Fantasy as we wander

[Ian Temero]

Lineal let out a sigh of relief as he heard the assassin storm off. Peering over the counter, he whinced as she sent some poor drunk flying. Ouch! Ducking his head back down he turned to the outstretched hand, no longer afraid of the crazy chick hearing him, but still keeping his voice low. "Lineal. Lineal Rulnavak." He said clasping her hand. "Wanderer, warrior, and apparently everyone's mealticket."


While Rulnavak may not have been the surname that Lineal had been born with, he was not lying about it being his name. When he had been adopted into the Rulnavak tribe of the Zarhaana Steppes a couple years back, he had been given both the name of the tribe and the the tribal tattoos the could be seen peeking out from under his left sleeve. Therefor, according to the customs of the eastern tribes, he was both A Schwartz and a Rulnavak at the same time.


Speaking of the east, Lineal turned to their new furry friend. "I have to admit," he began as the fox approached, "I'm a little surprised to be meeting a Kitsune this far west. Another of your kind had led me to believe that you guys never traveled beyond the Mountains of Night."

 

[MrMopp]

Grays eyebrows shot up. "You know my kind!?" He turned to Evah. "Well! I must say, my dear, you have a good taste in men!" He chuckled mischievously. Then he looked around the corner at the bar fight. And, oh brilliant, the elf was up and walking about. He rolled his eyes heavily like a janitor who had just been told he missed a spot.


Gray sighed and turned back to Evah and Lineal. "It seams I have a brawl to defuse." He explained. "you two can stay here and continue your little tryst until I have neutralized this row AND your pursuer, but a word of advice..." He walked up close to Evah and whispered in her ear, "it's considered quite rude to mug you're partner on a first date." Gray was quite good at reading people (plus, he knew her) and could see that she wanted SOMETHING from this boy. He turned around, to Lineal, "Oh, and do stick around," he said, "I would LOVE to continue this chat." And with that, he hopped onto a stool, and onto the counter to analyze the situation and prepare a spell.

 

[Htiaf]

Rakela dodged, blocked, tooks hits, yadayadayada.


She saw that the weird elf lady was about to leave, and suddenly she remembered the couple behind the counter. I wonder what they were running from...


Suddenly, the room went silent as the crowd cleared into a circle and parted the way for a large, angry, green half orc, who was almost a foot taller than her. Immediately, without waiting for her to get ready, he charged full speed, and crashed into her, sending her staggering back quite a few feet. Struggling to catch her breath, she couldn't resist being grabbed by the shoulder and thrown onto the counter, and slid along the surface, crashing into several things like empty beer bottles, full beer bottles, past the surprised bar tender.....and into an astonished Kitsune who was now sliding along with her.


Uh-oh... She thought as she neared the end of the counter, her head spinning...


The Orc pushed her off the counter with glee, laughing when she fell off...right next to where Lineal and Evah were hiding.


She laid on her back, not moving for a second, trying to regain her breath from the fall.

 

[albin0fox]

I sputter indignantly at the suggestive words of that mangey old fox, turning as red as my hair as my eyes dart to the lineal. "I I...were not...no!" i look away with a petulant scowl, trying my best to banish all girly images from my traitorous immagination. But grey wasnt finished yet, of course.


"it's considered quite rude to mug you're partner on a first date."


"Fuck off!" I growl and make a grab for the furball as he leaps into the fray, just as a dragonborn collides with me, sending us both careening to the floor.

 

[MrMopp]

No sooner had Gray jumped onto the counter when when he saw a half-dragon sliding down the bar towards like a semi-truck on an icy road, and before he could react, his feet were swept from under him and he ended up taking a ride off the edge.


There he was, back were he started, lying a cross the Draconic monorail's face, thinking, maybe he didn't have time lugsurey of coming up with a creative solution in this chaos.


"That is IT," said Gray. He turned to Lineal. "You, Fae child," he held out his paw as if to shake. "might if I borrow your power for a spell?"


(Note, he said power, not talents)

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The Elven woman grinned at the huge man's response, and she leaned back on a wooden pole that steadied the tavern's structure. Crossing her arms across her chest, Ayrenn snickered quietly and stared at the floor.


