Beware the Blood Red Rose's Thorn [Miri]

“Let’s do this, then!” Miri cupped the dice between two quick, mobile hands, eyes dancing as she surveyed the table. She straightened up, ignoring demands to just roll again, and blew carefully on her hands, pursuing her lips and giving her hands a little shake. With a grin, she rolled the dice on the table – and cheered, loudly, at the roll that emerged, pounding her mostly empty tankard on the table, just a little of the ale sloshing out over the side.

The Misting Hurricane was exactly the kind of place Miri most loved – noisy, boisterous, exciting and almost completely anonymous. Tonight she wore a bright red top that bared one smooth, dark shoulder and draped over the upper half of her other arm, and a pair of leather pants so tight they seemed almost like a second skin, although her movement was as free as if she was wearing – well – considerably less. Large fake glass drops colored like rubies hung from her ears, and she wore a leather bracer on her bare left arm, but no other adornment.

Miri scooped the pile of coins she’d won closer, laughing and pushing Evy her share – Evy had staked her last bet – and turned with a smile to the man approaching.

“More like the lovely lady joins us every night,” Miri grinned at the man, sqirling the last of the ale in the tankard she was holding. “And I thank you for the drink, Master Scrouge,” Miri didn’t shake, but raised the mostly empty tankard towards him, before tilting her head back and draining the last of it. She would give the tankard he’d set down a scrutinizing glance before picking it up.

“What brings anyone to Purl?” Miri grinned, white teeth flashing in her dark face. “A bit of a break from the sea, of course. Some fun, while we’re at it.”

---

Perception check on the ale: ijciogtN1d20+21d20+2

Miri pushed a few of her coins back into the quickly growing pile for the next round, cheerful. Dice weren’t nearly as much fun as cards, but she’d take what she could get, especially in a spot like Purl – and most especially in a spot like the Misting Hurricane. It would take more than some poorly rolled dice to spoil her mood.

Maarlith was more Miri’s speed; where they’d come from before the trip to Purl. Coastal, so lively and active, big enough for a bit of excitement – and, of course, a bounty or two. She’d lost most of that money long before they’d ever reached Purl on the ship from Maarlith, which was why Evy had been staking her in the game.

“Ahhh, don’t tell me you’re one of those!” Miri took a sip of the drink, betting on ale – what was life without a little risk? – and set the tankard back down. She grinned up at Scourge. “That superstition’s as old as shit, and smells half as good.”

Miri let her eyes flick over him, long and slow, quite eloquent with her gaze. “There’s more than just strength that matters,” she said, cheerfully. “But I’ll admit,” she grinned, flashing her teeth again, “I’m not much of one for brute force, nor hauling lines,” Miri rotated her hands out, palms up, revealing a distinct lack of the sort of calluses one might expect from handling heavy ropes seaboard.

Miri took another sip of ale, setting the tankard down, and turned her attention to the game. She pushed in a few more coins to match Scourge’s bet, palmed the dice, and rolled, doing her best to angle them with a little flick of her wrist and fingers.

“Well, I suppose if you’ve nothing better,” Miri stretched her arms up over her head, cracking her shoulder blades, a long smooth movement of bare back visible on her bare side. “Now tell me, are you one of those who believes whistling summons the wind – for good or ill?” Miri pursed her lips, letting out the faintest echo of a whistle in the tavern air.

---

Sleight of hand roll for Miri’s success at dice-ing: 6dl5oFLu1d20+51d20+5

Miri scooped up her winnings with a little flourish, not bothering to hide her grin. There was no reason, she felt, not to give Lady Luck a little extra... help in showing her favor.

“I’m sure you could!” Miri laughed, leaning back against the table and watching Scourge as he left. “Tell you what – I’ll stake these five coins on it,” she slapped them back down on the table, grinning at Evy and taking another long drink of her ale.

Miri grinned, tapping her fingers on the table and watching Evy dart out the door. She joined the next game of dice, and lost, her attention only half in it, and glanced at the door again for Evy.

No sign of her.

Miri tapped her fingers on the table again. Evy was quick, and that was high praise from Miri. Miri didn't doubt that Evy was perfectly capable of handling any trouble she found herself in, nor that she would be thoroughly offended if Miri came after her. All the same - it was unusual for her to be gone so long on what should've been a quick snatch and grab. And, besides, the Misting Hurricane was a bit boring all alone. Miri glanced across the room, checking for any sign of someone interesting to chat up - and decided she'd rather chase after Evy.

Miri sighed, draining the last of her ale, and got up. She swayed, once, caught herself with a hand on the table, and scooped what was left of her winnings into her coinpurse, turning to the door. She checked for her two daggers, patting at the hilt of one, and took a few steps, her head to clear it. Then, leaving behind a coin to cover what little remained of their tab, she stepped out of the tavern after Evy.

Perception: CU7ECXL01d20+2
Con Saving Throw: 1d20+1
1d20+2·1d20+1

It was a warm evening; it had been a sunny day and even with crappy, uneven cobblestones, the heat always seemed to linger through the early evening. Right now, Miri wasn’t exactly in the mood to appreciate how cold the ground wasn’t, although she was certainly capable of minding the rough, raised edges. Her head spun and her skin was oddly clammy in the cool night air, but this wasn’t Miri’s first alehouse rodeo, and she summoned her strength and pulled herself together, leaving an outright collapse on the pavement for another time (if, or rather when, it happened, it wouldn’t be the first).

No sign of Evy, at least not that Miri could see, and she could see at least… er… a few feet. Evy was usually pretty visible, being a half-elf and all. Miri took a few steps down the path, glancing around. Maybe a voice? Maybe Scrouge’s voice? Hard to tell. She edged towards the alleyway, resting against the wall as close to the alley as possible, without actually moving into it.

Carefully, Miri eased the her little compact out of small, flat satchel strapped across her torso beneath the loose shirt – no room for carrying anything in the tight pockets of her leather pants; really, they were more for show – and angled it at the alleyway, doing her best to focus her gaze on the small little mirror and check who was in the alley. She would listen as best as she could from around the corner, not peeking her head around yet.