The Order of the Alabaster Animal

Log Info

• Title: The Order of the Alabaster Animal
• Emitter: Stjepan
• Characters: Stjepan, Ravenstongue, Paenitia, Seyardu, Faranmidahn, Sandy
• Place: A03: The TarRaCe
• Time: Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 12:54 AM
• Summary: Stjepan is having a quiet dinner and discussion with Ravenstongue. Then Sister Paenitia arrives, with Ramirez, whom Pothy is very interested in meeting and encourages inside. A horse sized peacock-hippogryph with an immense tail-train. Seyardu recognizes the plumage, and also enters. Sir Faranmidahn and Professor Waywalker were enjoying the baths, and join. Sandy enters with a scowl, as Pothy shares snacks from Stjepan's plate with Ramirez. Conversation becomes cacophonic. Ravenstongue describes her adventure with the Dragon-in-the-Wall and the kobolds. Seyardu and Paenitia describe rescuing Liatris from bandits, and their cruel treatment. Sandy has some comments, mostly for Ravenstongue who is her apprentice. Adventuring will always be scary, increasingly dangerous, until you are dead. Stjepan has left, Paenitia has to go and struggles to get Ramirez out. Faranmidahn and her mother leave soon after, while Ravenstongue, Seyardu and Sandy discuss the nature of dragons until the table breaks up.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A03: 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  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Stjepan      8'0"     534 Lb     Giantborn         Male      Big, blonde jotun.
Ravenstongue 5'0"     99 Lb      Half-Elf          Female    a short, slender half-sil woman with violet eyes
Paenitia     3'0"     34 Lb      Halfling          Female    A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery.
Seyardu      5'6"     150 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint.
Faranmidahn  3'3"     35 Lb      Halfling          Female    Albino Lucht woman. Knight of Spiders. So, SO Fluffy.
Sandy        5'0"     136 Lb     Llyranesi         Female    Purple haired, plump elf. Presumably irritable.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

We enter a scene in progress...

Stjepan goes fishing for corvids, and Pothy takes the bait, hook, line, and sinker. The alabaster raven soars from Raven's shoulder and down to the table. Raven sighs, but she gives Stjepan a smile as she sits down at the table, too, letting Pothy gorge himself on the food. "I'm okay. I just got back from my first guild assignment, so I thought I'd treat myself!"

Stjepan pushes a plate towards Pothy, reserving a couple of others for himself. One large hand interposes itself casually but firmly. He shoots her a grin. "That's the spirit -- how did it go?"

The door opens and a dark skinned Lucht Siuil walks in. Very little is visible of her, she's got on a kilted breastplate, gloves and greaves, a wide brimmed hat and a strange mask. She takes one step, there is a noise from outside, she turns and goes back outside.

Moments later, she enters again. Two steps, another loud and alarming deep squawk sounds in the courtyard. She leaves once more.

Several more moments later, she cautiously opens the door, steps halfway through and shouts outside, "Ramirez! No, Do not challenge! Your rival is not here! I know you know he lives here. He is frightened. You have won. Wait and I will bring you seeds."

'RuuuuaaAAAAH!' Anyone who has heard a peacock call would recognize the sound. Except it rarely sounds like it's coming from one as large as horse. This is one of those rare moments.

Well, it's a hippenin' and it's a happenin' in the building, all right. Ravenstongue turns to Stjepan, intent on talking to him about her very first adventure and how she managed to survive to tell the tale: but then there's that big infernal racket from the peacock and their knight.

But Pothy, the white raven, stops in his tracks to behold the white peacock, and his startling blue eyes dilate as he recognizes an avian brother of similar plumage. It's said that birds of a feather flock together... And the raven flies over to the lucht knight and her fine peacock mount, landing firmly in front of them. "HARK," he says, emulating some foppish nobleman from somewhere. "HARK, I do say!"

Ravenstongue facepalms. "Sorry, Stjepan, hold on... Pothy! Get back here!" she calls over to the alabaster raven, but it's too late. Pothy is making friends. Or attempting to, anyway.

Why was she Seyardu finding herself back at the tavern? It was a question on her mind as she found herself back at the place. Finding herself out the doors. To listen to the music? Run into some of her friends again? Or to... Run into a familiar, giant peacock horse?

The sith'makar blinked, finding herself near the white feathered bird, looking significantly less bloodstained than the last time she saw it. "Ah, greetings, Ramirez." She says, reaching out to pat the steed on the side. "If you are here, then, does that means madam Paenitia is inside?"

