The Sword and Staff [All Welcome]

It felt, good? When was the last time I hugged someone? I mean, hugged, not restrained or choked out, but actually held someone without the intent to see them lifeless in the next few minutes. It felt warmer than my cheeks and the soaked clothes. That much was fact.

"I missed you," I muttered before the collar of my leather armor embraced my trachea. My hands left warm memories and clutched at the cold linen as I was dragged away.

My mind ran scenario after scenario of spinning around and severing the appendage behind me. Grabbing my knife, sweeping the legs, putting steel in someone else's throat. I kept thinking of the different ways to work myself out of this and instead, watched my feet flail like a guppy out of water. The voice cued a sobering chill down my back and just the one I did not want to hear at the moment. I fell slack, almost like a stubborn child, knowing all well that she wasn't trying to kill me.

Not yet at least.

"I liked you better whimpering in chains," I scoffed, arms folded before she shoved me toward a booth.

I staggered, stumbled, and caught myself between the backrest and the table. I looked up and as my dirty silvered hair parted from over my face, I looked eye to eye with yet another bitter headstone in my mind's grave of memories. Can't forget that ugly face, mask or no mask.

"Fuckin' you too?" I spat. No literally, a little spittle sprayed her way. "What's a guy got to do to find some peace and quiet around here?!"

This one I definitely felt needed to die. I shoved off so I could reach for one of my blades, but... where the fuck were they? I could have sworn -- Ah! There it is! As I felt the hard steel on the tips of my fingers, I slouched against another object. Looking up rewarded me with a waterfall of crimson locks and porcelain skin etched with black.

"Could you kindly, fuck off?" I repeated from the phrase I remembered from moments ago.

Instead, I was hoisted and plopped down across from the stick witch as playing cards slid my way. She did love this game with Diggs and Hedge. I narrowed my eyes in contemplation. Were they dead? I don't remember killing them? Or did I?

I shrugged and buried my chin into my neck, looking at the set of five cards in front of me. Never did gamble much. Knew enough to get by. I plopped my hand atop them and slid them off the table. One fell loose into my lap before I gathered it up into a messy array I could actually make out. Looked moreso to the others as if I were studying Fae hieroglyphics.

"So, uh..." I slurred, turning myself to Scarlet. "If I shoved that vial down your throat would you stop being such a cu--?"

The word stopped short in my throat as the tangy wave of chunky residue rose to meet it. Some rather moist and bubbly noises spilled out of my mouth, but I stifled back the lovely taste of hop mash and semi-fermented barley.

Philomel was part the way through opening her mouth, the answer to Storm's queries and wondering on the edge of her tongue. His questions about her, what kept her going, what her life was truly, at its core. And she had listened intently, gearing up for an epic answer as all the while Veridian kept his conversation with the boy-man going.

But then there was a thunder, and a rush of wind and a loud man came in. A whisper of silver hair, a bright pair of eyes. Clothed mostly in black he was abused by the rain, looking bedraggled but still as fierce. Still as powerful, still as -

Philomel froze and immediately ducked her head, cursing under her breath. Pulling herself down beyond where her head could appear over the back of the chair, she looked at Storm.

"Damn. Damn, feck."

Her heart raced and her mind swam as she thought about he who had just came in as a tempest, roaring to someone that apparently had escaped his clutches. The whole pub was going quiet, the disturbance quite just that - disturbing.

Quickly she looked over to the side and tried to catch the eye of one of her employees, but she - name - was entirely not paying attention. Neither was any of the others of her people with a brief look.

"That man who just came in is Lichensith Ulroke," Philomel said quickly and quietly. "I want nothing to do with him tonight. You said you had a room upstairs? Perhaps we could continue this conversation up there? Privately," she ground a hand into a fist, the anger clear.

Veridian meanwhile looked over to her but nodded, the idea of what would happen next forming between them. He would stay here for now, with Fenn, and in a sign of danger bring him to her.

Philomel peeked a look back over at Lichensith who seemed to be deflating slightly. His body and muscles were sagging as he sat amongst Amari and Madison, easing between anger and ... depression. She was confused for a moment - was this really the same man who had ruined so many people's lives? Who had brought back the Crimson Hand when the world really did not need it?

She paused and looked back to Storm. "Or we can stay. Or go. Do you want to go? I can offer you much more delight than here."

To be frank, despite how the silver-haired snake appeared, she still knew that any encounter she might have with him would end up with blood spilt. Curses to him and that stupid tournament he had told everyone to take part in in the Crimson Hand, just so that he could seem amazing. Well she was bloody amazing now.

Many things happened around John as he repeated the action of drinking and calling for another round for himself, sometimes broken by the flip of a golden coin on the table to keep the liquor flowing, followed by whoever was serving him nervously saying that they hadn't the change for gold. Maybe silver, but not gold. John paid their remarks no mind and continued to drink. He had built a sizable buzz as the bustle of the bar rose and fell with people milling around. Vincent had left more than once to check on one thing or another, and Rayleigh had made sure to voice her opinion on the matter.

His ears picked out a word from the bustle, though, a word that drew his gaze, and then drew him to his feet, looking for the gathering.

Poker?

A trio sat at a relatively empty table, clearing off cups and all so that they could have a proper space to toss cards. John rose, striding toward them, pulling a cigar from the ether, already lit, and puffed on it as he sat down in a chair, a smoky haze already beginning to surround his head. He motioned for a bottle to be brought, and he formed a little cup with armor he had in his hand. fused to two of his fingers.

The bottle soon to be in hand, he waited for cards to be dealt.

Being in close proximity to the last piece of Scarlet that was 'good' had an effect on her, it was subtle, but to those with a keen eye, they'd notice that her small smirk wasn't forced and as actually, actually one of amusement as Madison both inwardly and outwardly groaned. "If the throws up on them, I'll buy you a new set, enchanted so that the sick just glides right off." She picked up her cards and promptly remembered that she was very shit at the game. She couldn't tell if her hand was good or bad.

Her scelera gaze wandered over to Ulroke who looked as though he was about to stab Madison, but instead he did some sort of semi amusing flip flop in the booth. "Ulroke." Her voice held a faint reminiscent tone of concern for the man. Why was he acting such the drunken fool? He dropped one his cards. a 7. Was that good? Were sevens good in this game? Shit. She didn't know.

"A cunt?" Scarlet finished, shuffling the cards in her hand so they were in numerical order. Again, there was that tug at her chest, it felt...almost heated. She wondered if that vial that he kept so close to his own chest was burning him, and a part of her secretly wished it was. "You're the one who insisted I become this way. Course, I have no clue." She shot him a challenging smirk. "You're welcome to try, but I doubt you'd make it another step without passing out in a pool of your own vomit."

Her grin faded as he groaned and hid himself away. "Focus."

She should adhere to her own words, she glanced down at her cards then up at Madison. She knew she had to discard a few, so discarded her lowest numbered ones, that was how it worked...right? RIGHT?

"So...I bet 5 gold."

Even though he was an inebriated ass, it seemed his presence perked her up, and took her out of her stoic slump, even if she didn't notice it.

Another approached the table, a giant of a man who sat himself down next to Ulroke. Someone from the Tarot? She wasn't sure but she had her suspicions. She glanced back to Lye. Great. She'd have to make sure he didn't get himself killed.

"Pot is 5 gold, tin man."

He missed her? Gross.

What a pathetic man. I grimaced, and tried to pry him away. It wasn't until a redheaded woman picked him up by the collar and threw him into a booth that I had my reprieve. She wasn't jealous enough to be a former lover, caretaker perhaps? Or was she his leader? It seemed that way, the redhead was the silver sloppymans boss. I dusted myself off. Served me right to go and start causing shit. I should have just stayed with my book.

"Good riddance, mutt." I hissed at the man as I turned and sauntered back to my book, I placed the near empty glass on the counter and quick as lightning the glass was full again thanks to a well paid bartender. Ayaka held her glass up to him in thanks before taking another sip. She opened her book again.

Being felt up by riff-raff, not exactly how she had planned the night to go, he could have at least courted her first. Hell, even used her real name. Not the name of some presumably dead woman.

"I feel I could go a stronger drink...." I mused to myself.

Atzar nearly jumped out of his skin when a newcomer did his level best to break the door down. A brief confrontation and an impromptu card game later, the young wizard’s head was spinning.

Jethro poured him a glass of mead, and Atzar took a second to consider it. A thousand voices screamed that Jethro looked unwell and sharing his bottle of mead was almost assuredly a bad idea, but screw it. The mead was free, the tavern grew rowdier by the second, and the mage was going to need some liquid assistance to cope.

