Peering into the Barracks...

[Verai Marcel]

Timestamp: Brightening 12 of Aperitus, Summer of Era XI In the Age of the Darkening

Verai peeked into the barracks, looking down the corridor. She looked around, then found a bunk and a chest that were empty and placed her belongings inside, and locked the chest. Tossing the key up and down a few times, she climbed onto her bunk and plopped down on her back, staring up at the ceiling. It had been a long time since she had been in a barracks back in Candaceburg. But that was five years ago, and she had not gone into military service since. She had considered becoming a mercenary permanently, but that did not appeal to her; her life expectancy would decrease dramatically. Not that her life would be any less dangerous in the army, but at least she had people to back her up here. And she would get free training, which was the main goal of all this.

She sighed and sat up. After looking around her to make sure no one else way around, she brought her arm up to practice saluting the wall for a while.

[Tauro]

ooc: my apologies for the wait. I am on it now..

ic:

Verai was not alone for long. A few minutes after she had arrived another woman entered the barracks. Her movements had been quiet, and Verai was still saluting when she caught sight her.

Roughly the same height as Verai, this woman, a human by the look of her, had short blonde hair, rough skin and a fat nose. She had a tough appearance, and wore her Riparian Guard uniform over a suit of leather armour. She was bulky and looked like a brute of a woman. She had obviously been in the guard for some time and Verai guessed she may be in her late thirties. A short sword bounced against the woman's leg, and she held her helmet under her right arm. Giving Verai a thin smile, she looked her up and down.

"Ah, a new recruit," she said, her voice deep and rough. "Let me guess, you met Sergeant Qual'irh at the recruiting office? He always comments on a new recruit's salute."

She chuckled softly, removing her shirt and taking off her armour. She apparently had not trouble getting undressed in front of another woman. Soon, she was dressed in new clothes - a plain white shirt and loose pants, and laid down on her bed. Placing her arms around the back her head, she eyed Verai once more.

"If feels good to be off duty, if only for a few hours. So, tell me your name recruit. I am Corporal Alpene Tyvor. Been in the guard for quite some time myself."

A wicked grin formed on Aplene's face. She knew well the torture Verai would be in for over the next few brightenings. Many had come and gone in those first few days, more than she could count.

"You're sure your up to this?"

[Verai Marcel]

Verai recognized the grin, as she had seen it in a couple of instructors past. She just grinned back. She was used to seeing another woman change; after all, she had shared a room with her sister for a decade and a half.

"The name's Verai, Corporal, and yes, I'm definitely up to this. I've been through a bit of training before, but that was five years ago in Candaceburg, and it probably wasn't as vigorous as it will be here."

Swinging her legs off the side of the bed, Verai stood up and nodded to the Corporal. "I suppose I should enjoy my last few hours of freedom before my indoctrination. Do you suggest any places where I can get a good, cheap bite to eat?"

[Tauro]

Alpene nodded, though her smile did not leave her face.

"You are quite correct, Private," she said, offering another humorous chuckle. "I am guessing those farmers in Candaceburg do not believe in the same discipline as those who are in charge of the Guard. You will see the goal is to be regimented in our duties and our time. Yet, there is comfort in routine. You learn to know what to expect from yourself and those around you. I for one wouldn't trade it for the world."

She stood then, standing near Verai as she thought over what she had asked.

"A place to eat, you say? There are plenty, though you will be required to eat in the Mess Hall starting tomorrow. As for cheap, meals are free in the Mess, but if want to go somewhere, and would like a little company, I have a bit of free time. The Silver Daggers Tavern doesn't tend to like members of the guard, so I'd more likely reccommend the Green Goblin Tavern. So, if you want, I can help make your last free hours a bit more enjoyable."

A mischievious grin crossed her face, and there was a sense that this woman did enjoy causing a little trouble now and then.

[Verai Marcel]

Verai grinned back in the same manner. She could sense the mischief floating in the air around her, and Verai always liked people who had that. However, Verai didn't like to cause mischief so much as watch others do it and get a good laugh from it all. Or at least be an accomplice in the trouble-making.

"Sure, I'd like the company. The Green Goblin it is, then."

Heading for the exit with a lopsided grin on her face, Verai looked forward to her last night of freedom. She just hoped she had enough self control not to let whatever she got into on this night get out of hand.

