[The Crown Tavern] See All, Hear All...(Open)

[Roryn]

The large oaken doors opened, and a dozen or so chatting people wandered into the foyer of the Crown Tavern, jostling each other with their hands and drowning out the taciturn mumblings of some of the quieter patrons with raucous laughter. Amongst this group, Roryn walked quietly, attempting not to draw attention both from the group he had silently latched onto, and from the other patrons about the entrance. The group stumbled about, some blatantly intoxicated whilst others were simply halfwits, knocking through the few others in the foyer towards the archway leading to the main tavern section. The main tavern was bustling, with the twenty sided room packed from each of its various corners to the next, an easy place to get lost in, both by accident and deliberately. Roryn slunk away from the crowd he was with towards a larger gathering of people as soon as he entered, it being relatively obvious that his solitary presence was to go unnoticed. He thoguht as he walked, opting to set himself a challenge in order to test his level of skill.

Picking up a discarded tankard from a table as he walked by, he spilled a small amount of the dregs on his cloak, and began to walk in a slow deliberate manner, staggering slightly at occasional intervals. Soon, he saw a mark, a moderately well dressed Baijani who was regaling what appeared to be a group of similarly dressed people, possibly his travelling companions, with a story. His overblow hand gestures and loud, booming voice had made him stand out from the crowd, and the people around him had made Roryn's task all the easier. Putting on a bleary eyed smile and staggering a little more heavily, Roryn lurched forwards from the crowd, as if trying to pass the man, but instead fell into him, his arms wrapping around his waist as the tankard fell to the floor.

"Forgive me sir" Roryn declared a little too loudly, slurring the first word slightly "Too much good ale"

"Watch yourself drunkard" the man shouted pushing Roryn away by the shoulder, causing him to backpedal into the crowd, waving drunkenly and trying to turn around. He moved away from the crowd, checking the hand which he had dug into the man's coin purse upon throwing his arms around his waist. His training was limited, and so such a sloppy manouvere had yielded only a few golden crowns. Nonetheless, every bit or training counted.

He climbed the stairs to the first level, and found a table for one, albeit two but with only one chair, by the railings. He sat, dumping his back beneath table, and placing his hat over the corner of his chair. The inconvenience of carrying all his worldly possessions with him in his backpack did prey on his mind, but it was preferable to having them stolen from his home without a lock. His mental reverie was interruted by the arrival of a young girl, although perhaps only two or three years younger than himself, who came and stood by the side of the table, giving a short curtsy,

"Good evening sir, I'm Anaiya, and I'll be taking care of you this evening"

"My, my, I had no idea this place provided that sort of service" Roryn joked, causing the girls skin to blush slightly.

"I mean I'll take your order sir" she smiled back mischeviously, then leaning into whisper "A gentleman such as yourself doesn't look as though he can afford the services I provide" the joke made it Roryn's turn to blush.

"Well, now we've cleared up all the sexual tension, I'll ahve a bowl of Drelic and a pot of tea" Roryn asked, leaning back slightly in his chair.

"That'll be two golders sir" Anaiya told him "But tea only comes by the cup"

"Then take this" Roryn slid the five crowns stolen from the Baijani across the table "And keep them coming" Another curtsy later, and the girl left, leaving Roryn to peer out over the railing into the swirling mass of people below him.

[Straylor Leonard]

Straylor sat, a way's across from the gentleman who seemed to be carrying a lot on his back (literally) and had a way with the ladies (figuratively). Stray smirked when the waitress curtsied away with some extra gold to spare. Between Stray's hands was a wooden mug filled with cheap ale. It wasn't a matter of preference, no. Stray hated ale. He ordered the foul half-amber liquid just to feel a little more masculine to top off his brightening. Traveling from Trysvale on such short notice, then having a fairly long 'chat' with his fiancee did wonders to prevent Straylor from ever relaxing. And thus, he climbed out of bed and returned to the bar where he decided to drink like an old sailor from Demios.

Young by most standards, Straylor was as ambitious as he was good looking. No, really. He was. What was once short and neatly trimmed was now his mane of auburn hair that fell just short of his shoulders when it was not tied into a ponytail. He was also sporting a beard-type thing on his face, though thickening it was proving to be a challenge. Mayhaps Stray just lacked the traits to produce a powerful, dwarf-ish beard. Not that Elmaryia wasn't thankful for it. She wasn't altogether fond of Straylor's 'traveling' look.

