PM to join [The Alements] Business under Leth (Caelum)

[Tydus Tempest]

28th of Spring, 514

Pleasure under Leth, Business under Syna.

The phrase had been Tydus' philosophy of the past six years, though tonight was one of the nights that it was to be broken. An inferior theory had been tended to, with Tydus inspecting his ship and working off the hangover and strange decisions he had made the night prior after he had parted from the Alements. There was no regret in his decisions, but waking up in the middle of the night in his Lia's embrace had forced the Tempest into breaking a pact that he had made with himself, and had, therefore, impacted the rest of his day.

In due time, things would be worked out, but tonight was not the time to do so. Feet took him from the deck of his casinor and into the Alements, noting the buzzing patronage of the newly opened location. He considered joining in the merriment, a glass of foreign liquor and speaking in foreign tongue with strangers had its appeal, but the Svefra held his desires. He had come for a reason.

Syna's last lights had died away, hidden behind the western seas as Leth loomed over the world, spilling pale moonlight over Riverfall as Tydus Tempest made his way towards the bar, spotting the familiar face of the female bartender. Yet another smile graced the Svefra's features as he sat in front of the woman, a wave of the hand cast in order to draw her attention as he asked of her, "Lass, is the proprietor, Caelum, still present? I'd very much like'ta speak to 'im. Spoke to 'im yesterday."

The woman tilted her head before a nod moved her features in recognition, "Right, right! You're the one who asked about the rum last night! Apparently he had some in the back and never told us about it. Huh. I'll go get him for you."

The Svefra could understand why. If Tydus had bottles of the sweet elixir stowed away, there was almost no chance of him sharing it with the world and putting it up for sale. He'd let the rest of Riverfall enjoy their piss in a mug, or the other strange, and perhaps delightful (though equally inferior) concoctions and spirits that made up the Alements' menu. Sell what works, keep the best for yourself. It was a proper way to handle one's business, after all, one needed to eat and drink as well, no?

The woman turned on her heel and moved about in search of the proprietor, Tydus allowing a cursory glance in her direction before his gaze set about to trace the labels of each bottle behind the bar, curiosity present in his Laviku-blessed eyes.

[Caelum]

The proprietor was in the kitchen when Elise found him, standing over a copper toned platter piled with food. Plump grapes, apple wedges, dried dates, and ripe strawberries were arranged among small piles of almonds and pecans. A little server of golden honey sat in the center of the platter and narrow scraps of yellow cheese littered the counter.

“Caelum? Tydus is here to see you about the rum,” Elise announced from the doorway, dark blue eyes rather dubious. “Will you please let me do that?”

Elise was referring to the star, leaf, and flower patterns half of the cheese was cut into in bite sized proportions. Caelum stuffed the tips of two bleeding fingers into his mouth and turned glaring golden eyes on Elise before nodding his assent. His glare held no heat. He was annoyed with himself and his attempts to “cook” and not actually with Elise.

“Here,” he mumbled, and juggled the platter up with his free hand to set onto Elise’s tray en route for the kitchen’s “out” door. “And it’s not just about the rum,” he added over his shoulder, ignoring the young woman’s scoffing before he rolled into the main room of the club.

Dressed in dark, low slung riding leathers and a long sleeved tunic, simple cut but of fine cloth, Caelum cut a fine appearance in the warm light of Alements. Dark hair was heavily braided back and tied out of the way in Drykas style knots and windmarks coursed stories in ink visible on his throat and forearms before disappearing beneath clothing. A glance was cast about the place, automatically assuring himself that all was well and his patrons were satisfied. He made a study of faces and body language in addition to the level of drinks and the general tone of conversation floating through the air.

A smile hooked sideways onto his mouth as he arrived beside where Tydus sat at the bar and he tilted his head toward an out of the way table by a window made bright in lantern light. “Hey, Tydus,” he greeted the svefra easily. “Let me grab us some drinks and we can talk over there, yeah?”

[Tydus Tempest]

The Tempest was utterly astounded when he saw a familiar looking human with strange tattoos walk towards him and address him so casually. Of course, it was the norm, but it wasn't until he connected the dots, how he looked about the tavern, watched the customers, then addressed Tydus and offered him drinks that he realized the similarities between the human that he was speaking to and the horned man that was the proprietor of the tavern.

