Open [Rearing Stallion] Imitating a species...

[Ren Doyle]

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The evening slowly darkens as the three strangers sat around the wooden table in The Rearing Stallion, drinking their ale as they gradually learn about one another. The kind stranger’s treat of ale arrived, making this Ren’s third mug. As the man taste tested the ale, Ren downed a small mouthful; it was bitter but refreshing. However, the man seemed to find the taste slightly… inferior. Ren laughed at the man’s reaction to the ale, but not as hard as he did with Skae. Ren looked at his mug as he swirled the yellow liquid within. His body’s warmth was slowly beginning to rise and his thoughts grew more vivid. Looking back up, Ren resumed his attention to the group.

Another round of introduction was need as the man introduced himself as ‘Kai of the Tidewaves’. Ren was unfamiliar to the Suvan culture, from he gathered they like to sail the seas.
“Well met, Kai. I’m Ren, Ren Doyle.” Ren introduced,
“If you need help around the city, just let me know.”
Ren raised drink to tap the other’s mug before he continued drinking. Two travellers, one night, Ren felt quite lucky meeting these two; however, he wasn’t too sure if it was the ale making him feel this way. Turning his focus over to Skae, he could see that she was being cautious. Eyes shifting, calculating and still cold, Ren wasn’t sure what was causing her to be tense. Whatever it was, Ren felt the need to make her at ease.

After a few chimes has passed, a barmaid stopped by the three’s table and served Kai a meal. The meal was the same bread and soup Ren previously had, but wasn’t as enticing with a full belly. Ren watched as Kai charmed the woman as she left the table. Ren watched as she walked back to the kitchen peering back at Kai with a smile on her face. He really knows how to soften women, I’ll give him that, Ren thought. Spoon in hand; Kai took to his meal momentarily pausing to pardon him.
“It’s fine.” Ren smiled, gesturing for him to continue,
“The soups not too bad.”
As Kai ate his meal, Ren looked at Skae, who was still tense. Perhaps more conversation will help? Unaware of a man eavesdropping on the group’s conversation, Ren continued talking to the two.
“So, what brings you to this fortress that we call a city?” Ren asked.

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Other's voice - My voice - Thoughts

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[Verinskae]

"That obvious huh? No I am from the Suvan. South. Born and bred. Atleast I think I am."

Ah… from the Suvan?... It explained the salty taste at least. Humans of the sea, riding their colossal fortresses of wood upon the deep blue, traveling to and fro, wherever they pleased. It was common knowledge among her kin that they often bartered with the Myrians, sailing from coast to coast, selling their exotic wares. For all their uniqueness, however, they were quite naive on land. They were curious creatures by nature it seemed and after one too many drinks they often found themselves stumbling out of the Myrian camps, only to get lost and killed by the many dangers of her home. Easy prey for her kin and whatever else lurked in the jungles of Falyndar.

If he is from the Suvan then maybe he has a ship… she concluded to herself. A ship could be useful, very useful if things ever got rough here in Syliras. Skae was always mindful of new means of escape. The male introduced himself as ‘Kai of the Tidalwaves’, his common seemed a little off. The barmaid returned with another bowl of that rancid looking, watery paste. Again with the forceful name requests… their socializing is matched only by their bizarre eating habits… she mused. In her nest, knowing ones name had been a sign of great trust, even then, names were rarely given among her kin. This was something she would clearly need to get used to.

She had been so focused on working out this Kai of the Tidalwaves she had almost forgotten Ren was there, introducing himself once more and offering assistance. She decided to follow suite. “Ssskae…” The Dhani hissed her name in response. She frowned at Ren’s appraisal of the soup. If I see, smell or hear anything else about that ungodly bowl of rot I may just regurgitate the remains of my last meal upon this table... she brooded, resentfully.

There was another round of tense, awkward silence as the three finished up their food and beverage. It was Ren who shattered the unstable glass in the end. Skae could clearly see by his facial expression and body mannerisms that Ren was simply trying to lighten the mood, but, for some reason, it felt like an interrogation. She knew better than to give in so easily to his naive, possible fained innocence, trust got you killed quick.

