Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 5:22 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
"Fair enough." Ha Neul replied in agreement, as Larka dismissed the idea of getting cleaned up. Indeed, she had a point. They had a short time frame to work with before word would get out about Jiggs and his men, and most likely there'd be far more blood spilled at the hideout, than what was spilled at the tavern. If anything, the tavern was like a training practice compared to what they'd most likely be facing in Bladeblade's hideout.
She listened with a deep curiosity, as Larka began to speak about what Ha Neul could expect to see in the future, as things became more violent, especially concerning her eyes. It was like waiting to see a surprise gift open; One was told there was something very interesting inside, yet as to what the contents of that interesting thing was, they'd have to wait to see. "Just watch where your swinging your sword, and that it doesn't hit me in the process." She jested.
She observed as as Larka opened the rum bottle, and offered her the drink. She stared at the bottle with rather nonchalant eyes for a while, before she slowly motioned her left index finger to point to the side of her head temple, "The warrior's mind," She began to speak, shortly before switching the location of her index finger, to the middle of Larka's forehead. The action required her to raise her arm in the process, as Larka was quite tall compared to her, "Should always remain concentrated and clear of all outside influences, less those outside influences defeat you in battle." She continued, "The greatest battle does not take place on the battlefield, but within the mind." She lightly tapped Larka's forehead a few times during these statements, in order to emphasize them. Without accepting the drink offer, she turned her back to Larka, and began to make a slow walk down the street, which would lead deeper into Adeluna. Their journey would be to the slums of the city; A place filled with crime and poverty, it was the darker side of the highly esteemed city. There they would find their target; Xavior Blackblade.
[[OOC: Thread Excited!]]
Author: Larka, Posted: Fri Sep 8, 2017 3:52 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
[OOC: To anyone following, we'll be making a new thread in a new location that continues the story :)]
When Larka asked if Jiggs was being cooperative she smiled down at him as he looked back to her with a defiant look. He was a tough one, she'd give him that, though she'd never actually say it out loud. He finally did speak though, saying that their target was located at the Moonlit Brothel, and that peeked Larka's interest a little. She did want to know where that was, in case she needed some company for the night and had to buy it, but, after this job, would she even be able to go there again? There had to be other brothels, there had to be!
Larka leaned against the wall and watched as Ha Nuel interrogated him, glancing up at the guy with the broken jaw when he started to move again. She could go over and knock him out again, but that seemed rather cruel, seeing as he wasn't about to talk for a while by the look of him, she had rather messed him up more than she had intended. Oh well, it's what you get when you play tough guy for a criminal, you had to kill to earn your living or had to have the shit kicked out of you, one or the other. They should all really be thankful didn't just kill them, aside from Jiggs until after he had talked.
Ha struck Jiggs hard enough to knock him out before she addressed Larka directly. When Ha Nuel asked about Larka's condition after looking her over the Reaver grinned and shrugged.
“No time to get cleaned up, and, besides, we're likely to get bloody again anyway, so why get cleaned. My wounds will heal, the potion is helping, if we pass an apothecary on the way I'll pick up another potion. But, once the fighting start, well, you'll see.” She chuckled.
“You saw my eyes I assume, hard not to, eh? I wasn't even at full strength, but, I'll save the details for later, you'll see once we get into a fight.” Larka explained, removing the cork from the rum bottle with her teeth and carefully getting into her hand so she could drink, she offered the bottle to Ha Nuel after.
“You know where we're going, I'll follow you.”
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Thu Sep 7, 2017 7:34 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
Ha Neul was standing in the street outside the tavern, her back facing the door, and her arms crossed in patience. It didn't take long before the sounds of breaking glass, falling tables, and screaming patrons could be heard from inside the tavern. The door flung again, albeit violently, and a bloodied shirted and bloody mouthed man come stumbling outside, shortly collapsing to the ground afterwards. Covering his bloody mouth with his hands, he began rolling around the ground in excruciating pain. He had all the gestures, as if he wanted to scream out in pain, yet all that managed to escape were from his mouth were garglings of blood and unusual breathing noises. What a bloody and sloppy mess; definitely the work of a mercenary.She had been impressed by how quickly Larka had managed to dispose of this one, for it had not seemed that long since Ha Neul left the tavern. Nonchalantly unfolding her arms, she proceeded to make her slow approach to the rolling man in great pain, pausing to stare at him a few seconds, before crouching over him. Reaching back into her pocket again, she pulling out the poorly kept and wrinkled mess of a bounty list. "Hello friend," She eventually spoke in her nonchalant tone. "You wouldn't happen to know where this man is located, would you?" She held the wrinkled list in front of the man's face with in her right hand, and pointed at the drawing of her target with her left index finger. However, the man continued to roll in the ground in excruciating agony and pain. It seemed he was in far too much agony and misfortune to even acknowledge Ha Neul's presence. Even more than than that, it seemed to Ha Neul that he was incapable of talking, even if he did acknowledge her presence. Pity..Standing back on her feet with a disappointed sigh, it would not be too long afterwards, before the door violently flung open again, revealing two more figures. Witnessing the scene of the two fighters first hand, a look of both unexpected surprise and appeasement came upon Ha Neul's face. She observed with satisfaction as Larka had pinned the man against the wall, rendering both his arms unusable, and completely subdued him. A sloppy mess, a bloody work, yet a successful work nonetheless. She also took great notice of Larka's blood red eyes. For that moment, to Ha Neul, it'd seem as though the woman's uncivilized nature had made itself bare.Ha Nuel continued to watch in observant silence, as the woman searched through her unfortunate victim's pockets, and went back into the tavern to receive her 'victory reward' at the bar. After a few more moments of silence, Ha Neul's gaze finally shifted to her intended target of interrogation, now pinned against the wall under the almost perfect interrogation circumstances," 'There' you are" She greeted with a sarcastically exaggerated tone of enthusiasm. "I've been meaning to have a conversation with you for quite a while. I apologize it had to be done under such circumstances."
"Fuck off.." Returned a mentally annoyed voice; one that was annoyed with all it's sudden unfortunate circumstances of failure."Now that's no way to speak with guests, 'Jiggs'." Ha Neul returned.
"What the hell do ya want?" Jiggs returned defiantly.Moments later, Ha Neul revealed her bounty list in front of the large man's bloodied face."Xavier. Xavier Blackblade. Where is he?" Ha Neul began, albeit sternly.
