She follows along, her tail alternating between calm and agitated swishing, a sign of her nervousness walking so openly in her true form. As they do so, she looks over at the group, ”I do appreciate that you all find …” she makes a vague gesture that takes in her tiger features, ”… all of this intriguing instead of frightening or repulsive. When we get to the Slattern, the first round is on me.”
Lady growl-chirps from Yash's shoulder at Xing, her tail bouncing happily behind her. Are you kidding! She exclaims, I'm So Relieved to not be the only one covered in fur around here! Honestly, the others have no idea what keeping up a good coat is like! Especially when we get a job to go walk in grossness. These shoe-havers have no idea! She shakes her head and shudders.
She gives Cookie a nod, ”And see about swapping out one of those oversized backpacks for one appropriately sized for a woman of petite stature.”
Cookie returns the nod with a grateful smile.
”I was actually going to see if the Slattern’s owner might need an extra pair of hands .... er ... claws.” She grins over at Senna and Mama Cookie, ”I hear they might need a new bartender soon, so I need to learn how to start mixing drinks.”
I don't know much about fancy drinks, my dear, but I can certainly show you a couple of excellent teas and more down to earth drinks. Cookie admits, [/b]But I will tell you that he foundation to any good drink is a clean cup and That, dear, I can teach! Otherwise I'd be happy to taste whatever you pour.[/b] she adds with a wink.
She nudges Senna with her elbow gently, "I guess we'll see what happens when I let my wild side out, huh?"
"the others have no idea what keeping up a good coat is like"
Xing laughs, looking from Lady's well-kept coat to her own ... which is scarred, marred, and covered in muck. "I'm not sure I've shown myself capable of keeping a good coat, but I certainly think yours looks amazing."
At Mama Cookie's mention of drinks and cups, Xing pretends to write a note in a fake journal, "Clean the cups ... got it."
She nudges Senna with her elbow gently, "I guess we'll see what happens when I let my wild side out, huh?"
An appreciable spring appears in Senna's steps. "This'll be fun... especially if Burt is working tonight! He may not like animals in the bar, but what's he gonna say - or do realistically - about seven feet of feline that is also a new resident and escorted by the Watch?"
The small archer savors the potential of the situation with a small, malicious, smile.
"We can only hope Burt is working," Xing responds, her tail lashing with excitement.
"Oh, he's working; The Gods won't have it otherwise." She gives the tiger a wink and pontificates, "You see the Gods love me, Xing. So, naturally, things just work out for me. Take that last fight. You guys did all the hard work - the stabbing and slashing - and I was privileged to sleep through it on a downy pile of filth. Why? Because the Gods wanted me well rested and beautiful. Yep, I might die from the Gods loving me so much."
Xing pats Senna with mock consolation, the thick pads of her clawed hand warm against the archer's skin. "A terrible burden to bear, I am sure. Rest assured the rest of us fully appreciate your sacrifice."
She looks over at the big orc, "What about you, Yash-of-Many-Words? Will you help us bring justice to Burt, for the wickedness of his anti-fur sentiments?"
Lady takes her liberties interpreting this, adding several colorful and rather impolite words describing the man who had removed her from Mama just yesterday.
A little Prestidigitation and in the snap of a finger Xing is all cleaned up.
"Since you're really showing yourself, show your best self."
Sabelina cleans everyone up in fact. With a broad smile, she explains the extra pains on her part when she's finished.
"Top floor! That's where I stayed last night and I assure you that you're going to adore it. You simply cannot walk the hallways up there looking as if you've been swimming in scum. Baths first, a bit of minor magic is no substitute for the tub. The hot water will sooth aching muscles and calm the mind. If I may make a suggestion, ask Olan or Elsa to add a scent you prefer to the water."
"Afterward, shall we all gather to dine in my room together? We'll call for food and drink to be brought up."
