[Nexus] Trog's Tavern CCXLVII

[Lady Serpentine]

http://home.centurytel.net/jeffsjunk/TrogTavernAnimated.gif

*Upon entering the tavern you find it to be rustic, dim, cramped, and smelling of spilled beer. Moving through the crowd, half of which seem to be deadtiming, you spot a fireplace with a banjowood carving on the mantle, you also make out through the haze the curving bar and private booths hidden behind ferns. A side door leading to a patio outside reveals a hungry looking dumpster mimic sneaking towards an unsuspecting customer.

Near the stairs to the second floor rooms is a small white stone platform with a blue tree-like symbol on it. Standing on this platform will teleport someone to the Sanctuary Fortress located Inside where healers are always standing by in case of bar-brawls.

Trog's can be found right around the corner from any place in the Nexus. Somehow. It's best not to question it.

Staff:
Owner and Proprietor: Trog
Manager: El Jaspero
Bartenders: The Watchers (they're nice deranged cultists, really!), Phoebe, Ashna, Ambrosia

Trog's Tavern hires only the finest NPC servers:
((Since all are NPCs they are up for communal control. Feel free to say what they do or say to you or any other patron. To a point.))

Bouncer: Baby (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8627338#post8627338) (NPC, a dwarf who was raised by orcs and has the intellect of Thog.)

Servers:
Nina - A fiesty and vivacious tiefling. Mean, self-centered and completely unavailable. You may have seen her recently on the WotC 4E cartoon.
Paige - A sweet, wholesome, flirty elf working her way through PC school.
Cosmo - A quick-witted and oppressed gnome scoundrel. Truly a monster. RAWR!

DRINK MENU:
Wines:
Catoblepas Sauvingnon
Chimera Cabernet - A hearty red with a hits of oak and black cherry.
Chuul Lounge - Bacardi Limon, Aberration , creme de bananes and juices into a Chuul shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a highball glass half-filled with ice cubes, and serve.
Constitution Crushing Wine - Fort. DC 35 or pass out!
Cormyrian Fireamber - Imported and very good.
Eladrin Carbernet - Official Feywine of the Wild Hunt
Feline's Fancy - A purplish, swirly mixture that any feline will adore.
Funky Llama - A rich fruity wine, available in white or red.
Iames Agonia - This tart, dark red wine will stun you and leave you feeling good for hours.
Kobold Chianti - Tart. Tangy. Shifty.
Merfolk Merlot - Full-bodied with a hint of rose.
Powerlust Pinot - For those corruptable humans
Shadar-Kai Shadowine - Served in a jagged, broken glass
Spoonake Chablis - Straight from the Underdark!
Warlock Wine - Best served cold
Xorn Zinfandel - Sweet and fruity!

Mixed Drinks:
A Drink - Generic booze with ice that can be shaken, stirred, or you know, whatever. Try to be more imaginative next time.
Aboleth Absinthe - Far Realmilicious!
Black Shadow - A strong concoction guaranteed to send a chill down your spine at any temperature.
Coffee Martini - Buzzzzz.
Djinn and Tonic - Whirling ice cubes, fizzy soda, and one drunk genie.
Dragon Liver Buster - Strongest drink in the house
Dwarf Spirits
Fire Archon Asylum Rum - "FAAR!!!"
Haley's Liquer - Named for the redheaded rogue, a sweet creme liquer, excellent over ice.
Hemo Colada - 100% less coconut, 100% more ichor
Ice Liquer - From the Plane of Ice: guaranteed to cool you down.
Ichor Liquor - Made from a fermented mix of various kinds of blood
Jasphattan - El J's Secret Recipie, vermouth & bitters
LEVEL UP LIQUER - Need a few extra XP? We gots XP in a bottle!
Long Island Iced Tea - Tastes better than it will make you feel in the morning
Murderita - Wasted away again...
Piña CoLlama - If you're not into yoga and have half a brain.
Rampaging Rail Mixer - Mad strong!
Rust Monster - Scotch, drambuie shaken in a wooden mixer.
Sneak on the Beach - Peach vodka, cran-pineapple juice, a cat hair
Swampwater - Phosphorescent lemon-lime
White Russian Wukei - for bounty hunters who dig dairy
Wizard Blizzard - Crushed ice and Bourbon. The effect depends on the spell stored in it.

Beers & Such:
Ales: Archon, Guilders, Balthor's Best
Grim Brewery Ginger Beer - Death-o-licious!
Mind Flayer Mead - Mmm... brains.

Other Fine Beverages:
Celestial Soda Pop - Soda specially brewed in Celestia. Tastes divine.
Darknight Coffee - cream has no effect
Dragon's Fire Breath (cherry Kool-Aid) - for the kids!
Fox Cola - the choice of the furry generation
Llamonade - That cool, refreshing drink for quadrupeds
Oni Tea - From the far east.
Red Minotaur Energy Drink - a-MAZE-ing energy!
Root Beer
Save vs. Slow Slurpees™ - C-c-c-cold
Hot Chocolate - Mmmmmmarshmallows

MUNCHIES MENU:
AbyssalNuts - damned and spicy
Baked Goods - Scones and Muffins and Brownies oh my! We have no cake - the cake is a lie!
Bamhacon - where the ham meets the bacon. Served with eggs.
Court of Stars Salad - Fresh fey greens
Hero Sandwiches - what else? Served with Villain vinegrette
Velvet Elfish - Trogtilla chips and hot meat and cheese dip
Yuan-ti Gyros - Lamb. Or halfling. We're not sure.
Trog's Floor Chili - Don't ask Trog where it came from and Trog won't tell you "the floor"
SMOKABLES:
Dwarven Cigars - From our axe-hewn humidor
Coffin Nail™ Cigarettes - Get Nailed!
Halfling Pipeweed - Bogart™ brand

((When this thread reaches page 50, anyone can make the next thread. However, if you want to make changes to the OP, please check in the OOC thread first to make sure everyone agrees.))

[Arkhosia]

A portal appears, and spits out...
A box of chocolate?

[Rebonack]

And thus someone wholly unremarkable enters the tavern.

Or maybe she's been in the tavern for a while and no one really noticed her. That someone being Specialist Allomyrina of the Altaran Irregulars. She's human, unremarkably so. So unremarkable that one is very likely to overlook her unless she's somehow calling attention to herself.

At present she's out of uniform, so she must be off duty.

That's pretty important, after all. Everyone needs some time off now and again.

Allomyrina places an order for a salad and retreats to the fireplace where she settles into a chair and pulls out a tablet to fiddle with. Specifically for the purpose of reading a book. They may not be much like the thaumatics back home in the physics underlying them, but the electronics are certainly similar enough in their function that Allo was able to quickly adapt.

There's a whole universe of literature out there she was previously unaware of. And she's barely scratched the surface thus far. At the moment she's reading through a fictionalized historical account set in some human nation called 'China'.

And then?

Then a box of chocolates appears in front of her.

Allo quirks an eyebrow at the confections before glancing up at the ceiling.

[Zefir]

Another femae person seems to be in the tavern, close to the fire. For Nexus standarts she might not draw much attention, but some people might pay attention to a woman with fox ears and a fox tail.

At the back of the char lays a heavy winter jacket and the young woman sits close to the fire holding a mug of hot choclate in her hands. It seems like she just arrived a few moments ago.

She looks up as the box falls down, but is to shy to approche it, because the other woman she barly noticed is there.

[Rebonack]

In Allomyrina's experience anything that suddenly falls out of a portal in Trog's Tavern is almost invariably dangerous in some capacity. It might be monsters. Or killer robots. Or even skelecopters.

After scrutinizing the box for a few moments and noting the absolutely unmistakable scent of chocolate Allo does the only reasonable thing one might do with a container filled with mysterious confections.

She picks up the box and tosses it into the fireplace. They might be hazardous, somehow. And someone might get hurt if they eat them. Allomyrina isn't about to let such a thing happen. Better safe than sorry and all that.

And then?

Then she leans back and starts reading her book again.

The salad she ordered arrives shortly there after.

[Darkcomet]

Allo may be surprised to see...

An upside-down smooth-foreheaded N'alae with this odd black uniform appear in the air, staring down at the fire, having appeared out of nowhere.

"Records indicate that objects from random portals are not to be trusted. Although I would have recommended feeding it to the dumpster mimic outside, Contingency Firewood is an acceptable substitute."

...yeah, that's definitely that hologram again.

[Rebonack]

Allomyrina jumps a bit when the hologram begins talking.

Why you ask?

Well, when you're a race that's naturally empathic and a thing with no emotions starts talking to you all of a sudden it is rather jarring. It would be like a human being pestered by someone who's invisible.

It takes a few moments for Allo to realize what's going on here. Clearly this...thing... is that phantasm that Emissary N'alae had programed to help with security inside the tavern. Is she supposed to talk to it like it's a person? Or just ignore it?

Or... what, exactly?

"Ah... thank you for the advice? I'll consider that in case any more candy is lobbed into the tavern."

[Darkcomet]

"I might simply cover it in tribbles." There is suddenly a little pink-gray ball of fluff in the air above Allo. Gravity soon comically takes effect, sending the holographic tribble to land on her head.

Gravity, of course, is clearly only applying to the holograms when the security program says it does. Why said security program keeps up with this tribble obsession even I have no idea.

"Of course, that would not actually do anything unless I used the razortribbles..."

Why.

[Rebonack]

Allomyrina is about to ask what a tribble is, but her question is suddenly answered in a rather unexpected way.

"Buck!" Allo swears when she feels the fuzzy thing bounce off the top of her head. Her forehead ignites with a tongue of livid green faerie fire whilst a similar plume of scintillating emerald light seeks to entrap the holographic nuisance in a telekinetic field.

Assuming she manages to snag the phantasmal tribble she'll move it away to a more comfortable distance and take the opportunity to glower at it.

The hologram she was chatting with will find itself glowered at shortly there after.

"I would appreciate it if you would respect my personal space."

[Arkhosia]

Makaria just stares at the Tribble and the hologram.

What are those things?
Makaria asks Ashara, surprised.

[Darkcomet]

"An interesting response. My database indicated that organics usually like tribbles." The security hologram lady flips right side up and lands, no longer hovering around.

"Further testing required."

The holographic tribble vanishes.

[Rebonack]

Aaaaand then the fuzzy thing vanishes.

Had the tribble been real Allo might have reacted to it differently. But as mentioned before holograms unsettle her. The look and move like living things, but they lack emotion and thought. They're downright unsettling, really.

Or at least from her perspective, that is.

That and her home world has a species rather akin to tribbles.

Major difference?

They fly.

No one likes horrifically destructive pests.

"Like them or not, I don't appreciate having phantasmal animals thrown at me."

Seems like a reasonable thing to dislike.

[Arkhosia]

A rather attractive girl in leather armor with short blue hair, unnaturally pale skin, and purple eyes walks into the tavern.
Something alcoholic. Surprise me.
Ashe requests. she's 19, but the bartender doesn't need to know that.

[Arkhosia]

Another portal appears!
A bunch of water pours out, and a dolphin appears!
WHERE'S MY BUCKING CHOCOLATE!?
The dolphin demands, gesturing to the patrons with his gun.
This is a picture of the dolphin.
http://thefootbawlblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/dolphin-with-a-gun.jpg

[Darkcomet]

The security hologram stares at the dolphin.

Then she/it just walks up to him. "Probability of knowing what in your religious plane of punishment of choice you are doing: Zero percent. Stand down."

I'll let you post in case he fires.

[Arkhosia]

The security hologram stares at the dolphin.

Then she/it just walks up to him. "Probability of knowing what in your religious plane of punishment of choice you are doing: Zero percent. Stand down."

I'll let you post in case he fires.

You! Do you know where my BUCKING CHOCOLATE is!?!!!!?????
The dolphin demands, pointing his gun at the hologram.
GIMME MY BUCKING CHOCOLATE!
If anyone examines the smoldering chocolate box, they'll se it's labeled "Bucking Chocolate".
Uh-Oh.

[Darkcomet]

All the holographic facsimile of a smooth-foreheaded Emissary N'alae says in response is a simple, blunt "No."

Followed by a conspicuous raise of the arm in an attempt to backhand the revolver out of the dolphin's...flipper.

[Arkhosia]

All the holographic facsimile of a smooth-foreheaded Emissary N'alae says in response is a simple, blunt "No."

Followed by a conspicuous raise of the arm in an attempt to backhand the revolver out of the dolphin's...flipper.

*BAM*!
Ya shot me! ya shot me!
The dolphin cries in pain!
Not true: he pulled the trigger as he was backhanded and therefore accidentally shot himself in the tail

[Rebonack]

And all the while Allomyrina just watches the scene unfold with a look of reluctant acceptance.

"I really shouldn't have expected to be able to read my book in peace here, should I?"

That's a rhetorical question, right there.

Hopefully no one is going to be answering it.

Allo gives a slight huff and pulls her tablet closer to her nose. Maybe if she just ignored the dolphin really hard it would go away.

Probably not.

But it's worth a try!

Maybe next time she'll go to that tea house she heard about. What are the chances of random insanity breaking out in a tea house?

[Darkcomet]

"You shot yourself in an attempt to shoot me. For the record, the weapon, however you were holding it, is not capable of harming me, as this form is nothing but a combination of photons and forcefields." The security hologram then just walks over and picks up the gun.

"...I do not know what I am going to do with this, although I may submit it to a research group. Firearms do not normally take kindly to water, or so I believe..."

[Arkhosia]

"You shot yourself in an attempt to shoot me. For the record, the weapon, however you were holding it, is not capable of harming me, as this form is nothing but a combination of photons and forcefields." The security hologram then just walks over and picks up the gun.

"...I do not know what I am going to do with this, although I may submit it to a research group. Firearms do not normally take kindly to water, or so I believe..."

IT'S STILL YOUR FAULT!
Dolphin bull rush!

The gun works on rule of BECAUSE WHY THE **** NOT?
So in other words, it completely ignores the laws of physics and belongs in an anime

[Darkcomet]

A huge pile of fuzzy grey-pink ball-lookin' things (more tribbles) spontaneously appears between the dolphin and the hologram.

