickle and begins to cut lines into her chest, between her breasts: five lines forming a star. As the blood flows and drips from her wound, it hits the ground and immediately evaporates into an inky black mist. Clenching her teeth as the wound throbs and bleeds, she waits, until the bleeding slows to little more than a drip... drip... drip.
Finally, she dresses, covering the wound with her top, making sure that the blood does not show through the material.