She looks to the door, curiosity growing. Seems the place just gave her an excuse to enter whenever she was nearby.

Stjepan looks up, and just starts laughing. careful not to spill his cup. "Welcome to your next adventure!" He sits back, grinning, and rearranging the share plates on his table so that he's got a new selection closest to him.

"No! Ramirez! Do not come in!" The Red Knight attempts to stop her hippogryph. She is very small, he is very large. He has been practicing squeezing into places, she is not successful.

A horse-sized peacock, who is indeed also half-horse, wriggles through the door and drags his tailfeather train after him. He could fill much of the available space. He squawks happily, tossing his head and bopping beaks with Apotheosis. This is followd by avian clicking noises. Seyardu's pat on his side makes him wicker pleasantly. To Pothy's "Hark, hark!" he responds, 'RuuaAHH!'. Look at me, I am magnificent!

"Yes. I am here friend dragon." Paenitia calls, from somewhere, obscured by feathery fluff. "If you will not back up then you must come in."

There is a shifting and a shuffling of feathers and the door is clear. Clearer. A lot of gigantic peacock tailfeathers are about. The tendency toward those of adventurous bent to travel with bright animals is pronounced.

The sight of a particular mount puts a mote of haste into the stride of another Lucht Knight. This Knight, clad in long black silk dress in lieu of her typical armour, emerges refreshed from the bathing area beyond. In her wake is an elder Lucht woman of earthier hues and more demure, erudite bearing who seems uncertain what Faran is hurrying toward.

"Hola, Sister Paenitia!" the albino hails, a white coconut puff spider emerging from beneath her hair to perch along her shoulder, "And brave Ramirez, I hope you are well!"

Ravenstongue looks almost horrified for the fate of her beloved Pothy... Until she sees that Pothy returns the beak-bopping with his own, and his tail feathers are wagging up and down, much like an excited, happy dog's tail might. She sighs with relief, and waves to the red knight, the other lucht knight and her spiders, and Seyardu. "Leave it to Pothy to start a scene," she says to Stjepan.

Pothy crows, in a loud voice, his signature tagline: "Snacks!" to Ramirez, as though inviting him to Stjepan's table, loaded with food... and marches over to it. Tap-tap-tap-tap. "Stjepan snacks!" he repeats, now imitating the voice of his diminutive half-elf mistress. Apparently Stjepan's plates are about to be picked clean by the brigade of pale-colored animals.

"Friend, ah, it is alright. You honor me with such a comparison, madame Paenitia." The silver sith'makar called back from behind a wall of feathers. A moment passes as she tries to push through the side of the door. "Peace on your nest, it is good to see you. And Ravenstongue too, along with, ah yes, I remember you from the other day, but I don't believe I ever introduce myself. This one is called Seyardu." She gestures to the giant man.

The door to the TarRaCe opens up and in walks an elf!

A grouchy looking, purple haired elf, actually, who is rubbing her face and scowling in general.

Seems Sandy has arrived!

Stjepan's eyes flutter closed for a moment, then just orders more food resignedly. He knows how this works. He looks up towards Seyardu, and nods, "Stjepan. Peace be on your nest." It's curt. After all, his food supply is under threat.

"Hola! Sir Faranmidahn, Professor WayWalker. We are well." Paenitia says, appearing beside Ramirez's foreleg, "I come for dinner. It seem we both are."

Her peacock-andalusian starts forward, he has been invited to snack. She struggles and manages to deflect him so he moves along he wall, only forcing a few tables to shift with his flanks and feathers.

"Many apologies," the Red Knight says, as they near Stjepan and Ravenstongue's table. Pothy's table really, he seems in charge. "When he get in his mind, wild horses will not stop him! And he is half wild horse! Ha!"

She sounds cheerful enough, her mask is fixed in an eternal wide grin, and oddly mustached. She beckons the other Luchts and the silvery Sith'makar over, "Come, come! Addresses the table once more, "You speak of adventures? We have many tales to tell. I buy the drinks!"

Perhaps that will molify things.

This is, indeed, Pothy's table, or so he says. He even offers a bit of sausage out to Ramirez, causing Ravenstongue to giggle as she notices it. "Pothy is very taken with him, even if he is half horse. He hardly offers out snacks so freely! Even if they -were- Mister Stjepan's snacks--"

Oh, but Ravenstongue's face drops as she looks over at that infernal visage. That purple-haired elf, that demon masquerading in mortal flesh, that being sent from the deepest pits of the hells strides in and grabs Ravenstongue's violet eyes... but she smiles in a chipper manner, completely unaware of Sandy's scowl. "Madame Sandy! I came back from my adventure without dying!" she says. "Are you proud of your apprentice?"

