The Sword and Staff [All Welcome]

[Amari]

Scarlet thought about Madison's words, were Hyperion's hugs really that great? A small sigh escaped her lips as she leaned back in the booth chair, the leather shifting and making squeaking noises. "I mostly felt drained after them, that and the bright flashing light sorta gave me a headache." She waved Madison off, to avoid any further discussion on the matter. It didn't mean much now.

"I was returning from some errand Ulroke sent me on, he's been very..." Sscarlet tilted her head, "On Edge lately, and protective." Madison raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I know." Scarlet mused. "I do not understand it either, it's like - when my emotions left, he somehow sucked them all up." Scarlet scoffed. "Course I know that's not the case, it was probably the wake up call he needed."

It was then, the salt and pepper man stumbled down the stairs, judging from his disheveled look, from a good round of sex with some well paid escort. He offered a round of drinks for the room, which resulted in multiple people taking up the offer, Scarlet didn't much feel like drinking any more than she already had, unless that drink was perhaps from his private reserve, it remained her favourite, even now.

"I'm pretty sure everyone in this room wants me dead, or at least very, very, mutilated." Scarlet mumbled, taking another sip from her whiskey. "Honestly if it weren't pissing down with rain, I probably wouldn't bother stickin' around. What about you, Madison. I thought that the catgirl, and the book would have kept you busy....but I see you've taken care of at least one of those already."

[FennWenn]

BY THE GODS.

Fenn squeaked softly and sank deeper into the hug, wrapping his own birdishly delicate arms around this sudden new friend of his. "Friend", now, being sternly solidified in his mind -- Fenn couldn't believe how good this felt. Bright was one way to describe the sensation he got from the embrace. Magic-bright, to be more specific, that elusive sensation Fenn got whenever he came in contact with a source of sorcery.

It was as if… He couldn’t put his finger on it. Some of the tenseness inside him melted away, at least for now.

Fenn rested his head on Hype’s shoulder and rubbed his eyes, his expression falling somewhere between smugness and befuddlement. Magic hugs? Or, magic touch? Maybe he should get a book on Briarhearts to learn more about this.

His own icy attunement subdued in the face of it, the frosty fae's touch leaving only a few bare flecks of frost on Hype’s colorful fabric-swath clothing. Which was lucky, because he’d rather not give the fox or his new plant-fae friend frostbite. The boy blinked and stared off into space. What was he thinking about before this? Was he thinking about anything before this? Everything was moving so fast and so haphazardly tonight, and the dreamy strangeness of it all reminded him of Sidhe.

That was fine, he guessed.

His eyes fluttered half-shut. He could almost fall asleep in Hype’s arms right now, right next to the evidently ego-hurt fox. “Warm” wasn't a state of being he typically ascribed to good-feeling happenstances, but he’d make an exception for this.

[Briarheart]

I nodded my head as the redhead spoke. "I know how that feels, walking into a den of wolves who'd love nothing more than to tear you limb from limb. It's just a shame that it always seems to happen in a tavern such as this one."

"We had a bit of a falling out over some dead hookers and questionable loyalties," I said in hushed tones as I threw a finger Philomel's way. "And that man over there, the giant meathead with the metal arms? Crushed his skull in the Citadel after a couple cheap shots. And the blonde who was talking to Philomel a few minutes ago?" I motioned towards Cain, one of the other five in the Red Forest the day we all killed ourselves a self-styled god. "He knows a little bit more about me than I'd prefer. My body count, my crimes against man and nature. One of those n'urds who considers the world a fairy tale or a game or something and himself the hero of it all."

"Yeah, I know him too," Red said, her vacant eyes glued on Cain.

"Oh?"

---------

Hyperion could have sat on that floor forever. Much to her enjoyment, Fenn was making himself very comfortable, nuzzling into her shoulder like any small child finding comfort would. His head drooped slightly, bumping into Veridian's noggin and using him as a pillow. Behind her mythril face mask, Hype's smile grew. Goodness, if only Madison would surrender herself to her embrace like this! How much happier would she be if she just learned to accept a hug once in a while?

