Theuse wasn’t sure how to characterize his emotions at that moment; on the one hand was his growing embarrassment and on the other was the need to rise and meet the elf’s challenge. Most of all was a brave little voice in his head telling him that he was not afraid. The red in his cheeks faded somewhat, as his pride rose to defend itself, and he looked pointedly at the woman. She had the look of somebody who was dangerous, it was something in the way she help herself. He had seen in before in the way a soldier, even one who had not served for years, held himself. It was a pose that bespoke power and quick reaction, and it was damned scary. But Theuse screwed up his courage none the less.
“Little Lady, I am hardly afraid of Alcippe—let alone yourself. Especially,” his gaze shifted some to encompass a passing plate of roasted meat, and Theuse was sure that Lo’en would not miss the gesture. “If you are suffering from an empty stomach. We will discuss the arrangements over food. Is that agreeable to you?”
That last was directed at Alcippe, who had finished her bargaining with the owner of the Rook. Theuse did not turn to look at her, he was to busy looking at Lo'en and waiting for the elf to beat him for his impudence.
Just Passing Through
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Jaspenellar
- Citizen
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- Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:56 pm
- Name: Loen
- Race: Half-Elven
Re: Just Passing Through
Little? The single arched eyebrow should have been hint enough for the man in front of her, though to be fair, Lo'en had never quite perfected the perfect expression of disbelief no matter how many times she had practiced in front of her siblings. Her left eye was just a little too squinted in order to keep that eye brow from reaching upward with its opposite twin. The contrived facial exercise actually appeared somewhat comical, despite any intimidating body language, and it was fortunate the passing server distracted Theuse, drawing her own gaze to follow his.
The innkeeper had taken a step back, not entirely sure of his would-be guests. At that moment, they might be more likely to fight each other than be the chummy travelleing companions he first assumed they were. Fearing the situation starting slip to something much less profitable, the old fellow clapped his thin hands together several times, bringing his short, stick-like arms across his chest as if they wouldn't reach across his immense girth.
"Tobie, Tobie," his voice carried with assertive overtones. A small, harmless looking boy with tousled mousey brown hair scurried, seemingly from nowhere, to his master's bidding, slinging a slightly damp hand towel over one shoulder. "Tobie, please, mind our guests' belongings up to room #30 and turn down the beds." He placed special emphasis on the pluralization of the last word while he took the liberty of bustling away their packs, boxes, and bags. The boy obviously wouldn't be able to take them all in one trip so the remainder stayed stacked neatly out of the way of the main traffic flow.
Lo'en watched the boy scramble up the stairs- each of the rooms opened up to the center of the tavern along the landing, making it very easy to see where Tobie was taking their stuff. There were two floors for rooms and he had gone up both flights of stairs, taking the key the innkeeper had slipped him to one of the rooms in the corner. Satisfied the bus boy wouldn't pinch any of their belongings, she turned her attention back to Theuse and Alcippe- and the old host who was trying to usher them to a table which offered them full vantage of their stacked items and the stairs.
Hardly before the three of them had sat down, there were already three cold mugs of beer set in front of them, frothy heads overflowing the top. The half-elf took only a moment to look around her settings and questioned if this man was hurting for business so desperately. Was he afraid? That thought nudged some faint buried memory and Lo'en blinked it away, taking a full swig of the beer in front of her.
"Well, at least we know you aren't so completely spineless," she grinned at Theuse sitting across from her after her long draught, completely unable to keep from prodding the man again.
The innkeeper had taken a step back, not entirely sure of his would-be guests. At that moment, they might be more likely to fight each other than be the chummy travelleing companions he first assumed they were. Fearing the situation starting slip to something much less profitable, the old fellow clapped his thin hands together several times, bringing his short, stick-like arms across his chest as if they wouldn't reach across his immense girth.
"Tobie, Tobie," his voice carried with assertive overtones. A small, harmless looking boy with tousled mousey brown hair scurried, seemingly from nowhere, to his master's bidding, slinging a slightly damp hand towel over one shoulder. "Tobie, please, mind our guests' belongings up to room #30 and turn down the beds." He placed special emphasis on the pluralization of the last word while he took the liberty of bustling away their packs, boxes, and bags. The boy obviously wouldn't be able to take them all in one trip so the remainder stayed stacked neatly out of the way of the main traffic flow.
Lo'en watched the boy scramble up the stairs- each of the rooms opened up to the center of the tavern along the landing, making it very easy to see where Tobie was taking their stuff. There were two floors for rooms and he had gone up both flights of stairs, taking the key the innkeeper had slipped him to one of the rooms in the corner. Satisfied the bus boy wouldn't pinch any of their belongings, she turned her attention back to Theuse and Alcippe- and the old host who was trying to usher them to a table which offered them full vantage of their stacked items and the stairs.
