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Post by Joliette Thorne on Jun 8, 2007 3:10:58 GMT -5
Tenebrae was leaning on the bar's opposite side, her chin resting on her palms and her gaze unfocussed, as she plotted the impending redecoration of the Corpse. On sight of Rasja, she brought herself upright and smiled broadly. "Ello, pet." Joliette bent to retrieve a bottle from under the bar, sliding it over the bartop toward a nearby patron, collecting the coinage he slid back to her. "Can I get you something?"
Rasja had slipped inside, hand resting along the tavern's door as she stood in slight thought. Ruby -hued eyes turn in their place to gaze upon the addressing person. A smile perks along her lips, head canting to greet the lady in turn, her hand whisking its way off the door as a curtsy is put in play: foot pressed back, and body dipping low as a sweet, "Hello," escapes. Once standing upright she drifts over to the bar with ease, leaning along its top she shakes her head, "I came for the air, and a bit of fudge, I suppose."
Tenebrae nodded congenially, reaching down to take a square of fudge from a tray below the bartop. This was put neatly on a rose-patterned and doilied plate, and handed toward Rasja. "Best fudge ever this week—I found a new confectioner in the dwarven lands."
Rasja pulls herself up along the stool with a tiny bit of grace, the plate taken and fudge plucked from its surface. As a bite is taken, her eyes light up, smile apparent as she turns to read the board with slight interest. "I must say, this is good! And the note there.." she points towards the board, "Do you happen to know the owner?" Tenebrae 's lips broke to an easy grin. "That'd be me. Name's Joliette, though some call me Tenebrae..." Her slight frown at that appellation fleeted away from her brow as quickly as it came. "You looking for work, then?" Joli took up a cloth and swiped the bar's surface to remove at a few condensation-rings left by the drinks of recently departed patrons.
Veszmurss nods to Ayame and Rasja as he walks in snickering at something that occurred before he entered. Ayame returns the gesture to the drow, a brow being arched at his snickering. Veszmurss said to Ayame, "Oh it's nothing....a rather entertaining thing boiled up in the Kelay Tavern."
Tenebrae glanced up as the door swung to, and the snickering drow entered. She also offered him a nod, though thereafter turned back to her conversation with Rasja.
Ayame said to Veszmurss, "Ah, I see..."
Veszmurss nods, "It was delicious."
Ayame said to Veszmurss, "Delicious?... Should I even bother asking?"
Rasja pushes the plate back across the table, her pay for the delectable sweet placed on the side. The new arrival is sent a small wave in return before her attention turns back to the tavern owner, "And yes, I am looking for work."
Krali slowly and quietly enters the tavern, wary of what happened the last time he set foot in it. He walks over to the fire and sits down, eyes following the dance of the flames.
Veszmurss shakes his head as he sits in a leather chair, "Nope."
Tenebrae tidies away both plate and coins, the latter dropped into a pouch at her belt. She studied Rasja a moment, thoughtfully, her expression not displeased. "What sort, pet? We have several vacancies left... Bar staff, entertainment... you don't at all look the type to be after the janitor's job." This last was spoken with a soft chuckle.
Tenebrae glanced up as the door opened again, a genial nod given her clansmate. "'Ello Monk.. let me know if I can get you something?" Krali nods his head at Tenebrae. "I appear to be losing my touch." A slight smirk crosses his face as he continues to watch the flames.
Tenebrae stared at Krali, his enigmatic comment not comprehended at all, though she was too immersed in the interview before her to venture further on the subject were he not to offer explanation.
Rasja swirls in her chair feet idly swinging close by as she answers, "I'm more of an entertainer, but I could try for the bar staff as well."
Tenebrae turned back to Rasja. "An entertainer of what type, miss? We already have a pianist, but dancers and singers are sought. And if you can manage to double as barmaid, that'd suit, too."
Terra entered just as she had left; quietly. Soft steps to the eastern half of the establishment were made leading the elf to drop into one of the numerous leather chairs surronding the hearth. A slight sigh emits, exhaustion evident by the darkening rings below the female's eyes.
Krali catches the woman's reaction out of the corner of his eye and smirks even harder. "Interesting is not. The dance of these flames never repeat . . ."
Tenebrae , as the door swung to once more, was to offer the entering patron a similar greeting as the last... but at sight of Terra her tongue stilled, and eyes took a keener cast. "It's you... from the desert..." This was spoken quietly, possibly not heard from the fireside's distance.
Krali raises an eyebrow, hearing subtle words on his ears, but is unable to hear what was being said.
The door was shoved open, and in trotted Deilakrion. Still wearing the dried blood and dirt of yesterday, she seemed blissfully unaware of her dirtied state. Much like a child or young animal, the woman was blithely ignorant of the things others considered necessities. She had slunk out of the tavern after her nap, and now returned to take a regal seat upon the bartop, smearing sweat and dirt upon its pristine surface. She grinned cheekily towards Tenebrae, eyes bright and clear. Sidonia appears from the north.
Terra , no sooner having settled into the comfortable furniture, began to examine the patrons with a curious intensity. Upon sighting Tenebrae that charetuese gaze narrowed, and the words uttered were read instead of heard. Assuming continuing the conversation from the far side of the pub wouldn't be polite, she rose, leaving behind the assortment of items brought in tow. Slow, hesitant steps were made in Tenebrae's direction, a single brow lofted dubiously. "So you are alive." A pause in approach was given, unsure if the lady of darkness still remained unstable. "I was starting to wonder..." Sidonia steps carefully into the tavern, a little more wary than she had been the night before with Banash. Upon seeing Tenebrae, she walks over to the vampire, greeting her with a smile. "Hello," she says with a nod.
Tenebrae's reverie on Terra's entrance and attention to Rasja were equally shattered by the boisterous entrance of a clanswoman. As the naked elf ensconced herself on the formerly spotless bar, Joli grinned - the liberties Deilakrion took afforded to her alone - and responded to the woman's silent enthusiasm. "'Ello creature, you look bright. Been up to mischief, then?" She tilted her chin toward the fireside. "That dark-skinned feller over there.. He's pack, if you wanted a look at him."
Krali slowly starts to message his temple as he relaxes next to the fire.
Veszmurss said to Terra, "Have you heard the news Maystra'vrae?"
Tenebrae, satisfied that the meeting of clan-fellows should prove amusing, stilled her grin as Terra approached, peridot eyes obliquely guarded of expression. "Aye, I'm rather hard to kill, so far." The grime-smears left by Deilakrion were swept away with the whisk of a white cloth. "Looks like you came out alright, too. I was quite concerned, after I lost you, and Leo, in that storm."
Deilakrion licked her lips, patting her slightly distended belly with relish. The woman had feasted, that could be seen plainly, and on some prey large enough to fill her belly for half a day. At Joli's words, the elf shot a look of keen interest towards the drow, eyes narrowing slightly. She gathered her legs under her for a leap off the bar, landing with solidity. She placed her hands behind her back, wandering in an indirect fashion towards the drow. Unobtrusively she circled the other, judging him with every step. Neither satisfied nor dismayed, she ground to a stop before him, but a few feet out of reach, and tilted her head. "Fleshy." She said.
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Post by Joliette Thorne on Jun 8, 2007 3:12:18 GMT -5
Sidonia is given a friendly, if distracted wave, and a nod to Steadman has the barkeep stepping over to enquire of any order to be made.
Veszmurss said to you, "And did I hear something about jobs?" Tenebrae , already having at least two running conversations, raised a polite palm to Veszmurss by way of apology. "Aye, it's so, but might you wait a bit?"
Krali closes his eyes as he continues to message his temple. "Can I help you?"
Veszmurss 's eyebrow twitches not liking to be denied but he nods none-the-less, "Aye."
Terra lifted thin shoulders upwards in a shrug, noting the distance that stood between the two, physically and otherwise. A glance of the place if spared in admiration before attention returns back to the vampiress. "I've seen Leo since aboard that ship of his." A sweeping gesture of the bar is given by a vague swipe of the wrist. "Your own doing, I'm assuming?"
Terra looked hastily to Veszmurss, head shaking in retort. "News? I'm afraid not. I've been dozing on and off."
Deilakrion studied the drow before her with not some little curiosity. New packmates were certainly rare to come by, and she reserved the right to inspect each and every one of them. "Pack, flesh?" She leaned in a little, edging closer, sniffing the air about the man. It might seem odd, for Deilakrion's odor was certainly more pronounced than a many travellers through the land, her recent lack of bathing quite obvious within the still air of the tavern. He seemed dull, to her esteem, as she rocked back on her heels to grimace at him.
