Fantasy Warring Kingdoms 1x1

[adropofdew-]

Nula waited for nightfall. She stayed low, wearing a hooded cloak and not making much eye contact. The tavern, located only a couple miles from the kingdom, hosted a number of adventurer’s from all over the world. Tonight would be a particularly festive night since the local barkeep would be offering drinks for only half the price. Nula watched as some big muscly men walked in, laughing obnoxiously and clearly already drunk. She would stand out - that’s for sure, even with her cloak.

But that was why she waited until nightfall. Shortly after sunset, she slipped into the tavern. The smell of liquor intensified, as did the mixture of laughter and conversation. Almost every table was crowded. Nula took a seat at the far corner of the bar, which to her surprise the barkeep noticed her right away. “The usual?”

She sighed. Worthless disguise. Leaning in, she whispered, “you know why I’m here, Gregor.”

He stared at her for a moment, deliberating. “For half price drinks?”

Before Nula could say anything, a drunkard had stolen Gregor’s attention at the other end of the bar. She tried to listen in on varying conversations, hoping someone might be drunk enough to slip up and provide important intel. Only days ago, a thief was said to have stolen an important artifact from the kingdom. Apparently, he frequented this same tavern, but that was all the information Nula knew of.

 

[Hydrated_rp]

Hello, seems I have access! Sorry for that delay, I suppose we have a few more details to work out, but we're good on characters atleast!

 

[Hydrated_rp]

As she'd listen in the tavern, her excellent hearing would signal her of a particular voice in one end of the tavern, his voice slurred slightly with drink as he'd lean back in the wooden chair, balancing haphazardly while boasting to the circle of patrons he was entertaining with his stories. He'd be garbed in a rather dark, brown tunic with a hood, resting upon his shoulders. He couldn't be much taller than 5'7, daggers at his sides, a glass of ale half finished clutched in his right hand.

"Yeah, it was so easy too. The dude basically drew up a map of their defenses and sent me on my way. Easiest gold piece I've ever made... well, without holding someone at knifepoint" he'd get a chuckle from the group, clearly not the most honorable collection of gents. He'd take a drink, letting out a sigh as he felt the innebriation pile onto his already compromised state. "And all for what? Some piece of junk from the castle? Sure it was risky, but it went off without a hitch. So no complaints!"

He'd brag, swaying in his precariously leaning seat, completely unaware that someone like Nula would be nearby, or that she'd be able to pick up his boisterous words in the crowded tavern.

 

[adropofdew-]

Nula didn’t hesitate when Gregor poured her a drink. She downed the liquor with zero sophistication, even slamming it back down like a drunken buffoon. The barkeep was used to this behavior. He was rather surprised a fight hadn’t broken out yet - which usually happens over the smallest inconveniences. The customers that frequented the tavern usually had short tempers, or were just bored and wanting to pick a fight. Beside him, Nula had the look of a woman on a mission.

Her eyes surveyed the crowd, frowning. From the many conversations she heard, there was one that stood out. “You know what I like about alcohol, Gregor?” She paused, “the truth always comes out.” Her frown had turned into a smirk. She looked at the selection of alcohol behind the bar. “Could you give that kind gentleman with the brown tunic your very special drink? It’s on me.”

Gregor looked at her suspiciously, but didn’t argue. If she had a good reason, then the man in question was probably a troublemaker of sorts. He placed the drink next to the man with the tunic, whispering to him before leaving, “from the lady at the bar, please do enjoy.” It was a bubbly yellow liquid, enough to make one sick to their stomach. The symptoms would resemble food poisoning, but less intense. Gregor didn’t suspect the man would think much of it, especially if he was already drunk.

 

[Hydrated_rp]

The young, troubled making man would would lose his balance for a second as the big bartender would come by with the drink, arms flailing as he nearly lost his composure and the fragile respect he'd gained from his fellow drunks situated within earshot. He'd collect himself and glance up in confusion, though upon hearing Gregory's explanation, his emotions would resume their confident side as he'd glance toward Nula with a smirk as he sat correctly in his seat.

He'd hold up the sickly, yellow concoction and give a nod toward her in thanks, knocking it back without a thought, his Drunken state erasing most sensible inhibitions one should have, his face contorting slightly as he tries to hide his reaction from the bubbly liquid he had gulped down. "Fucking strong stuff, she's trying to get me sloshed" he'd mutter to himself, not being able to detect anything special between the drink and a strong liquor. He'd chase the beverage with his beer, giving the guys at the table a wave as he straightened his tunic with a wink towards them. They'd dismiss him with a few waves and laughs, not thinking much of it as he'd strut over to where Nula sat.

"Well hey there pretty lady, names Jet. What brings you out to these parts all alone?" He'd speak, clearly trying to flirt, though to someone uninterested in him, it would know doubt infuriate and poke at their desire to cease any contact with him. He'd lean on the bar, the liquid working to metabolize and start inflicting its insidious side effects on his unsuspecting body.

 

[adropofdew-]

Gregor watched the interaction with mild intrigue, juggling between making drinks and conversing with other customers. He knew Nula had an assortment of knives hidden in her attire, but for now she didn’t seem threatened. Rather, when the man came up to her, she looked…amused? Knowing her, it was probably an act.

Nula could smell the alcohol emitting from Jet, it was hard to ignore. She inwardly cringed, but maintained a smile. “Oh, you know,” she said, leaning her palm against her cheek. “I’m just a bit lonely.” Her purple eyes locked on Jet’s as she leaned closer towards him. “But tell me, how does someone as intelligent as you manage to steal something so valuable?” Nula almost vomited as she uttered the word intelligent. “I’d like to learn.” She knew he couldn’t have done it without some help, whether it was indirect or direct.