"Hah!" Jiggs exclaimed,
"You be outta ya bleedin mind if ya be thinkin i'll be given away Xavior Blackblade just like that. I'd break ya pretty little neck, if I wasn't pinned to dis wall."Ha Neul proceeded to create an theatrically exaggerated expression of disappointment, "I'm disappointed in you Jiggs. I had always deemed you to be the more reasonable of the thugs of Adeluna."She made a closer approach to the man, her shorter demeanor gazing the larger man directly into his defiant eyes. "Unfortunately, given your current circumstances, you're going to have to talk one way or another." She continued in a lower and more persuading tone. "It's just a matter of which circumstances you'll talk in." The larger man remained silent, continuing his defiant eyed look. "I'm a negotiable prospect, Jiggs. I'll give you two fair options. You can either tell me where your boss is hiding, and limp back to whatever hole you crawled out of in your current state. 'Or'…." She paused, switching her gaze to the door of the tavern, "You can either tell 'her', under more unfavorable circumstances, and perhaps with a few more missing limbs." There was a stagnant silence, and stare down of the sort between the two, before Larka eventually exited from the tavern.
“So, what's the plan from here then? Is he being helpful or do I need to break some more bones?” Jiggs eyed at Larka for a few moments after her statement, albeit still defiant eyed, before looking back at Ha Neul again, who, never having removed her gaze despite the man's change in attention, then raised her eyebrow at him as a non-verbal repetition to her question.
"The brothel, the Moonlight Brothel." He eventually spoke.Ha Neul stepped back a few inches, folding her arms as if challenging the authenticity of the man's statement. "There's nothing there but drunks, lonely hearts, and harlots, Jiggs. You expect me to simply buy into that?"
"That's the way it's supposed to be ya stupid tramp!" He exclaimed. Ha Neul's eyebrow rose in curious response.
"Self righteous fools like you be avoidin such places in da slums, thinkin ya too goody goody and mighty to be entering such places like that. Blackblade takes advantage of fools like you.""I see," Ha Neul replied, her hand rubbing her chin as she continued to examine the authenticity of the answer. "And where in there would Xavior Blackblade be? That place is a little too small to be the housing a huge band of organized thieves and cutthroats, such as yourself."
"Cause ya be blind and stupid, just like the Queen's royal dogs." Jiggs continued. Ha Neul returned another look of intrigue in response.
"It ain't what's outside that be meaning anything ya fool, it's a bleedin cover up for fools like you. It be about what's lyin under it.""Under it?" Ha Neul repeated in response. "You mean, 'underground'?"
"Where else, ya slow twit?!" Jiggs exclaimed.Ha Neul pondered a bit, before inquiring her next question, "And how does one enter this 'underground' hideout beneath the brothel?"
"I be here to wet mee blade.""What?" Ha Neul repeated, rather baffled by the man's unusual response.
"That be the password ya bloody twit!" Jiggs explained, his patience running low."And to whom would I speak this password to?" Ha Neul continued to inquire."To Linda. She be the 'mother' of the girls." Jiggs answered.There was another silence, as Ha Neul sat in deep thought. By this time, the other bloody jawed man was stumbling here and there across the street, leaving behind blood drippings as he continued to hold his jaw in excruciating pain."You'd better be speaking the truth Jiggs, or unfortunately, my 'friend' here may have to just pay you another visit." Ha Neul concluded, before stepping back a few more inches from the pinned down man, now no longer of further use. With a sudden force, she quickly struck the man with her fist on the side of his head, knocking him unconscious; A measure intended to insure he didn't interfere with their plans somehow during their work.Wagging Jigg's blood off her hand, to the ground, she turned herself toward her newly 'approved' companion. "It won't be long before word gets out what happened here. So we'd better move quickly before we lose our opportunity. I left most of my armor and equipment further into the city. I'll be getting it on the way to the brothel." With a pause, she observed Larka in more detail as the healing potion continued the process of it's work, with a raised eyebrow of judgment. "You look…awful." She finally spoke, with jesting and good natured smile upon her face. "You need anything else before we move?….Like a shower?"
Author: Larka, Posted: Thu Sep 7, 2017 12:51 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
[OOC: Hm, I didn't mark this as R, better watch myself :P]
When the glass was thrown in her direction with such speed Larka had little time to react, in fact she wasn't able to before the glass went sailing past her. ~
Ha, she missed!~ Larka thought but then, how was that possible? With the speed at which that glass had been thrown and the distance there was no way Ha Heul would have missed such an easy throw.
Larka heard the silence in the place for a moment and turned in time to see a large man a few inches shorter than herself stand from the table that was behind her. Ah, so he was the target of the glass then. Larka wondered, would this happen to be the man Jiggs Ha Nuel was speaking of earlier? Larka guessed it must have been, otherwise, why start a fight for no reason?
The big man had two others backing him and Larka grinned, three on one? Those were fun odds for her. Ha Nuel stepped close, speaking that she would be waiting outside making Larka smiled slightly.
“You're a bitch, but the best kind of bitch.” She replied with a slight laugh as Ha took her leave and Larka looked back to the men.
“I take it you're Jiggs, and those two are your Jigglets?” She gestured to the other two men, oh boy that looked like it pissed them off.
“And, to answer your question from before, while it wasn't me that threw the glass at you, I still did find it funny.”That last quip was enough to get one of the smaller men to charge Larka, who had, while she was talking, dipped her hand into her pocket and now was wearing a knuckle duster she always carried. She would use her sword, but it was close combat and she didn't want to accidentally strike a bystander. When the man was close Larka actually charged at him as well, getting under his swinging fist and bringing her own up into his jaw. There was a sickening crunching noise as he gurgled in pain as Larka took hold of his collar and showed her strength by throwing him at the door. She wasn't nearly stronger enough for him to go flying but the momentum allowed him to do a running stagger outside with his jaw busted and he fell into the street in great deal of pain.
“I only have one arm guys, come on, you can do better.” Larka chided with a laugh while she wiggled the stump that was left of her left arm, oh she was looking forward to this little dust up!
Both men came at her at the same time, Larka dodged Jiggs' punch at her head, but his buddy's punch she took in the chest, but it didn't slow her down. Larka's Reaver abilities allowed her to ignore pain, so he was a little surprised as Larka took hold of him and dragged him down to the floor, using him as a kinda barrier with Diggs. He landed with a grunt but Larka was already placing a stomp with her full weight onto his chest. That knocked the wind from him and cracked or broke a few ribs, she stepped back and then kicked him in the side of the head to knock him out.
“Come on, Diggs, just tell me where your boss is and I won't embarrass you in front of everyone.” Larka commented with a smirk.
“Bitch!” He howled as he drew a dagger from his belt and charged her. Larka came at him with a laugh, enjoying the ability to stretch out her unused muscles once more, she had been on that ship for too long. She dodged the blade but he caught her with a fist to the face that had Larka stagger back a little from the force, he was a strong one. But as the wound came, though slight it was really, Larka felt her muscles tighten slightly with added strength.
