The Incompetent Table-Clearer's Perspective
Log Info
- Title: The Incompetent Table-Clearer's Perspective
- Emitter: Ashes
- Characters: Aryia, Sabina, Seyardu, Cesran
- Place: A03: The TarRaCe
- Time: Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 12:49 PM
- Summary: Sabina's new partner is acting as the Maitre'D in the Tarrace, checking over the guests and seating them. She recognizes Aryia, nicknaming her Trouble, and cheerfully invites her in, as one must do for trouble that rolls up to the door. Sabina arrives, awakening some time after lunch and Rupi immediately turns to tend to her. Aryia is dragged along to a large booth, where they sit and are joined by Seyardu and Cesran. The Archmage is shocked to hear that Cryosanthia was found in the wilderness; he was determined to take care of her, spending time with her in a Mage's Magical Mansion then gating her to Am'shere where Sith'Makar healers would know best what to do. Some magical mishap must have brought her back halfway around the world to where she started. Perhaps the last spell cast on her was triggered somehow, during antimagic cleansing efforts. He's astounded to hear that Lily has been killed; the one responsible will be found and punished and she will be restored, if he has anything to do with it. Seyardu shares what details she's aware of in this regard, of Cryo's condition, and laments her ineffectiveness. Rupi, attempts to encourage her, and Aryia has to reluctantly agree that she's right. No one can do everything, everyone can do something, and even if it's only being a warm body that is there, that can be enough at times too.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* 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, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Woman A heavily scarred mul with a lost look about her. Sabina 5'4" 130 Lb Human Female Tsuran woman of dark hair and green eyes. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Cesran 6'1" 185 Lb Human Male A tall dark-skinned man -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NPCs of Note =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Rupi Human Female Dark hair, sultry expression, full lips, athletic. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ashes 5'11" 177 Lb Hobgoblin Female A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The TarRaCe is a little over half-full, with the Lunch rush winding down.
The menu is surprisingly vegetarian, and no one is complaining. Servers and bussers flow smoothly around tables, and there is a constant conversational hum.
The windows are open, allowing some gusts of wind to follow the strong sunlight in, and there's a great view of the sky, with clouds drifting by.
An alluring woman is up at the front of the house, acting as Maitre'd. She has black slacks and a buttoned down black shirt, dark hair and dangerously seductive eyes. Also bare feet, and an intense perfume. She's kicked back on a chair beside the booking podium, holding a mug, watching. Waiting.
Hearing about the menu being meatless was actually a welcome change of pace, recent events making some not to privy on taking their chances with random dishes. A decently dressed, scarred mul'neissa in black slacks and a white button up wanders in, her brushing off a silvery vest. She pulls some tinted spectacles off of her nose as she glances around, a journal in hand. The shadow elf stops by the podium, and gives a small wave. If someone's posted there, then there's clearly a reason. Maybe the bathhouses were full? Or they're short staffed?
"Oh hey!" The door greeter jumps up in a very fluid motion and rests her hand on the podium. She examines Aryia with a penetrating stare, slowly looking her up and down, after which she nods, and grins.
She has a very pleasant smile, "Hey Trouble, head on in if you want a seat at the bar, if it's table or booth..."
She checks the podium diagram, "Well there's a bunch open too, take your pick. Baths are open also."
The mul'enissa shifts a bit under the stare, a hand rubbing at a gnarly scar on her throat. Her lips quirk upwards at bit at the nickname. She gives a thumbs up and points over at the closest open booth.
They hold up a finger and scribbles something down in the journal in hand, before turning it around and showing it. In legible Tradespeak, it reads:
"I heard the menu is changed up. What's popular?"
"So, salads, the most popular is a pepper salad. It's all sorts of hot and sweet peppers, cubed, along with onions, cucumbers, sour cream and a variety of cheese toppings and additional dressings." The woman says, starting off with a practiced spiel. She leans a little closer to Aryia, "you can select the ratio of hot to sweet, depending how you like it. Some like it hot."
She smacks her lips, "I like it hot."
"There is a fiesta soup, which is like a tortilla soup without the meat. There is no meat on the menu today, and there is no secret dragon dish, gold, white, grey or otherwise. In place of meat the soup has deep fried, ground portabellos which I'm told is pretty close."
"We have a variety of Rice ands, Rice and Curry, Rice and fried eggplant, Rice and asparagus. Also pasta, anti-pasta and bread. Oh Tar-*cough* so much bread."
She's holding up five fingers now, her list is complete, "Most popular pasta would be the bowties, with an oil and garlic sauce, and little mushroom chunks and small dumplings pretending to be meatballs."
Sabina appears above and starts her way down the spiral steps towards the main floor. The priestess has her half mask on and her clothing is fresh and clean. A simple cut dress in a darker green. Her hair, however is askew and her eyes behind her mask are too wide. Clear sign that someone has way way overslept. At the bottom of the steps she peers around at everyone in the space as if she's never seen anyone in the Tarrace before.
At the hosting podium speaking with the staff on duty is a decently dresssed, scarred mul'neissa in a silvery vest and slacks, Sabina could see. She's met her before in passing. A frequent user of the bathhouse, almost every other day.