Said dolphin is likely to plow right into the fuzzy, tribbley mass. They make cooing noises, because they're holotribbles.

"Probability that belligerent has realized it cannot do anything to me: Zero percent. Demonstration required." The demonstration comes in the form of...

Putting the gun to its/her head and firing.

The bullet breaks through the forcefields, causing a visible distortion in her/its head, before flying off into another forcefield in place, which stops it fully.

The hologram's head, of course, returns to normal afterwards. There's never any gore at all.

"Demonstration complete. Is the futility of your violence clear yet?"

[Arkhosia]

A huge pile of fuzzy grey-pink ball-lookin' things (more tribbles) spontaneously appears between the dolphin and the hologram.

Said dolphin is likely to plow right into the fuzzy, tribbley mass. They make cooing noises, because they're holotribbles.

"Probability that belligerent has realized it cannot do anything to me: Zero percent. Demonstration required." The demonstration comes in the form of...

Putting the gun to its/her head and firing.

The bullet breaks through the forcefields, causing a visible distortion in her/its head, before flying off into another forcefield in place, which stops it fully.

The hologram's head, of course, returns to normal afterwards. There's never any gore at all.

"Demonstration complete. Is the futility of your violence clear yet?"
DOLPHIN PLOW!

No. Let me demonstrate why.
The dolphin will try to take the gun and shoot an NPC.

[Darkcomet]

The dolphin learns that hard-light constructs/forcefielded holograms in full control of the projector systems giving them their form and strength are very hard to take anything from.

I'm not sure how it tries to grab a gun from someone whose hand is much better-suited to holding it, anyway.

"Very well. Now I will shoot you."

Blam. At point-blank, considering he was trying to take the gun and failing.

[Arkhosia]

The dolphin learns that hard-light constructs/forcefielded holograms in full control of the projector systems giving them their form and strength are very hard to take anything from.

I'm not sure how it tries to grab a gun from someone whose hand is much better-suited to holding it, anyway.

"Very well. Now I will shoot you."

Blam. At point-blank, considering he was trying to take the gun and failing.

Great, now there's a dead dolphin in trog's tavern!
:smallyuk:

[Darkcomet]

"Can someone drag that out to the dumpster mimic outside? I cannot leave the building." Says the hologram who just shot a land-mobile dolphin dead, seeming completely uncaring.

[Rebonack]

The gun is, for a time, pointed at a nearby NPCs. For a brief moment Lasandra Evans' life flashes before her eyes, her pupils dilating as her heart begins pounding in her chest. This is it. This is the end of the line. She had been lucky so far, lucky that she hadn't been pinned down by anything too terrible despite being a normal human Inside.

But now?

Now her luck had finally ran out.

Her mind wandered to her child, to the fight she had had with her daughter just that morning over something stupid. She would never get a chance to hug her daughter and make amends. The last words of the joy of her life stung her heart.

'I hate you.'

If she survived this, somehow, she would find a way to really really reconnect.

Lasandra squeezed her eyes shut.

And then the gunshot sounded.

But... there was no pain.

Cautiously, slowly, one eye opened.

Then the other.

The dolphin was laying on the floor in a pool of its own blood.

Seems the NPC's luck hadn't run out, after all.

Meanwhile!

There's not better way to enjoy some time off than to be subjected to the sound of a gun being fired in an inclosed building.

As soon as the weapon is fired Allo springs into action, taking cover behind a couch and willing her 'don't notice me' aura to ramp up a few orders of magnitude. While it doesn't cause her to become invisible, it's probably the next best thing.

Buuut then the dolphin dies.

Well.

That's that.

Cosmo walks over to grab the marine mammal by the tail and haul it off.

[Lady Serpentine]

Makaria just stares at the Tribble and the hologram.

What are those things?
Makaria asks Ashara, surprised.

"Errr... Solid illusion and same, but I don't know beyond that?"

Ashara shrugs, stepping protectively in front of Makaria during the fighting, then turning to her with a smile, and, if allowed, leading her over to a table in a shadowy corner.

"Like the atmosphere?"

[Arkhosia]

"Errr... Solid illusion and same, but I don't know beyond that?"

Ashara shrugs, stepping protectively in front of Makaria during the fighting, then turning to her with a smile, and, if allowed, leading her over to a table in a shadowy corner.

"Like the atmosphere?"

To the table!
]It's... interesting. Rather chaotic.
Makaria replies.

[Lady Serpentine]

To the table!
]It's... interesting. Rather chaotic.
Makaria replies.

"Heh. Yeah... Holo-girl's new, though. Have to come back later and see what a little jolt'll do to her."

Ashara grins wickedly, the flames in her pupils flaring up at that idea. Seems she's not fond of unkillable things taking up residence in her favorite bar...

[Arkhosia]

"Heh. Yeah... Holo-girl's new, though. Have to come back later and see what a little jolt'll do to her."

Ashara grins wickedly, the flames in her pupils flaring up at that idea. Seems she's not fond of unkillable things taking up residence in her favorite bar...

I think the result will be shocking.
Makaria jokes, returning a similar grin.

[Lady Serpentine]

I think the result will be shocking.
Makaria jokes, returning a similar grin.

"Heh. Nice one... And yes. It ought to be an electrifying show," Ashara answers, ruffling Makaria's hair, if the other Tiefling allows her to, then leaning back in her chair.

[Arkhosia]

"Heh. Nice one... And yes. It ought to be an electrifying show," Ashara answers, ruffling Makaria's hair, if the other Tiefling allows her to, then leaning back in her chair.

Well, my parents always said I was rather bright.
Try to make it flashy.
Makaria replies as her hair is ruffled.
so... what drinks do they have here?

It would be awful if the hologram heard them! :smalleek::smalltongue:

[Rebonack]

Now that she's sure the shooting and fighting and immediate danger is done Allo walks back around the couch and flops into it again.

Did Trog's always have a couch by the fireplace?

Seems it does now.

Without any threats to deal with Allomyrina dials her 'don't notice me' glamor back down to more reasonable levels. It isn't the sort of magic she's best with and it tends to get rather draining if she leaves it active for too long.

Right as she's about to return to perusing her book the nearby conversation catches her attention. May as well speak up if only because it'll prevent someone from doing something stupid and getting hurt.

"It's a security phantasm manifested by batteries of emitters spread all over the tavern. It's just a collection of light and force fields being controlled by a program in a computer. You can't hurt it."

[Darkcomet]

Said security hologram just pointedly stares over at that conversation about holo-murder attempts.

She/it kinda just stands over by Allo, probably having had something in mind before.

"This must be the 'ingratitude' emotion I was warned about. I save someone from being shot by a maniac marine mammal and everyone wants to kill me for it. What do you believe I should do about this, Specialist?"

[Rebonack]

Allomyrina frowns a bit at that question.

"You can't control the emotional reactions of others. At least not without using magic of questionable ethical standing."

Using glamor to warp someone's emotional state without their express consent is illegal on her home world. Usually legal written consent. It's a matter that's taken very seriously.

"All anyone can do is act on their best judgement. You probably saved someone's life today, though I think it would have been wise to avoid killing that... creature."

She still isn't sure how the dolphin was walking around.

"Though to be fair things that get dumped out of portals into Trog's are usually hazardous in some way."

Random encounters and all.

[Arkhosia]

Makaria meeps as the two appear.
Uh... what's a battery, emitter, and computer?
She asks, confused by their vernacular

[Rebonack]

Allomyrina heaves a sigh and begins rubbing the bridge of her nose. It's a gesture she had picked up from her humanoid coworkers over the past few months. Obviously in her natural form that kind of thing isn't wholly possible.

Is she really going to have to explain these things?

She could just ignore the question, but that would be a bit rude.

After a bit of waffling she decides to indulge the questions.

Allo reaches into her pocked and retrieves a palm computer! Otherwise known as a smart phone. She had considered buying some NexSpecs, but the technological glasses would be awkward to use when she shape-shifts.

"This is a computer," Allo says as she fiddles with the touch screen and brings up a rather long classical piece (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3217H8JppI) that begins playing over the machine's speakers. "It's a tool that's able to process and store information. This particular computer is a multi-functional device that can serve a rather wide number of functions."

[Zefir]

The young kistune seems to not even move when fighting brakes out. It's like she was frozen for a moment. After it ended she nips on her hot choclate. She listens, but still things like killing, even a hologramm isn't a theme she wants to talk about.

[Darkcomet]

"It was resorting to lethal force over a box of confectioneries. While much of the chaos about, including that from sudden portals, is rather nonlethal despite the rampaging, I believe that fit into a different category. The category of 'going to kill someone over something incredibly petty.' Were I more capable of pity, I doubt I would be experiencing it over that creature. Would you like to bring the waterproof firearm back to base for research?" Well, that's a sudden topic shift. But she/it isn't programmed to be really great at being social.

[Rebonack]

Allomyrina gives a small huff and takes the firearm. Having long since reserved herself to the fact that she isn't going to be getting any reading done she'll begin unloading the weapon before storing it. Given that it looks like a fairly normal revolver she isn't sure if there will be anything particularly useful about it. If she were to wager a guess Allo would say that there's probably just a good seal on the cartridges so the gunpowder doesn't get wet.

"Maybe it's just a cultural difference," she comments with a sigh. "Someone with broken mind would probably be subjected to a court-mandated regiment of reform spells so that they can be reintegrated into society."

Wait, what?

Are we talking brain washing here?

"The death penalty hasn't existed in my home world for... a long time."

[Lady Serpentine]

"Maybe I'm just not fond of stuff that's unkillable taking up residence here and enforcing its own rules. Especially not when you don't know **** about normal people and like to mess with them out of curiosity, as well as not even having emotions to temper your reactions.

'Sides, I don't know her. Why the hell should I be grateful to you for saving the life of someone I've never met?"

Ashara glares at the hologram as she explains her point of view, her hair starting to stand on end as she gets up from the table, pupils entirely replaced by a bright flame now.

A moment later, a highly powerful EMP shoots out from her, filling the entire tavern, in an attempt to short out as many of the emitters as possible, since presumably, shielding them all well enough to prevent such attacks would prevent them from actually functioning, too, though of course, she could be wrong about that.

[Arkhosia]

Makaria stands up, and her hands erupt into flame, ready to defend her friend and master.

[Deathkeeper]

Shut Up! shouts Spade from the next table over, making a bit of a show of blocking a large section of the EMP which passes him.
"Some of us are sittin' here trying to have a conversation and now I've got to deal with electrical pulses flyin' around? 'Sides, what you just said sounds more sociopathic than the AI. And tryin' to fry her is just as much murder as you're complaining about, according to the laws of this city. So shut up and sit down!" huffs the mouse, his voice projecting surprisingly well for someone this size.

[Darkcomet]

Oh dear.

Given that Trog's was revealed to be a holodeck, this has some interesting effects. The pulse proves rather unpleasant for many, some chairs and stools and such vanishing at random, and numerous other fixtures appearing distorted and warped as the systems are attacked.

It doesn't seem to have fried everything, though. Trog's has the remarkable capability of repairing itself, probably partially related to those holosystems, I would guess.

The security hologram warps and distorts as well, portions of her/its appearance scrambling from the pulse. "Please-refrain-frrrrOM damaging-the HOLODECK. Self-preservation PROTOCOLS dictate use of lethal force response. Distress signal ssssENT." The speech is choppy and scrambled, kind of obnoxious and grating-sounding, really.

That bit about a distress signal is kinda ominous, though, given who set that thing up...

"SurrENDER or safety protocols will be disengaged." That translates to 'then I can actually use lethal force without having to get a real weapon first'.

[Arkhosia]

Makaria pales.
Ashara, I'm not sure this is really a smart idea, could we leave?
She asks Ashara, her voice full of worry and fear.

[Rebonack]

Fun fact: the amount of current or radiation put out by an electro magnetic pulse strong enough to cause significant damage to electronics also happens to be strong enough to cause significant damage to organic life forms. Or in other words, The Matrix lied to you.

What does this mean?

Radiation burns for everyone!

Yay!

Everyone loafing about in the tavern who wasn't shielded in some way probably just got the mother of all sunburns.

Allomyrina screams when the pulse hits her, a horrible, inhuman keening sound. Emerald flames lick across her as her body seems to almost stretch away from something below it, causing her whole form to crackle and warp and waver. The human illusion stretches thinner and glows brighter until it winks out altogether, revealing a creature below that is wholly inhuman (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/179/4/4/mlp_fim_queen_chrysalis_by_sirph0enix-d5583td.png).

She's a tall, leggy looking alien clad in black carapace that appears to be some sort of cross between a deer, a reptile, and an insect. A long, backwards swept horn on her forehead ends in a four pointed star rather akin to a rhinoceros beetle's. The creature's eyes and hair are a vibrant candy-apple red.

She's also sizzling a bit.

Aaaand just slumped into a heap on the floor.

Her phone, still sitting at her table, is crackling and popping and sparking.

[Lady Serpentine]

"Yes!"

And, with that, Ashara attempts to grab both Makaria and Allo, then activate a ring to emergency-teleport all three out of danger! After all, she did just fry the person trying to help, the least she can do is kidnap her to heal her up, right?

Err... Now that it's put like that, maybe it's not such a good idea after all. There is that portal to the Sanctuary Fortress, if nothing else. Surely someone would have tossed her onto there, so that at least she wouldn't be being dragged off by the same person who just attacked her, even if that part wasn't intentional?

Suppose she should have though of that before she did anything, though. Bit late now, after all. And... Well, this is Trog's. It's just as likely she'd simply have been left there to smoke peacefully on the floor for a while.

In any case, if it works, all three will find themselves in Ashara's house, in the Home thread.

[Deathkeeper]

Spade huffs and shakes his tail, sending a small wave of relief which should help alleviate the slight skin aggravation given to a few NPCs just now before returning to his previous spot at the table.

[Rebonack]

Welp!

Given that Allomyrina is currently stunned from spell-feedback when the EMP toasted all her active spellwork there really isn't much of anything she can do about being abducted.

Aside from, perhaps, making some moaning plaintive noises.

For what it's worth Allo isn't exactly small in her natural form. Even discounting her horn she stands a bit over five feet tall and probably approaches four hundred pounds.