Smiling at the thought, Stray took another mouthfull of the foul liquid and nearly choked. "Gawds", he cursed shaking his head, "this is really not worth it." He laughed, more at himself than anything else, and decided that another gulp was in order. Blinking, Stray shook his head once again to clear his vision before slamming the mug on the table before him. Then with his now-freed hands, Stray loosened his belt. It was going to be a long darkening.

[Roryn]

Roryn looked out over the level he was an, spying on the different people that were present around the edge of the floor, looking into the pit that sprawled below. There was a variety of people there, some simple folk spending their hard earned coin, mixed in with a group of wealthier, older men, who wouldn't know how to earn coin in any remotely honest way. Some were dressed in gaudy colours of gold and silver, mixed around bottle green and deep crimson, and all of them silk, whilst others wore plainer suits of single colours, but elegantly co-ordinated, and with a small smattering of jewellery. Roryn observed closely from his table, his eyes not lingering in one place for too long, lest he be accused of staring, but forever roaming around the room, and returning to the same place every so often if something had piqued his interest.

His observations were interrupted when Anaiya returned, carrying a tray laden with a bowl and five steaming mugs. She placed the bowl in front of him, and all of the mugs to the right hand side of it, before slinging the tray under her arm.

"Anything else I can do you for sir?" she asked.

"Oh by Aslan there are so many different ways I could answer that" Roryn joked, causing the girl to walk off, a semi affronted, semi intrigued look on her face. Roryn tucked into the rice and chicken, the good simple food reminding him of his mothers home cooking. That finished, he drank his first mug of tea fairly quickly, swilling the contents of the brown liquid before draining the dregs. He then proceeded on with the next few mugs at a more reserved and deliberate pace; a marathon as opposed to a sprint. During this time, he felt eyes on the back of his neck, and surrepticiously looked over to his left, seeing a man sat by himself, nursing a flagon of ale. He looked wealthy, but not lazy or complacent, and had the air of someone travelled and experienced about him. That impression was added to by the not so inconspicuous presence of a pair of twin shortswords, looking both exceptionally well crafted as well as deadly. He saw the man choke and then proceed to drink whatever was in the flagon, although Roryn surmised it to be cheap and disgisting, probably something the young man was unused to. Grinning to himself, Roryn flagged down a passing waitress.

"Two glasses of Gold Whisky, and deliver them over there" he pointed to the table at which the gentleman was sat, and then, taking his pack and hat, went over himself.

He sat down i the chair opposite the man, eliciting a curious look, probably because he had joined him uninvited. Before he had to do any explaining, the waitress returned, carrying the two shot glasses full of a light amber fluid, placing one in front of each man and then departing.

"I'm Roryn" he stated simply with a smile "And seeing as I just bought you a drink it would be impolite to ask me to leave right away"

[Straylor Leonard]

Straylor's attention had long shifted away from Roryn by that time, and he was now attentively seeking something or someone to entertain him. The waitresses were a bland bunch, and most of them were rumored to be bad pillow talkers. Stray couldn't help but chuckle softly at the thought. Elmaryia would have his head for even the slightest notion of cheating on her. Not that he would, of course. She was more than enough to satisfy his appetite in this lifetime.

Grabbing his belt once again, Straylor produced a sheathed short sword -- his damascus steel -- and slammed it lightly on the table before him. And then, just as quickly, a man seemed to materialize before his very presence. Straylor shot back, his sword half-unsheathed to fend off the uninvited guest. "May I help you ...", he ventured before the man began to talk. "Roryn?", Stray repeated, still confused by the ordeal.

Did he cast a spell without knowing it ... or was he that drunk? "Wait, you what?" Stray looked around just in time to see a barmaid with a considerable front end approach the two men with tray topped with whiskey. "Oh. Right. Well, thanks." Stray laughed and shook his head. "You know, if this is some kind of move to get me naked, I don't swing that way." Laughing again, Stray snatched one of the glasses and took a straight shot. He swallowed, then coughed, swearing at the fiery flavor of the liquor.

[Roryn]

Roryn downed his shot in one and placed the glass gently on the table as he stared at the man with a wry smile.

"Well that's charming, I buy you drinks, I engage in polite conversation, and I don't even rank high enough for a quicky" He saw what might have been a look of abject terror on the man's face, and quickly backed up his remarks, seeing that sarcasm might not be a strong point.