He came at her again and Larka got under his arm, getting her shoulder under left arm pit, quickly she got her in front of his and pushed forward with all her strength. That got it so that they both fell forward to the floor, Jiggs hit face first, breaking his nose with a spout of blood, while Larka was better off, using him to keep herself from hitting the floor with her own face. She rolled off and got back to her feet with a grin as she waited for him to get back up from the floor, he still held the dagger though and now he was really angry. She could feel the bruise forming on her face from his punch as he came at her again wildly swinging the blade. She felt it cut her a few times, once more her muscles tightened further adding to her strength.
The Reaver caught his arm and twisted getting him off balance and back onto his knees again as blood seeped from a few gashes he had given her. She got his off hand caught between her knees elbow point up, before she reached back with her first, still wearing the knuckles and drove it down hard, breaking his elbow. He howled in pain, but he was a tough guy, and spun the knife and rammed it into Larka's right thigh, making Larka moaned against the pain, but once again it only added to her strength making it harder for him to get control.
They both struggled to their feet and stood facing each other, Larka leaving the knife in her thigh for now since it left him unarmed. Some of his blood from his nose had gotten onto her and where it touch her skin it popped and sizzled and the bruise on her face stopped getting worse and instead started to heal itself. “What are you?!”
“Something you've never seen before.” Larka replied as she pulled the dagger from her thigh and then stabbed herself again, and again, and again, each time feeling her strength growing while he eyes turned redder with each passing moment. With a howl of perceived victory Larka charged him at full pace while he decided to bolt for the door instead. That momentary paused at the door to work the handle allowed Larka to catch up.
Out in the street as the broken jaw guy was moving again Larka and Jiggs came bursting into the street as Larka speared him with her right shoulder in the gut. Her added strength and ability to ignore the wounds she had sustained allowed her to get back up first and threw him against a near by wall. He howled in pain again from his broken elbow hitting the stone wall as Larka removed the blade from her leg and placed it into his left shoulder, leaving him without arms to use.
The fight was done, and Larka searched him for his coins and removed them looking to Ha Nuel with her now blood red eyes.
“Get what you need out of him, I'll be right back.” She commented and went back inside. She used Jiggs' money to pay for a bottle of rum and he had a fairly strong healing potion as well so she got that, the rest of the coins she gave him for damages done. All the while her eyes, now that the fight was over, were going back to normal.
Coming back outside Larka guzzled down the potion and she could feel it working quickly, the bruise on her face fading while the wounds on her thigh started to close and stop bleeding. Looking to Ha Nuel Larka had a large satisfied smile on her face.
“So, what's the plan from here then? Is he being helpful or do I need to break some more bones?” She kinda wanted to break some more bones if she was being honest with herself, maybe just one for good measure?
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Wed Sep 6, 2017 9:17 AM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
Listening to the woman's statements, Ha Neul concluded that Larka might be more suitable for the task of persuasion than her. Larka seemed quite confident and comfortable about getting Jiggs to talk, and additionally Ha Neul generally avoiding being too gruesome, unless she had no other option. She figured this was Larka's lifestyle anyways, as she'd grown up doing this kind of work. Who would be a a more qualified candidate for getting Jiggs to talk, then her? However, she also had a strong doubt that Jigg's men would back off, unless they proceeded to cause a mass slaughtering of such great intensity, that the very fear of the gods would instill upon them. Though, she'd also never seen Larka in combat yet. In her mind, two sword swinging woman wouldn't do much to intimidate such a ruthless group, until the majority of them became so dead that it wouldn't even matter anymore whether they decided to run or not.
And eyebrow rose at the statement of "provided you keep your distance from me in a fight.” Not quite perceiving exactly what she meant, Ha Neul assumed that perhaps this woman was communicating that she was a reckless fighter in combat, likely to swing her sword at just about anything, including Ha Neul. She kept the matter in mind
“But, just what exactly are you asking me to forgive?” There was a moment of silence after the statement, as Ha Neul gazed deeply into Larka's eyes. Her facial expression still nonchalant, it was nearly impossible to read what was going on in her mind. "Forgive me," She eventually continued, "For…'THIS' " At that, Ha Neul immediately cocked back her arm, and faster than one could blink, Larka's own glass flew through the air from Ha Neul's hand, spinning towards her direction. Yet, oddly, it would not meet it's mark where Larka's face was, as it seemed that it might in the beginning, but it would fly past the side of Larka's face. Another inch or so, might've threatened the tip of the Larka's right ear. However, Larka was not Ha Neul's target….
The glass spun and flung past the right side of Larka's face, passing by with a strong 'whoosh' before a loud splattering of glass could be heard. The glass had hit it's target.
Previous to this time, the sound of merriment and laughter could be heard clearly at the table behind Larka. Yet, now, almost immediately, that merriment and laughter had completely stopped. There was a silence, the silence that occurs when something is amidst in the air. The target slowly stood from his chair, the remnant of glass that had splattered itself across his strongly blonde colored hair that reached to his neck, trickling to the ground in pieces as he fully stood up. This shattering had also managed to capture the attention of others within the proximity of the table. They began to move farther back upon observing what had just taken place;. They knew what was coming.
At full high, the figure stood about 3 inches shorter than Larka, yet had a much larger body frame, and about 50 more pounds of muscle. His clothing fit somewhat tightly on his larger body frame, and he wore common black linen trousers and common white linen shirt.
Turning around, his dark brown eyes revealed a look of intent upon his roughly featured and grizzled face. "Think that's funny, eh lass?" Spoke the hoarse and deep voice, as he cracked his large knuckles." Two other smaller figures at the table also stood, a few inches shorter than him, dressed similarly, as if following a silent queue to join in.
In the midst of the silence, Ha Neul's steady footsteps could be heard, as she began to walk towards her next destination, pausing next to Larka for moment to whisper, "I'll be waiting outside" Before continuing out the tavern door.
Author: Larka, Posted: Wed Sep 6, 2017 6:14 AM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
When Ha finally smiled and laughed Larka chuckled lightly, finally, some kind emotion out of the woman! The answer given didn't directly reply to what Larka had asked, but she didn't press for further information. It seemed she'd have to figure out what Ha Neul meant by that answer on her own, which was fine, gave Larka something to ponder later on if she wanted to.
The topic went to the idea of a bounty hunt together and Larka leaned back in her chair letting Ha Neul speak what she wanted without interruption. When she could Larka put in.
“I can be persuading.” She grinned.
“A cut here, a cut there, nip off a finger maybe, people will talk. As for the rest of them, once we start carving our way through and they see that their boss can't, or won't protect them, they may back off. I'm not counting on it, but if controls them by fear more than anything, they may break once we push hard enough.” Larka explained, having dealt with situations like this before, still, new lands and new people, she may have it all wrong. She'd be prepared either way in case they didn't back down from protecting their boss, if he had that much control over them.
Ha Neul stood slowly and picked their glasses, thankfully Larka was finished with her drink, and at Ha's words Larka's brow raised in question. She stood slowly as well, standing almost a full foot taller than Ha and almost double her weight in well, though Larka had little fat on her frame, as she watched the woman.