Colin said to Tenebrae, "I'm sorry for the immediate departure I was forced to make earlier."
Veszmurss said to Terra, "Well, Rheven decided because Mercedes was pestering Grailan to the point of pure rage, which caused him to lunge upon her and beat her black, that he would sever his ties to this world."
Terra momentairly shifted attention from the necromancer to Veszmurss, astonished. "Grailan's dead? Well. By Rheven's hand?" Suddenly the elf understood Grailan's bloodlust, the rage that fueled him into his demise. "I'll need to have a word or two with Rheven."
Rasja sinks into her seat at the site of blood, turning away before answering the inquiry given by the lady. This time, her voice came out quietly and her answer a bit more blunt than she had intended, "I dance and sing normally, but the occupation of a barmaid sounds interesting."
Jarad moves as soon as he hears the news of Grailan's demise, making his brisk way towards where he suspects Mercedes might be,. Tenebrae blinked at the woman slowly. "I've hardly seen him, myself. Busy, I suppose." There was a thinning of her lips, a slight cast of glance aside. "And yes, I've re-taken the pub. It sort of went to the hells after I heard Leo was.. you know.. and then I..." Clearly, she was as discomfited in discussing the topic as she was to face one who'd seen her in an uncommon moment of weakness. Gathering herself, she looked back to Terra, her eyes more keen at that moment. "So, how is he, then?"
Veszmurss nods, "He fell quicker then I could assist. A shame...I was just starting to get along with him." He shrugs, "Seems we shared a dislike of Mercedes." He sighs, "I dedicated with body to the Spider Queen...she could use him well."
Tenebrae , in the interim of Terra's conversation with the drow, nodded to Colin. "Not a worry, pet, can I get you something?"
Colin said to Tenebrae, "At the moment no, but if I need something I'll let you know."
Sidonia walks over to the piano, moving to sit at the bench.
Deilakrion :: Krali's disappearance had not been taken well by the elf, as she huffed to herself. She skulked back to the bar, disappearing behind it to see what interesting contraptions might be found on the other side. Certainly Mesthak, master of the Kelay Tavern, had never let her do so. Besides, she was rather thirsty.
Tenebrae paused to give Rasja a quick smile. "How about a trial, then.. the place is busy, and in need of help. Can you start now?" She took up a clean, white cloth from the bar and tossed it to the woman. "Tuck that over your shoulder, and come 'round this side of the oak, pet."
Sidonia sitting down at the piano bench, taps her slender fingers on the ivory keys, deciding what to play. Finally picking a merry piece she remembered well, she began to play. The rollicking tune was quick and complicated, matching the busy mood of the tavern.
Terra took to leaning against the bar, propped up by bent elbows and crossed legs. Veszmurss received a nod before the female she conversed with seized the majority of her attention once more. "He's... fine. He misses you, I believe." Quiet words as if Terra knew the ground she treaded on was not for her. "It's been awhile since I've seen him, to be honest." Casting her gaze downwards, then towards the board, and any other place that wasn't the vampiress, she shrugged once more. "From the gist of the conversation, I'm guessing you're seeking workers?" Figuring the other topic was awkward for Tenebrae, the option to switch was offered. "What sort of jobs are available?"
Tenebrae shook her head a little toward Deilakrion, as though to mutely acknowledge her disapproval. A silent gesture beckoned, a slab of raw lamb and a bowl of mead settled on the bartop in short order, the vampiress' attention, though, taken up in the whole by possible news of her Cap'n. On hearing it, Joli's countenance visibly relaxed, and she nodded to the appended enquiry. "Aye, we have need of barstaff..." Veszmurss was, via virtue of a glance, included with this bit of the conversation. "... security, and dancers." The smile she offered both was more genuine than any that had graced her features for days.
Colin glanced around the tavern, the number of patrons having increased since then. Turning back to Tenebrae, he snickered slightly," Seems the place is getting its fair share of patrons, you also mentioned something of work the other night at the Kelay Tavern, and a place to stay?"
Deilakrion leaned onto the bartop to collect her prizes, climbing onto the wood to dirty its surface once more. She dug into the meat and mead eagerly, with all the delicacy of a rampaging boar. Though she kept the mead from spilling, juices from the lamb dripped down her chin and onto her chest, her hands covered with the sticky liquids. All else faded as the elf devoted herself to her meal.
Tenebrae ensnared a third potential workmate in the sweep of her gaze, and nodded to Colin. "Aye, two places left for security, one for a janitor."
Terra figured the smile was contagious for the sight of it caused one of her own to flicker, the elf having not seen such a thing before. "I'm decent at serving, if it counts. I'd love to apply for such a position, if possible." Pursed lips consider the statement a moment, the vampire regarded with a curious look. "What is your name, anyhow? Leo called you one thing, but the notes on the various boards you've posted are signed by another." Terra was not one to be obtrusive, but curiosity was often a downfall. "I'd just like to know which to call you."
Veszmurss grins, as he had only just then been sparking trails of lightning all about his fingers, "Security eh?" He smirks as he disperses the lightning in a display of different colored flames, "What type of security are we talking?"
Rasja reaches out towards the flung material, fingers fumbling for a short bit before the cloth was safely clutched against her chest. Sliding off the stool, she bites her lip; a reassuring nod is issued forth, "I could try." Soon, the fabric was raised to be tucked and tied into place, her steps stopping as the other behind it is noticed. At the notice of blood once again, she stiffens, slowly sliding behind the bar with a forced smile.
Sidonia 's song soon ends and she takes a few seconds before starting to play again, this time choosing a pretty song that, while still slower, was cheerful in nature.
Colin said to you, "Er, I'll take security, I'm no good at cleaning things."
Deilakrion regarded Rasja curiously as she eats, twisting on her position to better look at the other. Juice dripped from her chin to bartop, then to the floor. Her mouth full of meat, she chewed openmouthed, wrinkling her nose in latent judgement. She turned away, taking note of the others her leader was talking to. Terra and Veszmurss received blank stares, each; Colin earned a slight frown. She remembered that one, the day her clan leader's identity had changed for a loop. She issued a growl around the thick portion of meat in her mouth. Veszmurss doesn't even grant Deilakrion a sidelong glance.
Tenebrae looked back to Terra on commencement of the woman's speech, a hand reaching aside to mop up meat-juice spattering to the oak under Deilakrion's gusto. "You can have a shot at barmaid, if you like, trial shift and a week's wages in advance if satisfactory." Her face maintained it's geniality, though her tone lowered in answer to the rest. " I was.. I was Joli, of the Bloody Wire, and am of late again taken to my natural name. The other is what folk called me this past century, in lieu of it." There was more to it, of course, but it wasn't likely she'd be willing to elaborate, in the present environment. She also observed Deilakrion's reactions carefully, in her keen periphery, each a point of serious note. She trusted her tracker, implicitly.
Deilakrion stiffened slightly at the mention of Tenebrae's other personality, and took the remnants of meat. The mead was spilled in her haste to evacuate the area, and she made her way to the window and the chair she had left, sulking.
Jarad mumbles something about rotten vampires and slumps into a chair rather angrily, the beetles he normally drops when entering a room gladly skittering away from his anger.
Tenebrae said to Veszmurss, "The type of security that can damp the fire of a brawl, rather than add to it, or have the means to remove offenders to the outside. I've no time nor inclination to deal with bullies."
Terra became distracted by the self-proclaimed creature, recalling the being from the afternoon she rushed into the tavern seeking help. Joli's words divert attention back to it's original place where a nod sufficed as an answer to the latter, though her countenance was one twisted in curiosity, she wisely reserved all interrogations for later, if such a time came. The former of the conversation is addressed with a beaming smile and the words, "I'd love to give it a go. And I'll tack on a bit of janitorial services for the time-being. I need something to keep me away from ...things."
Tenebrae turned toward Colin, a brow arcing. "Well, first I might see what you're about, before I do any hiring. Care to take a trial shift?" Veszmurss had a pale chin tilted his way. "You too."
Veszmurss smirks, "I know I can remove them...damp a fire...if I put on my Melee-Magthere face...sure." He chuckles, "I can do a little clean up if needed as well."
Colin said to Tenebrae, "I don't mind, just tell me what all you don't want going on."
Veszmurss shrugs, "Sure, why not. I've nothing else better to do eh?"
Rasja slips a hand upwards, moving to blot out any pieces of food leftover- and any traces of blood too.
Veszmurss thinks a moment, "I can provide Intermission entertainment now that I think on it. Color altering isn't too difficult."
