The Welcome Party (Avari)

[Ray]

57th of Summer, 512 AV The sun had been down for an hour or so before Rayes managed to find the establishment known as the Kelp Bar that native Zeltivans seemed to condemn as much as they praised. He took a moment to stand outside and take in the weathered walls, shabby construction and drunken din coming from within, and within a few seconds a grin started to spread across his face. A tavern like this was something akin to home in his book, and he shouldered his way inside without any of the anxiousness that was supposed to accompany a new city. The inside looked exactly like it had sounded. Numerous lanterns, a wooden chandelier that looked like it should have fallen down three weeks ago and a roaring fireplace bathed the place in a warm glow that made him realize that the inside was just as bad as the outside. Just more lived-in. The place was bustling as taverns often do after sundown, and enough time had passed that the majority of the patrons were in various stated of intoxication. He didn’t know what they were drinking, but it smelled like week-dead fish. Every eye that was sober enough to still have thought behind it flickered over to him, and a small pit of uneasiness swelled in his stomach. He was a new here, a complete and utter stranger, and he could feel everyone that was looking at him sizing him up, thinking to themselves how much trouble he would bring or how much coin rested in his pockets. He quickly swept his own gaze over his audience; most were large men, sailors or laborers, but here and there was the unmistakable scrawniness of a thief or other street dweller. Rayes couldn’t throw any false pretenses over this place; it was where the rough gathered. Yes, this could very easily be home. Twisting his smile into a smirk and his step into a swagger, Rayes adjusted his pack’s position over his shoulder and wove his way to the bar at the far end of the room. He sank onto the stool and slung his possessions between his foot and the bar, carefully making sure he’d have the constant physical contact that deterred the street scavengers casing the Kelp Bar tonight. No sooner had he leaned his elbows against the wood than a frumpled old bartender trotted over. She was dressed in greasy clothing that looked like it had withstood many years and was prepared to stand many more, her brown-gray hair was pulled into a tight bun and she was absently polishing a glass with a dirty cloth. Though her skin was worn and wrinkled the bones in her face were slender and graceful; in her day, this woman had probably been the city sweetheart. But her eyes were heavy with the weight of the world; she had seen the dark side of life, and though she had pulled through it she was fully aware of what lay in darkened alleyways. This woman was wise, and Rayes found a rare bit of respect sparking for her as he nodded a greeting. “You’re lookin’ for something,” she stated, vague enough to cover just about everything that could ever go on in anyone’s life. He nodded, still smirking. “Happy ever after. Thousand gold mizas. Big house on some land. A pony. But since I’d wager I’m not getting any of those anytime soon, I’d settle on a mug of whatever that is.” He nodded to the big sign displaying KELP BEER, 1 HALF-NILO. She looked at the sign, then back at Rayes, taking in his face, dress, and smug smirk. “You don’t know what a nilo is, do ya?” “Haven’t the slightest.” “Half-nilo is five silver.” “And now I do.” Rayes dug in his pockets for the required money and handed over one gold. “And if you’d be willing to tell me a place I can rest my head you are more than welcome to keep the change.” “World’s End Grotto. An inn. Go southward for half an hour then ask someone where it is.” “Much obliged.” She gave him a curt nod and trotted off to retrieve whatever poison he’d stuck himself with and Rayes leaned back slightly. He knew nothing about this city, it was true, but if he made it to this Grotto or what have you then he wouldn’t have to worry about the pesky thing called a future until morning. Right now, though, it was time to get a little taste of Zeltiva’s flavor.