Faranmidahn smiles brightly and nods, "Ah, yes, a hard day on the training field called for a good long soak, and dinner!" she returns to her fellow Knight."

Her companion, moving with a more sedate pace, gives a curtsey, "Sister Paenitia, hello." and a glance up toward the fluffylanche, "Ramirez."

Once standing abreast, there is a definate resemblance between the elder and albino, though she lacks her child's fluffiness.

The 'little' spider, the size of a human woman's fist, makes an odd, intricate, voiceless rumble as she pivots to regard the pale Lucht, who smiles at the arachnid and nods. The two Lucht follow the parade back toward the Jotun's table, seeming somewhat uncertain of the situation, though the call toward the door turns her eyes toward the arriving elf.

"..the hell did I walk in on," says Sandy, after a moment, then she squints at Ravenstoingue.

"Oh, yes," she adds, "You came back! And did not die. Very proud. This is a good thing." She moseys towards her and leans into inspect her and her familiar.

The silver sith'makar lingered by the front door as they wiped a few pieces of down off of their face, until they collect themself, and step over to the table.

"Peace on your nests, then." She greets. "If it is not an issue, I am sure I could sit down here for a while. I do not know you other two Luchts, but if you are friends of Paenitia, then I bid you welcome."

Stjepan pushed most of the plates towards the raven and hippogryph, saving a couple for himself. He defends firmly, casually eyeing up the Ramirez' plumage, before considering the spider. He shrugs, keeping his own counsel before washing down his apprehensions with his drink.

Ramirez takes the offered sausage very carefully. With a deft and delicate maneuver he takes it in the tip of his beak, then tilts his head back to swallow. Like all avians he is striking and a little bit alien. up close, his head larger than anyone's at the table, the ferocity that lurks beneath his elegance is strikingly obvious. He could deliver one devastating peck. His talons are simply huge. He is one dangerous beast and seems to know it.

One also happy to play and gently nudge the much smaller, similarly coloured avian who also sports an impressive beak.

Paenitia meanwhile, finds chairs while keeping an eye out for a tray-weilding goblin. She gets several right-sized ones and pushes them over for herself and the other Luchts. Back as Seyardu arrives, she adds, "They are friends. A fellow Knight and... I shall let Sir Faranmidahn do her introductions."

The Red Knight climbs into her chair and waves cheerfully at the newest arrival, "Sandy the Troublemaker with the monagrammed cell! Hola! It has been some time. You mentor..." she looks at Ravenstongue, "... more apologies, Mistress of Pothy, I did not catch your name."

"Well," Ravenstongue says, a little proud of herself, which is a nice change of pace from her usual nervousness, "I went down into a city of kobolds with Mister Rocky and Mister Fallon, as well as Mister Smuldur and... Madame Isi..." She scrunches her face up for a moment in doubt. "I don't remember her whole name either. But we did what we had to! Pothy even stared down a dragon and asked it for snacks!"

Upon being asked for her name by the Red Knight, however, she immediately returns to her prior state of mild Pothy-induced anxiety. "Oh! Pardon my rudeness. You may call me Ravenstongue, or Raven for short. -That- white-feathered little criminal of a raven is Apotheosis, or Pothy for short. He lives only for snacks." Neither Pothy nor Ravenstongue seem to be worse for wear, luckily enough for Sandy. She still has one bird and one half-elf she can call apprentices.

Faranmidahn's little spider, heedless of the large man's scrutiny, opts to climb atop her Mistress's head and hunker down like a fluffy white fascinator slightly offset on her crown.

She, herself turns toward the new hail and she gives a little curtsey, "Peace on your nest!" she replies with a certain cheer, then to the gathered about the table, "Well met, all! I'm Sir Faranmidahn Waywalker, Knight of the Purple Rose, and this is my mother, Professor Serrendine Waywalker."

"Charmed." the elder Lucht offers with a subdued humor.

The albino turns to see Pae bringing them chairs and she gives a warm, "Thank you, but..." a glance at the table, "We hadn't meant to impose, merely say hello."

Stjepan eyes the time. Then the table. Yep. Just going to get a meal out of this. "Work comes quickly now, night everyone." He takes his plate, gets a box and goes while he still has something left to eat.

