Arikarka
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Linked Characters: Citrine, Gigi, and Rhia
Posts: 316 
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Post by Arikarka on Jan 10, 2019 0:16:43 GMT
It was a pretty day out, one just like in the beginning of a winter fairy tale. The sun was out sparkling behind a few wisps of clouds, unhindered by the bare winter branches of the trees. A chill wind weaved across her bare arms and face – tugging her hair and playing with the feathers of her wings. Inhaling deeply a young woman, astride a tan horse pulling a small cart behind it packed full of belongings, lifted her head to the sky with closed eyes and began to hum sweetly to herself. 'Merrily we sailed along
Though the waves were plenty strong
Down the twisting river Rhine
Following a song...'Entertaining herself under her breath Citrine Redbriar, known as Rain by her close friends and family, kept herself occupied while she traveled the road towards Waterdeep on horseback. Her mid-back amber-red length hair was half done up in a twisted knot held by a broken arrow shaft, with the rest curling lightly down her shoulders and beyond. The shine of silver, copper, and gold gleamed within her hair and at her ears as the multitude of jewelry she wore and had collected in her hair shown in the rare winter sun. She wore a simple cream tunic layered over a darker fitting shift, with a dark leather belt pinching at her high waist, tight fitting black riding pants, wide leather pirate hat with multiple feathers, and ankle-tight falcon jesses. There were, of course, custom slits sewn in the back for her wings. It would seem the cold of winter didn’t bother her. She sat casually on the horse she’d rented, named Carrot, who kept an easy walk down the open road. At this point Rain wasn't sure what road they were on exactly or how close Waterdeep was, but that didn't bother her at all. Nope, instead she kept singing, a hum turning to soft words, as her only source of distraction. “Legend's faded storyline
Tried to warn us all
Oh, they called her "Loreley"
Careful or you'll fall...”Voice rising into a casual tempo Rain began to tap on a hand drum tied to the horn of Carrot's saddle. Keeping beat while singing was like breathing to the performance loving firebird - the fact it made the general vicinity seem more occupied during these days of solitude was generally ignored in favor of not dwelling on how lonely the road had been. It had been about 4 days since Rain last saw a humanoid being such as herself, but it would soon be worth it. According to the map she'd gotten from Krill, who got it from Zuzu, who said his brother Juji drew the original map before Syl had redrawn it with fresh ink; she was just a few lengths away from Waterdeep. Being completely unfamiliar with the area she was in? A map had been necessary. "Oh, the stories we were told
Quite a vision to behold
Mysteries of the seas in her eyes of gold...
Laying on the silver stone, such a lonely sight
Barnacles become a throne, my poor Loreley...”Reaching a fork in the road Rain stood up in the stirrups, absentmindedly grasped a hanging trinket from her neck, and shielded her eyes from the sun’s glare off the snow; looking out for the landmark that marked the way north to her destination. It was a specific pile of rocks she was supposed to identify... of which she had no specifics of height or weather-age to go off of. It was only now, on this 5th day, that Rain had the first inklings that she might of been tricked. Well… at least the map hadn't cost her any coin. Pulling Carrot to a stop, but still singing, the phoenix swung her legs off of the horse and 'hrumphed' her way to a thud on the frozen ground. It would be nice when the air warmed up – she missed the Pirate Isles. Flying in the colder air always made her wing joints ache – hence the horse she’d rented... that and there was no way she was flying with her trunk and other belongings. Humming the chorus as she straightened her tunic Rain pivoted on the heels of her feet, took the horse’s face in her hands, and skipped ahead to her favorite verse - serenading the stallion. "Oh, the song of Loreley
Charms the moon right from the sky...
She will get inside your mind, loveley Loreley...
When she cries "Be with me until the end of time"
You know you will ever be with your Loreley..."A hot sweaty snort of horse nose-huff was the only applause she received. Laughing like a tambourine Rain wiped her face off and took the reigns and began walking on foot. Now that she wasn’t singing? Her accent came through like a dwarven hammer. "Ah come on, ye un'cultured thing ye! Let’s get ye tae ta toun an' get ye a good brushin'. Ah daur say efter thes trip's ride ye deserve it.... an' mebbe e'en ah apple." At the word 'apple' Carrot’s ears perked up and he excitedly followed his rider. Too bad the rider had no idea where she was going. Walking down the road with bare clawed feet, Citrine meandered for another good hour or two before the horizon broke with the silhouette of a large town. She’d chosen the correct path at the fork! Wings shaking in excitement before laying flat again down her back (just barely skimming the ground), the sorcerer clicked in the back of her throat (a unique avian sound) for the horse to pick up speed. And look! People! Other life beyond her and the horse! It’d been ages since she’d seen anyone. The smell of ozone and the scent of a warm ocean breeze curled off her wings as her eyes lit up with an internal fire. Holding the leather halter with a glowing orange mage hand Citrine kept the horse behind her as she walked over towards the first group of people, waving a hand in hullo and ensuring she wasn’t interrupting. “’Ello there! This es Waterdeep, aye? Been traveling fer days nae with teh grand city as me destination.” Her accent was a mix of dwarven mead and pirate swagger – cheerful and upbeat without being grating on the nerves. She reached out a hand to shake hello, the slightly taloned nails looking just enough ‘not-human’ as if her wings, avian eyes, taloned feet, and significantly shorter-than-most height wasn’t a dead giveaway. “I’ve had nothin’ but me own voice ta keep me company fer about four days nae. An’ ah horse isn’t much company when ye ain’t ah druid fer conversation.” |
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Post by Malakbel on Jan 10, 2019 18:58:53 GMT
The sound of his footsteps had become since a long a time ago a sort of white noise for him, and remained so independantly of the terrain he found himself in. A horse was a luxury for the Yuan-ti, not because he couldn't afford it, or more like it, reappropiate one, but because -lately quite rightly- large groups of folks would assume he had stolen the animal and use the chance to try and reappropiate his own goods, often with unpleasant results for both parties involved.
Now, he had heard things about Waterdeep. A city called the jewel in some parts, about how it was supposed to be some kind of sanctuary where wealth and knowledge abounded, such a cosmopolitan city where you could see everything, people of any race, gender and color. It sounded too good to be true, and in his mind, it probably was. There was no way Waterdeep was all it was made up to be, and if it was such, he had decided, then it must of have some kind of dark secret underneath that most visitors ignored during their stays. Even so, it sounded as good a place there was to furthen his knowledge.
His traveling cloak billowed in the wind as he plunged his way through the woods above the daggerford and avoided branches. Not using the roads was another thing he had learned; to keep himself close enough to one to be able to find it eventually if he ever lost is way for whatever reason, but not to travel on it. It was to avoid the bandits and unpleasant surprises at night. Mostly at night. But he had "fond" memories of a nobleman and his guards catching up to him after he had acquired a small bounty in some ruined fort past a small town east of the Storm Horns. It had happened at plain daylight in the middle of the deserted road.
He put his tent up once the sun was down and rested. His bag was heavy, filled with his tools of the trade -which varied between adventurer, highwayman, mercenary, and apprentice, depending on the day- and whichever supplies he managed to get his pale hands on. Often enough with friendly acquaitances he'd let them hold his bag, or toss it at them, just to see them stagger and wheeze at the effort. There was something oddly satisfying about charging someone for a few seconds with the burden he carried daily.
With no nightly ocurrences besides a choir of night animals and the croaking of the trees as the wind sung it's starry lullaby, the warm sun gave Naizelos a charming welcome and he resumed the journey. He counted his coin, checked everything was still in place, had a dry breakfast, drank some water, and continue on his way. It was a game of patience. For some, traveling was an adventure in and of itself he knew that much. For the rich and the exentric of the city, it could also be a way to "get away from it all" which he could understand, for a bit. But when you had been traversing the wildlands for quite a while, it changed the way you saw things, at least for him it did.
Soon enough the figure of the city let itself be seen, and he sighed with a smile. Anxiety was building up within him like mud built on his boots. Would Waterdeep be everything it was made up to be? He could even already see some figures out there on the road. Certainly, they wouldn't be bandits this close to the city.
Five minutes later he realised they were a different kind of bandits.
"Oi" said the tallest of the two, a man with a badly trimmed beard and big brown eyes. What seemed like it could have been an earnest face was ruined by the hint of violence in his eyes, and a crooked smile. "Welcome to Waterdeep, traveler"
"Aye, welcome to the big city. We be th' guides" Nodded the smaller one, the thumb of his right hand, just as dirty as the rest, nervously ran through the side of his index finger; the only gesture of anxiety that let itself be seen. "Because of the city rules, you can't go into the city without a guide, y'know, so that's our job" Said the man.