Hardly before the three of them had sat down, there were already three cold mugs of beer set in front of them, frothy heads overflowing the top. The half-elf took only a moment to look around her settings and questioned if this man was hurting for business so desperately. Was he afraid? That thought nudged some faint buried memory and Lo'en blinked it away, taking a full swig of the beer in front of her.
"Well, at least we know you aren't so completely spineless," she grinned at Theuse sitting across from her after her long draught, completely unable to keep from prodding the man again.
Re: Just Passing Through
((Dear God, two days without an internet connection is maddening!))
Theuse would have loved to make some sort of snappy comeback, really would have, but the only thing that came to mind was another comment on the Elf's height and that was stale. Instead he took a long, thoughtful, pull from his drink and considered his new found 'friends'. Alcippe seemed to be the quiet sort and he realized she probably didn't trust him, from some of the looks he had received he wondered if he might have offended her in some way. Lo'en on the other hand, she was something else.
The spunky little Elf had a quicksilver tongue and knew how to use it; Theuse had to resist the urge to reach up and probe his face for a slash wound. His opinion of the two of them had changed several times over the brief period he had know them and it had him off balance. It would be best if he played it safe, kept his tone polite, and tried not to say anything too terribly foolish. Finally finishing his first sip, Theuse decided it would not do to keep quiet.
“I assure you I have a spine, and there is plenty of steel in it.” he replied casually, as though commenting on the weather. The last thing he needed was to let his pride get him gutted. “Now, you wanted to discuss the arrangements?”
Theuse would have loved to make some sort of snappy comeback, really would have, but the only thing that came to mind was another comment on the Elf's height and that was stale. Instead he took a long, thoughtful, pull from his drink and considered his new found 'friends'. Alcippe seemed to be the quiet sort and he realized she probably didn't trust him, from some of the looks he had received he wondered if he might have offended her in some way. Lo'en on the other hand, she was something else.
The spunky little Elf had a quicksilver tongue and knew how to use it; Theuse had to resist the urge to reach up and probe his face for a slash wound. His opinion of the two of them had changed several times over the brief period he had know them and it had him off balance. It would be best if he played it safe, kept his tone polite, and tried not to say anything too terribly foolish. Finally finishing his first sip, Theuse decided it would not do to keep quiet.
“I assure you I have a spine, and there is plenty of steel in it.” he replied casually, as though commenting on the weather. The last thing he needed was to let his pride get him gutted. “Now, you wanted to discuss the arrangements?”
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Jaspenellar
- Citizen
- Posts: 305
- Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:56 pm
- Name: Loen
- Race: Half-Elven
Re: Just Passing Through
Alcippe fidgeted a little, but seemed to settle as she followed suit of the other two, taking a long pull of her own beer. Lo'en just as casually brushed aside Theuse's defensive comment. She tried to remind herself that this was not Justinaryn', and that her constant badgering would probably be offensive to those she was unfamiliar with. She glanced at the horse woman who had bartered down their room price, but Alcippe only looked pointedly back at the half-elf, as if expecting Lo'en to do all of the talking with the man.
Instead of answering Theuse immediately, she took another full swig of her drink. The cold, amber liquid pouring down her throat relieved her from speaking momentarily and served to assuage her hunger temporarily. Feeling the familiar tingle of alcohol hit her stomach, Lo'en replaced her mug on the table, wondering how long before she would begin feeling the effects on an empty belly. "Rooming arrangements, then," she began, but before the half-elf could continue, she unexpectedly leapt to her feet. Smoothly excusing herself, she went over to where the boy Tobie was gathering her fletching supplies. Giving a small, not entirely friendly smile to the lad, Lo'en gathered the box of arrow heads, shafts, and large bag of feathers and brought them back to the table.
By this time, a pretty, little red-haired waitress had appeared alongside Theuse and was offering a list of meals the kitchen was currently serving.
Instead of answering Theuse immediately, she took another full swig of her drink. The cold, amber liquid pouring down her throat relieved her from speaking momentarily and served to assuage her hunger temporarily. Feeling the familiar tingle of alcohol hit her stomach, Lo'en replaced her mug on the table, wondering how long before she would begin feeling the effects on an empty belly. "Rooming arrangements, then," she began, but before the half-elf could continue, she unexpectedly leapt to her feet. Smoothly excusing herself, she went over to where the boy Tobie was gathering her fletching supplies. Giving a small, not entirely friendly smile to the lad, Lo'en gathered the box of arrow heads, shafts, and large bag of feathers and brought them back to the table.
By this time, a pretty, little red-haired waitress had appeared alongside Theuse and was offering a list of meals the kitchen was currently serving.