"Oh really, I'll buy a drink for myself if I would like one. I still do not know how I feel about them." She replies to the offer, turning her attention back to the two lucht at the table as she sat down. "It is good to meet you, Faranmidahn, and Serrendine. It seems this place is quite popular for all manner of people to stop by."

"Kobolds? A dragon? I have not seen either of these. It sound fantastic. I know Mister Smuldur, we have done much together." Paenitia says, her armour creaking as she settles in her chair, "Well met."

She gazes across at her ivory steed, "Ramirez, he live for all the hot passions in life. He is a true man of Isobar!"

Twisting around a little the other way, she faces her mask towards the other Lucht Knight, the white to her red, "I wish to speak serious things with you, but not here. Stay for a drink and a tale and then we go. You have been hard to find at the Chapter House."

Ramirez gobbles another sausage off his plate. Then, in an odd mimicry of Pothy's generousity, takes one and holds it for the Raven.

Paenitia meanwhile, gestures with both hands at the silverscale, "Seyardu and I, we rescue a bard from desperados! So cruel, they stitch her mouth shut!"

"Sandy," offers Sandy by way of her own greeting. It's not very formal, is it? She squints at Paenithia at her tale, then turns towards the Lucht, pauses for a moment, and then finally back to Ravenstonuge.

"...say what now?" she asks,.

Ravenstongue laughs a little, perhaps nervously. "There was... this thing, this voice that crawled into my mind at one point. It asked me to make a pact with it. The kobolds said it was a dragon, and I saw the dragon for myself. We took the stone and ran--no pact made." She sighs and looks back to Pothy, who is just engaging in jolly cooperation with Ramirez when it comes to the fine art of culinary appreciation. "All in all, it was... Really terrifying, to be honest! I screamed and ran a lot. I *really* need to learn more offensive spells."

"Yes, they were particularly cruel in their actions, for certain. I know not what would drive bandits to such an action, I just know that she did not deserve it." The sith'makar sighed. "Luckily due to Paenitia and Ramirez' heroics, they were able to be taken down swiftly, and most of them were delivered bound to the town guard. No dragons, but it was certainly a challenge. No dragons, though. Why would a dragon be causing you trouble, though? Was it the chromatic sort? I know they can cause all manner of issues."

"Ahh, yes." Faran replies with a slight uncertainty in her expression that lasts but an instant, "But, indeed, we can certainly talk later."

The two Lucht ladies square their seating arrangements away, then, "Certainly a more lively evening that expected!" the younger notes.

The elder, more reserved, finds herself listening to the others speak for the most part, though the tale draws an eye.

The tale from her fellow Knight brings her abut with a look of surprise and perhaps some righteous fury there, "How cruel!" she remarks, but, on Seyardu's addendums, she seems mollified, and she smiles approvingly to them both, "Well done, friends." Then things move on to "Dragons?"

"The bard, Liatris, she did not wish to speak about it even after she is healed." Paenitia adds, "I leave her at the temple to rest. I will check her soon. Seyardu, you were great help!"

The Red Knight looks at everyone seated around the table, "She wrestle an archer down, and then provide care for their wounded. All live, even the lead boss woman, she survive." Well, there was one ... "Almost all survive."

The smiling mask is focused on Ravenstongue again, "Yes, is there more? Was it a bad colour of dragon? I have been hearing of this Pact, I find some documents for it."

Her peacock-andalusian continues his vigorous meal and occasional sharing. He's bonding!

"W...well. That sounds ... interesting," says Sandy, blinking her eyes at Ravenstongue for a moment. "IO'm glad you didn't die, and yes, we can work on teaching you some more offensive spells. Sounds like a plan." The peacock is briefly stared at, on the othr hand, and Sandy takes a seat near to Ravenstongue.

... and gives Pothy a sweet roll.

Pothy is a generous god to his new avian friend. He takes the sweet roll from Sandy's hand, and splits it apart with his beak, nudging one half to Ramirez before scarfing down the other half, somehow fitting it down that gullet of his.

"Umm... To be honest, I don't remember what color it was off the top of my head. It was a strange dragon--it came to life from a mural? I don't even know if it was a real dragon." Ravenstongue sighs. "That was my first time adventuring and it was so scary, some things are just a blur in my head. Kind of used to that, though," she said, a sort of sad smile on her face at that notion.

