Tarrace Inquisition
Log Info
- Title: Tarrace Inquisition
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Sabina, Tenoc, Cryosanthia, Vaera, Gaerth, Jinks
- Place: A03: The TarRaCe
- Time: Thursday, October 07, 2021, 9:25 PM
- Summary: Rupi is acting as greeting for the Tarrace, watching the door and staying close to it. Tenoc, a green-scaled sith'makar, arrives with a female and youngling and joins Vaera, who is already seated. The Tarrace is busy, with several new patrons who have ordered a bland meal and seem more interested in staring at the other diners. One of them accosts the female sith, demanding to know why she's wearing a disguise. The sith demands to know who's asking. Sabina intervenes, dismissing the woman's stated objection, that she dislikes dining among disguised people, as a poor excuse for a place where the proprietor wears a mask. She asks what's really going on. The Inquisitrix explains, there are rumours Sabina is harbouring a demon and there are eyes watching you, baby. Sabina laughs it off, demonstrating her divine connection and saying Tarien would have cut her off, if so. She offers the Inquisitors and trixes permission to take free baths, or inspect her back rooms. Meanwhile, the sith gather and eat. Vaera has a present for Lily, surmising that the greenscale hatchling is very likely a nearly fully grown kobold youngling disguised as a sith'makar. She gives a beautifully carved bracelet with flying fish, and shows the carving she's added to her leg. Lily is encouraged to eat her vegetables, Tenoc slips asleep, and Cryo in green reveals she may need some assistance and advice soon, and indicates to Sabina, probably a lot more help. As the evening winds down, Gaerth and Jinks arrive, with Jinks rather drunk. Rupi is curious why, comps him further drinks and the gnome explains how he died from the shadow of the Demon Duke falling on him. The succubus gives him the bottle to finish off, and she and others encourage the paladin to see him home.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* The TarRaCe *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Inside, this two-story structure has been almost completely opened up. Generous windows on both stories allow daytime sunlight and cooling night breezes to flow in as needed, while the brick walls have been whitewashed - contrasting with the dark-stained beams and supports, and the rich polish on the wooden floor. A broad strip of stone runs from the entrance to a framed doorway set into the opposite wall, with a sign above the lintel declaring that the baths are to be found that way.
The ground floor is sprinkled with tables and chairs of assorted sizes, offering welcome to guests both large and small. One whole corner of the building - into which guests are not permitted entry - has been given over to the kitchen, which serves as the domain of the famed monster chef Ligum Serforus. Mundane meals are available, but the chef delights in offering up obscure dishes made from the freshest of monster ingredients.
Opposite the kitchen a small bar runs in front of an array of shelves, displaying a broad selection of beverages (most of them alcoholic). The bar-top has been fashioned from what looks to have been old pieces of armor, fused and welded together before being polished to provide a near-smooth finish. Set above it, three human-sized statues have been built into an alcove in the wall: Tarien, Rada and Ceinara jointly keep benevolent watch over the room and its occupants.
To the right of the entrance, a small stage offers a platform for a handful of performers at a time. To the left of the door, a spiral staircase of wrought iron winds its way up to a balcony dining area, that is chiefly reserved for special events and parties.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Sabina 5'4" 130 Lb Human Female Tsuran woman of dark hair and green eyes. Tenoc 7'0" 280 Lb Sith-Makar Male Tall, green-scaled Sith'Makar hunter. Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. Vaera 7'0" 262 Lb Sith-Makar Female A tall, dark red Makari with a wooden leg. Gaerth 6'0" 190 Lb Human Male Eldanar youth, brown hair, blue eyes, trim beard Jinks 3'4" 39 Lb Gnome Male A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NPCs of Note =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Rupi Human Female Dark hair, sultry expression, full lips, energetic. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
It's after dinner in the Tarrace. There are still patrons, catching a late meal, and the band on stage is playing some classical chambre music that goes well with dining.
At the front of the house, a dangerously attractive woman in a plain waitress uniform is leaning against the booking podium. There is a glass of red wine in front of her, half touched. She's watching the street, but occasionally glances around the room behind her.
In the room, are some decidedly non regulars that seem to share similar characteristics. At least one is in a black cape, black hat, with a false nose and mustache. There are others, less obvious, less dramatic. Even a few pretending to be couples or a small team.
They have all ordered the cheapest thing on the menu, several carefully examined the food with glowing eyes, and eat very slowly, nursing their drinks.