Though...

Given how powerful most teleporters in the Nexus are her weight probably wouldn't matter.

[Arkhosia]

Welp!

Given that Allomyrina is currently stunned from spell-feedback when the EMP toasted all her active spellwork there really isn't much of anything she can do about being abducted.

Aside from, perhaps, making some moaning plaintive noises.

For what it's worth Allo isn't exactly small in her natural form. Even discounting her horn she stands a bit over five feet tall and probably approaches four hundred pounds.

Though...

Given how powerful most teleporters in the Nexus are her weight probably wouldn't matter.

Makaria is teleported!
Why would she not want to?

[Lady Serpentine]

Indeed it doesn't! It's more a limit on the number of distinct living entities, though trying to transport, say, an SUV and its occupants would be at the extreme limit, and it's probably best not to try that just in case.

Don't want to end up with anyone leaving bits behind, after all, or ending up as part of the car. Teleportation fields being unstable is generally not a good thing at all.

[Darkcomet]

"Photon and forcefield emitters stabilizing." After a bit of continued distortion, the effects on the security hologram and various holographic bits of scenery stop.

She/it just...stares blankly at nothing in particular.

"Canceling alert and forwarding recording of events to program controller."

More blank staring.

"...Why? I do not understand."

[Zefir]

The kitsune woman throws her hot choclate off as she ries her arms up. She may understand how the emp works, but still her instinct says she should cover her face. The mug with the choclate might land anywhere and the kitsune is crouching in her seat.

[Artemis97]

Spade tilts his head a bit.
"Um, no. I'm-what even is that? Aren't Furies female?"

Livia smiles and shakes her head. "I guess you don't have them here, hm? That is strange, but I don't know if the lands over the seas have them, either. Furies are... Hmm... Spirits, of a sort. They're a part of the land, the air, the water. We use them, tame them, work with them, to help us protect ourselves and to civilize our lands." She explains.

[Deathkeeper]

Spade looks a bit indignant.
"I'm Spade, God of the Downtrodden. I'm not one to be tamed."

[Chaotic Bob]

The door to the tavern slides open and in walks a rather frail looking man.
Back bent, the product of far too many years of life, there isn't much else to remark about on him.

Then again, the important thing is what he holds and stares at with a desperate expression.

A torn fragment of a small dress, charred along an entire length.

His mouth moves, but nothing comes out.
Keeps on making the same movements, even as he looks up towards the many tables around him.
Silent, painfully silent.


Help me.

[Artemis97]

Livia holds up her hands. "I wouldn't dare try."

The shouting woman hardly catches her attention, just another belligerent patron of the tavern. As she turns back to Spade, however, the notices the man at the door. His expression holds her attention, and Livia slowly pieces things together in her mind. That slilent plea pulls her from her chair, and she cautiously approaches, not wanting to startle the man.

"Sir, what happened?" She asks him.

[Chaotic Bob]

Livia's attention is noticed with a faint relief, buried under a greater desperation.

The man makes a rough gesture at his throat with one hand, mouth speaking noiseless words again with an expression begging her to understand.

I can't speak.

His gaze flicks down to the cloth in his hand and back up, pointing his hand now back out the door.

Outside.

[Deathkeeper]

Spade hops off the table and goes with her.
"I'm really not supposed to take direct action helping people, but I supposed I'm not being stopped..."

[Artemis97]

Livia kneels briefly to offer Spade a hand up, where he could ride on her shoulder, if he liked. She hoped he wouldn't take offense and see it as practical. She had longer legs and would move faster. Whether he accepts or refuses, she quickly follows the man outside.

[The Alexandrian]

The mug of hot chocolate the flinching kitsune flung shall not shatter upon the ground as it may have otherwise. The mug itself is caught in deft, gloved hand as it sails past a woman cloaked from head to toe in flowing black robes. Regrettably, the chocolatey goodness it once contained may splash and spill upon the floor, but the mug itself has been saved that it might be used again.

The robed woman attempts to stroll up to the kitsune and politely return the mug to her.

"I think you may have dropped this, child."

The kitsune might notice that this robed woman appears to be a kitsune just like her. A nine-tailed kitsune no less.

"You should ask for a refill. It's too far too cold outside to travel anywhere without drinking a piping hot beverage to warm you up first. If you haven't the coin for it, I'll pay for it if you'd be willing to chat with me for awhile. It has been far too long since I've had the pleasure of speaking with one of my own kind."

[Deathkeeper]

Spade doesn't mind at all being carried. It's only a natural response given his size.
And well, if he tries to slip one of his holy symbols into her pocket when she's not looking well, that would be purely coincidence, wouldn't it?

[Rebonack]

A changeling shaped patch of air is suddenly filled with a changeling!

The weird, black, armored reptile/insect/deer thing staggers slightly when she suddenly transitions into the tavern, raising one leg to brush a lock of candy-red mane out of her eyes and taking a quick visual survey of the state of the tavern.

Aside from the creature webbed to one of the walls it looks like things haven't changed to much.

A scowl briefly cross her face when she spots the blackened remains of her phone still sitting at her table.

With a sigh she lights her horn and causes a wave of livid green faerie fire to wash over her body, once more disguising her as an utterly normal looking human female.

"Security program," she calls aloud. It might look like she's talking to no one. "Please contact Emissary N'alae and inform her that I've been returned unharmed. All of my communications equipment has been destroyed."

[Darkcomet]

The hologram's blank expression does not change, so the pause looks a little...off. "...I will do that, although I am having difficulty processing the offenders' logic. Murder attempt...kidnapping...sudden return of kidnapping victim? Perhaps I should just be more aggressive in security enforcement so that this does not happen again." Oh dear.

[Rebonack]

Allomyrina gives a short sight through her nose before shaking her head. "I doubt logic had much to do with it."

She drops back into her chair and picks up the remains of her phone. With a scowl she tosses it into a nearby waste bin.

Wonderful.

Now she'll have to go pick up a new one.

At least she had the sense to buy the insurance plan to go with it. Insurance plans for expensive technology are pretty popular around the Nexus.

Wonder why?

"This place seems to have a terrible habit of attracting the mentally unstable..."

[Zefir]

The mug of hot chocolate the flinching kitsune flung shall not shatter upon the ground as it may have otherwise. The mug itself is caught in deft, gloved hand as it sails past a woman cloaked from head to toe in flowing black robes. Regrettably, the chocolatey goodness it once contained may splash and spill upon the floor, but the mug itself has been saved that it might be used again.

The robed woman attempts to stroll up to the kitsune and politely return the mug to her.

"I think you may have dropped this, child."

The kitsune might notice that this robed woman appears to be a kitsune just like her. A nine-tailed kitsune no less.

"You should ask for a refill. It's too far too cold outside to travel anywhere without drinking a piping hot beverage to warm you up first. If you haven't the coin for it, I'll pay for it if you'd be willing to chat with me for awhile. It has been far too long since I've had the pleasure of speaking with one of my own kind."

The kitsune lowers her guard and slowly takes the mug.

"T-T-Thanks!" she sais. Then she hands it over to a waitress and points at a near table. She is obviously a bit intimidated.

"We could go there if you want, I got some coins but nothing that will need my attention for a while."

[The Alexandrian]

Intimidated? By the mysterious kitsune who looks like the spitting image of a cultist/evil wizard wearing assassin gloves who caught a flying mug in midair without even so much as batting an eyelash?

A perfectly reasonable reaction. I'd be intimidated as well were I in her shoes.

"Sure. That spot is as nice as any other."

The friendly robed woman replies as she moves toward the table.

"So, where are you from?"

[Zefir]

It's more the nine tails that make her intimidated then everything else..

"I'm from here. The Nexus, if your new here."

[Jacklu]

Two surely looking space marines enter the tavern and approach the counter, massive gun riffles slung over their shoulders. They take off their helmets and a swarm of rats burst from the suits, flowing out onto the bar in both directions. The suits deflate and crumple as their occupants form an orderly party along the bar top, ordering three-hundred shots of whiskey sour.

That was interesting, wasn't it?

On the other end of the tavern is a young woman, dressed in worn but well maintained leather gear, nursing a dark drink and looking very much like somebody Looking For Group. A ferret darts about her feet, sniffing at passers by inquisitively. From time to time, the woman pulls a shiny gold coin from her pocket and spins it on the table.

[Rebonack]

At some point Allomyrina realized that she was going to need her ruined phone in order to prove that it is, in fact, ruined. With a huff she fishes it out of the waste bin and stuffs the useless pieces of scrap in her pocket.

And then?

Then the rat swarms arrive.

That warrants an eyebrow quirk, to be sure.

She's about to make a vague comment regarding them when suddenly-!

It's strange. Not quite a compulsion in the proper sense. Just the odd feeling that she should talk to that woman with coin. Clearly Allomyrina has no grasp of PC dynamics.

"Good evening."

A beat. Allo glances toward a nearby window.

"...or maybe not. It's been more difficult than normal to divine what time of day it is, lately."

[Deathkeeper]

Arty, a young, brown-haired centaur of proportionally eighteen years of age trots by the girl's table and stops.
"Drinking alone, Miss? That's no fun." he says with a friendly grin.

[Jacklu]

The woman looks Allo up and down approvingly.

Evening.

She says and the light outside the window shudders and falls dark as the time of day's waveform collapses. Deals like these are best made at night, after all.

She looks at the centaur and seems to be considering whether to respond. The ferret on the floor scurries between his legs, running a figure eight before returning to the woman and scampering up her leg. She scritches the ferret idly and seems to make up her mind.

Not alone at all. I seem to have found some... company. Join me.

She flags down a passing barmaid.

Order what you like. I have a proposition. But first, your specialties?

She looks from the centaur to the woman, inviting them both to speak.

[Deathkeeper]

Arty smiles at the little creature. When it's done, he "sits" down to be closer to eye-level and orders some water and a very large salad. Centaurs are notoriously rowdy drunks, and while there's no chance Arty's half-ton weight could get drunk off of one mug he doesn't risk it. That half-ton also demands he spend a lot of his time eating, though, so he has to make due.
"Um, I'm a doctor. Mostly medicinal, with a little magic. Just a bit." he says, nervously fidgeting at his shirt's only button.

[Rebonack]

Free food?

Free food is the best kind of food!

After a bit of consideration Allomyrina decides on a vegetarian burger. Maybe as well give it a try, right? See if they're as good as the ones back home.

"I work in infiltration, primarily. Infiltration, subterfuge, sabotage, the collection of information and objects that one might not otherwise wish to go missing..."

So...

She's a skill-monkey.

Totally a skill-monkey.

[Jacklu]

The woman considers for a moment, then smiles.

A doctor and a thief. Yes, that should do nicely. I have a job that needs doing. Discretely. Normally I would do it on my own, but there have been... unavoidable obstacles that prevent me from proceeding further without assistance. Payment will be an acceptable sum for the job, plus some should we happen to find anything valuable during the job.

She pulls a coin purse from her belt and set it on the table. It clinks nicely and hints at a hefty sum of coins within.

Payment after the job is finished. I'll answer any questions that I can now, and if you are both satisfied, we will leave after we eat.

[Deathkeeper]

Arty receives his food, listens to the lady, and then swallows the large mouthful of vegetables he'd been eating. He tries to be polite to folks, but for whatever reason his whole species just has lousy table manners.
"How discretely are we talking? I don't have any training in things that aren't fixing people up, sciences, and shooting a bow. And while I'm sure you're aware, I'm not a small fellow." he says, patting his flank as if to make this obvious.

[Rebonack]

Allomyrina hasn't touched her food yet, though she does offer small smile.

"I'm afraid I'm not in the business of accepting proposals before I know what they are."

Well.

That's just common sense, right?

You wouldn't want to agree to do something that's potentially suicidal.

Or, like, crawl down into one of those horrible crypts that's full of snakes for some reason.

No one likes crawling through snake-crypts. Or at least no one worth mentioning.

[Jacklu]

The woman nods to both of them. Valid concerns.

Of course. Something of mine was taken from me and is being kept at a facility outside of town. The facility has security, but it is largely nonlethal. There are also guards. The facility is largely medical in nature. Specifically, medical research.

She pulls out a rolled piece of paper and lays it out on the table. It reads "Mirrdyne" across the top in block lettering with a lot of jargon beneath that amounts to "There is a lot of weird stuff in the nexus, let us dissect and weaponize it for you!"

They hire out of the nexus but are mostly staffed by humans. A non-human with the proper knowledge could easily gain access, banking on security not being able to tell one non-human from the next.

She looks meaningfully at Arty.

I have the proper falsified IDs ready to go. Once inside, it should be easy for you create a gap in the security for the rest of us. After that, I will likely need somebody... sturdy, to remove the objective from the building.

She looks to Allo.

Once inside, however, I will need access to higher security areas. The technology they employ is beyond my ability to manipulate, unfortunately. I made it within the building once before, but was unable to proceed far enough on my own expertise. Since then, they have modified their defenses to prevent another incursion by my original method. Should things go according to plan, there will be very little risk of any combat encounters. In such an event, I am capable of handling a fight if you are unable to.

The ferret scurries up her arm as she speaks, looking back and forth between Allo and Arty before scampering on the back of her chair and down onto the floor again.

[Deathkeeper]

Arty quirks an eyebrow.
"Not being able to tell? Are you honestly making the assumption that a human corporation wouldn't be able to tell the difference between say, an elf, and a human with most of a horse replacing his legs?"

[Jacklu]

No, I'm saying they won't be able to tell you from a certain Doctor Krowstick who, should you agree to sign on, won't be making his shift later this evening.

She pulls out an ID card of a centaur with similar hair patterns and colouration to Arty. At a glance they look similar enough.

During my first attempt to break in, I saw a guard mistake two minotaurs for the same satyr. As near as I can tell, the company operates on xenophobic propaganda to sell its business and hires like minded individuals, turning to non-humans only when necessary. Unpleasant, but it will serve to get you inside, should you decide to join up.

[Rebonack]

This would be one of those times when Allo would use her phone to look up information on this business. Unfortunately a crazy warlock of some kind fried her phone not too long ago.

Thankfully it was ensured.

