Fantasy Tales of Ristafel

[ComradeSenpai]

"Unh! YEAH." Hachi shouted. This was his jam. He nodded his head to the beat, and began to bounce rhythmically. Gyrating his hips, his feet began to stamp and pump at a fast pace, tossing his fists into the air. In his family, all manner of dance was considered an important social art. Bees communicate by dancing, after all.


"COME. DANCE WITH ME." he called, and pulled the green haired girl close to him. Placing his leg behind hers, he dipped her low, and brought his own face close to her throat.


"Shall we, Miss?"

 

[Darksoul180]

After arriving to the city, Gustav looked around. The night before, as for most nights, the Priest had a dream that today he would meet some more than interesting characters. After small prayers for guidance and insight, he learned very little other than to follow the music and the rest shall fall into line.


Gustav was used to these slight paths given to him in his life. Crea was giving him dreams of what his feature may hold, and he always seeked insight and knowledge from the goddess, wanting to better the connection between himself and her. The only way to strengthen bond with a goddess is through faith, and gaining followers and working for the goddess in complete trust. The priest did this by following the paths set in front of him, and today's path was head to the city and find these people. Maybe it was so he could teach them, or even so they could teach him.


Wondering the city, eyes shifting from left to right over and over again, as if he was in a store searching for the perfect mead. He was looking for anything out of line, or strange, but the city seemed ever so normal. Almost by instinct the Priest started to head towards the tavern. He figured to himself, looking for strange happenings, that would be the first place to look, most crazy tales started in taverns. Taverns might as well have been the forge of tales and stories!


As the priest approached, he heard singing, and then a loud shout.


"COME DANCE WITH ME"


The priest knew he was in the right location, but now just was Crea leading him this time, and what kind of trouble will he find himself now. With a large sigh, the priest put on a soothing smile, and walked into the tavern, walking in just to observe his surroundings. The ones on stage peeked his interest greatly, a rather good song, and played by a rather skilled duo. With a shrug, the priest began to take a seat, ignoring all of the rest of the building, and focusing on the 2 on stage. Waiting for them to finish so he may great them, and while passing his time, he would just enjoy the music!

 

[DrBones]

Beltway stopped in the middle of his song as he saw Hachi steal Emerald away. Ah, my love has found another lover! So fickle and short-lived our love was! It would be rude not to assist my ex-paramour in her endeavors, I suppose.


Beltway began strumming and drumming his lute at a higher pace, moving to 4/4 beat from the lazy 1/4 beat he had previously employed. He spoke quickly enough to avoid the dreadful irony of the stanza he had reached. Now, he no longer bothered to affect a voice, and instead used a low baritone.


"I come from the wars with dire news of disaster,


A terrible mishap I have to confide!


As my ship was a passing the Straits of Gibraltar,


I carelessly dropped the key over the side!


Over the side (nonie nonie), over the side (nonie nonie)!


Carelessly dropped the key over the side!"

 

[Xenonia]

Emerald gasped, somewhere between amazed and terrified as she was once more swept into the tavern. The thought crossed her mind that she might never leave, but she quickly dismissed it. When she snapped back to reality, she found herself perilously close to Hachi's lips. "Uh..." She sputtered, trying to think of a response. She came up with nothing, and so went with her first instinct: "How can I help you, good sir?"

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The dirt road was quiet, except for the casual brush of Kyubi's hooves against the earth. Ayrenn walked alongside the magnificent white buck, who swayed his antlered head back and forth as he walked forward. Her petal pink lips were formed into a gentle smile, and her face showing delicate emotions. A small village stood ahead, inhabited by townsfolk. Ayrenn's journey had been incredibly long, and fatigue plagued both the woman and her companion.


Her golden eyes flicked over to a lit tavern with music pouring out from the windows. She stopped, and exchanged a quick glance with Kyubi. He looked confused as she began wandering towards the front door.


"Wait here out front, okay? I'll be right out." She murmured to him in a rainfall-like voice. The deer gave her a look, and Ayrenn laughed quietly to herself.


"I promise."


Although he could not understand her, the tone in Ayrenn's voice reassured him. Kyubi waited out front by one of the windows, peering in curiously with his glowing green eyes. With a gentle push, Ayrenn stepped into the tavern and carefully stepped around a priest who had recently entered.