With their course set, our heroes (along with Uller) take the steps up to street level and head into Dockside on the way to the Slattern. The large tiger, the ripped clothing, and the punctured armor draw some attention from locals, but not as much as you might expect. Several people step out of the way of the heavily armed group as they enter the plaza.
But more than your appearance, it seems the looming mineral wall surrounding the entire city draws more concern and attention from the locals. Without a hitch, you arrive at the Slattern, get rooms – on Uller’s coins – and are escorted to the top floor by Salli personally. If she has any qualms about walking a stairway with a tiger or renting her a room, they never show.
In the luxurious sitting room filled with leather furniture, rugs, and wall hangings, Salli notes with concern, ”Some of you look a bit worse for wear. I’ll send someone to repair your clothing and gear. I was informed you might appreciate baths. Those will be ready in each of your rooms in a few minutes. Is there anything else we can do for you right now?” While she listens for your answers, she unlocks Xing’s room and leaves the key on the nightstand as a courtesy.
As they return to the Slattern, Xing catches a reflection of herself in a passing window. A surprised grin slowly grows, ”My fur hasn’t been this clean in … well … I don’t knwo if my fur has ever looked this good. Thank you, Sabelina!” Her nose twitches, then scrunches up, ”But I guess putting lipstick on a pig doesn’t necessarily remove the grime, huh?” She looks over at Senna, ”No offense to Mr. Sausage.”
As Salli takes charge, Xing follows along patiently, waiting for her moment. ”A bath would be wonderful, Hostess. Thank you.”
"Is there anything else we can do for you right now?"
"I did have a question for you, if you have a few moments. My companions and I were considering staying in Threshold for a while, and I thought I'd take the opportunity to learn something new. To make myself useful, as they say. I am intrigued by your establishment, and was wondering if you'd have need of an extra pair of hands around the bar. I'm interested in learning more about the keeping of a bar, and the Slattern looks like the kind of place a person could learn a lot. I don't really know anything about barkeeping, though, and I would be happy to be the low man on the totem pole, as it were."
"I'm trained in nonlethal combat, as well, so I could help keep any trouble outside your door, if it's a helpful skill."
Yash was quiet as they made their way through the city, and again as they climbed to the upper levels of the Slattern. As conversation turned to cleanliness, he took a second to sniff himself, and shrugged.
As Salli asked about anything else, Yash inquired.
"Where Burt?"
Sabelina requests rose and lavender for her bath. She takes a glass of wine with her since she intends to stay in for a long as the water temperature permits.
As she relaxes her thoughts continually return to the red door down the hallway. If she hadn't been shorting herself on sleep for too long, it would be very hard to resist its lure. But she needs to be up early tomorrow, well rested and sharp. It's almost heartbreaking.
Maybe I will at least go knock and inquire about Violetta and Donal's rates, for sometime later.
Sabelina certainly couldn't expect another discount so soon, but she is making good money suddenly. Probably not quite enough yet though.
She can't spend everything right away all the time, though thriftiness is terribly pedestrian. Still she must maintain some dignity. Six nights a week in some straw-strewn barn for one night a week with her new muses would be no decent way to live.
Sabelina tries turning her mind to the day's events instead. She's become more confident there's potential in the story. After all, interest in the situation seems to go right up to the top, or near it.
Maybe it wouldn't be false to change the context of the events, if the events were presented as they actually occurred would it? What harm could there be if the sewer were described as a secret underground river, guarded because threats to the city sometime emerge from it?
She mulls on it and takes some mental notes until the wine is gone and the bathwater has cooled.
Dressing herself in a robe, she requests a dinner be delivered. Sadly there seemed to be little enthusiasm amongst the others for joining her in her suit for dinner, so she orders for one only. As she waits, Sabelina pens a short note addressed to Violetta and Donel. She has decided rather than crassly asking about rates for services, she should instead inquire with them about negotiating some ongoing arrangement. Since it could be an inopportune time when she knocks to deliver said note, she instead slides it under the red door so as not to disturb them.