"Alright then, obviously not the best way to introduce myself. And to start with, I don't swing that way either, though if I get enough of these inside me, I might be ersuaded to change my mind" He smiled a little, and then looked up and down at the man opposite him. Judging by the way he carried himself and the two shortswords that Roryn had registered earlier, he was obviously a combatant of some sort, and considering the fine nature of the weapons, an undoubtedly proficient one.

"I'm Roryn Stormwolf, I live around here but I originally come from a village near Zinn'Sunn. I'm a martial artist without work and very little money, and I'm fairly confident that you're a Leonard, right?"

He saw the man's confusion, and or curiousity, and decided to explain himself.

"You had an ancestor, Alsan only knows how many Eras ago, called Maybelle Leonard. She was a daughter of Richard Leonard. Anyroad, she emigrated to Zinn'Sunn when she was in her twenties and met my grandfather, my mother's father. They settled down, had kids, my mother met my father, settled down, had kids, had me. And then, we always listened to my grandmother tell us stories about her nephews, and how brave and wonderful they were, and you just about fit into that. It's the beard, according to her it was a trait in your family, and I'm fairly confident it's where I get mine from" He scratched his own beard absentmindedly for a moment before continuing.
"I am right aren't I?"

[Straylor Leonard]

There was a momentary pause before Straylor broke out in laughter. The man had guts, and jokes. That was nice. Stray shook his head and recieved the man's greeting for what it was worth. A free shot of whiskey, at least. "Have a seat then", he waved indicating the free chair that Roryn was already sitting on. But then the man introduced himself again -- a reintroduction, if you please. Stray was barely paying attention until he heard his surname spoken as correctly as his father once instructed him to pronounce it. "Er -- what did you say?"

Straightening up, Straylor slowly placed his empty shot glass beside him. This was too much to take in. No, not the information but the alcohol. The last time he got really drunk, he ended up meeting his half brother. Perhaps if Stray got drunk every damn brightening, he'd meet all his relatives, and then some! "Wait, so you're related to me? As in, the Leonardes?" Shaking his head, Stray attempted to absorb the long list of relatives that this Roryn fellow just blurted out without thinking. "Yea, I got an aunt or something by the name of Maybelle. I think. Don't know much 'bout her. Mostly from old family portraits and such ... but you're from ... Zinn'Sunn? I was just there last Season and I didn't meet no Leonardes ... almost got killed, but that's enough story ..."

[Roryn]

Roryn smiled, fondly remembering some of the stories he had been told about the more unsavoury areas of Zinn'Sunn, and the things that might go on there. Mind you, he had also heard about some pretty unspeakable things occuring in the upper echelons of society, so he wasn't one to judge. As his father had always taught him in all his infinite wisdom, see all, hear all, say nowt, or at least some variation of that in Kemish. Nonetheless, he was glad at his correct identification of the man, mostly born out of the illustrious reputation that his grandmother had instilled in them all about the great heroic feats performed by their distant Medonian cousins. If he was looking for an opportunity to prove his worth and honour, following around an undoubted hero was probably a good way to do it. And if not, he could at least see whether or not his grandmother was grossly exaggerating all the old family stories.

"Well I'm not surprised that you didn't know you had relatives in Zinn'Sunn" he explained "The Leonardes name went out in my family with my grandmother. She took the surname Iriji when she married my grandfather, and they only had daughters who then took on their husbands names, ergo me being a Stormwolf"

He sat back in his seat and waved at a passing waitress gesturing to the two empty glasses before them in order to have them refilled. Only a moment later did he hope he was carrying enough coin on him for this little amount of splurging; initially, he had only planned on a cheap dinner and tea.

"So then, cousin, tell me, barring the near death experience, which some could say is part of the local charm, how did you find my home province?"

[Straylor Leonard]

Straylor regarded his cousin across from him. The man was a kermite, no less, and was by no means the light-haired, fair-skinned Leonardes he met during his youngling brightenings. Nevertheless, Roryn Stormwolf had an air about him ... an unmistakable air. Stray grinned, as if seeing his cousin for the man he was and would be all at once. Extending his arm across the table again, he laughed. "Cousin! Gah, there is no mistake." Shaking his head now, Stray drowned the rest of his whiskey in one head tilt before turning back toward Roryn.