"Excuse me..." She whispered, flashing him a side smile before striding towards the bar.


"What can I do for ya, young lady??" The bartender asked in a rough voice, swiping a clean cloth across the counter top. A small smile formed across her lips.


"Would you mind pointing me to the direction of a supply store? I need to restock a bit." Ayrenn admitted with a slight tone of embarrassment. He twitched his nose and grinned.


"A traveler, eh? You might wanna stop by Thurnis' store. He has plenty of supplies. He's the next buildin' down." He responded, beginning to return to his cleaning. She nodded politely and murmured a small 'thank you'. Ayrenn turned around to walk back out, but bumped into a man and a woman dancing together. Ayrenn blinked rapidly in embarrassment.


"I'm sorry! Please excuse me..." She said before beginning to head for the door. Kyubi was eagerly awaiting her return, and continued to peer through the tavern window.

 

[ComradeSenpai]

"Like so." Hachi answered, pulling the gem back up. Harnessing both grace, strength, and a blatant disregard for safety, Hachi launched Emerald into the air, making sure to add a tight spin, allowing her to rotate several times before gravity took hold, landing in his arms in a princess carry.


"Would you care to dance with me?" the samurai asked.

 

[Xenonia]

Emerald was in far too deep. She knew she needed an out, but... There! That woman who had bumped them! Her eyes... "E-excuse me, miss! Are you an Etherborn? What a coincidence! Haha... Ha..." The desperation in her eyes was obvious. Though she did not want to send the poor foreign man into another confused tizzy, she wasn't particularly keen on dancing with him. "Would you like to talk, perhaps?"

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen was about to reply when Hachi grabbed her out of nowhere. Vallen was comepletely sure now that he was the only man in this building with common sense, emeralds best interests in mind, and that wasn't trying to court her without her own consent. A woman bumped into the two of them. As Emerald adressed this new woman, who Vallen also recognized as one one of his kind, he approached the two.

 

[Darksoul180]

Gustav noticed that an Etherborn lady that had entered behind him seemed to be in a rush, and he was watching him from the corner of his eye. He was enjoying the music, the bard was magnificent, as the beat tuned up, the priest toke a stand, and spun towards the Etherborn who almost ran into a dancing couple on her way out. He noticed that she was eyeing up a rather interesting deer on the outside of the tavern. Gustav has always had a keen interest in nature and the creatures that inhabit it. This with his intrest in the lady, caused him to shout out to her.


"Excuse me miss!"


The priest shouted to her while walking up behind her, walking to her side as she was exiting.


"You seem to be in such a rush! But why? The day is still young, and many dreams have yet to be had! Why not enjoy the rest of the bards song before leaving?"


The priest started to gesture back inside while following her out, all while holding his friendly expression. Although, awkwardly interrupting as one of the dancing couple, began a conversation with her at nearly the same time. The priest looked at them both with an awkward look, but still smiling,

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

"E-excuse me, miss! Are you an Etherborn?


A woman's voice called out from behind Ayrenn just as she was about to leave. Her honey dew colored eyes swiveled behind her, meeting the gaze of the woman she had bumped into before. Her hand was pressed lightly against the tavern door, creating a small crack between the door and the outside world. She nodded and smiled gently, removing her hand from the door. It swung shut with a shrill creak.


"I am. And by the looks of your eyes, you are too. It's nice to see one of my kind again." Ayrenn said politely, and bowed in greeting.


Before she had time to say another word, Ayrenn jumped a bit at the sound of another voice. This time, a man's. She glanced behind her to see the priest, encouraging her to stay and enjoy the bard's song. She was quiet for a moment, and took a second to glance at the white buck staring through the window. Ayrenn frowned slightly and looked to the side.


"I guess I can stay for a little longer..." She whispered mostly to herself. Ayrenn flashed Kyubi an apologetic look, and in response, the deer let out a huff through his black tipped nose.

 

[Darksoul180]

"Ah! Glad you decided to stay a bit longer! Now shall we enjoy the bards tune?"


The priest said while looking at the almost golden Etherborn. He acknowledged that others were nearby and were all attempting to communicate, but his interests were focused on the Etherborn whom he assumed knew more about the magnificent creature on the outside of the taverns window. Although, he was still open to more people joining in on conversation. Gustav always loved to meet new people. That was part of his job and hobby after all!