“Thanks,” he said to blotch-skinned man, accepting the drink and taking a sip. Sweet and fiery, the wizard felt warmth rise to his cheeks almost as soon as he gulped it down.

“Good stuff,” he croaked, suppressing a cough. The bartender brought his second beer then, and Atzar nodded his thanks but left it on the bar behind him. He took another sip of mead and watched the silver-haired newcomer. The unkempt, drunken man was transfixed on his card game at the moment, but if a fight was going to break out, the mage knew where it would start.

HI VERIDIAN, he replied cheerfully, smiling slightly. So the fox was pretty clever! That made the earlier sniffing a little awkward though. STORM SPOOKY. I GO DO STUFF NOW!

The fox snorted curiously and again wrote meticulously, imitating Fenn’s all-capital style of scrawl. TO DO WHAT?

DUNNO DUNNO, JUST HAVE TO DO THINGS!

And so it was. The fae lept out of his chair with a gleeful puckish twirl and handed off the pretty Mao rabbit to Phi. The most dangerous emotion Fenn knew of was bubbling up in his chest; boredom.

A writing fox was a new oddity, and it intrigued him, yes. But there was so much oddity all around him that he couldn't help but stick his nose in places it didn't belong. Besides, he had been sitting for too long. Now that he had gotten over the fright of being spirited away multiple times, and the alcohol was starting to kick in, there were too many wayward drinks and other tiny items calling to him for him to stay where he was like a good boy. He almost wondered if it’d be worth it to snatch a wallet while he was at it...

That might get him kicked back out into the rain again. Maybe later, when the storm stopped. Fenn blew a raspberry at nowhere in particular. Fuck rain.

Fox-friend Veridian was trotting after him as he wandered, probably to make sure that he didn't get kidnapped again. Ducking under and around a few tables, Fenn found himself behind a blotchy-skinned man and a wiry black-haired guy sharing drinks. The wiry guy has left a glass just sliiightly off to the side...

Yoink! His now.

The boy downed the glass in a couple of gulps and replaced it just as fast, leaving behind a thick film of frost where there was once condensation. Chest shivering with soundless giggles, he dashed off to the next distraction.

Which was- oops. He strayed too close to bitch-tit Amari’s table. John sat there -- weird! -- along with some miserable silver-haired hobo and Hype’s “Madison” friend.

There was a deck of cards sitting in the middle of the table.

The logical side of his brain knew that he really shouldn't bother that table. Fenn’s hands twitched. His instinctual thief-child side, however, did nothing but oogle the glossy deck of cards, just lying out in the open. He sidled closer, mostly hiding behind John’s impressive bulk. Sure the deck was in use right now but it was just begging to be stolen. It was fancy and it had pretty pictures and...

Yoink! His now.

Smooth, shiny, glossy, magic-bright! And all his! The boy dashed off with his new prize, no explanation given for this act of petty larceny.

SERVES YOU RIGHT, MEANIE-AMARI!

Dunno, dunno, just have to do things.

Veridian tilted his head as he watched the tiny man stand. Pale hair swung, green eyes glimmered. The fox looked intrigued and tilted his head. He tried to write in the vapour of the table that, no, he wanted to stay with Fenn and speak some more but the Fae was moving. Shoving Mao back into Philomel's lap - much to the faun's surprise - Fenn danced off, leaving Veridian with only one choice.

To follow. After all, it was his duty tonight, to fae-sit this man-boy of strangeness. Blood he was sure he had smelt, worries he had. He might have gotten onto the questions of asking exactly what had happened, when Fenn decided to move.

And the problem was, Veridian could not communicate to anyone but Philomel while on the move.

But neither could Fenn it seemed. He seemed to be very silent, voice caught in some sort of trap or prison. Thus, the two of them were lost in a casual one following the other.

Tiny feet scarpered across the pub floor, and Veridian extended his legs to keep pace. Paws barely touched the rugs and stone before the next one came and lifted him onwards, fast to follow the kid. They dodged things and people and suddenly they were at a table. Veridian looked up, seeing the red-head-nasty, then Madison twig-face - and then suddenly silver-hair-traitor Lye. His breath caught in his chest, he bit back a yelp before - well.

Fenn was running off again. Meaning Veridian needed to also dash, and desire bore him to flee away also. Away from that freak, that man who had hurt Philomel so deeply. As Veridian connected to Philomel and established his worry, he knew that she too had noticed him too. Quickly, she told him that she would either disappear with Storm-man upstairs, or stay here and defend her own rights, but that he, Veridian, should stay with the boy-man. Defend him until his last breath. Make sure that he did not get hurt again.

She was determined to find out the truth. And Veridian began to feel that way inclined, thus he ran with the boy-man, just missing a small piece of card that was flipped out of the stolen goods. Briefly, the fox saw a stylised royal head, and a small runic number. Strange, thought Veridian, to steal paper but then bi-pedals were strange.

Now was time to keep apace with Fenn. He turned back and stared at whatever people might be chasing after them, just in case, and let out a stern, angry bark, tinged with flame. It was a 'stay away' and 'do not follow'. Once his warning growl was set, Veridian turned around again, and continued the running away.

"Mommy! I want a drink! We've been traveling all day! I want milk NOW!" Mylie whined cutely, her tail twitching eagerly as she tugged on her mother's arm.

Rainee groaned her ears twitching from her little girl's incessant whining. However she was in luck, a tavern was coming into their sights.

It didn't look well-kept, but it certainly would get them out of the rain that was falling with an incessant PLOP ONTO the mother-daughter pair. Grabbing her little angel's hand she pulled her towards the creaky wooden door murmuring "Your in luck honey, a tavern is right here! You'll get your milk after all!" Rainee finished, her hand pushed the door openly easily.

Her eyes widened in shock as she pulled her daughter close, this tavern was a mad house. She could see a group gathered playing cards in the corner. Drunken garble heavy in the air. Letting out a soft meow she pulled her little girl close whispering "Do you want to go somewhere else for your milk honey?"

Mylie giggled, poking her mother in the chest she whispered innocently "Don't worry mommy! You'll be fine! You used to be more fun! Come on live a little!"

Rainee groaned her white tail swishing rapidly, before she released her rambunctious sweetie and let her drag her to the barkeep. Staring at the barkeep Rainee said softly "One milk please and....aww hell a glass of white wine..." Her daughter told her to lighten up and live a little, so what the hell, the cat-girl would treat herself this one time. However she stared into her daughter's mischievous green eyes saying strictly "No trouble sweetie, I mean it, we are only going to stay as long as you be a good girl!"

"Fine mommy!" Mylie exclaimed loudly as the barkeep served the little girl her milk in a tall glass cup and then gave Rainee her white wine.

Sivienna was walking quietly across the cobblestone streets of Corone, her kistune was curled sleeping on her shoulder. She actually felt good for once. Rianna wasn't chasing her, she had caused her father to slink back into the shadows where he belonged. No problems were batting at her door.

Moving to stroke Serenity's head she whispered happily 'For once we are going to relax Serenity! No problems!" Spotting a tavern up ahead, Sivi giggled happily as she murmured "Perfect!"

Her kistune yipped sleepily, turning a sleep filled chocolate brown eye on her mistress, she barked softly "Go have your fun mistress! I know you need it!"

The night vixen's only response was "Thank god for fun!" she then made a beeline straight for the tavern's door, eagerly pushing it up.

She heard the normal loud drunken banter, she could see a game of cards was being played in the center. A half-smile came to her lips as she thought Maybe I"ll join the card game after a a few drinks!

Moving a strand of her lavender hair aside, she sauntered up to the barkeep, a smile on her full soft lips as she asked excitedly "A glass of blood wine please!"

The barkeep raised an eyebrow as he prepared the night angel's drinking asking quietly "Happy about something?"

Sivi's lavender eyes lit up as she answered easily "Just in bliss at finally being free from problems!"

Placing the vampiress's glass of blood wine in front of the beauty, the barkeep said dryly "This is the perfect place for ya to relax then! Enjoy yourself!"

All I wanted was to have a nice, relaxing evening with cards and some good frie--well, I was hesitant to call Red a friend. Acquaintance, business partner, somebody I don't necessarily hate to be sure; but lately, friend was a bit of a stretch. Especially with her complete shift in attitude. And Lichensith definitely was not a friend. Or any of the other terms that could be used to describe his second in command.