"I should be able to move unseen if I need to," Allomyrina says. "Or I could impersonate one of the personnel. Preferably someone who would normally be overlooked. The less scrutiny the better."

She's very good at impersonations!

Not so good at being psychically aware of personal information, though.

"What, precisely, needs to be retrieved?"

Considering the 'dissect' part of the business card, she's guessing it's something alive.

[Jacklu]

She looks to Allo, her face suddenly intense in a way it wasn't before.

My child.

[Deathkeeper]

His coloration, by the way, is brown; his lower body is the same color as the hair on his human half.
"Well, at least those are both furry bipeds with hooves and horns. The muzzles really should make it obvious, though. Idiots. Do you always carry magic ID's on you?" he asks. I mean, unless she just had a whole bunch of these of any possible species.
And then that bomb is dropped. Oh, my.

[Jacklu]

I planned ahead.

She says, turning back to Arty. She pulls out several more ID cards belonging to various members of Mirrdyne.

Made copies during my first incursion.

She was apparently rather busy during her last break in.

[Deathkeeper]

Arty smiles again before his expression darkens.
"Alright, but if that's true, what's this about someone sturdy?Do you expect this child of yours to be contained in something, or are they simply that large? Because if it's to save a life I'll do it, but I'm not a pack animal nor am I suited for acting like one for a while."
Arty's more of a runner than he is a carrier.

[Rebonack]

"I see..."

Well.

That certainly makes things a bit more personal, doesn't it? Allomyrina makes a mental note to gather as much information and evidence as she can on this little field trip. She has the uncanny feeling that the law enforcement of the Nexus might be paying this corporation a little visit when all is said and done.

She begins looking through the ID cards, getting a feel for the face of each. Hopefully the type of clearance and other useful information is included as well. Once she finds one to her liking she picks it up to examine it more closely.

"Is this operation time sensitive?"

Or in other words, are you expecting your child to undergo vivisection in the near future.

[Jacklu]

She is only a child, but I do not know what condition she will be in, and I might... not be in the proper condition to carry her if need be. It is possible that she might prove... difficult to move as well.

She looks back to Allo.

I hope to begin at the soonest possible convenience.

Allo finds a card bearing a human face. They look old and grey and crotchety. Their clearance seems to be top level but most of the information on the card is in jumbles of numbers and bar codes. The card likely serves as a door key as well, judging from the look of it.

[Deathkeeper]

Arty's frown deepens.
"Please, can you give me any idea what kind of condition? I'll come, saving people is my job, but if I'm expecting carrying a VIP who's shooting lasers at me I'll have to bring my heatproof pants."
You know. It's funny. Because he can't wear pants.

[Rebonack]

Allomyrina closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before exhaling slowly. Matching a voice from a picture alone is difficult to say the least. But sufficient glamor should be able to deflect any notice. If there's anything Allomyrina excels at it's making sure she won't be noticed when she doesn't want the attention.

"I'll do what I can to help you get your child back. And should this company be as despicable as its business card suggests it is I'll do what I can to make sure this happens to no one else."

She's honestly having trouble imagining how the place is still around.

Must be ferreted away somewhere Outside where Remnant won't do anything.

Thankfully the Irregulars have no such compunctions.

[Jacklu]

Protective gear will not be needed. She can just be... squirmy... at times.

She pulls out a pocket watch and checks it.

If we are agreed, we must leave now or else we'll have to wait until tomorrow to try again.

She drops several coins on the table and stands.

My name is Terref, by the way.

[Deathkeeper]

Arty nods and waves down a waitress to get a bag for the rest of his meal. He has no compunctions against eating on the road.
"Oh, sorry. Artorias, call me Arty. Do you have transport, or am I walking?" most people don't have horse-sized cars.

[The Alexandrian]

But the nine tails are so cute and fuzzy! Warm too! They're even wagging excitedly because (seemingly) the woman to which they are attached is so happy to have the rare opportunity to talk to one of her own kind again!

"I wasn't born here, but I've lived here for about a year. This is the first time I've visited this tavern, though. I don't live in the city, and I've never needed to travel to this part of town before. I don't really like large crowds, so I usually avoid them unless I really need something. I guess it's mainly because the little kids who live here never seem to stop trying pulling my tails. Kinda takes all the fun out of shopping when you must constantly watch out for little kids, y'know. I'd have covered them up by now except I can't for the life of me find any comfortable clothes that would hide all of them from sight. Heck, I have to shop at specialty stores or special order my clothes because most stores here don't carry pants or dresses or robes with enough tail holes in them, let alone clothes that are comfy."

[Zefir]

"I'm sorry, but I didn't got that problem. Where I live there is..." she stops biting her lips. "Was a shop center specialized for our kind. And no kid has acted like you described."

[Rebonack]

Arty should try one of those UFO taxis.

Rumor has it they're bigger on the inside than they are on the outside.

"And I'm Alessandra," the person who's name totally isn't Alessandra replies. It's quite possible that just happens to be the name of this particular persona. Allo has a ton of them living in her head ready to hop out and take over at a moment's notice.

Hmm...

At some point she must have finished her meal, because it's certainly gone now.

"We should leave right away if time is an issue."

And with that she rises to her feet, having slipped the chosen ID card into her pocket.

[Fenric]

Fenric enters the once-familiar Tavern and looks around. Seeing an inordinate amount of deadtime (or perhaps people foolish enough to have drank the water), he heads up to the bar.

Martini, please. Straight up, twist of lemon

Cosmo looks at him

"Huh. Didn't know you still existed."

Fenric shrugs

Who says I do?

Cosmo walks away to make the drink, shaking his head and muttering something about calling animal control.

[Rebonack]

"Working on tentative existence, huh?" comes an adorably squeaky voice from the rafters of the tavern. "You never stuck me as the sort to be into ontological uncertainty. Though I guess I'm really not one to talk, am I? I've barley been around myself."

Well if it isn't Mini-Maph, perched in his usual spot above the hubbub of the favored bar. The cat sized dragon-like thing is grinning down at Fenric in exactly the way that a dead groundhog doesn't.

"People come and go, but the Nexus endures. So far at least. How are the swarms of relatives doing?"

Well!

Familial small talk sure is the departure from musings on existence, isn't it?

[Fenric]

Fenric smiles

Hello, Maphtey.

Fenric chuckles

Considering that at one point I existed in at least three different places, and since then this one has changed drastically, another one has since ceased to be at all, and the third cares precious little for the continuity of these other two... I'm doing allright.

[Rebonack]

"Well, you know what they say. You can't maintain a trans-multiversal smoothie without breaking a shovel over continuity's head."

Or...

Something like that?

Maph is pretty sure someone somewhere says that. When faced with the Cosmos' infinity of infinities everything is bound to be a saying somewhere.

"Turns out Llymic is back. Remember him? Big pudgy, jolly blasphemy against existence that wants to blot out the sun? Some heroes are trying to kick him to the curb at the moment," Maph grins a toothy grin. "I bet they will, too. Ending all life would make things really dull around here."

[Fenric]

Fenric shakes his head

Doesn't sound familiar, but I heard rumors of his activities. I figured someone would do unspeakable things to whoever it was, and that got me thinking of old sky-blue-Koi Limnos.

[Rebonack]

Maph's silly grin gets a little wider at the mention of that. "That's the trouble about reoccurring villains. Having a come back once or twice is okay. You know, swearing revenge and all. But after they've been beaten several times it just starts getting it becomes old-hat."

Maph rises from his perch, stretches, turns into a little circle, and lays down again.

"If the bad guy just keeps coming back it makes the heroes feel like all their effort is meaningless. Sure they might have solved one problem, but that's just treating the symptoms instead of the sickness."

A beat.

"I probably give too much thought to this protagonist/antagonist stuff."

[Fenric]

Fenric nods and chuckles

Too true - if they're too easily disposed of, then it's an anti-climax. But if they're too stubborn, everyone gets disgruntled.

Fenric shrugs

Then again, killing off a good villain can really waste a lot of good character development.

[The Alexandrian]

"Perhaps I've just been traveling through the wrong parts of town, then."

The dark robed woman muses after a brief delay. She shrugs and leans back in her chair.

"So why doesn't that store you mentioned sell clothing designed for our kind anymore? It's always a shame when something useful is closed down. Gods know I could use a new wardrobe."

[Zefir]

The other Kitsune seems abit nervouse likly she isn't really ammused by talking about that things. Obviously bad memories come with it, but she can't deny this knowledge to a nine tailed.

"It's not like they wanted..." she says, seeking words that fit. "... not due to business terms. You konw about the Zombie apocalypse? With that the whole district was either destroyed or abonded, since then the area is abonded fearing the undead."

It's not like there are any, but you know people.

[The Alexandrian]

"That's terrible."

The dark robed woman sympathetically laments, disappointedly shaking her head from left to right.

"The zombie invasion wasn't that deadly, but it wasn't any fun either. I was dating an ex-Umbrella employee at the time. Apparently, the Umbrella facility was overrun when the virus was released. I managed to sneak into the building after the outbreak. From the looks of it, no one in the upper levels of the building survived."

What with the lockdown, purge, and monster infestation that followed.

"Thankfully, memories about that kind of thing don't usually last very long at all here. After one has acclimated to what transpires here everyday, zombie infestations aren't worth batting your eyelashes at. If the abandoned area is near an upscale area of Inside, it's probably still worth quite a lot of money."

[Rebonack]

"Well, you don't strictly have to kill a villain to make them a non-threat. You could always turn them into a fish. Or maybe a nice houseplant. There are plenty of ways to end a villain's threat without resorting to death."

Death is a nasty thing, really. They say it's the worst thing you can do to a man, to take away everything he is and everything he could be.

"It's just important to have a source of conflict and adventure available! Things would get really dull if the heroes just faffed about all the time."

Faffing about is the worst.

"Maybe I should see about getting more Random Encounters scheduled. People seem to really like the Random Encounters."

And the lewt said encounters inevitably result in.

[Fenric]

Fenric chuckles again

That used to be most of what we did, you know - all these convoluted epic adventures and things that make one late for dinner came later. We sat around in here (or next door, in Sneak's) and debated the merits and demerits of various rules, house rules, comics, systems, and general nonsense. Once in a while, one of Renrik's guys would come in and murder someone, or the goblins would have a riot, or pirates would attack... some such short lived thing. Personal back story stuff would show up, but rarely ever resulted in more than a brawl in here.

And really, some of the best adventures were the ones nobody planned...

Fenric eyes the mirror behind the bar counter with a critical eye.

... or things that started off completely silly like the Plane of Lost Things.

[Zefir]

"People still fear what may be there. So I'm very alone there." The Kitsune replies. She seems to be very intimiddated by the whole Story. It's obviouse that nine tails contain hidden powers, but going right into the source of the Zombie apocalypse seems a bit over the top.

[The Alexandrian]

"That sounds ever so lonely and dreadful. I wouldn't want to live all by myself. I live in a mansion quite far from the city. My neighbors visit me every once in awhile, but I don't like how quiet the house has been recently. I don't need any servants, so it's just me and my daughter living in the house. I've been thinking about searching for tenants for some of the spare wings of the house, but I don't know if anyone would want to live so far from Inside - even if I did spend the money on a permanent portal leading here. I would if I thought that might help, but to be honest, I don't even know where to start! It's a really nice place, though. It's safe, well-maintained, and nothing of any interest whatsoever ever happens there. Everything is modern and stately. Truth be told, I'd be willing to just give a room to someone if they'd be willing to use it. Anything to break the monotony."

The robed figure half-lies. She's remarkably good at it. Her tale is seamless and her mannerisms not at all different from when she is telling the truth.

[Rebonack]

"I think I can approve of silly things," Maph replies with a sage nod. "I'll admit I wasn't here in the early early days. I'm not sure how well I would have done with constant faffing about. I'm a Random Encounter after all! I subsist on conflict! Especially silly conflict."

Silly conflict is the best kind.

Or at least that's Maph's stance on the issue.

Serious conflict is a little too serious.

"I wonder sometimes where everyone who moved on went. Are they just locked in stasis in some obscure corner of the Nexus? Are they happily pursuing adventures and lives somewhere else? Are clowns still absolutely terrifying?"

[Fenric]

Fenric smiles, and answers out of order, as he always tends to do.

Clowns are simply a manifestation of the unknown. Is that terrifying, or thrilling? It depends solely on you.

Fenric shakes his head

For the others... I tried to find some of them, you know. I found another dead world, and many portals to blank walls. I have spoken to the spirits of some, but none recently

(( Gah... Fenric, shall we just move on? ))

And, of course, HE still doesn't respect much of anything. So, as he says, moving on... Our view has always been that everything that can possibly exist DOES exist - always and everywhere. It is our perception that is limited: not the universe. Time is an illusion caused by our inability to experience everything and therefore "Nothing" and "Everything" are at once the same and indistinguishable. In some remote possibility, Earin is sitting beside you, drinking tea while Exachix chats with the somewhat unsettling clone troopers from Earth Force and meanwhile an assassin is creeping up behind you with a tautological dagger simultaneously dodging Gatamu who still wonders if anyone would like to be eaten.

[Zefir]

"Then good Luck miss. There are quiet a few people in need of a room in the Nexus."

It's not that the Kitsune knows she lies. It's just that she isn't really sure to leave her home and on another note doesn't assume the offer is for her.

[Fenric]

Higgeldy, piggeldy, my fine hen:
foxes dress like gentlemen!
Post on the board,
then do it again!
Higgeldy, piggeldy... *CHOMP*

Fenric finishes a fine chicken dinner, then contemplates being at a New Year's party at the same time while giving an introduction that isn't part of his official canon yet continues somehow nonetheless.

Yes, Maph'tey... perhaps something needs to happen to the mirrors again... or the water... Or the Theatre of Masks needs to re-open. Wouldn't that be chaotic?

[TechnoScrabble]

Taverns. Probably a strange place for a recovered drunk to spend most of his time, especially when he has no money, but Garrett remains here none the less. He still has yet to get a decent haircut, and his clothes are still in tatters, but he's found a way to keep himself clean. He's much happier now that he's not terminally I'll, but there's still a somber air around the young empath as he casts his fortune stones for any who ask nicely.