“Well, I can promise I won't kill you in your sleep or get you killed, provided you keep your distance from me in a fight.” That reason would become apparent later when they fought, as with Larka's unique weapon and fighting style she needed space to move.
“But, just what exactly are you asking me to forgive?” She asked cautiously keeping a close eye on the other woman.
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Tue Sep 5, 2017 6:32 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
Listening intently to Larka's slight disagreement, a smirk faintly appeared on the side of Ha Neul's lips as she listened to the woman's logic and observations. After the woman's explanation, and question regarding Ha Neul's past, Ha Neul realized that this woman could also be quite wise and observant at times, as well, despite not appearing as so from her outside behavior. Perhaps it was her age that granted her such wisdom, perhaps her experience, perhaps something else. This time, Ha Neul had not paused for quite as long as she normally had been doing throughout the conversation. The smirk became wider, and then turned into else; something that had not been seen during the entire conversation, something Ha Neul rarely ever revealed; a smile. Not only a smile, but even a sound of amusement. "Hah!" She released in conjunction with the smile. "I suppose I am someone who picked up the wrong profession, then." She jested. The statement was not quite a direct answer, yet not quite a vague answer either. It sat somewhere in the middle, allowing for Larka to make her own judgment of what He Neul quite meant.
Further recognizing the woman's enthusiasm to the offer, Ha Neul seemed quite pleased. "Normally I handle jobs alone." She continued. "I dislike the risk of others possibly getting me killed during the job, or betraying and killing me in my sleep."
Her foot moved back against the bottom of the table, slightly pushing herself back so that she could lean her chair backward; the same position she was in previously, before meeting Larka. With her foot, she slightly rocked herself forward and backward in her chair, in sync with her thinking, while gazing upward again. "However…" She continued. "This man in particular, is supposedly quite a challenging target to eliminate. He has quite a large group of men to guard him, as well. In addition to all this, his current whereabouts are considered all but impossible to track, even for the authorities." She paused again, letting the words settle before returning her gaze back to Larka, with another slight smirk, "All but impossible unless, you know where to listen…"
"Jiggs" she continued. "There a certain man named Jiggs that works very closely to him. Not quite as dangerous as his superior, yet still quite formidable, and also not at a shortage of men. 'He' is more publicly seen than his superior. In fact he comes here quite often, running his mouth quite openly about his ambitions, just like you earlier."
Removing her foot from the bottom of the table, and sitting her chair back in standard position, she continued. "He's got a hideout conveniently located right here in this very city. It's a fun and dirty place. If anyone would know where he is, it'd be Jiggs. Although, I doubt he'd do so voluntarily. Surely he'd need some…persuading."
At the end up this statement she slowly stood, and picked up both her glass and Larka's. "However…" She eventually spoke while looking at Larka nonchalantly, "I'll have to make sure you won't get me killed there. You'll forgive me, won't you?" As to what exactly Larka was to forgive, Ha Nuel had not made quite clear, however; whether it was her doubt in Larka, or something else she had in mind…
Author: Larka, Posted: Tue Sep 5, 2017 10:29 AM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
When Ha Neul explained the difference between a soldier and a mercenary, Larka thought on it for a moment before shaking her head.
“I would disagree slightly on that.” She stated, not meaning any offence to Ha's own version of the differences.
“I agree with what you said about the soldiers losing purpose in the end, but not with the mercenary side of it. When a client does on a mercenary, it's more of a matter of finding a new client, provided said death wasn't the result of poor workmanship n the part of the mercenary of course. We work by contract, once the contract is up we move on, only thinking of that client again if they wish to renew the contract, otherwise we find a new client.” She paused a moment to consider Ha's words a little more closely.
“A lot of mercs I used to run with were once soldiers from one place or another, their lords dead or a war they wanted to fight in over. Some liked the action, some had nothing else to go back to, but everyone needs to eat.” She glanced back to Ha for a moment and leaned forward.
“Which one are you?” She asked bluntly.
“Even sitting here you carry yourself like you know how to handle yourself. You have been trained in some kind of combat I would think, what kind I cannot say aside from possibly some type of swordplay.”Ha Nuel mentioned a place they could go that was fun and dirty which peeked Larka's interest.
”Those are two of my favourite things in a place, so, what have you got in mind?” She watched the younger woman fish out some paper from her pocket after putting the coins back and unravelled it enough that Larka could see the hand drawn faces on it. Ah, a wanted list perhaps? And a few of them were already crossed out. Ha pointed out one man and Larka noted the price on his head, two grand! She whistled as Ha spoke, saying a thousand each, split the pot fifty-fifty between them.
”Yes, that would give me a hell of a start indeed.” She finally replied as a wicked smile played on her face at the idea of a fight.
”I'm in. So, do you know of any leads on him then?”[OOC: not sure what you are planning, but leave and make a new thread somewhere else, or have him already in the tavern and start a fight :P whatever you do I'll play along!]
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Mon Sep 4, 2017 7:23 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
[[OOC: The bling bling for your wives cost as much as a new weapon :D I also just bought scrolls and ink just to make this post]]
As Larka unsheathed the blade and placed it on the table, the look of intrigue came upon Ha Neul's face; the look of intrigue of one who was very much familiar with weapons. Examining the details of the weapon with her eyes, she pondered if the hairline cracks might have been an addition to better rip into flesh somehow, not knowing exactly they were for. She measured its possible efficiency in battle in her head, imagining her own self, if she were fighting with it.
As the woman explained her previous usage of her left hand, before having to re-learn everything with her off hand, Ha Neul found a sort of irony during the statement; they were both left handed. For Ha Neul's case however, she'd most like been out of commission for good if she'd lost an arm, for she typically fought with two handed weapons. One handed weapons typically did not swing with enough weight and strength for her liking, and so she rarely used them.
Deeply meditating on Larka's words again, she was beginning to see a special inner strength residing within this woman. Missing an arm, missing a wife, and yet she still kept pushing forward. Brash and unrefined she was, yet she had a strong inner fire about her.
"Do know the difference between a mercenary and a soldier?" She finally began after her signature silence, "Mercenaries kill for clients, and soldiers kill for kings." "Yet the irony of it all, is whether its a client who dies or a king who dies, both the mercenary and soldier are left without a purpose in the end." The statement was also a revealing of the sort for Ha Neul, for she also had been trained from little girl to fight, as well. She'd lived and breathed on battle, for what she believed was a righteous cause. And yet, now, here she was in this foreign realm, alone. Her king was long gone, and that righteous cause she'd once invested here whole life into from youth, was now worthless.