We had a fourth person pull up a chair, even. John Cromwell. I knew the guy from a brief tussle in the Citadel on an over-sized chessboard. Monster of a man, over seven feet tall with arms wrapped in polished metal. Couldn't miss him, or forget him for that matter. Heard he was a smith, as well. I nodded at him, and he returned the gesture.

I had the first hand dealt. Gold coins started dropping into the middle of the table. Bets were being called and raised. "Ten," I muttered absentmindedly as I fished through my pockets for my gold pouch. I was all-in on playing for fun; but, hey, if Red wanted to see everyone lose the unwashed, mud-flecked shirts off their backs, that was fine by me.

I'd take her bra too, while I was at it.

But that's when things went to hell.

I set down the deck, picking up my hand and flicking through it. Each card passed by another with a crisp snap as I took stock of my hand. Two Jacks, a seven, a nine, and a four. Three different suits. It's the opening hand, I'm not going to tap into the magic of the cards and change it into something that's guaranteed to win the pot. Let them think they have a chance. Build up their confidence a bit, then tear them new assholes in the later round.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a grubby little mitt reach up from under the table and snatch the deck. In a flash, a small child with messy blond hair bolted out from underneath--was that the little brat that Hype made friends with?--and immediately ducked into the crowd.

I was out of my chair in an instant, throwing my hand onto the table, nearly knocking over one of my drinks in the process. "Get back here, you little shit!"

The back of the chair barely hit the floor before I rushed into the jumble of patrons. Little n'urd stole my enchanted deck--and I was going to get it back. It was probably worth more than he was. Enchantments aren't cheap nowadays.

Bits of the crowd parted as I sprinted after him. I heard a bark of some sort--sparing a moment's glance to catch that Philomel's little fleabag fox joined the fray, keeping pace with the tiny fucker and snarling at anyone who dared stop them.

Veridian and I never really liked each other, but the last time he got in the way he swallowed a burst of acid for his troubles. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, to get my cards back. I could just buy the faun a new pet, anyway. What do foxes go for nowadays, five gold? Depending on the season? Plus medical expenses after the traps are taken off their legs?

The scrawny little bastard was starting to gain distance. We nearly completed a full lap around the tavern when I decided to say fuck it. Pulling my gloves off and tossing them to the ground, I extended a couple thick vines from my wrists. The green tendrils snaked through the air at incredible speed at the boy, aiming to wrap themselves around his ankles and trip him up.

Whilst the other Adventurer folks were having their drinks and leading a carefree life...or lives....Nosdyn sat out on the porch of the tavern.

His eyes were narrowed peacefully as he enjoyed the sound of the rain.

Very few things in life had a calming effect on that Demon. But rain was one of those things...rain and the noise it provided. It soothed his troubled mind as he listened to the pitter patter on the building behind and around him. The sight of mud and the town drenched did not disturb him one wit. He merely took it all in as he leaned back against the chair he sat on. It was angled at a slight, forty-five degree angle as he sat there. His boots raised and angled against a simple balcony style structure. Adventurer folks arrived to weather the storm...quite literally.

Seems to happen a lot these days 'round these parts... Nosdyn thought to himself as he listened to the sound of the rain. He could see the downpour, his eyes focusing on the sheets of rain as they swelled ever downward. Nature was an awesome thing...it had the power to belittle entire civilizations. Nosdyn thought about that as he sat and smoked. He recognized some of the folks that ventured into the tavern, a few he directly knew. Some he knew as Iron League competitors.

Nosdyn took a deep pull of the cigarette he was smoking. That hot smoke swelled through his throat and down into his lungs. He exhaled through his nostrils. Funny...storms oft did mysterious things to one's mind...and attracted folks in gathering areas like those. Nosdyn merely sat there smoking, and listening to the tavern's music and it played on. Nosdyn normally did not care for Hume culture but that night he simply wanted to fit in at least for a brief moment.

The soldier was a soldier from the armies of The Tular Plains...but even those like he had off periods. Even those like he had hobbies...so as he waited he thought and planned what he would do next. When the rain got worse, he would brave The Tavern itself and see if he recognized anyone. At one point he could have sworn he saw his ally, Storm Veritas, enter the building. He would confirm the truth in that a little bit later on...

THIS WAS A BAD IDEA.

Skittering underfoot, ducking under and leaping over tables, frost and wayward snowflakes trailed behind the sticky-fingered fae. So did one snarling fox. So did one enraged Briarheart. Chaos broke out as tables were knocked over, chairs were shoved aside (some with patrons still sitting on them), and pints of whiskey smashed to the floor. Fenn winced as he stepped on a fallen spoon. Not daring to glance over his shoulder, the fae reflected on his mistakes. Now that he had taken the shiny all for his own, the excellent amount of forethought he had put into this kneejerk heist -- none -- left him with nowhere to go. Nowhere except scampering around and around the tavern. It was as if it were a very strange merry-go-round.

Fenn was aware that he was grinning like a fool. He was also aware of the dapples of frost creeping up his newly-nicked shiny, a physical manifestation of the sudden terror thumping in his chest. It was nothing compared to the racket that followed in his wake. At first, he had assumed that this (curiously enchanted) deck belonged to Amari. It would've served her right for him to take it! But, alas; instead, getting the satisfaction of messing with her, he had a scowling plant-fae at his heels. It was hers, he bet.

Hype had been cute. This Briarheart, much less so.

Fenn hoisted himself onto the bar and ran along the counter. He needed the height for a moment. His boggy eyes skimmed the room, desperately searching for a good place to duck and hide for the rest of the night. It meant he was going to miss showing Hype his shinies, buuut... It was possible for him to keep out of sight and wait until scary-chasing lady gave up, riiigh-?

Snarly tendrils had found their way to his feet and wound about his ankles in a tangled mess. Naturally, Fenn’s magic rejected this sudden, foreign touch with a burst of frost. It didn’t release their grip one bit. If anything, it made them hold fast where they were. The boy was yanked off the counter into a spectacularly stunning splat of a face plant. Floor, meet Fenn. Fenn, meet floor.

Whump!

His first breathless thought about this was that the varnishing tasted a lot like whiskey. Whiskey, and dirt.

The second thought that came was the realization that his nose was bleeding now, a steady profusion of oily black blood. His surprise dulled the pain.

His third was something along the lines of oh fuck.

No shit!?

Storm had expected any number of options coming back his way. Rebuffed nuance, feigned outrage, or even bashful embarrassment were all coming responses to his forward nature. After all, with his hair pulled taut and his clothes taut and prim, he could pull off quite the dapper tone. An outright offer to bring him upstairs was altogether different.

You need to get away from Lye-something-or-other, and probably don't give two shits about me. I'm creeping on forty, and just finished bedding a two-penny whore. Red flags are for f*cking cowards.

He had taken his hand and was escorting her without another word. They called it the "Radasanthian Goodbye" where he came from; if opportunity strikes, and she is willing, you owe no goodbye to anyone. The little Fennik fellow may not understand, but some other familiar faces - Jethro, Madison, and the demon lingering outside - they would get it. The magnificent buxom faun even seemed to be smiling as he reached the stairway. Offering a hand in front of his chest, Storm allowed Philomel to lead the way.

"After you, my sweet. Very, very closely after you, pretty lady." With a wink and a smile, he was following her. "First on the right. Pardon the mess."

Wow.

Ayaka voiced her distaste for the current company who had just plopped themselves right next to her. Almost immedietly. "Who. the FUCK... Brings a child to a seedy ass tavern filled with drunks in the middle of the night?" Ayaka reached for her own cup, barely raising her eyes from her book. "That's just shit parenting. Thaynes above I hope that wretched thing is taken from you, course... it probably would happen in this place. Serves you right."

Her words came out barbed and cold. Venomous shit that just fell from her lips. Ayaka didn't care, frankly, she probably wouldn't have said anything if the two didn't sit right next to her.

A series of crashes and loud shouting finally caused Ayaka to shut her book with a sigh, she slipped it away back into her pocket and rose her golden eyes, swiveling her chair to see a scene out of some comedic play. A Giant plantwoman chased a very inebriated fae. I squinted. Sure, he was an adult by human standards, but his soul was young, and he'd still be considered young in fae years.

"Fuckin' Kids." She mumbled, pushing herself off the bar stool as she saw the blonde make a beeline toward it. Ayaka quickly picked up her drink and stepped away. Good timing. The Fae ran across the length of the bar, knocking over glass cups that shattered the moment they hit the floor. Ayaka hoped one of them shot up and hit the other kid, served them right for being in an adult place.

