Closed [The Quay] We drink, and drink, and drink some more

[S'Essy]

She was getting ready for the party. Maybe she spent too much time with it, but she was resting. Healing was a tiring a process and she thought she would sleep before the party. She woke up, and Markus went ahead of her. She took on her new purple dress she bought for this. She needed to buy new clothes anyway and this was just the beginning. She wanted to surprise her lover with it. Aside from clothing, she though she would knock her hair up this time. She always let it on loose, she wanted something different.

It took her long enough to make that knot right but she managed to do it and she was ready to go to the party. She was hungry anyway, she had to eat for 2 now. She quickly headed there and when she arrived people were already having fun, eating, drinking, dancing, everything. It was a nice change from the usual day in Sunberth. She could enjoy herself too with Markus. Among the people she was trying to spot him. She was turning her head to the right and left, even standing on her toes for a bit. Then she spotted him.... with someone.

A sudden stab of jealousy got into her. He was hugging someone else? Another girl so intimately? She was heading there and she was not amused by it. She calmed down a bit when he realized that girl wasn't her and he didn't do it on purpose. But for the Gods... "Kvist! My dear Kvist! I'm so glad you know me so well! " She said in a bit irritated voice while she grabbed his ear and just gently pulling it closer to her. But her gaze went to the other Konti. Another Konti here? Her face softened and gentle smiled replaced her angry features. "Sorry, it seems humans can't see the difference between us. I'm surprised to see another of my race. It's a pleasure to meet with you, Nitai. As my dear partner said, my name is S'Essy. At least I know I'm not alone here."S'Essy changed to Kontinese when she was talking to Nitai

The Healer's attention went back at the Knight. She let his ear go and rather wrapped her arms around his. "So, darling, do I look good enough for you? Or you will change me for this lady, you hugged so lovingly? " she teased him but she could feel her stomach asking for food. She had to eat, she had to be fit. Their baby needed food too."Can we go and grab a plate? I must eat anything, don't have to be raw sea food. But no alcohol for me tonight... I guess we can get some water somewhere. "

OOC-20 GM for a purple silk dress

[Victus]

While Victus may have flailed and fumbled around a woman, he was on surer ground when it came to men. At least men bearing weapons. As Nitai opened her mouth to reassure him (or condemn him? he didn't know), a thick arm snaked around her stomach and picked her up like she was a bag of meal, lifting her out of her seat. Something clicked in Victus' mind; something both primal and instructed, especially over the last few weeks. His new teacher had told him about the Knights from lands far from Sunberth (he always made a point to speak as if their was a big "K"), about the manners and politeness of other peoples, and what he had called "The Rules" that all good men lived by. Not handling women like toys was, apparently, chief among them. Victus was a hard study for much of that (he'd never had much use for women, and empathy wasn't something his master encouraged), but now he had the chance to put the theory into practice. He jerked upright so fast that his hood nearly fell from his head, hand on the hidden hilt of his gladius, fingers twitching on it. That came far easier to him, he had to admit... if he was even aware of it. Much instinct is innate and natural, but some is learned, bangd into you ove years and years until it can spring out without thought. Not that it seemed necessary. Victus watched with growing, muted awe as the woman Nitai put the man back in his place with a few choice words. And the man... gods, was he embarrassed? He looked mortified, stunned, struggling for the right words, excuses pouring from his lips. His accent told Victus he was not from the Berth, with may have explained a lot: few Sunberth men would be so easily swayed by a simple mistake or tart words, especially not those who swaggered with swords on their hips. That caught the slave's attention, too. He frowned at it, noting the polished scabbard and the gorgeous hilt. Not a ganger's weapon, he thought. Something cheap and ready you wouldn't miss in a scrap. A gladiator, like him, maybe but... that accent? It sounded more like... the healer, who'd been teaching him recently. More clipped and cultured than the roving, roiling, rabid Sunberth speech, even after a few bevies. Victus blinked as he heard his name, noting with a smile Nitai's polite bow. The poise of the woman... it was unnerving and charming all at once. He'd not seen grace like that before: all he knew of women was cold-eyed whores and jeering drunks and slave girls that never smiled or hoped. This one could "disarm" an armed man with some rapid-fire words and not a scrap on steel in her hands. Some treacherous part of Victus couldn't help but think that was a more dangerous skill than knowing how to swing a sword. "Yes. Varan." He said finally, words coming out a bit easier now, with practice. Not so much ground out as if under duress, but still accompanied with a baritone rumble. "You are not from our city, are you?" He noted the sword again and a wry smile tugged up one corner of his mouth. "... Ser?" A bad joke, born of his recent tutelage in silly stories. But it's amazing how often creation arranges things for bad jokes to have good aim.

