Smile never faltering, he replies, ”Oh, I’m sure it does please Calistria. My concern is that she is also favors trickery and lies. You would not be the first woman to use her feminine wiles to bewitch the mind of a man only to leave him a dry husk floating on the summer breeze. I will donate a bit to the church after I help with your nightly prayers, but mark me well. If any shenanigans happen that are not focused on my enjoyment, there will be punishments, and not the fun kind involving whips and chains. Now, if you still have information for me, I’ll see about renting us a room.”
Grimkell waves away to boy:"Sorry, I do not have interests in boys. To the girl:I am busy right now, after the evening is however I could meet you again. I can go to the temple for I do not believe any rooms will be free in this inn.
As he says so, he watches Lex, he seems to want to leave the stage and join her, yet the prostitutes are in his way.
Carl's grin fades as the dwarf lass leaves the room. It's nae yer job, lass. Ya should'na soil yerself on this outcast.
Turning to the men at the table Carl plucks cigar out and spits on the floor. "Coppers-a'-cup is the game, Lads." Carl sets his full mug at table center and proceeds to deftly bounce a copper from his hand off the table and into the mug. He then slaps a silver on the table. "Iff'n ya miss yer mark, ya drink. Last standin' takes home the forge." His deep bellied laugh conitnues until that cigar plants back 'tween his teeth.
Elxurian scrutinizes the eyes of the man, wondering if there was more to it. He seems honest enough in her eyes, but even if he was covered with Iomedae's golden symbols, it would never happen.
"אז כמו שאמרתי, זה לא יקרה, אבל אני מקווה שיש לך"
She pulls a thin leather cord that hanged on her neck shows her wooden Holy Symbol of Iomedae, speaking to him again and putting the symbol back in place, hidden by her shirt, leaving only her neckline to be seen where he was looking a second ago.
"אז כמו שאמרתי, זה לא יקרה, אבל אני מקווה שיש לך לילה טוב, אדוני."
_________
Turning her attention once again to the table where she is sitting with Carl and Filius. The woman shakes her head when the dwarf calls out for the challenge, but do not match him. "Please don't expect me to face you in that combat, sir."
Instead, she calls a waitress and asks politely:
"Would you mind bringing me a glass full of water, please. Thank you."
She is still Jadwiga and part of her is still very used to certain treatments, so she places her hand gently in his, palm down, as if she expecting him to kiss her hand like a proper gentleman, which she knows his name indicates, even if he is considered a black sheep of sorts. She was very understanding on the idea of being a family outsider, even if she was always looking at it from within. "A pleasure. Maryne Korosov Jadwiga Yelizaveta." If he has any knowledge of the Jadwiga Yelizaveta, then he would have heard the name, but would have expected her to be a crone at this point, since she is the grandchild of Yelizaveta herself. This woman barely looks to be in her early to mid twenties.
Nev takes her hand in both of his and - instead of kissing it - bows his head respectfully. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Korosov. Your beauty surpasses what I'd been led to believe." He releases her hand and carefully replaces his face covering.
"Thanks." Kyliki took a good drink of the cider. Glancing around the room after a few moments to make sure she hadn't been caught.
She laughs for a moment aloud, though it is more to herself, not explaining what she finds so funny.
Lex can't help but freeze up slightly when the bardic Grimkell meets her eyes, her blush once again renewing itself. That turn to a flush of irritation quick enough as she glared at the very persistent undine that tracked her over there.
"I was being nice the first time, so let me make it perfectly clear: Not. Interested." She tells him, keeping a steady hand on her staff. Considering she'd never had reason to visit a Calistrian sect before, she'd prefer it if he could keep away. Otherwise she'd have to use her tactful diplomacy with a big stick.
Letting her irritation fuel her and seeing that the bard was attempting to extract himself from the unwanted attention, she screwed up her courage and stormed right over to the stage. Lex looked at the woman bothering Grimkell, before taking the Ulfen's hand and pulling her along with her back to the corner, not letting out the breath she'd been holding until they were there, sighing and clasping a hand over her chest.
"Desna's stars, I didn't misread that situation, did I? Because I think I'll die of embarrassment if I just dragged you along when you didn't want to come..." She mutters apologetically.