"Maybe if you stopped squeezing him so tightly, he would have a chance to speak." She suggested, looking back to Kalth and flashing him a smirk. But a thought popped into her head that made her grimace.


Damn it. What was I thinking? He's going to recognize me no matter what now. If I could just get out of this...





Ayrenn glanced towards the tavern doors, but growled under her breath when she realized this beast of a man was blocking her escape. Deciding to stay, she turned to Kalth with a serious expression.


"You. What is your name?" She asked, hoping that if he spoke, Argo would realize he wasn't choking.


The bar fight behind the assassin seemed to increase it's level of violence as a large, muscular Orc entered the tavern. The noise rang through her pointed ears, and she found herself wanting to beat another person's face in. But she held the urge back.


The man with the broken skull continued to lay on the floor in his own pool of blood, not a single person noticing or even helping him up. Ayrenn saw this, and it caused her to snicker satisfyingly once more.

 

[Beaurmont]

"You. What is your name?" The women asks, leaning against a wooden pole, her expression serious and a little restless. The longer Kalth stared at her face, the more off something seemed. Was she nervous? Anxious? Why did he have a strange feeling about her? He looks around the room a bit, trying to get a better grasp of his dark...and depressing situation. The room was exactly how he thought it would be; loud and boisterous. Various men, were standing around, gawking at a fight and drinking heavily. The smell still made Kalth gag slightly. He noticed something however, this behemoth of a man was standing right in front of the door. Blocking all exit and or entry. Great. If he wanted to leave, he'd have to pass...HIM. Kalth looked back at the Elvish woman, almost pleading for death. "Kalth...*cough* my name is Kalth."


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"Kalth...*cough* my name is Kalth." Argo's new friend whispered. The man looks like he's pain. "Well lookie there, you aren't chokin' after all!" Argo yelled with a hearty laugh. He released the tiny man, dropping him on his back, gasping for breath. He must be happy to be alive! You did good Argo. He thought to himself, it made Argo smile. "Seems you were right lass, pardon my sass." He yelled yet again. He turned back towards Kalth and grabbed his hand, giving him a tight handshake. "Nice to meet you Kalth! Like I said, ma name's Argo!" He moved slightly out of the door way's position, much to Kalth's enjoyment, before laying against the door frame itself, resting his back. "Whew! Took a bit o' energy to save ya mate."

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

Waiting patiently, the Elven woman slipped out one of her golden daggers, and ran the tip of her finger along the sheer edge. Twirling the weapon in her hand, she paused from her amusement and stared at the man in front of her.


"Kalth... *cough* my name is Kalth." She heard him say in a quiet tone. Blinking her leaf green eyes rapidly, this man succeeded in making her utterly curious about him (*WINK WINK*).


"Kalth..." Ayrenn repeated quietly. A large grin appeared on her face as the assassin slipped the dagger into it's sheath on her belt. She watched the huge man release him, and began introducing himself in a voice that boomed throughout the entire tavern itself. This amused the Elf, and she sat back and let Argo do his thing. But the sudden bright glare of the tavern's entrance ended her amusement. Argo had finally moved out of the way. Her senses sped up, and the assassin quickly uncrossed her arms and took a step away from the pole behind her. Clenching her teeth shut, she realized Kalth was in a hurry to get out as well.


Grinning widely, Ayrenn took another few steps towards the doors before turning back to Kalth and Argo.


"I'm Ayrenn. It was nice meeting you two." Was all the assassin said before flashing Kalth an obvious wink. Without another word, Ayrenn walked out of the tavern and into the open street of Tarantia. The disturbing smell of sweat and alcohol cleared, and the freshness of a summer's breeze swept under her nose. Sighing in relief, Ayrenn walked off. The sounds of the bar fight began to fade, and the normal bustle of the marketplace replaced it. Slowing her walk purposefully, she secretly hoped Kalth would catch up to her. But she would never admit that.

 

[Ian Temero]

Lineal winced yet again as the pile of bodies hit the floor, oblivious to the fox's earlier teasing. Peering over the bar-top once again, he watched as the assassin left. Finally it was safe for him to stand up. Doing so, he walked over and helped Evah up. "Are you alright?" He asked.


"You, Fea child... might I borrow your power for a spell?"