[Dmitri Saratov]

Dmitri's ears were ringing from the sounds assaulting him from all sides, a minor side-effect that would soon enough fade into nothingness. For the time being, he was enjoying his time here, chattering away with the old geezer who was drinking his crooked body's weight as fast as his shaky hands could take the mugs to his mouth. Dmitri was terrible at these type of casual events, if he didn't have a clear goal in mind, he felt uncomfortable and out of place. He was simply not used to lowering his guard, especially not around so many people. Either way, he ignored the gnawing feeling in his gut to take flight before it's too late, and turned his head to tease the old man about his apparent alcoholism, when he was greeted by a drooling, snorefesting, face with one wrinkly hand still holding his mug... "Damn, ol' drunky, told you to slow down!" Dmitri laughed hearthily before taking off his vest and placing it over the old man's shoulders to let him sleep as cozily as he could be. As if the old man wanted to slap Dmitri's face with a burn one last time, he grunted and wrapped him halfway around the vest before drooling on it and continueing his snoozefest. "Hahaha!" Dmitri might've been buzzed already as well, even though he drank at a fifth of the old man's pace, as he found himself in an overly cheerful mood while looking around. Spotting all kinds of folk and scenes playing out before him, some were dancing, others talking, and even a few putting on their best gnarlyface. It was a stew, a glorious one, of Sunberth's finest. With halfclosed eyes, he rested against the counter and took another sip of his mug before tearing a piece of meat with his mouth off the finely cooked hogmeat he had in his hand. Greasy as all hell, but the taste was too good to be bothered with it.

[Kaie]

Word came to her in whispers of hired urchins as it always seemed to whenever the Scars sought her out. This time it was a young serving girl who darted craftily through the bodies of Ruby's with a stealthy finesse the Myrian had to admire. The tiny curly haired girl found her target leaned up against one of the brothel's dark corners, the perfect spot for any common bouncer to stand and survey the crowd. When Kaie felt the tug upon her vest and listened to the girl's message, she couldn't help but furrow her brow. The Scars call...but not for blood? For a party? It was a rather odd and unexpected notion to be sure. Nonetheless, when her shift had ended during the afternoon the savage made plans to head toward The Quay. Not without preparation of course.

The season had been a bloody one, that much was obvious. The bruises upon her flesh were testimony to the city's abuses. The earliest ones had faded, but some of the nastier one remained in their ugly shades of black and blue. A sword bite or two remained upon her flesh, obscured with careful wrapping while they healed. Her experiences both at home and across the Suvan sea had done wonders to her pain tolerance. When she grit her teeth now and then in agony, however, alcohol was usually enough to sooth her nerves and then some. Though she wasn't plagued by discomfort tonight she drank a flagon of wine before her arrival. Amber eyes surveyed the familiar outside of the establishment of her comrades, and then tan hands pushed open the door to enter the world of jovial drunks and savory feasting.