Looking deeply into Lex's eyes, Grimkell comes to within an inch of the woman, his cheek stroking Lex's cheek, whispering in her ear:Yes, I did need to see your. Or rather, you need to hear the end of the song.
Still whispering, he sings:Willing, wishing, she, warrior witch to be,
Damsel distressed or, dragon beheader?
State with spirit, your sole choice, coy Lex,
For fast death may come!"
Grimkell moves a few inches away from her and says:With your deeds prove you have the strenght of a man, it is only then that you may claim to be a warrior and live and die as one. Thus, you may be the hero of sagas.
The skald stares at her, a stern look on his face. He awaits a response.
The bowl of hot soup only served to entice his appetite even more, Carefully grabbing it along with a spoon, he turns and begins walking to his table, only to be almost knocked down by the running figure of Lex. At the last moment the blond man was able to balance himself, only spilling a few drops of soup on the floor "Why don't ya watch were your stepping?!" He shouted after her, prior to continuing his way to his not so empty table.
Enzo looked the woman who awaited him up and down once more, a small part of him still couldn't believe how lucky he was but he refrained from pinching himself as he was sure that would just weird her out, he placed the soup on the table and motioned for the girl to grab a chair and sit down.
"After I am done with this soup we won't need the second chair" the blond man let a sinister grin creep its way onto his scarred face "Gah where are my manners..." Said Enzo then he paused, and noticed that what he just said wasn't really to his advantage "Don't answer that, and let me get ya a spoon" He took a bite of the steam emitting dish with his spoon and licked at his lips, he didn't expect the food to be good, then he made his way to the counter, his quest, to obtain a second spoon, that will save his lovely companion from the suffering of staring at someone who was stuffing his face.
Filius pulls out a cup, and waves his hand.
"You asked for water, and water appeared."
When Filius creates water much of it makes a mess on the floor, but enough fills the cup that Filius pulled out to fill it up.
"Some water for a friend."
Filius offers the cup to Elxurian.
Lex was not prepared for the bard to suddenly get way closer into her personal space than any man had before, her freckled features lit up in luminescence. Her jaw works up and down but no words come tumbling out of them, pressing her back against the wall.
Finally, after Grimkell gives her a little breathing room does she manage to get out a response, looking into his eyes. "I am not a witch...nor a damsel...or a dragon slayer. I'm no warrior or hero or anyone who deserves to be sung about. I'm just a traveler that's making a fool out of herself over a handsome face and his pretty words," She mutters, looking away. She tried not to think about how she could smell him from this distance, and it was not at all unpleasant.
"Hmmm, Impressive! You don't look like a cleric, with all those furs..." - The woman proclaims to the Ulfen. Her green eye moves to take a quick look at the man, , but don't see a holy symbol. She takes the water glass, and brings it closer to her nose, smelling it. "You didn't tell me your name, by the way." The woman takes a sip at the water, lifting her eyes to Filius when she do so. "I hear that when you drink water that was created by someone you can feel the person's sins, that haunt her. What do you think I'm going to learn about you in your water, sir?" She takes another sip.
Filius beams at Elxurian praise.
"Oh terribly sorry my name is Filius, and thank-you for the compliment. I'm not a cleric per say, but I am able to get the blessings of a god though I wish it had been under nicer circumstances. You see I got knocked down by a polar bear, and I was left outside in the middle of winter for I don't know how long. When I finally got back to my village I found that the cold no longer bothered me, and that if I broke my word, willingly, or not, I suffered terrible consequences."
At Elxurian's story about the sin tasting Filius seems to think.
"Well if drinkings a crime I might be in trouble, but I haven't done much fighting as I tend to try, and make friends more than enemies. I did hunt a bear, but I said the proper rites, and made sure to use all of its resources. Some people say my white eyes are unnatural, but I don't think that's a crime. And... well... I haven't.... Been a worshiper of Calistria ever, so all in all I think the water should be safe."
Chuckling at his compliment, she shakes her head slightly, "Now now, Lord Morvinus, you should not imply anyone speaks of my beauty when so many of my cousins are renowned for their beauty and I am simply reviled for my eyes."
A look of disappointment appears on the skald’s face.