The elf tilts her head to the side, closing her eyes as she visualizes the description of everything. She wets her lips, thinking about the spice. "Same," a hand comes up with thumb and pinky extended, rocking it between the two of them. It looks like the host did their job well, as the patron was practically drooling at this point. A scribble on paper. <Handspeech>
"Hot pepper salad and the fiesta soup sounds really good."
"Okay! Okaaay... ahh..." The woman's attention is torn away to watch Sabina descend the stairs, "... uh come this way."
She waves for the dark elf to follow, and passes her order of Hot pepper salad and fiesta soup off to a passing server.
She slides in, intimately close to Sabina, a hand landing on her hip and drifting around to the small of 'Bina's back. She gives her a tiny headbump on the corner of her mask, instead of a kiss. She whispers, "I've got it, menu changed up, checking who comes in, you can rest, you don't have to be here. Do you want food, or to talk about things?"
Aryia blinks, then slowly starts up into a gentle gait behind the host. A brow raises and her nose scrunches up as she follows in the waft of perfume. She lingers back from the couple, her shifting awkwardly on her feet as she waits to e lead to her table. A hand does raise to greet Sabina, Aryia being vaguely acquainted with her.
Bina blinks slowly. Yes.. very much just waking up. She manages a grin at the head-bonk but gives the hostess a tsk. "You should have woke me up. What time is it? It has to be at least noon. Gods.." She notes the wave Aryia gives and blinks again focusing in on the other woman. A smile and a nod. "Greetings. I see you found yourself a new outfit." ,she tells the Mul.
"It's two in the afternoon, 'Bina-Beans, lunch serving is over, we're getting the late lunch stragglers now." The lithe woman says, pressing lightly with her hand to guide Sabina's back, plus the rest of her, to a nearby table.
She waves for Aryia to sit, since she's joined the conversation. She grabs a water tray, setting out a pitcher, some glasses and signals the bar with what looks like a cup and a sun symbol.
That arranged, she slides into a seat near Sabina, their knees touch. She faces her partner with a serious, yet pouty expression, "you needed to sleep. You really needed to. You are wound up tight."
Aryia was expecting her meal time to be alone, like usual, but perhaps a change of pace wouldn't be so bad. She gives a little smile and a nod, pulling her long white sleeves on her button up down to her wrists again as she slides into the other side of the booth. She watches the other two for a moment, tilting her head to the side before going about filling up a glass for everyone with water. She was fairly certain none would understand her, so she quietly slides her journal onto the table in preparation.
Vegetarian food? It wasn't as if Seyardu ate much meat to begin with, surprisingly enough. She had that sort of problem about spending too much on herself, and eliminating as much meat as possible was a good way to do so.
So it was something that piqued her curiosity, perhaps she would be able to learn some ideas for later to make such meals more enjoyable. She hadn't had a bad meal at the TaRaCe yet. So later in the day when she had some free time, The silver sith-makar ventured to the building, taking a moment to look around, and waving to Aryia when she saw her.
Bina is waking up, slowly but surely. "Rupi..I still need to see to my job here, but I thank you for stepping up and making it so I could sleep." She does a little press of a head-but herself to Rupi and then finds herself with a glass of water. "Thank you." She tells Aryia.
A hand goes up to try and fix her bed-head hair, managing to fix it half way.
"I know, I know. No trying to be you, no being you." Rupi says, smiling brightly and massaging Sabina's shoulder. She moves a little further into the booth. "I saw some things that needed a nudge, so I nudged, and you know how Chef Ligum is. He wanted to hold off on your menu change, needed someone to tell him today is the day."
"Thanks," she tells Aryia, when 'Bina picks up her glass of water. She gets herself one. Almost all of her attention is focused on Sabina, with only brief interludes to wave for a server, make a small salute at the approaching Seyardu, and glance at the door.
That last action a nervous one, as if she's expecting something or dreading a repeat.
The food arrives, the Mul'niessa's at least, a hot pepper salad and the fiesta soup. A large coffee cup arrives for Sabina, and a smaller one for Rupi as well as a glass of orange juice.
Aryia gives another nod of acknowledgement for the two rounds of thanks. Despite how the elf was dressed, she was quick to roll back into an awkward poise. She scratches at her journal while the unknown host was doting of Bina. In this scratching was a pen errantly, it finally actually writing something and turning it towards the hostess. She taps the table gently to get their attention.
"I'm Aryia, who are you?"
The glance to the door makes Aryia turn around, her awkward expression shifting to relief. Oh thank goodness, someone she knew. The elf raises a hand to the silverscale and beckons her over. She turns back and... oh. Oh my. Food. There is no etiquette, as a fork is scooped up and the salad dug into.
Seyardu came over at the wave. But she stops and pauses, before she sits at the table. "Sabina, Aryia, Rupi." She greets, pausing a bit on the last name before she sits down at the booth to take up a menu. "Peace on your nests. You look different today, Rupi."
Bina is sipping from the water when the coffee arrives. The food is noted as it's given over to Aryia and Aryia's note is read. "Ahh.. I never did introduce myself the other day while I was busy being rude." The Tarienite tsks at herself this time. "I'm Sabina. A pleasure to finally know your name, Aryia. Welcome to the Tarrace." When Seyardu joins them Bina nods to her. "Seyardu. Please be at ease here. Hopefully there will be calm here today."
