[Rearing Stallion] A Drink with Strangers [Open]

[Guido Faragas]

Guido sighed inwardly when Fade confirmed what he expected already – she did not know the men. Moreover, both of the ruffians appeared to have their attention centred on the woman. The reimancer nodded in response to John’s comment to be ready. He caught a glimpse of the knight’s quick checking of the sword at his belt and had already noted that Marcus carried a hammer. In comparison Guido felt unprepared. His bow and quiver were in his room and, in any event, they would have been of little use in the inn. All he could rely on were his reimancy skills: but he would not dare cast a fireball or make major use of the fire element in such confined quarters. It would have to be more subtle – more a distraction - he glanced around for any nearby fire sources – candles, hearths and the like – taking note of the placing of anything that might be useful... for some minor intervention...should the need arise.

In any event, the best he could do whilst waiting for events to unfold was to prepare himself by entering a state of relaxation. He sought out the whiteness of Fade’s hair, letting it act as a focus – he typically used single masses of colour to blank out the ephemera of the world – aid his concentration and sharpen his senses. This time he infused his senses with a white blanket – a curtain of soft, whiteness blowing across his thoughts. Palms under the table, ready to expel a small amount of res should the need arise: he knew he would only dare do so in the direst of emergencies. Hopefully, it could be avoided.

To anyone regarding the youth closely, Guido might appear perhaps slightly quiet and withdrawn but his eyes remained alert, still occasionally glancing at the men by the bar.

OOCLast post for a week now...good luck

[Fade]

Fade glanced at them again noticing that now two pairs of eyes watched her with the gaze her owner sometimes had when drunk.
Fade hoped the fingering of weapons around her table didn’t induce the men to start a fight, not on her behalf. It was her mark that made her nervous. She turned away and said somewhat softly “I’m sorry about all this…”

She trailed of and her gaze fell on the door and then back to the men. She could probably disappear in an alley for the night but she didn’t trust herself, at least here she was surrounded by people.
Of course that wouldn’t change the outcome if one of the perverts managed o touch her bare skin: she would submit willingly. It made her sick to think that she would also be happy, doing her duty.

Her hand went to her chest were her Ranuri was almost visible, red on her pale white skin.
It was a curse she reflected of course many people regarded it as a curse, she looked at her drink and said to the knight hoping against hope that things wouldn’t get messy “Your right, better safe than sorry”

[John Griffin]

Even as he spoke the words, John knew it would likely be a tough fight, preparation or not, should it come to blows. The two men were big. Really big. And his companions didn't all seem the fighting type. The weaponsmith probably packed a decent punch, his profession requiring a good deal of muscle, and John thought he had seen some sort of iron or steel at his hip. But the skinny one he was unsure of. It looked like the man was meditating, but perhaps he was just spacing out? John glanced at the girl. There was a certain allure to her that he couldn't quite place. He doubted she would be much help in a fight. But then, one never knew. The thin man could be a martial artist, and the girl a wizard.

"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault," he said, unaware that it pretty much was, due to her mark. He looked back at the men, his eyes searching to see if they were armed. Things would get a whole lot worse if they were, and they tried something. He turned back to Fade. "If a fight breaks out, take my dagger," he said, fingering the smaller blade on his right hip. Looking to Marcus, he asked, "Are you armed?"

[Leviathan]

After several long lusty moments of gazing, a miracle seemed to occur and the two men actually found themselves more interested in some subject of conversation rather than the rather disgusting thoughts of Fade. It appears that simply ignoring the two men actually helped to avoid confrontation. Perhaps now Fade would feel more at ease, even if the woman serving their drinks was more inclined to being a victim of harassment again. Looks like our heroes can continue their day in peace.

OOCUnless you guys now interact with the two men, you can post without me.

[Marcus Braeden]

"Well, yes. I don't exactly have the greatest weapon with me, just a smithing hammer since i didn't stop by my suite after work. But I figure it could do some damage if it comes to it." Marcus replied. Marcus then chuckled, "Well I come into the inn, just to have a drink for the first time in a long time, i end up meeting some new people and now here we are, on th verge of a fight. If this is gonna happen..." Marcus drank the last of his glass of ale, "...I'm gonna need another drink."

Marcus got up and walked over to a barmaid and dropped two more coins into her hand in exchange for a second ale. The barmaid brought him another one, and Marcus made his way back to his table, making sure not to glance at the two men in the back. But Marcus couldn't help himself, he took a quick glance just to make sure they were, at least, somewhat minding their business. Marcus was surprised to find that...they were! Marcus sat down at the table again.

"Well, those two men seemed to have found something else to keep themselves entertained." Marcus said.