“So you only hit things with a magic stick, or rather you infuse it with a little bit of energy and make it harder. That is the doing of a simple traveller? If you truly are only that, neither belle to lead heroes onward, nor hero yourself, a simple shy wanderer, than … “
The bard stops as he was getting carried away. He sights deeply. Weakling, I truly though there could be more in you.
Taking hold of her shoulder, staring in her eyes, Grimkell soflty shakes the lady. “So, a peasant you are, settle marry and make babies. That’s all you deserve.”
He turns, preparing to walk away, stiff from anger. He takes a step, hesitates and turns back. ”Yet, if you have an ounce of courage, leave this inn with me tomorrow, we shall find models for you.”
Now more relaxed, Grimkell returns to the crowd.
"Hey bard!" Said Enzo in a slightly raised voice as he stood by the counter. He had both his arms resting on the counter and leaned against it. The angry look he saw on Grimkell's face a second ago was enough to bait his curiosity Lets see what is on the pretty boy's mind He thought to himself as he waited for the bard to approach him.
Lex's appreciation of Grimkell swiftly changed from his words like a slap in the face, the woman narrowing her eyes and glaring. "Excuse me? Settle, marry, and make babies? Why you misogynistic...pig-headed ...Rollurioari! Dritthode! Bulangui! Rhaich!" She curses in several languages, riled up and angry at being likened to a Taldan peasant woman.
She wasn't a hero or a warrior, and there was no need for her to identify herself as such. She wasn't trying to become some kind of icon, but apparently that was distasteful to that man. He was as infuriating as he was attractive. It only occurred to her after he left that he'd more or less invited her to travel with him.
"...He'd better be going north!" She blurted out, before sitting down to try and cool her head. Her temper often got the best of her, and right now she needed to calm down before she started slinging spells around the place.
"I would speak of journeys. I have travelled many miles to be here tonight and I hope I'll travel many more before I am called to Desna. Getting people to where they are going is my calling, as seeing to passions both pleasant and otherwise is yours. Tell me Zellia, have you travelled far to be here?"
Kyliki turned to look when she heard some loud cursing. "This place is getting more and more fun!"
The skald seems unmoved by the insults thrown at him. He simply walks on and smirks. Insults, this is your first manly virtue, Lex.
Hearing Enzo's call, Grimkell heads towards the obnoxious man. Once at the table, he sits next to Enzo and the woman having soup with him.
Any great deeds to report yet?
"Its always about heroes and victories with you isn't it?" Asked Enzo rhetorically, the mocking sneer on his face acting as a shield to whatever he was feeling on the inside "but I can't say I really blame ya" the blond thug shrugs his arm and closes his eyes momentary. When he opened his dark green eyes once more they were fixated on Grimkell.
"Who wouldn't want a grand victory over his enemies? Who wouldn't want the spoils that come after that kind of battle? Even being a hero has its advantages if you play your cards right" Stated Enzo the mocking sneer morphed into an enigmatic grin that was somewhere between a wicked smile and an amused smirk "But the question that's on my mind is... Enzo's right hand moved in Grimkell's direction and his index finger pointed right at him.
"Why do you care? Do you want to be a hero?" Asked the man with the longsword at his side, this time the questions actually seemed genuine, and it would have felt truly so, if Enzo wasn't running his hand through the hair of the woman on his lap and returning her kisses every now and then.
“The fire in men’s soul comes from their will, the exultation from their own freedom and their victory. A man without this fire withers and dies in the most pathetic manner. A world without this crumbles into emptiness, a vast decadent land. Yet, the power of men can lead them to discoveries, victories and even godhood. The power of their civilization can lead them to even more! As such, how deep is the sin of leaving the potential of one man to be lost?
The fire in my soul comes from awakening heroes, warriors ready to gamble all to achieve greatness. My flame is to sing the sagas of old and light fires in the hearts of men. Music and songs have this power.
As he was speaking to Enzo, the tone of his voice changed from one of casual conversation to fiery passion and his gaze got lost into the crowd.
What is it that quells your flame? Fear hidden under loud manners? he said, looking back into the thug’s eyes.
Filius shakes his head.