"I was just spending my last season as a free man traveling", he replied with a solemn nod, "I relocated to Trysvale since last Era. Medonia was home, but I sought my fortune elsewhere. Who knew it'd be in the Carmelyn? Hah!" He chuckled then continued, "I say, you should come with me. We can make our fortunes together ... plus, I've got a home there for any and all Leonardes and a stable business to keep things comfortable. What do you say? I can probably fetch you a job with the Constabulary too ... or any job, if you want it."

Straylor grinned. The fates were playing the Leonardes once again. Perhaps Empire domination was not beyond their grasps after all.

[Roryn]

Roryn almost baulked at the proposition in front of him. He had come in a few hours earlier for a quiet drink, and since then he had robbed a man, met a distant relative and was now being offered work and shelter, albeit in a different city from the one he had so recently moved to. He really didn't know how to respond in truth, the seeming absurdity of the offer having caught him greatly off guard. On the one hand, he wasn't a hundred per cent sure of what this man was like, barring the fact that he hadn't thrown him off his table, and given the stories his grandmother had told him. On the other, this was exactly the sort of thing he had set out from home to do; meet people have adventures, make a name for himself. As tempted as he was to proceed carefully, a natural trait for his cautious people, as well as the caution instilled in him through his K'Tesh training, in this instance he opted to throw caution to the wind.

"I would be...honoured to accompany you to your home" Roryn said, choosing his words carefully so as to have the best possible meaning "It heartens me to know that I have unknown relatives who are so unquestioningly caring"

He smiled across at him, before leaning forward and gesturing to him to do the same.

"I thank you for your offer of work as well, but I think I should warn you that my particular expertise lies in the more taciturn arts, such as the accumulation of information, or the enactment of certain things that honourable bodies cannot do so publicly" He suddenly realised a possible implication.
"Not that I do anything dishonourable; all my work is for the right reasons, it just happened that this is my area of best skill. If you have a place for one such as me, it would be an honour to serve"

[Straylor Leonard]

Straylor laughed when Roryn mentioned his expertise. "Then I will have much need for your arts in Trysvale", he grinned, "I hope to become Thane soon ... and I'll need a right hand, someone trustworthy, to be my eyes and ears. Plus", he snapped his fingers, "I happen to have otherwordly talents that can help you." Smiling still, Stray leaned against the back of his chair while he regarded his long lost cousin a moment longer.

"Tell me, cousin", he began after a moment's pause, "have you any family back in Zinn'Sunn? I forgot to mention that a wedding is upon us, between myself and my beautiful bride. It'll be my honour to have you join the festivities, along with any other relatives I have long since not known of."

However Roryn replied, Straylor quickly ran off to the counter where he asked for a piece of parchment and the use of an inkpot and quill. He returned several moments later with a half-dried sheet of parchment with his address written neatly on it. It also indicated that he be allowed into the city, no questions asked by orders of the Chief Constable. "I hope you'll come when it's most convenient for you", he added sincerely, "any time you wish, cousin. Just seek me out, the townspeople should be able to send you my way."

[Roryn]

"You want to meet your extended family on your wedding day of all times" Roryn laughed, possible a little too loudly as he received several stares from those tables around them.
"I'll let people know to turn up if they can, but I'm warning you, going on blood relatives alone, you're looking at a lot of extra guests"

As he received the invitation and pass slip to enter Tyrsvale he nodded smiling.

"I shall come upon you as quickly as I can manage it. It would be an honour to serve you, cousin"

He rose and gave a low bow, one which in Zinn'Sunn would have been used to show deference to ones olders, or to ones betters. In this instance, his newly found cousin did appear to fit both categories, both older, and accomplished in what would appear to be both combat and politics. Hanging around with him would be interesting indeed, although a sinking feeling in his stomach also warned him that it would be somewhat dangerous.

"And with that cousin, I beg you to permit me take my leave. I will see you when I can. Aslan preserve you on your journey home"

And with that he swept from the bar and out into the darkening air.

[Kierka]

Kierka noticed the man sweeping out from the bar as she slid in and found herself wondering if she would be allowed into this establishment at her age... Pursing her lips, she shrugged and lightly fingered the few coins she had... It had seemed like a long journey to her coming all the way from Talestra...

"Is there any way I could get some hot water... and some mint?... I have coin... such as it is..."

Kierka could not but be amazed at the clinking of the coins... so much exchange taking place just in this one establishment...

She noticed an attractive man with auburn hair, smiled briefly at him, and then continued to look about the room...