On a bender (Open to all)

[Roland Moonstar]

Roland looked down at his bottle. Too soon, too soon, it was growing empty. The picture of the raccoon on the label blinked at him. "You haven't had nearly enough," it smiled at him. "Have another. You can never have too much too drink."

Roland stared at the bottle again. The raccoon image went back to being frozen on the bottle label. This was Alleria, where anything could happen, so certainly he must simply be caught in some sort of imaginary mana forcefield of illusion. "That's just what I was thinking," said the pink elephant next to him. "We must be caught in some sort of Orod-created time warp or perhaps a latent Rakyra device has been activated."

Roland coughed, blinked again, and the pink elephant vanished. "I definitely drink another need," he decided, and looked around with a bloodshot, bleary gaze. Demios was not the small fishing village he remembered, if it had such a nice Inn and Tavern in it like this one. Or was this Imperia? He looked down at the table for a moment, frowning at it as it stared back at him with sinister intent.

[Mordeneb Ashcliff]

Timestamp: Winter, Era XII

Mordeneb hadn't recognized the Crown Inn when he had passed it the first time -- admittedly, noticing things wasn't exactly the elf's foremost skill, but he was fairly sure the building had been less...icosahedronal the last time that he was here. However, having had not one, but two passers-by confirm to him that this was indeed the Crown, he'd gone in anyway.

The interior was somewhat different than he remembered as well, but the "feel" of the place was essentially the same. There was an uneasy mix in it of possibility -- after all, this was where he'd gotten his first real job, as a farmer -- and sheer, mind-numbing intoxication. The fellow drinking the raccoon-labeled bottle was a good example of that. He had something of the look of a farmer about him, and Mordeneb wondered idly if he'd seen the fellow's face before -- he had, after all, grown up as a farmer in a largely human community. The elf was unfortunately not very good with faces, and generally when he thought he recognized someone -- and often when he thought he didn't -- he was quite wrong.

Still, there was no harm in asking, surely -- and besides, if he was going to be living here in Prime for a while, it was in his best interests to get to know some of the people here. With a friendly smile, Mordeneb sat down at the table next to the intoxicated fellow. "Serale," he said, loudly enough to be heard, but without shouting. "Have we met before? I thought I might have recognized your face. My name's Mordeneb -- Mordeneb Ashcliff."

[Roland Moonstar]

Roland looked carefully at Mordeneb a moment. Nothing came to mine right away. Had his assistant Looie been there, the Lutran might have reminded Roland of some various incidents in the past, including one where Mordeneb had saved Falaria and Looie himself while on a tour group. He contemplated doing a reveal spell, but realized Mordeneb might be thinking at the moment only of where he knew Roland from. What to do? What to do?

Well, first things first. While he contemplating the pathways of clara and meditation, he decided to first answer Mordeneb's question. "Serale. I am Roland Moonstar, and while I have traveled the empire from Nexus Prime in the west unto Abestat in the east, I am arguably best known for my long tenure as Justicar of Centripax, a post held these past two eras, until my term expired at the beginning of this winter season."

Hoping he had satisfied Mordeneb's curiousity, Roland gave a congenial smile. He closed his eyes, as if trying to recall the fellow, but of course he was not yet proficient enough in spell casting to contemplate casting one while still keeping track of his surroundings, so it was pointless to keep them open.

"Mordeneb Ashcliff. Of course, of course. An unforgetable fellow. Indeed, I was just wondering what you've been doing with yourself all these years." He pointing downward, as if proffering a seat at the table though Mordeneb was there already. "Come, yes, you're welcome to sit, this round shall be on me." He thumped his own chest. "Roland Moonstar is never a fellow who would deny hospitality to anyone of your reputation."

At the keyword, Roland attempted a mild reveal spell, hoping to snatch a single proud moment or memory from Mordeneb, whatever the fellow thought of as significant and reputable in relation to himself. It might fizzle, it might go the opposite way and trigger some embarassing image of Falaria, or might in fact still be thinking of Roland's reputation as Justicar. It was still worth a shot: Roland had become a mystic long before he'd been Justicar, Thane or anything else. He'd been an undercover police detective in a crime syndicate where he desperately needed to know friend from foe. Now, thanks to the red earring he always wore, Roland simply believed that knowledge was power.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Ale….dark rich strong sweet and bitter ale…. he thought … I want a pint ….no I want a galleon

There are times in any mans life when nothing will slake a thirst than good old fashioned ale, preferably served in a pewter mug with a handle by a blowsy barmaid who promises everything with a glance and a seductive flexing of muscles of her right arm as she pulls on the pump to draw the first foaming pint out of the barrel. The white creamy head spilling delicately over the side of the mug like a hint of lace revealed briefly and then removed from gaze as the first slow deep draught is drunk.