But alas, all good things must come to an end. The fox had taken particular offense to the little one preparing to fall asleep on him, and began squirming uncontrollably.

Off to the side, Philomel stifled another giggle.

Hype relented, and after one final squeeze, let the two of them go. Veridian immediately put several feet between them, having suffered enough for one evening. Fenn made a few stirring noises, looking up at the briarbane with gigantic eyes.

"You're a very good hugger," she said, leaning forward on her knees and giving his messy hair a quick tousle.

[Philomel]

Veridian sprinted across the gap between Hyperion and Philomel with the speed of a dashing wind. Letting out a tiny, pride-hurt yelp he leapt up and onto Philomel's lap, burying his face into her side. He acted very much like his canine counterparts, snuffling deep and moaning with a purr to his voice, unsure of whether or not he really had liked what just happened.

"Oh you ..." Philomel laughed and scooped her arms underneath her beloved's body.

Leaning back she subjected him to yet another embrace, letting her hair flow down between them, and tickle his nostrils. He squirmed and he moaned, but all she did was flip him onto his back, so his legs were in the air and lift the whole foxy package to her face and tightly, but gently, hold him there. As he fought, and she simply held, silence fell between them until their heartbeats became synchronised, and there was just ...

Raw emotion.

Her eyes flickered over to where the Fenn boy was being greeted by Hyperion. Philomel let a soft smile fall across her face as she felt Veridian finally give up, and relax. He huffed and moped, but stayed still as she enjoyed the fire living within him, the heat that he naturally now expelled. She paused and then lifted her head a little, directly posing Fenn a question.

"Do you like rabbits?" she asked, and in her mind she mentally sought for Mao.

Currently the rabbit was hiding in the back garden of the pub, beneath the foundations of the patio, where worms and toads made their homes. It was a good way to keep a distance from the rain as well as being close enough to run for Philomel, should the need arise. Also it was a rather convenient place for Delath the dragon to pop his nose into and say, 'hello Mao,' with a snort, then disappear again.

"I have a rabbit too. Who is less grumpy than this fox."

[FennWenn]

Fenn’s ears twitched at the question posed to him. He leaned against the table’s edge, one hand on the glass, the other haphazardly fixing his ruffled, fluffled hair. BUNNIES VERY NICE, he scrawled over to Phi with a small smile. HAVE WOLF. SHE FLUFFY, VERY STRONG. SPOOKY FACE. I LIKE. He decided not to mention that she frequently snacked on rabbits.

“A wolf?” the faun asked, stroking her fox friend tenderly.

YES! MEET LATER, SHE TIRED, SLEEP NOW, Fenn explained, his handwriting writing doing happy loops. CURIOUS ABOUT YOU RABBIT.

For a quick moment, Fenn turned back to Hyperion, who had been curiously peering about the tavern while he and Phi spoke. There was some fuss going on about some swanky guy handing out free drinks. If it weren't for the fact that the tiny fae was perfectly capable of stealing a sip from whoever was nearby -- except Amari, never her -- he might have joined in the festivities. As it was, he leaned over to gingerly tap Hype on the shoulder.

“Oh! Yes?” she asked, quirking her head to the side.

WANT TO SEE MY SHINIES?

Her four eyes blinked and furrowed from behind her mask. “Shinies?”

Fenn patted the hefty bag hanging off his shoulders and hoisted it into his lap. It made a faint clinging as it moved. That was what one did when they became good friends with another, right? Show off their shiny stuff? That’s what Fenn did, anyway. As far as he was concerned, anyone who claimed they didn’t have at least a passing interest in shinies was a lying bitch-tits. PRETTY SHINY BITS I COLLECT, he wrote at Hyperion, an enthusiastic gleam in his eyes. I GOOD AT COLLECTING.