OOC: Should we continue this in the tavern, or just end it here?

[Tauro]

ooc: We can continue it here. That is sufficient.

ic:

Alpene smiled and followed Verai out into the road and away from the Guard compound. She had thought her night would be dull spent in the barracks just relaxing, but she was excited about the turn of events. Verai seemed nice enough, and it would be interesting to see what trouble they could get into. Alpene was known as a bit of a troublemaker amongst her platoon, but Verai would have little knowledge of that.

Arriving at the Green Goblin, the sounds of music and merriment could be heard emanating from within. Though it was still not quite night, it seemed merchants were already getting an early start to their partying. Alpene did not hesitate, instead, she walked right into the tavern, nodded to Charlie at the bar, raising her hand to show she wanted two ales, and took a seat at an empty table the centre of the main room. As Verai joined her, she offered her a large grin.

"I hope you don't mind, but I ordered us both a stout ale. The finest I've had can be found here at the Goblin. My treat, seeing as your new to the Guard."

Alpene then looked around the rest of the tavern. A majority of tables were filled with a variety of different looking people and races. At the far end was a lutest playing a tune while a bard told the tale of Bartrainus and the Ghoul, his voice raising at key moments in the story. Those close to the bard were paying close attention to the story, while further back, where they were seated, it was full of the noise of various discussions. A single barmaid worked through the throng, smacking one man's hand as he tried to pinch her, while deftly placing full tankards on the table before Alpene and Verai.

"Anythin' else fer ye ladies?" she asked.

[Verai Marcel]

"A bowl of soup and some bread, please," Verai replied to the barmaid while she fished through her small shoulder bag for some crowns. Content with the amount she had, she waited to see if she had to pay now or pay later for her food before taking her tankard.

"Thanks for the ale," she said to Alpene. She raised the tankard sheepishly. "To good health and fewer severe beatings than necessary!"

[Tauro]

The barmaid nodded at Verai and walked away. Payment was obviously required later. Alpene chuckled at Verai's comment, and raised her mug at the toast.

"Here, here! she shouted before downing a large portion of the ale. "You don't know the half of it! And to the Riparian Guard! Best of the best, or of at least the rest!"

Laughing, she wiped her mouth and she looked around the bar.

"I wonder..." she said, her mind intent on something. She winced, the sound of the bard's voice reaching their ears.

"That bard is surely the worse I've heard in years. He be bellowing like a boar!"

She laughed at her own joke, downing the last of her ale and slamming it on the table.

"Another ale!" she yelled, waving towards the barmaid who merely nodded and sighed.

Alpene looked back at Verai.

"Tell me Verai, have you played 'Catch the Stone' before?"

[Verai Marcel]

Verai laughed with Alpene as she laughed at the bard. She agreed; the music of other towns sounded infinitely better than this chap. Watching Alpene down her ale in a very short amount of time, Verai merely raised an eyebrow when she yelled for another. She can certainly hold her alcohol, she thought.

As for Catch the Stone, Verai had no clue what it was. She blinked at Alpene before replying, "No, never even heard of it. What kind of game is it?"

[Tauro]

Again, a michievious grin crossed Alpene's features. Never heard of the game? Oh, this was going to be an enjoyable evening. Reaching into her pocket, Alpene placed a rock on the rock. It was a dull gray and would fit comfortably into the palm of Verai's hand. As the barmaid reappeared with another tankard of ale, Alpene took a hold of the rock.

"Catch the Stone is a drinking game, with the object being to outlast your opponent. Now, the point of the game is to toss the rock in the air, take a large drink of your ale and catch it before it lands on the table. While it may sound foolish and easy, imagine how hard it becomes after four or five tankards." She chuckled then, shaking her head. "Especially if you toss the stone a bit away from the table and have to lunge for it."

With the smile permanently plastered on her face, Alpene tossed the rock above her with it nearly touching the ceiling, grabbed her ale, took several large gulps, and snatched the stone before it hit the table. Smiling, she placed the stone before Verai.

"Give it a try!" she said. "Loser pays for one round of drinks."

[Verai Marcel]

Raising an eyebrow, Verai took the stone, tossed it up in the air, and took two huge gulps from her tankard. Then she stuck her hand out and fumbled for the stone for a few seconds before grabbing it firmly. "Not so hard, for now. Sure, let's play then." She placed the stone back onto the table in front of her. She had a vague feeling that she might lose, but that didn't bother her now. Her competitve juices fired up, and Verai grinned. Bring it on, she thought.