Lineal raised an eyebrow at the old fox. Borrow my power. Fea child? This was not the first time Lineal had been called 'Fea child'. What exactly was it supposed to mean? He knelt down next to the grey fox and held out his hand.

 

[albin0fox]

"Yeah." I steady myself against the bar, helped along by Lineal and grin, spotting Argo just ouside the window, once more mistaking a quiet stranger for a suffocating victem of poor food mastication. I steifel a chuckle and catch a wooden mug as it goes flying past me. After a morning like this one was turning out to be? I needed another drink.


"You, Fea child... might I borrow your power for a spell?"


I grab two more mugs from the counter and fill them all with the strongest grog. What does grey mean...fey childe.... my contacts said nothing about the kid being a magic weilder. As if Grey on my tail wasnt enough...


Tipping the mug back, i absently push lineals head down as a daggar impales the wall where his face was, only seconds ago. Its with a heavy groan of alcoholic satisfaction, that I set the mug down, slamming some poor fools forehead into the counter, and watch as he slides off with a drunken grin.


"Wanna jump in kiddo?" I smirk, watching his reaction to the still wobbling blade, wondering how this greenhorn handles himself in a fight.

 

[MrMopp]

Gray gave Evah a look of reproach and touched the boys hand.


Now, As a creature of magic, Gray could see magic. Which is how he knew that Lineal was not entirely, human. When he looked at him, he could see a glow around surrounding him like a cloud, and with a touch he took some of that glow for himself.


Gray thanked Lineal. Then he jumped off of his Psudo reptilian sofa to the ground, raised his paw above his head, and brought it down. And as he brought it down, a tide of magic billowed up, carrying every creature on the other side of the bar with it and leaving them to float, screaming and flailing, somewhere near the rafters.


Gray turned to Evah, "If you can swim, by all means." And with that, he went around the bar to check out the collateral.

 

[albin0fox]

I sigh and roll my eyes, passing lineal one of the two remaining mugs as I pull the other closer to myself. "Take a few swigs of that." I say, pulling a few splinters from my hair, leaning back with my elbows up on the counter. "Youve had quite an eventful morning havent you?" 
I do my best to ignore the seed of guilt that grey planted in my mind. Its clear to me that he disapproves of my true occupation, it always was. Sharp as a tack, grey had turned a not so blind eye on my hobby of thievery. The fact that for once, he decided to say something, made it very clear that Lineal was not to be touched in his establishment , or this town, or anywhere. Not without his considerable interference.


Which makes this bounty next to impossible.


Cause I like the old sap too much to do anything if he gets in my way.


So...


I shuffle my slightly sore shoulders, unintentionally staring at the boy in question.


What do with I do with this stray pup?

 

[MrMopp]

Next time I post, I think I owe Ayrenn a little recognition. How does Gray know her?


Oops that was supposed to be out of character

 

[Beaurmont]

"I'm Ayrenn. It was nice meeting you two." and with that the Elvish women left the tavern, leaving Kalth behind with this monstrosity and a whole herd of drunken brutes. She seemed like the only sane one in the entire room. Now he's alone, surrounded by these men and the doors not even- Wait. She left. So that means...He thought to himself. Kalth did a double take at the entrance of the door, completely realizing that he could just get up and escape. He felt a tinge of happiness, the world around him slowed a bit from anticipation. Or perhaps that was just the smell of ale. Nevertheless he got up slowly, still coughing slightly, and began walking to the door. He was in such a hurry he broke into a sprint, he was about to pass Argo, into his own free world outside yet- Suddenly Kalth was floating and flung at the ceiling of the room. He tried to get a grasp on what was happening, when he realized everyone else had been flung up as well. It wasn't just his own personal punishment.


When Kalth looked down he realized a few others had not be flung to the ceiling, Argo, another elvish women, and his...target. It must of been some sort of spell. Anger, frustration, and depression all hit Kalth at once. He was so close to leaving this damnable place, perhaps even catch up to the only sane being in this area. This was just not his day.