Sidonia hums quietly as she plays, the song bringing back happy memories-- some of the only ones she has.
Tenebrae , the men addressed, broke into a broad show of white teeth at Terra's words. "Trial shift, see how you go. Cleaning things are out back..." She pointed to a small closet, set in the wall to the south. "But watch your step, there's a great deep hole in the floor there." As faint refrains from the dwarven constructionists sounded from that depth, the men having apparently finished the supper lowered to them, Joli gave Steadman a glance that might strip paint from a door. "Why is there no warning rope around that hole? Do you -want- our customers to fall in it?" The one-eyed barman merely shrugged, a smirk on his unshaven face, and ambled away to do her bidding.
Deilakrion tried to stare at the window, but her attention was drawn to the inner workings of the tavern. There was a significant lack of heavy traffic outside the window, which Deilakrion could find no sport in. She abandoned the chair to its solitude. Her meandering steps soon were guiding her between the evenly spaced tables, her intent gaze granted to any patron who happened to fall under its scrutiny. Somehow she found herself nearing the bar, and she veered away. She stopped, definitely not paying attention to the bar and Tenebrae, not to mention those talking with her. No, they were not interesting at all.
Jarad said to Tenebrae, "You own this tavern now I suppose?" Deilakrion ::Yet, despite her best (and most stubborn) intentions, Deilakrion found her head turning--just the slightest!--towards Tenebrae, and those others whom she had not yet learned behaviors of. There was a protective surge there, though long experience had taught her the vampiress could take care of herself. Mostly. She pretended to find the nearest table to be of great import, and wandered over to that, swirling her finger over its gleaming surface to leave grease marks.
Tenebrae pardoned herself from Terra a moment longer, to speak to the men. "Very well, trial week it is. You’re not incite argument, though your mother's murderer be sat at the bar, or an enemy, or what-not. I don't care, there's to be no fighting unless it cannot be prevented by other means. Aggressive drunks, fools throwing random fireballs and the like, and other disorder-makers are to be tossed out quickly." She smiled. "Welcome aboard."
Terra shoved off the bar and moved to the indicated closet, side-stepping the gaping hole as falling didn't hold its usual appeal. Retrieving an extra rag, and some cleanser, she set to working on wiping the tables clean of any crumbs or remnants of the previous lunches. Salt and pepper containers were gathered and eventually restocked if necessary before placed back to their appropriate stations, leaving the elf to wait with wide, welcoming eyes for any who needed something.
Veszmurss smirks, "Sounds easy enough. Melee-Magthere face it is then."
Jarad said to you, "Keep the riff raff out and you will have no trouble from me."
Veszmurss said to you, "I may patter about with cleaning and mild entertainment should it be needed. And hell....I could cover piano if needed." He nods, "You learn a lot in the Underdark."
Terra left the smudges left by Dielakrion be in lieu of continuing idle chit-chat with Joli. "So what made you choose the Hanging Corpse of all places?"
Colin said to Tenebrae, "If someone trying to cause a fight, lets say, came up with missing a limb or whatever while being thrown out, it would be overlooked correct?"
Sidonia sighs as the song ends, and the next one starts before she even thinks about it. It's the melody she played the night before; that ancient lullaby.
Tenebrae had Deilakrion still in her periphery, and a frown would furrow at the smoothness of the vampiress' brow at Creature's obvious restlessness. The small amount of memory gleaned so far -- a vast field littered with smoking corpses, the smell of the sea mixed with blood and troll-- told her they'd once shared adventures. She found herself wishing they would again.
Jarad looks to Tenebrae, looking for any hints that may hide in her face or eyes. "How often do Vampires come into here?"
Veszmurss quirks a brow as the door opens and in sidles Mercedes. Oh if he wasn't working....he'd give her hell.
Jarad smiles as he spots Mercedes. He offers the chair next to him for her, even going so far as to pull it out for her should she desire it.
Mercedes smiles warmly at her friends, waving to Jolie, Terra, Ayame, and Jarad, before sitting beside Jarad. "Thanks"
Sidonia notices Mercedes' entrance from where she sits at the piano, thinking that perhaps the vampire should leave while she can.
Rasja found that no one was interested with ordering anything for the time being, so she decided to move on to the pianist. Slipping out from behind the bar, she shuffles over to the bench, taking a seat beside Sidonia without much thought. The cloth had been pulled off, and laid flat in her lap. With little interest, she looked the keys over, or rather the pat the fingers took along those keys. Mercedes blinks wondering why the girl wishes to leave.
Deilakrion looked up at the ceiling innocently, certainly not eavesdropping on the boring conversation Tenebrae was having with the crowd of strangers. Nope, dull as the wailing divas in the other tavern. Her brow creased, searching for someone else to pin her attention to, and noted Sidonia, diligently attending the piano keys. Deilakrion trailed her fingers from the table, heading towards the piano with rather more intent than was necessary. She had never been by the piano before, and was curious about its properties, especially how the other woman was capable of producing such noise. She halted a few feet from it, prowling around its perimeter. She got closer to it once she reached the side opposite of where Sidonia sat, fascinated by the open top and the movements of the inner workings.
Tenebrae gave Jarad a hard stare. "Dare I say there'd best not be trouble from you, in any case." An indignant compression of lips finished her statement, as she turned to nod to Colin. "Not really, though it'd be best if you took it outside." Vezsmurss was also addressed. "We have pianists, but if you play anything else, it'd be handy." She gestured toward Sidonia, and the piano. "Our current players are excellent, but I'm planning a party for the dwarven King soon, and a bard's contest, so the more players the merrier."
Mercedes raises her head as she hears Joli speaking. "Joli...Are you in need of a dancer or singer?" Sidonia looks up from the keys as both Rasja and the one Tenebrae called the "creature" approached, her smile reaching up to her blue eyes. "Hello," she greets them, her fingers not missing a note.
Jarad said to Mercedes, "You are well?"
Tenebrae added, to Jarad's further question, with a broad smile that revealed delicate fangs. "Vampires come here quite often, along with many other races, matter of fact." The smile snapped off, like a light, a grimmer look given him. "I don't take kindly to ignorant harassment of my customers, based on their breed alone."
Mercedes said to Jarad, "I'm slowly mending...Thanks."
Rasja looks up from her recent stare, lips releasing a question towards the player, "Do you prefer higher pitches, or lower ones? Or do you play all the same?"
Jarad said to Mercedes, "Grailan did this? Tell me he is dead..."
Tenebrae glanced at the girl enquiring, a wink of recognition given Mercedes. "Oh, hullo pet. Dancers only, a spot or two to fill." She pointed to the piano. "Got a tune going now, if you'd care to give us an audition.."
Deilakrion turned her head as she was partially addressed, still within the sulk of earlier. She kept her hands behind her back, not touching the gleaming masterpiece that was the baby grand. As odd as she found the music being played, she had no wish to disrupt its constancy (besides, who knew what would happen if she did?). She backed away from that, too, and brought her hands to her chest. She lifted one of her hands to pluck at her lip, suddenly finding the tavern confining with the number of strangers about. She slunk back towards the bar, making sure to glower towards the door and any incoming patrons.
Tenebrae quietly bows out of all conversation, heading over to the hole by the southern wall, to peer down with interest at the doings of the dwarves.
Mercedes returns the wink and steps into high heels, grinning at Tene. "What kind of dancing do you prefer? I can do whatever you like dear..." Veszmurss thinks a moment, "I had a, hmm, what I think you surface dwellers call a, a violin? But I do believe I left it at my House Residence."
Sidonia shrugs, her eyes flashing back to the keys for a moment before looking back up. "I play all the same, I suppose, but it depends on my mood. My name is Sidonia. And yours?" she asks, addressing both women, though she's not sure if the creature will answer.
Mercedes said to Jarad, "Rheven took care of it."
Tenebrae would glance up, to impart a reply. "Well, keep your clothes on, pet. Lapdancing's out, too, by mayor's decree. But any other sort's fine by me."
Jarad glares at Tenebrae, the teeth shaking him to his very core. He did not hate vampires. He feared them beyond anything else. He feared them so much he would do anything to kill them out of fear, but was still easily cowed by them under the right circumstances "You know nothing about me, Vampire..." his hand twitches, reaching for his belt, though he draws no weapon yet.
Terra quietly slipped to Deila's recently vacated table to remove the smudges leftover by the creature's greased touchings. Once satisfied, a post is taken back up at the bar. Mercedes earns a bright grin and a whistle.