Re: Just Passing Through
Theuse watched, bemused, as Lo'en started to speak and quickly cut off her train of thought to retrieve her supplies. Her protectiveness of the box would have been humorous, if Theuse had not already been directly responsible for the destruction of some of the items not long ago. Rolling his eyes anyway, Theuse took another drink and waited for Lo'en; then the serving girl arrived. Young, a little short, and with fiery red hair, it was obvious why the owner would employ her. Theuse wondered just how many patrons came to the place just to see her and hope she served them. Theuse realized she was talking at this point, offering a greeting and asking what he wanted to eat.
“And good day to you, young lady. I'll have one of those,” Theuse quickly gestured to a tray carrying several plates of cold meats and cheeses. “and some bread if you don't mind.” He smiled cheerfully, hoping to cover his earlier rudeness.
It was then that Lo'en returned to the table, carrying all her things stacked up almost as tall as she was. Theuse wondered for a moment if she was going to drop them all over the floor, but the Elf managed to keep it all under control and quickly place them near her seat at the table. He waited for Lo'en to get herself situated, and then gestured to the serving girl. “Lunch time.” he said simply.
“And good day to you, young lady. I'll have one of those,” Theuse quickly gestured to a tray carrying several plates of cold meats and cheeses. “and some bread if you don't mind.” He smiled cheerfully, hoping to cover his earlier rudeness.
It was then that Lo'en returned to the table, carrying all her things stacked up almost as tall as she was. Theuse wondered for a moment if she was going to drop them all over the floor, but the Elf managed to keep it all under control and quickly place them near her seat at the table. He waited for Lo'en to get herself situated, and then gestured to the serving girl. “Lunch time.” he said simply.
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Jaspenellar
- Citizen
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- Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:56 pm
- Name: Loen
- Race: Half-Elven
Re: Just Passing Through
The half-elf snorted to herself inaudibly as she walked back to the table, noticing Theuse's predictably entranced reaction to the red hair, youthful serving maid. To his credit, he withheld from outright gaping and flirting with the waitress, who did her best to not look disappointed when she turned to the women at the table. Lo'en wavered on her order as her hunger made her indecisively stall over the meat and cheese platter and the savory smelling stew. A long, overly drawn pause ensued and for a moment, the waitress doubted the mental capacity of the unkempt half-elf standing dumbly in front of her.
"Excuse me, miss, your order?" The teeny high pitched voice poised hesitantly polite, at the same time rolling her green eyes in Theuse's direction in hopes of garnering sympathy for having to deal with the slow Lo'en.
"Stew! No, what he ordered... no, no, that won't do, th'stew will b' fine. Please. Yes, that'll do. An' some bread. An' another round for my friends!"
As adamant as she was indecisive just moments before, Lo'en finally made up her mind with her order, sending the confused waitress away, as Alcippe had murmured her meal choice almost immediately after their male companion had.
Happily the half-elf took another drink of her beer, bringing the level down about half way. She felt better than she had in ages, looking forward to a hot meal cooked by someone who probably knew how to cook, good cold beer, prospect of earning some real bishani... As that thought pricked through the soft haze the alcohol was already beginning to induce, Lo'en took her carving knife from its sheathe behind her back and hefted the bundle of shafts from her pile, placing it off to one side of the large table. She deftly, almost absent-mindedly began to whittle at the end of one shaft after she gave it a cursory inspection. Unfortunately, the wanderlusting, largely solitary traveller had developed a habit of being too comfortable with silence, her only inconstant, beaked companion never prone to be overly chatty.
"Excuse me, miss, your order?" The teeny high pitched voice poised hesitantly polite, at the same time rolling her green eyes in Theuse's direction in hopes of garnering sympathy for having to deal with the slow Lo'en.
"Stew! No, what he ordered... no, no, that won't do, th'stew will b' fine. Please. Yes, that'll do. An' some bread. An' another round for my friends!"
As adamant as she was indecisive just moments before, Lo'en finally made up her mind with her order, sending the confused waitress away, as Alcippe had murmured her meal choice almost immediately after their male companion had.
Happily the half-elf took another drink of her beer, bringing the level down about half way. She felt better than she had in ages, looking forward to a hot meal cooked by someone who probably knew how to cook, good cold beer, prospect of earning some real bishani... As that thought pricked through the soft haze the alcohol was already beginning to induce, Lo'en took her carving knife from its sheathe behind her back and hefted the bundle of shafts from her pile, placing it off to one side of the large table. She deftly, almost absent-mindedly began to whittle at the end of one shaft after she gave it a cursory inspection. Unfortunately, the wanderlusting, largely solitary traveller had developed a habit of being too comfortable with silence, her only inconstant, beaked companion never prone to be overly chatty.
Re: Just Passing Through
Theuse watched the serving girl head away in what seemed like a bit of a huff and hid his amusement at Lo'en and the girl's antics behind a swig of his beer. 'How do I keep getting myself into these sorts of things?' he wondered, watching with half-interest as the elf began to work on one of her twigs—he still had no idea what they were for but if that bag held feathers then he could take a good guess. When not watching the wood work, Theuse had his attention set on a card game one table over; he could see one man's hand and the card up the sleeve up one of his companions. That made Theuse smile too; no matter where one traveled certain places stayed the same.
