[Tavern] ..stuff (Aegis/open)

[Rafe Nered]

Early morning, 1 Junctior XIII PF

He’d decided some time ago he'd take his new friend to the Crown. Why, he didn’t know. Grand as it was Rafe himself always feigned boredom with the place; crowds of all sorts tended to jam-pack together as if there were no other place in town to order ale; and Prime had no qualms about admitting orcs into public places-something that made his blood boil beyond reason. And yet, here he was, following the winding streets towards the building itself, its renovated façade dyed an odd color in the morning gloom.

Showing up early had its advantages. Rafe looked around at the smattering of morning patrons with an approving smile. The Crown Inn and Tavern had never been so empty to the boy’s eyes. He and the minotaur would have plenty opportunity to sit and relax before lunchtime came round and everyone in the Student District got the same idea.

He strode to the nearest waitress and rattled off an order for two drinks-ale, of course-and made his way to the long table along the opposite wall.

“So,” he said, turning to Aegis with a little smile. “What do you think?”

[Aegis Labyrinthine]

The minotaur had never been to a tavern before, nor had he ever had alcohol. The place looked good enough and the smell of food made his stomach churn. He raised his snout into the air and inhaled the deep aroma that crept form the kitchen. "Smell good!" He exclaimed as he trailed behind his companion to a long table along the wall.

He took a seat and answered Rafe's question. "I think about food, smell good!" He said, misunderstanding the question, due to his lack of speaking skills. A smile spread across his face as he looked on at the other patrons and waitresses. It felt nice to be able to sit and relax.

[Rafe Nered]

Rafe smirked a bit. One hand absently toyed with the silverware. "Yeah, bit hungry myself." He made to get up and order a bit of something to go with their ale, when he realized he had no idea what minotaurs ate. Awkwardly he sat back down.

"What do you want to eat?" He said slowly, pointing to the price list, then stopping himself. "I can read it to you, if you want."

[Aegis Labyrinthine]

Aegis himself wasn't sure what he wanted to eat... anything would do as long as it was tasty. On Minatos he mostly ate a lot of meat to keep him strong as a gladiator and slave, which didn't bother him because he loved a good plate of pork or goose.

Having the menu read to him wouldn't do a whole lot of good to the beast, who didn't know most of the common words for the animals. So he looked at Rafe and shrugged his shoulders as he replied. "I get what you get. You tell me what things are when we get." Visual comparision was always the best. If Rafe could show Aegis the various items and tell him what they were in common, he could remember it better.

[Rafe Nered]

Rafe nodded, but he wasn't as sure of himself as he rattled off an order of two Craftie's Crab platters to the waitress, eyed her a bit, and returned to his seat. The boy's stomach rumbled a little in assent. He knew the minotaur had come here by ship, so hopefully he wasn't adverse to seafood.

The ale came round. Rafe sipped a little, but he realized he was too hungry to care for the drink.

"How long will you stay here? In Alleria Prime?" He asked. "I think I will go soon. Somewhere else. Maybe to work. Have you found work?"

[Aegis Labyrinthine]

Aegis took a sip of his ale and gave a snort to clear some of the foam from his nostrils that came off the drink. It had a bitter taste to it, but he didn't mind. It felt good to wet his throat. It was something new for him to try. He put down the mug and asked his new friend. "This good! What you call it?"

The Minotaur continued to take more sips of his alcohol as Rafe asked some questions. 'How long will you stay in Alleria Prime'... Aegis didn't know how long he was going to stay in the city. He didn't know of any other places to visit, although he knew there were more. "I not know more places to go. I like to go to them. I like to go everywhere! Where Rafe go?" He said in between gulps of his ale.

The word work was unfamiliar to the beast, though. He didn't understand what Rafe meant by it. "Found work? I not know work." His eyebrows raised reveling the near white that was found even in his iris. Rafe would have to explain his words better with visual examples or gestures to make the minotaur understand better and be able to use it in his own speech.

[Rafe Nered]

“This is ale. A common drink.” He gestured fruitlessly, then added; “People...drink it a lot.”

It surprised Rafe that the minotaur didn’t know what ale was, but maybe it wasn’t as popular where he came from. The boy’s eyes strayed to Aegis’ tattoos. He’d have to ask him about those later. Wait. Didn’t he say that before?

A slender white arm cut between them; he glanced up and gave both the waitress and the steaming plates in her hands a broad smile. But she was busy staring at Aegis. After an awkward moment she remembered her manners, smiled at him and hurried back to the kitchens.

At Aegis’ question, Rafe selected a crab leg and chewed thoughtfully, keeping his response as simple as he could. “I move around a lot. I don’t know where I will go. Maybe to Sherian. That’s not too far by boat. There’s a town there called Taralon. It has a harbor, which is good for me.”

Rafe winked and laughed, but what the minotaur said next puzzled him. He wasn’t sure how to respond. If Aegis was a former slave work wouldn’t be unfamiliar to him, so he couldn’t have meant he didn’t actually know how to work. Maybe he didn’t know how to work for pay. Or work in Prime.