Ayaka scanned the immediate area for a new place to sit, and spied the corner that was previously occupied by the older man and the faun who Ayaka now assumed to be a whore. (Why else would she be so under-dressed and escorting a far older man up the stairs?) and the child. Ayaka slid into the booth and took another sip of her Scotch. She was probably on her third glass. She couldn't exactly tell since the barkeep kept topping her up. There was a buzzing in her head, and whilst it was not unpleasant it made her tolerance for the amount of bullshit springing up quite low. And with Ayaka, the bar was not set very high in the first place.

The growl was terrible , like the hatred of mother earth all rolled into a thunder.

As Philomel heard the crashes she looked over, staring at where Fenn could be seen, slamming down hard on the counter. She paused, her eyes flickering between that of Lye - a man she knew if she encountered would honestly drive her to god's knows what - and the form of Fenn, struggling under the weight of Madison's unmistakable vines.

Firstly, curse plant-head, secondly.

I have this, Veridian hissed, twisting around. She saw the mother form leap onto the bar in a flash of red, You just go. But leave me Mao.

Philomel looked down at the tiny rabbit before her and shrugged. Bending down she placed the creature on the floor. at her hooves and took a moment to look to Storm.

"Just one moment," she said, looking the a man -admittedly somewhat handsome - up and down before bending to give her rabbit a little nose rub. There was a pause, and a genuine moment of energy as ... Well something happened.

Mao's immediately stood right up into the air and she looked at Philomel with intense, passionate eyes. Behind them Veridian could be seen barking out loudly at Madison and then ferociously beginning to tear at the vines with his actually incredibly strong bite. If one was smart they'd also see the rise of smoke coming from his nostrils, merely hinting at just what he could do.

And there was Mao. She tilted her head and seemed to ... Smile. Odd for a rabbit, but there you were.

"You know what to do," Philomel nodded. "Get Fenn out of here. Head to ..." She switched to communicating via mind, the ship. She could feel the alcohol beginning to take effect now. Gods, she was under the influence and was able to give Storm a second round of joy. For free. Was sshe really that desperate to get out of the way of Lichensith?

Mao nodded and skirted around on one paw, suddenly pounding the ground and heading into the crowd. Meanwhile Veridian was growing with intensity, his bites now with flashes of fire and second-degree burns with every blow. And they would only get worse ...

"Right," Philomel reached for Storm's hand. "Let's just ... Yeah." She headed towards the stairs, and the room he had described, determination set. A longing to be gone and for hell's sake, this was Shinsou's best friend. Shinsou. Why couldn't she have both? Give Storm the night of his life and ... Well. Friendship. It was a good way to make such a relationship, as far as she knew.

And he was sweet.

She she pulled him into the room, a brief glance around the spare furniture there. As crashes reigned below she was determined to reign above.

"So. Just ... Count yourself lucky you're getting this free," she said, and then she shut the door.

And things happened.

"Oh I'll fuckin' try..." I muttered with emerald slits across from me. "Why'd you have to go and fuck around, huh? Should've just listened. Then we could've been--"

My face wrenched in pain and I rubbed at my chest with cards in hand. A smattering of black and deep red transferred from the matted robes to the fringes of Madison's deck. I exhaled deeply through puffed cheeks as the heat in my throat threatened to rise again. Instead of sharing the contents of my stomach with the top of the table, I tried to focus on my hand.

Ace? King? Or was that some other blur of black and red? Fuck if I knew. Scarlet called out a bid, Madison raised, and by the time I opened my mouth to speak, some midget ran off with the playing cards. I wrenched my head to follow the streak of green and blonde and pressed my nose into the rock hard triceps of the mountain beside me. I trailed up the valleys and hills to what was either a head, or boulder balancing very carefully atop a muscle plateau.

"You, uh..." I muttered. "You been workin' out, Jensen?"

I felt a pang of lightheartedness and planted my face against the rock's arms. I meant to mutter something about finally giving in or letting the madness take control but it collaborated with the stranger's attire to form:

"Mferrgur nf mdnfff, heheheh."

I lifted my head and reached out to boop him on the chin. Not sure why. Not sure why not either. Everything at the moment seemed both like the best idea, and the worst idea. As the conflagration of noise and chaos ensued, my swirling froth of vision settled on a blur of purple and streak of fire red. I pause with the look of confusion or constipation on my face as my brain swam through my limited cohesion for the beacon of familiarity. Not sure if I found it, but it made me upset.

"Hey!" I slurred. "You fuckin' did this!"

I stuck a finger against my chest and the fabric dipped deeper than it should have. Bad idea. That crossbow bolt wound still was a tad tender. The Ruilserk essence, nightshade, and bitter root was still coursing around inside, wreaking more havoc than Philomel's Headbutt. I knew it'd process itself out of me soon enough. Or did I? I fucking could barely remember how I got here. But the hole in my breast, yeah. That hurt. I pulled my finger off the fabric with a nice glob of ichor on the tip and stared at it with angst. As if it were at fault.

I completely forgot about the blur, the cards, mountain man, Scarlet, and Madison. Where was this again?

Well, that was a whole lot of chaotic shit that really could have been avoided if it werent for grabby fingers and an overzealous faun who wanted to play both hero and consort. Boy, Madison was pissed.

In any event, Scarlet's main priority, as bothersome as it was... was to ensure her Masters safety. Judging by his current state that was a task in and of itself, if he wasn't being such an emotional wreck lately, she'd assume he was testing her but the bile and froth of vomit that touched his lips said otherwise.

"Ulroke. You've put yourself into a downward spiral lately." Scarlet mused as she tossed the now useless cards across the table. "This is the apex of that. Excuse me for being impolite, but what the fuck?"

He went on a slurred flurry of words, muttering that if she didn't go and fuck around they could have been...? What? Equals? Scarlet scoffed. He'd never see her as his equal, she was always beneath him. Even now.

She felt another tug at her chest as concern began to lace her actions, fueled on by the throbbing piece of her soul hidden away somewhere on his form. "Ulroke....I am being serious." She sighed as she pushed herself up onto the table and swung her legs down to dangle awkwardly between himself and Redford. Scarlet glanced up at John who didn't seem too bothered by Lye using him as a pillow.

He didn't have to answer her first question, bloodied hole? Alcohol mixed with whatever poison that ailed him. That'd do it. She begrudgingly reached out to wipe the slick of slimy sweat from his forehead, pressing his silver hair away from clouded green eyes. "Do you want me to get you some water?" He tried to push her away.

"F-faarhhkoff monster."

Monster.

Why did that word sting? Why did her chest hurt? She thought she was rid of emotions, and this pain was a good reminder as to why she had forced herself into corruption and had the last of her humanity stripped from her. That piece, must have somehow grown in strength and with her so close to it, it was practically thrumming in time with her own congregated shit fest of a being.

Her hand hung there in the air, her face unreadable, but the hint of pain evident in the scelera eyes that rested on her master.

"As you wish." Her voice was stoic as she pulled her hand away, wiping it on the hem of her red dress.

Nosdyn heard a bit of rowdiness inside...he almost considered going into the old tavern.

But the sound of the rain soothed him and he wanted to enjoy it for a time longer.

He smoked his cigarette a bit longer, taking a few pulls of it. He continued to exhale from his nostrils. His travelling pack rested on the floor next to his chair. He was one of the few braver souls that sat outside the tavern's structure itself. His eyes were narrowed as he looked out into the rain. The sound relaxed him and reminded him of how little it actually rained out in The Tular Plains. Nosdyn carefully considered the situation at hand...the roads were dangerous while the rain poured on Althanas herself. Nosdyn looked up at the dark sky for a moment. He wished he could see the stars in the night sky and the moon of Althanas herself.

Returning his gaze to a steady position, he finished smoking his cigarette. Grabbing his stuff, he decided to venture into the rowdy tavern itself. Nosdyn's boots were wet from the mud earlier, despite that, he was fairly warm. A side effect of The Fell Blood within him. He recognized some of the faces in the crowd from Iron Leagues. And The Citadel Leagues as well. Nosdyn lowered his hood and walked towards an empty table. He recognized Madison Freebird, Lichensith Ulroke, and a few others. Nosdyn sighed. He walked towards empty table and sat down in it, swinging his backpack on the floor next to his chair.

As he sat down he began to silently observe the crowd...

