PM to join A Night At The Stallion [Hisoka, Crypt, Yohan]

[Rhylund Vauler]

Regal tones began to break down into plucks of the string that chirped with a little more twang, mimicking the spry nature of new life meant to conjure images of freshly bloomed flowers and stout rising crops: the drought had finally ended. And suddenly the music came to a halt as the cat insisted on only trust in exchange for his labour. His right thumb pulled down across the three highest strings in a tone ringing rich and pure. Rhylund’s lute played its part in imitating each role once the unnamed man set to acting out the scene of the cat approaching the lord, and the exchange of words between the two. Nimble tones moved with fleeted foot accuracy, in a key of good nature, as the cat first assumed its pose. But, as the words from the feline hero’s mouth announced the fictitious stature of his human master, the notes adopted a cunning and mischievous air. Regal tones promptly raced down a rocky outcrop of unabashed laughter: the cat was his court jester. The notes followed along as the lord collected himself and reclaimed his calm, the royal procession ran smoother as his grace played along. Sly suggestions began to leave the cat’s mouth, and in turn stirred the bard’s hands to breathe rhythmical doubt. Rhylund felt his own thought’s slightly wander as he could not help but speculate just how this cat had expected to convince the lord that his master was a prince. Decisive bold tones colored lightly with intrigue followed the storyteller’s proclamation that his tale would resume shortly. He choked the strings so that they abruptly held still and turned at the waist to raise one hand with two fingers: their mugs needed a fill. A wide grin formed on Rhylund’s face as he wave one hand at the audience to ensure he would return as well─least they forget about him in the wake of his man and his talking cat─before turning his eyes the stranger before him. “Rhylund Vauler,” he said, while propping his lute up on one knee to offer the man his right hand. “I have to say, I look forward to hearing the end of this story: your cat seems to be quite the clever fellow.” A serving girl arrived at their side with a mug clenched in each delicate first, and a slow, but smooth, wink graced his right eye as he received his with care. “Thank you, love.” He said, in a low voice with a smile meant only for her. His glass raised in a silent toast back towards the storyteller before the bottom was tipped into the air to pour a long drink down his throat.

[Crypt]

“Just call me Crypt, Rhylund.” Crypt grasped the offered hand with his own and shook it firmly. “Well, he is quite the sly one. I've adapted this tale from the original just to prevent people from getting too bored - a little tweak here, a small change there - and I'm rather surprised at the response from the people there.” Not to be undone by a mere lute player, Crypt took the proffered mug of ale and downed all of the liquid in a single draught. Placing it back down on the table, he turned to Rhylund, assuming a more relaxed posture. “I say, I haven't seen you around here before. Are you new here, or new to Syliras in general? Either way, your music is wonderful, brilliant even, so that won't matter so much. I'm from Cyphrus myself, but let's just say I've done a bit of travelling.”

[Yohan]

Yohan sat, saddened that the entertainment ended. He gazed down at his feet. In his hand he toyed with two silver Mizas. One he had decided was for the musician. The other for the storyteller.

He stood, wrapping himself again in his wings.

Breath Yohan...You can do this. It's just a tavern. Youll just go in, get a drink, and tip the entertainers. What could go wrong?

As he walked into the Stallion the change in atmosphere was almost tangible. The stares from some of the patrons where a salad bowl of fear, anger, distust, and hate. One group went so far as to actually get up and leave. With his head hanging low, he made is way to the bar.

"W-what do you have for drinks s-s-sir," He shuddered, the looks making him nervous.

The ex-Knight Kevith looked him dead in the eyes, "Water." He said curtly. His wife who had just happened to walk by whispered something in his ear and he turned back to the timid Zith. "Ale..one Silver Miza." He said after some time.

