Spirits were high for the most part among everyone, walking away from the last of the shops. Fortune saw fit to favour us, gaining a lot of information and some wealth... but for myself, things were bittersweet. Their meeting was temporary, but Keaton’s company was pleasant enough. The matter of confronting Highdell also weighed heavily on my mind; but I would try and hold my composure. Lest we have a repeat of the doppleganger incident in Mistamere. All of us set off toward The Silver Dragon. A nice enough tavern, with clean bedding and decent clientele…
-
The innkeep tended to the bar, busy polishing a tumbler when the newest group of adventurers walked in. Adventurers, always a good sign of business.
"Afternoon gentlemen. How can I help you?" His eyes skimmed them all... two of them were unlike anything he'd seen in quite some time. A draco-form and a goat man. Strange...
"We'd like to... rent rooms. For one night. How many... are free?" The goatman inquired. Surprised by the man’s charm and politeness, despite the crude speech- Thyatian Trader’s Tongue was rather coarse to the ear- the inn-keep answered without thinking.
"Well, that depends. How many would you require?" Leaning on the bar, the inn-keep looked them all over. Four in all... Hmm, he didn't have quite that many rooms...
"Three will do fine, if you have them. Some of us will share." Sera had been scribbling away on their chalkboard, holding it up. Slowly the inn-keep nodded, thinking about it. Three he could spare.
"I can manage that; some of them are booked up, but I've got four left- you can have three of them. That'll be three gold, please." A small tower of coins was slid over, which caused him to look again. Seemingly appearing from nowhere, a Hin woman... Wait, were her eyes purple? Blue? He couldn't quite tell. Still, pocketing the gold, he handed over three keys. "Straight up the stairs, last two down the hall. And second to last on the left."
Everyone walked away in relative silence, and the inn-keep went back to work, thinking about the unusual group. The three with strange-coloured hair- especially the stealthy woman- were the more normal of that group… It didn't take long for the five of them to re-converge outside, heading off to explore Threshold a little bit more. Violet skipped a little ahead, which struck everyone as just a touch unusual. Especially when she turned on a copper and faced them, nearly literally running into Asriel.
"...Why don't we go get some drinks? I know a place. They have all these exotic selections- I mean, I don't drink much but still..."
"Sure, Violet. I don't really care either way. Anyone else? Sera?" Jordan quipped.
"I don't mind, especially given after all the bullshit we put up with. That damned manor... Count Jordan and I both in." More chalkboard scribbling filled the moment.
"I suppose not... I'm not likely to get much, I'm... a bit light on coin." Silver spoke up next, which was met with a shrug.
"I'll cover it. I think it's worth trying. That leaves you, er… Apologies, I'm not good with names."
"Asriel. And... yes. I'd like that." Asriel sounded willing- though his wariness showed reluctance. From his experiences with the Hin woman, he wasn't sure what her angle was. Nor if he liked her much yet.
"That settles it, come on- I'll lead the way. I know a place." With that, Violet turned and trotted down a few roads. Threshold- a home away from home; she spent a lot of time here- though these days, she resided in the nearby city of Kelven. Winding streets saw buildings get closer, streets narrower- the overall fit tighter. Overall tone changing, from one of bright affluence to... smokier, more obscure- less… outwardly friendly. Yet, all of them gave the group of five space... Eventually, Violet led the group to one of her favourite places- The Singing Pearl. There wasn't really a sign like other places; just the title, in faded lettering, once brilliant with its pearlescent shine.
Seemingly unaware of the uneasiness, she slipped up the door, a hand on the handle. "Here we are- the Singing Pearl. A real gem of a place, when you know where to look."
"Uh... Violet, is it?" At her nod, he went on. "Is this... a good idea?"
"…Of course it is." Her expression faded a little, as she moved aside. Asriel opened the door, and stepped into the building.