"I'm interested in learning more about the keeping of a bar, and the Slattern looks like the kind of place a person could learn a lot. I don't really know anything about barkeeping, though… I'm trained in nonlethal combat, as well, so I could help keep any trouble outside your door, if it's a helpful skill."
Salli eyes the cat and considers the matter for a moment before speaking, ”We can always use another pair of hands - or claws periodically – either behind the bar or in the kitchen. You’d start as a bar-back. It’s a lot of grunt work – carrying ice, stocking shelves, preparing garnishes and juices, batching, cleaning, and running around to get whatever the bartender or the kitchen needs. But you’ll learn the business, how to bartend, and how to handle customers. If you do well, we can talk about getting you more time behind the stick as a backup ‘tender. The job pays 1 gold per 8-hour shift, plus a cut of the tips. If you are working during a meal, you get that meal for free. Off-shift, you pay half price. Still interested?”
"Where Burt?"
Salli smiles curiously at the entirely unexpected question. ”He’s behind the bar. He’s on for a couple more hours. Does he owe you money or something?”
Sabelina requests rose and lavender for her bath.
The proprietress nods, "You'll find a variety of bath salts in the cupboard. I believe both rose and lavender are available. I'll have Elsa or Olan check on that and fetch your wine."
Xing grins, "I have been paid less for worse work. When do I start?"
As the evening deepens — and after Xing has had a long soak — a knock sounds on Sabelina's door. The tall tiger-woman looms in her doorway, wearing a second set of her practical (if jarringly mis-matched) clothes.
She shrugs apologetically, "Have I missed dinner? Sorry I didn't tell you ... I'm not used to having friends. Or being invited to things."
Xing grins, "I have been paid less for worse work. When do I start?"
Salli glances out of one of several windows on this floor, noting the pearlescent, mineralized, wall looming over the city. "I imagine you have plans tomorrow... How about the day after? Noon?"
Sabelina engages in a little mutual face saving.
"Oh, that, it was just a suggestion, in the event anyone found themselves at loose ends. I don't plan to make a late night of things. I want to be well rested for tomorrow."
Sabelina is still in her robe and makes no move to change. She gestures for Xing to come inside, then closes the door after she's entered.
"I did have a bite earlier, but what about you? I could send for a meal to be brought up."
She pours some wine in a couple of glasses and hands one to Xing. Then Sabelina flops down into a cushioned chair.
"Please, make yourself comfortable."
The archer appreciates her lavish room with a whistle then kicks the majority of her gear into one corner before returning to the common room. She points at the bladeswoman. ”I’m up for dinner and conversation, but I’ve got a couple errands to run before I bathe… so I may be a bit late.” With that, she heads downstairs at a jog.
With their sudden windfall, Senna goes shopping. She leans on her status as a 4th floor VIP guest to get one of the Slattern’s security guards to escort her… just in case Odelai’s people were watching. With the guard in tow, she adds to her dwindling supply of arrows, replaces her trusted bow with a fine composite one, and even splurges on a masterful set of tattooing tools. Finally, she converts the bulk of the remaining money into easier-to-carry-and-hide gems.
An hour later finds the archer returning to the Inn. She thanks and tips her guard generously – better to make friends than sew resentment – and charges upstairs. She quickly strips down, releases Sausage, and hops into the bath for as much of a soak as she can manage. Not to be left out, the hog snorks resentfully and ransacks the room until he is invited into the bath as well.
An hour later, Senna and Sausage are cleaner than they’ve been in many months. The archer’s wavy mane of hair is even orderly… thanks to Elsa’s diligent work while Senna soaked. Ready for food, the archer throws on a thick Slattern bathrobe and cat-foots over to Sabelina’s door.
She knocks, ”It’s Senna. Are you decent? Or indecent in a way I’ll find amusing?” Without waiting for an invite, she opens the door and pops her head in.