"You can't possibly be this stupid" Replied the Yuan-ti, already disappointed in the denizens of the city
"Oi, who you callin stupid?" Taller man replied, offended
"Ey, ey, mate, you don't wanna do that... Well see, it's not a rule per se but just the same you go into the city lookin' like tha', and you gon' get mug'. Snake-eyes and all. Yer not from 'ere. Pipol gonna notice. You don' want that. If you walk in with me n Petyr, we can have you avoid those dangerous bit, ey?" The smaller man said. He made a poor effor to hide his disconcern at the way the yuan-ti looked, and the fact that he had never seen one in his life.
A good thing, Naizelos decided. He preferred ignorance and a small modicum of fear, over a false sense of knowledge and a medium ammount of loathing.
The chat dragged on for a few more minutes before Citrine walked in with her horse, and the taller man turned to face her with a big smile on his face. "Oi there, welcome to waterdeep, we be the guides of the city" said as he shook her hand
"Aye" Said the other man turning away from the hooded Yuan-ti. "We'r tryan a convince tis poor shmuck he gon' get mug' the moment he walk in town, but 'e won' lisn'. Forget it. It ain't worth t' copper. What about you lady. You look wiser." pointed out.
Naizelos turned around to gaze at the newcomer and her jolly attitude, accent like he hadn't heard as of yet. His yellow eyes, glistening.
"Aye" agreed the first man "We can tell you were to bring the horse in, a nice inn to stay... What say you?"
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Arikarka
Approved
Linked Characters: Citrine, Gigi, and Rhia
Posts: 316
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Post by Arikarka on Jan 10, 2019 19:34:56 GMT
Tipping her hat back a bit to better see the group of people she'd walked up to, Citrine noticed now the scruffiness of their skin, twist in their eyes, and greedy twitch of their fingers. Song still playing in the back of her head like an earworm, the phoenix trilled a questioning sound.
"Guide o' teh city? Aye can see teh guards an' government 'ere keep their guides outfitted en only teh nicest an' most fashionable o' uniforms." The redhead put her hands on her hips after shaking his hand, cocked a hip out, sat on the jut while scraping her talon of her foot to rest behind the other in an extremely casual and relaxed posture. Her eyes though? Her avian eyes darted subtly from the misfits to the fellow traveler - a shimmer of prestidigitation rippled over her hand that had been used to shake and say hello.
She did another sly back and forth, gears turning in her head as a mischievous seven-year-old grin spread on her face; the scent of colored wax began to perfume the air. In a voice just as upbeat and positive as before she noded her head. "As fer there bein' ah smuck 'ere? Ye're quite right abou' tha'. Nasty buggers, teh lot 'o 'em - dirty, lousy, an' good fer nothing. Beggers are preferable! So, aye, Aye don't trust 'em as far Aye can throw 'em - an' Aye'm not someone known fer 'er strength." Yes, clearly the 4 foot something *bird person* could deadlift like a barbarian.
Adjusting her hat back on her head she nodded once more to the group and began to push her way through the two 'guides', still leading Carrot behind her to further push the two apart. The phoenix walked until she stood in front of the pale and silver Yuan-ti. Tipping her hat back up again with a grin and a flash of cocky tooth she flicked her tail feathers like the end of a cape. "Sae? How about we let these scamps scurry away like rats an' continue on our way? Seems we've both been on teh road fer some time." She was now fully ignoring the two thugs in favor of focusing on the other traveler.
Of course she still kept notice of them. Her belongings were in the cart hitched to the horse… and she had no desire to have any of it stolen. Sea and wind forgive her - she'd not let them get far if that turned out to be the case. Plus, as far as she was concerned? She and the snake were one and the same - two creature beings just trying to make it through the gate. From the pack he carried and the wear of his clothes? She assumed traveler.
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Post by Malakbel on Jan 10, 2019 20:33:51 GMT
He was having a bit of a problem understanding the accents of now not only the raggedy men come to steal away something from him, even if that something thus far had been time and a little dignity, and the much more fashionable looking lady with bird wings on her back. He frowned at the sight. He had seen once something that looked like bat wings on a Tiefling. And had seen what could only be best described as a "bird person". A person-bird was new, however, and his stare briefly trailed along her body with curiosity, caressing her body with his gaze from the claw of her talons to the tip of his nose. Her hand caught his attention.
It wasn't a judgemental, disapproving look; but one of sheer curiosity. Not that he had much control over how it was percieved, but he certainly wanted to remember her body and the way it was composed; her legs, her facial features, and her wings most of all. He was wondering if he would be able to draw it later, to paint it the way he had seen it; or if it would be flawed and the piece of paper would be ripped appart and tossed aside.
"Oooooooi" Said the taller man in a voice that went from frustration to caution at the shimmer.
"Think yer better than us, you fokin freak?" Added the smaller man, taken aback after she walked through.
"They won't, lest we kill them." replied the Yuan-ti, as he started to walk as well ignoring them. His voice was deep, and hoarse, and his tone matter-of-factly. "If we do it this close to the city walls, there's a good chance they'll reward us with free lodging in the city. In a prison cell, that is."
"Dont walk away from us jes like that" The taller man started to collect himself, now his voice filled with anger
"You gon get fukt in a dark alley, better watch yor step, you foking animals" Said the smaller man and spat in their general direction, their gazes fixed on them.
"It's what they do for a living, most likely. They'll be here tomorrow too, or until someone runs them off for good." Continued. He didn't think of himself as prideful, but people, the way he saw it, were not what they thought of themselves as. They were what they were, and that was it. A lot of people claimed they weren't prideful, that they were cautious and all, till someone spat on them and insulted their mothers.
Others claimed to be brave and independant, but couldn't muster the words to talk back loudly to a drunken man insulting them in a dark alleyway.
He spared another look at her, the mood of the scene quite far from ideal with the shouting and taunting. His own belongings were all crammed inside the backpack he carried everywhere. For all intends and purposes "traveler" was just another way to say "slightly more wealthy homeless vagrant" and it was perceived as such in most places, unless you arrived there with fancy silken clothes and a personal guard, in his experience. Traveling merchants however, and their caravans, were a class on their own.
"Hopefully they'll have a place to take a bath. And a magic academy too. I can do without the guards, though. Are you a merchant?"
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Arikarka
Approved
Linked Characters: Citrine, Gigi, and Rhia
Posts: 316
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Post by Arikarka on Jan 10, 2019 21:20:04 GMT
As he was perceiving her, Citrine was taking her own looksie up and down at the white-silver man. She couldn't help herself, she liked shiny things. Subconsciously Citrine couldn't help but adjust her posture and twitch her jawline up a bit while paired with a flick her wings so their plumage caught in the sunlight. She was vein, she'd never deny it. She loved the limelight. Trilling a pleasant sound to pair with the visual image of her peacocking the phoenix shimmied her wings again as the scent of a warm ocean sea breeze replaced the colored wax. If she were being honest with herself? Which she totally, always was, the taller Yuan-ti wasn't bad on the eyes either. Perhaps a bit too thin, but then again… looks were always deceiving.
"Aye don't 'ave ta think anything. I knae quite ah' bit - though me sister? Ohhhh Goddess, she'd give ye ah run fer ye money. Nae there's ah lass who knaes everythin'." She lifted a hand to twiddle with a spiral piece of copper tied up in her hair wrapped around a small braid. The message spell would only be heard by the two thugs, making her seem like she had pitched her voice just like a ventriloquist. To her new companion here? It would simply look like she was twirling her hair, flirting with a satisfied smile. "Nae be ah good set o' lads an' carry on ye way an' find someone else ta cheat outta their gold. Else ye regret et - Savvy?" The last bit turned threatening. Dark. Like a sudden storm on the horizon of the ocean. A voice of someone who was accustomed to commanding words to others and being obeyed.
"An' what've teh wee ants done ta ye ta warrant bein' stepped on?" She cocked her head slightly in a sharp quick movement, a very birdy mannerism, speaking out loud as if she hadn't just sent a ventriloquist message at the same time, vocal voice still rather sing-song-y. "Aye've nae desire ta room en ah cell, Ave only just got ta toun! Aye'd much perfer ta find an inn, play ah few rounds on me fiddle en exchange fer ah few rounds o' drink, secure ah room fer ah few days, and venture around ta find ah more long-term lodging!"
Annoyed at all the shouting Carrot, the quiet and unassuming horse who'd been content just standing still and following his lead huffed hotly out of his nose and gave a whinny, hoof stomping as a warning on the ground. "Oh no doubt." Citrine spoke, giving a quick glance to Carrot and sensing his unease. "If they don't run no doubt they will get stepped on. And it's too bad I've left me rapier in me chest." It was then she looked over her shoulder and rose a quick stern eyebrow. That message was just as clear. Scram.