Rainee could feel her anger rising, as she saw a neko-jin, female spew that she shouldn't have brought her daughter to such a seedy tavern. A growl escaped her lips as she heard the cat-woman mutter that for bringing Mylie into such a run-down place, that her little angel should get kidnapped. Anger was in the cat-mother's eyes as she thought If you only knew what we'd been through, you'd get why I'd bring her into a place like this! God's above, she's better here under my care, then being left alone at Grace Manor. Hell! She has just a good chance of being swiped there, then here! So I might as well have her here with me!

Her tail swished rapidly, the heat of her emotions coursing through her body. She was just about to give the bitchy cat-girl a piece of her mind. When chaos erupted, an inebriated fae was running away from a plant-woman, vines spewing forth as the fae-child ran across the bar-top. A hiss escaped from Rainee's lips as both her glass of white wine and her daughter's milk was splashed off the bar-counter. Glass and liquid shattered splashing Rainee's purple trench coat and making her smell like a winery.

Mylie, meanwhile giggled childishly as her chocolate brown eyes were following the fae-child's path of escape, her eyes widened when the scary plant lady caught the blond haired boy and lifted him up by his feet shouting "Whose child is this?" Her little tail wagged playfully, as the light of mischief in her eyes as she exclaimed "Can I go play with the fae-child mommy?" the little girl wasn't even concerned over her split milk. Her mind now was on meeting a new friend, and the prospect of having fun, even in such a dark and seedy place.

Looking at all the other patrons of the bar, especially the plant woman, Rainee pulled her precious girl close whispering "I think the fairy child is a little tied up at the moment honey. If you want to order another milk go ahead...JUST STAY IN MY LINE OF SIGHT!

Mylie let out a little whine of annoyance, whimpering out "B...but, M..o" her words were hushed by her mother pressing a finger against her lips, as Rainee said softly "No whining sweetie, or no more milk ok?"

Mylie let out a meow of annoyance, before turning to the barkeep asking "Another milk please?"

The barkeep sighed, pulling out another glass and filling it with pure white milk he muttered "So much chaos...Here you go little one. Keep a tight hold on it!" The little kitten pulled her milk close begin to drink it, not bothering to answer.

the cat-mother then groaned as her eyes scanned for the other neko-jin in the room, she wanted to have a few choice words with the woman for criticizing the way she raised her daughter.

So good! This is hitting the spot after all the hell I have been through! Sivi thought to herself, her soft full lips pressed against the clean glass of her blood wine. The liquid felt like heaven as it slid easily down the vixen's throat. Peace reigned in the night angel's heart as she gently set her wine glass down on the bar-top. However, her peace was not to last long.

A rush of blond hair flashed by the vampiress's view, she could hear giggles coming from the child who dashed by her. His little feet dumping everything, INCLUDING her glass of blood wine off the bar's counter-top. A yelp followed her glass, as she saw her kitsune leap of the counter where she had been sleeping.

With a choice between catching her glass of falling heaven, or catching her familiar. Sivi sighed as she caught Serenity easily. The fox looked annoyed as she barked "Mistress! This is not a place to relax! We should have chosen another tavern!" her twin tails twitched as her chocolate brown eyes caught sight of the tangled up fae-child. Her bright orange fur was bristling as she yipped at Sivi "I"m going to go talk to that blond haired troublemaker! He made me have to avoid him, when he should have watched where he was going!" she then leapt out of her mistress's arm and trotted over to where the fae-child was currently strung up by a very agitated plant-lady.

Growling loudly to get both their attention, the little fox familiar barked out "Watch where you are going! You almost knocked me over!" her chocolate brown eyes were hot, annoyed and angry, because in truth, just like her mistress, all Serenity wanted was a moment to relax and not be caught in the midst of chaos or problems.

Sivienna groaned, her lavender hues flashing, as she knew her time to relax was at an end, moving to join her kitsune, Sivienna looked at the enraged plant-lady and asked politely "What did this blonde haired boy do miss? I hope I don't trouble you by asking, but this child did almost make my familiar fall flat on its face..."

And the hits just kept on coming--

That fucking stupid little fox had the audacity to try and stop me from dealing with that blasted little child. That scruffy midget steals from me, and I'm the one getting attacked? Fuck this. Fuck him. Fuck everything.

It wasn't the teeth that pissed me off the most. Those were fine. Tolerable, more like. I've had worse pain stubbing my toe against the coffee table.

It was the flashes of fire that erupted from Veridian's mouth with each bite, charring the flesh of my vines. I could feel every little cell screaming in pain as entire patches of plant matter blackened and burned away, revealing the wet skin of the next layer beneath the fox's jaws.

"Get the fuck off me," I hissed at him. "The little shit stole from me! Go be a hero somewhere else!" Acid began welling up behind clenched teeth. I quickly tore my mask away and unleashed a stream of pale amber at him.

I didn't wait to see if Veridian took another face-full of acid before I bolted past him. Closing the distance between me and the little thief, I drew enough of my vines back to keep him bound by the legs but start to heal the nasty burns that I desperately tried to ignore.

The fae desperately squirmed, clutching the deck of cards and sobbing desperately. Little blasts of cold air surrounded him, casting a thin layer of frost on the floorboards where he laid. I could feel the chill creep through my vines, but I would not let go. Kneeling down next to him, I rested my knee squarely on his back, preventing him from escaping.

I leaned in nice and close. An errant drop of acid landed on the floor, inches from his face. A thin wisp of smoke from the burning wood immediately focused his attention.

"Give me the cards," I whispered venomously into his ear, covered as it was by a tuft of ragged blond hair. "Now."

When in doubt, look pitiful. Humans spare adorable, pitiful things. Maybe Briarhearts did too.

Fenn didn't much like crying. As soon as his tears left his body, they became capable of freezing, which meant it usually gave him a face full of crunchy ice to clean up afterward. He had to admit though, crocodile a very good strategy when you were in a room with a few people who thought you had a cute lil’ face. People with overactive protective instincts were very useful. Even the scariest of sapients usually had a soft spot inside for a crying child.

This particular Briarheart was an exception to this rule.

Sssssssss. A drop of acid fell, boring into the floor just a few inches in front of his face. Fenn stopped squirming to stare at it. His tears stopped as soon as Maddison spoke up. That voice curled up his spine like an intrusive, creeping vine. It was a dangerous voice.

The boy hesitated, and slowly wiped hus bleeding nose.

For a second, he was tempted to shove the cards in his bag and pretend he didn’t know where they were. Cards? What cards? It was far too late for that though. Fenn glanced between the shinies in his hand, and the murderous Briarheart looming over him. Wow, even her face was made of vines. Her jaws were big, chompy, and spooky too. Cards, Briarheart. Cards, Briarheart. Even under threat of… possibly death, he felt a little reluctant to give away something he had so firmly decided was his.

Sighing, the fae wriggled to hold out the frostbitten deck for Maddy to take.

OOPS, THIS YOURS? he etched in frost on the floor with his other hand. FOUND THEM! VERY LUCKY FOR YOU! FRIENDS NOW?

No murder please.

I gave daggers to the redhead. Scarlet, the color came to mind but felt detatched from the face. Adrienne? Addison? Amethyst?

"Amari," I stated. My hands fumbled with the pouch at my side to expose several vials. Most empty, I pulled out one containing what looked like blue, glowing mist. I wagged it in front of her. "Everything. I took everything."

That phrase meant something powerful. My memories, lost in a fog, began to slowly become more tangible. I remembered a weak, frail thing with the heart of a lion. I recalled chains, hot irons in my legs, and a red number that once belonged to someone very important to me. My half-dead gaze fell on the vial, then back to her.

"Your heart," I began. "This is the last of it and it is mine, damn it. You can't give this to anyone else."

Before it could be snatched by her or any of the other bottom feeders in this dump, I pulled a sleight of hand befitting of my bloody escapades and relocated the vial somewhere on my person. I don't really know why I did that or said those words, but it felt genuine. I felt I betrayed myself for saying something I guarded more than the vial or any other current possession. But it felt like breathing for the first time after a garrote threaten to squeeze the life out of you.

Point made and senses tingling, I directed my attention toward Madison.

"Quit screwing with the kid," I shouted, words making more sense minute by minute. "Kill it or just take a finger or two. That'll set him straight."

Ven saw Eteri order the vodka. Ven saw Eteri order the vodka and stared. He knew this was a bad idea. He knew that she would regret it. Despite this, he stayed silent.

Why?

Well she had to learn somehow. Plus it was only vodka, so no real harm.

His thoughts were proven correct when she downed a shit and proceeded to flip the heck out.

This would normally have been amusing, but Ven wasn't like that.
Ven did not laugh at stupid things his friends do. Ven WOULD not laugh at this.

...

...

