[Tavern] Come in from the Cold (Gazan, Tarfuss/Open)

[Eliss'yara]

Second Brightening, Kalendryas, Winter, Era XIV




It was the smell of lamb that Eliss'yara first noticed as she entered the Crown. The rich smell and the warmth and the buoyant chatter seemed to envelope her tiny frame, welcoming her instantly. The girl's stomach rumbled expectantly.

Eliss'yara sighed as exhaustion began to settle into her bones for the first time. It was warm in here, and she almost pulled off her cowl, but thought better of it. Instead, she pushed up the sleeves of her tunic, and waited for Tarfuss and Gazan to join her inside.

[Gazan]

Gazan followed Eliss'yara through the door of the Crown. His elf-eyes sought out a table as they moved past the large doorman and into the tavern proper. He spotted one on the other side of the crescent-shaped bar and located conveniently near the fireplace.

He led the way toward the table, nodding in its direction to Eliss-yara as he navigated his way through the throng. When he reached it, he stood behind a chair which faced the door, in order to afford a view of Tarfuss when he arrived. He pulled a chair out for Eliss'yara but wouldn't take a seat until she had.

Idly, he picked up a menu and scanned it distractedly as he wondered why Eliss'yara still had her hood on. Perhaps she was a fugitive - she seemed extremely wary of almost everything and appeared determined to hide under her cowl. Still, she had seemed concerned for his wellbeing earlier and he found he had taken a liking to the little doll-faced elf.

His attention flicked between the menu and the door so he could wave Tarfuss over when he entered. He was looking forward to hearing his new companions' backstories. With a frown, he noticed that the menu listed only entrees - though how the Crafties Lobster Feast could be considered an entree was a mystery to Gazan. He decided on a warming bowl of Fregat, the usual Veperes (the only non-soup dish which didnt contain the remains of a creature) and a pitcher of Dancing Girls.

"Champagne taste on a beer budget.." he thought grimly as he put down the menu and inconspicuously checked his funds.

[Glavenanth Chalmat]

As Gazan is waiting looking toward the door Glav heads in. Searching through the Tavern for something. He seems to be a bit nervous moving his head back and forth very quickly.

Stepping up to a table near yours, you can overhear the conversation. Serale. Have you seen a small girl with big blue eyes. Very light complected.

The man interrupted from his lunch. No sir, have not seen anyone that fits that description.

Ok. Thank you. Are you sure. Ya he said he was sure. Ok I guess you are sure. Thanks you. Glav after saying this moves farther into the tavern asking around for a girl with the big blue eyes.

(OOC: Sorry to stalk you guys. My character is a bit off right now. I am not trying to ruin your game if you believe I am I will leave.)

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss followed after Gazan, just catching sight of his cloak as he made his way up to a table and sat down where Eliss'yara was already sitting, hooded and slight. He smiled at the sight of the two of them and then made his way over to the bar, easing his way through the crowd with more grace than usual for a man of his size. At the bar he slapped down 35 gc and ordered a pitcher of Arachadoon Dwarven Stout and three shots of Placidian Gold Whiskey. He grinned - tonight would be a celebration. Tomorrow he would join the Imperial Legions.

On his way back to the table with the drinks he noticed the mad-man stirring about the place. God's eyes! Did he follow them? Was it a coincidence? He frowned for a moment and then shrugged it off. Tonight he would celebrate with his new companions. He was not about to let the erratic behavior of an ill-trained juggler interfere with his evening.

Upon reaching the table he set the pitcher, glasses and shots down. "Ho! I took the liberty to fix us for our first round. I'm feeling a might festive. Arachadoon Dwarvin ale and a spot of whiskey for us each." Tarfuss grinned as he took his seat.

He took a menu and pawed it open. 'By all that's holy I'm a hungry lad. I think I could eat an entire cow."

[Eliss'yara]

Eliss'yara smiled as Gazan invited her to sit down. "Thank you."