Surprise materialized in the Svefra's mind, mapping itself upon his expression for several ticks before he simply nodded, the easy grin finding itself upon Tydus' expression as he realized that it was Caelum. The two were one and the same. How this was possible was a question he had, but decided that in the middle of the moment and the pending status of their conversation, that it was unimportant. Instead, he followed the proprietor, casting his gaze about to see the faces of young women in small groups, a momentary distraction that, in any other situation, Tydus would have jumped on ,but in this one it bred only a lack of professionalism and a waste of time.

The beautiful young ladies could wait, but this most assuredly could not. Caelum had mentioned a job, and rum, both of which were more important than fleeting women that could be recovered at any time. The slightest of chuckles escaped the Svefra's lips as the pair made their way to a well-lit table, Tydus taking the chance to more closely observe the man in the light.

He was, like Tydus, drawn upon with a tattoo at the shoulder, though the designs varied incredibly, and it lacked the intricate, animalistic nature of the gnosis mark that adorned Tydus'. He decided that it must be, like Tydus' own pod tattoo, some kind of cultural tattoo, and Tydus would most likely ask about it later in order to establish a connection with his new friend, but he was to allow Caelum to speak first and establish the meter of the business they had to discuss.

Tydus did not sit, waiting for Caelum to do so first as he replied, "It's good to see ya, Caelum. Good ta see that teh tavern is thrivin'. Business is good?"

Of course, a bustling tavern meant little if profits weren't turned, but it was neither his place to ask nor did he have the knowledge to know about any business acumen that Caelum had. For now, Tydus intended to allow Caelum to speak his peace, so that the Svefra would not make the same mistakes that closed his arrangement with the Konti, Kavala.

Sorry!I'm so sorry that I took so long to respond T.T I'll try to be more punctual with my replies from now on.

[Caelum]

OOC : Sorry for the delay! I’ve been out on what amounts to a medical hiatus and I hope you’re still interested in continuing. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or necessary plot revisions. “So far, so good,” the Drykas allowed. “It’s just the second day, but we haven’t seemed to run into any major problems yet. Business has been steady, but that’s mostly from curiosity. My hope is to build up some steady business, a collection of regulars, that kind of thing. Fortunately, the grand opening was busy, but you saw that.” A laugh hushed in the back of his throat. “I admit, I was more than a little worried no one would come.” A smile curved his mouth as while studying the svefra, something that might have been amusement hinting at the corners of things when he perceived the man’s surprise. It had not occurred to him until this moment that it was night and, as such, he was much changed from his appearance the day before. Not so long ago, he might have ignored the situation and let Tydus wonder and possibly stumble through questioning; but Caelum had grown easier in some regards, his personality more approachable, in the latest wane of seasons. Spring was a slow thaw both within and without. “I forgot to mention I’d look different tonight. I think I take it for granted that people know what an ethaefal is and how they shift between day and night.” One hand scrubbed back through his hair in a somewhat awkward gesture, but then he shrugged like what do you do and dropped down into a seat. His chair scooted a few inches, angling so he could watch Tydus and the club. The entire thing was so casual that most people would have missed the tells signifying that what Caelum also just managed to do was place himself in a position of prepared defense. The relatively laid back barkeep and physician usually failed to strike people as the sort with a history that would be so black as that, but then there were very few people who knew him well. Even among those that did, but one well versed in the vagaries of his background. “Thanks, Ellie,” Caelum muttered and flashed Elise a close-lipped smile when she arrived with a tray. A bottle of rum, a pair of cut glass tumblers, and a few miniature carafes of juice, spring water, and one of pre-mixed tonic that smelled of mint were set down along with a plate of fruit and cheese. When Elise spun away, leaving the goods behind, Caelum reached for the bottle to pry out the cork and serve. “Why don’t you tell me a little about what your pod is looking to do and what you might need to do it,” he suggested.

[Tydus Tempest]

An Ethaefal? Day and Night shifting? The concept of transformation at a particular bell astounded the Svefra, a curiosity bubbling in his mind, a sense of wonder about that also expanded towards the strange abilities that the proprietor possessed. Part of him wondered why the man settled for what he was when clearly he could do so much more. The other was doubtful that Caelum did stop. The proprietor of the Alements, while being an extremely decent man, also struck Tydus as a shrewd one.