[Deathkeeper]

Spako Highclaws enters the place where he first learned of the Nexus for a break. He's finally invested in a coat despite his oversized kobold feet still being bare.
He stops at Garrett's table.
"This seat taken? Being alone at a bar sucks."

[TechnoScrabble]

"No' at all, seat yourself as you will. What brings you to me?" Garrett scoops up his fortune stones and pockets them politely to focus on the kobold.

[Deathkeeper]

Spako shrugs, trying to settle his wings comfortably in the chair. His scales are a bit more brassy than his player's avatar would indicate.
"You looked like you could use someone to talk to. And I just don't like spending all my days alone, myself."
Rather curiously, Spako appears to have a box strapped to his belt roughly the size of a deck of cards which he places a hand over.

[TechnoScrabble]

"A story is seldom writt'n of one person," Garrett smiles welcomingly.

Garrett is a powerful empathy, he feels the emotions, thoughts, and physical states of others, sometimes after they've happened. His headband is enchanted to limit it since he can't control it well, but it's become frayed and damaged. Does Garrett feel anything from Spako?

[Deathkeeper]

Spako smiles (which, since he's a reptile without lips or eyebrows, means his mouth pulls back slightly and his ears perk up) and takes his Deck from its box, shuffling them. They're hand-painted cards similar to a tarot deck, although it's unlikely that Garrett recognizes them. (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ersF53wzhq4/SiwMhVT1Q-I/AAAAAAAAArM/lHqEX9HZlbw/s400/harrowcards)
"Don't mind me, just a little ritual of mine." he says, most likely meaning the colloquial meaning, not the magical kind.

Spako has a lot of conflict in his mind. The brass dragon part of his genes pushes him towards good, while his upbringing and the common tragedy in his life push the opposite way. Both affect him physically, which is why two-thirds of his scales are a shiny brass color and the rest are a dull sandy yellow. Those proportions should indicate which is winning without any powers. The kobold is a group-minded person, so having been separated from his friends by the Nexus he's gotten very lonely. And while it's mostly healed he still has some trauma from a few personal events that happened in rapid succession.
And yes, this is all that obvious. Spako has little to no personal protection from psions and empaths.

[TechnoScrabble]

"I have rituals of my own," Garrett pats the pocket of pebbles on his jacket, "Mos'ly a calming technique, but it bleeds off the excess magick rather well. There's a disturbance in your tranquil, friend. The light and dark blind you to each other, and the roots to your tree need soil. What has so ter'bly torn the pages of your story?"

[Deathkeeper]

Spako looks up at Garrett and sighs. He'll be pulling cards from the top of the deck and placing them face-up on the table the whole time, never once looking at them. (The Deck's images are easy to find and download but sadly Google Images only has a handful of the 54, so I can't post pictures. It might make more sense, but the names should be self-explanatory most of the time).
"I was born in a clan of desert kobolds a Champion, the rare occurrence where a wyrmling is born winged and with more apparent dragon heritage than usual. This is considered a good omen." The Midwife. "I was pampered and lorded, taught that I'd be a great hero, blah blah blah. I got sick of it. I aged slower than them, and after a while I just got sick of hearing how I'd wreck the gnomes' faces. So I left." The Rabbit Prince.

"I wandered for a while. Human and elven mercs taught me swordplay and some magic, which I've practiced since. I was rarely welcomed for my species, but I didn't mind as long as someone was around to vouch for me so I could get a room to stay at." The Wanderer, then The Publican. "I was stolen from my home one night. I think there was a raid, but I'll never know who made it out. I got stuck on a slave ship and sold as a gladiator to be food for Umbral Hulks. I lasted longer than they would think, and a buncha space orks broke us all out with some elves as backup. And they hate each other, so those Freaks had some pretty terrible PR to get that to happen." The Tyrant, then The Big Sky.

"A few of us made a little group. Nabbed ourselves a Spelljamming Helm and went to get us some salvage in an old battlefield to buy a ship for it. It didn't go so well. Something was wrong with the place. The battle played over and over for those that got near, and the dead elves played the defenders even if we weren't orks. I got speared through the chest protecting the psion." The Eclipse, The Beating. "I got saved. I can't tell you how." The Paladin. Spako snorts, and it changes to The Foreign Trader. "You're not so mysterious as that, Sir, but close enough. He's the one who gave me this Deck. Without telling me it was magic." The Joke.

"Anyway, I got back outside of my body. I tried to help my friends but it didn't go well, and some ghost nabbed my body. Found it later, but he somehow was occupying it. Managed to lock me up for a while. Then went and beat up my friends. Sliced the Professor's leg clean off with my own sword." he chokes out. The Twin, The Betrayal. "I got him for that, own body be damned. Got him out, settled myself in again. Went to fight the Captain who'd kept the madness alive." The Empty Throne. "Would've beaten him, but he stole the Deck from me. I hadn't thought to protect it since I didn't know it was powerful. He used it to rewrite the battle in his favor, and history. Pothoc Elves." The Avalanche. "He got his though. All those cards he Drew, he was bound to get something. And the Deck doesn't like being cheated." The Snakebite, which after a moment changes to The Waxworks.

"We met up again, all mostly alive. Used the unfinished ship in the hanger to make our escape. After that some people left...or just went missing." The Lost. "But I got more people. You wouldn't think they'd be good people, but I saved them from death and they'd been brainwashed a little, so despite being half undead, demons, or otherwise nasty-looking, I had a decent crew. Plus, the professor got a new leg, a badass mithril one with a griffin's claw foot." The Teamster, the Forge.

"But then I was here, without any of that. None of my friends, none of my crew, not my ship, not my eldritch horror of a dog." The Desert. "I've been living, but it's hard. Helped out some gnomes, turned out to be evil cultists. Explore a dungeon, get stuck saving prisoners from horrible experiments. List goes on. And what does that leave me?" The Idiot. Spako groans. "C'mon, Sir!" It changes to The Brass Dwarf. "Huh. Never thought of it that way. Guess it works. So. That's the story. Long enough for ya?"

[TechnoScrabble]

"It is a good tale. The Nexus is an odd place, where stories join howe'er briefly. It seems you've done a fair deal of good despite the hand dealt to you," Garrett pulls out a handful of his polished and enlaid/engraved river pebbles and shakes them, "But what do you seek now? What drives you? Honour, revenge, seekin' what be lost? Perhaps you and I are kindr'd in our tranquils, pulled in diff'r'nt directions by the mixed blood of a half-breed, and compelled to follow either?"

[Deathkeeper]

Spako shrugs.
"I want to live, that's all. If I can get back what I've lost, I will jump on it, but false hope will only tear me down. "
He collects all the cards and sweeps them back into the Deck, then sets it on the table.
"And if you seek something and need some help, I am the keeper of Sir's Deck, but it's not restricted to me. If you feel lucky, say a number and pull that many. It grants boons and punishments. Of course, it's pretty powerful stuff. I can suppress its power so none of the effects are that permanent. The potential risk is proportional to the potential gain."

[TechnoScrabble]

"Survival is an instinct, not a goal, surely you are not as nulled as you say," Garrett keeps shaking his pebbles, "All life is equal in threat and promise. Read you yours if you read me mine?"

[Deathkeeper]

Spako looks at him, an ear quirked.
"I'd been given a goal, but I've lost it with my homeworld. This place has achieved it for me. I'll find a new one.
You want it full blast? Well, okay...sounds good to me." he says, a bit worried for the fellow.
(And for the record, I do this randomly, but if you'd prefer a specific kind of result let me know)

[TechnoScrabble]

(Random's good.)
"So a goal's your goal?" Garrett chuckles, "Very well. Lemme have it, universe doesn't hold back, why should you?"

[Deathkeeper]

Spako chuckles.
"I guess so. Just say a number and draw that many. I'd keep it low, though."

[TechnoScrabble]

Garrett thinks for a moment, his shaking hand slowing down briefly.
"Four is lucky, but also death. Good comes in threes, but so do the greater evils. Seven is safest of fortune's chosen. Seven."

[Deathkeeper]

Spako's jaw drops a little. That's low? Still, the Deck can't be stopped once activated.

The Bear- Garrett becomes a werebear. It's up to you what triggers his Change. Usually those affected become more focused on brute strength to solve problems, but it's also up to you to decide how much this affects him in all forms, although it's likely worse when the ursine form is taken.
The Crows- A small, respawning crow appears near Garrett, and will harass him constantly until it gets bored of doing so in a few days.
The Beating- When in a fight, Garrett will find himself less capable of defending himself than usual, as blows seem to be attracted to him. If he rarely gets into fights, he'll find small objects coming at him like children's balls, debris from bar brawls, tumblweeds, etc, hit him more often than they miss.
The Courtesan- the crow becomes sentient and talking but is bound to Garrett. As such he is less pernicious than the previous description, but is still an annoying loudmouth. He can be persuaded to help, though. Feel free to NPC him.
The Trumpet- The crow can be commanded to Aid once every few days. When done, it turns snow white, is completely loyal, and gains the powers of a minor celestial (supernatural speed, strength and endurance for its size, some divine magic, etc).
(Normally you just summon a minor celestial. It's effectively the same exact power, but with flavor matching previous cards.)
The Owl- Garrett can scry any one person or place, once.
The Tangled Briar- Garrett's presence for extended periods of time causes plants to either cease growing and wither or grow thorns and nettles.

[TechnoScrabble]

(That's some cool stuff. Does it all happen right now or over the next few days?)

[Deathkeeper]

((It all happens immediately upon drawing. If whatever Garrett's Trigger is happens to be around, he'll transform immediately. I can also pick one if you're having trouble. If you'd like to see all the effects, I just put them up in the Directory)
"So...you...feel alright?"

[TechnoScrabble]

(Pick it yourself I'd choose something stupid :p)
"Yeah, just a bit itchy, really," Garrett looks at the crow on his shoulder as if it wre nothing strange to so suddenly appear, "Heh. Say 'nevermore'."

"Suck a fat one," quoth the not-raven.

[Deathkeeper]

((How about...the taste of honey :smalltongue:?
In the Pathfinder world the Deck is based on, werebears are pretty much harmless as they force Good alignments on people instead of Evil like wolves, so feel free to make the Lycanthropy not a big deal besides the forced physical change. You can also decide if he can change willingly and talk while transformed. For the record he definitely knows what the Trumpet lets him do.))
"Uh, ok, if you say so. You got a couple of bad cards in there. Plus The Bear, which the deck seems to love recently. You sure you feel ok? Don't feel the desire to catch salmon or look for bee-hives and picnic baskets?"

[TechnoScrabble]

(What about the owl?)
"Life deals all sorts of cards, Boo-Bo- er...huh...anyways. Yeah. All sorts of cards. Nae biggie."

Life dealt you a steaming pile of crap!

[Deathkeeper]

((yeah, that one too.))
That's weird. The Bear has usually a pretty obvious effect. Like, at the very least it usually makes folks bigger and hairier. Or maybe that happens later to some folks? He knows there was that one guy who just flat-out turned into a bear on the spot. Oh, well. Maybe it just made him really into camping and/or breaking things. He doesn't seem bothered at all. The Owl, The Beating and Tangled Briar don't usually have tangible effects, and the rest seem to be in the bird.
Or, at least that's what Spako's thinking.
"So, how about I get you a drink? Water? Ale? Wine? Mead?" he asks in a friendly manner. Geez, dodging bullets like that deserves a little celebration.

[TechnoScrabble]

"I'm afraid I'm lacking in the mone'ary department. Besides," Garrett grins, "I get to tell your fortune now."

[Deathkeeper]

"Oh, come on. Let me buy you one drink. We're friends. And uh, sure, okay." Spako says, still mostly cheery.

[TechnoScrabble]

"Friends," Garrett's grin grows that much wider, Alright then."

He casts the stones while the crow raspberries in his ear. A variety of different engravings and metallic enlays pop up.

An oddly alluring forest, which always pops up when Garrett rolls.
A lantern made of silver that seems to glow.
A dull but beautiful brass key.
A raging fire inches away from an unburnt hand.
A crying babe in torn swaddling cloth.
And two hearts in a velvet lined box alongside a knife.

"I always get the strangest readings here..."

[Deathkeeper]

Spako waves over a waitress and orders himself a drink, giving Garrett the chance to order something.
"Well, I can't say that I understand any of that." he says, puzzled.

[TechnoScrabble]

"Water, please," Garrett says without looking away from the pebbles.

"The forest is just something that always pops up for me, don't worry about it. The lantern represents an inner light and something sought. The key represents something found, and when combined with the lantern is the sign of the angel Uriel. You are lighting your own path and unlocking your own doors, this is good. The next is the fire within, it must be controlled, but if used right, is a boon to you. The babe represents the past, make of it what you will, and the hearts are love with a hidden danger."

[Deathkeeper]

Spako chuckles. Yeah, there was a succubus on his crew, that sounds about right. She was a nice girl. Never did hit on him, which was rather paradoxical since she had used the shape of a smoking hot lady-kobold for as long as he had known her.
"Sounds good. I'll keep that in mind. And say hi to Uriel if she stops by. And I don't even think they charge for water here. You're boring." Spako says mockingly.

[TechnoScrabble]

"Uriel is male and I'm a recovered alcoholic," Garrett says tersely.

[Deathkeeper]

Spako's ears prick.
"Seriously? I always see the name attached to women in media. Must be the whole 'angels are technically genderless' thing. Ah, well.And you could have just said you only take soft drinks. Do the readings normally become apparent for people or do they usually stay mysterious?"
Spako says, suddenly radiating terror that he's already insulted him and trying to steer the conversation away.

[TechnoScrabble]

If Garrett isn't literally on fire, you're doing good. He's half human and half elemental god of war, fire, and martial hobour and his brain's been shattered several times. He's trying to reel himself in after some bad decisions left him crippled as he is, but he's still got a temper.
"The readings are very precise. I am not. Im still learning the art. Take the stones, they're lucky for the one they're cast for."

[Deathkeeper]

Oh, my. Good thing we didn't make anger his bear-trigger; then he'd be a large bear/bear-man on fire, and that's terrible.
Spako reaches out for them, then stops.
"You sure? Won't you run out of them, then?"