[Tauro]

Watching Verai toss and catch the stone, Alpene smiled. Again, she tossed the stone into the air, and again, she deftly snatched it after taking a large drink of her ale. And so the game continued, each woman becoming more tipsy as they progressed. Alpene was obviously adept at the game easily snatching the stone many times. However, it was becoming increasingly difficult to complete the task without missing or dropping the stone.

As the game progressed, others in the tavern began to follow their match with interest. Many of the men poked each other wondering which woman would falter first, and bets were made with Verai hearing the odds on favourite was Alpene. Already the game had gone on far longer than most had thought, and with each toss, the anticipation heightened.

It was a extremely tipsy Verai that watched Alpene throw the stone into the air one more time. One this toss, the rock flew over towards the other side of their table, and as Alpene took her drink, her eyes went wide. Realizing her throw was now far in front of her, she suddenly lunged forward in what she thought was a graceful leap; however, considering her drunken state, it was anything but.

Her knees knocked the edge of the table causing it flip over. Verai's tankard went flying splashing ale all over her as the table and Alpene crashed off to the side. Landing hard on another chair, which snapped under her weight, Alpene's hand reached forward trying to reach the stone. Just before it hit the ground, Alpene snatched the rock sacrificing her body so she would not lose the game. She landed hard, her ribs crashing against, first, the table and chair, and second, the hard surface of the floor. Wincing in pain, Alpene raised her hand in triumph, the stone plainly visible. Those patrons who had been watching applauded, though some grumbled knowing they had just missed a chance to win the bet.

Gingerly, Alpene rose from the floor and gave the barkeeper an apologetic smile. He returned the look with a glare, but he knew Alpene, and did not make a scene. A couple of men returned the table to its position, and a bar maid began to remove the remnants of the chair while another put a full tankard of ale before Verai. Tossing the stone to Verai, Alpene grinned wide.

"Your turn."

[Verai Marcel]

Blurry eyed and tipsy as all heck, Verai squinted so she could see the stone as a single rock, instead of as a stone with a rocky aura. By the gods, I'm going to lose at this rate, she thought, as she briefly remembered Alpene's stunt. Verai didn't have the gumption to pull such a move, but she didn't want to lose without a fight, either. She took the stone and tossed it into the air while grabbing her tankard and chugging a large portion of it. The angle of the throw was off, however, and the rock was sailing further and further behind Verai. Noticing her mistake all too late, she leaned back in the chair to catch it.

[Tauro]

Indeed, Verai's toss did go a bit behind her. Leaning back in her chair, Verai did not realize she was about to tip over, and as her hand closed around the stone, she fell backwards landing hard on the floor. A crashing sound filled the room and a eruption of cheers and jeers from the crowd greeted Verai's ears as she became aware she was now laying on the floor in the most awkward of positions. Yet, the stone had remained in her hand despite the fall. Alpene, laughing, held out her hand and helped Verai back to the table.

"Well done!" she cheerfully, patting Verai on the back. "You've certainly got a competitive streak in you, Private."

Taking the stone back, Alpene grinned before tossing it up once more. Again, her unsteady arm threw it out to far in front of her. Lunging forward, Alpene got caught up in her chair, and crashed at the feet of the crowd. The stone clattered on the floor mere inches from her hand and another chorus of cheers rose up from the crowd followed by the grumblings of those who had lost their bets. Alpene rose slowly from the ground, a frown on her face, and sat back down on her chair.

"Blasted chair," she snarled. "Well, Verai, you won the game, and for that, the next round is on me!"

The smile returned to Alpene's face as another order of ale was brought to the two women.

[Verai Marcel]

Verai laughed heartily at Alpene's snarled cursing at the chair. A bit dazed, she just drifted in and out of space until the ale was brough to the table. Eyeing the tankard cautiously, she debated whether or not she could drink yet another mug. But tonight she felt invincible, and shook her head of her doubts. Grabbing the handle, she brought the tankard up to make another toast.

"To loyal and competive friends!" she slurred raucously.

Verai had pretty much forgotten about her soup, and was seriously thinking about going home to hit the sack.