Maybe she shouldn’t have been so quick to act. If he started to feel the symptoms of the drink so soon, she’d miss out on valuable intel. She dreaded having to deal with him again in the morning, and she was never really a patient person. Then again, she could just simply knock him out and take him back to the kingdom. The guards could handle the interrogating from there.

 

[Hydrated_rp]

Jet would feel her captivating purple gaze into his own green eyes as she leaned close on the bar, her words and body language doing a perfect job to keep the unsuspecting Jet from being any the wiser of her intentions or actions leading up to this point. He'd climb onto the adjacent seat, with surprisingly little trouble given his inebriated state, likely the product of years in facilities like this. Though his inebriation, or his lack of intelligence, wouldn't have him question how she might possibly have picked up on all that from the other side of the bar, despite volume control not being a skill Jet possesses. "Well, when you're as capable and skilled as me, it's really no trouble at all" he'd boast, clearly not the humble variety.

His hand would hold his fingers to his chest as he silently belches, Nula's patience being tested as he continues his response. "And having well drawn map with info on it made everything else a formality." He'd reach into his pocket, a scroll being procured with clearly drawn pathways, guard locations and routes, and directions. Jet would no doubt be showing this to prove to Nula that he did it, though not realizing an astute women would pick up his contribution was rather small, despite the legwork involved. "Easy job all things considered, not sure why he wanted it though. Wouldn't say much, but money talks." The sleazy man would shrug, the map unsigned or unstamped with any seal, though the calligraphy would clearly point to a culprit. One of nobility or higher education, with a strange in depth knowledge on the kingdom.

 

[adropofdew-]

Nula watched Jet's every move with pretend curiosity. As if every move he made was holy. She wasn't drunk enough for this. She sighed inwardly. From the corner of her eye, she could see Gregor smile, clearly entertained by the meeting. The man was usually entertained by anything in the tavern, perhaps part of the job. As Jet continued talking, Nula's ears perked up. Besides being annoyed by his belching, the drunken man was providing her more intel than she expected. She eyed the scroll with real curiosity, not pretend. Trying to memorize the calligraphy, she put a finger to her chin in thought. "Impressive." She moved closer to Jet, though it was only to inspect the scroll further.

"And who exactly is he? I can't imagine he could be as smart as you." She smiled, though it wasn't genuine at all. "Seems like he needs to be taught a lesson. Clearly he's under valuing your contribution." Nula kept her voice sweet and melodic, hoping Jet would be allured enough by her words to stupidly lure her to the man behind the scroll, or at least provide some geographic idea.

 

[Hydrated_rp]

Jet would feel his face flush as Nula leaned in. His confidence and bravado cracking with her slight forwardness, not used to interest being reciprocated so readily it would seem, regardless of how he pretended to be used to this sort of thing. He'd clear his throat as she leaned in and spoke softly toward him, looking up and away as he thought, both a consequence of his brain and the spirits he had ingested to kick off this night. "Y-you think so? Yeah... Yeah I guess I am pretty smart! Why else would that guy agree to meet with me after his hours at the King's court?" He'd smirk to himself as he blurted out more useful data that she could use in her hunt.

"You're right about that. I should march right back into Culfoss and find that guy.. I imagine he'd still be visiting the local taverns there eventually. Unless he stays up at the castle more often than I thought..." Jet would be thinking out loud at this moment, nerves cracked by Nula, spilling out every detail he could immediately, not too adept at maintaining a steady flow of info to keep attention it would seem.

 

[adropofdew-]

Nula couldn't help but to grin at all the information Jet was giving her. Maybe in an alternate universe, they could've even been friends. She jumped out of her seat, tapping Jet on the shoulder. "Well, it looks like it's time for me to go." She knew that he would soon start feeling sick, and really didn't want to get vomited on. She felt a tad bit guilty, since he had been so helpful. But she couldn't forget that he was a thief. Still, Nula had been known to turn a blind eye on several occasion. She was only human. "Maybe we'll meet again one day," she said, over her shoulder.

The bartender looked relieved that a fight didn't break out. He gave Nula a knowing nod, and she smiled. Her objective now was clear. Find this mysterious man, and possibly uncover more truths. She braced herself for the cool air, stepping outside. This was going to be a long journey. She could feel it.

 

[Hydrated_rp]

The scene at the tavern would play out quite similarly to how she envisioned, Jet not immediately comprehending her departure, though sickness would soon overcome him in combination with his intoxication. He'd stumble his way to the bathroom, thankfully not causing much of a scene as the violent combination of toxins in his body, both consensual and not made their mark, ravaging him with a debilitating effect he'd need some time to recover, the words of Nula ringing through his head while he worked through his sickness in the confines of the tavern.

Over in the neighboring kingdom, Hale would be at work, his endeavors Nula was all too familiar with by this point hardly the end of his tasks. He was an advisor to the king, shocking at his young age, though his abilities very quickly helped him gain favor, and closeness to royalty. The artifact would be delivered by now, locked away in the kingdom's vault, a location in which few would know.

This detail wouldn't have applied to Hale, who even at this time was hard at work, scrawling out battle maps and fortress layouts with his unique calligraphy. The young man would lean back In his chair, pushing his glasses up as his fingers pressed to his eyes, more a sensation to relieve the burn from keeping them open, and scanning the place he held in his mind. He'd turn, looking out in the pale moonlight, unaware that the search for him and the artifact would have begun. His gaze fixed on the full moon, soon setting aside Parchment as he stood to grab his dark cloak to drape over his tunic, eager to spend some time at a local tavern, and to soothe his parched throat.