She then turns to Rupi and nods. "Ligum is a genius in the kitchen but like many true artists he insists on perfection and having things his own way. Agentle nudge towards reason will often see him on course. Thank you for taking care of it, Rupi."
"I do! New clothes, isn't it great?" Rupi pulls on the lapels of her waitress uniform, leaning into Sabina, "'Bina gave me a makeove, suggested I should try this look for my hair, she's going to take me shopping for shoes or boots next. Or maybe sandals! I like feeling the ground, but not feeling so much of it."
The woman keeps smiling, a smile which grows wider with Sabina's thanks and praise. "I think Chef likes my nudges more than he does Irshya's serving tray."
A careful glance is directed towards Seyardu, "You might enjoy the rice and curry chickpeas."
Aryia gives a tiny bow, her gesturing, "Nice to meet you," towards the two, even if they didn't understand. The din of the TarRaCe was a bit too loud for her usual greeting to Seyardu, so instead she just signs, "Peace on your nest, Seyardu."
She tilts her head one way, then the other way at the mention of something going remiss. But to be fair, it wasn't her place to ask. So she didn't and shoved her useless yapper with more spicy salad. <Handspeech>
Seyardu says, "Ah, I meant, do not worry about it." Seyardu begins to say, but they sigh and shake their head. Sabina trusted them after all. "The rice and curried chickpeas sound very good. I will likely have that."
"Aryia was just saying it was nice to meet you both. And I hope so. A relaxing day, would not go amiss."
Cesran comes into the TaRaCe under his own power looking much better then the last time he was here. Not leaning heavily on his staff, instead almost if he's carrying it as it only makes light contact against the ground. He takes a moment to look around before he finds a table, that's close to the booth that the others are sitting at. He gives a nod in greetings to those that he passes on his way over to snag the table. He sets his staff to the other side so that the crystal dragon head is facing him as he sits at the opposite side. He picks up the menu and begins to look it over.
His skin is covered in black lines that are clearly veins and arteries, which are hard to see as he has naturally dark skin. They grow more noticeable when he's casting a spell.
Bina grins at Rupi's joy of new clothing. "Yes. Sandles at least."
Cesran's entrance is noted and Bina raises a hand in greeting. "Welcome to the Tarrace." She tells the man as he sits then turns back to Aryia and Seyardu. "You two know one another it seems. That's good. Good also that Seyardu understands the hand language. I need to learn it. Communication is the best form of peace keeping as well as entertainment." She blows on her coffee before taking a sip and closing her eyes.
Rupi sits back and watches Sabina sip her coffee. It's an intense gaze, many comparisons might be made: a starving man seeing a steak; a dog gazing at her master; a lover looking upon her partner; a starving dog gazing at a steak. There's a definite hunger.
She was also, somewhat regularly checking the door and who entered. Cesran got a casual glance. He gets a longer one, much like the examination Aryia endured. She sees him watching her and watches him right back. Her eyes widen, as she notices his dark veins.
"So, ah, funny story." Rupi laughs nervously, glancing at Aryia, Seyardu, as if it's directed towards them, though her eyes slide back to the mage, "In Restaurants, most think the greeter at the front is the most prestigious position, because you look like you're in charge. You're making people wait, telling them where to sit. It has authority. Actually though, it's the job you put the prettiest one you've got on staff who can't cut it as a server. Well, after you demote them to Buss-boy, or Buss-girl. Always need people to clear plates. But if you can't make them wait tables or clear them you put them at the front."
She smiles awkwardly, "Which is my way of saying I'm a really succy... buss... er. Girl. Get it?" Her eyes flicker over her table-mates, as her smile gets wider and is directed right at Cesran, and she's moving very carefully. Mostly, by not moving at all. "I can find you a better table if you prefer sir, or you could join us. Look, he can take your order."
Aryia blinks with a fork lanced with peppers and leaves sticking out of her mouth, eyes settling on Cesran. She slowly raises a hand, wiggles a few fingers in greeting. She nods at Sabina, looking at Seyardu for translation. "Could you tell her that it's helpful for when its really loud?" she requests.
Her attention settles on Rupi for a moment. And there's a slooooooow slide over towards Seyardu. If there was anything going to be eaten, she'd prefer to be out a dog's reach. Anyways. Her salad finished, face flushed red from the heat and breathing a bit heavy, she just sips on her water and leans back.
The dapper elf's attention shifts over to Rupi. Her head tilts one way. Then another way. And then there's vacant, blank stare of "... I don't get it." She looks to Seyardu for guidance.
Seyardu was waiting on her own meal now, but it was just an excuse to talk more with those at the table. She does catch Cesran though, and she leaves her seat a moment to bow to the staff sitting across from the wizard.
"Peace on your nest, honored dragon Ral-sara." She greets. "And peace on your nest, Cesran."
With that she sits back down, listening. The story from Rupi makes her freeze, and she chuckles slightly. "Aryia says that handspeech is helpful when things are too loud. It's also helpful when you need to be quiet. I believe, it was a comparison of word and how they relate to her job, but can also be used to describe themself another way."