At the mention of a bath Citrine coo-trilled a sound of pure bliss, turning her attention back to the other. "Ack! Ah' academy? Why'd ye want ta spend ye time stuffed away? But ah bath~!, what ah grand thing ta suggest! Hot water, soap, oils, someone ta reach teh hard ta reach spots - aye lad, tha' sounds like ah pleasant way ta spend teh evenin'." Whether or not Citrine had just created and invited herself into his evening plans without his input, and made it sound as if they were going to be potentially bating together would be most inappropriate and immature of anyone to assume… unless, of course, they knew how inappropriate and immature the firebird tended to be. With the grin that hadn't faded Citrine tugged on Carrot's halter with her mage hand and started walking.
"Aye only tease ye o' course." She added on after a moment of potential uncertainty hung in the air, waving the assumption (or was it an invitation?) away. "Aye knae how ye bookworms can be - ye'll pressure on nae matter what someone else says." Clearly, Citrine was not a reader.
"As fer me bein' ah merchant? Eeeeeehhhhhh…." A high pitched bird keen rose and pitched as she considered the question. "O' ah sorts, shall we say? But Aye don't sell what I find, an' what Aye find Aye keep." She shrugged with a bit of a roll of her eyes. "What can Aye say, Aye'm like ah magpie o' ah raven. Aye like me shiny things." The collection on the cart wasn't too impressive. A single large chest took up the majority of it, thick well-worn wood. A weather proofed violin case was wedged in the back, with a bedroll and tent stuffed on either side of the trunk. A few smaller parcels were tied and pinned down, but overall the rather organized and orderly cart didn't 'scream' wealthy merchant. But there was a soft call of 'hoarder.'
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Post by Malakbel on Jan 10, 2019 22:58:27 GMT
Deep inside Naizelos wondered what would the lady do if the pair of men continued to be a hindrance, a bit of morbid curiosity that was. At the comment of the rapier being left in the trunk, he started to ask himself. Would she outright murder them where they stood if the situation called for it? Just hurt them? Barely threaten them? There was something about the nature of people that quite often puzzled him. The world was a harsh place, after all and even if she didn't look the part of a rugged soldier you never knew. A small idea, like a question began to form underneath those thoughts, starting to bubble upwards ever so slowly.
The change of smell was a rather pleasant thing, paired up with the not so subtle display of her wings. A wizard, was she? The wax could have been something she carried... somehow. But now...
"S-she's a foking witch" said the smaller man, scared at the way the messaged had reached his mind.
"Y-yeah, you, you better go you, demon-whore" shouted the taller man
"Demon whore?" asked the smaller one "Petyr what the fok, you wan us get turn into frogs nao?"
"I aint scared of no witch..." replied the taller man, in a considerable lower voice, as if not to be heard by the travelers
The pair stopped on their tracks regardless, and decided against seeing if being turned into frogs was worth some coins, and slowly made their way back to the beginning of the road where they had been before.
As both men scrammed for safety, trying not to lose much face while doing so the Yuan-ti wondered if it had been the smell that did it, or the mention of the rapier. A small, faint, white smile formed upon his lips at the mention of being stuffed away. "What the wizards keep in their ivory towers, and in the midst of their political games along with the nobles you see... That's the stuff worth knowing. And the guards... Eh... You know when they say "everyone is welcome in this city" but the guards follow you when you walk down the market, people grab their bags, and mothers put away their children? They think they're being subtle, but they ain't. I can do with people getting out of my way, but the stalking gets annoying." announced. To mold and change the fabric of reality to suit his desires, to learn the secret science of the universe. Who wouldn't be tempted by that? That was his way of thinking. He wanted to know. He wanted to experience. He wanted to live, underneath that cold and apathic looking demeanor.
The words of the woman, and her potential invitation, promptly flew over his proverbial head when he didn't catch their meaning. Naizelos was not, as one would put it, a peoples person and hadn't had too many experiences with them. He was cynical, and generally distrustful. And sometimes, even clever. But having the right touch, being socially aware in the moment, whether in intimacy or friendship... Those insights were far and in between.
"You wouldn't like a bath?" He inquired then, visibly confused with the shadow of a smile upon his lips, amused at the change of mind the bird-woman had suddenly had. A brief suspicion crossed his mind: Water reacted bad with her wings, or something along those lines and it was common knowledge in this land and everyone knew it. That was why it had been funny. For everyone else. There was some serious math going on in his head while they talked, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
There were some people who were shy. They would fret, and sweat at the thought of being socially embarassed, contested in an uncertain terrain, teased. Naizelos embraced it, he liked the challenge; it was a chance to rise up to it and meet it head on. For him, you didn't get the courage to say something before you said, or before you did it, you only gained it afterwards. As good as it sounded on paper, and as many people could agree with it, it was the social equivalent of getting your ass handed over to you in tongue-fu practice over and over. Not many had the resilience.
"You bird people sure are dirty" He teased with a small chuckle finally, there was clearly something he was missing that seemed to cause a reaction on her. The meaning started to dawn on him. "What's a bookworm?" He frowned.
He himself was carrying a big bag over his back, there was no chest for him. Only a mail over his chest, veiled by the cloak, and the sight of a sword by the right side of his hip. His gaze ended up in the cart. Maybe saying that was her way of admitting she was a pathological thief, which made the whole situation funny in his eyes. Not a merchant then. But with a cart, a pack animal. An interesting sight. A more experienced wanderer than himself, maybe.
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Arikarka
Approved
Linked Characters: Citrine, Gigi, and Rhia
Posts: 316
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Post by Arikarka on Jan 11, 2019 19:06:36 GMT
The insults meant nothing to the sorcerer. Rolling her eyes and flicking her tail feathers dismissively she kept leading the horse behind her and walking alongside the Yuan-ti. Really, they’d have to try harder than that to be insulting. A witch? Of course she was! She read palms, shuffled tarot cards, and crafted her own potions and oil mixes because of how relaxing the whole routine was. Demon whore? While she wasn’t a demon per say she couldn’t argue with the whore part. How else would she get free lodging over the next few weeks? Win-win in her book. A night of fun and a warm place to sleep - she wouldn’t be the one to complain. And the frogs? Hah! Don’t make her laugh, it’d be chickens.
She peaked over her shoulder one last time to see the two walking away, in which she tipped her hat in a farewell gesture before returning to the conversation at hand. “I’ve found in me travels yer’ only as welcome as ye let yeself be welcomed. If ye hide away en ah dark corner? Common folk will become nervous an’ on edge.” As she shared her thoughts she tipped her hat in general greetings at the passerbys who were in the first part of the city road they were walking. Her species was rare here, and a fire-colored bird humanoid would have rumors attached to it faster than a gull could fly. It would be best to put on a show while out in public.
“If ye ‘ave ah hard time with stalkers, just confront ‘em. Turn aroun’ an’ ask em how ye can be o’ service. Or tell ‘em they can carry ye bag if they’re gonna be keepin’ at ye heels. Should sort most of ‘em out in nae time.” It took her a few more steps at a quicker pace to keep up with her ‘escort’, his longer legs carrying him further with each step just enough to make her aware of her littler legs.
She froze in place when he teased her, saying she was dirty by association.
“Wouldn’t like a bath?” Her posture took on an indignant look and a wisp of sulfur and bergamont scented the air. “Dirty?” She kreed, voice more bird than speech. "Aye’ve been on teh road fer weeks! Whatcha expect?!” Affronted, hands on her hips, she scowled and agitatedly clawed at the ground with a single talon. Then, as suddenly as her mood had shifted, it spun back. A small chuckle started in her chest before it turned to laughter mixed with chirping whistles.
“Oi! Ye had me there fer ah second. Teasin’ fer ah’ teasin’, quite right, Aye deserved et. But nae, Aye can only imagine ye misunderstood somehae. Aye said Aye’d love ah bath. At teh moment? Aye’m sure me wings look dreadful an me hair matted – spells can only clean sae much. What Aye'd wager ta sit en ah hot spring.” She took off her hat then, more trinkets and braids spilling out from underneath. If a bird could be described as having a lion’s mane? This would be it – her dreads, braids, and long wavy hair in burnt orange, cedar, and hints of ruby (though that could have been actual rubies in her hair… if not at least red glass) thickly piling high on her head in a twisted up bun and the rest falling to mid chest. "Et must loook atrocious." She said more to herself than from someone fishing for complements. Twisting the hat, made of thick leather that smelled like sea salt, to look at her reflection in the large jeweled pendant buckle on her hat (a gold medallion wrapped in wire, sea glass, stones of various colors, set below a larger symbol a cloud with three thunderbolts etched over a symbol of a dripping leaf). She turned her head side to side to take in her vein-ness. Overall her hat was a ridiculously large thing for the size ratio to her smaller size, with various feathers of seahawks and gulls, and even a few more exotic ones like peacock (and of course, some feathers from her own tail and wings) gave it the look of a pirate hat. A Captain’s hat. Someone of station, or at least once was… if you knew anything about sailors.