Momentarily, Ha Neul eyed the door of the tavern, before switching her gaze back to Larka. "Perhaps there is a place we can go." She finally spoke, a slight smirk on one side of her face. "It a fun and dirty place." She continued, before reaching out for the rest of the unused coins on the table. She returned the coins back into her pocket, and again pulled another object out of it; something much more different from the coins. There, on the table, this time laid a balled up and insanely wrinkled paper. While poorly kept, inside contained contents of value. It's contents consisted of drawn faces of various kinds, a few of the faces being marked out with a large inked 'X'. Each face contained a name underneath it, as well as various rewards for each. Ha Neul's finger motioned to one face in particular; a fierce eyed individual with short black hair, and a stubbled beard. "One thousand" She spoke. "That would be enough to get you started, right?" The price for the man's bounty was 2000 silver, therefore, Ha Neul was a clean fifty percent of the profit. Folding her arms and leaning back in chair, she gazed at Larka, waiting see how she would respond to the offer.
Author: Larka, Posted: Mon Sep 4, 2017 4:28 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
[OOC: the problem is that I need to buy 3 wedding rings for her, she SHOULD be wearing them, but I can't afford them yet lol]
At Ha Neul's reaction to Larka's sharing of sympathy the black haired woman shrugged slightly.
“Fair enough, but you have it all the same. It's good that you have accepted it, that is the hardest part when you lose those closest to you.” Larka sounded as if she was speaking from experience, and she was, very much so. But Ha didn't need to know more than she did already anyway, at least at this time. Perhaps in the future if the two of them could actually consider the other a friend that may happen, but not now.
When she mentioned her trade as a mercenary the reaction she got from Ha Neul wasn't anything new to Larka. In the past she might have challenged Ha to a fight to prove that she could still go toe to toe with anyone. But now Larka was more than happy to laugh loudly instead, as she drew her blade from its sheath and placed it on the table. The sword was just under three feet long, including the curved hilt, the blade had a slight backwards curve at the tip, and, if one looked closely every three inches from the bottom of the blade to the tip there were hairline cracks just barely visible.
Larka smiled as she ran a finger down the side of the sword.
“You aren't the first to question that, Ha Neul. My parents ran a mercenary troupe when I was young, so I have lived that life since I can remember. I have trained with that sword since I was a girl, I can use other blades if I have to, but this is my best friend, as it were.” She chuckled.
”I know this blade, every inch of it like the back of my own. Of course, when I was first using it I had two arms, and in fact I was left handed. So, you can imagine how fun it was for me to relearn almost everything on my right hand. Try it one day, switch you blade to your off hand and do everything with it that you can your dominate hand. You think you can do it all, but, trust me, we have dominate hands for a reason.” She picked the blade it and placed her finger just where the blade met the hilt and it balanced there perfectly.
”Why should I let the loss of an arm define what I can do? How many fighters have you seen with one eye? They lose depth perception, but they adapt and continue on.”She sheathed the blade, leaving the secret of how it truly worked a secret for now.
“If I let the loss of my arm stop me from being me, well, I wouldn't be here right now, I wouldn't be married again. I would probably have died a long time ago, whether from alcohol or whatever. And if I wasn't dead I'd be drunk all the time and spending all my cash on women.” She grinned at that idea, not realizing that she had given a small detail away she hadn't meant to.
“I'm a fighter, always have been and I will probably die fighting, though, hopefully, it will be more peaceful in the arms of my wife once I find her.”
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Mon Sep 4, 2017 3:39 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
Refolding her arms, Ha Neul once again held another silence in between her answer. She leaned back in her own chair once more, and slowly switched her view upward, as if in the process of thought. "I don't need require sympathies." She eventually spoke. "I've accepted this reality for quiet some time." Her voice tone was one of surety, and for the most part she was sure. However, time to time, sometimes memories of the past would still come back to haunt her. She had been a loner since she'd first came to this world. She learned how this strange new world worked, and found a way to make a living all by herself. There was no help or offers of support through anyone on the outside; at least not sincere offers. Every communication held a possibly for danger, robbery, and deceit for her. Life as a soldier in her previous world, who been trained from a childhood to be a self-sufficient and battle-hardened soul in every way possible, in order to maximize survivability, also did not nothing more but reinforce this mentality, as well as the experience of suffering loss on a regular basis. For the most part, she'd dulled her emotions to such things most of her life. Even she had a difficult time distinguishing what she truly felt deep inside concerning such matters. Her heart had grown accustomed to burying pain, sorrows, and anger.
Looking back at the woman in front of her, she listened intently to her words. Ha Neul's demeanor seemed more accepting of the woman now, as well; realizing that she had been too quick to judge and come to conclusions about her, based off her first impressions.
"Besides, if I can't get one like I tried with you, I can always find a brothel, I don't have a lot of shame.” A slight smirk appeared on the side of Ha Neul's lips after hearing this statement. She found herself quite amused by both the brashness and sincerity of it. It was a humorous combination.
This woman was a rare character. Ha Neul had not met many individuals who not only openly admitted they had faults, yet simply did not care how others viewed them, or whether they were accepted with these faults by others or not. In fact, she had rarely met individuals who openly admitted they had any fault at all. The first part alone was a feat in itself. Indeed, who would this woman be without such traits? Someone much more different, someone much less unique. Whether that was actually a good or bad thing, Ha Neul couldn't quite conclude. Yet, at the same time, it was something rather new and refreshing to see. The drunken riffraff in this tavern had about as much excitement as watching a fly sit on the wall for hours, while expecting it to do something spectacular.
As the woman verbally mentioned her recognition of Ha Neul's apology, Ha Neul blushed again for a momentary second, still abashed about it, before her attention was shortly after intrigued by yet another unexpected statement. "Mercenary…..?" She blinked with surprise, her gaze becoming more alert. "But you…" She paused, her eyes following to the woman's left arm, and glancing at it for a time, before returning her gaze back to the woman. It had communicated everything…
Ha Neul was at a loss. The woman was certainly tall, and she talked with confidence. Yet, a mercenary? How could it be possible with one arm? In Ha Neul's world, a missing limb meant a permanent end of one's fighting career. It was a sign that that it was time to go back home, and live out a peaceful life as a normal citizen for the remainder of their days, regardless of age. Ha Neul attempted to imagine the woman with varies possible weapons; a sword, a dagger, a shield, a lance. She was not recognizing any effective ways of fighting with one arm. Ha Neul was working as a mercenary herself, although she would not officially consider herself one. She simply did what she had to do for money, and to survive. Therefore, she was well aware of the fatal risk accepted with every job taken. Every small detail counted, 'especially' one's arm. Her mind strongly contemplated concerning this matter.
Author: Larka, Posted: Mon Sep 4, 2017 9:16 AM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
[OOC: No worries ^.^]
The slightly widened eyes were a good indication that what Larka was saying was having some kind of affect on the younger woman. After Larka was finished speaking she settled back in her chair again as the silence dragged on from Ha Nuel, who wasn't looking at Larka when she did finally speak, apologizing and blushing at the same time. Larka didn't reply for now, instead waited to see what else might be said, but Ha Nuel reached into her pocket instead and produced some coins on the table. When asked of her glass Larka nodded, it was the end of it and she had little enough to buy any more drinks. Larka accepted the coins, though for now she left them on the table, but she did motion to a barmaid to refill her glass again and paid that one drink for now.