Cesran raises his hand in greeting to Bina, "Thank you for the welcome." He says as he turns a bit to respond to the person greeting him. He hmms and then focuses for a moment on the group. His eyes glowing blue with arcane energy that never seems to go away. He then looks back towards his staff who notices his staring. "You know Cesran it's not polite to stare in public I thought your mother raised you with better manners then that."
Cesran picks up the menu and shifts his chair around so his back is not towards the group and is in arm's reach of his staff. "You are right just something I saw caught my attention."
The staff ooohs, "Really a pretty girl... you know it's high time for you to find a wife."
Cesran gives a long suffering sigh and shakes his head, "Trust me with the life I lead no sane woman would want to come anywhere near me."
The staff ppfs, which is impressive as the crystal dragon head really doesn't have lips, "Nothing wrong with a little crazy."
Cesran tries to ignore his staff as he continues to glance at the menu. When he's addressed by Rupi, he turns and gives a look that would make one thing he was inspecting some kind of experiment. "I would, if the others are agreeable. I would not want to ruin a lunch because I don't have all the facts before hand." He looks to the others, "As long as everyone else here knows exactly who everyone else is." He moves to rise and he extend his hand. The staff comes sliding over towards him.
Cesran greets Aryia first using handspeech, "Greetings Ayria it is good to see you again. Are you doing better then last time? I don't want to cause you concern if you are still feeling unwell."
As Cesran uses the handspeech Ral-sara, the staff, is more then happy to speak up as she's greeted, "Peace upon your nest Seyardu." The staff bows her head just as Cesran finishes, "Peace on your nest as well Seyardu." He looks to address everyone as he takes Ral-sara and he turns the seat he was sitting at towards the table before he has a seat as well. "I've been away from the city visiting the druids in the forest. They were helping me cast off the last dregs of a sickness."
Rupi remains seated, staring at Cesran like a deer in a spotting light, watching as he orients towards their table, then joins. She invited him to, really, what was she expecting him to do.
Again, a smile, a tilt of her head, a hand moving down to rest on Sabina's knee and give a little squeeze. She's acting very relaxed, lowers her eyes briefly and shakes her head, her voice contrite. "We don't want to ruin lunch, no, and hello Cesran. I'm Rupi, 'Bina's partner."
She opens her eyes and winks impishly at Ral-Sara, teasing with a little smile, "So I'm taken. You'll have to find someone else for your man." Her smile turns into a grin, "I know some bad people? He'd have to be really desperate."
She almost purrs the 'really', "'Bina beans knows, and Silver, and I don't think Trouble does, and you are very clearly another powerful being, but..."
She glances at Sabina, deep in her coffee moment, then looks back at Cesran, "... what sort of wounds were you seeing the druids for?"
Aryia just blinks at Seyardu, then back to Rupi, back to Seyardu, then Rupi. Before catching Cesran's movements after the banter between him and his staff. "I'm a lot better now. Thank you for asking, and I'm glad you're feeling better. You look better for sure." Oh, she she say hello to the stick to avoid an earfull. "Hello." <Handspeech>
Though, her attention goes back to the Rupi. Aryia felt like she was missing something, but lacked the knowledge to put two and together. Doubly, triply so as everyone was in the know, yet Trouble wasn't.
She just scribbles down on her physical translator device (a piece of paper):
"What the hell is a sucky bus?"
Cesran carefully examines Sabina, wondering, is she under a dominate person spell? From what he can read magically, Sabina seems normal, very tired, and the only magic effects on her being her usual magic items. She doesn't look enervated, or suffering negative energy sickness. The 'tired' is probably real physical fatigue. Once he is sure, he settles, Cesran is not some smite happy paladin, if she wants to have a succubus for a partner, as long as it's consensual who's he to judge.
And while Rupi is a succubus and they are great at faking everything, she's faking concern for Sabina very convincingly and persistently. It might be indistinguishable from the real thing.
"Nothing good will come of pushing the issue, Ral-sara." Seyardu chuckles. "I am glad you are feeling better then, Cesran."
Her meal arrives, and she doesn't dig in just yet. "I will let one of the others explain, as they can do so better. I would let Rupi explain, but she may be biased. But Sabina trusts her."
Cesran looks back to the menu as he listens, "It's nice to meet you Rupi. As long as you aren't up to any tricks that would take away a person's free will, it's none of my business who others are with. I have more important things to concern myself with."
Ral-sara shakes her head, "Oh no I need someone nice for Cesran, a little craziness would be fine, but not someone outright evil or looking to hurt or use him. Of course I'd have to get Cesran to come around to the idea of helping this woman as well with whatever she's interested in. I mean that's what a relationship should be about is two people coming together to help each other find happiness."
Cesran grumbles, "I should stop leaving you in the romance section of the libraries we go to." He says as he signals to the server that he's ready to order. He orders some spicy stew and biscuits as well as a green hornet drink.
"A succubus is a female demon that will use her charms to manipulate others into doing what she wishes through acts of passion, such as a kiss." Cesran hand signs to Aryia as Ral-sara responds to Seyardu, "Oh a little nudge now and then never hurt anything. I just want him to keep his eyes open, instead of perpetually buried in books and scrolls."
