Rax
Dicemaster
Posts: 2,263
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Post by Rax on Dec 14, 2019 6:07:33 GMT -8
"Thank you indeed lad," Dorias replies to the boy with a warm smile. "You wouldn't happen to know his exact address? It would help if I didn't have to know on every door about two blocks west of here..."
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Post by Daos on Dec 14, 2019 17:06:09 GMT -8
Grognak, Ravarie and Dorias (Blue Bird Inn, Common Room) "Oh, even better, I could show you!" the lad offers.
"Hey, you're supposed to be cleaning out the stables," the innkeeper points out, giving the boy the stink eye.
The boy shrugs helplessly. "But we're supposed to help out customers, right?"
"They ain't customers...not yet, anyway," she replies. "Haven't spent a single copper so far."
Gerrard Windward (Bill and Layla's House) After Old Bill recovers from his surprise, he returns the hug and laughs. "Gerrard, my boy! It's been three years now, I was starting to wonder if you were ever coming back! Layla will be pleased as pudding to see you; she's at work at the Blue Bird right now, but she's getting off in a couple of hours." He invites Gerrard in. The old place is just as he remembered it, if not a bit more dilapidated. "Let me look at you, boy," Old Bill says. "By the gods, lad...what did those wizards do to your face?"
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Post by Kvard51 on Dec 14, 2019 19:40:12 GMT -8
Turning his scar away from Bill, Gerrard scowls. "It is supposed to teach me humility."
He looks up, keeping his face turned to the side, "You know, I don't want to wait. Let's go see Aunt Layla. I'll buy you a drink."
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Rax
Dicemaster
Posts: 2,263
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Post by Rax on Dec 15, 2019 14:13:00 GMT -8
"Well then, if becoming a customer is all it's going to cost me, I'll have a pint of your finest ale, miss...? I don't seem to have caught your name. Anyone else feel like a drink? And once we're finished, I'd be much obliged if you can show me the way, lad."
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Post by Daos on Dec 15, 2019 14:49:02 GMT -8
Grognak, Ravarie and Dorias (Blue Bird Inn, Common Room) "Didn't throw it," the innkeeper replies. "Name's Nonna. And one pint, coming up." She fills an empty mug up with ale, and sets it on the bar. "Two coppers."
The elven siblings, their cowls still up, decline. Reeker, however, takes the gallant up on his offer. "Sure, could use an ale, thanks."
The young lad pumps his fist in victory. However, Nonna frowns at him and says, "While they're enjoying their drinks, you still have sweeping to do. Get to it." The lad sighs, and resumes sweeping. However, he stays close to the party and seems practically ready to jump the moment they are ready to depart.
Gerrard Windward (Bill and Layla's House) Old Bill seems about to comment on the humility remark, but is interrupted by Gerrard's sudden change of the subject. "What? Well...I don't know. I don't want to bother her at work," he comments. He paces back and forth a bit, in thought. "On the other hand, she'd want to see you. And this is a special occasion, right? Okay, let's go," he says, talking himself into it. "But first, let me grab my coat. Winter's chill hasn't left the city altogether yet."
After bundling up, the two step outside. Old Bill locks up, and then they start the brief walk to the Blue Bird. "So how long you going to be in town?" Bill asks. "Layla and I, we don't have much, but you're welcome to whatever we have, and whatever you need, while you're here."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Dec 15, 2019 16:15:39 GMT -8
Ravarie also declined the offer for a drink, and sits down on a stoll near the bar. "Aside from looking for people, what else is going on around here?" She asks the innkeep.
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Post by Kvard51 on Dec 15, 2019 19:40:51 GMT -8
"For now, Zhea Harbour is going to be my base of operations. And I appreciate the offer. You don't know how much I appreciate it. But I thought, for a change, I might try to take care of you and Aunt Layla a bit. I plan to offer my services around town and pay my own way, and maybe take care of my foster parents while I'm at it." Gerrard smiles at Old Bill warmly and slips an arm around his slim shoulders as they walk toward the Blue Bird.
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Post by Daos on Dec 16, 2019 17:14:24 GMT -8
Grognak, Ravarie and Dorias (Blue Bird Inn, Common Room) "I guess the main thing people have been talking about lately was the big storm that appeared a few days ago," Nonna replies. "Just appeared out of nowhere, then disappeared just as quickly. It was too far out to damage the harbor, but you could see it pretty well even from this room," she says, gesturing to one of the windows on the south wall, showing a view of the sea. "Sure were a lot of donations to Zeboim's temple that day, I wager."
Around that point, the front door swings open and two human men enter. One is quite old, while the other is fairly young, but has a disfiguring scar down the left side of his face. While the elderly man is dressed something like an old salt, the younger man wears white robes.
"Hey Old Bill," Nonna says to the old man in recognition. "You're early. Layla don't get off for another couple of hours."
Gerrard Windward (Blue Bird Inn, Common Room) Old Bill chuckles and returns the gesture. "Well, alright then. But you're welcome to stay any time you need to, of course. We still got your old cot, if it comes to that."
The Blue Bird isn't far, it's right on the water-front. A large wooden bird, painted blue, sits atop the entrance, although its head has broken off and lies at its feet. Gerrard remembers in his youth, it was once be a beautiful depiction of a kingfisher.
Stepping inside, the pair finds a dank and poorly lit common room. Numerous people are here, most of them sailors from the looks of them. Everyone turns to look at the party when they enter, but then go back to their drinks, conversations and sea shanties a few moments later. At the bar is a group of people, probably travelers of some kind, as three of them have cloaks with the hoods up, concealing their faces. Of the two who do not, one is a goblin of all things--one with a hook hand and a peg leg, at that; no eye-patch, though. The other is a dark-skinned half-elven man.