Bina stands at the top of the steps on the second floor. She's amused beyond measure at all the 'cloak and dagger' that seems to be going on inside the Tarrace. Her smile is wide and she giggles almost constantly, but she's trying to be quiet about it. They're trying so hard after all.
She starts her way down the circular stairs and to the main floor. "Any issues tonight, Rupi?" she asks.
The door creaks and time slows. Just enough for the tall warrior of tooth and claw and scale to enter. Cautious, calculating, gazing....
- ...wearing a smaller green-scaled Sith child upon his shoulders.
And daring anything to be said of it.
He glances, bright eyes raking around before he rumbles evenly, somewhat mollified. Words in Draconic-- "It seems harmless enough...."
"Yes 'Bina-beans, everything is fine!" Rupi stares back at her partner with a wide smile, seemingly attached to the podium at the front.
It's at this moment that the greenscaled couple enter, a female following the larger male and the carried youngling. "We'll find a space," the female tells the attractive greeter and moves by, following. Sabina is subjected to another stare, this one from lizard eyes.
As the second Sith'makar crossing between tables, one of the diners looks up, "Why are you wearing a disguise?"
This stops the her, she looks down at the other woman. "Who the scales are you and why do you care?"
Inside the Tarrace already was a dark red sith-makar woman, who was both eating, and working on a pile of metal bits on her table, and working on her meal, a large plate of various meats and cheeses. She noted the various people investigating the place, but it was nice enough still, and they weren't causing too many problems yet, at least.
She waves to Tenoc when they enter, and to the others with him, though she pauses when they are accosted by the woman. She waves to them quickly. "Ah, peace on your nest! This one was wondering when you would arrive. This one got food already, and hopes that is okay." she calls out. It was a large plate of food, and could pass for an appetizer between the three of them. <Draconic>
Tenoc casts a glance to the other Greenscale before he nods with a chuff, a rumble. "...one wishes they still had the spear..." he grouses, though gently. The greatspear would be too massive for 'civilized' society... And hardly suitable to carry.
Besides-- Lily.
"This one is grateful," he announces, sketching a brief bow to the Redscale. Gently, he retrieves the hatchling from his shoulders, settling her to a seat. "It has been....some time."
Bina glides forward towards the sith and questioning woman. "Good evening. Is there something I can assist with? Another round of drinks perhaps?" She places a gentle hand on the sith's shoulders. "My pardon. We haven't found you a seat yet, have we. Can I assist in that?"
She gives them both her warmest smile, and even means it, strangely enough.
"I don't like eating in a place where someone is in a diguise." The woman answers Sabina coldly.
"This one would like a seat, yes, please." The greenscale is tense beneath the hand, ready to move and still not answering the question. She gazes after Tenoc.
The greenscale hatching sits on her seat, and looks around at her Ssassa.
The Hunter greenscale settles the hatchling comfortably, nodding before he turns back to the woman. His answer is simple-- eyes glitter with quiet flame as he strides over, stepping between 'scaled and the paused diner.
"She is with this one," he announces, quietly and cooly, matter-of-factly. Eyes as cold, as hot as the stars as he gazes down. "If her being here disturbs so, softskin-- leave. Or live with the dissssappointment of ssstomach." Common words fragmented, broken-- but clear. "Trouble ssshall not be, if it isss not sssought. Patiencccce."
Vaera chuffs and thumps her tail once when Tenoc and the green hatchling sits down. "You were gone quickly the last time this one saw you. Peace on your nest." She greets, taking a thin slice of meat and wrapping it around a chunk of cheese to offer to the hatchling. Her other hand waves to the greenscale near where the confrontation is happening now.
"If that is the case, you should not go to a tavern where the owner wears a mask. This one will vouch for the two of them, yes."
Bina giggles as tempers flare. "Now now. The fine Sith-Makar have the right of it I'm afraid. Besides, if she bothers you then you'll have to call out all the others here that are pretending to be other then they are." She points one table out. "Like them." And then another person. "Or him." And then a third. "Or him."
She grins and looks at all the folk pretending. "Unless someone would care to inform me what's going on? Surprise party for someone? Murder mystery dinner? Oooo.. here to play pranks on Tarien's faithful?"
The woman looks at Sabina, and stands, "All right, I'll explain." She waves for the proprietor to follow her.
The various other people pointed out suddenly find their meal interesting and stop looking at the altercation.
The greenscale female takes this opportunity to maneuver around the other two and take a seat at Vaera's table. She exhales and sits down, grabbing for some food.