A natural affinity for knowing what people seemed to want. Their problems... it had struck the Tempest to his core when he had experienced it, and he had almost immediately become hostile to the man as a result, but that, of course, changed. Caelum seemed to be a man that the Tempest scion could trust, and so, he decided to answer his question,

"In truth, mate... I'm not sure. I've been thinkin' that it's become too much for tem. Some'n aren' bothering figurin out how to get off tis rock, and ar Lia isn' helping teh situation. I think... I've been thinking, that... I might have to carry teh Tempest legacy on me own."

The words struck at the Tempest scion with fury, the man quickly looking towards the rum, desire building in his gaze, though he restrained himself. The thought was one that he and Kel had been discussing. Or rather, one that Kel blurted out in different words, calling the Lia an incompetent, calling the rest landlubbers broken by the shipwreck. Tydus couldn't help but agree, but attachment lingered above all else.

Leaving them in Riverfall can't be too bad...

Before the Tempest could continue with his thought, two Akalaks made their way into the Alements, both armed with Lakans at their side, traditional shortswords at the other. The Tempest looked over in time to see them move to the bar, but unable to hear what they were asking over the bartender, Tydus decided to shift his attention back towards the proprietor.

"I think, rather tan continue sharing stories and abstract needs n' wants, I tink that you and I can discuss more suitable arrangements, Caelum. Unlike me pod, I was taught teh basics regarding business. And an understanding of how to drive situations to my own advantage..."

Tydus attributed the second to Hypnotism, but regardless of how much he felt he could trust the Ethaefal, this was not information to be shared lightly and without drinks in hand.

"I tink we could..."

Before the Tempest could continue, he heard the words, 'The Laviku's Wrath, 'Murder', and 'Torture' arise, spoken in deep tones with obvious distaste. Something was going on, and the Tempest scion had a deep, sinking feeling that Kel had done something that could endanger the pod.

"The Laviku's Wrath..."

[Caelum]

Two of the miniature pitchers were lifted, cold to the touch and with drips of condensation spilling down off the side to plop lightly to the tabletop. Caelum wiped them away with the flat of his hand in an absent gesture, eyes moving easily between Tydus' face and the drink he was constructing before the svefra. It was a subtle art, a measure of a sparkling water that smelled of cucumber and mint, a short pour of thick, red juice that appeared to have dried herbs sprinkled through it, and a strong shot and a half of amber distilled alcohol that Tydus would immediately recognize the scent as spiced rum. "I'm sorry to hear that about your pod, Tydus," he offered quietly. A long handled teaspoon was ducked into each glass in turn to give a quick stir and he slid one across the table to his guest with a nod. If Tydus drank it, he would find that the drink had a sharp, clear taste that was refreshing and aided in clearing the mind. The rum didn't hurt either. "We can certainly work out a business arrangement --" Caelum stopped when Tydus stopped, eyes moving to the door as it swung open to watch the pair of Kuvay'nas make their way to the bar. He tilted his head a little to one side, an eye narrowing as he swept them visually toe to crown, mentally gathering up every iota of detail in their appearance and self presentation. The line of the first Akalak's shoulders was tight with tension and the second had a scowl set into an otherwise pleasant countenance. "They're here on duty," Caelum summed up in a pair of heartbeats, and then slanted his eyes towards Tydus. The sweeping examination he performed on the svefra was remarkably similar. His eyes narrowed and his voice dropped, one hand flattening on the table. "Which of your podmates owns the Laviku's Wrath? And are you accomplice to this? Tell me the truth and tell if fast. I'll help you if I can, but Taskel Sangrinus isn't here for a good drunk this time and that much is plain." While they spoke, Elise answered the guard's questions.

[Tydus Tempest]

The Tempest scion found it rather surprising how quickly Caelum switched his tune. It was remarkable, really. While the Svefra felt by no means intimidated by it, he did, however, set on edge. The accusation that Tydus was an accomplice to what sounded like murder was utterly ridiculous. The pair went on to question Elise about what happened the night prior, Tydus relieved to find that he had a very obvious and what most would consider embarrassing to speak about alibi. Tydus looked back to the night before, drinks tossed around, the songs of a scoundrel bard sailing through the sea of liquor and happy tidings. The bard had even made his way to Callipsia in a strange, horrid attempt to seduce her.