“An ta answer ye question. Ah bookworm es someone who’d rather spend their time locked away researching. Doin’ business en ah library. reading” She said that last bit as if it were the worst thing on the planet. “Ye won’t catch me doin’ somethin’ as dull an’ dry as tha’. Ye mentioned wantin’ ta find teh academy? Aye’m sure ye can look fer teh tallest tower. Wizards are like pirates, instead o’ ah big hat they want big towers.” She grinned then at the end, as if recalling a fond memory.
“But never let et be said ye readers don’t have ye uses. Me sister, ‘Olly [Holly] is one who’d ruther spend her days with books than people. Takes ages ta convince ‘er ta come down fer ah drink. But et makes her happy, an’ Aye can’ argue tha’.” She’d never tell someone to stop doing something if it made them happy.
Almost as if to apologize for the round-about insult of being aghast at the Yuan-ti’s potential reading habits, Citrine gestured with her hat towards the back of the cart. “If ye’d like, ye can set ye bag on me cart. There’s room, an Aye’m sure Carrot ‘ere won’t mind teh… OI!” It dawned on her then, saying the beast’s name - she hadn’t even introduced the horse. Or herself. But names were funny things. “This es Carrot, ah horse fer hire ferm teh respected Gladelight Estate found some leagues way down teh Sword Coast. They ‘ave a druid there who’s quite a hand with horses. An’ who might ye be?”
Someone observant would have noticed that, for all Citrine loved to talk and tell stories and hear her own voice, she hadn’t yet said her own name. And even now, as she introduced the horse and asked for her companion’s name, she didn’t offer hers in turn. At least… not yet. There wasn’t any tell in her posture, or hidden twist to her words, but, anyone who knew how living behind a mask felt like would get the hint that perhaps there was something keeping her from saying her name first. Perhaps a cultural tradition? She was a rare sight in these parts – bird people rarely ever came down from their cliffside homes or open skies to walk in a city, especially one such as Waterdeep. Or maybe she didn't feel she knew her companion enough to share it yet.
"Ye look like someone's who's traveled quite ah bit tae, though perhaps nae as much as meself - one bag, unless tha' there's ah bag o' holding, doesn't seem tae have much. O' perhaps ye just doan' 'ave tae much? Nae shame en et - et's freein' travelin' light." She began sharing her observations about him with a watchful raptor look. "Ye also seem ta be someone who's straigtforward an' knae's what he's aftar despite being judged often by teh others who put moar status inta looks than personality, saw tha' might be why ye travel. Et gets tae unwelcome an' ye just move tae ah new city. But... ye also remind me o' me sister ah bit, ah bit stuffy an' all 'proper'. Ye've been fairly direct sae far. An' ye carry ah sword, but have said ye like tae explore teh academy. Ye're ah swordsmen of sorts but ye're much tae slim to be dedicated.... saaaeeeee..... ye have a connection to the curious realm of magic would be *my* wager." Her gaze lessened then, dropping her studious look. "Sae tell me, am Aye right?" The cocky grin was back, even as people started grumbling about the horse and cart blocking the flow of traffic - as she was still standing there from her vexed exclamation earlier.
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Post by Malakbel on Jan 11, 2019 20:55:57 GMT
"I don't have the energy to put up with that every day" he said about the thing with the guards. More socially inclined people would have that sort of aura, as for him, he waged he could've of done it... But no more than a week and even that would be putting in some serious effort to be nice. It was, he supposed, the difference between being genuine and faking it. The latter took a hell of a lot more effort. The idea about asking the guards to hold his bag made him smile at least, were it not for the thought of them running off with his things he would have applied it.
His smile became complete when she complained about the travel and the dirt. Not what he had expected, but he enjoyed it thoroughly all the same. To be fair, he wasn't in much better shape. So long as there weren't any rivers or bodies of water in his way, bathing wasn't precisely common practice.
He oogled at the hair and the decorations it had without shame or restraint. If the rule was that the acceptable time to look at something was five seconds maximum, he did seven every time. He admitted to his inner thoughts that properly groomed that must have looked great. Well, a better sort of great.
"How do you wash that?" He said before he thought his question through. All the braids, the dreads, the length. His own hair was long, but admittedly he was fairly more ruthless with it's treatment. He'd either use his sword or a knife to cut the lenght, if he didn't outright use his two hands to shorten it the same way a brute might do it. It wasn't too long until the rest of the details were registered, and he focused once again.
"I know that symbol... That's like a sea goddess ain't it? Umberlee, was it? Or something like that. The bitch queen? I remember because I always thought it was an odd name for a goddess."
The hat, with it's finer details, he recognized as well; for he had grown up near the sea of fallen stars. Sea deities were commonplace too, as were sailors. Not that he had done much sailing himself, but he had seen what there was to be seen in the town and at least had a basic knowledge of those things. For the most part the Yuan-ti kept to himself, but the difference between his laconical speaking patterns and those of the firebird woman soon began to draw a contrast between them. As he paid attention to her stories about the origin of the bookworm word -were there worms that ate books, he wondered- and her declared hate for reading, he put his theory about her being a wizard to a screeching halt.
Without study, there was no wizard, easy as that. Of course, unless she was some kind of prodigy.
And the contrast was deepened yet when she continued on about her siblings. A sister named Holly. Come down from where, he wondered. A tree, or the sky? He put that question in the queue. But if his social awareness was anything to go by, the moment to ask had come and passed. Soon enough, his gaze went back to her cart once she offered to give him a ride. He had never heard about the Gladelight Estate, but assumed it to be of some reputation. Either way, he shook his head at her offer. Something about it quite didn't seem right with him, accepting her ride while slouching off himself. There was something stern about him that kept him from doing it.
"I'm good, thanks. I'm used to long journeys... and carrying weight, for that matter." He replied, his tone that of a casual refusal, trivializing the issue. He remained quiet as she spoke her read on him. The shadow of a smile began to form upon his lips as she concluded.
"I was hoping you'd say I'm clearly a ladykiller, come to duel and bed my way into kingship. But I'll make do with what you just said." Replied with a faint chuckle, his gaze finally met hers. It was a deep stare, trying to see past the glint in her eyes, past her pretty face and through her words. "Not bad though. I -was- a wizard's apprentice once, years past. Been learning on my own since. As for my looks..." He just smiled, thinking of the weight upon his back. "I can lift another person with ease, as many times as necessary. A skinny one like you though? You I can juggle" Declared playfully.
It was to be noted that he still hadn't formally introduced himself. He didn't care much for names, to him, it was a formality. What was important was the person. Quite often, he would make up names for himself and use them. In new places, no one was the wiser. And in old places, nobody cared either way.
"I don't have a companion, or rather... I do, but it's not the sort that can carry anything. I'm used to just traveling on my own, you got that right too. " Admitted "So if you're not a wizard, and you hate reading, but you know magic... Are you a prodigy or you have some kind of magical secret that allows you to wield magic and be lazy about it? Because there are no shortcuts that I know of... I mean, I looked, when I was younger."
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Arikarka
Approved
Linked Characters: Citrine, Gigi, and Rhia
Posts: 316
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Post by Arikarka on Jan 12, 2019 2:57:44 GMT
"Carefully." She commented absent mindedly to the question about her hair. "It's important ta keep only weather resistant things in it, since otherwise teh wind, rains, and salt would destroy 'em all. Sae really Aye can plunge teh whole mess underwater an' et's nae problem ut'all." She prattled on, running her fingers through the mats that weren't there by aesthetic choice and tugged on a few; taking out the piece of broken arrow shaft that had been keeping the bun of it inside her hat still she kept her eye on her reflection (not noticing his re-appraisal of her self-boasted stunningness)… at least not until she was once again asked something else. Something interesting enough to draw her away from her own reflection.
Bird turning her head slowly to look him over she gave the swordsman an intrigued glance over once more. Not many people would first assume an evil aligned deity. Curious that this nameless Yuan-ti would. Though, she supposed after another thought, the snake men were known for being a bit more unsavory than most. But the common folk, those who never left the boarder or farmland of their history, could be just as ruthless in their pursuit for survival as the most cold hearted winter witch. It just was a matter of perspective. So too was how she viewed deities, people's nature vs nurture, and caused a cat's curiosity as to just what would push the boundaries of someone who was a good man, but sent to war? Tricky things they were, law and chaos - good and evil. Neutrality was its own brand of trickery as well. A most dangerous game.
"Nae many just gae fer guessin' teh evil an' dark aligned deities right o'f teh bat liek tha' lad." She spoke slowly, perhaps the slowest she'd said anything yet - not that it was a snail's pace either. But her voice wasn't as cocky, her posture dipping a moment to be curious and cautious at the same time. If anything? She sounded much more serious, quite serious in fact, that the pleasant scents surrounding her died out with the last gust of wind. All scents, except, for a quick brief splash of what could only be described as an alchemist's fire followed by the peppery bite of coriander. The playfulness had been set aside in favor of giving the topic its due.