Meanwhile, aside, the woman tells Sabina, "There are rumours you are harbouring a demon, and the Temples are investigating."
The Hunter glowers a moment longer, then relents; rumbling a soft, steam-kettle hiss, he moves back to the other two Greenscales, exhaling with a slow pulse of breath.
"...ssk. This one is grateful," he murmurs to Vaera. He spares a moment to continue his survey, eyes gleaming before he takes a seat of his own... sort of. Bending on his haunches, his tail curves behind, coiling in a semi-circle gesture. "Not a place for unkind things."
"You are welcome here." Vaera nods, patting the small makari on the head now. "You all are."
She nods to the female who sat down, and pushes the plate closer. "How have you been doing?" She asks, not recognizing them yet, but keeping up the pretense for the time being. "And the pastries last time, I hope they were enjoyable." Sabina pages: want me to pose again? :)
Bina blinks at the woman and then bursts out into laughter. She laughs long enough and hard enough that her eyes tear up. "Harbor a demon? Really. I see." She continues to giggle. "Harbor suggests that I am hiding a demon, yes? That I am somehow or for some reason serving one? And yet I tell you now that Tarien still answers my prayers. Would you like me to prove that to you." She looks around at the others in the main room. "To you all?"
"Yes!" The woman says firmly.
Around at other tables, heads look up, a couple of them nod. At least one who didn't lookup hisses, "Don't blow your cover idiot."
"Demonstrate your power." The Inquisitor demands.
Tenoc refrains from eating, for now. Watchful, mistrustful-- so many softskins. Fingers twitch without a spear to grasp-- he is silent, save for the thin tendrils of steam lofting from his nostrils.
And the subdued, if eager, clinking of meat to the platter. No lack of appetite for the young 'Sith'!
Vaera pushes the platter closer to seemingly the mother and child, before she returns to her work on the parts at the table. Metal rods and plates, and various gears, springs and pistons, all different states of assembly. She takes a few parts, and works on adjusting the parts that were vaguely leg shaped.
Well, leg shaped for a sith-makar. "This would be good to see, yes. It would be very reassuring to know this." She agrees.
The greenscale female grabs some meat from the plate, watching Sabina.
Across the Tavern, Rupi also glances her way, discretely. She's focusing almost all of her attention on the street.
Bina shrugs. "Very well." She pulls forth her holy symbol and prays with it in her hand. "Oh Tarien, lord of laughter and tales, please hear my prayer and grant healing energies to sooth those around me."
A burst of silver radiance issues forth from Sabina and through the room, healing minor hurts and aches where it touches.
Bina opens her eyes and looks around. "Is that sufficient? Or do you require more to allow me to go about my days in peace?"
"That is sufficient." The woman says, frowning. Clearly she was hoping the blessing would not come. "You should be careful, one of your staff may be deceiving you. Or your customers."
She pointedly glances towards the female greenscale, who does not remove her alleged disguise. Angrily, she slaps down payment for her meal and leaves it unfinished.
She does not include a tip.
"Go about your day." The woman strides out. Rupi says absolutely nothing as she passes and continues gazing out the front door, looking for patrons or trouble.
Tenoc rumbles quietly as the woman leaves; vanishing from sight draws a slow exhale from the Makar, a chuff as he shakes his head in regret. "Do not eat too much," he adds-- almost as an afterthought as the young hatchling goes through the tender ham voraciously!
"mmkff"
"...." Tenoc sighs, shaking his head in bewildered bemusement. "Surely this one never ate so much at such size," he grouses, if good-naturedly. He glances top his compatriot, studying with marked care. "They were," Tenoc admits, turning back to Vaera with a half-grin. "If.... sticky. One needed the river to feel same, again."
"This one shared them with some kin, and they were quite good, even the day after. Though you are correct, the sugars used making them leaves them a bit tricky to eat." Vaera chuffs, she looks to the hungry makari, and to Tenoc, before she shakes her head. "You may not remember, as eating so much makes one very sleepy at that age." She notes. "And honestly, it is ones choice to hide their appearance on occasion. This one prefers to keep their leg hidden in softskin lands."
The greenscale female nods, stroking the smaller one's back several times, "She wants to grow up big."
"Dragonsss." She peeps, between bites.
Heads and false noses turn their way.
"Sshe'ss a child." The female hisses at various spectators, "Likess dinosaurss and tigerss. Eat your mealss."
She turns, touching the redscale's arm, "Thiss one isss sssorry for her disstractionsss. Ssshe may wissh your aid."