"I do not blame her, whatever they did. I've stopped by to make sure they are recovering as well as those prisoners, but you would understand if they want little to do with me." She sighs again. "One passed before I could aid them, but they refused to surrender. Perhaps they were just used to no one being trustworthy, given their line of work. After all, the leader was ready to run off the moment things turned south."

"It does seem to be scary work. Though if the dragon came from a tapestry, I suppose that raises questions. Do not be hard on yourself for not remembering everything, when things move quickly, people tend to pass over the details."

Faranmidahn nods, "You've done yourself great honor, Sister. And you, Miss Seyardu, to so boldly face such people to save a life, yet still so mercifully take victory is.... inspiring!" Her dame gives her a look, but she doesn't seem to notice, nor does the professor remark upon it. They do share a look, however, at the talk of dragons popping out of murals. That's wierd enough for both of them to lean in with keen interest.

The peacock-andalusian carefully takes his half of the split sweetroll and scarfs it down. He seems like an impossible illusion, some weird error of foreshortening, a wall mural come to life. Nearly ten feet of hippogryph body and another fifteen feet of feathery tail-train, he occupies nearly the entire length of the Tarrace. His eyes are the size of tea saucers, matching his crimson highlights. He nibbles so delicately.

"Much thanks, Sir Faranmidahn. The banditos are rough opponents but I understand their despair. I keep to my vows, even if it is hard." Paenitia replies. She looks once more at Ravenstongue, "I shall seek your comrades, to learn more of this wall dragon mural. It sound a fascinating thing, like I read of in the fanciful tales from home. There are many dangerous things on adventures, often frightening. Trust the allies that come with you, they will protect."

She leans back, laughing, "You have the much better stories! Last, I was help kill bugs that a noble let take over his stable. There is no glorious ballad in that!"

Ravenstongue thinks a little bit more seriously as she's comforted and assuaged by the others, their curiosity seeming to inspire her a bit more. "Now that I think a little more about it," she says, a tap on her chin punctuating the slight pause, "I think... it might have been gold colored? They're not one of the evil dragons, are they? Metallic dragons are supposed to be nice. But it was a mural dragon..."

"Snacks," Pothy interrupts, and Raven dutifully hands him a sprig of grapes. The white raven seems pleased with this and picks off some grapes before nudging the remaining amount forward to Ramirez. If he's disturbed at all by the sheer size and shape of his newfound hippogryph friend, he doesn't show it, as those big blue eyes seem to sparkle with the delight of avian friendship. That's pretty damn wholesome.

"...that's strange," says Sandy, squinting, "Mural... dragon." More sqeet roll, yes, as the raven gets another one passed over to it. "That does sound weird -- not to mention out of character for the Genrivian Kobolds. They've never spoken a word to anyone before. Something changed." She lets out a breath.

"I was out there to rescue the person they had captured, not slay them. It was unfortunate that it ended the way it did." Seyardu adds herself, leaning on the table and watching the two birds as they conversed through their actions. "A gold dragon is strange to hear of causing troubles such as that, as is them attempting to form a pact, from what I know of. I do not believe it is within their capabilities even, as vast as they may be. Perhaps some manner of fiend posessing the mural? Or some other unpleasant creature, or perhaps I am reading too much into it. Troubling news though, I agree it warrants more information."

Yes, vows are difficult, which makes them so very precious....

Faran sits up very slightly straighter, though and nods, though thankfully there is more discussion about wierd dragons and bizarre arts, in addition to errant kobolds.

A point of interest, to be sure, "I've never heard of such a dragon, but perhaps I should look into it."

She turns to Seyardu and nods, holding up a hand, "I would prefer toavoid needless bloodshed. Alas, such victories have been.... elusive." she says with a wan smile, "But I'm certain you'd done all you could."

"The Mural dragon could be a construct or such thing as well. Though yes, you're right, by and large as I understand, the metallics are more altruistic than the chromatics. This is... not my expertise, however."

The remarks from the squinting elf warrant a curious, "How do you mean, miss Sandy?"

'Ruaaaah!' Ramirez calls, in a deep voice that rocks the TarRaCe. Snacks! Friend! he takes the grapes. Having seen the removal, he practices, which takes some effort with his beak.

"The metals are the nice ones," Paenitia nods, glancing at Seyardu. "I only know what I read, and it sound you know much more."

She glances at Faranmidahn, then stands in her seat and bows, "Much apology, I must go now and speak with my Fellow Knight. Also, the struggle to get Ramirez out without him carrying everyone's food in his feathers."