“Ass I ssaid… I’ve been traveling for quite sssometime now, I come to Sssylirass to learn of it’s people and culture! ... and what a ssite it isss to ssee!” She decided to go ahead and kill two birds with one stone, “...alasss! I would love to ssstudy much of its marine life yet I do not have accesss to a sship! I would pay handsssomely for a cruissse of the nearby watersss…” Skae lied, resting both hands under her chin, a smile forming on her lips, her gaze fixated on nothing in particular. She felt cold eyes on the back of her head, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. Probably nothing…

[Kai']

　　With the go ahead from his current company, the young Svefra grinned his thanks and broke off a chunk of relatively still fresh bread, dunking it into his steaming bowl of soup. As Ren offered aid for around the city Kai swiftly swallowed his mouthful, joining the young male in raising his mug of ale, "Thank you for offer. I think of calling you up on that, the city is big, much big and confusing for me." Giving the young florist a friendly smile, he took a small sip of the bitter Sylirian ale, before returning back to wolfing down his warm, soothing meal.
　　As Skae introduced herself and spoke of her reasons for coming to Syliris, Kai found himself only half listening as a cold shiver convulsed down the young Svefra's spine. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, as he felt eyes trained upon him. Playing around with the spoon in his soup bowl, the young male concentrated on his peripheral vision and sure enough out of the corner of his eye he noticed the fleeting glimpse of a shadow of black shuffle to a table behind him. Relief washed over him as the young Svefra's shoulders visibly relaxed. It was just a patron shifting tables.
　　The young Svefra almost laughed at his own paranoia. A mind full of tales of thievery and of the suspiousness of city dwellers his Pod had filled his head with before he had left the Southern Suvan were keeping him on edge. Such silly tales they were, here he was sat with a city dweller and the man showed nothing but a kind spirit - his Pod had simply been trying to scare him. Suddenly along with his train of thought of his family left behind, the young Svefra found his heart ached a little within his chest. How he missed their company, their practical jokes and their comfort.
　　Still, bright sapphire gaze settled upon the faces sat at the table with him and a twitch of a smile pulled at the corner of his lips at the potential for friendship in the absence of family. As he pulled his attention to Skae's story, the young Svefra suddenly realised that she seemed to emphasise the S's in her words, perhaps it was just a lisp.... Yet, from the tribal markings upon her feminine face Kai would place her as being from Falynder.. she couldn't be a Dhani.. could she?
　　As that thought mulled around in his noggin Kai found his gaze training the movements and expressions of the tribal beauty as he continued to quickly wolf down his bread and soup. An attempt to decipher whether his suspicions were correct, without outright asking in the presence of others, lest she not want her nature to be revealed - that is IF his suspicions were right, he could be completely wrong. He had never met a Dhani before, so was naturally curious and fascinated by the unknown race.
　　Grinning wildly, the young Svefra thought Skae's wish of wanting to see the marine life was an extention on her part to further the development of their friendship making. Alas the young Svefra took others upon the meaning of their words, never believing one to lie deliberately. Unless they were a business or shop orientated person, then they would spin whatever lie they could to tempt you into a sale.
　　"We have a same there. I have just arrived in Syliras from travel up the Suvan from South, use my small casinor and would happy to take two out in waves, free - if you bring good drink of course!" Kai chuckled as his bright oceanus gaze flickered from Skae to Ren, the offer extended to them both. Svefra - a race full of party goers at every opportunity if drink and the promise of merriment was involved. His gaze settling upon the young florist Kai inquired, scooping the last remaining remnants of his soup from the cooling bowl, "You are native Sylirian Ren?"

oOcSo sorry for the delay in my reply guys!!

　

[Bakar]

I promise I'm not that scary..

They had in fact been meeting for the first time. There was no right time to but in, so the sooner it happened the better. He took a deep "breath" to calm his nerves, and stood once again. "They seem friendly. They seem nice." He kept whispering to himself, reassuring that everything would turn out fine.

He quietly pulled up a chair and sat beside the large man with the broken common. He didn't say anything for a second, and was scared to look up, expecting all eyes to be one him.

He spoke to the table, quickly and quietly, introducing himself to others before they asked him for the first time in years. "Good evening.. I couldn't help but notice that you were all in the middle of introductions. I hope you don't mind if I join in. I was here alone and wouldn't mind a little company. I am.. Bakar." He choked out his name, still nervous to look up. He watched the table and scanned his eyes over the texture, before running his hands over the table. He was trying to distract himself from the silence that may come, or the protests of his interruptions.

His first introduction in a long time, could set the pace for how he proceeded with others for the rest of his days. He waited breathlessly for their reply, and would only relax when they all seemed okay with his joining.

OOCNo worries Kai, good to see you back!
Sorry for the short post, just wanted to do a quick introduction before things got too far ahead.

[Ren Doyle]

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With a smile on his face, merriment in his mind and a mug of ale, Ren continued listen to the two. However, Ren began to a cold shiver running down his spine. Lightly scanning around the area with slightly unfocused vision, Ren didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. He saw people entering and people leaving building. Ren shrugged off the odd sensation and returned back to the conversation. As Ren was about to take another mouthful of ale, Kai fired a question at Ren denying his mouth of liquid gold.
“Well…” Ren hesitated.
The fact that he wasn’t born and bred as a Syliran did annoy to an extent. The city was safe; most people had an enough wealth to survive each season and had order. The city was the complete opposite of his birth grounds, Sunberth. Ren did wish he was a native, but in reality he isn’t.
“No, not really… Sunberth is… was my home city. But as you can tell, I’ve made Syliras my new home.” Ren revealed as he forced a smile.
Memories of the past slowly flooded his mind. Thanks to the alcohol they were quite vivid. Tears, aggression, desecration; it slowly overwhelmed Ren. Ren quickly fixed the problem by drowning his throughs by guzzling down the whole mug of ale. Each gulp, the Images faded. With the mug of ale empty and his mind once again cleared, Ren slammed down the mug and requested another from the barmaid; This was Ren’s forth mug of ale.