...

"BWAHAHAHA!"

Ven started dying as he couldn't hold it in, tears streaming down his face because he was laughing so hard. This cause a few weird looks, but Ven didn't care.

Fifteen seconds later, he was was starting to calm down, whipping his face.

Eteri gave him a big pout. "You Ven big jerk!"

Ven held a finger up, attempting

to catch his breath. "I- I'm sorry Blue bell, but y-you had to see your face. It was priceless."

Ven the looked at the barkeep. "You sir are one of my favorite people right now. He then pulled out some money, enough to pay for the glass plus a bit extra as a tip.

The man grumbled, clearly unhappy with the how they were acting, but he couldn't complain about money.

Ven however turned his attention back to Eteri, whose attention was focused elsewhere. Naturally, he looked to see where she was looking at.

And that person who a person who looked very similar Eteri, except less blue and more serious.

"Huh, another person of your race. What are the odds?"

Eteri looked at Ven quickly with pleading eyes. "Oh no, that my sister! We no be close!"

Ven blinked. "YOU HAVE A SISTER?!? AND HERE?!?"

Ven then picked up Eteri and started to saunter over to Ayaka, wanting to meet cat sibling. Eteri tried to break free, but drunk Eteri only slightly hinders determined Ven. Basic math, duh!

"Hey! Eteri's sister! Hello!"

All the meanwhile, ignoring the chaos erupting in the bar.

God Damn it Ven.

She rose her eyes to meet a white haired man who had quite literally dragged Eteri through the crowd to sit at the table. Eteri did not seem happy to see Ayaka, but, their relationship was always strained at best. "Ayaka. Not 'Eteri's sister. Who taught you manners?" Ayaka leaned forward and picked up her glass, swirling the contents around slowly as she stared at Eteri and the man in the blue suit. Now they were sitting here, it was blatantly obvious they were sharing the one soul.

Truth be told, Ayaka was a little relieved that her vegabond sister managed to find something to fill that emptiness inside of her, but there was something horrendously unnerving about the giant red ball of miasma that had clawed its way into the center of her being.

"You never told me you..." Ayaka tilted her head to the side, golden eyes remaining on the man. "Married someone, that is it right? No one would be stupid enough to share half of their existence otherwise."

Ven at least had enough social adept to look embarrassed, though just barely. Ven did not get anywhere by letting a bit of embarrassment stop him.

"Well my name is Venex Apara, most people call me Ven. It's nice to meet you, even if I you are making rude assumptions."

Ven shook his head, sighing, more amused than anything. "You don't know how many people have assumed we were lovers. Like come on? Can't a guy and a girl be good friends without everyone assuming there is romance involved? I'm too young for romance! I have the rest of my life. As for the stupid thing..."

He shrugged. "I had long lecture on that. I wish I could but no!"

<" Damn Archie and me having stupid good memory"> he muttered in Akashiman.

He then shook his head and looked at Ayaka again, going back to Tradespeak. "So what brings you out here? Tonight has been crazy? I mean I know I never expected to meet Eteri's sister."

"To be honest, I'm glad you two aren't married." Ayaka said as she took another sip from her quickly emptying glass of scotch. "The sharing of one's soul is extremely intimate. You feel each others emotions, distress, happiness. It is quite odd for 'friends' to share such intimacy. So it is not so much as a rude assumption as a logical one. If you regret it that much I'm sure my sister would give it back. Isn't that right, Eteri?"

Eteri jumped, and gave a small nod. "Eteri would! Eteri try! Venn no let!"

"He won't let you?" Ayaka asked, turning to glance at the man. How curious. He muttered something in Akashimian, and as he did, Ayaka immediately switched to her native tongue, refusing to bother with tradespeak if he could understand.

<"The rest of your life could very well end by tomorrow, especially with someone that has such an erratic and foolish nature like yours."> She sneered. <"Eteri deserves better. Someone so flippant would be unreliable.">

"Ayaaakaa that mean!"

<"Speak in your native tongue, you sound like an idiot."> Ayaka snapped back at Eteri. It sounded harsh, but it frustrated Ayaka, Eteri was quite astute and smart when she needed to be, but her talking in a language she was not fluent in made her sound like a fool.

I felt so dizzy, and ill. Why didn't anyone tell me that was alcohol!? It looked like water...ok so it smelt pretty strong, but it LOOKED like water. So... I mean... ah... who am I kidding, it was a realy stupid move on my part, even Venn was laughing at me. My ears were flat against my head, my mouth turned into a pout as he laughed at me. How mean.
My brain was fuzzy, and my limbs felt heavy. I couldn't stop Venn from dragging me over to my sister.

Now the three of us sat at a table, and I felt horrible. It was bad enough being laughed at by Venn, and for him to be so defensive of our relationship. Sure... we were just friends, but did he have to be so cold about it? I mean, I was right here. I tugged on his sleeve, my voice small. "Venn..." He must not have heard, he and Ayaka continued to converse.

It was always this way. Ayaka always commanded the attention of those around her, she was tall, strong, proud and very outspoken. Venn wasn't unreliable, he helped me out, a few times. Sure... I had a horrible fear that if I wasn't always 100% happy around him he would disappear, but beyond that Venn was an important person in my life.

<"Ven is very nice."> I let go of his sleeve and slumped forward. The wood on the table felt nice against my forehead, and it stopped the room from spinning. <"He only wants fun, if I am not fun or happy, he would leave, so I need to be happy. I need to have fun. A pain in my chest tells me to do things-">

<"If he's your friend he won't fuck off when you're down, but what? Is it that red soul? The fuck Eteri? Why would you willingly put that in you? That is bad news, that thing is dangerous.">

My head shot up. <"No! It clawed into me! I wasn't planning on keeping it! I was going to sell it!">

I felt hot tears in my eyes, why was she always like this? Why was she always talking down to me. I was the one who could weave souls, not her!

Whining, Veridian struggled on the floor, between hissing and spitting and hateful yowling. He twisted and turned as piles of cold and spiteful acid gathered around him, smog and coalescing liquid in one. There was even a voice who tried to say something about something stolen but really, that, during this?. He gritted his teeth as large portions gathered around him, stinging directly against a huge portion of his flank.

Whump.

From his side something collided with him, just before a new spawn of acid began to fall like silver rain. He was pushed out of the way, just narrowly missing an attack directly to the face which strangely rang an old bell.

He skidded across the counter top somewhat, chest heaving and frantically looking around to see his new saviour. There sat Mao, not far from him, still in normal size but head tipped to the side in her curious primal way. Her nose pointed off and away, over to ...

Fenn. On the ground with that plant-head Madison and her whole weight on his back. At first Veridian began to growl, getting up but then he saw the small boy, smiling awkardly and lifting up ... What? Paper, card, the strange pictures Veridian had seen falling before.

Then it struck him. Stealing. Someone stealing the voice had said. Struggling as the pain continued to burn, and likely would still for a long time more so long as the spirit of fire in him endured it, Veridian made a strangled noise between a moan and a frustrated growl.

Mao nudged him with her paw, huffing and shaking her head once - a communication thing she had learnt from Philomel. Steadily the rabbit was growing in intelligence. And steadily now did she start to grow in size, at a strangely rapid rate.

But it was not aggressive. Merely it seemed to be, "By the way I am doing this now, Kay, thanks." As casually as one might get up from a chair she leapt from the bar onto the floor, and when she was there she was massive - about the size of a large dog. And then she sat there, in full view of everyone, huge ears and mighty back legs. She turned her eyes to fix a single, full dark eye on Madison and simply watched for her reaction.

Then she gestured, with an upraised, gentle paw, first at Veridian, and then at Fenn.

"Please can I have that," she asked in a non-vocal voice, but with a language so peculiarly based in body language that no one could understand it, in the end. "Please?"

"I suppose it's...." Scarlet paused, hands still in her lap as she tilted her head. Staring at him. "Good to see you getting back to your old- wait. What did you just call me?"

Lye had called her Amari, the man who literally beat her up and tore her down for even uttering the name, or identifying with the name. The man who insisted that 'Amari' was dead and that 'Scarlet' reigned had just called her by a name, that, by all means, was her dead name. "You said Amari?"

Her eyes narrowed. She didn't understand. "Why?"

His response was to pull out the vial that contained the good part of her soul, her humanity. He waved it around almost tauntingly in her face. Practically screaming that it was his, to the point where spittle hit her cheek. Scarlet wiped it away calmly. "I gave it to you because I don't want it." Being in such close proximity, the blue-white swirls grew hot, burning brighter and shifting violently within the glass and Scarlet thought it might break. Her chest ached, and she wanted to rip it from his hands and throw it into the fire. Maybe then she'd never feel anything ever again.