Cesran is happy to change the subject when given a chance. "I had a recent adventure that took my companions and I to the Sea of Mana. As a result we all were suffering from mana poisoning." He motions to his face, "That's where I picked up these scars. I had been resting for a while, but was not feeling all the way fully back. Perhaps it was because I helped to bring a fallen companions back from the boneyard, but never the less I sought out different treatment. I have always had a good working relationship with the druids, in exchange for my help they were able to free me from the last of the mana poisoning so that I am fully restored. So what has been happening around here while I was away? Any other news about the Shards of Animus?"
Rupi glances at her partner as she leans back and... did she just fall asleep while holding a coffee cup to her lips? Her eyes seem closed through her coyote mask. The woman makes a lipsmack noise as she opens her mouth, and turns to Aryia's notebook, "May I?"
Expecting permission, she takes up the pen. She circles 'hell', and makes a larger one around 'succy' and 'bus'. Beside them she draws a stick figure. Round head, arms, legs, body longer that it should be, she's not a great artist. She puts a smile on it, then slowly, she adds horns, a curving tail, and little wings. Bat wings.
She hesitates a moment, then adds two large circles. Boobs.
She completes it while Cesran provides a more complete and verbal version. Leaning back out of Aryia's space, she smiles at the dark elf, "I'm here to make 'Bina happy, I don't want any trouble, Trouble."
It's what the mage says next that gets her attention, enough she starts wiggling in her seat. "That's, um, very relevant to 'Bina's interest. You need to talk to her, about the mana poisoning. And Silver, she's Silver's friend too."
"And Shards, um... there's a lot going on."
Aryia cranes her head from Seyardu to Cesran, then to Ral-sara. Milky eyes blink. Then blink again. The color drains from her face some as the fork in her hand bends slightly. And she slowly turns her head towards Rupi. Her hand releases her tools, and watches.
Her brows knit. Lips pulling into a frown.
There's a deep breath. And a slow exhale. Trouble releasing her tension and fixing her fork with a small twist. She idles her gaze on the drawing, up to Rupi, then back down to the drawing. A hand reaches over, grabs the pen, and scribbles down a singular word:
"Nice."
Aryia now regards Ceseran, pulling her last bowl of food towards herself. Hands free, she gestures quickly, "Not much else aside from what we talked about at the meeting, and caution with Charn getting their hands on them." <Handspeech>
"Yes, any information on mana sickness would be greatly appreciated." Seyardu says, turning her attention to the sleepy tavern owner and Cesran. So close to Aryia, she felt the tail brush against her as it flicked agitatedly to the side. "And, I would like to know why no one seemed to have bothered to tell me that Cryosanthia accompanied all of you on this journey and had not returned with the group. There does not seem to have been much news about any shards."
Cesran watches as Rupi starts to draw and he looks over at Aryia. He answers her in hand speech, "Thank you for letting me know. Do you wish to leave? I can understand your uncomfortableness with demons. I am not comfortable around them myself. I'm only staying to see if she slips up and gives away some information that we can use later on."
Cesran turns back to Rupi, "I'm happy to talk about mama poisoning to Bina when she's awake. Who's Silver?" He asks curiously and then spots the agitation coming from Seyardu, "Cryosanthia was not left alone. I would never leave my companions behind no matter how hurt I was or how sickened. I did try to dispel the magic that was keeping her in her dragon form, but she was saturated with so much magic from the Sea of Mana, that my spells were useless. I was able to create a Mage's Magnificent Mansion and get her inside of it before we all passed out. After I was rested I specifically took Cryosanthia to Am'shere so they might better help her. I would not want to bring her back to Alexandria where every would be dragonslayer would try their hand at killing her. If something happened to her after that I didn't know. I was dealing with my own sickness and was in fact hoping to meet her here as this is one of her known hangouts. If she is missing then I can find her right now."
"Uh, she's Silver." Rupi points at Seyardu, a silver-scaled Sith'Makar, "I like making up nicknames for people. It's a... anti-truename habit."
She exhales, takes the coffee mug from Sabina's hand and sets it down, then adjust the other woman so she isn't going to awaken with a stiff neck.
After this, she gazes at Cesran, "Cryosanthia was here, Sabina and Aya found her out where your adventure started. She's normal sized and very badly mana-burned and was... I think, dragon-hibernating?"
She grins helplessly, one of the forced, product-presenter smiles where it doesn't reach her eyes. "Her mate, moved her to the Temple of ... Dragons. Also..."
Rupi lowers her head, "I'll... you should hear from someone that isn't me."
Seyardu listens, leaning back in the booth and focusing on the explanation. She settles down some, and just sighs. "I do not know how she ended up back there then. She was, a dragon? Perhaps she managed to fly back there for some reason or another. I appreciate what you did, but I am not some dragonslayer."
Seyardu hangs her head now, poking at her meal with a spoon. "She needs healing, and I do not know if they have used any anti magic spells yet to begin doing so. I need to speak to Braelnoir, but I think she left for some matters."
"Lily was killed. I do not know any specifics, but I refuse to leave it at that." They finish, closing their eyes.
Aryia shakes her head, pulling her fiesta soup closer. "I'll just beat my way out if there becomes a problem," she gestures back, her giving a wary look to Rupi. She shifts a bit, and the cold iron gloves she has strapped to her hip give a soft clack.