The sudden, hearty, smell of stew grabbed hold of Theuse's nose and he realized that the serving girl was coming back with an overladen tray as he looked up from the game. His food, Lo'en's and Alcippe's, and all the drinks were stacked together on the wooden board. Raising an eyebrow he looked toward Lo'en and wondered if she had intentionally ordered more so as to hinder the poor girl. Rather than wait for the damn thing to fall, and it most certainly would from the looks of things, Theuse got up to help.
“A moment.” was all he murmured to his new friends as he left the table. The tray, he soon realized as he took it from the girl with a cheerful smile, was more unbalanced than heavy; Theuse ended up using two hands so that he didn't end up the fool by dumping the tray on someone.
“Order up.” He chuckled, the old colloquialism of his home island nudged some memories that he found comforting. “Thank you for your help.” That was aimed at the pretty serving girl, as he pulled a few Bishani from his belt pouch and offered them to her. “It looks delightful, a true feast.”
The sudden, hearty, smell of stew grabbed hold of Theuse's nose and he realized that the serving girl was coming back with an overladen tray as he looked up from the game. His food, Lo'en's and Alcippe's, and all the drinks were stacked together on the wooden board. Raising an eyebrow he looked toward Lo'en and wondered if she had intentionally ordered more so as to hinder the poor girl. Rather than wait for the damn thing to fall, and it most certainly would from the looks of things, Theuse got up to help.
“A moment.” was all he murmured to his new friends as he left the table. The tray, he soon realized as he took it from the girl with a cheerful smile, was more unbalanced than heavy; Theuse ended up using two hands so that he didn't end up the fool by dumping the tray on someone.
“Order up.” He chuckled, the old colloquialism of his home island nudged some memories that he found comforting. “Thank you for your help.” That was aimed at the pretty serving girl, as he pulled a few Bishani from his belt pouch and offered them to her. “It looks delightful, a true feast.”
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Jaspenellar
- Citizen
- Posts: 305
- Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:56 pm
- Name: Loen
- Race: Half-Elven
Re: Just Passing Through
Lo'en looked up once, when Theuse left to assist the small waitress with her burden. She found herself wanting to scorn the man's chivalrous tendencies, but they seemed to be genuine enough that she couldn't bring herself to outright sneer at his efforts. Instead, the half elf focused on the fact that she was getting food.
The aroma made her toes curl in anticipation and Lo'en pushed aside the ten or so shafts she had notched to seat the feathered vanes. She murmured a barely intelligible "Put the tab to my room" and was scooping hot stew into her mouth before the bowl hit the table top. Of course, the first mouthful scalded the roof of the half-elf's mouth, and quite impolitely, she spat it back into the bowl.
"Hot!" Lo'en exclaimed as she attempted to prevent further burning with a few quick swigs of her fresh mug of beer. She did have the compunction to feel a bit of embarrassment at her hasty gluttony, the expression reaching her grey eyes. She resorted to impatiently blowing air over her next spoonful, and there was a long silence while the half-elf focused solely on her meal.
Alcippe nibbled quickly at her food and then excused herself without much ceremony, muttering something about tending to her horse. Lo'en watched the girl leave before turning back to Theuse with a characteristic wry grin. "Quiet, that one, huh."
The aroma made her toes curl in anticipation and Lo'en pushed aside the ten or so shafts she had notched to seat the feathered vanes. She murmured a barely intelligible "Put the tab to my room" and was scooping hot stew into her mouth before the bowl hit the table top. Of course, the first mouthful scalded the roof of the half-elf's mouth, and quite impolitely, she spat it back into the bowl.
"Hot!" Lo'en exclaimed as she attempted to prevent further burning with a few quick swigs of her fresh mug of beer. She did have the compunction to feel a bit of embarrassment at her hasty gluttony, the expression reaching her grey eyes. She resorted to impatiently blowing air over her next spoonful, and there was a long silence while the half-elf focused solely on her meal.
Alcippe nibbled quickly at her food and then excused herself without much ceremony, muttering something about tending to her horse. Lo'en watched the girl leave before turning back to Theuse with a characteristic wry grin. "Quiet, that one, huh."
Re: Just Passing Through
Theuse smiled at Lo'en's antics, the elf must have really been hungry; to be honest, he was too and he was happy that he wouldn't have to wait for his food to cool. Instead of staring he started in on the meat and cheese, occasionally pausing for some bread. It tasted wonderful but required him to pause from time to time for a drink. Of course that was not really a problem, the beer was fairly good too. Theuse plowed through most of his trencher in short order, not realizing just how ravenous he was.