[Guido Faragas]

Guido couldn’t restrain a small audible sigh of relief when it became clear that the two men had turned their attention away from Fade towards the barmaid. He allowed the veil of white he had used as an aide to concentration to fall away from his senses. Then, leaning forwards, he took a quick swig of his ale before nodding at Marcus' comment concerning the men.

“I’m sure that Kevith or his son will deal with any problems if they continue to pester the barmaid,” said the reimancer quietly, making reference to the owner of the tavern. “Still, we should remain on our guard a little, just in case...”

The youth sat back in his chair once again and glanced around the table. “Now where were we? Just getting to know each other as I recall..."

OOCBack from holiday so should be posting regularly again.

[John Griffin]

"I believe you're right Marcus, and a good thing too. I'm glad it didn't get ugly." John relaxed visibly and nodded at Guido, still curious as to the man's disposition and his earlier meditation. "Yes, it cannot hurt to keep an eye out.He still watched the men with passing glances, and kept his hands down the hilts of his blades. "We were talking about swords, if I recall," he said before taking a sip of his delicious ale. "It seems Marcus here makes them and I use them." He looked between Guido and Fade.

"What is it that you both do?" His curiosity iched. He loved meeting knew people and making friends, even if just for a night. Many of the people he drank with and dined with were never seen again. But on occasion he met someone who became a lasting friend.

[Fade]

Relief showed on her face as, unexpectedly and unpredictably the men lost interest. She smiled slightly and took a sip of her ale again "thank Nikali for that" she muttered under her breath to her tankard.

She replied to the knight question a smile still lingering on her pale face "I'm a contortionist..." She chuckled and sighed at her almost finished drink, she wouldn't drink anymore though: she liked to be in control of her actions.
She leaned forward cradling her tankard in her hands and said "I will have to find a better occupation though. I was with a circus once...well bound to the circus's owner" she trailed off "but that worked until less than a year ago" She smiled a small bitter smile and looked down at her drink.

[Marcus Braeden]

Marcus sipped his ale as his mind began to wander off. Marcus simply gazed into the hearth and watched the flames dance as he began to think about how one day he could be a knight or a travelling mercenary, though he favored the former more, since it was a bit more honorable. But as long as Marcus got his fix of adventure, then he wasn't too concerned. It was the exact same fantasy that he always day dreamed about.

Marcus is wandering through the forest, escorting a group of Merchants, when all of a sudden and arrow flies from the trees and strikes a man dead. Marcus immediately draws his sword and instructs the rest of the merchants to take cover. Marcus races toward the place where the arrow comes from. Another arrow flies out from somewhere in the trees but strikes a nearby tree. Marcus notices someone in the branches and looks up. The man he sees is quickly reloading another arrow and Marcus dives behind a tree. Marcus sees a weakness in the branches ahead of him and he races toward them, hoping his attacker would follow. The attacker does follow and does not spot the weak branches. He dives for the branches but they snap and send him tumbling to the ground, Marcus quickly races forward but the man is on his feet also, having drawn a short sword. Marcus and the man clash swords, however soon Marcus does a maneuver which causes the man to lose his balance. Marcus then delivers a blow to the mans leg in order to force surrender...

[Guido Faragas]

Guido shrugged his shoulders at the knight’s question after listening carefully to Fade’s response. “I’m afraid that I am nothing more than a labourer for my father most of the time. He fetches and carries goods for various tradesmen and I assist him. On occasion, we travel into the wilds outside the city to find and dig ancient ruins. We have found a few pots and other artefacts but nothing to make our fortune.”

He paused for a few moments before continuing. “I also help to look after an aged fellow who has granted me a small room in the city, although he is away presently so I have a little time on my hands.” He is also a reimancer and I am his apprentice but that information might be best kept quiet until I know these others better. “And at times,” he laughed, “I weave stories in taverns such as this to earn a few coins and pass the time. Stories of my journey’s outside the city and other tales I have collected over the years.”

“So that is my life. Lately, I have also practiced the bow although I doubt I am as proficient with it as you are with the sword. I hope it might eventually enable me to become a proficient hunter.” He directed a broad smile towards John and then hesitated a moment before continuing. “I have acquired a bow with some interesting carvings. Perhaps, with your interest in weapons, you might look at it sometime to see if you have any clues as to its origins. I have an itch to know the history of things.”

He noticed that Marcus was quiet, contenting himself with gazing into the warm flames of the fire. Guido recalled that the young man was about to say something when they were interrupted by other arrivals. “Marcus, you mentioned that there was another reason you had come to Syliras apart from weaponsmithing. What was it you were about to say?”