“Oh sure, I bet you are! Could you give me a second?” She glanced over her shoulder, hands knitting together with that quivering energy of hers -- he wasn't sure whether it was more excitement or nervousness. “I think I see someone else who could really, really use some cheering up first.”

Fenn gave her a bobbing nod. After bestowing his head with another ruffly pat, the briar-fae skittered off into the crowd.

Green fishbowl eyes followed her for a minute. So, he had two people he could maybe kind of trust. It was up in the air as to whether it’d stay that way or become Amari and Aengus all over again, but he was hoping for the former.

[Storm Veritas]

Storm realized quickly that although his drinks had been readily accepted, people still kept a nervous distance from him. He was sometimes seen as distant, aloof, or clique-prone, which was was to be understood. He'd traveled far, but not socialized as much as most were wont to.

Philomel. That great, magnificent beast. Must be tough for a goddamned monstrosity like that to make friends...

Hmm...

Maybe not; she's powerful as high hell and saved my bacon at least once.

He moved over to the great creature with a smile, bright white teeth perched between smiling dimples as he offered a peaceful wave. This was the time to build bridges, not pick fights. He saw she was also sited near a fresh drink, so she'd need to be at least tangentially aware of his generosity.

"Philomel, correct? Phi, or Mel, or what would you prefer?" He closed his smile as he gave her a coy look, dropping his jaw to present her with his bright eyes before allowing his smile to spread again. "Storm Veritas. You saved my ass, along with the the hides of many back with that awful octopus-squid-angel monstrosity when the fellowship of swords came together. We also have had some run-ins in a pyramid..."

He gave a quick look to a girl that looked something sort of like what could possibly be Madison, although her transformative nature made full recognition implausible. Perhaps Philomel would get his reference; perhaps she would ignore it.

"I didn't mean to interrupt, but I -had- to say hello, and meet this handsome little fellow." His glance shot down to the boy, who looked wildly out of place in a tavern full of heavy drinks and whores.

Screw it, whatever. I was a friend of the bottle not so much older than this one.

[Philomel]

deleted the one above before Storm's and copied it here to answer him also in this one

Philomel gently laid Veridian down as the boy-man-possible-Fae told her he liked rabbits. Smiling then she left Veridian on the armchair, fussing over himself to sort his fur that had been messed up now. By both briarheart and faun. But one was four-eyes Hyperion - lovely and harmless enough, as long as you did not instigate anything with her - and the other was Philomel beloved - he was not allowed to moan about that. Thus, he did not say anything but rather took to grooming himself, his eyes still patiently watching the Fenn.

Philomel herself got to her feet and whilst Fenn was distracted with Hyperion she turned her back on the party and left. Her drink came half a second later, but Veridian simply nosed for it to be placed down on the table by the chair. His mind focused on the faun, and he was quiet satisfied to find that she was going where he thought she would - out the back door and into the pouring rain, where a rabbit hid beneath the patio.

Sighing, Philomel ran out into the rain, knowing Mao would not come unless she came herself to get her. Rain splattered in fat drops, immediately cascading onto her and soaking hair, blouse and fur. But she went as swift as she could, heading direct for the hole in the stone work where the foundations could be seen, and small animals could fit. Her eyes had not seen Mao go in, but through their mental connection she knew where she was, and the soul was frightened, shivering, confused. There was no way she would come unless it be with Delath - and Philomel did not want to suddenly force the appearance of a twenty foot dragon on anyone.

Bending down she bit back her pride as she placed hooves in deep mud and shoved her face within the hole. A little while of searching and she saw the brown, wide eyes staring back, long ears twitching.

"It is only me, love," she said gently, then exchanged sight for touch, extending a hand into the space. "It is ..."

A small moment of feeling around in grime. A brush with something horrid, bumpy, cold and wet. A toad - ew - then ...

Soft fur, warm body. Shaking limbs pressing themselves desperately into the curve of her palm. Philomel sighed and smiled, cupping her hand around the rabbit gently and she tugged, carefully lifting the small form up and along.