But then Ha Nuel spoke again, calling out some of Larka's faults making the Reaver grin, well, she wasn't wrong in what she said. Larka knew what she was, and made no apology to anyone for it. But that was followed by some of her strengths, her loyalty and bravery. However, in all this what Larka was keeping back were other reasons for looking for Celeste. Apart from the love she had for the elf woman, and the time they had shared, Celeste was Larka's second wife, the first, Lilith, had been killed along with their adopted twins years back, the same fight Larka had lost her sword arm in. Deep down, Larka knew that if she lost Celeste like she had Lilith, to feel that pain once more, she would snap and likely go mad. After Lilith and their kids' deaths Larka had sunk into a heavy depression for years, drinking, fighting anything that got in her path, taking jobs that few others would, sleeping with as many women as she could. But nothing helped, eventually her depression became so bad that she was unable to use her inborn Berserker powers, unable to get angry enough to get stronger. Celeste was a rock that Larka needed in her life, a second loss would make Larka lose her mind, and she knew it.
Ha Nuel continued speaking three pieces of advice for Larka in turn, meanwhile Larka's new drink came and she sipped it while she listened. When Ha Nuel finished the Reaver leaned forward on the table.
“In that, you have my sympathies, losing anyone is hard, I know your pain, for a time I had no one either.” Larka replied in a calm voice, knowing that there wasn't much she could say to help ease the wounds, she had been there before herself.
“The faults you find in me I can't really deny, but they are what make me, me.” Larka grinned.
“As to your advice for women, if they can't accept me for who I am, as I would do for them, then don't want to bed them anyway. I am what I am, I make no apology for it, to anyone. Besides, if I can't get one like I tried with you, I can always find a brothel, I don't have a lot of shame.” She laughed a little louder as she took a drink before continuing.
“The rest of your advice, however, it appreciated, I guess I'm too used to being so open since I knew almost everyone back home in places like this.” She spoke sincerely, it was a good sobering thought really, she would have to be a little more careful. Still, if she didn't tell anyone who she was looking for she'd never find Celeste.
For now, however, Larka pushed the rest of the coins back to Ha Nuel's side of the table.
“Apology accepted, but coin is hard to come by, so, please, keep it, but thank you for the drink. I work as a mercenary anyway, I'll find work eventually, may take a little convincing since I'm new here. Not that I haven't dealt with that before.” She chuckled taking another sip from her glass, she'd have been gulping it if she had enough money.
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Sun Sep 3, 2017 11:46 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
[[OOC: Oops, I jumped too far ahead in conclusions after reading your character profile about it :D Sorry!]]
In the midst of Larka's speech, Ha Neul's eyes widened somewhat; the result of concealed surprise, by what seemed to be a unexpected wisdom of experience that came with age, suddenly emitting itself from this woman.
There was a silent period, as Ha Neul sat in deep contemplation. She was still trying to settle in her head what had just quite happened, and what she had just heard. She suddenly bit her bottom lip, and turned her gaze to the side. She was hesitating; hesitating to say something, hesitating to admit something.
Her arms folded, as she continued to look to the side instead of Larka's eyes, with a look of someone straining to keep their dignity. "I…" She finally began,
"Am sorry.." She slightly blushed a bit, signaling her defeat.
After another few more moments of silence, as the words settled, her hand made it's way into her pocket. A brief jingling could be heard, before she released her hand from her pocket to the table, and set her item of intention in the middle of it; a few coins, enough to purchase about three more drinks. She turned her gaze back to the woman, "It's the last of it, isn't it?" She asked, pointing to Larka's empty glass. "In this land, this is what they do." Indeed that was what they did, however as to 'why' they did such things, Ha Neul did not go into detail concerning, on purpose. The majority of the time, it was a sign of good intent, however, other times, it was a symbol of apology; the latter being Ha Neul's case.
"Brash.." She suddenly spoke, leaning back in her chair, "Brash, unmannerly, unrefined. Those are your faults." Another pause presented itself, as if that were to be her final conclusion, before abruptly continuing on with the second part of her conclusion, "Yet..you are very loyal and brave." In the midst of the statement, her thoughts returned to her previous contemplation beforehand, concerning what reason a person would ever have to marry this women. With loyalty like that, perhaps her wife hadn't quite ran away to flee from the flaws of this woman, after all.
"Now allow me to give 'you' advice." She eventually continued. "I do not know the customs of your land, however this is a very different place. Advice number one; Do not openly reveal too much information to strangers. Ears are everywhere, even in places you don't expect." She paused again, "Ears like mine." She stated with a serious gaze, "Many of which more ill-intended than I."
She continued on, "Advice number two: In this land, true friends are rare to find, unless you've some benefit or coin to offer them. I do not know the friends of your land, however here is a place where your 'friends' will voluntarily be the first ones to stick a sword into your gut."
"Advice number three…" An eyebrow rose with obvious distaste as she eyed Larka's glass again, "If you desire to win the favor of women, i'd advise you to stop drinking that distasteful trash like one of the sailors…..and greet in a more 'refined' manner."
Concluding her advice, she moved on to her final remarks, "Like you, I do not originally hail from these lands. Indeed you are correct, a multitude of trustworthy friends is of great benefit. However.." She paused, "All 'my' friend are long dead."
Author: Larka, Posted: Sun Sep 3, 2017 11:00 AM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
[OOC: How can she tell alcohol abuse? It's Larka's first drink in a long time, she's not drunk ;) ]
At the remark towards Larka's wife the black haired woman raised a brow, oh, she heard the sarcasm, but that didn't much matter.
“Says the woman sitting here, alone, in a tavern, with not one friend in sight.” Larka replied.
“I am what I am, she knew that before we took our vows, I knew what she was before as well. Not everyone understood our love when we married, but it didn't matter, because we had each other. Now, after years together she's vanished without a word, that's not like her, even if she wanted to break things off between us she would have spoken to me about it.” Larka continued as she leaned back in her chair.
“You look younger than you are, but I'm betting I still have at least a decade on you in age. Let me give you some advice, love; cut the “high and mighty” attitude you are putting up, it won't get you anywhere in life. You may not think you need friends, which is may be why you're here alone, but, trust me, you will, and, when the times comes that you need someone, and there is no one, well, you'll realize how far up your own ass you have been.” Larka smiled, she was not upset, calm and controlled. If she had still had her Berserker ways and her temper from when she had been younger she may have tried to start a fight.