"Umberlee might be teh Bitch Queen of teh sea, et's true. An' teh Goddess o' teh sea deserves nothin' else but tae be called ah bitch en teh best an' worst of manners. Even teh inner sea es knaen fer its troubles out on open water. Teh sea es ah savage place, an' those that travel it had best be willing to pay the price o' challenging Umberlee's domain. Offerin's bring fair winds to sea travelers, an' those who don't pay fer et with teh cold icy depths." She spoke in such an odd way that even her companion who'd only known her for a short while would get the insight that this was the firebird without the playful bard-like 'costume' of a mask she usually peacocked around in. She gave respect to the evil goddess, it'd be foolish not to.
"But her symbol be tha' o' two waves crashed away ferm each uther." Her voice lightened then, a smile crossing back over her face. "This symbol?" She tapped on the three lightening strikes with a taloned fingernail. "This be teh symbol o' Valkur - Uberlee's oppsite. Ets teh joys o' teh sea He represents… Calm waters, easy sailing, pleasant winds. Much moar forgivin' then His counterpart." The chaotic good deity was a much easier topic to discuss than the chaotic evil's… less rumors, gossip, and ill-will wished on them.
Sailors - they were a superstitious lot.
"An' teh leaf behind et? Et's just me own little flair. An' tae be honest? Aye feel Umberlee an' Valkur are just two heads o' teh same sea deity. The sea wouldn't be teh sea ef either o' them were missin'." Shaking her head to fluff out her hair and feathers that frew within it as if to place the action as an exclamation to the end of that conversation for now Citrine placed the Captain's hat back on her head. She never mentioned the fact she had an engraving in the leather on the mirrored side of the medallion in the shape of two waves dancing apart from one another.
Much more excited to return to safer waters than the debate of deities Citrine jumped on the comedic line. Abandoning her horse for a moment, the animal was druid raised and smart enough to side-eye any would be pickpocketers, Citrine closed the distance between him and her. In almost a vulpine purr, she bird-clucked in her throat as she invaded his personal space. "Oi, laddie - who's tae sae it shouldn't be ye lookin' instead tae join me an me queenship?" She stuck her tongue out, teasing, and wrinkled her nose - lifting up onto her toe-tops so they were closer in height. The four inches of added height put her at less a disadvantage, though her wings did open like a balancing stick to keep her steady on her toes. Yuan-ti were often in the 5-6 foot range of height, and he didn't seem an exception.
Still up in his personal grill, having now quarrel being this close to an absolute stranger and potentially making them uncomfortable, she kept up their conversation from this vantage point. "Aye knae et! Ye book-an-study types 'ave a sense about ye." She'd perhaps ask him more about how he switched from apprentice to freelance… but not now. Not on the open road. And at his comment on her build? She chuckled and waved her hand in a playfully dismissive gesture. "Aye… aye, most can. Me bones are hollow after all, easy tae brake but fast tae heal. Don't weigh too much moar than ye'd expect ah full bird o' me size tae be."
At being called a potential wizard? Her head tossed back as a tambourine birdsong of a laugh rose and pitched from her throat. "Ah wizard? Ah wizard! Oi, laddie - knae. Never. Never ever, in centuries, have Aye ever taken up teh profession o' dedication that o' ah wizard. By teh Goddess…" Her laughing continued, eyes closed and wings exploding with the scent of ocean water and warm breeze. With her past experience with wizards? No, she'd never go down the studious path.
It was then she figured a bit more peacocking was needed for the next bit, to be truly memorable, Citrine prepared herself. Spreading her wings further, as if to demonstrate just how much bird like she was, 12 feet tip to tip of red, orange, yellow, gold, and copper spread out to catch the light. Twisting the third set of limbs up above her head she twisted sharply to the side, cracking her back while her wing joints popped like one would their arm or shoulder. In fact? In parroting the wing movements her arms went up and followed suit - adding another pop of her shoulders as she stretched from her journey.
Giving him a wink then she didn't even bother looking around to see what she might mess up if she did this, and abruptly brought the wings down - lifting several feet into the air, spinning acrobatically like a gymnast as she somersaulted backwards, before drifting down to perch flamboyantly on the saddle of Carrot behind her…
… who didn't flinch at all, simply flicked an ear. It would seem the horse had gotten accustomed to her antics in their long journey together.
She'd taken the distraction and mis-lead of acrobatics to give herself an extra bit of time to think through the fact he hadn't said a name. Or at least a nickname. She liked that in a person. It said a lot.
Bowing from the horse's back, taking her hat off yet again and taking a bow - sweeping the hat in front of her she kreed and dipped her head. Around her sparks like fireflies or campfire embers glittered off of her in a showman's flair. Shimmers of color, like the top of oil, moved around her like barely seen water, while her wings were still splayed out like a peacock. "Aye like ye, ye mysterious Yuan-ti. There be plenty who knae me, by teh full title, Citrine Redbriar. An' Aye knae magic not by readin' but by pure instinct an teh fact magic sings in me blood. Fer Aye am ah sorceress! Aye be ah creature o' teh sea an' fire, commander o' chaos, Captain o' ah ship with red sails - Teh Blood Red Rose, and Aye be ah right fine fiddle player. But ye? Ye can simply call me Rain… all me friends do. Pleased tae meet ye ladd."
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Post by Malakbel on Jan 12, 2019 4:25:26 GMT
Winds, rain and salt she had said. That did imply she was from the sea and given the hat, it was probably from a real sailor. Which begged the question then for him: If it was so, why didn't she arrive by boat? The city had a noteworthy harbor. Maybe she couldn't, because she was a criminal and the sea patrols would find her? Or maybe she had come from another sea, like the sea of fallen stars like himself. Regardless of which it was, it was bound to be an interesting tale for sure. Deities, for him... Were not really such. He didn't think there was a single "good" deity, he thought of them as self conceited dangers, but agreed that sometimes in their capricious nature they favored mortals and/or helped them along on their quests. Some were more... business inclined than others, and he liked that, because he found it more genuine. They wanted something, and they offered something in return. As simple as that.
"Must be all the human sacrifices I offered" Said at her suspicion.
He nodded in agreement, noting how her voice then spoke slowly about the evil goddess. The scent changed, but his own expression only changed ever so slightly. He wondered if she'd been offended by that. It's not that he didn't care what she thought of it, or wouldn't be slightly disappointed in the whole issue if it turned out he just commited a heinous religious crime. It was the fact that he had accepted that everything was temporary: People came and went, relationships were temporary, always mutating, always changing. Getting attatched, being possessive, those were things he stood away from. The only thing that remained stale were the dead. Most times, this meant that relationships of any given nature were short. It was an incentive to not worry about it, to just accept the moment, live it and enjoy it, and also accept when it was time for it to pass. And thus he didn't worry; to others it might seem borderline apathic, but to him it was relaxing, and overall just the freedom he conducted himself with.
What she said was true at least for him. "True, often times sailors whoreship her out of fear of being struck down in a storm. I don't know that much about the gods to know if forcing people to worship you counts towards their goals... But it guess it must, otherwise they wouldn't hold up such threats."
He finally understood then why the change in mood, or so he thought. He basically had confused her god for it's opposite, and all of that in a casual manner. Might as well have said "Oh hey, good to see you are also a fellow worshipper of the god of destruction, cannibalism and murder!". He chuckled at the thought. A bit out of place, but genuine and contagious nonetheless.
"Right that you are. It's been a while since I saw it, and I haven't seen it again in a long, long time. Valkur didn't see much worship back there, I'm afraid."
In fact, he had no idea what or who Valkur was until she explained. There were so many gods and goddesses that it was understandable only a devoted cleric, or worshipper, could get to know them all. He guessed most people only knew a handful, the ones from where they hailed. The mention of the two-faces of the same coin thing, along with the other engraving had him thinking.
He tilted his head, a sharp smirk on his lips when the little bird jumped up and got close to him. He liked that, she wasn't afraid. Most people were just words, with nothing to back them up. The sounds she made though, he had a hard time deciding whether they were funny, could be considered cute, or were just straight out weird. He replied at her comment by slowly leaning his own torso and face forward to her's. He would continue to do so until only a few centimeters remained between them, almost bumping her nose with his own, taking in the amazing level of detail up close. The way her eyes reacted; her lips, the wrinkle on her nose, in just a second before his gaze fixed in her's.
"We'll have to settle the dispute about legitimacy later then" He said in what was almost a deep whisper, his voice falling like hot wax on her skin, slowly but just as inexorably "Can't be having any traitors in my new kingdom" added then with a smile, lingering there for a few moments to take in her face, and pulled back.