There was a blink as she stares at Seyardu, then her brows furrow deep as she looks at Cesran. Not upset at him, but just for the same reasons that her silverscaled friend were. The explanations went far over her head with the hows and the whys, and the wiggly finger doo-dads, but in end, she could surmise her friend was alright.
For the most part. But a dragon now? That was odd. <Handspeech>
Cesran ahs and nods, "Understandable if you don't wish someone to summon you and bind you in a circle of magic." He listens thoughtfully and nods his thanks to the server as his meal comes. Ral-sara is silent as this is serious and not the time for jokes. "I see something must have gone awry with the draining of the mana from her."
He says thinking aloud. "I'm glad she was found, but sorry she was in such a rough shape. I'll visit her after this." He looks to Seyardu, "I will give what assistance I could, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I didn't know Cryosanthia had a mate or that you were friends with her. I didn't want to be presumptuous and assume all Sith-Makar's know each other. I also wanted to respect Cryosanthia's privacy."
He blinks, "What?! Lily has been killed, that little kobold girl that never did anything to anyone. Who would do such a monstrous thing?" He stands up, meal forgotten. "Are they still in the temple? I'm sorry." He reaches into a pouch at his side and takes out some gold coins to put them on the table. "Lunch is on me. I have to go and find them to lend what aid I can."
"Yes. It's..." Rupi sounds contrite. She's looking down at the table. Knowing her true nature it's hard to believe she has any empathy for children, any for mortals at all. Perhaps it's pretense, if so, it can only be for those at the table, the conversation hasn't spread far. "That's her. The little pink Kobold."
She looks over at Aryia, trying to meet the woman's milky eyes, "I shared my secret."
She looks up at Cesran, "The demon is really powerful. I can't keep him out. I can't say his name. He's bad news and I avoid him."
"I did not bring him here." Her fist tightens up.
GAME: Ashes rolls 1d20+27: (14)+27: 41 (Rupi Bluff) GAME: Cesran rolls sense motive: (18)+2: 20 GAME: Seyardu rolls sense motive: (19)+7: 26
Rupi is either telling the truth or so convincingly lying it's impossible to tell.
Bina was indeed asleep and has missed all the talk of succy busses and drawings and speaking of demons. The conversation getting louder and voices of concern are what draw her back to the land of the living. Her eyes at half mast behind her mask.
"Wha.." She sort of looks around at those gathered and yawns, covering it with a hand. "I'm so sorry. All the running about with Cryosanthia.." She yawns again and gives a small shake of her head as she starts to 'read the room'. "Um....What did I miss that has everyone agitated?"
Aryia stills completely at the news. Ignoring Rupi's gaze, her lost in the space in front of her. The hand on her near empty glass tightens. And tightens. And tightens.
>Crack<
The mute woman blinks, her pulling her hand away as the cup falls in on itself. She closes her eyes, clenches her jaw, and curls her fingers in the air in front of her. "... f-r f-ck's s-k-," one could hear her hiss in a voiceless wind.
Seyardu opens her eyes again, looking between Rupi and Sabina. She was squinting, but she was always squinting. And then she turns to Cesran.
"Please, do not rush off. I know you want to help. I want to help. But I know so little about what happened. And at the news, she did not react well. Going over now, there would be no assistance to offer."
Then suddenly, she looks to Rupi. "You are saying that, ah, celestial mother preserve me. It was here? Do you, or Sabina, do you know any more about what happened?"
Cesran nods, "I'm sure he's bad news, but I've faced worse and survived." He looks over to Seyardu, "Perhaps you are right, we need answers first. Demons, how to destroy them from this plane. Cold Iron is the most effective way to do it. We could also trap him in a circle of magic against evil that's been turned inward, but that is probably how he got here in the first place if he figured out a way to get free of it." He sits back down and starts to eat at the gears in his head are all ready turning.
"Sabina, she wasn't left." Rupi turns and puts her hand on Sabina's arm, nodding her head slightly towards the mage, "Cessy of the Staff waited with her, took her to Am'shere, left her with healer's there. Somehow Cryo ended up back where she started."
"He's just heard about Lily. He wants to help." She leans closer, both hands on Sabina's arm, "you need him."
The woman pulls back, "yes, cold iron works very effectively." A glance at Aryia's cestus.
"There was a note, one of her friends was trying to give her. He came in, he chased ... uh... the snarky one and the Silver Scythe into the kitchens and the shadowlands and we didn't find out what happened until they came back later."
Rupi pouts, "not full details, blow by blow. Just that it happened. Also, 'Bina, you need to heal that."
Sabina is waking up very quickly as she's looking about and listening to everyone. Her eyes focus in on Rupi and she sighs. "You're lucky this group doesn't want to hang you.. and me, Rupi. I'd suggest that you keep your secrets secret from now on." She closes her eyes briefly, running back through the words she's heard. Her eyes open. "Cryosanthia wasn't left in the Mana by herself? Your word on that?" She asks Cesran. "I was unbelievably upset finding her there and in her state. I tasted just a little of what that place had to offer." She looks across at Aryia and puts her hand out towards the hand that held the cup. "May I?"