"That's the strange part of the story. The bear came up on me, and took me down like a child. There was nothing I could do, but when it could have killed me it just left. No explanation, or anything the big thing just left. I don't know how long I stayed there, but I had left in the middle of winter, and when I came back I had been gone long enough for them to think me dead."
Filius then slaps his head.
"Wait I forgot our bet friend dwarf."
Filius places a silver on the table and tries to get a coin into the mug.
Filius sighs as his coin bounces nowhere near the mug.
"A bet's a bet."
Filius stands up and holds his mug to the sky.
"SKOL!"
After that he chugs back his drink to the dregs, and sits back down.
Rising from his seat, Llyr uses the hustle and bustle of the room to sneak around to the bar area. Filching a room key from the bar, he slides a gold piece in its place before returning to his new companion. Offering the lady his arm, he leads her away for enlightenment.
Terrance smiled awkwardly at the woman still unsure of himself "I do enjoy riding...the horse." stammering slightly the young knight adjusts the woman on his lap "Cheliax. I have never had the pleasure of travelling there. Perhaps you could tell me about your life there?" he said.
"Has this unseasonable cold hindered your pilgrimage any" Dron asks, drinking what's left of his wine.
Those around clearly see she WANTS to hear NO for an answer, but she will probably know the true.
Filius looks surprised, and suddenly stops looking so confident.
"Well of course I did... I mean what kind of person would use their grandfather's pelt, and walk around with it? It's not like someone has never fought for their life before, or had to... Kill before.."
Filius sighs and kind of seems to deflate for a moment.
"Well the truth is that I haven't actually killed anything bigger than a fly. I didn't have to do anything other than practice fights in my village, and I have never fought because I was angry before. After that bear incident I just borrowed my grandfathers pelt, and with his blessing I started walking around with it on. I didn't say anything, but I didn't stop them from saying anything either. Truth is that after that fight I stopped wanting to fight any creature of nature, and I have never wanted to hurt a person. I was hoping that following these strange winters might give me the chance to finally grow a backbone, and become a warrior."
The woman looks relieved, exhaling the air she was holding a moment ago. She looks at you with gentle eyes, and her voice is soft. "I see... It is good to tell the truth, isn't it? To stop pretending that you are something you're not. Be happy about it, and I'm glad to hear that you've never killed anyone. You should be proud about it, and care not about what stupid people might say." She looks at the other side of the bar, and if you follow her gaze you can see she is probably looking at the 'blonde thug'. "Too many people put the killing as the main purpose, and for that they give excuses and reasons why they did it. Thing is, most of them are as evil as the things they kill. But hey, the weather indicates there something is coming up. 'Winter is coming', as I heard once. Do you have a guess on what's going on?"
Filius softly chuckles.
"You know you sound just like my grandfather. He was also telling me that I should be happy with who I am instead of trying to be what other people expected. Why is it that everybody around me is so wise?" Filius chuckles a bit at that last part. "Ah well the only thing I know is that this might be the work of some powerful magic, but the only people know for great snow, and ice magics are the Jadwiga. I only know the old ghost stories about them coming in the middle of the night to steal children away, and how some of them 'Always pay their Debts'.
"Not Quiet, Concentratin'" Carl takes aim and bounces his copper towards the mug. As his coin bounces and sails away from the table he exclaims, "Best about this game, when ya lose, ya win!" The dwarf downs a tankard and slaps a silver on the table. Buuurrrrppp! He grins and wrings some of the beer sop from his beard. Looking at both El and Fili he says, "Wisdom is makin' good a' what ya 'ave. Nae plans and fools play. Me, I 'ave mah blade and a cause. Well," Carl pauses and chuckles, "a desire." He abruptly changes the subject, "Your turn, pretty lass!"
Kyliki was waiting for Martin's answer, but she did give the Varisian man another look and wink. He would just have to wait till she found out what she wanted to know from Martin.
"Sorry hehehe...sorry" Said the thug, his tone was so jovial that it was unclear whether his apology was sincere or not, then he took a breath and his eyes regained a more serious gleam "Its just that your so combative, so in a hurry to get in people's faces, that works sometimes but not all the time...still would have been fun having someone like you when I still ran with gangs in Magnimar, they'd probably underestimate you because your such a pretty boy, but before they could blink you'd probably put a dirk in their face" Continued Enzo letting a small chuckle escape from his mouth.
