Azzerix cocked his head to one side as he listened to Ameiko, before closing his eyes and considering her offer a moment. "...yes... it was impressive, wasn't it? Even for my majesty. I believe my Talons would enjoy that. I may even indulge in your cute offer."
[i]She actually believes I would not do so anyways? Ah, right... the larger races can be delusional in the face of such might. They have no way to process it other than their humble little ways.[/b]
Jarro ate a little bit of Goblin, but it wasn't as good as the fish. He could have fit more in his belly, but it didn't take long to be have his fill of it. He licked the blood off his chops and claws, giving a thorough washing while the people prattled on.
Ashleaf was also concerned for cleanliness, he took out a rag to wipe the gore off of his staff before restowing it in his possessions. Some obnoxious man was saying something about a boar hunt, which perked the druid's ears a bit. He hadn't eaten boar in a while and it seemed like a good time.
After all that it seemed like it was time to get back to the Rusty Dragon. The half elf felt a pang of rejection as the girl he was talking to ran off so he could kill goblins. Now that they were dead, would she return? He kept an eye out, but even he knew that girls were a bit like fish. If you miss your chance, they don't often come back.
Tarnok stretches out a bit as the adrenaline from the fight wears off. That done, he heads back to the inn--and the bar. Chanting is thirsty work.
Azzerix looked back at his "Talons", quirking a brow at Ashleaf. He looked... bothered by something? ...ah, yes, his arrival and the uncultured behavior of the goblins did ruin his courtship dance. Haaa... perhaps he should reward his service. He may be his Third Talon, but he was still a Talon...
Stepping into the Rusty Dragon, Azzerix flashed out his little white cape and bellowed to those in the inn. "My subjects! Your dragon has repelled the pests! You may rest soundly... for now!" His little yellow eyes lock onto a small group of females, which he passed by as he walked towards the fire, pausing briefly to look up at them. Was this the one he was speaking to earlier...? They all looked alike to him, so he couldn't tell. But then, a mate was a mate, yes?
"I protect this town equally. You'll receive no special protection from me... but my Third Talon-" Azzerix nodded briefly at Ashleaf behind him before continuing. "-seems to value your safety- and company -highly. If you are smart, you will stay close to him... I do not pick weak Talons."
Satisfied, Azzerix flashed his cape again before heading to the fireplace and snagging the most central and largest chair he could get.
Rane follows Tarnok to the bar. The other man had the right idea, as far as he was concerned. Besides, he'd been wanting to talk to him, but he didn't really know how to begin. For now, he sat down and drank.
Everyone in the tavern cheered loudly at the new heroes, chanting, "Talons! Talons! Talons!"
Ashleaf soon found himself wrapped around the arms of the same maiden who he was (metaphorically) dragged away from the kobold.
"That was very brave," she smiled, "Fighting off those goblins. The kobold had the right mind to choose you."
You'll find a small gash on Ateria's upper arm; it appears to be a small cut that she got from a goblin's blade.
As they walked back toward the bar, Ashleaf picked up whatever weapons and trinkets the goblins had. No use being wasteful. Even if they really couldn't use their bodies for something, they could at least make use of their baubles.
Jarro followed behind him and yawned. It wasn't likely that he was going to eat the goblins, as he had already had his fill. But they had protected the man-cubs, so that was good. The goblins should know that this nest is well protected now. He continued his bath as his fishing buddy picked up shiny things. He was such a raccoon at times.
Ashleaf came in a bit after the others into the bar to the cheering of the townsfolk. Soon, he also enjoyed the company of Ateria once again. Perhaps being a Talon wasn't so bad after all, but he didn't really feel like telling the white kobold that particular thought. His head was big enough as it was.
He noticed the cut on her arm easily, and held her arm gingerly. His eyes were clouds of concern toward her and anger toward whomever would have caused this. "Okay?" He asked, looking into her dark varisian eyes.
Azzerix, for his part, seems to be enjoying to jovial nature of the inn as the townsfolk cheered his champions and him in their exploits.
He could get used to this.
After a bit of carousing, showcasing and bragging, regardless of whether anyone was listening, he stood up from his "throne" and stretched, heading to the bar. "Erm... Am... Ameiko, yes? My Talons may have whatever they wish... except for the spicy salmon. I have already conquered it! If they cause issue, let me know in the morning - poor behavior on their part reflects badly on me, and I will not have my reputation besmirched."
His speech finished, he turned to the stairs, pausing to look at Tarnok for a moment. After a moment of thought, he groomed up his Second Talon a bit before heading for the stairs, evidently off to find room to call his lair.
Ameiko just shook her head. "Can't exactly agree to the part with the salmon," she chuckled softly before returning to the kitchen.
The girl blushed a bit as she noticed Ashleaf seeing her cut. "Oh, it's nothing-just a goblin who got a bit...lucky, for a bit," she said, trying to hide the cut.
The next morning, once the Talons walk out of the tavern, they were greeted by a variety of people-from the bakers trying to give Azzerix her breads, hoping it would make him stronger (avoiding telling him how malnourished he looks), to women trying to see if Ashleaf and Ateria are truly a couple, and some gruff men daring Rane and Tarnok to take the challenge at the Hagfish.
Azzerix blinks, somewhat surprised at the greeting of the morning. Here he was, having just gotten up and groomed for the day, and now he had people requesting to try their foods, like he was some sort of celebrity.
And how could he not be? He was the Winter Dragon! Most dragons would horde themselves and their valuables in some remote mountain cave, but this... this was how to wrest the hearts and minds of mortal subjects!
Sampling some of the bread, Azzerix took several bites, before storing the rest under his cape for later. "Yes, I know, I'm sure you no doubt have questions for me and requests for my aid, but even I can only do one thing at a time... and I believe my first order of business is to properly stake out my new realm! Ah, yes, and that Foxgauntlet fellow wanted me to attend his boar hunt... so many tasks. Such is the life of grand majesty."
Gaggles of females seemed to be showering Ashleaf with affection. No shortage of suitable mates, it seemed... perhaps that will help the half-elf see reason. The kobold eyes the men challenging his Talons to something against a Hagfish, which catches his interest. "You question my choice in Talons!? My First and Second would snuff out your Hagfish without a second thought! Where does this fish reside, with the goblins?" Azzerix pointed at Rane and Tarnok. "Talons! Bring me the head of this Hagfish, so I may display it for all to tremble before!"
Tarnok is a little gruff himself in the morning, and perhaps a little hungover.
"Challenge? Who challenges me?"
Ashleaf had himself a fine evening with good company. After making sure that cuts and bruises were well inspected and dressed, he did his best to demonstrate his good listening skills. As it was he didn't say much, but he sure did enjoy watching pretty girls talk. He was good at keeping secrets as well.
Jarro was able to take a good long rest after getting the foul smelling goblin blood off of his shiny black and orange coat.
In the morning they went forth, possibly to go for a boar hunt. Boars were far tastier to both Ashleaf and Jarro than goblins, although it was likely they'd have to fight goblins again, and soon. Jarro didn't think much of it though. Work was work.
The guys smirk. "We challenge you," they chuckled to Tarnok. Another-one with a missing eye-bends down to look at Azzerix in the face. "And this Hagfish challenge ain't too tough. Just gotta drink the water from the inn's pet hagfish. Your talons can take on some goblins, but I bet they can't drink hagfish water."
Azzerix stares back up at the man, glaring with a slight twitch in one of his eyes, before pointing to Tarnok and Rane. "Talons! Your dragon demands you take on this hagfish's challenge... and then bring me the hagfish, so I can eat it and mount what is left on my wall!"