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Argo watched as the little elvish lass left, in quite a hurry to he might add. He waved his massive hands goodbye as she departed outside of the tavern, leaving him with his little friend once again. He turned to Kalth with a big grin, about to ask him to partake in a drinking contest when he suddenly got up and began running towards the door. Little guy must be going to get that lass Ayrenn back for the contest, hohoho~ He's so excited isn't he? Argo sat there a bit amused himself when he couldn't see Kalth anymore. Just where did he go? The lad didn't pass me yet, he done disappeared. Argo thought to himself. When Argo looked around the room he noticed most of the people here had disappeared as well. Just up and vanished. "Now wha' is goin' on here?" He yelled out with his booming voice. A few others appeared out from, perhaps behind the counter, some skinny child and his favorite drinking partner Eva. "Oi! Eva! Where'd everyone gone to? I can't see em' anymore."

 

[albin0fox]

"You know how Grey is about fights in his bar." I wave argo over with a grin. "Get your arse over and ill draw you a pint." I snap at one of the last few stragglers whos currently guzzling right from the corner tap as he lays on the floor. "And you! No lie backs before eight or ill have your gonads as earrings!" I give a sadistic snicker as he scrambles up with a squeak, and slides a mug towards argo, leaning over the counter to show off my...assets. I'd always found him quite fun to tease. "Was that a new friend I saw you with?"

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The Elvish woman flicked her murderous green eyes behind her several times, but no dark figure of Kalth came running out of the tavern doors. Stopping dead in her tracks, she took a few side glances before slipping into a dark alleyway next to the tavern itself. It smelled of dust, and even a few traces of old garbage. But Ayrenn had smelled worst, so she ignored the smell for the time being.


Staring at the dirt ground below, she spotted a few indents of paws that had torn up the soft earth. Grinning, she looked up to see a pair of yellow and blue glowing eyes at the end of the alleyway. The assassin bent her knees, and came to a low crouch on the ground. The wolves leaped out of the darkness, and welcomed their owner with a few licks and playful growls. Petting their soft, wiry hair, the elf stopped when she smelt a strong scent of perfume wafting off from Faren. Slipping her fingers under the white wolf's chin, she turned his head to the side, seeing the pink liquid tainting the tips of his fur. Anger flickered in her eyes, and she cursed under her breath as she figured this was the prince's and the elvish woman's doing. Something glimmered in Faren's white coat, and Ayrenn squinted as she swooped up the glinting object between her fingertips. It was a shard of glass.


Ignoring the consequences of a cut, the assassin squeezed the glass in her hand. It shattered immediately, and a rain of crumbled pieces fell to the floor, bouncing in every direction before falling still. The two wolves stepped back as they caught a glimpse of the infuriating gleam in the assassin's eyes. Raising herself off of the ground, the elf slowly lowered her hand to the belt on her hip. The assassin's fingers settled on the handle of the thick sword and she whipped the weapon out in a swift movement. A shrill noise echoed into the dark alleyway as the weapon was unsheathed, and was gripped tightly at her side. The wolves growled quietly with excitement as Ayrenn faced the exit of the alleyway.


Turning her head to the side, she met the wolves eyes.


"You know what to do." Was all she said before pouncing up, and climbing onto the rooftop above. With their lips curled back into a snarl, and their teeth snapping at the air, the two wolves shot back into the darkness with excited yips. They sped towards the back entrance of the tavern in no time, hiding into the darkness and awaiting their prey.


Ayrenn leaped skillfully down onto the tavern's rooftop, landing with one knee bent down and a hand on the wooden roof to steady herself. Keeping her position, she listened intently to the commotion below in the tavern. It seemed things had died down. Grinning, the assassin leaned back against on of the rooftops pillars, and silently waited for the prince.

 

[Htiaf]

Rakela slowly got up, still regaining her breath. She looked curiously at the wave of floating people.


Cool.


She turned to the Kitsune and the other two, satisfied that the bar fight was over.


"Sorry about that. I'm Rakela." She smiled brightly at the three, hoping that no hard feelings were made when she crashed into them.

 

[MrMopp]

Woo! That felt good!


Gray walked around the bar counter, into the mist that only he could see, a little sore from his collision with the half dragon. He could do something about that, but it was against his policy to heal every little boo-boo that came his way. After all, pain is a gift and a necessity. Better to learn from and overcome it than to eradicate it.