This time Sabelina doesn't get up. She's still semi-reclined in her chair.
"Good evening and welcome Senna. I'm rarely decent, but hopefully always amusing."
The last part she says jokingly with a wry tone.
"Make yourself comfortable, drinks are there on the table. We're still discussing food."
The archer slides into the room, grabs a glass without paying much attention to what’s in it, and settles onto the nearest piece of comfortable furniture, wiggling her toes. ”I’m in favor of food! If it’s meat, I’d like it rare enough that a skilled doctor could revive it with little effort.” She sips at her glass of wine, crinkles her nose and stares at the ruby liquid for a moment, then offers a shrug and resumes drinking.
”Are we drinking to anything in particular, or are we just drinking? Bear in mind, there is no wrong answer to this question.”
Xing smiles at Senna's appearance. "Yep. The great food congress is now in session. Given that we have more money than I've ever seen in one place, I forward a motion that we order a few of everything and gorge ourselves silly."
She scratches behind one furry ear, "Once our bellies are appropriately distended, we can go see about this Burt situation. Though I must admit, I don't want to create any undue problems for Salli ... seeing that she's about to be my employer."
A thought strikes her, "Oh, Senna. You and I must finalize my tattoo, as well."
She stands and pokes her head out the door, trying to flag down whichever of Salli's employees are closest. "We need food! All the food!"
Mama waits until the other are gone and doesn't let Sulli leave, mentioning a desire for a private word. Quietly, she asks, Sulli, dear. I have the feeling that I am something of a shoe-in for the Bitty Committee. Problem is, I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. So, dear, could you enlighten me a little? If I intend to stay here, and I do, I'd prefer to know which friends I'm making.
---------------
When Xing pokes her head out the door, the other person she sees in the hall besides the employee she promptly summons, is Mama Cookie. She and Lady are making their way down the hall from their word with Sulli at a leisurely pace and look rather uncomfortably out of place in the posh environment. Her clothes are home-mended and downright drab compared to the décor in this place. Every few steps Mama stops and wiggles her toes as if she's just been reminded that she's not walking on dirt.
Senna’s brows perk up at the mention of Xing’s tattoo. She downs her glass and heads to the table to pour another glass while commenting, ”This wine is terrible. I’ll have some more.”
She moves closer to the big cat, warming to the subject. ”I see now why you wanted it on your shoulder-blade… it will fit in with your other markings. I may need to see you transform a couple times – not right now. I want to see how your other tats become fur. I’d hate to put a complex tattoo on your skin and see it turn into a muddy spot when you shift. Our goal here, I think, needs to be a tat that is appealing regardless of your form. I wonder if I paint it on you first, if it would show up when you shift? That’d be ideal.”
Mama waits until the other are gone and doesn't let Sulli leave, mentioning a desire for a private word. Quietly, she asks, Sulli, dear. I have the feeling that I am something of a shoe-in for the Bitty Committee. Problem is, I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. So, dear, could you enlighten me a little? If I intend to stay here, and I do, I'd prefer to know which friends I'm making.
Salli nods and indicates a couple of overstuffed chairs. When seated, she smooths her dress. ”What would you like to know? The OBC are more of a social club than an organization, if that’s your concern. There aren’t ‘members’, really. There are other older women, and some men, that sit with them from time to time. They periodically invite others to tea if they have a concern they want to discuss or a match they want to make.” She chuckles, ”More than a few eligible young men have dreaded an invitation to tea because it meant the ladies were going to grill the lad over a girl they felt he should be ‘getting serious’ about.”
At Senna's verdict on the wine, Sabelina looks at her glass with a raised eyebrow. While she wouldn't rate it a premium vintage, she finds nothing objectionable about it.
"It's not a Taldan vintage, probably from somewhere farther north."
"Make sure the dishes coming include fruit options!"
Senna laughs, "You shouldn't heed me, Sabelina. I've never had wine before. I hear it's an acquired taste, so I'm seeing if I can acquire it."