Her smiling mask is directed towards Sandy, "I am curous about Genrivan Kobolds, what you know and think change them. I know little of the Kobold foe, but must know more if they are around dragons. Knights and dragons oft come together. Tomorrow, I seek you at your store."

"All, the companionship is much enjoyed. Good night." Paenitia bows again, and climbs down her chair. She then begins the long struggle of turning her peacock-andalusian around without overturning every table in the place. "Sir Faranmidahn, this will take some time, you do not have to get up right now."

So, she's leaving, they just haven't managed to leave yet.

Ravenstongue waves to the departing smiling knight. "Have a good night! It was nice to meet you!" she says, before she looks back to Sandy. "Yeah, it was... It was something that was so scary, I don't really know if I want to go back there. Not until I'm stronger. So you have to teach me all of the best spells, Madame Sandy!"

Pothy... waves too? Yup, he flaps his wing in a motion like waving to his new friend leaving. He'd look more sad, but he looks rather pleased with the fact that he now has the *entire table* to himself, and he begins to gorge on food.

"Well... you're going to see worse," says Sandy to Ravenstongue, briefly wetting her lips as she mulls it over. "You're always going to see worse. You'll see something that's scary, then you'll see something scarier than that. Or, you know, you won't. Because you'll get killed."

Faranmidahn's spider seems to come alive again atop her head as she waves to her fellow Knight, "Of course, we'll be along, soon!" she replies.

The remark from Sandy draws a wan smile, "You will, I'm afraid." she adds, nodding to the elf, though her eyes hold to Ms Raven, "But, still, someone must stand against the horrors that would claim life and dominion."

"I know not if I know much about them, since everyone else seems to have such varying opinions on them. Most don't see them as divine messengers and assistants of the gods." The sith'makar shrugs. "I will continue to do what I can, when I can Paenitia. Take care, It is a cold night out there today I have heard."

She says to the knight before she leaves, or tries to leave. She turns back to listen to those still at the table. "Yes, adventuring is dangerous work. But much of it needs to be done. Just be careful, and prepared Ravenstongue. And by prepare, I mean be ready for what you cannot prepare for."

Pothy senses something. His head pops up from a plate full of sausage cuts, and he makes... A humming noise? Yeah, that's a humming noise. Then he SQUAWKS loudly, and he flies off the table and out of the building.

"Pothy, wh--" Ravenstongue watches him fly off, and she sighs, absolutely exasperated. She gets up from the table. "I better go catch him. Thank you for the conversation, everyone! I'll try to catch up with you for some lessons later, Madame Sandy!" And with that, Raven ran off into the night, chasing that strange white raven.

Sandy stares aft er Raven's darting off into the night, then she turns towards the Red Knight and shrugs her shoulders at them.

"Well... that happened," she offers.

"Yes, that did happen." The sith'makar noted, with a light chuckle. "Perhaps for the best, so Stejpan does not have all his food eaten. And I just can't shake the feeling, with how bottomless that bird is, that him eating so much food is a waste. But that is me, and they seem to enjoy it. It just bothers me, is all."

Faranmidahn hrms, "Miss Seyardu, if the weather is bothering you, I have a spell that will keep you comfortable for about a day, if you're interested?" She turns to add to the Sith's advice for Ms Raven, when the woman's familiar decides in haste to sally forth into the night, demanding his Mistress follow. The albino gets a quick wave out, "Be well, miss Ravenstongue!" then sighs before looking back to the table, "Yes, it did." She doesn't have anything to say to the rest, however.

"Me? Oh no, there is very little that bothers me weather wise. I was merely concerned about Paenitia as she needed to take off." She replies with a shake of her head. "I appreciate the offer, though, that is kind of you. Though perhaps, I heard that this place becomes covered in frozen water late in the year. So I do not know how I feel about weather such as that."

Faranmidahn ah's softly and nods, "I misunderstood, sorry." she says with a little shrug as her familiar climbs down to her shoulder again, "Well, the weather does get interesting. If it is bothering you, please, don't hesitate to as and I'll cast the spell." She glances at the door on mention of the other Knight and, "I should try to catch up with her." As if the decision's been made, the elder Lucht starts to get herself in order.

"I will keep that offer in mind, do not worry about it. We both seemed to have gotten caught up on helping someone else, so it is not a bad thing." She chuckles again. "I should not keep you long here, then. Ramirez can move quite quickly once he gets mind to do so, so the sooner you go, the better chance you have of catching her. With any luck, Pothy is keeping them busy for a moment. Maybe I should take my leave myself, too. Perhaps I will try the baths are here, I've heard a few people mention them being quite nice."