"Oi! Look a' you! Ya look like ya cou' use a drink, no?" An unfamiliar man slurred, swinging his tankard of ale with his hand gestures. The Myrian offered him a rare grin. "Damn straight. I'll take whatever they're pouring," Kaie replied in Common, though her accent was evident as ever in her speech. The middle-aged man flashed her a toothless smile and made a bee-line for the kegs. In the meantime the savage took a moment to take in the scenery. Some faces were more familiar than others. There was a glance of the man they called Lion, a flash of blonde moving through the room Kaie only guessed could be Web, and when the voices rose to accompany a bard in honor of the Red Wolf's survival, she could only assume Bitzer was somewhere close by to enjoy it. In a few ticks the man had returned with a tall tankard of ale and gestured her to venture forth into the festivities. With her gladius secured upon her hip, the Myrian could only hope for one night she'd have no thought to use it.

"Hey, you! Sing louder so we can hear you back here!" Kaie called to the musicians and began weaving through the bodies of the party-goers, tipping the tankard to her lips as she went.

[Noven]

It always amused and caught him off guard at the same time, the way the doctor so bluntly spoke. Those four, simple words she'd uttered could have been taken a dozen different ways, given the right circumstances, but Nov chose to go with the most literal for now and plopped down beside her.

No sooner had he taken his seat than the cook feel Kechaiya's body shift closer to his. The healer didn't stop until their thighs touched, and the warmth of her flesh turned whatever dampness was leftover from his improvised bath into steam. He didn't know if it was intentional, if they should be sitting together at all. But it sent a thrill of pleasure just to be near her. And that dress...Nov could see she was wearing some kind of dark, purple color on her lips to match it, and that the gentle curves of her small but firm bust above the curve of her neckline, accentuated all the more by an equally distracting corset.

In the merc's head, corsets and cosmetics were best meant for one thing and one thing only: being unlaced or smudged in the careless, haphazard throes of passion.

Nov reached for his tankard and took a deep draught. Not the best course of action in his current situation, but he could think of little else to do to distract himself from the intoxicating creature beside him.

She was speaking again. The man looked over to Kechaiya and found her ink black gaze staring straight back, sending an unexpected shiver up his spine. He wasn't sure what it was about her eyes...if it was because they seemed endless in depth, or because they had no pupils to indicate to Nov if she was afraid. But the doctor seemed bolder than ever tonight. Maybe that was why he felt so off balance. Definitely had to do something with the dress.

Conversationally, Kechaiya explained she had been at Leeland's tending the sick for days. Nov figured as much, but, selfish as it sounded, it was oddly comforting to know she'd been burying herself in work. He already caught sight of more than a few pairs of eyes lingering at their table. Or, more specifically, at the cut of Chai's dress.

The doctor asked if he'd been busy at Jillene's. He managed a non-committal grunt as his caustic gaze caught sight of some half balding bloke with no nose and crumbs of food trapped along his unshaven jaw eyeing Kechaiya as if she were a fresh plum for his teeth to sink into. For a tick, the too-wide hips of big breasted broad blocked both men's visions, but she sauntered off with a sniff of disdain when Nov sent her a glare that all but said, 'get a fucking move on.'

The pervy bastard was focusing his attentions where they weren't wanted while the doctor ate. So, Nov raised one arm to drape it casually behind his companion's seat. Then he picked up one of the eating knives, sank it into a hunk of roasted potatoes, and leered at the man as he waved his freshly speared food. Poor sod had only enough time to blanch before scurrying off to bother lesser prey, probably that busy brunette who had walked by a few ticks ago with tiger stripes for teats. Satisfied, the cook stuck the potato in his mouth and chewed happily.

"Aye, I've been busy enough," Nov finally answered, a small smile settling on his face as he ate and talked in Kechaiya's presence. "Runts always getting into trouble, food to be carted from the market, a few heads to bash in when things get rowdy now and then. Same old, same old."

Between the food and company and free booze, Noven wasn't sure if life could get any better. He was already on his third tankard of wine by the time he finished his first plate of food and his head was starting to feel that pleasant sway upon entering the tipsy territory of drunkenness. More than once the man found himself leaning just a wee bit too close to the doctor or touching her bare shoulder as they spoke, but he was so far past the point of caring it almost seemed comical.