The problem with Pala was that although he had managed to rise to unimaginable heights he was still a peasant at heart. In the many homes he seemed to acquire he had wine cellars groaning with fine vintages, old brandy and whiskey lay ready for his consumption and enjoyment and yes he enjoyed a tipple after pracenda either alone or in company but nothing so refined as wine or spirits satisfied the inner man as a good pint of ale.

He had been discussing the politics of the empire for cycles slipping soberly around the corridors of power, sipping on elegant glasses of fine white wine as he played the game. But just to sit with his old boots on a table a pipe of rough shag tobacco in his left and a tankard of ale in the other was a dream …….. blast it …why not? He had the darkening off, no wife to cosy up to and share the brightening’s events with , the children were still in Diana and he had a thirst.

Alleria was open to his gaze and his choice .Like so many others he had started his adventures in the capital long debarred to anyone. Where else would a man foot lose and fancy free for a few candle marks in the greatest city in the empire go especially as he had a thirst like a camel in the great waste of Arakmat?

The Crown stupid” he thought to himself.

Dressed in plain clothes with his old black cloak slung over his shoulders with the battered wide brimmed hat with the blue feather in the band slung low over his eyes, he walked the wet streets again, the cane swinging out in front of him as his six foot plus frame ranged over cobbles.

Through the familiar door and belly up against the bar, the barmaid was all he expected a tired smile, a glimpse of décolletage and the pint foamed over his tankard. He paid and slipped a further five gold crowns to her as a tip with the simple direction.

Keep them coming love and he turned to face the crowded inn. To see a familiar face Pala chuckled deep and long and then raised the tankard to quaff the cold ale. It slipped down a parched and deprived throat like nectar , his Adam’s apple bobbed three four times and as he put the tankard down to be filled again by the same barmaid attentive to his needs. Picking up his second pint and wiping foam from his lips with the back of his hand he sat down at Roland’s table next to man he had never seen before .

Serale Roland good to see you again

He grinned a big friendly grin at Roland’s companion saying

Serale sir, name of Pala an old friend of this slippery devil here. and he stuck a big hand out .

[Jaki Vampyler]

ooc: hope its alright to join, but my character is new and looking to meet people. Please tell me if it is not alright, and I will edit my svelte self out of here.

ic: The woman who was walking into the bar was not someone who usually frequented drinking establishments of any kind. However, this brightening she had decided that she would treat herself to some food that had been cooked by someone with something approaching a level of skill. So it was that she walked in and as she stepped towards the bar, she saw none other than the man from the Legion of Justice, whom she had spoken to only earlier that day, with two other people. So, being the polite young woman that she was, she moved over and smiled at him.

Good darkening to you, sir she said, politely I saw you and recognised you from earlier today, I hope that your time in the Merchantile District was successful for yourself and your group. May I buy you a drink? You and your friends, of course she smiled at the men with him, her grey eyes looking at each of them in turn, calmly. The young woman who offered them drinks was tall for a human, nearly six foot, with long blonde hair tied back into a severe plait. Her face was sharply featured to the point of almost chiselled, her porcelain-like skin showing her grey eyes as the hint of elven feature that they actually were. She held herself confidently, and looked at them without fear or concern for herself as a woman alone with three strangers. She smiled at them each, and spoke again what can I order for you? she did not seem inclined to sit with them, just to buy them drinks and leave them to it.

[Roland Moonstar]

Roland introduced Mordeneb and Palacris, then nodded at the statuesque blonde. One more, and they could play cards. "Come, come. Everyone sit and get comfortable. Here we are in the most capital tavern in the capitol of the Empire. Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for the waters of tomorrow are fluid indeed."

"I hope that your time in the Merchantile District was successful for yourself and your group. May I buy you a drink? You and your friends, of course"

"It was successful enough. We have one definite candidate, one potential candidate, and an orc. All in all, a good day. I shall try again tomorrow and see who we get." He pondered the order request for a moment. "These gentlemen must order for themselves. I'll have a Paxian Red, if you would be so kind. "

[Mordeneb Ashcliff]

Roland Moonstar? The name didn't immediately ring any bells for Mordeneb, and as his memory for names was vastly superior to his recall of faces, he assumed that this meant he had been in error. He was about to simply excuse himself and move on, but apparently he did know this Moonstar fellow after all, judging by the reaction he was getting. Perhaps their paths had crossed in legal circles when Mordeneb was Prefect of Paxia? Or perhaps, if he was from Centripax, the man had known his father.