 

[DergTheDergon]

Noticing the woman Emerald was trying to converse with turned her attention away from her, he decided to give her another way out of her obviously very uncomfortable situation. He lightly placed his hand on Emerald's shoulder, and said "I believe we were speaking until someone decided to throw himself upon you without your consent." He glared at Hachi for a bit, before turning back towards Emerald. "I suggest we wait outside until this fine lady exits as well, I too wish to speak with her but she is preoccupied." He gestured towards the door. Emerald was obviously overwhelmed, and needed to get away from all these people.

 

[Xenonia]

Emerald smiled. She had been conversing with Vallen, after all, so this was a perfectly good way to leave with no hard feelings. "I'm sorry, mister, but I suppose this dance will have to wait." freeing herself from Hachi's grasp, she made her way to the door. "After you've had your fill of music," she mentioned to the Etherborn female, "feel free to join us!"

 

[DrBones]

Beltway continued his song well into the conclusion. A wondrous post-climax that segued into a genius punchline.


"Alas and alack I am locked up forever


Then up spoke the page boy "Leave it to me"


If you will allow me to enter your chamber


I'll open it up with me duplicate key


Duplicate key nonie nonie, duplicate key nonie nonie


Open it up with me duplicate key"


With a final strum of his lute, Beltway finished playing. The assorted patrons of the bar gave a loud cheer of approval, and flocked to the bar for elevensies. Beltway stepped off the stage and back to the bar counter.


With a wink, the barmaid handed him a tankard of cheap swill. Beltway, acting as a wayward ship, found his port in a storm and downed the swill.


Beltway decided to make amends, and greeted Hachi warmly. He chuckled lightly, and gave Hachi a brotherly slap on the back. "Found without your paramour, mine rival suitor? 'Tis not surprising to find such a wilting flower hiding such wicked barbs, but worry not! There are plenty more damsels in search of a fine companion and a strong lover! Tell me, good sirrah, did you enjoy my musicmaking? I had attempted to form a tune more fitting to your predicament but, alack, it seemed all for naught! Such is the way of the womanchaser! Hahaha!"

 

[Reinhardt]

Just exiting a dark forest, Brand had his armor a bit dirty, with some dust, some dried blood, mud and some leaves stuck on his armor. After all, a battle with an evil demon is bound to get messy. Blood continuously dropped from Brand's clenched right fist, creating a trail of pure red behind him. He walked slowly, as if he was just making a stroll around the town.


Beside him, another man walks with the same pace. This man was about his size, and was as dirty as him as well. His blood stained tiger cloak covered his also stained leather clothing. He had some kind of metallic gauntlets, which were also dirty.


"I told you it would be messy, Vash.", Brand said to the man beside him as they walked.


"Stop making me regret even more.", the man replied.


Brand's metal armor and Vash's muddy boots made a kind of weird beat, which they paid no attention to.


"Say, Vash. You acted a bit different today. You got problems?", Brand asked him.


"Nah. I just feel kind of sick. That cursed mission at the southern swamps must have gotten a hold of me."


"I did tell you to avoid swamps. Especially ones with weird Yier-filled auras."


"Yeah. I guess I should start following your advice."


"You always did, you know. Though there were some times you were a bit stubborn."


"Hah."


The conversation of the two continued as they walked and walked, which eventually led them to a nearby tavern, where a loud applause and cheering can be heard from afar.


Brand stopped walking, which prompted Vash to do the same.


"You sure this is the place?", Brand asked him cautiously.


"I'm sure of it. You'll find your members here.", Vash assured him.


They then, continued to walk towards the doors of the tavern, which were slightly ajar, possibly caused by the entry of an angry person.


Just before Brand's left hand tried to reach the door and open it, Vash kicked him with such a strong force, that sent Brand flying into the tavern, hitting some tables and chairs as he fell to the ground.


"Argh..", Brand said. His right hand was still clenched and dropping blood, as he laid on the floor, with his back leaning on a fallen table. Reaching for his sword, which rested on the back of his waist, his left hand tightly gripped its handle.


He shouted to Vash, "WHAT THE HELL, VASH!"


Vash stood there, just before the tavern's recently broken doors, with his eyes looking down on the man he just kicked. The sunlight outside the bar seemed to have shadowed him, only making a small part of him visible - his upper left torso.