Not long after, a man loomed towards the table. Ren groggily peered at man. The man introduced himself and wanted to join the table to which Ren accepted him with open arms.
“Pull up a stool!” Ren sang, patting a stool close by.
Ren couldn’t put his finger on it, but the man seemed… off.

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Other's voice - My voice - Thoughts - Ancient Tongue

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oocsorry for the short post

[Verinskae]

So, her prediction had been correct, she assumed a 'small casinor' was probably some form of water vessel. The sea human would allow them free passage. All they needed was some good... Drink? Skae drained the last of the ale, wiping her lips with the back of a hand. She peered into the bottom of the empty mug, frowning at the idea of it being 'good drink'.

Skae watched the pair of mammals converse among each other, for a time. Ren was no native to Syliras either. Apparently he hailed from some place named Sunberth. How ironic it was that she had come here to understand more of Sylarians, yet she found herself in the company of immigrants.

Ren's behavior was beginning to catch her attention. He had suddenly started breathing a great deal heavier, his face flustered, a reddish-pink colour forming on his nose line, his words slightly slurred. She had been making a mental count on how many drinks he had consumed. This will be his fourth... she concluded. From experience, she knew her body was much more efficient in dealing with poisons, such as they were drinking, in comparison to most other species. She may have to start feigning intoxication if any more drinks were passed around. It would reduce suspicion at the very least.

The chill returned. Wood groaned in defiance as a stool was pulled out from under the table. A tall, pale figure placed himself in a seat adjacent to Kai. Her tongue instinctively flickered in and out of her mouth. It was a taste she knew all too well. It tasted of death. It was all she could do not to hiss loudly across the table at the… whatever it was. Instead, she narrowed her eyes and fixated her predatory gaze on the newcomer. The creature was quick to introduce himself, just as the others had. Skae interchanged looks at Ren and Kai. They seemed oblivious to the unnatural aura the scrawny looking man was emitting, or perhaps they simply did not care? Skae felt a bead of sweat drip from her hairline. She felt very uncomfortable, trying her best to cover up her disdain. “Sssskae…” The Dhani replied, the syllables slithering out, perhaps a little too scornfully.

[Kai']

　　A man from the sea, the young Svefra knew nothing of the city of Sunberth of which Ren hailed from. Alas from the florist's reaction however, the young male knew to press no further - he knew a genuine smile from one forced out of politeness. Though with the curiosity of a wild cat, Kai itched to discover the mystery surrounding the young man from Sunberth. Luckily though before he could probe the topic further the scratching of wood on wood sounded to his right as a stool popped up beside him.
　　The eery feeling the young Svefra had experienced earlier when he thought he was being watched suddenly returned, the hairs on the back of his neck standing to attention. Yet the polite, if timid introductions of the one clad in shadow, eradicated any feelings of unease Kai felt emanating from the man's aura. The one who introduced himself as Bakar seemed a gentle, if not a little shy soul, very endearing. Beaming a broad grin in warm welcome, Kai suddenly noticed the man did not raise eye contact. The young Svefra did not take this to offense, being one who was acquainted with many cultures, Kai knew each had their own quirks. That or the man was just incredibly nervous about joining their table, he was unsure as to which it was.
　　With one hand wrapped around his ale mug, the young Svefra stuck out his other towards Bakar in offering of a friendly handshake after Skae offered her name - once again overly pronouncing her S's. The young Svefra's deep sapphire gaze blinked a little in surprise to her reaction to the man. Her body seemed to physically tense, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Perhaps she was just a cautious individual, wary of strangers. In a world of cut-throats and thieves, who could blame her? He knew nothing of her past, therefore he could not judge her actions.
　　Beaming a childishly excited and toothy grin, the young Svefra once again offered his name, in his broken, hesitantly spoken common, "It is greatly nice to meet Bakar! I am Kai TidalWave. Yes, we table, strangers," Raising his mug Kai's intense oceanus gaze drifted to Ren and then to Skae, that toothy smile still upon those sea-cracked lips of his, "Good to make new friends! You drink? I call for you a mug of Sylirian ale? It no much good, but Sylirian is all they have," A warm, hearty laugh resonated from deep within the young Svefra's chest before his gaze settled upon the man from the shadows, "What brings you to Rearing Stallion, on night my friend?"

oOcDon't worry about length guys! It's the quality of them that counts and you all deliver greatly

　

[Bakar]

I promise I'm not that scary..