Upon Roland's mentioning of his reputation, the thought which came to the elf's mind -- and which, assuming the man's spell was successful, would also come to his mind -- was a brief image of an aging man with brilliant, hawklike eyes. He was, in fact, Governor de Marchante of Arium. He was speaking to someone else -- precisely whom was not clear in the elf's mind -- but what he was saying was, "This is his Excellency Mordeneb Ashcliff, the new Senator of Arium." The memory was quite fresh -- it had only been the beginning of Immanis when Mordeneb had been appointed.

"It's a pleasure to see you again," Mordeneb said. Before he could continue, however, another man approached and introduced himself. This man he was fairly confident he had not met before, so he returned the man's handshake and said with a smile, "Glad to meet you. Mordeneb Ashcliff."

Again, before he could add much more, someone else came over, this time a striking woman. Roland Moonstar was quite the popular fellow, apparently. Mordeneb nodded to her and said, "I'd just like a mug of spiced milk, thank you. My name is Mordeneb Ashcliff," he added in order to be polite.

[Landrake]

The room seemed busy when Landrake entered and he paused glancing around before making his entrance properly. He squinted slightly against the mild gloom of being indoors before making a snap decision, a decision that was in no small way influenced by the presence of the woman.

Of course he would never actually talk to her, but he could enjoy her company even if it were second hand.

He moved to the bar adjacent to the group, his eyes flickering over the woman until he had filed her appearance in his memory, and then he recognised his visitor, so he nodded when he had the mans attention.

Serale, its a pleasure to see you again, he greeted Mordeneb and settled against the bar.

[Roland Moonstar]

OOC: Sorry, was away for a day or two-- medical emergency.

IC:
Roland nodded at Mordeneb. "Spiced milk. That was the favorite drink of my Aunt Etta Moonstar-Winterspring. She was my favorite Aunt in all the word: it was always a treat for me to visit her house in Nexus Prime." Roland regaled-- or perhaps bored-- the table with an anecdote or two of his personal life and family history, including the rather odd and embarassing story of how a pregnant Lescartes woman ended up in the mix somehow.

"Ah, but those were long ago days. I even had a place in Paxia once, when I was married to Jenna, but as a Kemite I never truly felt I fit in over in Arium. I am hoping that this fresh start in Carmelyn Province will do me a world of good, and give me back the passion and zest of my illspent youth."

This part was more interesting, or at least Roland told it more vividly. "I am haunted by my various deeds in the Tirisfal-Diana war, the Terenshire situation and in the besieging of Jaedaxia, and so I have decided to go to Diana to redeem myself, both in the religious sense, and in offering Aerienne Sarista whatever political aid and ability I can give her. Others here-- especially here in Prime-- may desire more presitigous jobs, be it Senator, Governor, Imperial MucketyMuck, but my wish is not for glamour, but to apprentice myself to Aerienne and learn from one who has the wisdom of time on her side."

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Pala was not saying much he was intently getting stuck into a few jacks of ale and at the same time listening to the conversation around the table. His pipe, a wedding present was filled up with good Sherian baccy and his old boots were firmly placed on the table……. Perfick! he thought.

Another deep swig of ale and his tankard was put down on the table. As Roland began to regale the table with tales of old times and of the problems in Carmelya he smiled to himself they were good times for all the tragedy and disaster, old friends were new friends in those days!

A name popped into his head and he chuckled out loud

Roland did you ever find out where that rogue Ormand Tengear got to? That was quite a night, me , Ormand and Darian hiding in the cellars of the Voice whilst the very halls of Aetheria fell around our heads. I can tell you I was scared that darkening. Still it was not all bad if it had not been for that darkening I would not be the man I am today.

He waved an arm at the waitress and ordered a fresh round of drinks.

[Ramsa]

It was getting late and Ramsa did not want to go to his little hole of a home. His first day in Alleria was not looking good, but he hoped that this darkening could change that.

He barged into the inn, which seemed vaugely familiar to him. His eyes hurt from being in the sun all day, looking for a decent place to purchase furniture, but no such luck. He squinted and spotted a large group of people talking, drinking and having fun. He grew angry at the sight, for he had no friends.

Slugging over to an empty seat by the bar, Ramsa plopped down and threw his head into his hands. He looked up and raised his hand to the waitress.