The comment about her hollow bones, followed by the rather interesting pirouette demanded his attention. The pops had sounded oddly satisfying, made him wonder what having wings would feel like. The gust of wind that came after the flap of her wings was enough to send his hood back reeling and billowing for half a second before it stopped. His white hair was caught beneath the sunlight then, his eyes squinted ever so slightly as some strands of it were flung back before falling into place. He snorted once she saw her land. He was just beginning to take in how showy she was. Naizelos noted how fluently she wielded that kind of magic to give herself a glitter, sparkles. And when she claimed to be a sorceress with magic on her blood, he began to understand a little. Of course she would be able to do those things so easily, not only if she did it all the time but if she also began doing it at a young age... And if her happy, yappy demeanor was anything to go by she did exercise her magic quite often.
"You'd be surprised. Not many people around these parts know what I am, Citrine Redbriar, sorceress of the sea and fire, commander of chaos, captain of the ship with red sails, the Blood Rose, and fiddle player, also known as Rain" He said both a bit surprised, and a bit infected with her general energy that rubbed off on him.
"Call me Malakbel, the full name is probably something you'd choke with while trying to pronnounce it" Said finally as he finally came to the conclusion that he wouldn't have enough colors to paint her wings properly. As for the details on her past... A ship with red sails named "Blood Rose" didn't make him think of a merchant vessel. Could she have been a pirate, per chance? The idea lingered, spiking his interest.
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Arikarka
Approved
Linked Characters: Citrine, Gigi, and Rhia
Posts: 316
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Post by Arikarka on Jan 12, 2019 18:38:31 GMT
"Ha! Nae one ut-all knaes me either. Fresh slate! Freedom o' bein' someone new! Why, anyone could be anyone… Sae, Malakbel it shall be then." She plopped her hat back on the top of her head, the security blanket of the leather resting comfortably around her. "Aye've only built up ah bit o' ah reputation en teh Inner Sea, leagues away frum 'ere. Et was only by recommendation by ah fellow sailor tha' Aye decided tae take ah ship leave an' see teh Jewel o' teh Sword Coast meself. Ne'er been anywhere else in Faerun."
And it was true. She'd re-birthed near the coast of the Inner Sea, her possessions shrunk down in her pockets, and a dizzy spell that had left her disorientated and prone until some poor fisherman had thought he'd found a drowned bird washed ashore… She'd been a horrible patient, nearly causing the kindly man to throw her out, her temper getting the best of the situation. Distracted by the thoughts running through her head she canceled her stage-like performance and hovered up to return sitting astride the horse, side-saddle. Citrine fidgeted with a heavy ring that hung around her neck, not even aware she was doing so. Snapping back to focus she strung a series of click together to urge the horse forward, no longer obscuring traffic.
"Sae Malakbel, Lad, where ye off to nae that ye're en teh city?" She asked, keeping an eye on the road now to direct the horse with a gentle nudge of her mage hand - a spell that had been going since she'd conjured it near the gates. "Aye'm lookin' tae get ah room at an inn, perhaps bargain down teh price fer ah enchange o' services. Aye promise tae draw ah crowd with me violin an' Aye get half price." She glanced down from the horse to see if Malakbel was still keeping pace of if he seemed to want to part ways. She hoped not. She'd laughed at his hot wax words of settling their legitimacy and had blown a sly kiss towards his nose as answer, all in good fun. Traitors indeed. She'd hate to loose him as a companion so soon. "Then after tha? Mebbie even find teh bathhouse nearby an' spend an entirely unnecessary amoun' o' time en teh water. Et's been ages since Aye had ah hot soak.... an' nae sure after tha'. Don' really have anything planned tae much after settlin'." Another ghost of a far memory fluttered through her thoughts, but she forced it back by sheer force of internal will. She'd traveled to Waterdeep to forget, not to remember. It was time to start a new life, gain new knowledge, and figure out the future when the time came. Because, really, she had all the time in the world. "Livin' aboard ah ship doesn't lend itself tae many luxuries like baths, fresh water, an' things like tha' after ull. Aye love bein' on teh sea, but ye can't beat teh comforts and extravagance o' ah city nae can ye?"
The travel pace was slow, Carrot's hooves making a stead clunk on the flagstones as the cart creaked behind them. She'd have to be on the lookout for rumors or directions to the Gladelight Estate's stable offshoots soon to return the steed - she had no need or room for caring for a horse on her own.
"Me name in Aarakocra would be ah difficult thing fer ye as well. Non' of ye other races can get teh clicks right." She flashed him a grin while trilling a series of bird whistles and coos - almost as if she was saying something in said language. "Aye imagine tis teh same with teh hisses an' spits of ye type's language." The way she said 'your type' did have any negative connotation to it, simply a reference of grouping. "Nae tae make et sound like Aye'm seperatin' ye type ferm mine oh course… Goddess, nae at-ull. Be ah right sight fer ah stormy horizon when Aye'm en teh same boat as ye - bein' ah creature species compared tae teh 'normal folk' of teh humans."
The way she said normal folk was peculiar, as if she had quite a strange set of opinions on race and how they were viewed. It was probably something strange, seeing as she had zero difficulty talking with, and traveling, a Yuan-ti - a species held in shadowed suspicion.
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Post by Malakbel on Jan 12, 2019 19:53:00 GMT
Life in a boat for him was closely tied to memories of his childhood. Not because he had been in any boat per se, but because it had been on the shores. It wasn't unfrequently when he would find himself staring out into the sea, fantasizing about getting his own ship or being accepted into one and traveling across that endless sea. To find new lands and camaraderie, riches antd treasures, adventure and love. It all smelled of naivety and nostalgia to him now, of old wounds and lessons learned. He figured it was a common fantasy to anyone who felt stuck in a single place, the idea of running away, moving somewhere else and exploring the horizon.
All in all now, he didn't see himself boarding a ship anytime soon, and the only sunken treasure he was interested in right now was not submerged in water but rather forgotten under the earth somewhere. He noticed the fingers of the woman fidgeting with the ring, but said nothing about it. A memento, perhaps? He thought about himself, and realised he had no mementos to speak of. For all intents and purposes it would be as if nothing of his past had happened, and when memory faded that would be all there was to it. He found it oddly bittersweet, that thought.
Mortality and time were funny things.
"Like I said, first I'm going to try and find myself an Inn or failing that a nice bridge to sleep under. Once I'm fed and I've taken a bath, probably head out to the academy if there's one." Announced, his attention now switching every now and again between her and the people they were passing beside on the streets. They were the center of attention, even if no one really talked to them. Not in a shocking way that made everyone pause on their tracks and drop whatever they had on their hands, but enough to stare at them for a few seconds. It was a mechanical reaction, and after a few minutes of that, it was the living equivalent of walking through trees in a forest, pushing leaves with your body.
"That's pretty crafty of you" Admitted "Alas I can't play an instrument to save my life, so I'll have to manage some other way" Even if he wouldn't confess to it he was slightly jelous of anyone that was able to play anything properly, and she wasn't the exception.
He wasn't precisely wealthy, and from his expression it wouldn't be hard to guess that his repertoire of social skills at persuading people was limited. His pace hadn't changed, still walking leisurely as he shot glances at the people they passed through, for the most part people offering services or selling things on the ground; a couple urchins here and there running about. It was pleasing to see that the ever present guard stares and stalking was not so bad inside Waterdeep. The first couple guards they passed through did stare at them, but no longer that the rest of the people inside. While they were, specially Citrine, something to behold, in such a cosmopolitan city people had a tendency to develop a "I've already seen it all" attitude.
He smiled at her whistles and coos, there was no way he could attempt to do that without feeling ridiculous. The concept of hisses and spits had him chuckle once.
"Ad wixzsd tazz, yxuqqg" He said to her in Abyssal, the words were harsh and brutal sounding, contrasted by the slow pronunctiation of it's delivery. "Not many hisses and spits, really; though don't tell anyone I said that. I enjoy hissing and spitting at people with impunity."
He understood when she mentioned them being different to "normal" folks. It was no use to pretend that they fit under any category of normalcy outside of their own habitat. For him, his habitat had been non-existant since birth, but maybe for her the contrast was even harsher.
"Storms make strange bedfellows, you say?"
He offered and paused his walk in front of an inn. "The galloping stallion", said the words on the wooden banner just above the main entrance. Whoever owned the place did not gain any points for originality. He threw a glance back at the girl upon the horse, so far she had been an acceptable companion. Not many would just so cheerfully talk with him, or walk with him for that matter. But what she was saying made sense, in places like these outcasts and strange folk shared some kind of unspoken kinship, even if only out of experiencing the same difficulties. As far as traveling companions went, he could do far worse than showy shady probably pirate sorceress lady. Such as anything else thus far, for instance.