It dawned on him, near the end of the meal, that Lo'en may have wanted something to clean up the rest of her stew and plopped the remaining half loaf or so within easy reach with a nod. He also noted Alcippe didn't seem to have much of an appetite, and that nobody seemed to be in the mood for conversation with such tasty morsels available. It was when Alcippe left that the mood seemed to change and Lo'en broke the silence. He listened as she spoke and nodded at the end.
“I have the feeling that she doesn't quite trust either of us, myself probably more so than you.” he shrugged, unsure of his theory. “But then, I guess that makes sense, as we are all still strangers.”
Theuse paused a moment to pop a small piece of cheese into his mouth, savoring the little bit even as his stomach protested. The food had been filling and the drink had tasted good, the meal being well worth the price—of course it had been some time since Theuse had had real food so he was biased in this. “I think now would be a good time to try and correct that little problem. I am Theuse Del'Sir, traveler and sell sword.” He bent slightly at the waist, as though trying to bow while seated. “I have no direction and few friends, which makes for a lonely road, but I hope that I might correct that sometime in the future.”
It dawned on him, near the end of the meal, that Lo'en may have wanted something to clean up the rest of her stew and plopped the remaining half loaf or so within easy reach with a nod. He also noted Alcippe didn't seem to have much of an appetite, and that nobody seemed to be in the mood for conversation with such tasty morsels available. It was when Alcippe left that the mood seemed to change and Lo'en broke the silence. He listened as she spoke and nodded at the end.
“I have the feeling that she doesn't quite trust either of us, myself probably more so than you.” he shrugged, unsure of his theory. “But then, I guess that makes sense, as we are all still strangers.”
Theuse paused a moment to pop a small piece of cheese into his mouth, savoring the little bit even as his stomach protested. The food had been filling and the drink had tasted good, the meal being well worth the price—of course it had been some time since Theuse had had real food so he was biased in this. “I think now would be a good time to try and correct that little problem. I am Theuse Del'Sir, traveler and sell sword.” He bent slightly at the waist, as though trying to bow while seated. “I have no direction and few friends, which makes for a lonely road, but I hope that I might correct that sometime in the future.”
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Jaspenellar
- Citizen
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- Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:56 pm
- Name: Loen
- Race: Half-Elven
Re: Just Passing Through
"I s'pose that makes us kin spirits," Lo'en commented drolly. She leaned forward suddenly, her grey eyes pinpointed on Theuse, momentarily growing unfocused before re-focusing on him. "Traveling for th'sake of traveling? Ever get... an itch? In your heart? In your very soul, that doesn't stop unless you're on th'move?"
A long moment passed before the half-elf broke eye contact, sitting back in her seat. Offering a dismissing shrug, she pushed aside her mostly clean bowl, having devoured the majority even without the proffered bread. She took another long pull from her mug before reaching for additional shafts. Despite the encroaching effects of alcohol, her fingers moved automatically, expertly notching one end as she whittled away.
"I'm not very good at much, but this is one thing I can do, and it's how I intend t'pay for this extravagant lodging fee. Now, not 'tending to stay long, I don't honestly see anything 'inappropriate' 'bout you splitting the room with us. I'd just as soon sleep on some blankets on the floor than spend 'nother night outside."
A long moment passed before the half-elf broke eye contact, sitting back in her seat. Offering a dismissing shrug, she pushed aside her mostly clean bowl, having devoured the majority even without the proffered bread. She took another long pull from her mug before reaching for additional shafts. Despite the encroaching effects of alcohol, her fingers moved automatically, expertly notching one end as she whittled away.
"I'm not very good at much, but this is one thing I can do, and it's how I intend t'pay for this extravagant lodging fee. Now, not 'tending to stay long, I don't honestly see anything 'inappropriate' 'bout you splitting the room with us. I'd just as soon sleep on some blankets on the floor than spend 'nother night outside."
Re: Just Passing Through
There. A slight whiff on the air curled inside Gia's wolfy nose, the hint of the frankincense smell of magic, the watery coolness of elf, and the spicy air of griffins. The griffin was almost gone from the scent, but Gia knew at last she had the combination right--how many half-elves traveled around with griffins? She tracked the nearly-faded tang to an alleyway, where the smell grew in intensity and was concentrated, causing the very doggy-looking wolf to halt and snuffle around a bit.
The air was rank with the copper-black stench of fear and panic, tinged with red to her mental picture of the scent. There were two females, one human... but Gia wasn't sure if she was smelling memories, real events, dreams, precognitions or anything of the sort, as the fearscent overpowered most everything else in the alleyway. Gia snorted, disturbing some of the loose dust in the passageway between the two buildings. The smells always made her react in different ways... from this one she took wariness and some tension. Shaking her head roughly she trailed the scent, stronger by the minute, from the alleyway.