Tenoc rumbles softly, nodding in understanding. Turning careful eyes to Lily's famished devourings, he aids in putting careful portions to her plate. It becomes a battle of wills: candied ham! Versus much more practical (and boring) vegetables.
Sigh.
"Mighty dragons eat vegetablessss too," Tenoc intones, firmly adding a portion of the greeny leaves to her platter.
Which are poked at, then promptly ignored. Chuff!
Bina turns slowly and meets the eyes of all those that are in disguise or acting 'normal' while inspecting her and her place. "Anyone else? Please.. speak up. Your stiff natures are influencing my patrons. If you're going to loiter, at least loosen up. Go take a bath or something. I'll even let you all wander through my room upstairs if you need to ease your minds." She sighs and shakes her head.
She moves over to the Sith filled table. "My appologies to you all."
"Nothing wrong with dragons, any devout makari, or makari in general could tell them that." Vaera chuffs with a shake of her head. She reaches for the platter, and takes some cheese, a few sticks of vegetables, and wraps them with a strip of cured meat, before it is offered to the hungry young one. "They are even better when combined, little one. try a few more combinations together."
She shakes her head when Sabina comes by. "It is alright, this one was curious about what was going on, but at least now they know. It has been no trouble, though I hope they will not bother the other patrons. This one knows how hard you work to keep this place running."
The comment from the green woman takes her attention now. "You may need aid? Of course. This one would be happy to offer what aid they can."
The greenscale male lowers his snout, snoozing at the table.
"Yesss. Likess." Little Fang likes vegetables? Perhaps turnips were what she grew up on, or mushrooms. They're sort of a vegetable.
"Hey I'll take a free bath." One of the inquisitors says, standing and rushes there. Why he's inquisiting it, perhaps! The others glare.
"It isss fine." The greenscale hisses at Sabina, gently taking hold of her wrist. "Thank you." Her words seem deeply grateful for the simple intervention, though it would be clear to those who know, it is meant for much more.
"okayss." The little greenscale takes the semi-shiskabob and pops it in her mouth.
Looking to Vaera, the other sith woman nods, "About nesstss, preparing, and dietss, and choossing the sssupportss. Though, thiss one has chossen mosst already." She squeezes Sabina's wrist.
Bina's brows rise behind her mask, thankfully hidden. She doesn't fight the grip but instead listens to the words, eyes straying to the little 'sith' and back. There is a smile then. "You plan to nest soon? Ah! Wonderful news! New life is always to be celebrated! Congratulations!"
One of Vaera's brows raise slightly, and she looks at the green makari woman, before she chuffs, and thumps her tail once. "You wished for my assistance with such matters?" She asks. "I can share what I know, about the preparations, what to expect. The supports vary between every nest-mother, but they are always the ones trusted most. Any can be trained, but the trust must be genuine. This one is happy for you, to hear this."
A few of the other totally inconspicuous patrons take Sabina up on the offer to examine the back and the upstairs room. Some remain eating and watching, un-detered.
"Yess, this one doess," the female greenscale confirms, curling a claw for Sabina to lean in closer. She hisspers in her ear, "There were thingsss thisss one did not sshare, even with her..." She struggles. There is no word for ex-cihuaa among the people. One of the partner pair dies, the relationship does not. Yet, it has for her."
"Blue." The smaller greenscale says, "Didn't tellss Blue."
Raising her head, happy her youngling has filled in one of the puzzle pieces, she hisses a little more. "Thiss one was with otherrss before hiss return." Another wrist squeeze, "Will sshare wordss later."
Turning to Vaera she smiles, nodding, "trusst iss important. Yesss."
Bina nods slowly. "Of course. Trust is critical in a great many things. Perhaps I could offer to assist as well. Later, after gaining trust, of course." She grasps hold of the greenscales' wrist lightly and then lets go, looking about the rest of the Tarrace. "It's been an interesting day."
"Ah, this one sees. Still, it is wonderful to hear." Vaera states when she hears the small one speaking, more than enough. Then she thumps her tail, turning to the small makari. "Would you like to see my leg? This one took the suggestion to heart, and simply hopes their skills match up with your artistic vision."
"It has been an interesting day, in a very short period of time. This one could help you with such regards, if you needed Sabina."
Another day in Alexandria City, and Gaerth again is looking to indulge himself a bit after training and temple duties. So, he's come to the Tarace for a meal, finding the inn's fare agrees with him. Stepping inside the inn, the warm glow and feeling helps to wash away the fatigue from Gaerth, and the plaldin finds himself smiling. He looks around for a seat, or anyone he may know, as he makes his way through the common room.