"The name is as dull as they go, but so long as they have actual beds it's name could be "Snake eater" for all I care"
Declared; he didn't shoo her away or bid goodbye, but was getting ready to enter the place. It was, in a way, his way to let her decide whether she wanted to hang out and check the place or keep going her own way from there on out.
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Arikarka
Approved
Linked Characters: Citrine, Gigi, and Rhia
Posts: 316
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Post by Arikarka on Jan 13, 2019 5:53:20 GMT
"Aye Lad, ye go on inside an Aye'll stay with me cart until we knae what's goin' on." She said to his wave. "Aye'll extend me trust tae ye tae figure out ef teh place es worth et o' nae." And with that the bird twisted from her side-saddle perch and lounged lengthwise on the spine of horse, tilting her hat forward to block the winter sun. Her arms went above and behind her head, knees crossed, and her wings draped down like a blanket on either side of Carrot - moving gently to keep herself balanced and steady as if expecting something rockier than a horse shifting its weight. "Aye'll wait fer ye, Aye give ye me word on tha'." 'An Aye nev'er break me word.' Her voice was whispered in his ear, the last bit, in perfect flow from verbal to spell. From under her hat she'd fiddled with her copper spiral again to send the message spell.
Knowing she had a few minutes to herself, Rain took a deep breath and closed her eyes and to the casual observer… went to sleep. Her breathing softened, the rise and fall of her chest slowing. But she wasn't asleep, no. She'd fallen into a state of meditation - a skill learned by a psionic therapy group… dogs, actually, as strange as it sounded. Therapy dogs, with a bloodline reaching back from an awakened animal companion who had a knack for helping those around him. From their strict and rather different approach even she; a sporadic, active, and chaotic being she was, was able to learn and master enough the mind calming act of meditation.
She was better at active meditation, like the monks used. Generally moving from pose to pose in a mix of dance, stretches, and creative steps the repetitive motions relaxed her and allowed her mind to settle and focus on whatever she needed to do next. It was only in the last 60 years or so she'd managed to find the more traditional format of meditation, sitting or lying still, as something that she could do. Orin would have been proud… not that she ever got to tell her Bonnie Lass. Her Captain. Her Hurricane. Her Neach-Gaoil. Her Gus am Bris.
Her hand wrapped around that damn piece of jewelry around her neck once more.
It was her arcane focus in this world, in this life. Her magic needed a focus - the wild and untamed chaotic screams and cries of the ancient elemental that had chosen her to become his child, a firebird. A phoenix. She needed Something to channel it through a means besides just her body. And it was her magic that had chosen the delicately carved, multi-gemmed ring with the citrine fire stone in the center nestled in the wings of a bird. Already she would have protected the memento with her lives, but it was even more important now. Her magic depended on this little piece of metalwork otherwise it would just burst out of her skin. And she couldn't let that power out. It already did, when she cast spells. There was a small chance that with each spell? Some of that chaotic power would spill out beyond the potency she channeled. Sometimes good, even grand, results. Others? Well… she'd almost killed herself and her companions before, from pure chaos…
It's why she performed as much magic on a daily basis as she did. There was just too much bubbling up and under her skin to not cast on a near constant basis - even something as simple as keeping a mage hand up. The flairs and theatrics she added on to nearly everything? It had the added bonus of taking the edge and itch out of her skin. It was accustomed to being used, and would not be locked away.
While some might look at her and see an obnoxious theatrical sorceress too cocky for her own good, the firebird knew otherwise. But she'd never correct them, bringing up her own plight of battling the primordial power in her veins would lead to the discussion turning to her sounding arrogant. It was simpler to let them see the character she portrayed herself. A promiscuous fun-loving, whiskey drinking, violin player with a flair for theatrics. Not that she wasn't any of those things. She very much was, thank you very much! But sometimes the happiest of people were also the saddest.
It had been about three years… Goddess how she hated that number still… since she showed up nearly drowned in the Inner Sea. Holly had fucked up something. She was supposed to… ~
No, it wasn't worth dwelling on. This was where she was now, and this was the life she had. If she wanted out of it? She'd have to go against her very nature… and read… study! It wasn't something she was prepared to do. Yet… at least. She'd get bored eventually. But for now? She wanted to learn, experience, and make new friends and connections here! In Waterdeep! Life was about living through new things! It'd be dull if she just stayed inside and moped…. She'd done enough of that in the last three years or so aboard the Blood Red Rose, keeping in her cabin on the days the longing became too much. She'd not do that again.
It was a blessing of the Gods she'd met the Yuani-ti upon entering the city. Someone who was just as sore of a thumb as she was in an area full of curious eyes. It was a starting point, a person who she could keep in contact with, hopefully, and have a companion as she got settled into this new city. Even if he was a bit too… Holly like… for her tastes. It just reminded her of what once was. But in a fresh start kind of way. And it was by pure chance they'd met at all! Even if they parted ways soon, and never saw each other again? She'd always appreciate her first Waterdeep travel companion - even if the travel was just from the front gate to the inn.
Speaking of the snake…
As he walked up to the horse she sensed his presence. And it seemed, if even only briefly, he was unsure of how to approach her 'sleeping' self. She considered keeping the façade, as if a small child asleep so their parents had to rouse or work around them for fear of waking them up… but her want to secure a room outbid her desire to be childish. When she considered it? A hint of colored wax rustled off her wings as they maintained the balancing act before settling back to the normal candlesmoke, ash, and clove that usually surrounded her - just like a smoker or a drunk had a hint of smoke or booze on their jacket at all times. It was natural, for her at least, these scents. They changed with her mood, based on her emotion. Travel long enough with her? You might just start making sense of it - and realize how truthful she was, despite how ridiculous it would seem. Any lies? Her wings betrayed her, every time.
"Sae what's teh parley?" She asked, mage hand tipping her hat up as she turned her head up to glance over at him, eyes shining like a coals in the slightly shadowed effect of the hat brim, grinning slightly as she asked her question. "Any luck?"
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Post by Malakbel on Jan 13, 2019 20:50:16 GMT
The door swung open to reveal a crowded place on the inside of the Inn, the smell of both people, a bit of smoke and wine came together with the sound of incessant chatter, and all of it immediately filled his senses. Nobody even looked back at the door to check at the stranger; most people were too busy eating and drinking. Even the bar had a handful of people sitting about trying to chat up a busy Innkeeper. Not without some effort he made his way through, dodging the people that were in between him and the already busy innkeep, and at one point he even had to stop and backtrack a bit to leet a serving girl pass through. He hadn't been in the place for more than five minutes and he was already starting to hate it's guts. Too many people. It was just about the only thing he didn't like about cities. All the gods damned people everywhere; where was a good catastrophe when you needed one?
When he finally reached the bar a couple of faces had begun to turn around and stare at the newcomer.
"Hey" He said trying to catch the attention of the innkeeper who didn't even look at him when he replied.
"I'll be right with you one second" And then proved his dubious ability to keep track of time when at least another couple of minutes went by as he attended other people and even spent a bit of time chatting with one of the clients before turning his attention to him. "Yes" said then, inviting him to talk.
"I'm looking for a room." He said, and then paused to consider the girl outside. "Maybe two, to spend the night."
The innkeep shook his head and with both palms stretching outwards as if to point at the whole lot of people inside said "I'm sorry, we're quite full as is. I can offer you some food and drink though, that we still have plenty"
The Yuan-ti growled, a sound that was swallowed by the noise around him before it even left his mouth. He shook his head in response; he had thought about trying to convince the man otherwise, but if he was going to try and persuade someone to get an "extra" room ready for him it sure as heck wouldn't be on some crowded, barely sleepable place. Maybe as a last resort only, perhaps. It was a big city, he reasoned, there had to be plenty of Inns to go around with the harbor in town and all the merchants and would-be mercenaries.
"No, thank you. Have a good day." Finally declined, and he walked out again shooting one last glance at the people around him. Most looked like commoners as far as clothes were concerned but not few of them were carrying some sort of weapon in one way or another. There were a couple knights in a table he noticed, not of the remarkable kind but perhaps errant ones, or city watch. Medium armor, longswords. Mercenaries, maybe. After all, a spear would be a much better option of a weapon for a guard. Once again he made his way through the small sea of people, diving through the rivers of empty spaces until eventually he reached the door and swung it open again.
The breeze outside felt refreshing when compared to the cramped, hot, wet, damp air inside and reflexively he took a deep breath before looking at the girl. And she was... Sleeping on a horse? That was one weird way to relax, and a lot of faith to be put into a pack animal. A lot more than he would ever put into anything, for that matter. She -did- say that the animal was druid bred... or taught... or raised, something along those lines. But even so, an animal still had to be an animal, right? He approached slowly, mischievous ideas crossing the back of his mind. Before he could do anything however the girl used her magic to move the hat that covered his face and greeted him.