[TechnoScrabble]

"I make them as a meditative exercise,' Garrett shrugs.

[Deathkeeper]

"Well, okay then."
Spako will also order one of those little appetizer baskets of rolls. Because he's hungry and he's going to get something for this guy if it kills him, and small bits of bread are hard to resist. But mostly because he's hungry. I wonder what Trog's puts in and on their bread baskets. Butter seems too easy.

[TechnoScrabble]

And Garrett will greatly appreciate the food. It's hard for an eighteen year old cripple with emotional and mental issues and stunted magick and a very limited skill set and hard to break 'violent hero' mentality to get a job.

"Still haven't told me your name, by the way."

"Like he'd want to, you impertinent twit!"

[Deathkeeper]

Well, hopefully the sudden addition of slight curses and bear-brains don't make that any worse. Let's also hope nobody put honey in those rolls. Spako would feel bad. And he wasn't kidding, the last two people to Draw got bear-ified, too. Of course, using a suppressed Wish just "to stop being cold" is just /asking/ to get turned into something big and fuzzy.

"Oh, Apsu, sorry about that. My name's Spako. Spako Highclaws. It sounds cooler in Draconic." he says, standing up in his seat so he can hold a hand across the table to shake.

[TechnoScrabble]

Its funny cause Garrett was almost a werewolf once. Long story.

Garrett shakes the scaled claw heartily, "Garrett Everett, once a knight errant of the Order of The Lantern and a proud son, now...eh, not sure what I am to be honest, other than a heated wreck."

[Deathkeeper]

Well, better a were-something that makes you do impressions of cartoon characters than one that tempts you to go ripping people's faces off. I almost want to hear that story, though.
"Well, at the very least you can be sure of that you're a kobold's friend, ok? And please, take one of these, I'm not going to be eating all of them."

[TechnoScrabble]

Garrett smiles and takes a bite out of a roll.
"Can't say I've met many kobolds. You're the first, really."

[Deathkeeper]

Spako shrugs.
"Can't say I'm surprised. We're just not very common around most parts. We seem to not have the stigma like back home, though. Apparently over at the mall some of my kin have a whole little restaurant. No clue if it's good, I'm just proud it exists."

[TechnoScrabble]

"I know all about dealing with racial stigma, friend. You ever get any for being half dragon, or is it all for the kobold half?"

[Deathkeeper]

"Well, it doesn't really work that way. I'm all kobold. But I get what you mean, and no, no one ever really comments on the wings." he says.

[TechnoScrabble]

"Ah. Do forgive me, I am not educa'ed in the genetics of kobolds," Garrett says, absentmindedly scratches at the back of his ear.

"...the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities!..."

"What an odd bird."

"What an odd talking weasel!"

[Deathkeeper]

Spako snorts.
"Weasel? Naw. I mean, if you mean me, then 'lizard' is the appropriate animal-based slur. And if you mean him, than 'bear' is still probably better. Because that card did something, it always does, even if it's just abstract.
You should probably name him. I suggest Pothoc."
He says with a sneer. ((it means Stupid))

[TechnoScrabble]

"I was referring to this motherless fre-AWK!"

Garrett grabs the crow by the throat and scowls, his hands and eyes emitting wisps of steam.

"Do not mention my family and so disturb my tranquil, wretched fowl, lest I end thee."

[Deathkeeper]

Spako raises his hands up.
"Garrett, he's just trying to get a rise out of you; he doesn't know what he's saying and shouldn't be throttled for it."

[TechnoScrabble]

Garrett drops the crow and looks absolutely mortified.

"Sorry sorry sorry! That's not who I am! I'm nae a violent person...anymore..."

"Could've fooled me!" the crow gasps and coughs.

[Deathkeeper]

Spako sighs.
"It's ok. No harm done."
He glares at the crow.
"If the Deck made you, you were probably made to last. So if he can kill you once, he can kill you again. Trust me, save yourself the pain and don't start that cycle now."
He 'smiles' at Garrett.
"Besides, I'd hate for you to be stuck with a murder of crows."

[TechnoScrabble]

"I'm not the kind to kill repeatedly for relaxation," Garrett assures, not getting the pun.

[Deathkeeper]

"Just meant that if you were to accidentally do it once and we find out he just comes back it just won't end well. Not if he's going to keep being annoying. It loses a lot of impact when you know they come back, trust me. But don't feel too bad. The Bear sometimes does that to people. Like I said, I don't know what it's done to you. It can represent brute force, untameable power, and actual ursines in equal probability, and its effects when used in a Draw can be just as varied. Just try to keep your cool.

And really, Common isn't my first language and I came up with that one!"

[TechnoScrabble]

"Came up with that what?" Garrett raises an eyebrow.

[Deathkeeper]

"Murder of crows. Murder, meaning both the act of killing and a group of corvids." says Spako flatly.

[TechnoScrabble]

"O-oh," Garrett shrinks in his seat. In his homeland he was a genius, but he lacks modern education.

[Deathkeeper]

Oops. Subject changing time. Don't want to embarass the guy.
"So, um, I just realized that you gave me a nice little reading on your stones but I never gave you a heads-up on what those cards you Drew usually do. Erm, would you like me to, or would you prefer it be a, um, surprise?"

[TechnoScrabble]

"Probably best to know. Maybe you could tell me more about them, too? What this deck is, how it works?" Garrett is all too happy to focus on something else.

[Deathkeeper]

"Well, The Crows usually draws thieves to you (it represents thieves), so since it just created your friend there, you probably didn't own anything of enough monetary value for the card to actually be a drawback, so it made something equally annoying. Then you drew The Courtesan, which also affects your possessions. Again, since you don't have many it just affected the crow, which is why he can talk. Probably made you stuck with him, though. It represents intrigue.
The Trumpet lets you call upon the powers of the heavens every once and a while. It's pretty nice, although the strength of what's called depends slightly on the person. It represents the declaration of power.
(for the record since I didn't know Garrett's heritage it's probably a bit more powerful than I originally described).
The Owl generally lets you get information you need. Usually you have to use that ability. You'll know how when it comes to it, just like The Trumpet. As always, it represents Wisdom.
The Beating...does exactly what the name implies. It actually doesn't make most people take more damage than usual, it just makes them prone to getting hit. Weird. It represents attack from all sides.
The Tangled Briar usually has something to do with plants. Always detrimental. Sometimes it aids your enemies, but that's rare. It's a varied effect lots of times, but unlike other cards it's often consistent. It represents ancient deeds.
The Bear is a weird one. Like I said, it represents Strength, and usually grants it to those who Draw it. There are times where it just makes folks big, brawny and hirsute with a willingness to use that strength. Sometimes it does next to nothing but make the person turn into a bear sometimes. Or all the time. Unless the effect is delayed, it's probably that last one, unless it messed with your head more than you realize. Honestly though, other than the sudden willingness to hit things and the instincts it's really not that bad. For whatever reason werebears are pretty peaceful people. Not someone to mess with, but they didn't get the desire for violence that other 'weres get. But yeah, can't tell just yet unless you feel like your beard's growing in faster or are suddenly having instinctive cravings for raw meat and honey. Heh.
Spako can't help but enjoy making fun of people with body issues sometimes. It comes from over a decade of people making fun of his height.
"The Deck itself is chaotic. That's the best hint I can give, since I can't say where it came from. If you want I could do an actual Harrow reading, which is some basic magic fortune-telling for those who have a deck. In terms of that it's just a really well made version of a regular Harrow. Its magic simply works however it wants. It's not alive, but it sometimes can tell how to affect someone in a way that matters, like how it didn't bother stealing from you. Each card has an alignment, though, which dictates if it helps you or not. Even if you make a really dumb wish with The Winged Serpent, it'll still be a positive effect, since it's a Good card. Get it?"

[TechnoScrabble]

((Maybe it turns into a Thunderbird or a firey hunting falcon at times?))

"I believe I un'erstand...my stones can do similar works when made by someone with greater skill than I."

Garrett peers at the crow, the deck, and his own hands.

"The cards tie into my experiences here rather well. Would you mind if I tries to get a reading off of them while you did got Harrowing?"

[Deathkeeper]

((For most normal people, it summons a Lantern Archon, which I'll assume you know from OOTS or Google. For someone who's sort-of a demigod? Uh, you can make it do whatever you want that keeps with the celestial theme, but it'll likely pack a punch.))
"Well, okay. The thing is that the Deck's function of Drawing is its own claim to fame. Harrowing is different. Let's see what we've got. It starts really simple: ask me a question."

[TechnoScrabble]

((His mom was a minor god and his grandfather was a mephit and he's slowly turning into a demi-god but his progress has been stunted. He doesn't know about the while 'becoming a god' part, though))

Garrett nods and thinks for a moment.

"What should I seek, to clear the path to my tranquil?"

[Deathkeeper]

Spako tilts his head.
"Asking about a goal often points to the cards of Wisdom, while Home relates to the cards of Health, and Honor is Strength. To get a better idea, what is your tranquil to you?"

[TechnoScrabble]

"A tranquil begins as an ideal, a place for your soul to calm itself and cleanse itself. Your 'happy place', I guess. But with proper training, a strong mind can actually clear a place r in the excess space and magicks of the universe and create a physical tranquil, wherein they may seek enlightenment, or a goal. I have made mine, but I must find the path and finish it's creation, and keep my temple and soul, body and mind, clean and strong and free of the anger and doubt and uncontrolled fire that once threatened to burn me down."

Garrett slides a forest engraved pebble towards Spako.

"From the glimpses I've been allowed, I know my tranquil or the path to it has ta'en the shape of a forest. My tranquil is my true home, but it is also my goal."

[Deathkeeper]

Spako nods.
(for the record, Spako is not actually privvy to the OoC knowledge that's been shared with me no matter how accurate his statements sound. Perhaps the Deck does, but I wouldn't do that without permission.)
"You have found the ideal which makes your home, but not that place itself. Hmm."
Spako draws nine cards from the Deck. He lied, by the way. The Deck is different from a normal one in that Spako always gets the cards he wants (unless he Drew) and doesn't have to search through it. He lays nine cards on the table and lets Garrett pick one. Flipping it reveals The Teamster. (http://pathfinder.zhmp.net/uploads/Magic/HarrowDeck_TheTeamster_small.jpg)
"The Teamster is a driving force that keeps someone going. For good or ill, it cannot be ignored. For you, it is your ideal. It is what drives you, and what defines you. Like the orc it depicts, you live in constant effort and toil for the sake of your own betterment."
Spako scoops them up and shuffles again, and this time lays out nine cards in a pattern.
The Marriage The Mountain Man The Mute Hag
The Bear The Trumpet The Twin
The Locksmith The Rakshasa The Waxworks
"The Marriage is first, in half its spot as Law. It's how it started of course. A union. Your birth came from the joining of two different people, perhaps even an unlikely one. As a top row, it signals that this joining perhaps brought forth something new and powerful from these parties. Huh. I think the Deck likes you.
The Mountain Man is force outside of your control. You do not have complete control over your own power, but you must take note that it is capable of great good.
The Mute Hag might not mean much here. In this Good position, it might signal strong loyalty in your future, or perhaps Lucidity.
The Bear. This card just loves you. In your past, you've relied on your own strength, which proved neither wholly good nor bad, but with severe results.
The Trumpet is a declaration of power. Its archon is one who rides into danger at all costs for Righteousness. You hold great power, and it can grant you everything or nothing.
The Twin. There will be a duality in you; an indecisiveness that wavers between very different options. It seems to agree with our trumpeting archon.
The Locksmith gives you the tools you need but not how to use them. You have long sought a strange and powerful thing, but have never been able to open your way to it.
The Rakshasa, sitting upon his slave. It can point to a mental enslavement to a force or idea. Perhaps it is warning you not to obsess over your goal single-mindedly?
The Waxworks is last. The only card here aligned exactly. It is a place of entropy, helplessness, and paralysis. This is what might await you in your future, and so you must avoid it at all costs.

So there it is. The Deck points many cards of Strength and Power at you. The Mute Hag is a positive future of lucidity and understanding. The Waxworks is a future of entropy and stagnation. I believe that both appear in the future is the choice The Twin points to. What do you think? I'm terribly out of practice with this."

[Baeleck]

So, about that big, magic mirror in the corner. You know, that one which leads through to the Temple of Inari and totally hasn't been forgotten about by the majority of the patrons? Yeah, that mirror. Well, something ever so slightly odd is happening to it.

Precisely what is yet to be determined. It's clear that there is some physiological change occurring, but studying it for any more than a moment will likely result in intense nausea and/or a splitting headache. There's something positively wrong about the way it looks.

How curious.

[TechnoScrabble]

((Are the results real even though he lied?))

Garrett leans back in his seat and exhales slowly, nodding seriously.

"It worries me...either way, it seems I will be pulled from the calm vale whilst I walk my path...the power is something I have long struggled with. Th' emotions of an arcanist are...intense. It seems to me that there is a greater obstacle on my path, and that how I choose to clear it it will greatly affect my tranquil."

He tries to ignore the headache inducing mirror, though its hard for an empath to ignore such disturbances.

"Contemplation of shallow pools has led me to still water. I must find something deeper, or disturb the surface...I will have to make a change in the world to make a change in myself..."

He grunts, looking a bit distraught about that conclusion.

[Deathkeeper]

Sorry, what I meant is that in a normal Harrowing, when the Question is asked the 9 cards of the corresponding attribute are pulled out to be the one chosen at the start. Normally this takes a while to get them all, but Spako just pulls them off the top since his Deck is magic. All the other cards were actually randomly rolled, only fudged a little to avoid ones like The Fiend or The Foreign Trader which I wouldn't be able to interpret well in context.
Generally speaking unless I know a lot about the character and am asked to script the results, Harrowings are tricky, since the cards are mostly random (in this case 6 of them came up with really awesome results on the first roll), and therefore it's the ability of the Harrower to give extremely accurate interpretations which is where the magic comes in.
If you're alright with the Deck and the ritual sensing Garrett's nature and thus "giving" Spako that information during the ritual (Spako, for the record, does not know about the mechanics, he just knows there's magic and reads what he draws, unaware that not all those thoughts and statements come from him) then yes, it is a true reading and the Deck has given its "opinion" on Garrett's future. If you don't want his heritage to be obvious to an instrument of a god of chaos, then I suppose it was just a lucky guess.
Forgive me, as I was should have asked before I did the Harrowing. It was late.