"I think I'll just take the water thank you.." Yohan spoke sadly. This was after all his first time talking to someone in Syliras. It seems the racism is here after all. Kevith returned with a small glass of water that Yohan downed in one drink. He paid Kevith who promptly got busy on the other side of the bar. Yohan sighed sadly looking at his empty glass while once again toying with the two silver Mizas he had arranged for the entertainers.

[Hisoka]

Hisoka watched as the bard greeted Crypt, laughing softly when Crypt took his mug of ale, and downed it in one go. He seemed to be enjoying himself. She hoped that later, she too, would be able to meet the entertaining lute player. Hisoka felt the sudden change in the room, her senses heightened. Turning to find the reason, she realized that it had been the figure who had been by the window. She watched him curiously, noting his red hair, what seemed to be fur, and upon seeing his wings, admiring them. "Why do they fear, him?", she thought to herself. She rose from her seat, finished with her meal, and walked towards the newcomer. As she approached, she slowed slightly, so as to gauge the intentions, and emotions swirling the room. She could feel the stares of the other tavern occupants following her progress to the bar, from among the tables. Her sensitive hearing brought whispers of disapproval to her ears, a man even shook his head at her, his eyes trying to tell her not to meet this stranger. Finally, she stood beside the winged figure, not too far, but not so close to make him uncomfortable. Hearing him sigh, Hisoka looked at his face with her clear, blue eyes, seeing an expression on his face, filled with sadness. She spoke hesitantly,"... Hello..?"

[Yohan]

Yohan jumped slightly. He was so engrossed in his own sadness he hadnt heard the young girl approach him, let alone say anything. He looked the girl over from the corner of his eye.

The first thing he noticed were the eyes. Something was...odd about them. She was only a little shorter than he, and by far thinner. Over all she had a kind of animal-like beauty about her. Sniffing the air slightly he caught a scent he didnt recognize coming off of her. This girl is no normal girl

"H-hi there...you don't seem to be kicking me out.. My name is Yohan." He pulled back his right wing, exposing his fur covered arm, extending it towards her. One of the bigger patrons of the tavern stood abruptly and he pulled his arm back slightly. He looked at his black claws and wrapped himself back up in wings a little tighter than before. Slowly the man sat down. "If I may ask...Whats your name?"

[Hisoka]

She smiled inwardly as he jumped, secretly pleased that she was able to startle him. Hisoka looked over her shoulder when she saw Yohan's reaction to something, or rather someone, behind her. She was able to just catch movement of the same man who had warned her with his eyes, and she frowned. This was not visible to the patron, for her long black hair hid her expression from him. Then she turned her attention back to Yohan, smiling slightly. "My name is Hisoka.", she replied, glancing at his wings, her eyes lingering on them. Peeking into his dark blue eyes, she asked, "Can you fly?", her tone curious. "... May I... touch your wing?" Hisoka was aware that Kevith was keeping a close eye, but she was confident that he would not interfere, for he knew that she was a Kelvic, and that she was stronger than she appeared.

[Rhylund Vauler]

Rhylund nodded along with the man’s explanation for the alterations to the tale. “We wouldn’t want that,” he said, as he watched Crypt down the entire mug in one go. His lips pulled back in an approving grin as the man turned round to face him. “To get bored, I mean. And it certainly is a pleasure to meet you Crypt.” He had to resist the urge to craft a pun out of his first name and the brevity of his title. He smiled wide at Crypt’s assessment of his performance, “many thanks, friend. I too have been traveling. So much so that I don’t consider myself to have a home: but a proper bard doesn’t need a home!” He lifted his mug before finishing the rest. “A touch of the wanderlust─I’ve definitely got it─and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” His jaw hindged open to continue their conversation as the shift in the tavern’s air became palpable. Green eyes strayed from Crypt's to find the source of the disturbance, and they did not drift for long before they rested on a large, black winged Zith. Rhylund studied the newcomer with a tilted head, a shame that so many people would judge one living soul not by what they have done, or what they are doing, but by the way they looked. His head remained fixed in place as his eyes caught Crypt’s companion moving timidly─no, not timidly... curiously?─towards the Zith. He reached out and touched Crypt on the shoulder as his other hand pointed towards the woman with stunning blue eyes. His own slid in place to watch for Crypt’s reaction: he had not pointed it out because the Zith was a bloodthirsty animal incapable of enjoying good ale in piece. Rather, he suspected that Crypt and the woman were more than just friends, if the way she looked at him expectantly was anything to go by. Handsome couple, really. It would be a shame if Crypt felt the need to defend his lady’s honor over a misunderstanding.