 

[Blumenkranz]

The bard just finished his show. Cheers and loudness flooded the room, congratulating the man for his great work. Indeed, it was a great, well known example of popular song, characterized by its quotidian thematic, informal lyrics and catchy metric. In fact, The Ballad of the Twice-fold Cuckold was a textbook example of bawdy lyrical poetry, often cited in many books about metrical composition. Laria felt compelled to clap for this magnificent interpretation of such lively rhymes... from under her table.


Despite the fact that she was well aware people were supposed to sit on top chairs and it was considered rude to do otherwise, she couldn't bring herself to stand in the open for everyone to see. Although she had rehearsed her speech over and over in the library, there was a big step from theory to practice. Talking in front of a bunch of people seemed quite different, hence why she had been debating herself for the last two hours whether to come out and speak or not.


Every time she decided it was a good time to get out the table and ask the room for some minutes of attention, something bad happened: the fight between those two men for the love of that beautiful woman of green eyes, the clear flames of envy and passion that sparked between the bard and one of the misters from the previous fracas, those tense words exchanged by the intimidating exotic knight and the same chap as before... Laria didn't like to form hasty generalizations, but it seemed like this guy loved getting into trouble.


However, with the bard's concert over and all the troublemakers either leaving or calming down, Laria decided this was a good moment to come out and recite her plea for help. The girl stepped out of the table's shadow with the agility of a person who has been squatting for hours, dusted her dress and raised her hands in a fairly classy manner to signal the people in the tavern to give her some attention. After three or four unknown faces had turned to stare directly at her, she opened her lips, ready to recite her memorized supplication, but as she started to utter the first vocal of it, a man in armor flew through the now broken wooden door, straight into a pile of tables, chairs and some unfortunate soul that happened to be in the path.


Laria sat under the table again. Maybe it was not the appropriate moment yet.

 

[ComradeSenpai]

"Yes, well, I do like dancing." Hachi said, crossing his arms. "so as long as the beat is fast and the rhythm's catchy, I'm satisfied. I suppose a slower, more romantic tune would be better if we wanted to chase after women, no?"


"In any case, that one guy was pretty a- hold on." Hachi's arms reached out, and he flipped a table with a loud crash, revealing a tiny librarian.


"Even in this foreign land, I'm certain it's not proper form to sit under the tables. Stop being impolite and act normal." he said, offering a hand to help Laria back up.

 

[DrBones]

Beltway cleared his throat, and firmly whirled Hachi around to face him. He spoke clearly and concisely, to ensure that Hachi knew of his violent faux pas. Though he was not worried for the weedy little woman who had apparently been cowering under the table, he did understand quite a bit about how the barmaid and her employers would react.


"Good sirrah, 'tis uncouth to destroy this fine establishment's property so casually! I hardly expect a foreigner such as yourself to demonstrate such ill manners! Thou shalt apologize to the owner of this bar, post-haste! Should you not, thou had best be prepared to face the consequences of an outburst from said owner! Speaking as such from experience, 'tis wise to make an enemy of a tavern owner; their relations with the town guard are often sufficient to force the sheriff's hand!"

 

[ComradeSenpai]

"Fine." Hachi said, picking the table back up- not back over the girl, of course. Reaching into his pouch, he produced a small jar of whitish, sticky liquid, and left it on the table.


"This will serve as reparation for any damages to the table." he said, nodding at the bard.


"Now, as I was saying. Stop hiding under tables. It's annoying." he went back to the other subject. As the girl hadn't taken his hand before, he found it sufficient to simply pick her up and place her on her feet, brushing off her shoulders.


Foreigner devils were so helpless.

 

[DrBones]

Beltway shrugged, and looked around the room. His eyes fell upon the prone Brand, lying in a pile of his own fluids and splinters. "So long as you hand that vial of reagents to the owner by the bar, I suspect no harm may come to you. Stay safe, brave foreigner... it appears yet another clumsy fool hath no regard for the property of others."


Beltway worked his way over to Brand, and leered over him. He didn't know that Vash had brusquely tossed him into the tavern for an unknown reason, only that Brand had crashed into a set of tables. "Good sirrah, I do hope you are willing to pay reparations to the owner of this establishment for your folly. It is, after all, quite a bit early to be clapped in irons for drunken and disorderly conduct. "

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The golden haired etherborn nodded politely towards the priest, taking a seat and listening to the bard's tune happily. When the song ended, Ayrenn clapped softly and smiled a brilliant smile. She turned towards the priest and opened her lips slightly, preparing to say a few words.