A familiar voice shouted for the musicians to sing louder, though it was hard to tell who in the crowd and din, and Nov hooted as the band struck up a different song altogether in compliance. Downing the rest of his wine, he stood up with so much gusto he nearly knocked over his chair.

"Hope you haven't broken any new ribs lately, doc, cause you owe me a dance," he grinned, holding out a hand toward Kechaiya.

[Dor'gen]

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Dor'gen was not exactly the sort of man who had a "night life".

When the glorious light of Syna began to dip beyond the horizon, the Akalak would simply make his way over to one of the city's taverns for a meal. Following this, it would be off to his residence at the Aquillar Hot Springs for a nocturnal dip prior to a long, well-earned slumber. However, it would seem as though Lhex had a different agenda in mind for the dark-skinned warrior; for fate would have it that the Akalak overhear excited whisper. 'Twas a rumor regarding a party of sorts at the Quay. The fortified corner of the city was to open its doors so that eating, drinking, and merrymaking could commence within its walls. Of the three, Dor'gen found the most appeal in the thought of feasting...without having to shell out a few coins...

As such, he decided to dedicate this evening to the Quay's festivities; and to bring along a friend for the fun.

Having shared with her the supposed itinerary, the duo would begin their journey from the Hot Springs. Immediately prior, Dor'gen freshened up a bit and decided to leave his shield and armor at home. After all, this was to be a social event and he did not want to come "dressed for work". However, he was not silly enough to go unarmed; and as such carried his bastard sword as always. Oddly enough, the Akalak decided to do something with his hair of all things. As opposed to letting down, free as always, he decided to tame his locks into a ponytail. It was not exactly the neatest ponytail in the city, of course, but it was enough effort in the Akalak's opinion. By his "standards", he looked...nice.

Upon arriving at the Quay, he was greeted with the sights and sounds of a bustling crowd. Conversations prattled on all about, barrels of ale were being consumed, and a delicious aroma invaded his nostrils. Stepping forward, the Akalak first decided to first seek out a means of quenching his thirst; and did so by procuring a mug of berry cider. 'Twas the first time he had the opportunity to enjoy Sunberth's main delicacy, and upon having a taste...he found it immensely delicious. In all honesty, it reminded Dor'gen of home; for there were plenty of days where he feasted on the berries growing about. With drink in hand, his gaze swept about the party until he saw...a relatively familiar hair color. 'Twas a bright blonde that stood out amongst the darker hues.

Taking a step closer, Dor'gen noticed that he knew the two women characterized by this unique hair color. The first was S'Essy, the wonderful healer who had patched him up earlier in the season. The second...was the thief Dor'gen had growled at. Putting on a hospitable smile, the Akalak stepped over before regarding them with a nod. "Good evening all, how goes it?"

And Dor'gen didn't need to wear purple...he IS purple.

Word Count512
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[Zandelia]

“Evening Web, I must say you know how to throw a party these days. Where were these talents that night in the shadows?” the creeping grin of Thane greeted her as she approached.

“I had not thought to see you here Thane, you can thank Bitzer for the revelry though. She planned it, I merely...had a change of clothing,” she responded affably as she sipped upon a beverage, the number of which she had now lost track, “enjoying yourselves boys?” she asked, nodding at his gathered companions – four of them sat in the corner playing dice for coppers.

“And why wouldn't we be lass? Free food, drink...and a nice set of friends to keep an eye on. Figured you'd want to relax. Don;t worry, the boys eyes are sharp even if they're pickled with whatever this good stuff is. We'll make sure you can just enjoy yourself. Least we can do”

“You;re too kind lads, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Saved our arses and gave me a leg up in the business. Seems fair to repay where we can. Now, feel like a bit of a game?”