Spako's ears droop. He didn't want to trouble his new friend.
He pulls a card from the Deck, The Teamster again.
"Please, take this one. The Teamster might look cruel, but is not an evil card. Keep it with you, and let it bring you luck as well as reminding you of what your purpose is. As for me, what do you think, Sir?"
He was tempted to give him The Bear as a joke, but given his description as part of his past, he decided that it might not go over well despite the comical illustration. When he gets to that last part, Spako pulls another card off the top (it's only a Draw if you say a number). He looks at it with a very content look. He also holds this one out to Garrett. It's his and my favorite card, The Wanderer. (http://pathfinder.zhmp.net/uploads/Magic/HarrowDeck_TheWanderer_small.jpg)
"The Wanderer is my card. As the Deck Keeper, I know this with my soul. We are kindred spirits, this centaur and I, wayward oddities who find wayward oddities. A card for finding true worth in things others leave unnoticed. Please, take this one to, a token of friendship between us. If we get separated and you need me, keep it close at hand, and I'll answer your call."
His expression lightens.
"But no danger of that yet, now is there? We've known each other for too short a time to split up already!"

[TechnoScrabble]

"Indeed friend, it is too short a while for trav'lers to leave each other's light. Your Tranquil is on your road, Spako. You may find it yet, even if ye dinnae realize it," Garrett takes the cards and puts a protection ward over them before sliding them into his jacket pocket. He then thinks for a moment and pulls another stone from his pocket, this one larger than the pebbles and with a smooth hole through the center.

"My tranquil has led me past tree-by-water many times. If'n ye should ever need me, find a tree by a river and call my name. This stone can reveal lost or disguised things if you look through the center, I find one every now and again while hiking."

[Baeleck]

After a few minutes of upsetting fluctuation, the mirror finally stops doing... whatever it was it was doing. Its surface is now a decidedly bright white colour, akin perhaps to a halogen light, though oddly not at all painful to look directly at.

A figure steps out of the whiteness and into the tavern.

Without hesitation, the woman strolls in the direction of the bar. She is smartly dressed, boasting freshly-pressed trousers, a luxuriant red shirt, well shined shoes and a black overcoat. She's of average height, with a svelte build and mostly pale, clear skin, though an astute observer would notice the faded scarring up the left side of her face and neck. A single red clip holds back the fringe of her dark hair.

Trailing behind her at a short distance is a small mechanical drone, hovering obediently at about head height. A single red sensor sits at the centre of an array of curved panels, giving the impression of a flower.

Upon reaching the bar, the woman takes a seat and a brief glance around, the slightest smile forming on her face as she drinks in the familiarity of the place. And speaking of drinks...

'Excuse me, barkeep.' She speaks curtly but politely. 'Could I get a glass of Chimera Cabernet?'

[Deathkeeper]

Spako nods as he's shown the stone.
"That sounds very useful, Garrett. And now, really, if you have a hankering for anything, order it. You really look like you could use a real meal, and I have plenty of funds as long as I only need to spend it on rent and food."

[TechnoScrabble]

Garrett lifts his headband for a moment and focuses his empathic powers on the woman, looking to read thoughts, emotion, and physical state. He tries to use detect magic as well, but his magick is currently stunted.

"Much thanks, friend. Bamhacon, please. And lemonade."

[Baeleck]

The woman, drumming her fingers lightly against the bartop, ponders quietly to herself. ...may as well let Adder know I'm here, though I suppose I don't really need any help from him right now...

'Many thanks,' she says to Cosmo, as he pushes a glass as far as his little arms can reach towards the front of the counter. 'If you could keep a tab running for me, that would be marvelous.'

Garrett will note that the woman's state of mind is relaxed, for the most part, though there's the buzzing undertone of recent excitement. Physically, she's exerted herself pretty intensely in the last few hours, and is in good health overall. He may pick up on a slight magical presence, though none of it stems from herself directly - she's carrying something in her right hand.

The mirror abruptly returns to its normal state.

[Arkhosia]

The woman, drumming her fingers lightly against the bartop, ponders quietly to herself. ...may as well let Adder know I'm here, though I suppose I don't really need any help from him right now...

'Many thanks,' she says to Cosmo, as he pushes a glass as far as his little arms can reach towards the front of the counter. 'If you could keep a tab running for me, that would be marvelous.'

Garrett will note that the woman's state of mind is relaxed, for the most part, though there's the buzzing undertone of recent excitement. Physically, she's exerted herself pretty intensely in the last few hours, and is in good health overall. He may pick up on a slight magical presence, though none of it stems from herself directly - she's carrying something in her right hand.

The mirror abruptly returns to its normal state.

Caelynn walks in and sits down next to the woman.
A Feline Fancy, please!

[Deathkeeper]

Spako nods and flags a waitress for him.
"See, there you go. Get some meat for you."
he says and orders some for himself. It'll get here momentarily.
"Whatcha lookin' at, Garrett?"

[Baeleck]

The woman glances across at Caelynn for a second, nodding and smiling in subtle acknowledgement. She then turns back to the bar, taking a long sip of wine in the process.

Her small drone, however, takes far more interest, its sensor contracting and making little buzzing sounds while the panels twitch back and forth. It keeps its distance so as not to seem overly obtrusive, though it is clearly inspecting Caelynn, looking in particular for any magical or mechanical devices that she might be carrying.

[Arkhosia]

The woman glances across at Caelynn for a second, nodding and smiling in subtle acknowledgement. She then turns back to the bar, taking a long sip of wine in the process.

Her small drone, however, takes far more interest, its sensor contracting and making little buzzing sounds while the panels twitch back and forth. It keeps its distance so as not to seem overly obtrusive, though it is clearly inspecting Caelynn, looking in particular for any magical or mechanical devices that she might be carrying.

Caelynn has shotgun gauntlets on her wrists, and a bandolier full of Dust and shotgun slugs on her.

[TechnoScrabble]

"Lady over there. Popped outta a mirror. Doesn't come off dangerous, though," Garrett tears violently into his bamhacon.

"God you're a fatty."

[Baeleck]

Having completed its initial inspection, the drone returns to its neutral state, occasionally buzzing and clicking, seemingly to itself.

The woman pauses for a moment, as if contemplating something carefully. The device she is carrying is slipped carefully back into her pocket.

'I like your gloves,' she says finally, smiling more earnestly now. 'Where did you acquire them, if it's not too forward of me to ask?'

[Arkhosia]

Having completed its initial inspection, the drone returns to its neutral state, occasionally buzzing and clicking, seemingly to itself.

The woman pauses for a moment, as if contemplating something carefully. The device she is carrying is slipped carefully back into her pocket.

'I like your gloves,' she says finally, smiling more earnestly now. 'Where did you acquire them, if it's not too forward of me to ask?'

Thanks! I built them myself back at Sanctum Academy. I'm Caelynn, by the way. Nice to meet you.
Caelynn offers a hand to shake.
The woman my see that an electrum emblem of a rose with a lightning bolt for a stem is embossed on the gauntlet.u

[Baeleck]

'Niara,' the woman says, taking the proffered hand and shaking, with a firm grip. 'I'd by lying if I said I weren't jealous of you. Being able to build a device like that...' She gives a soft sigh. 'Did you learn to do that at this academy?'

Niara doesn't seem to notice the emblem, though if she did, it doesn't spark any signs of recognition.

[Arkhosia]

'Niara,' the woman says, taking the proffered hand and shaking, with a firm grip. 'I'd by lying if I said I weren't jealous of you. Being able to build a device like that...' She gives a soft sigh. 'Did you learn to do that at this academy?'

Niara doesn't seem to notice the emblem, though if she did, it doesn't spark any signs of recognition.

Sort of: I didn't go and get a degree in weapon-making, if that's what you mean. I'm a hunteress, and all of us build our own weapons.
She replies, grinning.

[Baeleck]

'And what does being a hunteress entail?' Niara asks, turning fully on her seat and giving Caelynn her full attention. Despite the sharpness to her facial features, there's a young inquisitiveness to it too - not what one might expect from such a suave-looking individual.

[Arkhosia]

'And what does being a hunteress entail?' Niara asks, turning fully on her seat and giving Caelynn her full attention. Despite the sharpness to her facial features, there's a young inquisitiveness to it too - not what one might expect from such a suave-looking individual.

We protect civilization by slaying Grimm, monsters of shadow and destruction! Also occasionally the White Fang and criminals.
Caelynn replies.

[Baeleck]

'A noble cause indeed,' Niara says, tipping her wine glass in a toasting motion, before taking another drink. 'I'd like to say I offer my own assistance to civilised society, but really I'm just looking to learn more about... well, anything and everything.'

Her drone, meanwhile, has begun to scope out the other patrons of the tavern. Whether it's out of boredom or just because of some innate protocol, who knows.

[Arkhosia]

'A noble cause indeed,' Niara says, tipping her wine glass in a toasting motion, before taking another drink. 'I'd like to say I offer my own assistance to civilised society, but really I'm just looking to learn more about... well, anything and everything.'

Her drone, meanwhile, has begun to scope out the other patrons of the tavern. Whether it's out of boredom or just because of some innate protocol, who knows.

Agreed!
Caelynn says, doing the same with her drink.
Hmm... I can tell you some stuff about my homeland if you want.
Caelynn replies.

[Baeleck]

'By all means, do,' Niara says, 'I'm always interested to hear about new places.'

[Deathkeeper]

"Lady over there. Popped outta a mirror. Doesn't come off dangerous, though," Garrett tears violently into his bamhacon.

"God you're a fatty."

I always wondered, what is bamhacon? Is it both dishes on one plate, or is it somehow a combination of both? If it's the first, what kind of ham/bacon? Smoked? Honey-baked? American, European, Canadian? If the second, how would you get the slices to sizzle like bacon? I call magic.
Spako isn't much better, although he has the excuse that he can't chew with his reptilian snout, which means he has to swallow his food whole, even if he is careful to cut it up with actual utensils.
"Quiet, you. I don't even know if you have to eat."

[Arkhosia]

'By all means, do,' Niara says, 'I'm always interested to hear about new places.'

Okay!
Alright, so I come from Vytal, the name for our homeland, which has 4 continents. There are humans and the Faunus, like me. We have animalistic traits such as monkey tails, cat ears like mine, and bull horns. Humans looked at our species as if we were inferior, but since the recent Faunus war, this has changed. However, there's a radical group of Faunus known as the White Fang, who were originally peaceful protesters, but a new leader turned them to violence, causing them to attack shops that didn't serve faunus or used us as cheap laborers. They've recently been stealing a special type of crystal called Dust in large quantities. Dust is a material that has elemental properties: red dust explodes, cyan creates ice, etcetera. They're used in weapons or as power. We also have aura, basically a magic shield, and Semblance, a special unique power. For example, I can teleport.

[Baeleck]

The story is digested with some interest, with Niara giving the occasional nod or 'mmhmm'. She makes an odd expression when Caelynn mentions her teleportation powers - her brow furrows, and she looks almost scornful for the slightest of moments.

'Sounds far more interesting than my homeplace.' Niara taps her chin with a finger, pondering. 'In fact, I'm not entirely sure where my homeplace is. I used to think that it was a part of this world, but the more I travel, the more I'm convinced it was its own separate world. Or otherwise, it doesn't exist anymore.' That last part was said in a slightly worried tone, and accompanied with a small frown.

[Arkhosia]

The story is digested with some interest, with Niara giving the occasional nod or 'mmhmm'. She makes an odd expression when Caelynn mentions her teleportation powers - her brow furrows, and she looks almost scornful for the slightest of moments.

'Sounds far more interesting than my homeplace.' Niara taps her chin with a finger, pondering. 'In fact, I'm not entirely sure where my homeplace is. I used to think that it was a part of this world, but the more I travel, the more I'm convinced it was its own separate world. Or otherwise, it doesn't exist anymore.' That last part was said in a slightly worried tone, and accompanied with a small frown.

What's wrong with teleportation?
Caelynn asks.

[Baeleck]

'Ah, you're an observant one, aren't you?' Niara inwardly curses herself for letting her expression show. 'It's just me being jealous again, my apologies. It's one thing to learn skills, like building weapons, but quite another to just be born with them.'

She takes a longer drink of her wine, finishing her glass. Her pale skin does not do a good job of hiding her reddening cheeks.

[TechnoScrabble]

"I certainly shouldn't have to watch you cretins eat."

"These could use some honey rolls," Garrett mumbles between bites.

[Arkhosia]

'Ah, you're an observant one, aren't you?' Niara inwardly curses herself for letting her expression show. 'It's just me being jealous again, my apologies. It's one thing to learn skills, like building weapons, but quite another to just be born with them.'

She takes a longer drink of her wine, finishing her glass. Her pale skin does not do a good job of hiding her reddening cheeks.

Well, everyone with a soul has an aura, and therefore a semblance. I could try to unlock yours...?
The semblance is a reflection of a person's personality.

[Deathkeeper]

"Well, you don't have to. Try flying away, crow. Or just close your eyes. That's the easy way.

And you can get some if you'd like, Garrett. Although I'm sure you were taught as a kid to finish your meal before you ask for sweets." Spako teases, back in a good mood.

[Baeleck]

At this revelation, Niara visibly brightens.

'Is that so? How would one go about unlocking one's semblance?'

[Arkhosia]

At this revelation, Niara visibly brightens.

'Is that so? How would one go about unlocking one's semblance?'

Comes with the Aura. Anyone with an aura can.

Caelynn replies

[TechnoScrabble]

"How can I eat them with the bamhacon if I have to finish it first," Garrett asks while the crow stutters.

[Baeleck]

'...alright,' Niara says, hesitantly, 'would you help me unlock mine, then? I honestly wouldn't know where to begin.'

Her drone has hovered back over to her, like an obedient pet.