The procession of events was interrupted, of course, by Tydus' intervention, though it had quickly escalated into the two steering towards the Kulkulkan and making their night there. The two Tempests had ended their night in a mutual embrace, an awkward morning followed with a severe hangover and a lack of direction, but the Tempest had managed to make his way to the Alements without causing much in the way of trouble. Obviously, Kel did not complete his night with the Alements. Tydus observed that Kel had left with some woman, Tydus assuming that the Tempest podbrother had, for once, followed the younger Svefra's advice to go after a woman.

It was only natural to assume that Kel's sociopathic tendencies arose from a lack of sex. It was, after all, the best way to spend one's time, though Kel's mindset likely made him think that stabbing someone with a trident instead was the better option.

Maybe Kel's 'kukri' doesn't swing for the ladies... Or it doesn't work! Maybe that's why he hucks around a massive weapon like a trident. Compensating for what's lost, I say. No wonder he never agrees to tag along with me. Damn, half the time he even works against me! 'We both get it or neither of us do?' That sounds just like that greedy bastard's kind of thinking...

Tydus went on with his thoughts, though just as he connected the dots that Kel Tempest very much did commit a murder the previous evening, Tydus frowned. The Tempest scion had committed murder, in the past. Recent past, for Nal'lyeo dictated that those that stole a Svefra's ship without bearing their blood deserved death, but this was different. An innocent person, murdered on the streets of Riverfall, and there was nothing to attribute it to besides... Tydus didn't even know.

I don't think sexual frustration can excuse this... Best to exonerate myself and move on. We might need to leave Riverfall sooner than we thought...

Tydus looked to his questioner, shaking his head twice before he looked him directly in the eye, deep, ocean's blue clearly showing the truth of his words as he replied,

"I didn' kill no one, Caelum. Las' night, spent it at the Kulkulkan wit' me Lia. Yeh can ask the innkeeper herself. She'll probably call me a crazy drunker, but she'll..."

The Tempest attempted to find the right word, though his lack of fluency in the Common tongue left him without the proper placement for 'testify'. He instead went with a roundabout sort of admittance,

"She'll be able to say fer sure that I was der."

Tydus did not like this situation, in the slightest. The Svefra tugged at the djed that dwelled within his body, welling it within his eyes and the depths of his throat as he prepared for Caelum's and the guards' inevitable disbelief. Tydus had encountered distrust for the Svefra in the past and was more than willing to use Hypnotism to rectify the situation.

He was, after all, innocent.

Fratava | Hypnotic Fratava | Common | Hypnotic Common | Vani

[Caelum]

Remarkably, Caelum believed him. It was not so surprising if one considered the wealth of compassion inherent in any healer and then combined it with the compelling lure of ranuri. When Tydus looked him in the eyes and swore to his innocence, he was addressing the inclined. That was not to say Caelum wouldn’t discreetly inquire after the innkeeper of the Kulkulkan, but that was more because he was a thorough man than because he was harboring any genuine doubt. “Alright,” he murmured to the svefra, tone pitched to soothe his guest. If Tydus thought he had performed too quick of a tune-change, then perhaps he was failing to consider the severity of the charges. “I believe you.” Dark eyes searched the svefra’s face. Perhaps it was clear that the ethaefal wanted to believe Tydus. The sheer amount of compassion present in his expression and communicated with even the staying gesture of his hand as he rose was in and of itself reassuring, though it often set the more astute minds to wondering just exactly how a man could conceive and sustain such a degree of empathy for his fellow man. Their world was filled with pains and pitfalls and each person already had enough of their own without taking on the hardships of others. Didn't they? "Let's see what we can find out, yeah?" He tilted his head in invitation for Tydus to join him and turned for the bar. The Kuvay'nas looked up as he did so, their eyes sweeping over Caelum and moving past him for the svefra.

[Mayhem1]

You're an excited PC roaming around a thread.

You're not paying attention that the story's over.

Then...BAM! You're hit with a Grade.

I'm Mayhem, the ever-present Junior ST of Cyphrus. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this grade, please don't hesitate to shoot me a PM! And please, please remove or edit your grading request once you see this. Thank you!

 

Caelum

XP

• Cooking - 1
• Socialization - 2
• Investigation - 1

LORES

• Tydus: Not a Murder Accomplice
• Tydus's Alibi

Notes: I wanted to see what would happen with the Kuvay'nas. Too bad the thread was cut short.

With Regards,
- Mayhem