With a shrug Rafe put a hand to his chest. “Rafe…I…work. Well, sometimes. At the docks.” He pointed vaguely to the door and tried to illustrate carrying a load on his back. “They pay me money.” The elf pulled out a few coins. “I work…I get money. ”

That wasn’t entirely a lie, was it? He’d been idling around the wharf long enough and he’d paid his passage to Prime by working on merchant ships going in the general direction of the capital. Besides, he was trying to make a point.

“You need money.” He jingled the coins in his palm. “For money, you have to work.”

[AdventureBot]

ooc: sry 4 the wait >< prepare thyselves for adventure!

"Yer damn right about that, pally," a voice crowed from somewhere nearby. The stranger was standing, hunched somewhat, between the theylri and the minotaur, apparently having sauntered over while the two had been talking. Twas an middle-aged, gray-haired gent, a human getting on in eras with a weathered, craggy face bearing quite a few scars... his right eye was missing, leaving naught but a disfigured socket in its place, but the other was still a bright and mischievous pale blue. He had the air of an old gladiator or fighter of some kind, past his prime no doubt but maybe still connected to the industry.

"'course, it all boils down to what KIND of work a man takes up, eh? Fer instance, lookin' at you two... blokes," the old guy went on, rubbing his chin and eyeing the minotaur with particular interest. Might be just what he was looking for... "I'd say you pair look the type to be bustin' skulls in yer spare time. I wonder what you'd say to makin' a career outta that, hmm?"

"Marcus Aurelius," the man said with a wry smile, by way of introductions. He opened his mouth as if to say more about the proposition he had in mind, then stopped himself and gave a shifty glance to either side. Too many ears about, that look said. Quieter, Aurelius leaned in, his good eye flicking from Rafe to Aegis, and said: "Eh... you gents mind if I sit?"

[Aegis Labyrinthine]

OOC: Welcome aboard Adventurebot! Thanks for taking on this thread! I look forward to what ever may happen!

The beast like humanoid listened close to what Rafe was describing, about the ale and about Taralon. Aegis raised his mug and closely inspected the liquid before taking a swig. "Ale... I like ale!" He was pleased to be able to put common speech into practice for identifying what he was holding in his steel covered hands.

The waitress approached the table with the plates of crab for the two patrons. The food smelled good and Aegis quickly recognized the smell of that emanated from it. He had never eaten the crab as gourmet as it was presented here, but from the amount he ate on the fishing boat, there was no mistaking it's smell. He inhaled the the steam through his silver loop that was pierced through his nostrils and said to the elven boy. "I eat this before! This is crab! Clyde teach me that!" He broke off a leg of the crab and snapped the shell to get the meat inside. It was still a relatively new taste to him, but he had grown to love it.

Rafe's definition of work was still a little sketchy to the minotaur. He knew what work was in the act, but to describe it vocally was hard to a foreigner. The jingling money clued him in a bit more, although Aegis had never received payment for work before. "... I work, I get money? That is money?" He asked, knowing what money was used for, just not what it was called.

Just then an old human male spoke from another table and started to speak of work again. He couldn't understand most of the lingo the old man used such as bustin' skulls, career, and blokes. Aegis just stared at the old man and smiled at the new potential friend.

Serale, Marcus Aurelius!" Aegis greeted, assuming that was his name. "Me Aegis! It is a pleasure to meet you!" He added in between a bite of crab. He had learned that greeting from Veleraen back at the forge. His common was certainly gaining more strength since his arrival to Alleria Prime.

[Rafe Nered]

OOC: Indeed, thanks muchly AdventureBot.

Rafe grinned, satisfied that Aegis approved of the crab and the ale. "Crab is my favorite." He said with a nod.

He took another sip and was about to begin a rather long and unhelpful lecture about money when the human appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. He didn't like the look of the man, or the way the man looked at the minotaur. There were too many scammers around here waiting to prey on foreigners, and it seemed Aegis was already confused by the man's mannerisms. The boy lifted an eyebrow and studied the human coldly, but gestured to the seat between himself and Aegis.

"I'm Rafe." He said. "What exactly do you want?"

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon had wandered into the bar to take a break from his boring life. He'd done so many things across the Empire and now sat unemployed, bored, and with no desire to serve in government office again. The blessings of Carmelya had been the only bright spots in his existance dancing between fate and honor. A knight, a retired Imperial Minister ... twice, and a soldier were titles that he used to wear like badges but did not know what his life meant anymore. He had a mansion along with all the trimmings of a nobles life minus the title and had come to realize one thing; it was so much more simple when he was just a soldier and enjoyed smelling the air each morning.

So here it was while Parr was sitting at the table that a minotaur and elf sat next to him. Well too curious having never met a minotaur before, he decided to earsdrop on the conversation and learned the elf and minotaur were somehow tied together yet the minotaur was new to the empire. Having been friends with a giant for a long time, he knew well the appetites of such large creations but could tell coin was an issue. Ale and any food seemed to be there desire so Parreyon had an idea and called the waitress over before leaning into the table next to them where an elder man was speaking about a fighter's job. The entire thing intrigued him even more.