Give me anything that'll knock me out.

For a modest price of course.

He looked at the group again and grew sad.

I need that drink faster than I thought...

[Mordeneb Ashcliff]

Mordeneb waved cheerily to Landrake. "Ah, good to see you again too," he said. He indicated his companions. "Roland Moonstar, Pala, and..." He stopped momentarily, looking at Jaki. "I'm afraid I didn't get your name yet," he said to her. Then he added, "This is Landrake, a friend of mine."

The elf turned and looked as another man entered the tavern. However, he didn't approach the group -- though he did look at them -- and so Mordeneb quickly turned back to the conversation at hand. Not that he had anything to offer at the moment -- he was much more interested in listening to what his newfound companions had to say. Listen first, talk second, Mordeneb thought.

So the elf took a sip of his spiced milk and listened to the other men talk. It seemed they'd spent a fair amount of time in Carmelyn. Mordeneb had lived there too, if somewhat briefly, so he listened with interest. Actually, if Mordeneb had only known, he had just missed Pala on a number of occasions: he had lived in Tirisfal when Pala was Thane, he had feuded with Pala's former lover and both hired and fired the man's wife. But, given that Pala had only given his first name, Mordeneb didn't have any way to know that. So he simply continued to sip his milk contentedly and let the conversation waft over him.

[Ramsa]

Ramsa took the bottle from the waitress and took a long swig, slamming down on the table. The glass bottle hitting the bar caused quite a sound, but Ramsa was too embarassed to look to see if anybody was staring at him. He began to shake.

What's wrong with me...

He hadn't eaten in days, partially as a testament to his father, that he was a stronger man than he would give him credit for, and partially because he did not bring food. Alcohol probably wasn't the best substitute for real food, and he knew it. He knew that every last sip of that concoction he was guzzling would send him to his grave if he didn't get something to eat.

He mustered up all his courage and strength to just speak to the group next to him.

Y-y-you wouldn't happen to have any food you can s-s-spare would you?

Ramsa collapsed and hit his head on a stool. He tried to pull himself up on the bar, but his hand slipped on the drink that was spilled earlier when he slammed the bottle down. The drink fell to the ground and shattered.

It was a difficult scene to watch. He had lost it, temporarliy, and he needed help.

[Jaki Vampyler]

Jaki nodded at those who had ordered a drink and moved towards the bar area, where she calmly and precisely laid down the orders, getting herself a fruit juice.

She glanced at the man at the bar, nodding at him with a small, serious smile on her face. Then she returned to the table and gave out the drinks that she had bought, and was about to simply move away again, to a table of her own when a man from another table approached and asked for food.

Jaki Vampyler knew without a doubt that she should not give this man money. The money that he had he had just spent on alcohol, and that was obviously not helping him. But that was something to worry about later. She was in the fortunate position of being standing, so she stepped forwards and put her arms under the armpits of this unfortunate man. She was surprisingly strong for a woman of her slight build, although her muscles bulged as she lifted him, hefting him up and onto a chair, checking his head where he had hit it on the stool. She no longer paid attention to the fact that this table was full of people she mostly did not know, as she was too concerned with the wretched specimin in front of her. She held him in place and turned to the bar. She did not let go of the man, but she spoke a command to the bartender with a calm but authoritative voice.

Stew, please, as quickly as you can, and someone to clean up this mess? she motioned to the smashed bottle.

The others were forgotten for the moment, as she tended to the man in front of her. If he could understand her, or seemed vaguely able to, she spoke, quite firmly What is your name? she asked, for want of something better to say.

[Ramsa]

Ramsa felt himself being lifted into the air.

Am I dying?

He came to a stop in a chair.

Perhaps I am about to be judged by the gods in this chair?

He felt paranoid but was too dazed to express it.

OW! He belted out as a tall woman touched a wound on his head. Back to reality. All of the noises in the inn seemed to echo in his head, including this woman's voice. He thought about her question for a while.

Ehh, my name? Ramsa...Solbank, but last names don't matter much do they? What's your name?

A man from the back area of the bar came to him bearing stew.

Thank you, very much, both of you...

His words were barely audible underneath the gobbling of food. He had never had stew to his knowledge, he was always raised on the finest soups and bisques. But this stew would have to do for now.

He whispered to the woman. Tell the others I am sorry for spoiling their conversation.

He coughed and wheezed. He felt like vomiting but didn't want to be more of a bother. He held his head and massaged his temples, moaning and groaning in between bites of stew.