The elf--Lo'en, Master Tuc had called her--has risen early. Gia's dark brown nose could pinpoint times to the minute when the scent was fresh, as this was. Gia followed the smell around easily enough now that she had it in her nose. Her memory was full of scents that she could never forget. She'd turned down this road, taken a left at this corner... and then stepped out into the track of two large coach horses, a gelded three-year-old and a young mare by the scent of them.
The wild wolf howled in Gia's mind for the chase, but the werewolf snarled down the plea. She had a job for a dangerous master, and there was no time to run off and dally around with foolish things like chasing horses. A small baring of fangs appeared low on the brown muzzle, and Gia shook her head again, causing her reddish mane to shimmer in the light breeze. She looked as dog-like as she could manage, but there was only so much she could do. The ruff she was seldom able to hide. Her coat was shaggy and patchy, her legs long and rangy, her tail thin, but even so she knew she looked more lupine than canine.
The next heavy scent was of another horse, and Gia tracked the elf-smell across the street to where is joined with a woman's, a human this time, smell. The horse was young and male, and she could practically taste the conditioning of the beast. No time for that, she chided herself mentally.
The smells twined and Lo'en's led into an archery shop, which Gia sat outside and drew in deep breaths. She could tell the elf had removed the griffin feather as the smells danced on the practically nonexistent wind every time the door opened. The set of scents told Gia that Lo'en had left with a bunch of arrow-making supplies and the promptly run into a man outside the shop, about two feet away from where Gia was sitting. Rather unobservant elf, she thought. First the coach and now running into people...
Gia trotted along the next street, nose to the ground and tail high as she tracked the smell of the trio and the horse to a small inn. The grey horse was still outside and appeared slightly unsettled as Gia trotted up. Animals always knew. Not that a wolf was much to inspire confidence in a prey animal anyway... she bared her teeth lazily at the grey and slipped into a side alley where it was dark enough to conceal her change. After she ensured that the tail was gone and the ears were small, round and fleshy once more she pulled out a lightweight dress from the bag she'd carried from Kaledin in her mouth and drew some soft leather boots out as well, barely more than slippers on her feet. Running a hand through her hair she tried to get out most of the tangles, then stowed her small bag inside her dress and let a few coins clink into the pocket of her dress.
She opened the door to the tavern/inn quietly and quickly found her target. In human form her sense of smell wasn't nearly as refined, but it was much stronger than the average person. She ran a finger along the thin golden chain of the charm Master Tuc had given her, hoping he'd know she'd found the girl. Lo'en appeared to have finished dinner with the man and woman Gia had scented and was now whittling away at the arrows. Gia took a table close to the trio and ordered stew for herself, with extra meat in it. Tracking always took something out of her, and good cooking was appreciated.
The air was rank with the copper-black stench of fear and panic, tinged with red to her mental picture of the scent. There were two females, one human... but Gia wasn't sure if she was smelling memories, real events, dreams, precognitions or anything of the sort, as the fearscent overpowered most everything else in the alleyway. Gia snorted, disturbing some of the loose dust in the passageway between the two buildings. The smells always made her react in different ways... from this one she took wariness and some tension. Shaking her head roughly she trailed the scent, stronger by the minute, from the alleyway.
The elf--Lo'en, Master Tuc had called her--has risen early. Gia's dark brown nose could pinpoint times to the minute when the scent was fresh, as this was. Gia followed the smell around easily enough now that she had it in her nose. Her memory was full of scents that she could never forget. She'd turned down this road, taken a left at this corner... and then stepped out into the track of two large coach horses, a gelded three-year-old and a young mare by the scent of them.
The wild wolf howled in Gia's mind for the chase, but the werewolf snarled down the plea. She had a job for a dangerous master, and there was no time to run off and dally around with foolish things like chasing horses. A small baring of fangs appeared low on the brown muzzle, and Gia shook her head again, causing her reddish mane to shimmer in the light breeze. She looked as dog-like as she could manage, but there was only so much she could do. The ruff she was seldom able to hide. Her coat was shaggy and patchy, her legs long and rangy, her tail thin, but even so she knew she looked more lupine than canine.
The next heavy scent was of another horse, and Gia tracked the elf-smell across the street to where is joined with a woman's, a human this time, smell. The horse was young and male, and she could practically taste the conditioning of the beast. No time for that, she chided herself mentally.
The smells twined and Lo'en's led into an archery shop, which Gia sat outside and drew in deep breaths. She could tell the elf had removed the griffin feather as the smells danced on the practically nonexistent wind every time the door opened. The set of scents told Gia that Lo'en had left with a bunch of arrow-making supplies and the promptly run into a man outside the shop, about two feet away from where Gia was sitting. Rather unobservant elf, she thought. First the coach and now running into people...