"Waitress, place an order of each of your top dishes on this table and two more pitchers of ale. While you're at it, bring me a bottle of some of that Enamorian Red and a glass."

Parreyon offered a smile to the three and slid his chair over next to the minotaur. "I could not help but overhear the need for funds and felt a kind hearted desire to offer food and beverage to new faces in Prime. Do not worry, all of your tab tonight is on me. Including for the gentleman who has a proposition for you. Good money is so hard to find so hear what he has to say. I am Parreyon Syndicus."

[Aegis Labyrinthine]

The pale eyes of Aegis widened when this talking.... cat-like creature turned in his chair and began speaking to himself and Rafe as well as the old man that they had just met. His fur was jet black like Aegis', but he didn't look like Aegis... The minotaur had never seen a beast such as this before! Parreyon certainly looked like he had seen his share of battles as well, with large scars on his face. He was quite the interesting creature and Aegis immediately became intrigued.

Some of the words didn't register with Aegis, such as funds and tab, but he listened closely to the Katta. Aegis could tell he was well mannered and sophisticated which made him even more eager to learn about his race. "Serale, Parreyon! I Aegis Labyrinthine! It is a pleasure to meet you." The bull-like beast greeted with a smile behind his silver hoop.

[Rafe Nered]

Rafe wasn't about to complain that someone else was footing the bill for the meal, or that any amount of wine was involved, but he didn't like where this was headed, all the same. The boy leaned back and crossed his arms, taking the opportunity to study the Katta with some interest while still shooting glances at the old man.

Aegis looked...well, like he'd never seen a Katta before. Which he probably hadn't. And the words flying back and forth were a rather precarious and hurried sort of language lesson for the minotaur. Rafe resisted leaning down like a mother hen to ask if he understood anything of what was said.

Instead he lifted his brow casually and began pushing an empty chair with one outstretched foot watching it balance on two back legs before settling down with a little squeak. If the stranger had overheard their proposition, Rafe probably didn't need to bother repeating his name. He didn't look up at Parreyon, but he smiled impishly.

"You're interested in the proposition?"

[Parreyon Syndicus]

"I am interested in the proposition ... but not for the money. I simply want to remember what it was like to adventure for no other reason than enjoyment. No boss or government telling me I have to do it and gaining nothing for my actions. I am interested in divvying up any unique items we might acquire along the way, but you can keep any coins found. I just ask to be involved and my skill with the blade is quite good."

Parreyon said with a wink while tapping the hilt of his SunBlade sheathed in his black leather scabbard. He was the last of a dying breed of soldiers to earn such a blade and still had not fully tapped into all that it could do. As a soldier in the Imperia suns he had been asked to do many missions which had gotten him near killed, no recognition, captured, blinded, enslaved, forced to fight in gladiator arenas, and escape nearly dieing once again. At least this time no one would be telling him to do it.

[Kisa]

Ooc: By request of Aegis and approval of Gossamer, I'm taking on this thread now. Hope you guys don't mind. You need wait no longer Enjoy!


The man seemed to stumble as he came forward, stepping out from a handful of drunken men merry in song and dance. Their shoulders were heaving, drinks splattering the floor, staining the air with a putrid stench of mud and alcohol filling the nostrils of those unfortunate souls close enough to smell it. Their voices bellowed out, singing old tales of treasures in lands afar, princesses for the rescuing and kings murdered by their own servants. Aurelius clutched the old, wooden stool and lowered himself gently, as if holding his back with increasing old age. Perhaps the atmosphere of the dancing men made him realise he was not as fit as he used to be. His dark grey cloak showered down as he sat, draping across the floor and soaking in the ale. His eye scanned Aegis until it seemed he knew every crack on his face. It threw itself upon Rafe and did the same. The man said nothing for a while, pausing to eye his companions.

"Ye look like a strong built, er, man!" he said, slapping Aegis' arm as if an old friend. "Ye must long fer the taste of new things. Why, I can tell none of ye would like to be stuck workin' in some baker or tailor! Nay! You are fit! You are strong.." His voice trailed off, his one eye staring blankly down at the table. Some scrapes of food sat bare on the plates reflecting his stare. He seemed troubled or remembering his old self.
He shook his head and belted a laugh.
"Ha! Ye all need good work!" he roared, hitting the table with a punch of laughter. His mood changed swiftly as he leaned in with a more serious expression.

"Ye must know," he began, his voice much lower and deeper than it was before. "Ye all must know of ... treasure?" His eye darted from face to face, hoping to see a reaction. His cracked and wrinkled face grooved a crooked smile. "I know ye all wants a bit of ole treasure! Be it a trinket of sorts or map of ole, I can see't in yer eyes, that twinkling I had when I was a wee un."

He paused for a moment, a waitress passed, shouting at one of the drunkards who had spilled his entire drink upon her dress. Voices were raised and attentions drawn. Now would be his chance. He whispered with a spit and croak.
"Ye do not know me an' my word is as good as the next man's, but I tell ye this. If ye crave for a life worth living, a life full of adventures, relics, surprises and mysteries then you will want to hear my tale for ye; the treasure I can no longer follow."