Aryia is silent, save for her frame tensing as a vague description is given. "... Aya..." her lips mouth. She almost doesn't catch everything else after that, but the moment makes her shimmery eyes snap over. The elf purses her lips, hangs her head, and holds out a hand. The palm having a few shards of glass stuck in it, blood seeping out. The limb trembles. But not in pain.
Seyardu was too caught up in figuring out what was going on to see how bloody Aryia's hand had become. The silver sith-makar sighs. "Sabina is a good healer. She will manage fine. I am sorry I did not catch that."
She looks to the others, pausing to shovel some of her meal into her mouth. "I, I don't want to hear specifics about what happened. But I need to know. There has to be a way to, do something about this. I am tired of inaction, and leaving people to their fates."
Cesran listens are Rupi explains the situation and he nods, "I would be too, Cryosanthia is my friend and companion I would never leave my companion behind. Even if she asked me I would not have. You have my word, upon my magic and my spellbook that I did not leave her behind."
He nods, "If there is I will find it and if there is not then I will bend reality itself to make it happen. I agree with you I'm tired of inaction as well and I'm here to do everything within my power to help."
"He could tell 'Bina, I was afraid he'd do something and I didn't want to teleport that would make things worse." Rupi says quickly, frowning and pouting, not a cute pout this time. "I'll think of a better way to surrender."
The succubus bobs her head to Cesran, "Why not just kill her then bring her back? Isn't that how adventurers handle things?"
Bina takes Aryia's hand into her own with care she focuses her eyes on the hand rather then who's speaking but she nods to Seyardu's and Cesran's words. When Rupi speaks though she blinks and turns to her. "It most certainly is not, Rupi! Spells like that should be of a last resort rather then a thing used all the time." A sighs and she turns back to Aryia's hand and carefully starts removing the glass, setting it off to one side in a neat pile. "I have my own ideas about how to handle ..'E'. However they shant be spoken in a place that can be scryed upon. I've learned that much from dealing with the things that have gone on previously."
Aryia must be either be in a completely different headspace at the moment, or has a stupidly high pain tolerance. A mere glance at her would show that both were more than likely were true. Her fingers twitch as the shards are pulled free.
She just shakes her head at the talk. All talk. Only disaster and sadness. Though, she does whip her head at Rupi. She blinks, then gives an offended yet perplexed look at 'Bina. "Is your hell toy broken, or is she just stupid?"
That... probably shouldn't be translated. <Handspeech>
Seyardu blinks. Squints at Rupi. "What are you even talking about?" Seyardu asks quickly. "Is she alive? I thought, they were, dead, and missing."
Another pause. "No. Why would we even need to kill them? If we can reach them, then there are other options. I know it." She states, a low rumble creeping into her voice. "Why did you suggest that, Rupi, do you know something about their state, where they are?"
Cesran continues to eat and he takes a long drink of his green hornet. "Bringing someone back is much more difficult than one would expect. After death the soul is judged and sent off to whatever comes next, some don't wish to come back. Not every adventurer has the resources to do it as it involves destroying a incredibly precious stone that can be often hard to find." He says matter of factly and tries to keep a calm composure at Aryai's question.
Rupi blinks at Seyardu, "I mean... ah... I best drop it. No, I don't know anything more than you. You're both the healers."
Perhaps stick to the technical, she bobs her head as Cesran is speaking, "Oh that makes sense. Good reasons."
"Ummm I can go... I can just slide out under the table... kitchen needs some help I'm sure..."
Bina tsks as she removes a larger shard. "It's ok, Rupi. But rather then watch me you should watch others and their interactions. Listen to the words. You'll learn more that way about what's good to speak about."
Bina looks at the others there. "Rupi is trying to be... better? Better then she was. Part of the reason why she's here at all." A secondary look to Cesran. "I'd like to speak to you and Mikilos if you are willing. About my idea for Mr. E."
Aryia's vented frustration must have been spent, as instead she was drumming her fingers on the table, a heavy sigh leaking from her. The beat halting as the last, large shard was removed from her calloused and scarred hand.
She lulls her head back against the wall, muttering a "Th-nks..." to Sabina. Why must existing be so stressful..?
"Ah, I see." Seyardu responds, hanging her head and sighing, hoping there was something to be shared, that would help with the overwhelming feeling of uselessness.
"I, understand, as long as that is the truth. I, do not want this problem to linger. But I can't rush either. I really can't do that much to be honest." They say, poking at their meal that had grown somewhat cold.
Cesran nods, "Of course I'd be happy to speak to you." He says as he finishes his meal, "I'm afraid it might have to wait a bit though. I have research to do now to make sure we have all the information that we can have on demons. It was nice speaking with you all I hope we can do it again soon." He gives a bow and taking up his staff he heads out.
"Sounds like a plan," Rupi tells Cesran as he departs. She seems more relaxed. Again, this could be an act, although she has good reason to fear him.
She shifts away from Aryia, as she's picked up the Mul'niessa does not like her presence at all. Reading others the first rule, really.
"Silver," Rupi says thoughtfully, "you have a friend that's hurt who just lost her child. You can't... join her in what she's working through. You can be there, keeping her company. You can be supportive. There are circles of closeness. Support goes in. Anguish and badness goes out. You need to figure out what circle you're in and act accordingly."