[Yohan]

Yohan chuckled a little, loosening his winged grasp on himself slightly. "Well...these things sure arent just for show." His brief smile didn't reach his eyes however. I..I made a joke...that felt good. He was however a little timid about letting her touch them. If they were damaged he would be grounded indefinately. Maybe even permanently. This nervousness was obvious on his face as he contemplated this. On the one hand, this could be a great way to make a friend. But on the other hand, he didnt know anything about this girl.

He looked on her face, in her eyes. She looked kind. As he looked, he began to see his mother in her face. He fought himself hard to hide his initial sadness at this. and then he stretched out his wing slightly toward her.

"Yes you may. But please, be very very gentle."

[Hisoka]

Hisoka nodded solemnly, reaching out a hand to gently touch his black wings, her fingers hovering, feather light, for she had her heightened sense, and so, was able to feel the wonderful texture without much pressure. "How lovely..", she said quietly, as she removed her hand, smiling. Looking around, she was pleased to notice that the atmosphere had become slightly less tense. Turning to see Crypt, she noticed that he was looking in her direction, and gave a small wave in his direction in reassurance. Finding a seat, she sat at the bar, arranging herself comfortably, and positioned herself so that she could see most of the tavern. Smiling at Yohan, she asked, "Do you enjoy music? Is that why you were by the window?" , her tone matter of fact.

[Crypt]

“Aye, quite. Still, someday, once I've done what I want to do, I'm going back home and raise a family of my own as head of my pavilion.” the reply came as Rhylund. Turning around, having felt the atmosphere of the tavern darken as Rhylund did, Crypt saw Hisoka approaching what was clearly a Zith (for he had much experience with them quite recently), and he smiled and nodded slightly as Hisoka looked to him. No... uncivilised Zith would be able to enter the Rearing Stallion and prevent himself from attacking the people here. This one has control over his instincts. But just to be safe... Crypt closed his eyes for a few seconds, then opened them to the world of the arcane. Focusing almost immediately on the Zith's aura, he expended Djed as he tried to read the aura. The aura was reminiscent of dark creatures Crypt had seen once in underground caverns, having a sheen to it, but it was still as black as obsidian. Crypt could only focus on it for less than twenty seconds before he closed his eyes again, releasing his hold on the Djed with an inaudible sigh, but it was enough. The melody is not strong; if anything, it is weaker than normal. There is no hostility or anger, as far as I can sense, only hints of melancholy. If I had more skill, I would be able to remove all doubt from these observations, or to cast doubt on them, but I shall trust in my brief reading. Crypt turned to Rhylund, his face clear of most emotion. “Hisoka can take care of herself,” spoke Crypt smoothly, “I am not as overprotective as some may be. The Zith will not be a problem. I've met a few of their kind before, and others more savage and unrestrained; to be honest, compared to the vast majority of his race, Yohan over there is being an unparalleled gentleman.” Crypt gave Hisoka a reassuring smile, and nodded his thanks to the barmaid who had just refilled his mug. Crypt placed it to his lips and took a few sips, allowing himself to savour the excellent alcoholic drink. “Let them be; Hisoka and the Zith are younger than you think. His fur is unkempt, matted in quite a few places and his weariness is evident from his posture and body language. See how hesitant he is, not wanting to raise the ire of the people here? He will not dare to hurt her.”