On another occasion, she would have sat down carefully and gracefully as befitted an elf. But she was tired and eager to eat, so she hopped into the chair instead, flipping open her menu in the process. "What are you going to eat?"

Looking hard at the menu, Eliss'yara announced, "I think I'm going to have the Veperes, with a small cup of Fregat, and--ooh!" Her eyes were quickly drawn to the dessert page. "I'm going to have the White Clouds, too." She smiled up at Gazan. "I'll share with you and Tarfuss, if you like."

At that moment her sharp elven ears overhead a nervous voice. "Small girl...big blue eyes..."

Eliss'yara looked around at soon caught sight of the stranger. Eyes widening, she put her menu in front of her face. Had he followed them? And why did he keep asking about her? She didn't have any great desire to find out just now.

She jumped a little when Tarfuss set his beverages down on the table, dropping the menu. "Tarfuss! Oh, thank you. You didn't have to do that." She eyed the shot glass before her warily; the girl had never tasted whiskey before, although she was vaguely curious about it. She laughed at the human's enthusiasm over the menu. "You probably could order a cow if you wanted to." Standing up a little in her chair, with one hand drawing her cowl down a little lower, she scanned the crowd for a waitress to flag down.

[Tarfuss]

"Ha! I may just do that!" Tarfuss poured out the three mugs from the pitcher and raised his mug into the air. "To new aquaintances and bright futures!" and with that said he poured half the mug down his throat with a satisfied sigh. "Oh, but that does do the trick after a long walk."

He set the mug down on the table with a sturdy thump. "Well now. I'm thinking it'll be the "Warrior's Feast" for me. I'm hungry and after hard tack and jerky for the past wee bit of too long - I'm not about to stint myself" he said with a wink to both Gazan and Eliss'yara.

Stretching his legs out under the table, careful not to kick anyone, he sighed and took another pull from his mug. "This feels good." He looked over to Eliss'yara and narrowed his eyes a bit. "You know, I'm beggining to fear we might lose you under that hood of yours."

[Glavenanth Chalmat]

Asking around and bumping from table to table I finally find yours. Serale! I did not think that I would ever find you Gazan and Tarfuss. Where is Big Blue? Is that you in that hood? Why do you hide your beauty? You remind me of my sister so much. As saying that you see his face turn from happiness to sadness.

I miss her very much. Turning away I seem to compose myself.

I grab up a chair and sit right down. Before we were interrupted at the gates I was going to tell you all that my name is Glavenanth Chalmat. Nice to meet you all. I believe that you have started drinking without me. Well, does anyone need anything before I go on up to the bar?

I stand again and make my way up to the bar. Ordering whatever that you ask and myself I would like a Coffee and a few soft almond biscuits. I walk back to the table and plop down.
So, where are you all from? Myself I am from, well I can't really tell you that on accord of the nasty Gods and suck. If I told you then i would most likely be dragged from bed and skinned, but that is a whole other subject. Cookie?

[Eyvind Redbeard]

As the small group entered the Crown Inn and Tavern Eyvind spotted Glavenanth, or as the Vagaran already called him, the Madman, running towards the door. Rushing his steps Redbeard arrived at the door and opened it, inside he could feel the warm and somewhat smoky air, he could feel the taste of ale in his mouth just for breathing. Steping him and walking around the tables in the direction of the bar he found a waitress, a blonde girl with about his age, he already knew her from his previous drinking parties and with a nod in Glavenanth's direction he said.

"If that man becomes a problem call me imediatly, I will be sitting in the bar drinking my ale."

"Certainly darling." she replied with a wink.

"Now move your lasy bottom, girl!" Eyvind said with a smile on his face and a slap in the girl butt.

With a gigle the girl went on carrying her job. In the meanwhile Eyvind reached the bar and ordered a fresh ale.

"Do you have today's Herald?" he asked

"Actually I do." the barman said "Here it is, I hope you enjoy the ale."

"Thank you, and why asking that good old man? You already know I love it!" he laughed a bit after saying this, then Eyvind started reading the newspaper while taking some sips from his tankard.