"I didn't have my sword at his throat, so I'd be hard pressed to call it a parley. Either way, they're at full capacity. Too many people. Too much noise. Doesn't matter anyways, this is supposed to be a big city, there's got to be more places around just this one inn here."
Of course it wouldn't be that easy, it wasn't some town in the middle of the road they were talking about but some fabled city of riches and history. That said, he did move a couple steps forth after putting her up to date; he was all up for finding a new place.
"I suppose you couldn't fly into the sky and tell me what does look like an Inn from up high, right?"
Tossed her way, not really expecting her to.
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Arikarka
Approved
Linked Characters: Citrine, Gigi, and Rhia
Posts: 316
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Post by Arikarka on Jan 14, 2019 19:23:28 GMT
How dull, no blade, or even an exchange of barbs to haggle? Ah well… The reasoning was sound either way, and Malakbel seemed the sort to enjoy a quieter atmosphere anyways. Perhaps it was for the best. Sitting up on her horse with a yawn and a stretch Citrine considered his request with a laugh. "An' ye expect inns ta 'ave ah sign on their rooftops? Et's like askin' me tae pick out ah ship on teh horizon without sails, flag, o' figurehead tae disqinguish et." She shook her head. Plus flying up and away would leave her possessions unprotected. New grand travel mate or not, he was still a stranger. And she wasn't going to trust her treasures with a stranger. But by comparing the search as pointless as looking over a naked ship? It kept face, didn't insult either of them, and got the point across. "Nae, we're best tae travel deeper intae teh city anyways. Newcomers an' travelers who are just 'ere tae sight-see will be crowding teh bars an' inns o' teh front o' teh gates. Ef ye want somewhere quieter? Et'll be en ah inn further en. Come on, Aye might n'ever been tae Waterdeep, but Aye've been tae big cities before. Follow me! Aye promise ye, Aye'll find us somewhere quiet but interestin' tae stay." She swung her legs around so she was sitting proper on her horse now, and without seeing if he was in agreement quite yet or not, click-kreed Carrot into a slow traveling pace, one a small creature would appreciate, to return to the main street. A look over her shoulder only then confirmed he was still following - and only then did she pick up the pace for someone with an average stride [30 movement speed] could easily maintain without tiring. The hustle and bustle of one of Waterdeep's main streets shouted with nearing-noon activity. The calls for samples, wares, fake promises and guarantees if you'd only just buy their product. Smiling at the sounds, yet rolling her eyes at the same time, the far traveler took in the atmosphere like hot water soaked into a teabag. Though wares were both far overpriced and of glaring less quality, the air was abound through these pop-up street vendors and the firebird wouldn't trade these sounds for the world. The life. The energy! The chaos of it all! It was like deeply smelling a bouquet of flowers. The sound of her horse and cart was muffled by all the shouting and excitement of the main street. A few passersby seemed to walk occasionally too close to the cart and 'bumping' into it, but a threatening or persuasive (depending on how friendly she was feeling in the moment) message spell sent any would be inquisitors scampering. It helped too that Malakbel was an intimidating and path-clearing presence in himself. It sort of counter-balanced all the more… positive… curious glances she was getting. With his stereotypical reputation surrounding them and her message spells that may or may not have included alluded to threats involving venom or other Yuani-ti like benefits? Her belongings stayed safe, and neither of them were accosted as they walked. Any conversation the two might have liked to have was muted for now, until they found quieter streets. After walking through the main street of The High Road for what seemed like a half hour due to heavy foot traffic, other carts, and a blockade involving escaped cows, Citrine spotted a less traveled side street leading towards the Docks District. She'd taken note of the street signs as they traveled (even spotting a sign pointing towards where she'd need to return to, to bring Carrot home) she had a starting idea of where to go. Still wide enough for a cart to pass through comfortably in either direction, but with rounder stones instead of the flatter flagstone the main street was paved with, seemed like a good place to explore. She clicked an attention nabbing whistle towards Malakbel, the sharpness hopefully drawing his attention and the curious undertone hopefully conveying her question of, 'will you follow me here?'. Nudging Carrot down the path less traveled the noise of the busy street was immediately muffled – the escape from sound brief once they passed over The Way of the Dragon, but coming back once again as they continued down a side-alley. The main street’s businesses were getting quieter with each cart length, slowly being replaced with the far muffled sounds of dockwork and the sound of water. Yes, the ambiance here was much better than the shouts and lies of merchants. Reaching a T-crossing, the next road perpendicular to them went to the left and right. Not second guessing herself she chose at random (right), seeing their alley continue only 2 or 3 cart lengths further and directing their small caravan further forward the sounds of the Dock District. "Hope ye don't mind et seems we've stumbled entae teh shipping an' fishin' segment o' town, er at least, part 'o et." She picked back up into small talk now that it was quieter. It was no accident she'd inched towards a placed called 'Dock District.' Continuing through their alley and crossing over the much larger, wider, and more active Snail Street, to continue westward they hit another T-stop - rows of homes, warehouses, and shops going left and right they went onward. She'd not seen an inn or tavern yet, but something was drawing her along by instinct. She was sure they'd find somewhere interesting to stay. She passed by one inn, The Splintered Star, and couldn't even entertain the thought at staying someplace with the name 'Star' in it. She'd just shake her head if Malakbel asked about it. They passed too, another inn, The Splintered Stair, but from the looks of it? It wasn't much of an inn. Even though appearances were deceiving? Sometimes they were true too. Meandering around, now backtracking some distance south down their side street, they passed a smithy, Fishscales, before entering a full street aptly named Fish Street. The heavy scent of the surf, salt, and musk of the ocean was promenade here - of which she closed her eyes and breathed deep, her wings mimicking the scent. And when she opened her eyes? She saw it. The place she wanted to stay at. It was a ship. An actual ship jutting out of the street crossing. It was huge, standing at least four stories high due to how deep the hull was - the prow itself extending out over the streets it jutted over. She read the sign the same moment it dawned on her what inn she was looking at. Sailors and pirates alike gossiped about the unique Ship's Prow Inn. For the first time today? She was stuck speechless. "Lad." She finally perked up, picking her jaw up off the floor. "Let's go there." She grinned her most excited and sincere grin yet, the heavy scent of ozone; the static smell of an oncoming storm, buffed around her from her wings. The joy taking over her Citrine heel-kicked Carrot into a faster pace to close the distance between them and the Ship's Prow. She'd had crew members on board the Blood Red Rose talk about an inn that looked like a ship had whaled itself in the streets. At the time she'd joined in the laughter of others who hadn't seen it, saying surely, they were exaggerating - like all tall tales and fish stories. But it was true. Bringing Carrot to a halt so the cart was decently enough out of the way, tucked along the space between Ship's Prow Inn and the building next to it (trying, impatiently, to coaxed Carrot into walking backwards while still hitched - there was a lot of excited and well-meaning swearing to go along with this). Finally, with a final excited huff, Citrine tilted her hat up and smiled at her decent park job. Then, as a final flourish? She took out one of the large red plumes from her hat (one that had clearly once been one of the slightly curled feathers either in her crest of the 'skirt' of her tail), and wrote in deep ruby blood red magic*. Her wrath is known throughout the black
The gardens of death she is tending
Vengeance is her only ward
Beware the Blood Red Rose's thorn The letters were large, each several inches tall, and boldly written. The script was a mix of print and calligraphy, the curling letters a soft contrast to the sharp edges of the print lettering. At the end? CAPT C.Red signed the missive, with a tiny gold phoenix in flight flying around the message - leaving a small trail of sparks behind it. They were in the Dock's Ward. Either people here, in the sailing industry, would recognize the name, the phrase of the shanty, or at least know not to mess with anything or anyone who dared sign their name with the title 'CAPTAIN' so clearly. Blowing a kiss from her hand towards the missive, the spell-written words hovering in the air moved in the 'breeze' to now linger above the cart, right where the items were. Satisfied her belongings would be safe here, but still wanting an added layer of security, Citrine took her hat and set it on top of her trunk. Any sailor would recognize a Captain's hat and know the warning was no joke. "Alright, tha' should keep me stuff safe fer teh bit o' time Aye'll be gone tae check on room status." She said out loud, though more to herself. "Stayin' out 'ere Mala? Or do ye want tae stay out 'ere with teh cart?" She turned to ask him, seven-year-old Mindwinter excitement still in her posture. "O course, teh warnin' goes fer ye too Laddie." She added as if she forgot to mention something, an afterthought, sounding much more friendly than the script did. "Ef ye stay 'ere, Aye'll be back en just ah moment - hopefully with rooms boouked!"Route taken:South Gate -> Waymoot -> The High Road -> Alley near T1/S1/S2 -> T44 -> Alley West towards C50 -> South D0 -> Pass D8 and D60 -> Fish Street -> D11 The Ship's Prow Inn *Script spell a creatively combined cantrip of message and all 3-at-a-time affects of prestidigitation |
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