Jinks misjudges the doorframe on his way in, bouncing off the jamb with a muffled grunt and stumbling a few steps to steady himself against a granite pillar of a dark-skinned Khazad. The gnome slurs an excuse and pats the dwarf awkwardly on the forearm of its mug-hand before continuing to the bar. The hood of his velvet cloak is tossed back before he mounts a stool, proceeding to dig around his person for coin. Save the circlet, his usual abundance of jewelry and gems are absent.
"Yesss." The greenscale youngling hops off her seat and scuttles over to Vaera's chair to examine the leg. She stands on the correct side, bouncing eagerly.
The adult female concentrates on the food, making herself small wraps of vegetables and meat, chewing them.
At the front of the Tarrace, a striking woman leans on the seating podium. She looks curiously at Gaeth, smiles and says, "Sit anywhere."
The gnome who bounces off the frame, and a khazad gets a greeting. "Hey Babykiller, careful there." She watches both, mostly the gnome, as they head into the room.
Bina unwraps herself from the gentle wrist grab and nods. "I look forward to a later talk."
Rupi's comments cross the room and Bina tsks. "Now Rupi. I believe I asked you to be polite." She moves to join the woman at the podium. "I know it's easy to toss words about. It's harder to give soothing ones. And yet the outcome is always more worthwhile." She gives the woman a peck on the cheek and then moves back up the stairs. She pauses near the top, looking over to where her room is. "Hey! You! Yes, you!" She points at one the unseen people rifling though her room. "Put those back! Under garments are costly! Get your own!" She moves out of sight.
Gaerth returns the smile to the hostess as she greets him. "Thank you," he replies and nods to her as he goes about doing just that. Then Jinks makes his entrance, and the Dawnblade chuckles. He sits down next to the gnome, giving his former adventuring companion a gentle, and friendly, clap on the arm. "A bit into your cups tonight, Jinks?" There's no admonishment in his tone, just a bit of humor and concern.
"Any time you wish to speak, seek this one out. Though that was likely more directed at Cryosanthia." Vaera chuffs, waving off the cleric. Though she shakes her head at the outburst from upstairs. "This one, with how separated all the softskins always seem to be, this one would think they would have more respect for the property of others. And even amongst kin, we do not go searching amongst personal belongings."
She pulls the coat away from her right leg where not-Lily was standing to reveal the wooden leg, carved with lifelike scales, and other tiny designs. She points a claw to a band near the top of the limb, where once were scales, now were scales of a different sort. The fish-scales of winged piscine creatures, dragonlike wings outstretched in flight in several places all around the top band of the limb. "And it would not do for me to be the only one to share this idea, so, when you are satisfied, close your eyes, and hold out your hands.
The appearance of the paladin gets a nod and a wave, and that of Jinks, which causes her to chuff, though a brow raises at the title.
"Have you lost your ability to deal with doors and their frames, Jinks? This one would think you were the one nearly eaten by one, and not myself." She calls over, clearly in jest by the sharp toothed smile they had.
Coat pockets, pants, belt pouches, sleeves, chest, back pockets. Jinks half-mutters a greeting at Gaerth and freezes a moment at Rupi's greeting. He sighs, going back to his search by removing a boot. He turns the footwear to its side and sticks a hand in, digging around until he produces a trio of gold coins and single platinum. Two of the gold slap down onto the bar and the remainder vanish at some twist of the wrist. "Free advice. Don't die next to a wizard." He raises bare fingers and wiggles them indicatively. For Vaera, "It's not where it usually is," he offers without a sense of irony.
"Ooooooo..." The green Lily says in awe, leaning close to examine the carving, trace it with her small scales. She follows its outline, then finally nods and closes her eyes, holding out her hands.
The adult female glances over at her companion, who seems to have slipped into a food coma. "Thiss one may need the more immediate help of sshifting him."
Rupi meanwhile, smiles at the kiss then watches her partner head upstairs, keeping one hand over the spot. She turns to gaze at Jinks next. There is the briefest flash, a lack of emotion, that makes her look severe. This vanishes, there's a smile, a saunter. She crosses the room and ends up beside Jinks. Reaching out, she pushes the gold coins back towards him with a finger.
"Sounds like there's a story there, Sugar-honey-bon." She smiles brightly, "drinks on me if you tell it, and what you'd like your nickname to be."