Faranmidahn smiles warmly and nods, "They're wonderful, mother and I were using them before everyone arrived." she affirms, a fact the elder Lucht concurs with a nod, but gathers her feet.

"She is right, Faran, Torrent won't catch them on the wing." The elder remarks.

A sigh and, "Yes, you're right, of course. It's been wonderful meeting you both, but, we should get going, now. Enjoy the rest of your evening!"

Serrendine, the Professor gives her little curtsey and a, "Good evening, and thank you for the company. Be well."

Valedictions given, the pair start toward the exit. About halfway there, the albino murmurs to the spider on her shoulder, "I'm sorry sweetie, but you seemed so tired...!"

"Perhaps another day, when I could use it more. But yes, catching up to them, I wish you the best on that endeavor. Peace on your nests." The sith'makar offers in response. "I should leave you all to your meals and drinks though, myself. I still need to finish off my evening prayers. Please excuse me."

The silverscale left her seat and stretched, before she turned, and walked slowly to the door, not wishing to trip over anything this time.

Dramatis Personae

Stjepan
The giantborn is tall -- that is, after all, how they earn their name. He truly is, even for one of his kind. His hair is blonde, and cut short. The part is precise and ruthless. His eye are glacier blue, and are guarded by heavy brows, though his nose is surprisingly pert and dimples mark his cheeks. His smile is broad, cheerful and often deployed. Despite an almost cherubic visage, he cuts a figure of power -- powerful limbs, and a thickly-muscled torso -- that is unmistakable.

He wears blued coat-of-plate embossed with a mountain motif on the breastplate, over striped blue-and-white trousers and low black boots. At his wrists, additional wrappings of leather disappear beneath his vambraces; at his neck, a steel chain disappears under his armour, probably securing some sort of amulet. He carries a huge sword slung at his waist, the grip wrapped in black leather over jute cord. His sword belt is made of thick black leather with a silvered buckle fashioned to look like a snarling lion. A plain grey woollen cloak is worn against the weather. Across his back is a recurved bow and quiver of arrows. He is, in general, armed for war.

Ravenstongue
The half-sil Ravenstongue stands at 5 feet even, with a slender frame and pale skin. Her ebon hair has been smoothly braided into one large braid that goes down to her waist. Her striking violet eyes peer at her surroundings behind charming glasses, although whether she actually needs them is a question for the ages. Her clothes are neat and tidy, always appropriate for the weather, although she typically prefers to wear clothes in the preferred copper and blue of Navos the Raven. She smiles sweetly at most who pass by her, and even moreso for the white raven familiar she usually has on her shoulder.

The white raven on her shoulder has startling blue eyes, and likes to preen the half-sil lady's hair at random, much to her amusement.

Paenitia
Small, dark and winsome.

On a Giant white peacock.

Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Harrana, is a crimson knight astride an ivory steed. A dark skinned Lucht Siuil, her black hair hangs in ringlets to mid-back, wild, untamed, loose. Matching fetlocks curl about her shins, demure, tamed, tied back with crimson bows. She wears a broad feathered hat, a matching single shoulder cape, both crafted from the bold feathers of her mount; striking white with red eyes. Beneath that hat, a smiling mask with rosy cheeks and a wide upturned moustache. Her armour has the same patina, an elaborate breastplate, rusted to match the mesas of her homeland. Paenitia's deep eyes smoulder behind the mask, and her skin, where visible, is a warm mahogany that is both heritage and time in the sun. She moves with an intensity overwhelming for her size.

Ramirez, her mount, is an eye-catching hippogryph. An albescent peacock gypsy-andalusan breed. Glorious, the size of a strong warhorse, his tail could cover a cart and easily hides his fluffy equine hind. His forelegs are the delicate and deceptively strong legs of the avian, and his body flows well into his feathery trail. Almost completely white, Ramirez is blood red on his neck, shoulders and breast, with the same bold colour in his crown and his many tailfeather eyes. He struts about regally, staring imperiously, proud and beautiful. Paenitia's saddle straps his midsection and has its own tail fan, a scabbard candelabra of pole arms that lies along his back.

She's from the land of the wind, tilting against windmills. A self-appointed knight, tiny and trite, riding a fancy and brings twice the fight.