Gray wasn't worried about the panicky ceiling ornaments. They would slowly drift down in a few minuets as the spell faded. Though it did concern him when blood started dripping on his face.


He looked up. Oooooh! One of the patrons was a liiiittle worse for wear. See, THIS is why he disliked bar fights. Well, looks like doctor's in the house. Gray let the unconscious (or dead) man float down and laid him on the ground to examine. Not dead. Just a fractured skull and a concussion. It was fixable. He had to act now, though, or there would be no guarantying his return to land of the mentally capable.


The process was simple. a silent prayer uttered and divine approval received. Then Gray gave the mans head a quick lick and jumped as his his fractured skull popped back into place. Then he was done.


There was something else though. A particular scent that he recognized.


Ayrenn?!

 

[Beaurmont]

Kalth sat or rather floated in place, still and unerved. This was supposed to be an easy target. Some prince that hadn't died yet. Why is all of this happening? Kalth has assassinated kings before with less trouble than this simple boy was giving him. As he looked down it seemed the elvish woman knew Argo, like they were mates, perhaps friends. Was this all a farce? Did Argo know I was after the prince and protected him? The elvish woman threw a pint towards Argo, asking him to come drink some more. Almost completely ignoring the fact that there are a group of hunters and drunken men FLOATING ABOVE THEM. This was by far the strangest contract he's had. A prince protected by an elvish bar girl and a giant Gigatank Monstrosity named Argo. Kalth grew angered, this was not how he would spend his time. I've had enough. He began an incantation under his breath, reciting some spell he read from his personal library. In a moment the spell upon Kalth was released, making him fall to the floor. When he hit the floor he landed fluidly, falling onto a crouched position. He drew his bow on his back, an arrow also, and prepped it before Argo could even turn around. He aimed it at Eva's head yet again, this time he would not miss.


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Eva invited Argo over for a drink, an offer Argo would not purposely refuse. "Don' mind if I do girly." Argo bellowed yet again, ignoring the pleas that he heard above him. He walked right over to Eva trying to get a drink. After a few moments he heard a loud thump behind him, quick and fluid. What was that? He thought, trying to turn around.

 

[albin0fox]

I tense up ending my current flirtation with argo mid scentence to scowl at the persistant archer, and with a flick of my hand, your arrow splinters. I figured this was the archer from the rooftops, and knew I had to handle this carefully. As far as he knows, im just a barmaid he saw on the street earlier. At least I hoped so. "Not the best way to get on my good side, sir. " I place a hand on my hip wih an indignant frown. "See if I ever let you start a tab."

 

[Beaurmont]

Before his shot could pierce the bar maid's neck, she destroyed it, causing it to splinter in many directions. Kalth, while a bit peeved, was impressed by her skill. If she was protecting the prince she must not be a normal women in the slightest. This meant he would need to take her out in a more traditional manner. Kalth began to whisper another incantation under his breath, drawing one of his hidden blades. Within a moment's blink he was gone, hidden in the shadows. You could see a bit of confusion from the men still floating above. Shrouded, he began jumping pillar to pillar, getting closer to Eva, preparing to strike at her. He ended up behind her with swiftness, bringing the blade to her neck.


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Argo has no idea what just happened, but for some reason an arrow just exploded into many pieces. "Not the best way to get on my good side, sir. " She placed a hand on her hip with an indignant frown. "See if I ever let you start a tab." His drinking partner seem quite flustered by something. When he finally managed to turn around he saw Kalth stand still, rather ominously with his bow out. Argo decided that the loud thump was from him. Before he could intervene Kalth had already disappeared yet again, leaving around strange thumps on the pillars around him. Did he just attack my best mate Eva? That's rather rude. He turned toward Eva, who was standing ready for an oncoming attack. She looked like she was about to pull out her own blade to defend herself with. Argo began walking over to her, loud stomps reverberate throughout the tavern. "Now ya stop that, fights are one thing, but I'll not have unwanted agressin' during times of merriment!" He bellowed, grabbing the tiny assassin out of the air before he could get to Eva. The assassin was obviously surprised, but not thrown off. He tried to stab Argo's arm, failing due his heavy armor. This angered Argo further, weapons are not allowed in this tavern. "If tha's how you'll be, then I hope yer ready for the punishment that comes after." With a exaggerated movement Argo threw Kalth through the ceiling, outside of the tavern. It hit many of the other men floating, taking them along with Kalth's body. Pieces of wood exploded out, spreading everywhere.