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss's face froze up like a pond at winter, losing all expression as the half-baked juggler took his seat. He kept his gaze on him as he babbled, looking at the madman like a wolf might look at a sheep. After a few moments of steady watching he said to Gazan and Eliss'yara, without ever looking away from Glavenath, "Well now. It would seem that our local guide has caught up with us." Unstreatching his legs he reminded himself of the location of his dagger and the pitcher and mugs, which might all make fair defensive weapons if need be.

[Eliss'yara]

"Here, here!"

Eliss'yara sat down again, lifting her mug to Tarfuss's toast. She took a small, careful sip, and almost sputtered it out when Tarfuss inquired about her hood. She touched it self-conciously.

"Well..." The young Esh'lahier wasn't quite sure how to explain herself. Tarfuss and Gazan had both been very kind to her, and the idea of not trusting them made her feel foolish and a little guilty. However...

The idea of disappearing into her hood seemed like a good one when the mad stranger suddenly sat down at their table. Just what was he doing? The way he spoke about her made her jaw clench. Now a bit annoyed, she met his gaze with a steely one of her. Steel softened, however, at the mention of a sister. The stranger seemed so sorrowful the girl couldn't help feeling a bit of pity for him. She opened her mouth to ask about this sister, but the stranger had already turned away, and she thought better of it.

Eliss'yara felt Tarfuss tense next to her. She looked up at him, and was a bit startled by the predatory look on his face. Surely this stranger--Glavenanth--meant them no harm. Still, Eliss'yara didn't feel at ease around him, either, and she couldn't blame Tarfuss for being cautious.

"Serale to you," came a cheerful voice. Eliss'yara looked up, and saw a young blonde woman smiling down at her. "Your orders should be coming out shortly. Is everything all right here?" The smile was warm and sunny, but something in her tone made Eliss'yara sit up a little straighter. The waitress winked at her. "You just let me know if you need anything."

The waitress glanced over at the bar as she moved around the table. Eliss'yara followed her gaze to a male human warrior drinking an ale and reading the paper. Eliss'yara's eyes widened. She recognized this man as the one who had asked if anything was wrong back at the gate. Not thinking he was addressing her, she had moved right by him. Now, it seemed that he was keeping an eye on the situation for them. Breathing a sigh of relief, the girl nodded discreetly in his direction before taking another small sip of her ale.

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss glanced over at the waitress and eased his expression a bit as he gave his order, no reason to let his irritation bleed off onto her. He noticed Eliss'yara give a nod in the direction of the bar and saw a Legionnaire seated there. He looked familiar, but Tarfuss couldn't place him. Perhaps they'd have assistance if the madman became violent then. Perhaps he could relax a bit. He took another drink of ale. Chuckling to himself he found his shot glass and raised it in the air and said "To the Moon, then, and all the tricks she plays on the world." He slammed the drink back, feeling the heat spread into his belly. Chasing the shot with another drink of ale he smacked his lips saying, "Pah! That's good."

He decided not to dwell on the crazy inter-loper, but to simply keep a sharp eye on him. Let him sit and rave, as long as he was civil enough.

"So. What do you both think of the world famous city of Prime so far, eh?"

[Gazan]

Gazan tried not to eye the pitcher of ale that Tarfuss had brought to the table with naked greed. Were those shots of.. whiskey? He hoped he would be able to get his shot down without a grimace; he certainly didn't want to appear ungrateful to Tarfuss (whom he was liking more by the minute), and even less so to look like some sort of sissy in front of Eliss'yara. He had never understood, on the other hand, why people drank whiskey when they could just drink the same thing people used to clean their windows for a fraction of the price.

Thanking Tarfuss and taking a mug of ale, he raised it to the table before taking a long pull at it. By the Gods, that was what he had needed. For what seemed like the tenth time in half an hour his words died on his tongue as the Juggler pulled up a chair and sat down just as nice as you please.