Until a man crashed into a table and stopped her. With wide eyes, Ayrenn glanced towards the man who had kicked the other. And than glanced back to the man on the floor.


"Excuse me, just a moment." She whispered quietly to the priest before leaping from her seat. Ayrenn leaned down towards the man who had fallen, and offered him her delicate hand. The sight of blood running down his hand concerned her, and a look of worry dawned on her pale features.


"Are you alright? Here... let me help you up, and we can get that cut cleaned." She said with a tiny smile, motioning with her eyes towards her outstretched hand.


The white deer was pacing back and forth outside, eagerly awaiting his companion's return. He peeked in towards the window every now and then, watching for any new movement.

 

[Blumenkranz]

Laria was paralyzed by fear. She expected weird looks if people found out she was hiding under a table, but truth is she didn't expect being caught or even getting into serious trouble for it. Maybe it was one of those things books forgot to mention? She had read several books about protocol and etiquette, even several new ones in preparation for this day, but none of them mentioned that hiding under a table was specially wrong.


Unsure about what to do, she just stood in the position the bee knight found her: sitting with her knees bent and her hands over her hat. Her eyes were wide open, unable to blink or averting her gaze from the terrifying armored man.


Before she could react, she noticed two cold hands grabbing her by the arms. Laria jumped in place, already preparing for the worst, but that moment never happened. Instead, the knight simply dusted her shoulders, which helped the girl calm a bit her shaky legs.


Maybe this man wasn't so bad after all.

 

[ComradeSenpai]

"...Hey. Don't just stand there without answering back." Hachi continued, having gone unanswered. He tilted his head slightly in thought. Maybe the girl was a deaf-mute? In that case, shouldn't she have had a guardian? Her clothes were actually nice, and she wasn't drooling, so she probably wasn't retarded. He leaned a bit closer, and spoke a tad louder, just in case.


"Are you some kind of mute? It's impolite to just ignore someone when they talk to you, so say something." the samurai asked. "Why were you even under that table?"

 

[DergTheDergon]

As Vallen waited outside with Emerald, telling her that he'd been travelling for about 3 years, and chatting about their adventures, he saw two men walk up to the Tavern, both wounded and bloodied. As one of the men kicked the other with great force sending him flying into the building, his eyes widened in confusion and surprise. "Gods above.... what's gotten into that man?! He doesn't... look right, I'm not sure how to put it..." Vallen eyed the man cautiously, looking for signs that Vash was about to initiate more violence.

 

[Darksoul180]

About to start a conversation with the his new company. The priest opened his mouth. before a word could come out, a man crashed through the table right in front of him! The priest being the level headed man that he was, decided to wait calmly until the Etherborn was done tending to the man's wounds. The priest enjoyed how kind of a gesture she gave, and it put a burst of joy through his spin, thinking of the goodness spread from people like that! Although, the thought was abruptly ended when the priest had started to think that the only reason she needed to tend to the man was that he was thrown through the table! Meaning, someone with bad intentions was close by! The Preist looked around in amazment as his complet obliviousness of his suroudnings! He has started to think of so many things, such as this young lady, and the beautiful deer, that he was not payying much attention to everything going on around him!


Looking towards the door, Gustav began to stand. Not the first tavern scrabble he has gotten caught up in, and certainly not his last.


"You sir!"


The priest said whilst looking at the door at the darkened figure, where the door had been broken, and dust and splinters lined.


"If you are the cause of this mess, than i believe it should be you who will be apologizing and cleaning it up!"





The priest continued his lecture while slowly inching towards the shadowy figure at the door. He reached into his specifically organized satchel and pulled out a book. A favorite book of his. The Book of Dreams, a book covered in a hard shimmering stone, that appeared blue and purple to the eye, and even shimmered in complete darkness. He held it in his right arm, letting his satchel hand back to his left thigh. He held the book in a cradle, and began speaking again.


"Also Sir, i am not prepared to take 'No' for an answer!"


The priest's friendly face turned into a a confident smile, as he stared at the figure with a grin. But still standing upright, and trying to take control of this situation before it got out of hand.