Sabelina frowns slightly and her eyes widen in puzzlement.
"Never had it before? What do you do with your spare time? How do you relax?"
Xing takes her own sip. Trying to keep her facial fur from staining is a trick, though. With a growl of frustration, she closes her eyes ... and shifts back to her human form. "I just cleaned up my fur. I hate to waste the effort."
She takes another drink ... more of a gulp, really. "I don't know that I could tell you if its good or bad, either. The places I where I drink usually favor more ... basic options."
She looks over at Senna, "And I'm happy to show you that area of my skin while I shift whenever. Many of my other tattoos do just become unidentifiable when I become myself. I guess many tattooists don't have your attention to detail."
"We need to discuss this Burt situation, though. I think first thing we need to do is distract him and take the sign. Maybe put it in the women's restroom or something. Then we can do something more dramatic." She grins wickedly, "Like hang him from a nearby masthead."
"This Burt, he is the one with to sign about no animals? Why don't we scare him into abandoning his rule. It wouldn't be difficult at all."
"Let's see... I could convince him if doesn't get rid of the sign and behave, I will turn him into an animal. Then how would he be able to come to work?"
Sabelina frowns slightly and her eyes widen in puzzlement.
"Never had it before? What do you do with your spare time? How do you relax?"
Senna ticks off the options on her fingers, "Ale, mead, beer, liquor, fell-handed vengeance, setting stuff on fire - you know, the usual options."
"We need to discuss this Burt situation, though. I think first thing we need to do is distract him and take the sign. Maybe put it in the women's restroom or something. Then we can do something more dramatic." She grins wickedly, "Like hang him from a nearby masthead."
"I like that - a measured approach." The archer sighs, "But you'll likely have to work with him. Hells, he might be training you! I think you should probably keep your claws clean on this one."
"No no, listen, I'm serious. He doesn't know about Xing right? This is how it gets done. After Xing starts, voicing agreement with his policy to him, we set up a scene in which Xing will deny Sausage entry. She will be firm and Senna, Sausage, and I will be upset. I will warn Xing of the consequences if she insists on the rule and she will still insist."
"At that point I will threaten to turn her into an animal herself, to see how it feels, and Xing will scoff. I will 'cast a spell', and Xing changes into her true form."
"I will of course show mercy and lift the spell" Sabelina adds with a chuckle. "But the threat and example will remain. Afterward, at some point when we please, we can insist to him that he abandon his policy... or else."
Sabelina avails herself to more wine.
Senna mulls the idea over her drink, then nods. "That might work. We'll have to figure out if he's heard about Xing just before we try it... and we should look into the local laws about slinging spells. We don't want to do something that will draw the ire of the Watch. If we can jump those hurdles, it sounds like fun."
"That was my concern, as well. I didn't exactly hide myself as we entered."
She takes another sip, then sit forward eagerly, her golden eyes alight with a new idea. "I know! I know! We tell him someone's animal is in the back bathrooms, where we're hiding. When he comes back to grab them. WE GRAB HIM! Then we grab a hose or tube or something, take him to an empty plot of land, and bury him! HE WON'T EXPECT THAT!"
She's practically bouncing in genuine eagerness.
Senna laughs, ”That’s true and I like your enthusiasm! But there is a line where payback becomes a serious crime and we want to avoid crossing that line… at least in Burt’s case. I think we’re at the make-Burt-regret-it phase, not the bury-him-alive-in-a-coffin-with-a-rotting-badger-carcass phase. But I’m willing to discuss it, if you feel he needs a stronger lesson.”
Sabelina recoils slightly.
"Um, I don't think kidnapping and murdering him would be viewed favorably, even with the relaxed mores we've encountered here so far Xing."
"If nothing less than dead will do, you could challenge him to a duel. I'd be happy to act as your second."