"But lets get back to this fire you were talking about, I am guessing you mean ambition, and I agree ambition's a good thing to have" Enzo wrapped his arm around the girl on his lap and pulled her closer "But then again, some ambitions could lead ya to places you really don't want to go...take me for example" He motioned with his free hand to himself, his smile widening.
"If I hadn't let go of my childish ambition I would have ended up as one of the villains in your stories" Said the blond thug, his mocking voice showing a hint of seriousness "But does this mean I don't have other ambitions? No, ambition is one thing I got plenty of, but before I can use that ambition certain people need to disappear" Enzo eyed Grimkell, waiting with interest to see what kind of reply he'd get out of the hero obsessed bard.
Martin shaking a bit of a daze from his face, and feeling like he got caught staring at his new companion, Kyliki, says, "I have not really thought about where I travel. I just wander from place to place. I have lived in this region for much of my life. I am quite accustomed to the snow, and traveling further north would not be something I would be against." His voice quiets down and trails off a bit as if hinting to be asked a certain question.
"I see no reason to say no. Besides, I am sure Opal would very much enjoy the trek," says Martin; his shy gaze dropping to the table as be bites the corner of his lip in nervousness.
Looking back up briefly at the other lady, Martin says, "How is the cider? Umm... I do apologize, but I am not certain how long my friends and I shall be staying. You may eat and stay here for the night at my expense. It is a frigid night and would hate for anyone to travel out late in this weather."
Terrance blushed again at the maiden’s words. He was out of his depth and it showed. Her comments on Cheliax were interesting and potentially troubling. She liked the atmosphere; Terrance had always thought that Cheliax was run by devil worshippers. Just what type of atmosphere was this woman interested in? A little scared he said ”Might I know your intentions this evening, mi’lady?”
Whispers: DO you want us to view the game play as the next day? Continuation of this RP? Should we just ride into town and all this was a dream?
Grimkell first waved away Enzo’s apology, he didn't seem bothered at all by the laughter of the man, he actually seemed to smile to his reaction.
Thoughful, the skald replies to the blond man:”Ambition, I guess that could be the word. Although, the pure flame is not evil or destructive as such. It is a man’s destructive nature that taints the flame and leaves it fruitless. It is a man’s darkess desires and hatred that lead to mad ambitions and his downfall. Why are men so? Early on they repress their flame, refusing to let its true nature out, they grow warped and ready to ruin themselves. As for your childish ambitions, if they would make you a villain, then they were tainted, warped. But, if where pure, I say you should have pursued them to the end and die trying it that is what it took. ”
The skald takes a pause, drinks from the glass he had been carrying around. Thinks some more and goes on.
”So, people need to disappear, if they did, would it prove you where stronger then them, would you truly accept spoils that were not yours? If you faced them, strength from your flame shining, wouldn’t it satisfy you better?”
As Grimkell speaks, he does not try to level the discussion to Enzo’s reaction, he seems caught up in his own jubilation. Yet, he goes on looking at Enzo.
”As for joining gangs in Magnimar and stabbing people, that is not my style. I used to try and be subtle, but that never got me anywhere.”
The skald raises a hand and calls for the barmaids to bring him so more alcohol.
Someone busts into the Tavern in a huff. Surprisingly, it is warmer than it was when you all entered, but that isnt what you take the most notice in. With his bow slung across his back, he enters and looks around.
"I have been sent to collect Elxurian, Lex Bishop, Karyne Morozov, Grimkell son of Ogmundr, Nev Morvinus, and Llyr the Lush. Come quickly, something terrible has happened! " He beckons you to follow with his hand and rushes out.
Raising a brow, she looks over to Morvinus and nods, the slides gracefully to her feet, placing a pair of gold coins on the counter top. "Thank you for zhe whiskey." Then she heads to the door, her motions smooth and graceful as she pulls her hood back over her head.
a summons? for me AND the Jadwiga? the hotheaded singer? well, it's definitely piqued my curiosity....
Nev leaves a coin on the take to cover the cost of his wine, makes sure his face is covered, and follows Karyne out of the tavern.