Gia trotted along the next street, nose to the ground and tail high as she tracked the smell of the trio and the horse to a small inn. The grey horse was still outside and appeared slightly unsettled as Gia trotted up. Animals always knew. Not that a wolf was much to inspire confidence in a prey animal anyway... she bared her teeth lazily at the grey and slipped into a side alley where it was dark enough to conceal her change. After she ensured that the tail was gone and the ears were small, round and fleshy once more she pulled out a lightweight dress from the bag she'd carried from Kaledin in her mouth and drew some soft leather boots out as well, barely more than slippers on her feet. Running a hand through her hair she tried to get out most of the tangles, then stowed her small bag inside her dress and let a few coins clink into the pocket of her dress.
She opened the door to the tavern/inn quietly and quickly found her target. In human form her sense of smell wasn't nearly as refined, but it was much stronger than the average person. She ran a finger along the thin golden chain of the charm Master Tuc had given her, hoping he'd know she'd found the girl. Lo'en appeared to have finished dinner with the man and woman Gia had scented and was now whittling away at the arrows. Gia took a table close to the trio and ordered stew for herself, with extra meat in it. Tracking always took something out of her, and good cooking was appreciated.
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Jaspenellar
- Citizen
- Posts: 305
- Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:56 pm
- Name: Loen
- Race: Half-Elven
Re: Just Passing Through
The little red-haired waitress scooped up the empty trays, batting her eyes fawningly at Theuse again as she did so. Lo'en couldn't refuse this opportunity to roll her grey eyes at the blatant and cliche exchange. Fingers starting to cramp from the same meticulous motion, the half-elf swapped ends and started to work affixing the metal arrow heads to the notched shafts.
Last edited by Jaspenellar on Wed Jul 29, 2009 5:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Just Passing Through
Theuse sat there, unsure of himself and what he should do next; this would hardly be considered proper behavior back home! Of course that was the crux wasn't it? Theuse was not at home any more and had not been for years, he had not spoken with his father and mother, had not seen his siblings and neighbors. The traditions of the wider world still surprised him, even after all this time, and he found himself feeling like that farm boy who first left home with nothing but a few bishani and dreams of excitement and travel. It was a shame to think that those travels had been nothing like the stories, so much of the unappealing got left out. But that was the life he had chosen, the day he decided he would not be a simpleton any more.
The serving girl returned and Theuse looked up in time to meet her eyes, he suddenly heard Sindri's voice—a saying he used to spout that Theuse had not heard in a long time. “Take your pleasures where you can lad.” He would say, usually with a smile on his face and a drink (or lady) in hand. “It is not a world of niceties and not everything can be prim and proper.” Theuse grinned at the girl, a roguish smirk that he had practiced for long hours in the mirror ages ago. He didn't think it could compare to Sindri's own winning smile, the elf's many friends seemed to attest to that, but it was the best he could do. It would be a poor way to remember his friend, forgetting all that he had learned and becoming so easily flustered. Sindri had taught him better than that!
Theuse returned his attention to Lo'en and finally spoke. “It is a feeling that starts in your feet, isn't it?" he asked, looking the elf in the eyes. "It makes them move, all on their own, and it starts to spread through you. The world is full of hidden corners and you want to find them, drag them screaming into the light, and see what they hold." This was the burning wanderlust that Theuse felt almost constantly, perhaps he had found a kindred spirit? "It is not just a feeling, it is something more like instinct. You know that you will never have a home beyond the open road."
What was it Sindri used to say? It was time to roll the dice? "I will share a room with you, count me in."
The serving girl returned and Theuse looked up in time to meet her eyes, he suddenly heard Sindri's voice—a saying he used to spout that Theuse had not heard in a long time. “Take your pleasures where you can lad.” He would say, usually with a smile on his face and a drink (or lady) in hand. “It is not a world of niceties and not everything can be prim and proper.” Theuse grinned at the girl, a roguish smirk that he had practiced for long hours in the mirror ages ago. He didn't think it could compare to Sindri's own winning smile, the elf's many friends seemed to attest to that, but it was the best he could do. It would be a poor way to remember his friend, forgetting all that he had learned and becoming so easily flustered. Sindri had taught him better than that!
Theuse returned his attention to Lo'en and finally spoke. “It is a feeling that starts in your feet, isn't it?" he asked, looking the elf in the eyes. "It makes them move, all on their own, and it starts to spread through you. The world is full of hidden corners and you want to find them, drag them screaming into the light, and see what they hold." This was the burning wanderlust that Theuse felt almost constantly, perhaps he had found a kindred spirit? "It is not just a feeling, it is something more like instinct. You know that you will never have a home beyond the open road."
What was it Sindri used to say? It was time to roll the dice? "I will share a room with you, count me in."
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Jaspenellar
- Citizen
- Posts: 305
- Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:56 pm
- Name: Loen
- Race: Half-Elven
Re: Just Passing Through
Lo'en listened intently to Theuse's words, touching with surprising alacrity on her own internal thoughts. She had only once ever tried to verbalize the intangible, twisting feeling that drove her feet to the road. Her siblings were politely sympathetic but ignorant and unable to empathize with their half-elven sister.