Seyardu
While not as physically imposing as many others of her kind, Seyardu still towers over most regardless. The sith-makar is covered in bright silver scales, with almost metallic, silvery eyes that are usually found in what looks like an appraising squint. Two long, ridged horns curve forward on their face, and a long tail trails slightly on the ground, keeping them balanced. Usually they are seen in town with simple, plain clothes, a simple vest and accompanying gray skirt. A large rucksack is usually slung over her back with most of her worldly posessions, with a large wooden shield, well used but completely bare, save for a rough dark black painting of a dragon's head.

Faranmidahn
A tallish Lucht about 3'3" with a wide, heart shaped face of moon-eyed countenance, she bears the marks of an albino, with skin a pinkish cream, and pate of full, ankle length hair of ivory and bone. Her eyes are a peculiar shade of rose beneath somewhat thick ivory brows, with long silvery lashes, to which she's added two matching rows of round tourmaline settings starting at her brow and tapering down her cheeks to her jawline. Like her people, she prefers to feel the ground beneath her bare feet, though she's manifested the Clydesdale like shag of ivory more uncommon than unheard of among her people. Her voice is high and light enough to be almost troublingly cute when she intends to be anything but, though her posture is straight and proud.

She's taken her spider affectation to a functional extreme, probably more due to a certain amount of reality checks than a true forbearance of eccentricity. Black spiderweb lace sheaths her limbs, emerging from the sculpted black kilted breastplate; an embossed sigil of violet, lavender and green proclaims her to be of the Order of the Purple Rose from the left of her heart, framed by an intricate spiderweb of inlaid silver that expand outward in random sparsity around the armor. Over this, a matching, sculpted broach pins a violet, web-embroidered cloak to her shoulders. A fluted helm matching her armor is completed by a visor of evenly spaced bars that, when it is worn, adds shadow enough to aid the suggestion of spiders' eyes her jewerly is meant to project. Silver traceries of asymetrical webs bring contrast to the black,scalloped poleyns that protect her knees.

At the right side of her waist is a comparitively long sword for her stature, blackened steel with a red hourglass on the pear-shaped pommel, rests in a lacquered sheath opposite an array of pouches that no doubt contain an array of adventurer's tools, while a matching Lucht Traveler's blade is strapped to her left thigh. Occaisionally riding a baldric accomodated through some trick of her cloak is what might be a Lucht Siuil greatsword, quillion tips and pommel tempered and polished to an iridescent blue-violet and carved into blooming roses.

On many occaisions, she has a round, white spider about the size of a human fist covered in white fluffiness riding about her shoulders, or sometimes riding in her hair when her helm is absent. Similarly, she travels with a glossy black Huntsman spider about the size of a Well fed Mastiff, clad in silver studded glossy leather barding, and full knightly tack as well as curious earth hued wrappings around the center four of his legs.

Sandy
At about five foot, two inches, this llyranesi female is certainly not the most imposing of physical specimens. Her form is alternately a mix of firm sildanyari musculature and plumpness, for an elf, as if she's finished the process of settling into a life of comfort... and is quite comfortable there. Above a scowl are slanted dark blue eyes and pierced ears poking out through her dark purple hair, left in such a way that suggests its owner pays little attention to it. Her skin is pale, even by the standards of her people, as if this particular one doesn't bear any love of the great outdoors. Grease or dirt typically coats part of her physique. With the grease, often a scowl and a tiredness or stress-marks around the eyes, despite her youth.

Sandy is dressed in a pair of flattering trousers of tough chocolate brown material that hug her hips and fall partly down to flare over her calves over a pair of low-heeled black boots trimmed with bright copper buttons. A black shirt is belted therin, laced at the throat, with a pattern of intertwining emerald and pink snakes embroidered at the loose collars. Over this she wears a tailored jacket of interlacing jacquard scales with squared shoulders and a raised collar; the tails of the coat are bustled, so that artfully bunched and folded layers fall into two parts over the backs of her legs, halfway to the knee, lined with poison-green silk. The sleeves of the jacket are split-cuffed with an edge of pintucking of that same silk lining peeking out over curved, folded-back edges. On her left hand is a gold ring with a fat ruby in the center.

OOC

<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "I'm very glad we've assembled the first inaugural meeting of the Order of the Alabaster Animal by sheer accident. Only requirement to join: have a pale animal friend."
<OOC> Paenitia says, "heee! yes."
<OOC> Faranmidahn pets her spider.

<OOC> Sandy says, "!!!!"
<OOC> Sandy says, "67 hours of care approved for my dad every 2 weeks"
<OOC> Sandy fucking dances