“You can think of me however you like, I don't really care, I was trying to be friendly at least, and all I have been met with is sarcasm and veiled criticism about my personality and behaviour.”The Reaver chuckled lightly to herself glanced around and then back to Ha Neul once more.
“Every place is a huge place, my homeland included. I have searched it from end to another for over a year before hearing that she may have come to these lands. I still have friends and family back there looking for her for me, and, if they find her, they'll send word as soon as they can and I'll head home. See? That's what friends are for; helping you when it counts. So, rest assured, I'm here to search these lands from top to bottom as well, run every lead that I can get. Till death do us part, and I'll be damned if I stop searching for her until I either know what's become of her or I myself die trying, even still, I'll haunt the lands looking for her if I have to.”
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Sat Sep 2, 2017 3:11 AM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
Ha Neul found herself somewhat surprised by the woman's willingness to go into deeper detail concerning her intentions in this land so openly. She also took mental note of the entertainment in this woman's stare during Ha Neul's minor interrogation, as well as the woman's relaxed demeanor. She did not seem bothered by much, and seemed to exude an aura of confidence. Either that, or Ha Neul hadn't found anything to bother her with yet.
She listened to this woman's story, Ha Neul's curiously being filled. "Wife?" She repeated back, communicating slight surprise. She took another moment to observe this woman's characteristics; alcohol abuse, an unrefined and rough speech style that would make the noble's of this city cringe, missing arm, a personality that seemed as masculine as one of the male sailors here. 'Who' would marry such a person? She didn't even seem like suitable marriage material for the male's of this land to Ha Neul. How much less a female, who were much more sensitive concerning such things than males? 'Good times' were one thing, but marriage was entirely another case. However, this woman 'was' from another land, therefore, perhaps the customs of her land were much more different. Ha Neul figured she might quite dread ever visiting such a place, should all the inhabitants of the land there share the same characteristics as her guest in front of her. Or perhaps, her guests was simply an exceptionally odd case, even within her own lands.
"Hmm, I 'wonder' why she would 'ever' do such a thing." Ha Neul remarked in response, her tone bleeding with obvious sarcasm. "For surely you have no characteristics in you, whatsoever, that would 'ever' incite even the slightest intention for a person to suddenly leave you without word or warning." It all sounded to Ha Neul like the poor girl might have simply just ran away. If that were true, who could blame her?
"Adeluna is a huge place." Ha Neul continued more seriously. "And you come here based on small leads." "You'd been wiser to stay in your homeland, for it sounds to me like you chase an unlikely dream." Ha Nuel's tone while speaking this was so nonchalant, that one could not tell whether Ha Neul had said such things to be rude, or if she was simply being sincere and stating her unrestrained opinion of the matter. "And you may call me Ha Neul, though names in this land seem to hardly mean much."
Author: Larka, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 5:10 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
When the answer came to what was seen Larka glanced out at the rest of the bar and grinned.
"Agreed." She laughed settling back again. She knew that some of the men were eyeing her up, she was used to it. More times than she cared to think of in her life, more so after she had lost her arm, she had had to fend off some male thinking he could sweet talk her. Whether that was a verbal assault to put him in his place or a cuff across the chin, well, they were about in equal measure really.
Larka's offered hand was taken eventually. it seemed she had possibly upset this woman in some way, perhaps with her bluntness? Not the best way to start things off in a new land, but so be it. But the woman moved the conversation on further, and Larka returned the stare, though hers had more entertainment in them than the other woman had in her own. At the last question Larka laughed slightly louder.
"Over heard that, did you? Well, I wasn't exactly trying to keep it a secret after all." She replied and gulped down the last of her drink.
"Women in general, actually. That said, this woman I am looking for is rather special to me. She's my wife, we've been married for years now, and, one day she didn't come home. No word to me as to why, and no one that we knew had seen her. It searched out homeland for a long time before I got a lead that said she had been coming to these lands. It was all I had to go on, so I came here to see what I could find of her." Larka replied and leaned back in her chair again to relax.
"That's where my interests lay the moment if you must know." She gave a sideways glance away from their table for a moment before looking back to the woman and leaning forward resting her arm on the table.
"But you never told me your name?"
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 3:19 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
“Oh? What do you see?” Ha Neul blinked at the question, her nonchalant demeanor still retaining itself. Her eyes briefly, yet noticeably, then scanned the surroundings of the tavern, before focusing back on the rum drinking woman in front of her. A slight, witty smirk appeared on one end of her lips, one that could even have build greater anticipation for hearing the answer "Drunk rubble." She finally replied with a casual tone.
The second set of comments caught Ha Neul mentally off guard, and she could've sworn she felt something cringe uncomfortably inside, while listening to the woman's response to Ha Neul's comment about having a dragon fetish. "besides yourself." The cringy feeling came again. The accompanying sentence behind that comment, might have even been somewhat acceptable for Ha Neul, if that last comment had not been added. She was growing a hostile feeling of bias towards her new guest, before again suddenly being caught off guard, by yet another unexpected behavior from this woman, featuring a sudden change of attitude and extension of hand.
An eyebrow raised curiously at the suddenly unexpected gesture, staring at the extended hand for quite some time, before eventually a slow and unenthusiastic hand managed to also extend itself out in return. The grip quite soft and barely committing, communicating an obvious sign of hostility, despite the return of gesture. She removed her foot from the bottom of the table, in order to re-position her chair in the correct position, now sitting more properly in front of her guest. She still had lingering curiosities to fill, concerning what she had overheard from the bar, despite what seemed like the woman's reluctance to continue further discussion regarding the topic. Therefore, since this woman was pushing her luck, Ha Neul decided she would also push hers. "If that isn't your interest with dragons…" She pressed on, her hands folding together underneath her chin. "Then what is?" She stared the women directly into her eyes during this question, a look similar to one of an interrogator, examining every facial movement "Perhaps, elf women?"
Author: Larka, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 1:49 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
Larka had her smile on the whole time the silence went on as the woman she had approached seemed to taker her time to think on her answer. At the first words spoken Larka's brow raised a little as her smile turned into a grin.
“Oh? What do you see?” She asked with a slight chuckle while she took a drink from her glass enjoying the flavour of it, this was made differently that she had had before in her homeland and she liked it.
The female answered the question posed but then added in about dragons making Larka and chuckle slightly.
“If they walk on two legs and are female, perhaps. But that's not where my interests are with dragons, let's leave that topic for now.” Larka laughed lightly as she took a sip again.
“Now come on, these lands are new to me, there has to be something worth looking at around here, besides yourself.” Larka commented, at this point with the way the woman was acting she didn't think she'd have a chance with her but it was still fun to tease.
“My name is Larka, by the way.” She introduced herself holding out her hand, maybe there was a different custom here for a greeting?