[Arkhosia]

'...alright,' Niara says, hesitantly, 'would you help me unlock mine, then? I honestly wouldn't know where to begin.'

Her drone has hovered back over to her, like an obedient pet.

Sure, just stand still.
Caelynn will get up and put a hand on her chest (not that way!), and starts to glow. Niara will glow as well, and her aura is unlocked!

[Deathkeeper]

"What, is that a thing? I've never actually had anyone put sweetrolls as part of the main course. Of course, I usually just don't get sweetrolls. Is it a common practice? "
Spako asks. Odd how That crow, as rude as it is, hasn't even tried to leave Garrett's shoulder. He's not sure how far it can go, but he's fairly sure the bird can move its legs and wings of its own free will. Maybe it's just scared. Heh. That'll make it mad if he asks.

[Baeleck]

Sure, just stand still.
Caelynn will get up and put a hand on her chest (not that way!), and starts to glow. Niara will glow as well, and her aura is unlocked!
Honestly, Niara was expecting something a bit more... theatrical, and so is somewhat surprised when she begins glowing. The drone is watching the ceremony with close scrutiny.

Once the unlocking is complete, Niara stand there for a good few moments. 'I don't feel any... do I feel any different?' she asks herself, pausing to figure out if and how she feels changed.

[Arkhosia]

Honestly, Niara was expecting something a bit more... theatrical, and so is somewhat surprised when she begins glowing. The drone is watching the ceremony with close scrutiny.

Once the unlocking is complete, Niara stand there for a good few moments. 'I don't feel any... do I feel any different?' she asks herself, pausing to figure out if and how she feels changed.

Let me see something.
Caelynn punches Niara in the face!
If she has an Aura now, her blow will be deflected away.

[Baeleck]

'Hey!'

Niara was not expecting that. She puts an arm up to block, still clutching her wine glass in her hand. Fortunately it's empty.

Niara's drone takes the punch as an act of aggression! The metal petals fold inwards and the red sensor glows, illuminating a small spot on Caelynn's forehead. One would suspect it's about to do something painful to her...

...but it sees Caelynn's punch glance off! Niara was also not expecting that. 'How... does that even work?' She lowers her arm and breathes out heavily. 'Ugh, I really don't understand magic.'

[Arkhosia]

'Hey!'

Niara was not expecting that. She puts an arm up to block, still clutching her wine glass in her hand. Fortunately it's empty.

Niara's drone takes the punch as an act of aggression! The metal petals fold inwards and the red sensor glows, illuminating a small spot on Caelynn's forehead. One would suspect it's about to do something painful to her...

...but it sees Caelynn's punch glance off! Niara was also not expecting that. 'How... does that even work?' She lowers her arm and breathes out heavily. 'Ugh, I really don't understand magic.'
Aura deflects physical blows.
Caelynn replies.

[Baeleck]

'And quite effectively, at that.' Niara tries to imagine the sort of force that would be required to break through her aura, and concludes that it is a reasonable amount. 'And what about my semblance? Is there a particular way I have to concentrate to use it, or...'

The drone has returned to it's observing state, now fixated quite intently on Caelynn.

[Arkhosia]

'And quite effectively, at that.' Niara tries to imagine the sort of force that would be required to break through her aura, and concludes that it is a reasonable amount. 'And what about my semblance? Is there a particular way I have to concentrate to use it, or...'

The drone has returned to it's observing state, now fixated quite intently on Caelynn.

You just have to will it to happen.
Caelynn replies.

[TechnoScrabble]

"What, is that a thing? I've never actually had anyone put sweetrolls as part of the main course. Of course, I usually just don't get sweetrolls. Is it a common practice? "
Spako asks. Odd how That crow, as rude as it is, hasn't even tried to leave Garrett's shoulder. He's not sure how far it can go, but he's fairly sure the bird can move its legs and wings of its own free will. Maybe it's just scared. Heh. That'll make it mad if he asks.

"Yeah, you're s'posed to mix and match complementing tastes," Garrett says, watching Caelynn and Niara through the corner of his eyes.

[Deathkeeper]

"Oh, well, sure, go ahead and order some. I'll give it a try. I miss Uma's baking." he says. Having five trained chefs on his ship had been rather nice.

[Baeleck]

Niara looks up at Caelynn and raises her hand, pointing at her. 'Wait, no, that would be foolish of me,' She says, quickly looking around for a suitable test subject. Wouldn't want to do something untoward to her new friend, now would she?

The wine glass in her hand looks to be a viable candidate. She places it on the bar, hops off her seat, and takes a couple of steps back.

'I'm not sure what I'm hoping for, but let's see now.' Her brow furrows again as a look of concentration spreads over her face. And then, after a few seconds...

...nothing happens!

A little disappointing. 'Perhaps my power is something a bit more passive,' she concludes, still glaring at the wine glass intently.

[TechnoScrabble]

"Thanks again, Spako," Garrett makes an order and continues watching the ladies with moderate interest.

"Funny, I'd have thought you swing for the other team."

"Would it matter?"

[Arkhosia]

Niara looks up at Caelynn and raises her hand, pointing at her. 'Wait, no, that would be foolish of me,' She says, quickly looking around for a suitable test subject. Wouldn't want to do something untoward to her new friend, now would she?

The wine glass in her hand looks to be a viable candidate. She places it on the bar, hops off her seat, and takes a couple of steps back.

'I'm not sure what I'm hoping for, but let's see now.' Her brow furrows again as a look of concentration spreads over her face. And then, after a few seconds...

...nothing happens!

A little disappointing. 'Perhaps my power is something a bit more passive,' she concludes, still glaring at the wine glass intently.

Probably. I knew a guy whose semblance was increased shielding that could actually damage the attacker when they hit.
Caelynn replies.

[Deathkeeper]

"Hey, I wasn't going to make that joke.
But he's got a point, you know. Doesn't really matter for a number of reasons. 'Course, it's all the same to me. Not into mammals."
he says, leaning back and leaving the last of his food for the order to arrive.

[TechnoScrabble]

"I...uh, I don't really do sex," Garrett admits sheepishly, "Besides, I have...er, had someone."

[Baeleck]

Niara nods. 'That must be it. I suppose it'll be a surprise for when I most need it.'

The wine glass gets to live another day. Hoorah! Said wine glass is presented to the barkeeper to be refilled. 'Another, please,' she says.

Garrett's interest has not gone unnoticed, as he soon finds the drone inspecting him from a distance, much in the same way as it inspected Caelynn earlier.

[Arkhosia]

Niara nods. 'That must be it. I suppose it'll be a surprise for when I most need it.'

The wine glass gets to live another day. Hoorah! Said wine glass is presented to the barkeeper to be refilled. 'Another, please,' she says.

Garrett's interest has not gone unnoticed, as he soon finds the drone inspecting him from a distance, much in the same way as it inspected Caelynn earlier.

Let's hope it's a pleasant one.
Caelynn replies.

[Deathkeeper]

"What? I was agreeing with you. Oh, I'm sorry. Got separated? Wouldn't really know, aren't many lady kobolds around. Except the one that was a succubus and the third cook on the ship, but that never really went anywhere. I was never sure why she didn't just change into something with more broad appeal. Never actually made a move on me even though she had that shape. But I'm rambling and the rolls are here. So uh, yeah."
Spako quickly scarfs down some food to shut himself up.

[TechnoScrabble]

"I...I'm not comfortable talking 'bout it, sorry," Garrett rubs the vicious scars on his neck without noticing or meaning to and his eyes get a little wet.

He reaches for a honey roll, is about to take a bite, and then sees the drone and waves.

"Oh, hoi."

[Deathkeeper]

Spako just nods. Garrett can probably tell that he feels terrible about stepping on another of Garrett's landmines. He doesn't want to say any more right now, and is content to just gorge himself on his half of the rolls and the last of his bamhacon.

Oh, and the cards in Garrett's pocket (assuming he hasn't hidden their presence) likely only come up as subtly magic, and not the bright, powerful magic aura of the full Deck.

[Baeleck]

'Indeed, let's hope so.' Niara tips back her glass and takes a good gulp of wine. The end of her nose is beginning to get a little pink already. 'I suppose I should thank you for this gift so... uh, yes, thank you Caelynn.' She beams.

The drone responds with some generic buzzing noise. Or maybe it's just buzzing anyway. Who knows. Whatever the case, Niara takes a brief glance over her shoulder and waves back.

[TechnoScrabble]

Garrett puts the roll down and shrinks in his seat. He was bad with girls even before he left society for a long while. That, and he feels bad about making Spako feel bad.

The crow pecks at Garrett's ear and taunts him about his awkwardness in hoarse whispers.

[Deathkeeper]

Spako's wings twitch in irritation. Like hell he's going to get beaten out in motivation by some jack*** corvid.

"C'mon Garrett. You can eat your meal (and you should, you were right that was great), you can talk to girls, and you just might be able to do both, but you definitely can't do neither."

[Arkhosia]

'Indeed, let's hope so.' Niara tips back her glass and takes a good gulp of wine. The end of her nose is beginning to get a little pink already. 'I suppose I should thank you for this gift so... uh, yes, thank you Caelynn.' She beams.

The drone responds with some generic buzzing noise. Or maybe it's just buzzing anyway. Who knows. Whatever the case, Niara takes a brief glance over her shoulder and waves back.
Any time.
Caelynn remarks, smiling.
It is my job to help people, after all.

[Baeleck]

'I'm sure my aura will prove very useful in my line of work,' she declares, still grinning.

Upon seeing Garrett's reaction, Niara giggles. Which, whilst being exceptionally out of character for someone just old enough to be Garrett's mother, probably isn't very helpful in inspiring confidence in the boy. It must be the wine taking it's toll, she supposes, as she takes yet another gulp. Her constitution was never her strong point.

[Arkhosia]

'I'm sure my aura will prove very useful in my line of work,' she declares, still grinning.

Upon seeing Garrett's reaction, Niara giggles. Which, whilst being exceptionally out of character for someone just old enough to be Garrett's mother, probably isn't very helpful in inspiring confidence in the boy. It must be the wine taking it's toll, she supposes, as she takes yet another gulp. Her constitution was never her strong point.

Caelynn orders a coffee martini after finishing her feline fancy, smiling at Garret.

[TechnoScrabble]

"I-i-I'm uh...not...I'm good, I just, uh," Garrett shrinks even more as Niara giggles. By The Lantern, he's pathetic!

[Deathkeeper]

Spako stands up in his chair, and says forcefully (but not very loudly).
"Garrett, I am a two and a half foot tall winged lizard-man, and you're a human at least twice that size and way more power. Now, show a little of that focus and discipline you've talked about and stop getting tongue-tied by the first female to blink at your direction. "

[TechnoScrabble]

"I was jest interested in the magick, I didn't mean t'...uh...do...whatever..." Garrett tries to defend himself with his weak verbal skills.

[Deathkeeper]

Spako face(snout?)-palms.
"If that's true, it still doesn't excuse you for being this easily cowed! C'mon Garrett! You can't let something this dumb do you in!"

[Baeleck]

Niara stifles her amusement for the time being, instead relaxing in her seat and taking long sips from her glass. The boy reminded her of her brother at that age.

The drone retreats back to Niara's side, now done with its observations.

[Arkhosia]

Caelynn grin mischievously at Niara before teleporting behind Garrett in a flurry of yellow petals.
relax, I don't bite.
She comments.

[TechnoScrabble]

Garrett reels back from Spako's speech and the sudden closeness of Caelynn. He recovers quickly, just in time for Caelynn to say the same thing he's heard three times before.

"All's well, but he should know it's fine. I don't bite."

Blood. His sister's blood, everywhere. Her throat torn, hrt stomach burst, her skull crushed. He could see it past the guards and the shattered door and the-

**************
"Something just seems...off..."

"Oh, it's nothing, dear, now come here. I don't bite."

It wasn't right, it wasn't. She wasn't his mother, she broke the threshold, parted the curtains and let forth the broken remnants of minds killed, shattered, or remade.

**************

"Relax, silly. I don't bite."

The pain. Not the fangs ripping through his neck, he couldn't even feel that, but the betrayal. That hurt the worst. She became what he feared most, but he couldn't stop loving her, he had to find her, had to save her, anything it would take he'd-

Garrett slams his fist on the table in an attempt to calm himself and the tattered remains of his left sleeve rip off, revealing massive, swirling scars where chunks of flesh are missing. His hands are glowing a dull red, and burning away the table's laquer.

"Oh," he grunts through gritted teeth, eyes welling up even more but the tears steaming away before they can escape, "Good to know that."

[Deathkeeper]

Lady, my friend is currently having a traumatic moment. Please, for everyone's safety I'd recommend beating it. Spako whispers to the Faunus with a Sending.
He leans forward into Garrett's field of vision.
"Garrett, it's me. Focus on me, ok? Listen to the sound of my voice. You're okay. It's going to stay okay. You're with your friend. Just listen to me and breathe."

[Arkhosia]

Caelynn looks ashamed, before teleporting out of the tavern.

[TechnoScrabble]

"What'd I do?" Garrett asks, puzzled by Caelynn's disappearance. Then he sees his hands.
"Oh, oh geez! I am so, so sorry!"

[Deathkeeper]

"Garrett, it's okay. It's no big deal, Trog's gets lit on fire all the time. Please, just sit back and relax a little. The moment's passed."
Spako says, sighing and settling himself back in his seat.

[TechnoScrabble]

"I didn't mean to...I mean...she could come back if she wants..." Garrett picks at his.bamhacon as his hands cool off.

[Arkhosia]

Caelynn teleports back by the bar.
Oops, forgot to return this.
She hands the bartender the empty glass of coffee martini.

[Deathkeeper]

"She'll be back when she feels like it. She had combat gauntlets, I'm sure she's handled worse. Just...relax. It's ok, and no one blames you for anything. So don't let it ruin this all for you. I mean geez, we got this for you. Please don't sweat it, enjoy yourself a little."
says the kobold. Garrett can probably tell he means what he's saying.

[TechnoScrabble]

"Right, right. I just need to chill out, and let my tranquil right itself."

He takes a few deep breaths, and then Caelynn reappears.

"Oh, uh, miss! Ter'bly sorry about that! Very rude of me!"