“Game? Dice? Oh no, no no. My games are far more...cerebral. And usually insulting”

“You don't say? Care to give us a try. She says she can insult us boys! Not sure she knows how many words we've had scorning us in our years” he threw down the gauntlet impressively, they all sniggered into their cups at his words and his pointed stare coupled with his point to a stool opposite were clear in their intent.

“Very well,” she sat down, smoothing her skirts as she did so, “rules then. I guess something about you. I'm right then you drink. I'm wrong, I drink. And this guess is character based, a test if you will of my considerable abilities. If you enter into this venture you cannot start a fight over it, you asked for it after all” she smiled at him, emerald orb glistening in challenge.

“Fair enough like, go on then. Guess” he leant back into the corner cockily, confident as he filled two cups with what appeared to be some strong spirit indeed.

“Your father beat you, until you grew older and decided to strike out for yourself. You killed him”

“Oh, very good. But that's every lad I know round these parts. Come on, show something unique now” he drank deeply.

“You killed him because he killed your mother”

“Petch, right for the short ribs eh? Right you are” he drank once more.

“You killed your first man before that though, before you were ten I'd say. For gold”

“Ah, but the reason?”

“Probably medicines for your mother”

“Oh for the love of-” he drank and filled his now empty cup once more.

“You loved a whore, she had a child. It lives still”

“Easy now”

“You long for the better because you don;t want them to suffer like you did”

“Easy I said-”

“But you live in hopelessness because you can;t see it ever happening”

“Fu...me. Web, alright. Alright! You proved your point. End of game. It's like you followed me around at my heels all my life”

“No, that was Grubbins here,” she tapped the shoulder of a man beside her, “he wanted to be you. Settled for helping you be you. Thane?”

“What?”

“Where is the child?”

“Think I'm telling you?”

“No. Bring them to me if you like, I will make them better than both of us. One condi-”

It was then that her attention was lost to the crowded throngs, turned around and greeted by the delightful sight of Fallon in full mode of relaxation. She was smiling, as broadly as she had ever seen her and for the first time there was less the notion of verbal teasing and simple outward expression. She felt her cheeks redden slightly at the compliment to the way she looked, eye darted to Thane briefly and dared him to say a word silently. He was watching them both avidly, his companions snickering away and increasing the redness of her face. Her arm wrapped around Fallon's waist neatly, surprised beyond belief that any pretence of a secret relationship was being even partially dropped. She opened her mouth but Than jumped in quickly.

“My turn right! You are frightened of losing by revealing something sweet to the world. You live in a house with one other, don;t like sleeping alone and judging by those red cheeks you love this one far more than you'd ever want me to know. You want to kill me, right here and now, for saying it aloud. But you're too stupid to notice everyone knows anyways. Hah! Gotcha!” he slapped the table and passed her a very bid cup of spirit.

She looked at him, then to Fallon, then the sniggering group. To the cup, grasping it and drinking it as quickly as she dared. They cheered, it was possibly even more embarrassing when added tot he exposure. His words made sense though, it was seeming less and less meaningful to hide behind a veneer that was a flimsy as the dress she was wearing. She slapped the cup down and stared at him as she couched just once at the burning sensation engulfing her within.

“Utter...bastard” she stated, grinning all the same, “ yes wolf. I would love to dance. Apparently I'm getting blind-sided by beggars these days so please save me from this tragedy” she took her arm and stepped along with her partner.

“One question, who leads this time?” she snorted slightly with the giggling laughter.

[Caela Dorin]

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It didn't matter where the dancer went, she knew that. She was going to feel horribly out of place without Kechaiya to talk to and keep some semblance of sanity at this party. So it was just a matter of picking a direction and heading that way. Somewhere with a table.