Scarlet groaned, pressing her head into her lap. "Keep my heart, my humanity, just keep it away from me." She muttered, gulping back her own feelings of nausea. Bleargh...The fuck is this feeling?


Ulroke was slowly snapping out of whatever ailed him. Good. She'd be able to stop babysitting him then. She lifted her head from her lap, offering him a challenging grin. "So if I am back to Amari, are you back to Mr Starlight?" Best way to snap him out of his funk was to rile him up, he seemed to enjoy it. Scarlet expected an angered response, for him to lash out, and for his fingers to curl around her neck.

Just like old times

I snatched the cards out of the little boy's hand and put them back in my pocket. He started scribbling some words into the frost that collected on the ground, but I only caught the last two.

FRIENDS NOW?

Friends? He wanted to be friends?! The audacity of this little monster, asking to be friends after he stole my trick deck, led me around on a chase throughout the tavern, got me bitten and burned by Veridian, and forced me to tackle him, which was drawing unwanted attention to me that I was just becoming cognizant of?

"No, I'm not your friend," I hissed in his ear. "Touch my shit again, and you'll be dinner."

I released my grip on his ankles, and stood up. All eyes in the immediate vicinity were on me, including those of a rabbit for some reason--this place really needs a "no pets allowed" policy--but I didn't care. A young woman with purple hair was trying to speak to me. I shot her a withering glare and said, "Eat a dick, sweetheart."

The small crowd parted before me as I made my way back to the table. Red and Ulroke were being cold to one another, whispering in hushed tones. John was occupied with lighting a cigar.

"Sorry about all that," I muttered as I pulled my chair back up to its proper position and sat down on it. "Shall we proceed?"

The 'for some reason' rabbit blinked slowly as the girl with no hair, fur or really anything at all but plants and eyes got up from leaning over the tiny boy-man-blone. Tilting her head she watched as she walked back to the table with the red-flame-hair that the rabbit had a vague sense was dangerous and a silverhaired man that some distant memory floating from Philomel-food-giver said was dickhead. With a slight understanding Mao considered that it was better to stay away from these people, despite her current size and beauty. She twitched her nose that was the size of a pint glass, and bent over to sniff the boy-man-blonde.

He seemed alive. Which was good. So something was right. She thought.

And there was also a massive giant. Scary and big, even bigger than Mao right now, which the rabbit did not like. He was likely to be avoided too, until Mao was with rock-worm Delath. That dragon was nice. He was a good beast to be around, just in case the sky ever fell on your head and a world war began. Besides, they were all seemingly wanting to play with those stiff pieces of paper which had already got boy-man-blonde into trouble.

Lets ... go, came a very uneasy gasp.

Looking over Mao saw the struggling figure of Veridian still on top of the counter. He looked awful, his body half on fire as his own flaming self tried to fight the poison that plant-girl had spat at him. Seeing as Veridian was 'one of them' Mao knew that it was probably worth her while getting him to safety. Only needing to stretch herself up slightly she ignored all the shocked murmurs from the crowd as they saw this giant rabbit being gentle. For she very delicately then shifted her foot-long muzzle underneath the small fox form and took him from counter to ground.

Where he gave her a weary, thankful gaze and then sighed as another shudder ran through him.

Of course the counter was left with a fair few holes from the acid and plenty of scorch marks but that did not matter, did it, really?

Veridian huumped and looked to Fenn. Uneasily, a look of agony in his eyes he leant over and wrote in very horrible, barely readable letters.

COME WITH? MAO TAKE US AWAY. HURTS GO AWAY.

He huffed and slumped and Mao let out a strange sound - an actual rabbit grunt. She then proceeded to try to shift Veridian onto her back, all the while keeping it open for the boy-man-blonde to climb aboard also. For he would fit, he was small enough. And he was invited. But if he refused she would need to go. For Veridian certainly was not doing well.

The fuck did she just call me? Starlight? The fuck is starlight? Should I retort with used rag? Naw, that sounds juvenile. Or does it?

I narrowed my gaze as I often did lately and placed both hands flat against the tabletop. Amari, wait... That's not her name. No, that thing across from me isn't Amari. Why does the vial feel like an Amari? That thing across from me: a blood drenched porcelain statue ridden with inky cracks was something else. Just that, a sculpture. Something I made with my own two hands. I did this. For what? Why? If I liked her more as a person than this monster, why make a monster?

"Thirteen," I muttered as the memories started to clear. The web of lies I weaved through the years and the purpose I so blindly committed to began to enshroud my blatant honesty yet again.

I looked at her straight, expression stern.

"Master," I corrected her. I owned her. She was my property. "You are not allowed to say that name. Your name is Scarlet."

I tried to convey those statements as a threat to the best of my diminished condition. My head pounded and chest throbbed all the same. Again I thumbed the wound, this time more conscious that I knew it to be poison. A bolt specifically and intended for me. Someone knew about my arrival back to Althanas. But why was I this far outside my usual territory? Why does my throat sting of bile and fettered ale? Why--

Madison sat back down, cards in hand from the fiasco earlier. That's why. Madison. I needed her help. The contingency. The briarheart owed me nothing, but beside the vines, the acid, and the enchanted, sap-filled bark of a heart, Madison still had one. Askewed and tilted in the wrong ways on many of occasions, Madison still had a set of moral principles which remained firm. Plus, my request would be a scientific challenge.

Her kryptonite.

First, I needed to rid myself of this condition. I could still feel my body trying to process the venom, but it wasn't fast enough.

"Bartender!" I called out over the fading remnants of chaos. My raised hand forced pain across my chest and I noticed the brute sitting casually beside me. A Tarot member. What was this place? Why hadn't I killed him? Or rather, why hadn't he tried to kill me?

"Your strongest alcohol! And a sprig of rosemary if you have it!"

Once I purged this from my system, it was back to business. Somewhere between, I'd be sure to repay Scarlet for her... actions.

"You're welcome." Scarlet said. She doubted he'd understand, that he would know that her actions, her bile and her snarky comments were to snap him out of whatever delirium he faced. She reached out, again, pushing his hair back out of his face, again, it was an act that was fueled by the traces of concern she felt for him, and the comfort she wanted to give him. "Nice to see the poison's easing up." She tilted her head to the side. "Since when did that affect you anyway?"

"Fuck off." He spat back at her. Batting her hand away. "You don't have the right."

Scarlet sighed, and pushed away from him. "No, I suppose I don't." The further away from her she was, the less residual effects the vial had on her. Scarlet backed off the table and claimed the chair next to Madison once more. "Considering how close you were coddling Tin-Tarot-Man, I thought perhaps I could at least fix the sloppy mess you are."

She picked up the mess of cards and slid them over to Madison. "Reshuffle, Lye had two kings."

This was better, the emotional residue was wearing off. Scarlet was just reminded of how fickle, and foolish they were. Lichensith Ulroke was further proof and testament to that. Even now, he saw her as nothing. Scarlet's lips fell into a stoic line. She'd show him, she'd show him what a 'nothing' could do. In time, he'd see.

For now, Scarlet would play the part of his pet but there would be a time they'd face off, and even she did not know the outcome.

Scarlet raised a gloved hand to her forehead, feeling onset nausea and dizziness. "We should... order something to eat with that drink." She lifted her hand to signal the barkeep.

"Anything dead, bleeding and cooked." She called out.

Though the ill effects of the alcohol had been chased away by Hyperion's hug, Rayleigh still felt sluggish, as if she had gone too long without sleep. Was it the geyser of emotion, spurting upward from a place inside of herself that she had forgotten? Or rather, that she had ignored? She shed tears, of course - they could be a very effective tool when trying to get her way. And she had cried out of terror when she released the demon from the Alerar underground. But when was the last time she had felt true sadness streak down her freckled cheeks? When had she last felt entirely consumed by grief, wracked with the loss of her mother? She had never even met the woman.

And perhaps that was where the despair stemmed from. She had lost someone she was not even allowed to know. She would never know her the sound of her mother's voice, or the look of her smile as she regarded her only child. She would never know the warmth of a hug, so much like the one she was currently wrapped up in. If her mother had only survived a few years longer, so Rayleigh might be able to conjure an image of Marielle Aston. Her father had not even had a picture to show her, when the young girl had begun asking after her missing parent. All he could say was that she had been tall, blonde, and beautiful. Clearly, Ray had taken after her father, and somehow, that made things even worse. Had she taken nothing from her departed mother, save for the name given to her? Marielle had insisted on Rayleigh, in her last moments of life. A name. That was all Rayleigh had of her.