Bakar visibly slumped as they patrons around the table introduced themselves. All seemed welcome to his presence. Except.. maybe.. the women. She spoke rather harshly, as if she didn't really trust him already. He doubted that anything would happen though, not now, with the other two being so friendly to him.

His finally raised his head, and saw Kai's outstretched hand. He took it weakly, his feeble muscles not really able to grip too heavily, but he tried his best anyways. The man was clearly much stronger than him, as most people were. As he scanned the table, he saw that both Ren and Kai were smiling, but Skae was not. She was looking at him calculatingly, analyzing him. He shifted uncomfortably. She knew better than these two that something was off.

Trying to ignore this, so as not to scare her away, he attempted to continue the conversation. He smiled at Kai's laughter, but politely declined the offer of drink. "No, no thank you. I.. don't drink. I appreciate it though." Bakar had honestly not even tried to eat or drink since his change. He didn't know how well it would go without most of his internal organs.

"I'm here tonight simply for social exchange. I hadn't planned on interrupting your meeting, but I overheard that you were strangers, and decided 'What's one more stranger to the bunch'"? He smiled nervously at the group, still uneasy about the woman's reaction. Kai and Ren seemed to welcome him happily, and that gave Bakar much solace. He relaxed, but with the girl still tensed, wasn't able to let down his guard fully.

In an attempt to gain their trust, he thought about showing them something he thought might be interesting. "Hey... he said quietly. "Want to see a trick?" His body already preparing to produce Res, to preform some kind of magic feat. He almost instantly regretted this, and asked quickly. "What do you guys think of magic?" He had forgotten that magic was an object of hate sometimes, and people were uncomfortable with it's use. His body had tensed again, and he was ready to leave in case things went sour.

[Ren Doyle]

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Ren in his stupor did his best to keep his composure. His head felt like and his body grew numb, but in a way that felt heavenly. As the group conversed, everyone’s voice sounded clear and felt like they were passing through head. The florist continued downing his ale, interjecting a comment into the conversation every now and then. Ren listened to the newcomer, Bakar, as he spoke about his reason for joining the table. In his merriment, Ren slumped his body toward Bakar, disregarding personal space.
“Aww… you don’t have to be shy. We are all good friends here!” Ren slurred, throw his arm around Bakar.
For a moment, Ren felt a brief moment of coldness. It was like a spine tingle shock that something wasn’t right. However, he ignored it so he could continue drinking his ale. Ren was sure that’ll he’ll forget everything, so he didn’t question his thoughts. Ren ordered his sixth mug of ale, the Barmaid said that this mug would be his last. Ren, a little annoyed but understanding, acknowledged words.

As Ren slowly drank his last mug, his ears perked up when the word “magic” was heard. Ren turned towards Bakar, and cocked his head. Ren was open to the world of magic, being a user of flux and malediction. However, he knew that its reputation usually had a negative one, especially towards malediction. His life in Syliras was a hypocritical one. Whenever one would say they hated magic, he would whole heartedly agree for the sake of being social. But when night fall, he would go out and dig up shallow grave to assess remains for magical properties. It wasn’t often Ren met another magic user. Ren kept as quite as ale would let him and waited for the others. It would be nice to talk to someone about the magical side of Mizahar.

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Other's voice - My voice - Thoughts - Ancient Tongue

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[Verinskae]

Magic... The word seemed to roll off the end of the creature's tongue, leaving a sour note hanging in the fetid air. The only thing she knew of 'magic' were the strange rituals Myrians performed to there so called gods. They often required sacrifice for such events, mostly those unfortunate enough to survive their damned pits. Skae herself had been in such a position, once, a long time ago...

Perhaps she was being too paranoid. Her other table companions, after all, were seemingly more than hospitable toward this pale figure, enveloped in death. Ren, a great deal more so that anyone else, his arm thrown around the newcomers shoulder, his breath ripe with the stench of alcohol.

Skae inhaled a deep breath and loosened her shoulders. She knew not what this being was directly across the table from her, but whatever it was, it didn't look particularly strong. Quite the opposite in fact. She threw a glance over her right shoulder, the exit was not far if worse came to worse.

The hostility dropped from Skae like a bag of gold. She leant over the table, ordering another mug of ale as the barmaid made her run, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "I apologizzze... I missstook you for... for ssomeone elsssse..." She hissed. Skae's features were now twisted into a look more of curiosity than ferocity. The Dhani relaxed back onto the bench, still, yet always ready. "You sseem to have peaked my curiosssity, dare you sshow uss thisss... Magic?"

OOCSorry I took so long to post, real life caught up with me and I didn't really have time to make posts! Thank you for all your patience and I apologize once again for the delay!