Mao was perfect. With such a trust as formed by their bond, she did not struggle, but knew Philomel would never bring her to harm. Thus, still she remained as the faun brought her to her chest, and smiled. She bent over the form, keeping the rain from covering the rabbit and rather sacrificing her own now dripping wet hair. One kiss, and then she stood, twisting around to run back into the warm, dry inn.

You are soaked, Veridian said, welcoming her back.

Philomel simply nodded as she squelched back in, a grin on her face. Uncupping her hands from near her breast she produced the calm, and dry form of Mao the brown and white rabbit, sniffing the rich scents of the air. Gently she laid the bunny on the table, looking over at Fenn.

"This is Mao," she said, stepping back to begin the process of wringing out her hair. There was a full trail of droplets and puddles going from the door to her, and people were beginning to complain. But she ignored them. "Told you I have a rab ..."

"Philomel, correct?"

Philomel turned to see a man walk up. One that she recognised remarkably well, yet one she had not ever really properly talked to. Despite their very obvious connection under the certain name of Shinsou van Osiris ... She listened as Storm Veritas went on to formally introduce himself, reminding her about the times they had battled together. In a giant pyramid. In a mysterious cavern made of crystal.

Ah yes, that place that was vaguely connected to the very rabbit on the table now whom she had brought to meet Fenn. The same one that Storm apparently wanted to make friends with.

The faun blinked, then extended a hand and nodded. "Nice to properly meet you, I guess. And thank you for the drinks. Usually I get called Matriarch, or Philomel but as you know Shinsou so well ... I guess you can call me Phi." She smiled briefly, unsure about this man, but willing to offer him kindness.

"You walked in here with the attitude of someone who had had a pleasing night. Tell me, which one of my ... I mean the establishments were you at tonight?"

[Amari]

"Yeh, Hero-ing around is a good way to describe him." Scarlet muttered, her eyes still on Vincent Cain. She recalled the day she met him, the day she had accidentally hurt Fenn.

"Some young looking whelp was sticking his hands in Sanctum documents, how the hell he got there? No clue. That's fishy enough as is, he ran off with some valuable information. I was ordered to follow, and kill him. I did." Scarlet shrugged, "He came charging through the forest with some premonition that I had killed Fenn, granted... the tiny adult was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I did stab him but I healed him straight away. Vincent had me up against a tree by my throat demanding answers."

Scarlet scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Because one can totally give answers when they're larynx is crushed, I'm not some fuckin' telepathic mind-reader, although he seems to be able to do some sort shit like that. He threw me to wherever it is he lives, near a beach in Raieria and told me I was being captured and detained under the authority of his law. Didn't listen to a word I said, didn't listen to the fact that if I were to stay there a certain silver haired someone would come looking. He just...fucker."


Scarlet muttered more words bitterly under her breath. "What kind of dick insults someones cooking then throws them halfway across Althanas, sure, I threatened one of his maids, but I had been there two weeks. TWO weeks of dealing with his shit, his talks of valor and justice, of right and wrong, of what makes a good person, of judgement and - " Scarlet paused.

This was pointless. It was pointless going on about such a thing. "The hypocrisy pisses me off." She said with finality.

Scarlet was tempted to wander over to Storm, say hello, and maybe pry some dry clothing from the man since he was the only person whom seemed to have escaped the storm before it hit, but he headed straight to fuzzy-tits-McGee. Fantastic.

"Sounds like Cain." Madison said.

The bar woman came over, asking what both Scarlet and Madison wanted for their free drink. Scarlet shook her head, "Unless its from his private reserve, I'm not interested." It was odd to hear those words coming out of her mouth, just what the hell was wrong with her damn body to cause it to reject something she very much enjoyed? Scarlet would have to figure it out later.

"If you don't want yours, I'll take it."

"Be my guest, Madison."