Rasja said to Sidonia, "It's Rasja.. and do you play by request, or by ear? I feel as if a bit of entertainment would liven up the scenery."
Loshe said to Jarad, "Keep your weapons put away, drow." Obviously, the words are imparted as she walks in and sees the man reaching for that axe of his. "You wouldn't want to wind up dead, now would you?"
Colin glancing towards Jarad, the human kept a keen eye on the male, he was actually ready to prevent anything if it started, such a good trial.
Sidonia thinks about it for a moment. "I believe I could play either," she answers. "I was taught a number of songs when I was small, but I would love to learn new ones. And I have played by ear before, though it's been a long while."
Mercedes begins snapping her fingers in tune to the beat, nodding to Sidonia to quicken it's pace a little more as she begins tossing her silky hair over a shoulder, lightly spinning on the tips of her toes before dropping into a graceful split. Crawling forward she tosses her hair back again, and continues with a backwards flip. Standing again she rolls her hips, her hypnotic hues smiling at the patrons before she swings momentarily on the pole, appearing naughty and nice at the same time. "How was that? Of course I'm much better when I have time to prepare..."
Jarad said to Loshe, "Better dead than undead Vampiress. And now, we will finish our business......"
Loshe said to Jarad, "No, we won't."
Deilakrion veered away from the mass of people, disgust quickly overriding her features. She gave the door a fantastic glare--only for it to melt as she recognized the vampire who entered. "Hunter!" She chirped, trotting towards her newfound ally of but a day or so ago. She bounced around the other woman, balancing on her tip-toes as she greeted the woman in her own fashion. "Good hunt." Her form of a blessing, given in rarity, were the first words out of her mouth. It was an odd petition, as the next word to fall from her mouth was phrased as a question. "Hunt?"
Sidonia quickened the pace as Mercedes had asked, though in truth her mind is really on Jarad. "Jarad," she calls over the noise of the music, raising her lilting voice. "Would you come here, please?" She's not sure that he'll listen, but she has to try.
Veszmurss groans as he walks over to Jarad and Loshe, "Both of you cool it or leave."
Mercedes said to Jarad, "I'm a vampire..."
Colin said to Veszmurss, "Words aren't bringing any harm, if one draws a weapon, then I say intervention shall be dealt."
Mercedes slips off the bar and looks up at Joli, wondering how she did.
Jarad walks rather stiffly to Sidonia, his eyes never leaving Loshe. He stops a little before Sidonia asking in a harsher tone than he meant to speak to with her. "What?"
Tenebrae was oblivious to Jarad's rantings though, at that southern end, was close enough to hear Mercedes. "Quite good, pet. You're hired. One hundred gold a week, plus any tips you make. Pay in advance, I'm calculating wages now..." Her attention'd drift back to the miners, she being confident her new security team could handle any trouble.
Sidonia 's blue eyes flicker up to him, her fingers still gently tapping the keys. "Jarad, please don't. She wasn't hurting anybody-- this fear you have of the vampires is clouding your mind."
Veszmurss said to Colin, "Best to cool 'em down -before- anything gets worked up. Easier that way."
Mercedes squeals happily and claps her hands. "Thank you Jolie!" Winks at Terra. Rasja whispered something to Sidonia.
Colin said to Veszmurss, "While that maybe true, it wouldn't be as much fun if things really did break out, and it could be intercepting a false alarm."
Jarad steps away from Mercedes. He hadn't known. He had considered her his friend, and now he seemed very much the lost boy in the large marketplace. He takes a step back drawing his axe in his left hand, and his point down dagger in the right. He backs himself into a corner, starting to hyperventilate.
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Post by Joliette Thorne on Jun 8, 2007 3:13:14 GMT -5
Sidonia nods, smiling at Rasja. "Probably. What song?"
Loshe blinks as the rather insane elf scampers over towards her, rather surprised by the warm-ish greeting. "Hello, Creature," she remarks, offering a slight grin. "Hunt, hm? What will we be hunting?" Her hand falls to the hilt of her sword; perhaps she's more eager for a bit of a hunt than she might realize, considering the recent death of her friend. "And where?"
Veszmurss shakes his head, giving Loshe a rather hard look as Jarad walks off. He looks to Tenebrae, "So...Jolie was it? If you can supply the instrument I can surely play it."
Rasja said to Sidonia, "Just.. follow my steps." She nods, "You'll see what I mean."
Mercedes sighs and rolls her eyes at Jarad's actions. "I'm nice to everyone dear...And I'm a vampiric dryad..."
Veszmurss said to Colin, "Heheheh....I like the way you think."
Sidonia nods again, concentrating on fading out of the song she had been playing in preparation for the new one.
Colin glancing at the weapons now drawn by Jarad, he tightens the grip on his own Halberd," Weapons away Drow, we don’t want any damage to come to the bar or its patrons.
Deilakrion lifted a hand to stay Loshe, moving in what seemed to be a prance towards Tenebrae. "Fierce hunter," she broke in over any conversations or considerations the vampire was having, "Hunt?" Her eyes twinkling, the elf bared her teeth in primordial dominance of this particular endeavor.
Mercedes begins thinking about her wide wardrobe and what she'll wear for each night she dances.
Veszmurss snickers under his breath at Merci, "A dryad without a tree...." But it wouldn't be able to be heard by any but himself unless they were clairaudient of course. He'd placed a bit of a blockage on things he wasn't supposed to say while on duty.
Colin said to Veszmurss, "Plus this way, if a fight does break out, and we happen to throw a couple out, we can get a tip from them being unconscious."
Veszmurss said to Colin, "Excellent plan of action. Hmm, what kind of fighting to you specialize in?"
Jarad said to Mercedes, "sh-shut up....." he starts edging along the wall, in absolute fear of his surroundings."
Colin said to Veszmurss, "I can use any sort of weapon as long as its not a bow, and I do not like or even understand all this magic, preference stays at pole-arms and staff weapons."
Rasja pushes off the bench, hands rising as the periodic clap of hands and the light tap of foot is made, it was slightly up beat though slow and o a pace that she thought Sidonia could keep. With a high pitched start, she hums, almost as if beginning to sing, though she waits momentarily for the song. A spin soon breaks out, pulling her away from the bench, as a leap is made around the piano in play. Hands twisting and twirling about in play while her voice soon rings out in its melodic tune. With the swift pull to the side, her feet spread, one lifting off the ground to pivot in the air, landing on toe in a graceful slide. The whip of newly loosened ruddy locks fall from their pinned perch, as her circular movements make their way back to the bench she rose from. She kept her voice on par with the piano, and kept her steps to the beat as well.
Colin said to Jarad, "Put the weapons away before we are forced to make you do such."
Mercedes said to Jarad, "Fine by me..."
Jarad said to Colin, "You can go turn yourself crony......."
Mercedes shakes her head and begins swaying her hips to the beat and Rasja's melodious voice.
Loshe said to Jarad, "If you fear vampires so much, I would suggest leaving the city of the damned, hm?"
Veszmurss said to Colin, "Excellent. I'm a sorcerer at heart. Though I was forced to study a bit in melee combats-" He cuts off as Rasja starts, eyeing her and following her movements, "So I know my way about a blade pretty well."
Colin snarled somewhat at Jarad, his weapon being shifted into an attacking position," I suggest you put the weapons away sir..." The human was starting to be aggrivated, his first day on the job and he already had to whip someone into a good state of pain. Nodding towards Veszmurss, he kept his gaze locked upon Jarad, Cobalt-green eyes appearing to be gazing down the man’s soul, awaiting any sudden movements that would force him to defend himself.
Jarad turns and leaps at Loshe, moving to hack at her left shoulder with his hatchet as he leaps over a table to get to her. He was growing irrational, his fear obviously affecting his judgement. Sidonia , tapping her foot to the beat before she begins to play. The notes are tentative at first, though grow stronger as Rasja's dance goes on. As the song continues, she manages to find room for accompaniment, her fingers running over chords and synchopated beats. Veszmurss sighs as the stupid drow launches forward. A clear opal held in his hand as a quick incantation springs up a wall of force as hard as a foot thick of steel right in front of Jarad
Colin moved in front of Jarad with an uncanny speed not displayed by the male before. Positioning himself between Jarad and Loshe, he raises the tip of his weapon to meet the throat of Jarad, not to cut it or harm him, but to make its existence known," Cease before I am forced to take full action in prevention of this conflict."