She made a beeline for a table that had just been vacated by drunken revellers heading closer to where the music was. She had the table to herself for the time being but she doubted that it would remain that way for long. She'd make the most of the peace - if there could be such a thing in the middle of such a rowdy party - while it lasted. She would eat and drink and watch Kechaiya and Noven and... The blonde groaned as she realised that the pair of them were still in view. Well at least she wasn't going to be actively intruding and she could get a good look at the doctor without her noticing. It wasn't likely that she'd look over Caela's way, she was too absorbed with Noven. The foreigner certainly had the man's attention and if the dancer wasn't mistaken, she was wearing the corset that they'd bought while shopping. It had worked even better than the blonde had thought that it would.

She found herself smiling as she glanced away from the two of them. Best to allow the pair some privacy and just watch other people at the party of which there were plenty to choose from. She'd already seen enough to be pleased for her student even though it had jealousy gnawing at her again. Maybe better to drink enough to drink the edge off of that. She glanced at the tankard of berry cider that she'd brought with her, deciding to down the last of it. She wasn't going to get drunk, she told herself as she went to get a refill. She was only going to drink more than she normally did that was all. It was a party after all, letting her hair down was allowed.

While she was up she nabbed some chicken and some more of the pig, which was fast disappearing, and made her way back to where she'd been sitting. Time to eat, drink and be merry although she'd have to work on the last part. Berry cider would help with that and it wasn't like she was going to get drunk, just enough to be happy. While she waited for that to happen food and drink were alternated between as she examined the crowd. There were so many people but some of them stuck out more than others. There were two striking blondes standing together with two men, one who looked vaguely familiar and another scowling, vicious looking one. She wouldn't like to come across the latter in a dark alley. The two women were wearing purple, different shades from one another but it made her glance towards Kechaiya, who was also wearing purple. Odd.

A swallow of cider was spewed back into the tankard in shock as she caught sight of a figure that towered above everyone else. Shyke, there was a big black guy towering over everyone! She'd thought that that guy with the blondes was tall but this man that had caught her attention was freaking huge! He wasn't even black. The dark hue of his skin that she'd mistaken for ebony was actually a deep purple. She didn't know that men came in purple - what was with purple at this party? - although she had met one that was blue so she supposed that it wasn't that strange.

The cider that had been spat out was reclaimed and soon the bottom of the tankard had been reached again. The blonde turned it upside down and peered into it as if trying to work out how it had emptied so fast. An unhappy look was directed at the tankard as she set it down with a sigh. Shooting it grumpy looks as if it was its fault, she finished the last of her food and looked around hopefully for someone to come along who wanted to get her more drink. There'd be no harm in getting something more to drink, it wasn't like she was getting drunk.
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[Kechaiya]

Kech was a bit disappointed that his response to her question was a simple grunt, but she refused to let it show. She kept her face in a nice neat smile, not too much, so as to not unsettle him or cause suspicion, but enough to show that she was happy. She saw him look away and decided to take a note directly out of Caela's book, with a slight deviation. Picking up the tankard of cider, she took a healthy swig of the bubbly liquid, but rather than looking at Noven's eyes, she looked to what was holding his gaze. And for a moment, her heart sank, as it seemed he was staring at the giant titted woman. Looking back at him now, as the woman moved away, she saw that his eyes hadn't moved in the slightest. Looking back over, she saw that petching noseless guy staring without any shame. Was this how Caela felt when the drunks watched her dance at Pig's Foot? If so, she felt for the dancer, because it just made her feel... gross. Like if she'd gone far too long without bathing. Finishing her cider, she forced herself to not belch loudly in Noven's face.

Setting the tankard down, she allowed her hand to graze his, to perhaps bring his attention back to her instead of good ol' noseless. Then she felt him put his arm around her shoulders, not protectively, but showing that she was with him. This was a much appreciated turn of events, and Kechaiya took the opportunity to settle just a bit closer into the crook of his arm, watching him use the potato as a threat. She continued to eat, but kept casting her eyes on him, especially when he spoke. Her tankard had been refilled and she was already halfway through that one. Whenever he leaned in close to her, she returned the movement with the same from her end. She'd seen how much he'd drank, as the warmth of her own spread through her stomach and cheeks.