Smoky, murky- and definitely not the place for someone like him. In here, all manner of criminals, degenerates and more dominated the place. All eyes fell to him when he stepped in- and the tone shifted. People were suspicious, but that changed again as Silver walked inside. Weapons were drawn- where Asriel was suspicious, and strange... Silver was downright fear-inspiring. None of them wanted to know why he was here, and none of them cared. Asriel and Silver shared a look; clearly, this was a very bad idea. In the seconds following this emotional turn, Sera, Jordan and Violet came in behind them. Weaving her way through the front, amethyst eyes glittering inquisitive in the murky light, she looked about the room- curious to the hostile reaction. Once again, the atmosphere changed- weapons were withdrawn, people shrunk back... it almost seemed they were… afraid? But why?
A man of impressive stature, with long scraggly black hair and beard, drug himself to his feet- striding right over to the group. Everyone else- patrons and newcomers alike- were silent, intently watching this interaction. Clearly, the 'King Of the Singing Pearl' and the man in charge around these approached them. Glaring at every single face, he went tallest to shortest. Most of them meant nothing to the man- they were unfamiliar, foraying where they shouldn’t be. But when he saw the violet-haired Hin... he dropped to one knee, to get down to her level. When he spoke, his voice was gruff, but... polite? "What table to do you want?"
None of the other four knew how to take this. Why was HE talking to her with... politeness? deference? And why did Violet seem so... comfortable around these individuals? Easily I pointed to a table by the bar- set in the heart of the room, but still allowing us easy access out- should the need arise. "That table by the bar, sweetheart. Thanks for asking." Sweetheart??
Getting up, the man moved to the table bar-side, the one asked for. A dagger slammed into the middle- piercing the wood. "Move." All current users of the table grabbed their things and left, so the newcomers could take it. Something was amiss here, they knew it. One didn’t speak that to way to someone so scary without knowing a few things, after all. But what exactly just happened... none who could elaborate would. It was a very strange encounter. Uncomfortable, four of the five sat down to think, while Violet perched upon the table itself. Seconds later, a new voice- friendlier, thankfully- filtered in.
"Evening. What can I get you?" A dwarven man walked over, unusually proper and rigid. Certainly out of place for the denizens here. Silver's brow furrowed, as if in recall. My expression turned dark- for I’d had bad run-ins with dwarves before. The King noticed this, choosing to watch this unfurl. Still, the dwarf looked at the tall, scaled man... and at the same time, both of them came to the same conclusion.
"Silver? Thought I recognized ye, lad! How are yeh?" The dwarf grinned, seeing a familiar face.
"...Thorin? I thought I had recognized you as well! What brings you to here of all places? I haven't seen you since the training days in Specularum."
"I was Captain Of the Guard. After a while, went back home. Couldn't change my stance there, so I stayed in the society where I found respect."
"Still doesn't explain why you ended up here, in Kelven."
"Oh, that. Decided to pursue an interest of mine, mixing alcohol. Helps that the owner here's usually too intoxicated to run things. Mind your footing, by the way." The owner was lying under the bar nearby, passed out. He shrugged, and looked back. "So, what's a bunch of adventurers like you doing here, anyways?"
"Honestly, we're kind of a bunch of murder hobos thrown together..."
"Speaketh for thine self only."
“So you're a fancy Murder Hobo?"
"...I have a house."
"...So she's just a murderer." Peals of laughter rang out as Violet scowled and turned away, raising an eyebrow. Catching the glance of the man watching, she subtly shook her head- and he settled back. Just after this interaction, Thorin got down to business.
"What can I get all ye?"
"Whatever's cheapest, really. Been a bit down on my luck."
"Mead's fine for me. Thank you."
"Whatever gets me drunk."
"Anything I can drink through a straw without trouble."
Violet remained silent, ice-cold. If looks could kill... Four drinks were made up, and he looked to to the woman glaring daggers at him. "Not much of a drinker, are ye?"
"No, I'm not. Especially not when I need to be at my best."
"Ah. Ivy warned me about the Ice Queen."
"Wait, you know Ivy? How?- Not like it matters, but still." She was shocked- Ivy certainly kept unusual company. The facade of anger broke for a few seconds, then redoubled on him. Thorin laughed to see it.