Tenebrae rose from her position by the half-dug cellars, and grinned at Deilakrion. "Not this day, Creature, I fear, business calls, but there might be time for pleasure after it..." Her look was a little wistful. "Too, I wait for Darian's return. I fear he might be more than can be handled..." With this ominous prediction, she turned toward the bar, pausing on her way to admire the skills of her entertainers, a satisfied smile offered the group, and eye the apparent trouble brewing. Leaning to the oaken bartop, she merely watched, all jewelline eyes.
Deilakrion reeled away from Tenebrae as she caught a flash of Jarad's attack in her peripheral. She froze momentarily, contradiction in terms of loyalty. She decided, magnanimously, to include the other vampiress within her protective net, and so stepped into what was soon to be chaos. "Hunter--!" Ignoring the hired muscle, she hastened towards Loshe, intent on getting her teeth on whatever threatened the other.
Mercedes takes Rasja's hand and begins dancing in tune with her, her body swaying to the beautiful woman's lovely voice. Nearly hypnotizing the males with her swaying she giggles girlishly and offers winks at several of the patrons. Smiling brightly at Jolie, her honey brown eyes survey the escalating fight, burly bouncers, cute barmaid, and wonderful piano player.
Loshe finds she is suddenly protected by more than one being within the tavern, two of which hasten to her aid, and the other raising a wall in front of Jarad. "Well, it would seem I'm not the only one that gets aggitated by him," she mutters with a slight giggle, her hand resting idly on her weapon. "Don't I just feel loved?"
Veszmurss growls as a bit of spider silk is brought from a hidden pocket. Another incantation rattles off and a web of a sticky rather tough substance materializes right under Deilakrion and snaps up like a trap, to net the wild elf.
Sidonia shakes her head at Jarad. "I tried to warn you," she muttered to herself. Her pale blue eyes watch the two women dance for a moment before dropping back down to the keys.
Loshe said, "Whoever just trapped the dear Creature, do let her free, hm?" Veszmurss said to Loshe, "No chances until this settles hm?" Loshe said to Veszmurss, "It is no fault of hers the drow chose to attack me. She simply wished to aid me, from the looks of it."
Jarad finds the blade at his throat and the others ready for action. He can see the wall of force with his secondary sight, and feel the blade at his throat, but he still moves to take a single step forwards, towards Loshe. "I will kill you, and all of your kind.... I refuse to live in fear forever" but despite his words, it is easy to see that fear overwhelms the hate in his eyes. He was afraid of being here with 3 vampires, but his pride and desire the eliminate them kept him here, if only barely.
Deilakrion :: Fighting appeared to not be the destiny for Deilakrion within the tavern. Caught up like a baby in swaddling clothes, the elf let out a series of yowling protests. "Get off, get off sticky creature! Get off!" She repeated much of the same, occasionally punctuating with incomprehensible words. She attempted to claw herself, movement restricted so severely that she left of struggling. Instead, she opted to send a fantastic glare Veszmurss's way, her expression promising only the darkest evils upon Tenebrae's new security.
Veszmurss said to Loshe, "Aye aid or not, it would just add more chaos. Which makes my job more difficult."
Rasja was trying not to pay too much attention to the growing fight at hand, her eyes shutting to ensure that the site of blood would not reach her, yet her body continuing its dance to the music played. Though, soon, she was pulled off target and happened to be hand in hand with another, her voice falters before ringing out clearly again. Peaking through a closed lid, she comes face to face with Mercedes. A tiny smile laces its way along her lips, and once again, ruby irises are concealed behind dark lids.
Colin said to Jarad, "You shall kill none in here, if you wish to do so, take it elsewhere."
Sidonia frowns, though the music shows no change in mood. She wishes to call out to Jarad but fears that he won't listen.
Jarad said to Colin, "I do not fear you...."
Tenebrae brought herself to an abrupt stand, body snapping taut as a bowstring before the vampiress vaulted the parquetry bartop in a single, fluid motion. Metal heels took twin divots from the oaken floor when she landed, and a snap of wrist had what seemed a diamond-crusted wire bracelet revealed in truth as a viciously effective garrotte. It was not to the troublemaker her attention was spearing, but to her lately hired bouncer, Veszmurrs. "The Creature is Cabal, drow, and therefore my blood. Know you not when somebody comes to your aid, not attack?" Rosy lips would reveal white fangs, the woman poised to defend her creed with her life, if necessary.
Loshe draws her blade, but she takes no steps towards Jarad. Instead, she moves over to where Deilakrion is trapped, snipping through the webbing with that plagued sword. "Well, you won't mind if I let her free, then, as the chaos, for the most part, is of the insignificant sort. The drow cannot fight worth a damn, and he is quite the bore."
Colin said to Jarad, "Fear is not what I want to instill, protection, security, and overall peacefulness in the Tavern is what my job is, not fear, now shove off or I will be forced to actually do my job."
Deilakrion grumbled to herself, pouting as she once more tried to tug herself free of the webbing, to no avail.
Mercedes rolls her eyes as the others fight, grinning at Rasja as she exchanges a look with her dancing partner. Lightly twirling the girl and smiling sweetly to the piano player, she resumes her dancing perfectly with the beat. Shyly she looks up at Tene, wondering if her employer wished to dance with her, only to instantly hush herself as a bouncer was reprimanded.
Deilakrion tumbled out of the trap, only to find herself stuck to the floor. She stared down at the sticky stuff with consternation plain upon her face. The glare was reduced to a gaze of beseechment, and it was centered on any who took the time to notice.
Mercedes spins on one foot and extends her arm as she dips, offering Deilakrion a hand to help the woman to her feet.
Veszmurss looks finally at Deilakrion, "You will have to get over it, I don't want anything else getting in the way of me joining this entertainment. Netting you is just a simpler way to make all of our lives easier. Do understand, no hard feelings." He then walks himself over to Jarad hoisting the male up by his collar, "Look you. Either get over your petty little fears and act like a true drow, or I throw you out. Clear?" He sees Deila freed, "No minding at all, just keep her away from this."
Sidonia smiles back at Mercedes, her fingers keeping up with the tune. Closing her eyes, she sighs as she feels the notes hum through her, the vibration of the piano, however slight, being felt at the depth of her soul.
Jarad takes another step angrily at Loshe, the blade at his throat now pricking his skin deep enough to draw blood "Shut your mouth vampiress...." a pair of beetles crawl down his legs onto the floor, skittering their way towards Loshe. He was sure she’d remember his last set of beetles he summoned to attack her. These were no different, only smaller for increased speed.
Veszmurss said to Tenebrae, "Your kin or not," He sighs, "The job is best left to myself and my ally here. Help or no she could have gotten in the way and I'd rather not take that option. If I was going to harm her, you'd know. Trust me."
Jarad glares into the eyes of Veszmurss, a nerve hit "I am Devkarin, and you just signed your death wish" Veszmurss rolls his eyes, looking to Colin, "Do you want to do it or me?"
Deilakrion : Belly down, the elf pushed herself upwards, strands of web yet clinging to her keeping her attached to the floor as well. She noticed the beetles coming, and tugged harder--Loshe having not yet moved away. "Help, help this creature," she started to whine, her plaintiveness soon dipping back into the angered frustration.
Colin was keeping his gaze locked on Jarad, he had no attention to divert towards the outer-shelled insects that had made its way towards the paladin. " I suggest you just leave before I actually make this blade go through your neck, completely." Jarad said to Colin, "Then do so. A quick, clean death..... if you think you can kill me...." a low buzz is heard that slowly grows in volume. Something was approaching from outside, something that hummed with some ferocity. "Remove the blade from my neck NOW and let me finish with this Vampiress. After she is dead I will leave peacefully."
Loshe doesn't notice the beetles skittering towards her, and instead dips down to snip at the strands of webbing that hold the Creature in place. "It would seem this place is just as unfriendly as the other. Save, the company seems to be better."
Rasja is twirled and spun around by the other lady's wishes, she keeping her grip in her moment of blindness.
Veszmurss knew Deilakrion had something important to speak of, animal instincts were grand in some places, horrid in others. He can't take his eyes off this foolish House-absorbed drow though. Damn decisions. Tenebrae nodded curtly to the drow, his intentions understood, if not entirely approved of. Still, Cabal was Cabal, and she'd ever be vigilant in their defense. Still thrumming with adrenaline, she coursed toward Jarad, stopping mere feet away, with her garrote swinging bola-like in a glittering and lazy arc, prepared to let her bouncers handle him, but merely adding her own lack of approval to the mix. As she passed Deilakrion, several small beetles crunched under her metal soles, unnoticed.