The mousy girl took a long, deep breath of the stuffy tavern air. Chaos ensued around her, but for the time being, she was entirely transfixed by remembrance, and the warmth that cocooned her inside Hyperion's arms. "It isn't something that can be fixed," she stated matter-of-factly, though her voice hitched when she spoke again. "Its just my mother. She's dead, and-" She let her vibrant green eyes, muddied with memory and misery, close. "-and I think her hugs might have felt just like this."

For those like Nosdyn...there was a place where someone called home...a place to belong.

That tavern...that place...was not home.

No...it was filled with washed out Adventurers who wore the mantle of Hero. Nosdyn shook his head and gathered his things. The display before him was sickening. My ancestors fought and died over this shit...? Nosdyn didn't know what he'd expected to find in The Tavern that night...but he'd at least made an effort. He'd gathered his things quickly at that moment and prepared to venture out into the rain to find some quiet place...less noise...to relax in. The Tavern had too much noise for his comfort.

Nosdyn walked towards the entrance of the building, and in a surprising amount of self-restraint...opened the door for several folks who were just arriving in and out of the rain. One of the fellows shot Nosdyn a harsh stare, Nosdyn merely shrugged and ventured back out in the rain. That place was not where he was meant to be...but there was someplace out there for him...

Dark skies and howling winds whipped around violently. The storms that brewed far off to the eastern ocean occasionally came to land. While devastating along the shore line, they still brought much needed rain to the plains -- to places like this. The gunner clung her arms close to her frame and tugged the hood over her face. Each gust threatened not only to rip the hood from her blonde head, but tested her balance all the like. Rain fell in torrents and with unimpeded gusts, nearly horizontal.

As she slopped through the dirt road which recently became a mud trough, Alyssa noticed the faint glow from an establishment. The buildings around her were crude and scattered all the same. Unlike the establishments in Beinost or Corone, these little huts spoke to a humble people. She surmised the total population as no more than a hundred strong. To the north, lighting etched the silhouette of a distant mountain range. To the south and east, plains stretched as far as her cerulean eyes could see. Lastly, the thicket of forest from whence she came occupied the west. This building would prove the only cover within a days travel, easy.

The girl hefted her shoulders in an attempt to relieve the ache of her rifle's strap. For days, it dug into her and despite her experience marching and enduring Alerian military drills, she began to fatigue. Alyssa arrived at the door and before she could reach out a hand to the rusty iron, it opened to the exotic face of a Haidian. She stepped aside, curiosity plain on her face as to why anyone would be willing to brave this storm. Where would he go? Would he be safe?

The demon brood marched on as if she were nothing more than inanimate scenery. The way he carried himself, Alyssa knew he was someone beyond traditional niceties. Best he didn't notice her or she notice him.

After his departure, the Empress of the Tarot stepped inside the vague warmth of the tavern. Loud voices of both distress and anger flooded her ears. Tables were upturned, contents of several drinks littered the floor and it looked equal madness in here as out there. Slowly, she pulled her hood from her head as she continued to survey the damage and those within. A few faces stood out, Rayleigh and John being a few. The former looked distressed, consoled by a plant. While the latter looked to be in seedy company with cards scattered across the table.

Alyssa undid the tie of her robes and hung the drenched cloth on a rack by door. Her shorts, Akashiman top, and myriad of holsters and straps adorned her sun starved skin. A waterfall of blonde, gathered into a tail, waterfalled over her left shoulder. With a sharp inhale, she pulled the rifle from her back and let a sigh of relief as the strap fell loose. Gun in hand, the girl approached the counter and took a seat one over from Rayleigh and the creature whom kept her company. After a slight pause, Alyssa turned a finger to the bartender.

"Glass of water?" she asked in soft, melodic tones. "And maybe a glass of pink if you have it? Raiaeran is preferred, but I'll take whatever you have. Red if you don't have pink."

The man nodded and set to work checking his stock.

The Sword and Staff was located at the edge of the promenade, far away from the winding labyrinth of filthy alleyways and grotty passages that comprised the inner workings of the city. It was a crooked but quaint sort of building, propped up by its smooth, whitewashed limestone walls and protected from the elements by a brittle slate roof that looked as if it was barely holding together. Almost any time someone shut the heavy front door, fragments of splintered shale tile would rain down over the pavement and pepper the road below.

Despite its dilapidated state, the tavern always boasted a healthy turn out and even more so as travellers looked to take refuge from the bitter winter air. Through the frosted glass windows, coated with a thin layer of ice, it was clear to see a handful of oil lanterns burning brightly and the shadows of their patrons jigging merrily about. A chorus of drunken cheers leapt from the crevices of the doors, sending a shiver down the spines of those passing by.

Shinsou Vaan Osiris had decided to take a day off from worrying about the affairs of Telgradia and Althanas. He had heard about a specially brewed dark Radasanthian ale that was served here, and had decided to sample it for himself. The rule was that if it was good enough for him, it was likely to kill a few brain cells, and that was just fine by Shinsou. Recent events with the Council of Five’s impending arrival weighed heavily on his mind, and the Telgradian needed time to unwind.

“This…” Shinsou started, peering inside his pewter tankard at the murky brown liquid within, “…looks strong. It smells strong too…”

Talking entirely to himself, he grinned, coolly watching his drink swill around from the comfort of the bar. The former emperor of Telgradia, with golden eyes locked firmly onto his drink, held the cold edge of his tankard steadily against his lips and swallowed deeply.

“Fuck…me…”

Shinsou, swigging another two inches of his beer, frowned.

“This tastes like shit, but it hits you like a maul.”

A bystander, who was drinking the same as Shinsou, decided to clear up any misunderstanding about the reputation of the beer.

“It’s strong stuff. Radasanthian Dream, they call it. It will put pubes on your pubes, that’s for sure!”

The former emperor’s legs folded underneath him as he sunk his second glass in one sitting, a trickle of beer forking down his chin.

Everything was fuzzy around the edges.

Scarlet lifted her head from the wooden table, rot and scarring had formed where her forehead had met with the natural wood of the table. She attempted to dust it off with a leather glove but it just crumbled away to form a nice little hole in the table. Oops. It was a shame they were playing Poker, Scarlet had thought she knew how to play the game, but she had gotten it confused with some other card game. She'd bluff her way through it. Scarlet glanced up to see Lye still staring daggers at her. Wonderful. He was pissed, that'll be a fun trip home.

Her eyes lazily drifted to the tin man, Scarlet knew him to be John, and a member of the Tarot. Despite that, he seemed to be almost enjoying his present company, puffing away on his cigar. He didn't look like a real threat at the moment. Still, it was something she had to watch for. To have her 'Masters' enemy quite literally wedged up against him was cause for concern. Hell, Scarlet would assume having the hulking giant of a man doing anything would be cause for concern. Thayne help the woman he lays.

A waitress came to the table, placing a glass of what looked like black tar in front of Lye, and sure enough there was two sprigs of rosemerry floating in the viserous liquid. She could smell it from here. "Smells strong at least." She muttered. "Where is my food then?" She asked as she pushed the chair away from the table, she still felt dizzy, the room span. Why was that?

"Eurgh."

Food. That was the logical solution.

Scarlet turned her head to the bar only to see something that looked familar. White coat-tails, mop of messy hair. "What?" He was dead. Scarlet watched him die. Scarlet heard the sickening snap of bone and watched him crumple lifelessly to the floor before being magicked away. She had tried searching fruitlessly for him but to no avail. She waited, but heard nothing from the man, and so, he was assumed dead. Why else would he up and disappear? Why else would he simply cut ties with someone he proclaimed to love?

Did that even matter anymore?

Scarlet turned her scelera gaze away from him, raising her voice over the din that the little fae man was still causing. "I suppose Shinsou is alive after all." She tapped her fingers on the table. "That's irritating." She muttered. And it was, she didn't like the way it made her feel. Because it made her feel. Was she still too close to Lye? Or was it the connection she had made with Shinsou that night she healed his soul? If he was alive, why not find her? Why disappear again after that one night?

"There is an issue." She said, speaking more so to Lye than to Madison, who she knew just wanted to get on with the card game. "My chest actually hurts. I may be too close to that soul shard of mine you so valiantly waved about in my face. I am not sure if that is the reason, or if it is because that man just waltzed in here. Either way, I want it gone."