There's a smile of camaraderie on Gaerth's face as Jinks fishes around for the coins. He hears the chuff and looks over to Vaera, giving his other recent companion a wave. He give the Sith a half-smile and a nod towards Jinks, indicating that he'll watch over the gnome, before returning to the bar. When Rupi returns the coins to the gnome, Gaerth nods to her in appreciation. "I'm sure Jinks has many stories to tell. His puns might be occasionally annoying, but he's brave and stalwart as they come on a quest."
"The door is still attached to the frame, though perhaps one of the many investigators simply forgot to close it in their rush to enter." Vaera responds with another chuff. "Unlike the one in Dragonier, this one does not have legs to walk away on. But yes, Jinks was quite reliable on my expedition."
When Lily closes her eyes, Vaera reaches into her coat to produce a small bracelet, composed of numerous carved fish with wings like the ones on her leg, stained with dark reds, greens and blues. She gently closes the small hands around the gift. "You can open your eyes now." She says, thumping her tail against the ground once again, and patting Lily on the head. "If you need help with that, I should still be strong enough to manage that." She responds to the disguised sith-makar.
Jinks sets his palm flat over the coins, makes a fist, and then brings both hands together before snapping thumb-and-forefingers. He opens his empty hands, fingers together and palms up-- but then one of the two coins slips from where it's wedged between digits and tinkles down to the bar. "Fuck," the gnome sighs. He'll settle for picking the coin up and stuffing it into the pocket sans panache this time while pointing at his bottle of choice behind the bar. He narrows his eyes between Gaerth and Vaera at their comments, swaying slightly in his seat.
"They summoned the Duke to try and bind him. When his shadow fell on me I died." He takes the bottle by its neck as soon as it's on the bartop, curling it into a one-armed embrace. "Turns out the second time isn't as bad as the first but I'd still recommend a warm bath over it." He blinks, turning finally to focus intently on the room and scan the crowd.
"You are weakened?" The greenscale tilts her head towards Vaera, "or iss your leg?"
The green Lily meanwhile, trills happily when she opens her eyes and sees what is around her wrist. She stares, rotating it with fascination, "thansss! Fisssh! Fissh! Fissssh!" She counts, continually spinning the bracelet and passing the starting point.
Mention of 'The Duke' gets heads turned the gnome's way, followed by some rapid scribbling in notebooks.
"Hey," Rupi says, "he was an innocent bystander, there to write a song about how wonderful 'They' were, or bypassing, or something. This guy is a victim, and a bard, and a not very good one."
This seems to satisfy the curious noses, who return to pretending to eat their meals. Well, a couple didn't look up. They're either more skilled in their spycraft or actual patrons trying to finish dinner.
"Take the bottle with you," Rupi says, convincingly sympathetic, and warns, "try not to drown. Have someone with you."
As the barkepp turns to him, Gaerth orders some roast meat and potatoes and vegetables that are part of the fare for the night. Then, Rupi gives her advice to Jinks and Gaerth nods. "That is good counsel," he says to Jinks. "Stay for a moment, I'll buy you a plate as well, and then we'll see you home. Does that sound agreeable?"
"You are welcome." Vaera replies, patting the small sith-makar on the head again, before lifting them up in to their lap. "Now, how about you help me and your sassa to finish this food? This one can show you what they are working on as well."
Vaera turns towards the greenscale and shakes her head. "Ah, not exactly. This one has just become more aware of how weak they have become after everything. This new leg, may help some."
She looks to Jinks curiously. "This one is glad you are alright then, it would be bad to not be able to rely upon you for future jobs." She states, not unkind, but perhaps a bit blunt. It was hard to tell sometimes. "Having someone to go with him would be best, and a paladin of the dragonfather doing so may dissuade some of the curious patrons of the tavern this night."
Jinks quite clearly intended to take the bottle even before permission was granted. He quits the stool with only a half-stumble and smirks at Rupi. "Skilled swimmer," is all he'll offer. "Places to be." He declines Gaerth's offer, bonking himself lightly in the temple with the neck of the bottle by way of salute. He also offers a brief raspberry at Vaera's observation and shakes his head. "Stay. Be merry. For we all may die tomorrow." He's not a dramatist but it's not unpleasant dinner theatre.
The gnome finds the same dwarf on the way out, twisting into a spin when he rebounds off an unyielding buttock. "Gods below how much are you getting paid to stand in the middle of the road?" He wonders, exiting into the chill of the night before things can escalate further.