Colin said to Jarad, "I'm sorry, I can’t let you do such, it is my job to ensure that anyone who enters these grounds are protected as if they were a god themselves." Drawing the blade back, he only did such to send it forward with a fierce haste, the tip aimed at the Drow’s abdomen, not enough to kill him, but at least pain him to remove him from the tavern," You forced me to do this."
Mercedes releases Rasja's hand, and climbs onto the top of the bar and begins dancing in rhythmic steps, careful not to touch anyone’s drink. Dipping low she winks at Rheven, and tugs gently on Ayame's hair before wiggling her way back to a standing position.
Sidonia notices Rheven's entrance and nods, thinking it best to show respect for the vampire.
Veszmurss groans as Rheven enters, "Damn. Well. We can either take him out ourselves comrade, or let the vampires do it." He thinks a moment, "Though technically our job is to do it ourselves." Mercedes slightly glares at the bouncer, though with the lights drifting over and away from her, her looks are impossible to define. Ayame 's brow raises as she feels a light tug at her hair, slowly bringing a hand to the back of her head to rub it gently. Looking to the dancer on the bar, she offers her a tiny smile.
Veszmurss smirks as the thrust is given, a glint of some kind of green crystal sparkles in the hand that is not occupied by Jarad, incantation being uttered, trigger word on hold. He would wait.
Rheven pushes through the doors, giving Vesz a peculiar look in response to his quite audible groan. Following, he turns his gaze to Mercedes, smirking. "There you are."
Mercedes twirls once more before hopping off of the bar backwards, sidling up to Rheven for a moment. "Here I am!"
Jarad finds a garrotte around the front of his throat and a blade driven through his stomach. He coughed up blood, wondering if he would soon even be able to bleed with the garrotte around his throat. She would only need to tighten it now. Luckily, she steps on a beetle, the bug creating a concussive explosion, liable to break her leg at least, underneath her boot. The buzzing finally enters the tavern, showing itself for what it is, a swarm of Hornets, not summoned by Jarad's magicks, but his ability to communicate with bugs. He only remains standing to keep his air from being cut off, as his blood drips slowly down his stomach and legs.
Mercedes said to Jarad, "Bug Boy! Cut it out...Can't you see I'm trying to dance here?'"
Veszmurss tosses Rheven a quick look, Jarad still in the corner of his eye, saying that he was merely meaning that the boy had a problem with vampires and that he was adding a bit of tension. No hard feelings, this boy was just getting on his nerves.
Rasja is freed from the team dance she was once in, in a short daze she responds to the whisper and slips towards the piano bench to take her seat.
Colin grinned as he watched his blade pierce through the stomach of Jarad, but it was quickly changed as he witnessed the swarm of Hornets enter the tavern ," Bugger...." knowing it was the doing of Jarad probably, the human withdraw his halberd from the stomach of the Drow and swung it now, aiming to decapitate the drow now. Colin, having an urge to end this all before anyone innocent was hurt, felt that the death of the Drow was justification for the protection of others. Sidonia stops playing, letting the song fade out before taking her fingers off the keys. "You dance beautifully," she said breathlessly to Rasja as the woman sat down, stretching her pale fingers.
Rheven said to Mercedes, "Just...who is this? *gestures to Jarad* And why the commotion?"
Veszmurss growls releasing Jarad as the trigger command is spoken and the hand that once held the boy's collar now sparks with lightning that soon fires out at the hornets, only the insects being the target as the electricity jumps from bug to bug. Krali exits north.
Mercedes said to Rheven, "He doesn't like vamps...*shrugs her slender shoulders, eyeing the red velvet ropes* "
Tenebrae was tired of the furore. As her lazily swinging bola wound up by sheer chance around Jarad's throat, she was about to haul him bodily to the door, to make sure his exit was executed in all haste, at the precise moment her foot made contact with the seemingly innocuous-looking insects. The subsequent blast , muffled somewhat by the metal under her feet, nevertheless knocked her hard and sent her flying backward -- the man whose throat she'd inadvertently wrapped by necessity going with her. Were he not decapitated in the fall, or splintered by the tables they crashed through, she'd snarl, under a groan, and tell him, "If you wish to keep your head, I'd suggest a little calm is in order..."
Mercedes dashing over to the velvety ropes, Merci deliberately tangles herself up in them, rolling her hips and belly in the process, appearing magical in her dance. Twirling out of the rope she crosses the room, twirling all the while until she's freed of the ribbon. Mercedes said to Sidonia, "Dear...Can you play something slow?"
Rasja smiles from her seat, looking to Sidonia with a friendly expression, sweet words escaping soon after, "And you play wonderfully, it sounds like you're dancing in air."
Jarad raises both axe and knife to intercept the blade, but from his elevated angle, it is hard to keep it at bay. He had no magical energy left and watched in utter dismay at his called insects fall to the ground, burnt husks. He struggles to keep he halberd from his flesh, but only manages to do so barely. He is suddenly yanked harshly backwards, through a table and lands beside Tenebrae, the force enough to leave him immobilized for the time being. He turns his head to clear his vision and comes face to face with Tenebrae, all his pride and hate leaving him, being replaced with total fear of the vampire staring him in the face. Her words go through his ears unheard as his eyes lock onto her fangs "No.... please...." he shakes his head, dizzying himself "No.... Sidonia nods, massaging her palms before setting her fingers to the ivories again. The music that begins is lovely, romantic and sweet. A simple melody curls into the air, and she suddenly remembers this being played many, many times before, either by her hands or another's. Mercedes slowly sways her body, eyes closing for a moment as she learns the beat of the romantic tune. Lightly blushing she opens her eyes and finds herself standing in the center of the room, each part of her body gently moving to the tune. Looking around she offers to dance with anyone who wishes to.
Lanalle silently slinks through the tavern door before taking a seat in the nearest surrounding chair, not wanting to attraction any attention to herself whatsoever. However, the dryad does blow Mercedes a kiss.
Mercedes smiles as Lana enters the tavern, the woman blowing a steamy kiss to her friend in return. "Does anyone care to dance?"
Veszmurss groans as he sees his employer go down, "That better not dock my pay...." He walks over to where Tene and Jarad lie, "Listen to her boy. I'm not going to make peace with you because you're my kind. The fact that you use your house name to justify yourself. That just makes me hate you. Now submit and die, or leave." An incantation is held once again, the mage was point blank and he'd obviously have to use something direct against the vampire-'hunter', it wouldn't be pretty.
Tenebrae winked at Veszmurss. "I got it, muscles. See to any injured, will you?"
Tenebrae's fury died, along with Jarad's, the immobilised man given a small, pale smile. "Hush now, pet.." Her voice was soothing, if it held a hint of mockery. "Shhh.. Joli will not harm you, if you stop all this fuss and bother in her pub." She stood, the garrotte not yet relinquished. "Now, might we take a quiet little walk outside, where we're going to discuss the options for displaying manners in my tavern -- in the most civilised way, of course." The bloody wire about the man's throat tightened gently, as she tugged him toward the exit. Jarad follows helplessly, being this close to a vampire was too much. He could barely stand, let alone try to take control of his fear. Sidonia smiles at Rasja, trying to ignore the memories the song brings up. "Thank you. I've been playing since I was small."
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Post by Joliette Thorne on Jun 8, 2007 3:14:05 GMT -5
--Outside The Hanging Corpse –
Colin exits the tavern with halberd at hand, the drow’s blood dripping from the blade. Side-stepping and positioning himself against the outer-wall of the tavern, he was going to make sure the drow didn’t pull any sort of stunt with his new employer.
Jarad stands in front of Tenebrae, the garrotte about his neck as he stares at her in absolute terror.
Tenebrae held still to the thin, diamond-coated wire, like a leash - the garrotte thankfully not coated with poison at this time. "Listen, pet. This is a place for all races, all kinds and creeds. If you don't like that, your option is to simply stay away. Or you know, shut up and have a nice drink with the rest of the good crowd." The wire was flicked, carefully, the sanguine-smeared item coiling neatly about her wrist again. Joli stepped back, regarding him warily. "Fear's a terrible thing, it eats your soul, forces you to act like a desperate beast. But beware, the Corpse is sanctuary, for all."
Jarad turns and runs as soon as the garrotte is off of his neck, probably making quite a show, but he cares not as his legs take him far away as quickly as they can.
Tenebrae brushed her hands together, and turned to face Colin. "There. All fixed." She grinned. "Well done, by the way."
Colin said to Tenebrae, "Its not my first time being employed in this sort of work before, just last time, I ended being the village drunk."