"If you can actually fix things, like he seems like he might be able to, then yeah, join up with that. But... um..." She does an odd thing where she pinches her bottom lip, then bites on it, "Not 'I'm useless', but 'I'm useful, how can you use me?'"
Sabina removes the last bit of glass she can see out of Aryia's palm and then uses a napkin to blot at the weeping blood. She checks the hand again and mutters to Rupi. "Devine blessing incoming."
She closes her eyes and prays over the table. "Oh Tarien, god of wisdom and mirth, please grant those here the blessing of your healing hand." There is a burst of silver light that spills over the room before fading. Faces turn to look in their direction briefly as wounds and hurts fade away slowly.
"Better?" She asks Aryia.
Rupi tenses briefly, it didn't hurt. Healing. Good.
Aryia's visage grimaces at the healing energy, perhaps more in anticipation than any real pain. She sighs, her good mood from before blunted some by... everything. She gives a lame nod and a thumbs up in thanks, her cracking her knuckles on the hand.
She tunrs to Seyardu, jabbing a thumb towards Rupi as one hand rests on the silver scale's arm. "Hate to admit it, but she's right. All of it. I'm shit at healing, but you're good at it. And I can punch through a wall, but you can't. Just like she said."
Trouble squirms a bit in her seat, then slips under the table. She's gone for a moment before popping back up on the other side, free of the awkward seat. Guess it pays to be shorter than everyone else. She put a hand on Seyardu's shoulder and motions softly, "Let me know if you need anything, alright? I need to go on a walk."
She turns to the rest of the group. And moves her hands slowly, mouthing along. Palm sliding over the other, closed fists with index extended touching together, then points to both of them. "Nice. To. Meet. You."
With that, she scoops up her journal, and heads out the front door, cold iron cestus clacking on the side of her hip. <Handspeech>
Seyardu waves as Cesran leaves. then she turns to take another bite of her meal. "I know." She states to Rupi. "Circles of closeness, right. Perhaps I thought I was closer than I am."
She looks To Aryia as one hand was on her arm. "Alright, thank you for saying that. Even if I do not believe it. Peace on your nest, Aryia." She says, waving them off.
"I don't know if I can fix things. But it is easy to say you can be useful, if everything you try to do does not say otherwise."
"It'd be hard to be closer than her mate." Rupi observes, and looks at Sabina, "and what was the Korrite yelling? That she's her sister? So family. Friends are at least the next circle out. It's a little bit like Hell that way."
The woman sits back, focusing on Seyardu, holding up her hands, "So, I was out walking the streets one day and came across a street preacher, and he was talking about motivation. He explained that you have to believe in yourself. To imagine you had a dog, or your dog if you have a dog, and that when you get home how it looks at you. You are the dog's god. You can control everything, fix everything, you take it for walks. So all you have to do is imagine what the dog sees, what the dog wants and bed that."
She wobbles her head, "I'm more partial to cats, so I thought, 'what would a cat want?' and the answer is pretty clear, 'a warm body that is there'." Rupi leans up against Sabina, "so that's what I am, a warm body that's there."
"It's probably different for you lizard folk, like your pets try to eat your or squeeze you, but just... be what the dog wants." She smiles hopefully, "and if the things you're trying aren't working try different things."
Bina looks at Rupi in wry amusement. "Well. That's an interesting take on things. It's not wrong in a way but off at the same time." She snerks. "A warm body, hmm?" A light sigh and a shake of her head.
"Seyardu. You care for Cryosanthia. I can see that. I believe that most folks can as well. Cryosanthia likely knows that as well. The best we can do, you and I, is just offer to be there for her. Help with what we can. Support those that can do other things. I know it can be hard to sit on the side when you want to be in the thick of things and helping. But if you're there you'll be in the right place when something pops up that you can help with. We're mortal. We can only do what we can do."
"Yes, friends." Seyardu nods, her thoughts going back to the other day, what she had said. Hopefully in whatever state they had been in, what she said would not be remembered. She listens to the explanation from Rupi, and Sabina, tilts her head, and sighs.
"I can, try to be there for them. If there is anything I can do. At least around in case there is something. I do not know what people want. Maybe I can try something different."
"Get a read minds spell, then you can read their mind and know what they want. It's awesome." Rupi says cheerfully, with a grin. She holds her hands up defensively, whispering, "but you didn't hear it from me."
A wink towards Sabina.
The woman, the succubus leans back, reaching to rub along Sabina's back. She purrs again, "Very warm."
Drifting her gaze back to Seyardu, she says, "I'm a lover, not a fighter, and I've seen your mace and wouldn't want to be hit by it, if that makes you feel any better?"
She's sliding out of the booth, "I really should get 'Bina-Beans to bed."
"To sleep."
Another winsome smile, "She's really tired."
"Seriously, just be there. Be the warm body that's there." Her advice delivered, Rupi takes Sabina's hand and leads her upstairs.
Rupi's Self Portrait
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/779877879382802442/887793506029039646/unknown.png"
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "oml hahahaha"
<OOC> Cesran says, "lol"
<OOC> Seyardu says, "XD"
<OOC> Ashes says, "glad you like. :)"