Gazan took another long, deliberate pull at his ale while the olive-skinned man made for the bar. As he raised his mug, he spotted the Legionnaire from their altercation at the gates sitting at a table far enough away that it seemed he did not want to be noticed. He'd actually followed them here? Gazan decided that the Juggler was suddenly much more likely to be dangerous. He made a conscious effort not to appear hostile, but steeled himself for conflict as he saw Tarfuss had.

With an inward shrug, he took his shot glass and toasted the moon along with his two new companions. The liquid made his throat sting and he hoped his face had not betrayed this, though he somewhat suspected that it had.

"Well I for one am enjoying myself already," he said. "I've only been in the city an hour and I've already made my way to a tavern with some new companions." He raised an eyebrow as he saw the Legionnaire slap a girl on the backside before continuing, "I hope its not too forward to ask what everyone's plans are, and where you are from. Who knows, our plans, if any of us have any, may in fact coincide, and we could perhaps carry them out together."

The elf clamped his mouth shut before he could ramble on with any more of this pompous drivel. Did he really expect Tarfuss and Eliss'yara to discuss their plans in front of what appeared to be a madman with a Legionnaire tailing him? He resisted an urge to slap his forhead.

"Gods smash that whiskey and any more of it that may be behind the bar," he thought ruefully.

[Eliss'yara]

Eliss'yara clinked shot glasses with Gazan and Tarfuss before attempting to toss hers back. She was only able to swallow about half of it. "Mmm!"

Eliss'yara slammed the glass back down on the table, eyes wide, cheeks flushed. By the Gods, that burned! She pressed a hand to her chest. It felt liking a fire licking its way down her sternum. It took her a moment to realize that Tarfuss had asked them a question. What did she think of Prime?

" 's good," she replied, her voice coming out in a rasp. She coughed a little and the pain started to fade. The fire was replaced by a much more pleasant warmth. Eliss'yara sipped her ale as she face Gazan. She smiled and nodded at the idea of seeking out the city together. "I'd like that. Although I don't know what you two were planning to do here. I want to be a bard. I need to apply for music classes."

She stopped speaking abruptly. Perhaps it wasn't the wisest thing to talk like that in front of Glavenanth and the soldier. She didn't want to reveal to much. Eliss'yara tugged on her tunic. She was beginning to feel a little warm. She sipped her ale and hoped their food came soon.

[Gazan]

"A bard?" replied the elf with a smile. "Well, in that, at least, I shant accompany you. I have a singing voice like a stepped-on cat." He polished off his ale and thought of asking Eliss'yara to take off her hood as he refilled first Tarfuss's, then his own mug. He expected Glavenanth was making her nervous with his talk, (ranting drivel about being skinned alive by unhappy gods) so he didnt. Still, he really wondered what she looked like under there.

A waitress happened past at that moment, and the elf caught her eye. "Excuse me miss, I believe we are ready to order. Er, one Warrior's Feast, two Veperes, two Fregat, one serve of White Clouds, a pitcher of Arachadoon.. is er, everyone right to stick to the ales?" He flicked a glance toward Eliss'yara. "Wine perhaps?" He tried to keep the disdain out of his voice and added, to Glavenanth, "...some more soft almond biscuits, perhaps?"

[Glavenanth Chalmat]

I am fitting in it seems. Gazan has just asked me if I would like more cookies. No time to waste. Please. I will take a few more cookies and a warm up to my coffee. Thank you.

To your earlier question, I am in the city to see what there is. I am just kinda floating around the city meeting who I can and seeing what I can see. It seems that i have not slept since i have arrived into Prime due to all of the sites. I am also looking for someone to help me train in the art of the spear and meditation. My dad always told me that you needed to be one with the spear, I am here to find out what that means.

My father a great spear man was killed last Era by the city of Paxia. He was murdered by a infestation of orcs. Bless him. Hopefully the Gods are not ravaging his soul, but letting him sleep the peaceful slumber. Again getting a bit emotional, you can see anguish in his face. Excusing himself he leaves the table and goes out behind the tavern to the outhouse.