She found herself giggling as he hooted, when a loud belch forced its way out of the tiny woman. It had caused several nearby patrons to turn and stare at her. But she didn't care, she was already deep into the awkward sound that was her giggle-snort, inherited from her mother. And with that, Noven was at his feet with the grace of an olidosapux in a glassware shop. If there had been a few less people on the bench, he surely would've toppled it. She was still giggling at the joke he'd made, and before she could think before speaking, she blurted out a joke of her own, "You no take me to bed to break rib again."


She immediately realized what she said, and clasped a hand to her mouth in shock, soon followed by the giggle-snort once more. "Yes, dance." She took his hand with one of her own, and stood straight up, as that was the only way the corset allowed. Moving closer to him she wove her arm around his, using her other to hold onto it as well. She let him lead her, realizing she'd not danced since her and the other Chaktawe children had danced under Leth in Eyktol. She didn't even know if Sunberth had a particular style of dance, so she just followed his lead. They passed by Noseless again, and in Tawna she said, "You should find a woman with a nose large enough for you both," and ended it with a half polite smile.

Looking around, she began seeing a few other faces that were familiar to her. There was Markus and Nitai and some other Konti woman in what looked to be an awkward situation as the other woman had him by the ear. She also saw Dor'gen standing like a giant purple mountain over everyone else. She managed to see Caela just as she... vomited? Perhaps spit into her cup, then drink it back. She hoped it was the latter, and hoped the woman wasn't already drunk enough to be drinking her own sick. As Noven walked her to their destination, she sent the dancer a tiny wave and a bright smile, trying to do so in a manner so Noven didn't really notice. After all, the only reason any of this was working, or so she assumed, was that Caela had taught her all of this.

But she had not taught her to dance, and now it was time to pay the piper.

[Xavior Silhouette]

The festivities had progressed along well enough, his drink long gone. But not from consumption but rather he passed it along to another person who seemed to be in a merry enough state as it was. He had heard rumors of the Quay, only whispers in the wind, and sought to use the social environment as misdirection. He had heard of the host but did not know her name. The Hound no longer howled in the night but his echos did not land on deaf ears; much like a story that drew his attention. He followed the sound and soon came across a table with a woman in the middle. Her story of the scholar seemed to entrance the onlookers. He kept his distance and observed, the woman seemed to enjoy herself or rather her drink. But when the story ended and she excused herself, “to do rounds,” he thought to himself. “She doesn’t seem to be a bar maiden or hired assistance,” his hand rubbed his chin. With calm confidence he approached the group who had returned to their conversations and gambles. “Pardon me folks,” some stopped their activities and looked over at Xavior. “I was wondering, who was that woman?” “Why do you want to know?” A skeptical voice chimed in. “Oh? Oh!” Xavior’s hands lifted in apology, “I would just like to compliment her on such--” “Its Bitzer,” a young boy chimed in, “isn’t she marvelous?” “Quiet Victor,” a woman chastised the boy. “Oh how I love the innocence of children,” Xavior said to himself. “Thank you young man,” Xavior gave the child a warm smlie. He straightened his back and began to roll through the crowd once more, “was that the name? Its been almost a year I can’t remember.” He passed by a few unknown faces and gave a nod to those that passed. A man he did not know, hair dark blonde, and nearly as tall as himself. The young man seemed to hold his brawny body well. The ethaefal took in the body with delight but didn’t bother to interrupt Markus; but such a man would not be soon forgotten. He traveled in the general direction that Fallon had walked, but lost sight of her among the shifters and movers. “Damn,” he thought, “I probably would of been better off enjoying the view of that man.” A long sigh rolled from his mouth, “I’m sure I’ll see her again. But what would I say?” Xavior continued to think to himself absently scanning over the bodies. He could see the open square where the musicians continued to play their merry tune much to the delight of the crowd. The night was still young maybe he’ll have a chance later on.