The bartender is an exotic looking woman, a half-elf that looks part Kagonesti. Gerrard doesn't know her; the place must be under new management since he last was here. "Hey Old Bill," she says in recognition. "You're early. Layla don't get off for another couple of hours."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Dec 16, 2019 18:46:13 GMT -8
Ravarie decides not to comment on the storm since she was in it. Instead, she turns her attention to the newcomers. She doesn't say anything right now, but simply observes.
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Post by Kvard51 on Dec 16, 2019 19:13:56 GMT -8
Gerrard tries to not stare at the bartender. Her exotic look is intriguing, though. "It's ok. Uncle Bill and I decided to come enjoy a drink while we wait on Aunt Layla to finish her shift." He smiles at the half-elven woman. "Bring us a couple of ales, if you would. Sounds like we have a couple of hours to kill."
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Post by Daos on Dec 17, 2019 12:56:08 GMT -8
The innkeeper's gaze goes straight to the disfiguring scar on the newcomer's face, but she does not comment on it. "'Uncle' Bill? Had no idea Old Bill was an uncle," she remarks. She fills up a couple of ales and sets them on the bar. "Four coppers," she says.
"My lad's been abroad the past three years," the old man explains, patting him on the back. "Just got back into the city today." He fishes around in his purse for enough coppers to pay for the drinks.
"Abroad, eh? Anywhere interesting?" the innkeeper asks.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Dec 17, 2019 16:28:55 GMT -8
"You, much like my friend here," Ravarie chimes in to Gerrard as she motions to Dorias. "Must know this place pretty well then."
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Post by Kvard51 on Dec 18, 2019 11:18:44 GMT -8
"Hold Uncle Bill, I've got this round." He draws a silver piece from his pocket and places it on the bar, proffering a smile at the barmaid. "Old Bill is family in every way that counts. He was the Bosun on my mother's ship when he was younger, and he and Aunt Layla raised me when my parents were away at sea. He's more of a father, really. But I proudly call him Uncle." Turning, he gestures to a table in the corner by the fire. "Lead the way, Uncle. Bring us two more when these run out and keep the change.", he says over his shoulder.
Once he is seated with his back to the wall and staff propped beside him, he looks back towards the bar. "Have I been anywhere interesting? The short answer is 'not unless you consider across the straits in Abanasinia' interesting. The long answer? Well, it's a mite more involved and might require getting to know you better..." __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
He turns to the other half-elf when she speaks, ,"Oh, and is your friend a local, then? He likely knows more of Zhea Harbour than me. I seldom left sight of the docks when I lived here before."
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Post by Daos on Dec 18, 2019 17:04:22 GMT -8
Grognak, Ravarie, Dorias and Gerrard (Blue Bird Inn, Common Room) The innkeeper accepts the silver and nods as she puts it away. "Abanasinia, eh? Heard they got hit particularly hard in the war. Those red dragons don't leave much behind."
"Let Layla know we're here, if you don't mind, Nonna?" Old Bill asks. He then walks over to a table by the fireplace, the warmest spot in the inn.
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Gerrard spends 1 silver piece on 4 ales.
Rathis (Above Zhea Harbor) As cold as it was this time of year, it was even colder several hundred feet above, especially when one takes into consideration the wind chill factor. Nevertheless, it was still always a thrilling experience to soar over the land and sea like a bird atop his faithful griffon, Kava.
Having finished with a simple courier job, Rathis was now on his way back to Zhea Harbor. Of course, every courier job was fairly simple on griffon-back. No need to worry about goblin bandits or draconian bandits from that high up. The only real danger this high up were dragons, but they were fairly scarce now that the war was over.
As the city came into view below, he guides Kava toward the Square of Justice, a large town square in the center of the city. It was fairly close to the temple of Shinare, and one of the few parts of the city with enough open space for a griffon to touch down on without causing too much of a ruckus, at that.
Maessalathasa (Avanthis Manor, Courtyard) Maessalathasa and Lady Galla approach the front door together, and a servant steps forward to open them for the pair. After several months of living in this manor, tutoring the Avanthis children, Maessalathasa wasn't sure how quickly she could adjust to being on her own again. Despite how good the pay was, there is a part of her relieved not to have to deal with the stress of the job, not to mention the constant family drama that she always seemed to get swept up in.
Today was the last day for her here, and her meager possessions were all packed up in her backpack. Now at the door's threshold, Lady Galla turned to her. "Well, it was a pleasure having you with us, Sister. I can only hope that your lessons stick, lest Gennai finally has enough and throws us all out onto the streets," she jokes lightly. Although based on what she knew of Gennai, the idea did seem plausible to the young monk.
"You're certain you'd rather not stay on for awhile?" she asks abruptly. "You're a hard worker, and we could always use another maid. Even if just until spring? I just hate the idea of you walking out onto those streets in the winter's chill."
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Post by Maessalathasa on Dec 18, 2019 23:54:58 GMT -8
Maessalathasa quietly follows Lady Galla, her heart both feeling light at being in control of her own destiny, and heavy because of the departure. The Avanthis had found their place in her heart. Allowing herself to be sad, tears starts rolling down her cheeks. Without giving any thought to it, she acts on instinct and embraces Galla briefly. She suppresses the thought of giving another lesson, if they hadn't stuck by now, it would change little.
"I will miss you." she says, perhaps not as soft as she would have wanted while wiping her tears away. It felt good to having admitted it, at least. "But my own journey must take elsewhere." she produces something of a smile. "They are good children..." She never enjoyed departures, so with those words trailing off she steps out of the manor for a final time and leaves without looking back.
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