[Eteri]

I hid behind Venn, clutching his shoulders tightly when Scarlet, the red headed woman looked my way and narrowed her gaze at me, she exchanged some words with Madison, her black and red eyes still on me.

"Is that her Bluebell?"

I gave him a nod. "Y-Yeh..."

Venn fell oddly silent, it was a silence I was not used to. I was about to question him on it, but was distracted when both he and and i were handed towels, I shoved my face into it and rubbed vigorously. It didn't exactly help, I was still covered in mud and soaking wet. Still...I sat on the bar stool next to Venn, and sniffed my drink. I wrinkled my nose. "Apple Cider, Eteri think." I took the mug and bought it to my lips, downing a few big gulps before I had to stop, the bubbles and stuff caused my tummy to rumble. Oh yeh...I forgot to eat today. Oopsie!

I turned to Venn who was insisting on having a good time, and on ignoring the more darker themes that underlined our conversation. I offered him a weak smile. "I head back to Barchie's. I stay there now, but this..." My ears fell flat against my head. "Eteri rather be naked then wet and cold." I muttered, kinked tail twitching side to side. "Boo. What happen with venn?" I asked, tilting my head over to him as I took another long drink.

"How Venn go with only half soul?"

[Briarheart]

Luckily for Hyperion, her prey seemed to show no interest in moving. In fact, the only muscles of hers that were working were the ones in her face twisting it into the deepest of frowns, and the ones in her wrist working her drink, swirling it around and bringing it up to her lips for the occasional pull of cold, refreshing pee-water.

Hype didn't understand what was so good about alcohol, and why everyone seemed to drink so much of it. In her own research, she noted that it was consumed on two different occasions: first, when people were happy and had cause to celebrate; and second, when people were sad and needed to become happy again.

It didn't take a master scholar to see that the current situation fell under the latter.

And somebody unhappy? In Hype's presence? This could not stand!

"Target acquired," the briarbane whispered under her breath as she snaked her way through the crowd, lightly pressing the night's patrons on their arms or sides to get them to clear a path. "One Rayleigh Aston, identified as Madison's mechanic acquaintance. Known other occupations: Bartender. Once witnessed serving drinks at an establishment we once attended. Miss Madison left me to converse with Miss Aston while she spoke privately with Lichensith Ulroke. Awkwardly greeted me, then moved to serve other customers."

She licked her razor-sharp teeth. "Grudge Level: Zero."

As she stalked her way across the tavern, she noticed the mountain of a man that sat with Rayleigh. He was well over seven feet tall, and maybe four or five feet wide. Arms clad in metal, chin clad in beard. He looked friendly enough--must have been, if he kept company with the mechanic. He looked considerably more relaxed, if not slightly exhausted. Would probably react to a sudden hug with surprise mixed with bemusement. A potential new friend--Hype made a note to introduce herself later on, after Ray was attended to and Fenn got to share his shinies with her.

Hype found herself only fifteen feet away from the brunette. She watched as she took another pull from her liquid mood-juice, catching glimpses of the mechanic from the gaps between patrons as they milled around her.

"Preparing gripping mechanisms." The briarbane's fingers twitched, her hands clenching and relaxing over and over again.

"Disengaging concerns for personal space." She took a step closer, her shoulders hunched, every muscle in her body tense and ready to spring.

"Enacting Friendship Protocol Zero-Zero-Six... In three... two... one..."

Hype straightened herself up, smoothed out a few creases in her sleeves, pulled her gloves tight, and confidently strode from the crowd, making a bee-line to Rayleigh and Big 'n' Tall. Nobody paid attention to her until she pulled out an empty chair at the table and scooched up next to Rayleigh.

"Hello, Miss Aston," she said cheerfully, "It's me, Madison's friend Hyperion! I noticed that you were looking sad, and might needed some cheering up!"

And because her definition of cheering up was wrapping her briar-knit arms around someone until a few body parts tingled due to cut circulation, Hyperion threw her arms wide and went in for the kill.