She sat back as he finished talking, suddenly conscious of her rapt attention on her male companion. Her pointed ears moved slightly backward, reminiscent of a horse or dog laying their ears flat as a reflex of annoyance or consternation- the half-elf's flat expression seemed to reflect the latter. It would seem that in the last two days, she had now encountered two individuals who encompass different aspects of her own psyche- Aura dampened magic much to the same extent of her own innate ability, and now Theuse was mirroring her inexplicable wanderlust. Lo'en gave a mental shrug. Having encountered more people in the last two days than she had in the last year, the half-elf was bound to run into a few with similar characteristics. Was she really so naive to think she was that unique?
Lo'en picked up her shafts once more in an attempt to divert her attention from her internal musing, somewhat conscious of the long pause that ensued because of it. She found it was taking more concentration than normal to ensure her notches were grooved with just the right, slightest twist. The half-elf was so engrossed by her manual skills that she almost missed Theuse's last sentence.
Relief flooded through her, and she took her grey eyes off her current arrow. "Now that's more what I was hoping t'hear!" She reached over and raised her mug to Theuse.
She sat back as he finished talking, suddenly conscious of her rapt attention on her male companion. Her pointed ears moved slightly backward, reminiscent of a horse or dog laying their ears flat as a reflex of annoyance or consternation- the half-elf's flat expression seemed to reflect the latter. It would seem that in the last two days, she had now encountered two individuals who encompass different aspects of her own psyche- Aura dampened magic much to the same extent of her own innate ability, and now Theuse was mirroring her inexplicable wanderlust. Lo'en gave a mental shrug. Having encountered more people in the last two days than she had in the last year, the half-elf was bound to run into a few with similar characteristics. Was she really so naive to think she was that unique?
Lo'en picked up her shafts once more in an attempt to divert her attention from her internal musing, somewhat conscious of the long pause that ensued because of it. She found it was taking more concentration than normal to ensure her notches were grooved with just the right, slightest twist. The half-elf was so engrossed by her manual skills that she almost missed Theuse's last sentence.
Relief flooded through her, and she took her grey eyes off her current arrow. "Now that's more what I was hoping t'hear!" She reached over and raised her mug to Theuse.
Re: Just Passing Through
Gia covertly eyed her intended target, who was chatting with a human. Her nose quickly took in his 'profile'--twenty eight years of age, a semi-trained fighter with edged metal weapons, a traveler with the ability to write by the lingering scents of ink and bound leather, and there was something slightly rash in the way he held himself. Her lips curved up slightly. She needed an introduction without seeming overly ambitious or eager to Lo'en, and her companion provided a possible way...
She rose smoothly and slunk over to the bar where a big, brawny type of human male was sitting. He didn't look to be much of a thinker so she laid out her deal in small, simple words, accompanied by the flash of Bishani. She spoke quietly. "I'll buy you three drinks if you do me a favor. Come up to me as I sit at my table and start harassing me. You know what that word... ah, good. Do it, and make it good." She slipped him a handful of Bishani and moved back to her table.
A few minutes later her hired helper staggered over to her. Gia restrained an eye roll--she had to pick a drunk one. Ah well, maybe that was better. "What do you want, sir?" She asked politely, shyly casting her eyes down. "I think you've got me mistaken..."
"No mistakes, girlie! Yer rather pretty, ain't ye?" And able to tear out your jugular in the space of a few seconds, as well as chomp right through your thighbone should i so choose, Gia thought.
"Please, sir... I don't think I'm the one you're seeking..." Gia stood up and backed away slightly, inching incrementally towards Lo'en and her friend's table as she managed to intentionally corner herself against a wall. Now, take the bait, my oh-so-rash hero...
She rose smoothly and slunk over to the bar where a big, brawny type of human male was sitting. He didn't look to be much of a thinker so she laid out her deal in small, simple words, accompanied by the flash of Bishani. She spoke quietly. "I'll buy you three drinks if you do me a favor. Come up to me as I sit at my table and start harassing me. You know what that word... ah, good. Do it, and make it good." She slipped him a handful of Bishani and moved back to her table.
A few minutes later her hired helper staggered over to her. Gia restrained an eye roll--she had to pick a drunk one. Ah well, maybe that was better. "What do you want, sir?" She asked politely, shyly casting her eyes down. "I think you've got me mistaken..."
"No mistakes, girlie! Yer rather pretty, ain't ye?" And able to tear out your jugular in the space of a few seconds, as well as chomp right through your thighbone should i so choose, Gia thought.
"Please, sir... I don't think I'm the one you're seeking..." Gia stood up and backed away slightly, inching incrementally towards Lo'en and her friend's table as she managed to intentionally corner herself against a wall. Now, take the bait, my oh-so-rash hero...