Xing frowns, "Why would I want to duel him ... much less kill him?" She shrugs, "But maybe your'e right. I've never really understood practical jokes. Maybe we just re-write his sign so it says 'no Burts allowed' or something. Or draw animals on his boots while he's not looking"
"Something" Yash responded, before nodding and heading down to the bar area. He looked for a seat where he could sit by himself, ideally out of the way, and observe the animal-hating bar tender. While waiting, he flagged down a waitress and ordered enough food to feed a horse.
Yash works his way through his horse-sized feast while eyeing the long-faced bartender. He doesn't overtly displaying any animal-hating tendencies. After watching him for an hour, Yash concludes that Burt seems to dislike almost everyone equally.
At some point, during his meal, Yash notes the tall redheaded woman from Crossroads enters the bar, exchanges greetings with a few people, and begins working behind the bar with Burt. He also notes that a small pack of Hobgoblins (the pack being small, not the gobbos) watch the redhead closely, almost as predators might.
As full dark fills the windows of the Slattern, more and more people begin to enter the bar and take seats excitedly or jostle for spots when it becomes standing-room only. There seems to be an air of anticipation.
"Well..." Sabelina replies slowly, being a little confused. "When you bury someone they tend to already be dead, or if not, will quickly be dead afterward..."
Senna continues failing in her attempts to acquire a taste for wine, but she seems to be having fun doing it. "You might be on to something there, Xing! I wonder if we can book the entire bar for a party. We get Burt to tend the bar... And every invited guest is an animal, someone with a familiar, or a shapeshifter. We pack the bar with animals and make Burt serve them all." A grin splits her face. "What do you think? It gets him hip deep in animals without tossing him into a snake pit."
"Well..." Sabelina replies slowly, being a little confused. "When you bury someone they tend to already be dead, or if not, will quickly be dead afterward..."
"I think the tube is meant to keep him alive... or at least breathing for a bit."
Senna shakes her head to clear the wine fumes. "Burt is a minor irritation. This place has surprises around every three corners. I'm still getting a handle on it. There's more raw wealth here than in any country in Golarion, I think."
Sabelina is fairly convinced the tube would just draw out inevitable death, making it more agonizing. But, she drops the subject because she doesn't really care and it's starting to bore her.
"Yes, indeed! I must admit to being shocked that a began this day practically a pauper, and ended it so very well off. Mind you, I'm not well off for long with only today's gains. But, now we know such things are possible, the only question to solve is how to keep this happening every day."
"I have determined I will live up here as soon as I solve that last piece of the puzzle."
Wealth having never been a motivation for her, Senna merely nods, "If Anne and Hemakhek wouldn't mind donating a block from the Campanile, you'd be set for life."
Elsa and Olan set two platters of various foods and fruits on the table in Sabelina's bedroom, then quickly retreat.
Xing smiles, "I would love for Burt to have to bar-tend an animal party. I'll plan to arrive in my furry best." She pauses, thoughtful, "Or maybe I arrive in skin, get him to complaining about the job, then shift right in front of him. Yes, that might be more fun."
She pauses, considering. "I will help pay for the party, if the cost is of any significance. Do you think we could make it a thing for tonight? I hate to waste any time."
Senna gives it some thought. "I don't think so. We need to figure out the guest list, invite the folks, figure out the food and drinks, and see if and when Salli will lend us the bar. I've never hosted a party... but I imagine that will take at least a few days." She looks to Sabelina meaningfully, "I'm thinking you have far more experience with parties than anyone else. Am I wrong?"
There is a quiet knock on the door then a pause before Elsa pops her head in hesitantly. ”Do you need anything else?”
Yash turned to the nearest patron and inquired "what going on? nodding to the apparent increase in activity as the customers continued to pour in. Even as he spoke, and ate, he kept his attention split between the hobgoblins and the red head. The town made him nervous, and the people packing in put him on edge, but he refused to let either get the better of him and distract him from potential trouble brewing.