Tenebrae cleared her throat softly, and thought of Darian. "I fear that post is already filled." She laughed, softly. "I'll keep an eye on your boozing, then. Shall we inside, and test your mettle with an ale?" Calen was given a sideways glance, her grin widening. "And 'ello there, sonny. You lost again?"
Colin said to Tenebrae, "There will be no need to watch my drinking habits, I've already paid a price that will probably burn in my immortal soul, I know my limit these days, even then, its alot." Turning around to enter the tavern now, he gives a short interjection," I wouldn't mind a drink though."
Tenebrae would, whilst speaking, be subtly picking splinters from her hands, after rubbing the bruise cause by her behind's hard meeting with the tavern floor. Calen was busy examining the clothing which he's presently wearing, and muttering, "At least he has good tastes.", glances to Tenebrae, while smirking ever so widely, "Why not at all. Just out for a stroll, nothing more."
Tenebrae nodded to the apparent youth. "Well, enjoy. Me, I'm for a drink, busy day and all..."
---The Hanging Corpse---
Veszmurss looks to Colin and Tenebrae, hopping off the stage, "Everything go well?" Nemisis walks through the doors of the Hanging Corpse to find it occupied more than usual. This image puts a smile upon the man's face, but only briefly.
Tenebrae pushed through the door after Colin, stepping gingerly toward the bar, her behind aching from recent impact with oak. "Bloody nutters..", she'd mutter, glancing to her security crew. "Well done, you lot. A bonus for each, you've earned it."
Colin said to Veszmurss, "He ran off after the madam let go of him, shaking in his boots, but I wonder how someone could run so fast, with their abdomen pierced." Sidonia looks down at the keys, then back up at Rasja. "You play beautifully-- wonderful technique."
Nemisis walks towards a seat in the back of the tavern and sits there quietly.
Tenebrae said to Veszmurss, "Aye, he ran away. Sometimes it pays to just haul 'em outside, and speak calm-like." She grinned, after that. "Sometimes, though, the pointy end of a sword's the wiser tongue."
Rasja stops, mid-play, pouting down at the keys, "It feels bland.. but I suppose all that matters is that everyone else likes it."
Colin glanced towards Tenebrae, grinning slightly as she ends her statement," Now, how about that Ale madam?" the human was in good spirits, after all, its been awhile since he’s been in this kind of employment and actually had to do the job. Tenebrae sighed raggedly, sinking to a barstool. "I'd love an ale, and our bouncing crew deserve one too. On the house, of course..." She smiled broadly. "So, where's the famously attractive Hanging Corpse barmaids, when they're needed?"
Rasja quickly hops up from the bench, skirting over behind the bar and appearing on cue. Leaning along the bar table, and standing along her tip toes in form, smiling out, "What.. would you like today?"
Colin said to you, "Looks like everyone else had fun dancing and such while we were busy doing the rougher of the jobs."
Rasja said to Colin, "Hey now, it's not as easy as it looks."
Colin glanced towards Rasja as she approached the bar, nodding to her politely, he read over what drinks were being served and spotted one that perked interest," Yeah, if you dont mind whipping up some of that there moonshine it would be great."
Tenebrae snickers softly, winking at Rasja. "Three of anything resembling ale, one for me, and one each for our staunch defenders." She gestured sweepingly toward Colin and Veszmurss. "Thanks very much, pet." She coughed. "Or moonshine." Eyeing Colin a bit.
Veszmurss chuckles as he strides beside Tene, "Aye. I tell you, there was a -lot- of bugs." He jests.
Veszmurss shrugs, "Anything dark."
Colin grinned towards Tenebrae," One drink of the goodstuff will not bother me, I ensure you madam, its only the real dwarven spirits that can do such to me."
Rasja turns, finding the appointed beverages and glasses to match. Three large mugs are placed on the bar, two taken back to get their fill of ale, while the last is filled with moonshine- all dark. Once brimming to the top, she passes them out their desired customers.
Tenebrae was beaming, her features lit with pride. "Well now, my good staff," she intoned, in the manner of an announcement. "Seems I have good taste in company and hirelings. A grand job, all, and here's to a grander future for our little pub." She lifted her drink high. "To the Hanging Corpse." Tenebrae murmured aside to her drowish bouncer, "Better you than me, chap. I bloody hate wasps." She shuddered lightly. "I'd rather a swarm of behemoths."
Veszmurss smirks to Rasja in thanks with a slight wink given. Raising his mug, "To the Hanging Corpse."
Veszmurss chuckles to Tene, "Well put."
Colin raised his mug in collaboration," To the Hanging Corpse." Awaiting for his partner to bring his mug up as well, he kept his eyes on the dark brew, a smile playing across his lips. Nemisis walks up to the bar an eyes a few items he does not have in his inventory.
Tenebrae nodded to Rajsa, adding, "One for yourself, too, pet, you must have a dire thirst after that fine display of dance you gave us." She winked at Veszmurrs, and sipped her drink gratefully. "Right then, seems I have some wages to sort..." She set her drink down, and reached for a pouch hanging from her belt.
Tenebrae looked up, noticing Nemisis. "Oh, hullo, sweet. Didn't see you there." She was counting out gold to the bartop as she spoke.
Veszmurss looks to Colin, a grin on his face. Nemisis turns and waves to Tenebrae, "Oi." Rasja nods, taking a small cup out for herself and filling it with ale as well, "Thank you, Lady Joliette."
Tenebrae slid carefully balanced stacks of coinage across the parquetry oak of the bar to each of her employees. "Wages in advance, and a bonus for your fine work this day."
Colin had downed his flagon of moonshine before anyone could really notice it, snickering to himself as he lays the mug on the bar, he took the amount of gold Tenebrae had given him," Pay-day, on the first day? Sounds like a done deal to me." The human had chuckled at his own statement, it was more then he made on his own for three days.
Calen , oddly enough, given how much he prefers it to be otherwise, remains for the most part unseen in this group of people who've assembled. Attentive instead, he's just listening to Tenebrae speaking for now, observing the woman quietly and without a sound made by him.
Tenebrae grinned and shook her head toward Rasja. "No, dear, I'm far from a Lady anything. I was raised on that street out there," she nodded toward the door. "And Joliette of the Bloody Wire I was, until..." The vampiress hushed, sipped her drink hastily. "Never mind. But plain ol' Joli will do. But light on the 'plain', if you get my drift."
Veszmurss knocks back the ale easy, grin becoming more prominent as he removes to mug to the view of gold, "Oh how sweet this life is..." He pulls a pack out of a pocket inside his coat and a pouch from inside of that. He seats the coin in the pouch and replaces everything. Rasja takes a sip from her glass, "Will do, La- Joli." She smiles, catching herself before the words were actually spewed.
Tenebrae sighed softly, liften her sharp metal heels to rest on a chair opposite. "What a day. Can't wait for the cellar to be done with." She peered at the southern end of the room. "I have great plans for that hole in the ground, folks." Veszmurss raises intrigued brows, "Oh really?"
Nemisis said to Tenebrae, "A monster wrestling match?" Colin said to Tenebrae, "Oooh, a torture chamber mayhaps?"
Tenebrae noted the presence of her other security-staff, and gave him a quick grin. "You missed the entertainment, Banash."
Tenebrae snickered at their guesses. "No, and no. You'll just have to wait and see."
Banash quirks a brow in interest. "Really now, Joliette?"
Tenebrae chuckled. "Oh.. alright. But keep it mum, fellers." She waved a farewell to the departing Rasja and lowered her voice. "A fighting venue, where bets are laid on men and animals. Card games, too, perhaps.."
Veszmurss nods to Banash, motioning to all the dead hornets littering the floor and the broken tables and blood and such things, "You some pansy of a drow came in scared to death of vampires. He went nuts."
Veszmurss grins widely at his employer, "I'm liking that."
Tenebrae laughs a bit harder at Veszmurr's depiction of the drama. "This is Banash, men, part of the crew. Banash, Veszmurrs and Colin." She'd gesture to each man, respectively.
Banash said to Veszmurss, "I've come across such a man in my travels. He summons insects, no?"
Nemisis said to Veszmurss, "Excuse me, but what was his name?"
Colin nodded towards Banash," Aye."
Veszmurss blinks oddly at all the questions, "Well due to the fact that I killed a swarm of hornets...yes and I didn't bother to ask his name."
Nemisis said to Veszmurss, "I kicked some guy's ass last time because he attacked a vampire while quivering in fear. It disgusted me."
Colin said to Nemisis, "I caught his name, it was Jarad."
Veszmurss shrugs to Nemisis, "There's bound to be bad blood amongst the drow as well."