 

[albin0fox]

Had any other gone after this overzealous assasin, I would have most certainly intervened. The man was clearly dangerous and after my new charge. But as much as argo was...less than bright, he was a hard man to beat in a fight. He would have done well a few centuries earlier, as a centurion or gladiator. A force to be reckoned with for sure, but nothing was more imprtant to him than reveling in the good times. Disrupting his "times of merriment" was akin to taboo in this city. You just didnt.


So, naturally, I simply smile and watch over the rim of my pint as the quiet stranger was tossed about like so much rubbish. The remaining drunkards who were still firmly on the ground began to cheer in a woozy manner, only half understanding thier entertainment.


"Id pipe down and enjoy a good ale before my friend accidentaly relives you of a limb or two. OOH!" I half wince, half smirk when argo tosses the man through the celing. "Owch."


With a resounding crash, the assasin landed in the dirt out front just as I tip back the last of my drink and saunter out the door.


"If youre ready to act civilized and save your hunt for my friend for tomorrow, perhaps ill let you rest that sore ego of yours." I say, my hands resting on my knees as I bend over him. "..." I nudge him with my boot and still receive no response. The guy had been knocked out.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The elven assassin continued to wait on the rooftop of the tavern, her eyes trailing curiously against the indents of the wood as she heard commotion from below. Pushing herself off from the pillar behind her, she squinted as the noise grew louder and louder. Yelling and what sounded like fighting echoed into her pointed ears. Gripping the thick sword next to her, she prepared to drop down from the rooftop and enter the tavern doors below to check it out. But a noise of splintering wood caused her to come to a stop, a single foot on the very edge of the roof. Bodies broke through the tavern's rooftop, bits and pieces of broken wood sprinkling everywhere.


A glimmer of armor caught her eye, and Ayrenn's eyes widened when she realized it was Kalth. Taking a hesitant step towards him, she watched him collapse with a heavy thud onto the dirt. The assassin simply stood there, not knowing what do with this situation. Looking a bit serious now, she leaped off of the rooftop, and landed with a swift barrel roll. Landing by his side, the assassin however, froze in her place when she saw the elvish woman stoop down to Kalth's side the same time she did. Ayrenn glared at her fiercely, a warning glare in her eyes telling the girl to 'Back off'. Her murderous green eyes stared directly into hers, their faces only a few inches apart from each other.


Gripping her sword and pointing it at her throat, the assassin snickered quietly.


"It would be best if you stayed out of this, girl. But if you refuse, I would be happy to wring your neck for you."

 

[Ian Temero]

I sigh and roll my eyes, passing lineal one of the two remaining mugs as I pull the other closer to myself. "Take a few swigs of that." I say, pulling a few splinters from my hair, leaning back with my elbows up on the counter. "Youve had quite an eventful morning havent you?"

Lineal stared down at the foaming amber liquid. As tempting as it was to 'take a few swigs' Lineal had learned from experience that alcohol did not agree with him, or anyone around him for that matter. He set the mug down on the counter without taking even a sip.


" You could say that." He answered, looking around at the unique form of chaos that the old fox had left the room in. While he had been expecting a ruckus, he had not been expecting it to happen until much later in the day, nor had he been expecting it in this form. "Sadly, I don't think I've seen the last of it. I still have to go back to marketplace and get supplies. And another horse." He stared back down at the drink that sat in front of him and realized that he really was thirsty. As Eva tuned to talk with the large armored man Lineal began looking for another mug that he could fill with water. He jumped a little as Rakela suddenly spoke up. "Nice to meet you." He started to say.


Then he felt someone use magic. Like a gentle tug on his chest in the direction of the spell caster. He turned in time to see Eva shatter the arrow. That was not something a normal woman could do. He was suddenly a lot more cautious of the half elf... as well as the armored guy who was currently throwing the archer from earlier through the roof.


Perhaps it was a good time for him to get back to his shopping trip...

 

[MrMopp]

Gray shot Argo a scowl and frowned, "Argo," he said sternly, "what have I said about throwing people through walls?"