"Aye, I do. We talked for quite awhile earlier, before she went on her way. Thinks quite highly of you, that she does." At the relative silence, he went on. "Said something about the lot of ye heading up to Highdell in the morning. If yeh lot don't mind, I'd like to go with yeh. This is fun and all, but it's time to get back into the fray of adventurin'. Figure you could use a tactician, and Silver there can lend credit to mah talents."
Silver nodded, looking everyone over. "That I can. The man is capable in battle, and got a good head on his shoulders. I can't think of a reason to refuse. Anyone else got one?"
"I- what the hell is that?" A glass had appeared beside the icy Hin. Curious, she examined it more closely. Warm cinnamon, and tart apple caught her nose- its beautiful amber colour tempting. Reminding Violet of the comforts of child-hood... Tentatively, she picked up the glass- intrigued, but still critical and wary.
"Little something I've been working on. Might warm that icy reception up a little bit. Give it a try. While she does, anyone else object?"
Mostly shaken heads, though scribbling on the chalkboard pierced the silence. "...Can I get a glass of that? It smells positively divine."
Thorin nodded, sliding a glass and fresh straw over. Sera gave it a sip, and gave a thumbs-up. Each of the five shared their first round of drinks in relative silence- all eyes were still on them, but Thorin broke some of the ice by sampling some of his exotic mixes. Slowly, but surely- the bar got used to them, and the group warmed up a bit, save one. Over time, Thorin was filled in about previous adventures. The intrigue of the manor in the swamp. Mysteries and madness at Mistamere Manor- and the deaths sustained in doing so. The strange side-step with the Bell, which is what led the five of them back for the night. And now, following the amethyst-haired woman, into an unknown adventure in the days ahead. For his part, Thorin rather enjoyed the tales- and some of the patrons listened too, without seeming like they were; adventurers always brought tales that intrigued, among other things.
"Sounds like yeh lot have had quite a few adventures! Tell me then, what awaits in Highdell that seems to be of such importance?"
Four pairs of eyes immediately rounded on Violet- silently prodding for her to provide explanation. Scowling deeper, she sighed- voice quiet; the patrons strained to hear. “There are some… long-standing personal affairs I need to tend to. My cousin left a message at the Storm Crow, where we were staying. I don’t want to involve anyone else; this is something I have to do, though. The others were given a chance to go their own way, but… Well, they insisted on accompanying me Still think they should go their own way- and I'll try talking them out of it yet.”
"Not happening, but you can believe as you like." Sera tapped Violet on the head with the board after- mouth twitching, amused. Thorin nodded- watching the interaction between the two. Violet’s face involuntarily flushed; she folded her arms over her chest, pointedly looking away. Asriel spoke up, filling the silence.
"I think... it would be helpful... if he came. None of us knows... what's coming. More people... more safety." It took Asriel some time, given his grip on Thyiatian wasn't the best. He placed a hand over Violet’s mouth- silencing the inevitable protest. More nods from people, and a glare. He'd live with that.
"I agree, so we'll meet up at The Silver Dragon in the morning and be on our way. For now, I'm going to stock up, and get some sleep." Getting up, he left payment behind. Sera followed suit, and they left, Silver and Asriel hot on their heels. They made this plan, completely ignoring objections.
Satisfied, Thorin turned to face the Hin once more- since it was just the two of us left. Wariness, exhaustion and resurfacing memories filled her mind; he didn't pry, thankfully. The intoxication caught Thorin's attention more- with the classic flushes face, and slight sway. Those warm drinks went down really easily- she’d drunk a few of those spicy elixirs, and it clearly took hold. I didn’t even notice him taking the glass away. "Need an escort, Miss?"
"No, I'm... fine, just… Lot to think about, I s’pose…" Staggering into the night, Violet failed to notice her being followed by one of the patrons back to The Silver Dragon- not for opportunity, but for safety. Even in places like this, people tended to look after their own. Going back to work, Thorin had an expression nobody could read on his face. This foray into adventuring would prove to be... interesting.
Chapter 3- Illyana