Banash gives a wave to each fellow tavern guard as a sign of notification. "Pleasure to be working with the lot of you," he says before returning to his conversation with Veszmurss. "I could have him dealt with." Nemisis said to Colin, "Yea! That was him again!?"
Veszmurss shrugs to Banash now, "I don't care so long as he stays out of my jurisdiction and away from me outside of it."
Tenebrae frowned deeply. "Those sorts are a danger to themselves, and all around them. Throw him out on sight, blokes, if you will..." She turned toward Nemisis, the frown fading. "So, what do you think of the place? Mind, I'm only halfway through renovations." She frowned at the mess, blood and insects, and glanced to Steadman, who’d been conspicuously absent during the mayhem. "Get to work on that lot, will you, Steady?" The man's face twitched by way of reply, and he slouched off to the broom closet.
Colin said to Nemisis, "I guess so, he was a bit weirded out, was willing to die right there in front of me if I things hadn't turned out like they did." You wrinkled her nose at the bloodied diamond-dust coated wire now neatly coiled around her wrist. Flicking her arm, the thing unwound and she took up a damp cloth, wiping it over.
Nemisis grins and points in the direction of Kelay, "Better than that boring Kelay Tavern." The man takes a deep breathe and begins to say, "Besides the mess on the floor, it smells like mayhem in here! Just the way I like it!" The excitement upon the man's face is a rarity for many. After his comment his face returns to normal and inhales once more, "Jarad is no longer in these lands. I'mma kick his ass again..."
Veszmurss stands up, "Well, I'm off to some spell writing." He bows to his employer with a smirk and a wink, "Joliette, keep beautiful eh?" He then grins to his two bouncer cohorts, "Banash. Colin, well done today." A drow compliment? He walks off, his figure dissipating as he goes. Colin said to Tenebrae, "Seems like everyone who came today was after a job eh?"
Tenebrae grins to Veszmurss' retreating back, and turns a smile just like it to Nemisis. "Well, I'm hoping not to see quite that much mayhem all that time. At any rate, the gambling den'll keep the troublemakers busy, with a bit of luck." She nodded to Colin. "Aye, it was busy, and we've filled our quota, it seems, but for a dancer or two." She looked eminently pleased. "I must remember to take the notices down."
Nemisis gets off his stool by the bar and waves everyone a goodbye before revealing his hand that gives off some strange red discharge. It is not seen for long due to the fact that he sticks it in what appears to be the air itself. The vanishing act is soon explained as the man tears open a dimensional portal. The realmwalker gives one more farewell before vanishing into the portal that closes behind him.
Calen seats himself once the crowd has dissipated, his form now resting on a chair turned so that he can face Tenebrae while resting on the wooden back. Nary does he say anything however, instead only watching, and observing. Tenebrae returns to her seat, weary self strewn on it like a ragdoll and her ale lofted for a long sip. As she lowered the tankard, she blinked softly, noticing Calen's presence for the first time since she'd seen him outside. "Hullo again..." Calen replies to the greeting now by nodding his head, after which he's once more leaning against the wooden headrest. He's not intending to be rude though, not to one whom he's allied with, and without letting more time than necessary pass, he says to her, "My, you sure do seem busy, running such a business. Seems a lot of hassle and stress, for one so lively as yourself."
Pania enters the tavern, licking her lips slightly, with a silent look to the other inhabitants. She raises a brow at Steadmen's eyepatch, but nods to him kindly, having known him a long while. She then allows her gaze to linger on Tenebrae, jaw setting slightly, recalling past experiences with the female. She says nothing as she walks to table and takes a seat, looking to the area where her once beloved dancers were to be seen. Tenebrae paused momentarily, the young-old one before her studied with a stioc mien, before a smile crossed her lips. "Aye, it is, but no more hassle and stress than any other aspect of life. It'll be easier now I have staff, too, and a good one I have, it seems." Again, that quiet study. "You're a quiet sort, aren't you?" She excused herself from Calen briefly, a flat look levelled toward Pania. "Get you something?" You could be pretty sure she wasn't about to die of the enthusiasm, there. Pania looks hard at Calen's dragonscale items and her lip twitches slightly, but she still says nothing, attempting to keep herself from making a scene at this exact moment.
Pania smirks at Tenebrae, but then sighs and puts on an almost realistic smile. "I'll think about it a moment. Haven't been in for a while, so I don't quite remember everything. I'll let you know when I want to order." she replies politely, which is the best she can muster for the other female, with whom she has only bad memories. She has struggled with old grudges long enough, she thinks. Perhaps it is time to reconcile internally. She then raises her hand suddenly. "Might I ask, what's become of the old dancers?" her inquiry is completely genuine, in that she only wishes to know the truth.
Calen was about to answer Tenebrae's question, until Pania glanced his way at least. Hardly one to just pass up the chance to antagonize another, the child at once smirks, removing his jacket to better show off the dragon-scale clothing and earrings which are worn prominently. It's obvious he's trying to provoke conflict, but acts innocent while he says, "I fight as instructed, and other then that, feel it's not a necessity to talk much of myself, unless asked first."
Tenebrae scowled, not the least at the final question. "No worries, order when you're ready. And the dancers were removed by order of the Mayor. The poles, too, and a hefty fine threatened for any like activity." She shook her head in chagrin. "No such things as free commerce these days, it'd seem."
Pania purposely ignores the malice in the actions of the seemingly young male lycan, looking intently at the menu, which had apparently been changed, in style at least, from the time of her last visit. She continues to glance at Steadmen every so often, plainly ill-at-ease about his suddenly patched eye.
Tenebrae , with that, returned her attention to Calen, a brow arcing delicately at the flashy items worn below his coat, the insult not beyond her ken. "Ah, well, will you forgive me, if I ask you why you're hanging about like a stuffed moose on the wall, watching my pub?" There was a light of humour in her eyes, the scowl fully dissipated..
Pania raised a brow and returned her gaze to Tenebrae, scowling almost exactly as she was. "And who is the Mayor, then?" she then changes course slightly, pointing at the menu. "I'll take a raw steak and black-fire wine." she then shifts course back to the actual conversation at hand, saying, "I have been behind in politics, as I deem them rather unimportant. I suppose I was wrong, because I quite liked my lap dances when I came for a drink at this lovely establishment." her eyes seem to cloud slightly with the memory, as she slides a gold piece to Tenebrae. "Keep the change." Tenebrae watched Pania's gaze shift to the barkeep, the troubled look given the hapless man.
Calen grins now to the proprietor, once he realizes the dragon's not going to fall for his lure, and putting the jacket back on, shrugs, "I got bored with my regular routine and decided to check this place out, been a while since I was here for purposes other than business. Is there a problem with me being here?"
Tenebrae shook her head briefly to Calen. "No problem whatsoever, just curious." She tucked the gold piece to her pouch, ducking under the counter for a platter of meat, though she made no move to pour the wine. The plate carried with careful step to Pania was set before the reptilian female with a slight 'thud', prior to Joli's reply. "I have no clue, the document was sent, order given, I obeyed it, and threw the missive away." Clearly, she wasn't one to bother with politics a bit. "And that'll be ten more gold for the wine."
Pania drops her head, then shakes it slowly. "How rude, of them and myself. I misread the menu, I apologize." she slips the money across the table with an apologetic smile.
Tenebrae beckoned to Steadman, who poured the requested beverage to a large crystal decanter, set on a tray beside a glass of similar cut, which was brought to the dragoness promptly. The barkeep seemed to hover, a bit. Joli smiled with all the goodwill she could muster, and placed a single gold piece back to the timber before Pania. "Special on the meat today, enjoy." Calen 's now content merely watching the interaction between hostess and customer, and for now, doesn't really seem interested in trying to provoke a fight furher. Instead, he is talking, responding to what he was told last, ""This place seems to have changed quite a bit since the time of the last great war. A pity really, but times change I suppose."
Pania eats and smiles thankfully to the woman apparently called Joli, and stands, suddenly aware that she must leave. "Thank you, miss." she utters with genuine politeness, before rushing out the doors.
Tenebrae looked to Calen, shrugging lightly. "The aftermath of chaos is often a swing toward order. The removal of the dancers being an example, I suppose, among other things. All the same, if the right hand is unaware of what the left hand is doing..." She grinned. "It cannot really complain too much, can it?"
Calen shrugs as well now, barely managing to prevent a yawn from escaping. At this, the youth says, "I suppose.. but chaos is just so much more fun, and entertaining." Standing, he now makes his way to the exit, while saying, "I'll be seeing you again, I'm sure."
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