[OOC: Little short, sorry :/]
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 10:40 AM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
Ha Neul was still in the process of deep thought, as she usually was. She had still been contemplating on the subject of dragons, when suddenly, as if the gods themselves had ordained it, the figure that she had in her mind and sight, had unexpectedly also caught notice of her. The fact that she had been caught notice of, was unexpected enough, yet nothing too surprising. What was more surprising for Ha Neul, was that this one armed woman had taken the initiative to actually get up, and head straight into her direction. As she watched the woman stand, Ha Neul took mental note of her height. This woman seemed to tower even over the other sailors in the tavern, although they themselves were males. Even if it were not for her missing arm, and foreign accent, this woman's mere height alone was enough to catch the attention of others. It seemed little to nothing about her was subtle.
“Now, what's a pretty thing like you doing in a place like this?” The words settled in Ha Neul's mind. "Pretty?" She repeated back in her mind, somewhat baffled in the beginning. Any response from her mouth was long delayed, as Ha Neul continued to sit there, in deep contemplation, carefully examining this new guest who'd casually intruded at her table, as if they'd been friends for years already. She reflected upon everything she'd observed from this woman beforehand. Unrefined speech, drinking like one of the sailors, tall height. "I see…" She finally concluded in her mind. Everything finally came together, in conjunction with a greeting of 'pretty', and alpha male like pick up line. This woman's orientation had now become blatantly obvious to Ha Neul, and this woman seemed to have no bashfulness regarding it.
Despite being female, Ha Neul rarely received flirts, even from the sailors around these parts. It hadn't much of anything to do with beauty, than it had to do with simply not attracting much attention; albeit, purposely the majority of the time. Most of her time was spent away from the main crowds. Larka had definitely picked a strange and usual figure to start a conversation with.
" 'This' place," she finally answered, after a long silence of deep contemplation, which could have easily been interpreted as Ha Neul was either going to ignore this new guest, or was a completely mute woman, "Hasn't much to be shown; beyond what is already seen here."
Letting the words settle and sink in, she withdraw her gaze upward to the wall, as if she had switched to a state of pondering. "Besides," She continued nonchalantly, "It seems to me that dragons are more your fetish."
Author: Larka, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 9:09 AM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
At least the rum was good, Larka was thinking as she sipped on it once more. She would have got a full bottle of it if she had been able to afford it. But, sadly that was not the case, maybe in time she would be able to get enough coin saved to get what she wanted, but for now she'd deal with what she had. The rest of her gear was still stored on the ship and would unloaded in time, she hadn't been allowed to carry everything with her on the trip, the captain wanting limited weapons for his passengers.
Finished speaking with the barkeep Larka turned on the stool to better look at the patrons that she was sharing the space with. A few of the men glanced to her and winked but Larka only rolled her eyes, she had no interest in men. Over her glass her eyes settled on another lone figure sitting at the back at a round table, watching everything like Larka was. The Reaver grinned to herself, as she very openly eyed the woman, human, her face said twenties but her baring, and Larka's experience, said she was older than that, but not as old as Larka was. Then again Larka didn't think she looked forty, but she was in good shape from all the fighting in her past and the continued practice and exercise over the years.
Standing Larka took her glass with her, the sword sheathed at her hip knocking against the stool as he walked from it to the woman, ever bit looking like this was normal for her to do, and it was. Larka was not shy in the least and she was more than happy to approach any female, of pretty much any humanoid species and chat them up. As she came closer the Reaver smiled as she sat down while she spoke.
“Now, what's a pretty thing like you doing in a place like this?” Larka asked with a grin.
“Don't suppose you'd like to show this traveller around the place, hm?” She took a sip of her drunk and leaned back in her chair to see how the woman would react.
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 4:15 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
Ha Nuel had the perfect word for areas such as these, 'chaos'. She was here as her usual habit, hiding in the back of tavern at a round table by herself, a glass filled with fresh water, in direct contrary to the the majority of other glasses within the tavern filled with alcohol. Her arms were folded, and her back and head were learning against the wall while she had one foot pressed on the bottom of the round table, in order to lean her chair slightly backward, in order to create and maintain this relaxed position. Today had been particularly boring and uneventful. Normally, within a few moments, among the drunken rambling, Ha Nuel found purpose in this place, as she would take mental notes of the many stories and rumors that traveled into this populated tavern, both from overseas, and locally; Stories of undead encounters, gossips ranging from news of petty thieves, to corrupt guild lords, secret plots of murder on unfortunate noble men who had grown too overconfident in their money, or become too abusive of their servants, sightings of strange and dangerous creatures. Yet today, there was none of that. She'd been here 3 hours already, and there had really been nothing truly valuable enough to entertain her mind and ears with, besides drunken and incoherent ramblings, which seemed more deteriorating to the mind than anything.
Ha Nuel was a foreigner herself in these parts, although simply calling herself a foreigner would be a great understatement. Multi-dimensional resident would be more fitting. She managed to accumulate silver here and there, working a few temporary and odd jobs, or directly from the pockets of the sleeping, drunken sailors commonly passed out the streets or even taverns. However, she rarely slept in an official room. Most of her sleeping took place practically anywhere she would not be disturbed for a few hours. Sometimes in the tops of a tree, a little ways outside the city, sometimes on the tables of taverns like this one, sometimes in the public chairs and benches of the city. Once getting used to such a lifestyle, she saw little to not reason to purchase official room to sleep.
She was in the midst of the making her decision to leave this place for today. In the middle of her contemplation, however, a unique accent caught her attention. Her eyes motioned to the sound of the voice at the bar. Now there was a scene one didn't commonly see everyday; A woman with one arm, drinking ale like one of the ragtag male sailors. It did not take much observation to eventually learn the purpose of this one armed resident, for she had spoken out information about herself like an open book, to a completely random stranger. That was something Ha Neul was well aware that one should not do in this area. Whether it was this woman's naivety of the land, or the drinks, Ha Neul could not be sure for certain. Her speech style seemed rather unrefined as well. Not like the noble's of these parts. Ha Nuel allowed her gaze to travel upwards for a moment in thought. She'd remembered her first encounters with this land. She was still rather new to this land herself, and there was much more to explore besides this tavern and the few other places she'd ventured to, obviously, yet she was getting an idea of how life generally worked in these parts, in this barbaric land. Her eyes motioned back the curious guest once more. "Elf woman…dragons.." What sort of traveler was this? Ha Nuel had heard various stories and legends of dragons during her time her, yet she had neither experienced, nor seen one in this land yet. Why would anyone be curious to encounter a dragon in the first place?
Author: Larka, Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 1:02 PM, Post Subject: Off the boat and into the bar[Open]
This was her kind of tavern!
Rowdy, even at this time of afternoon, loud and drinks a-plenty! Currently the new comes was sitting at the bar trying to get information out of the barkeep.
“I'm looking for an elf woman, goes by the name Celeste. Have you heard of her?” Larka asked the man behind the bar, while her hand gripped a glass of rum she had ordered. It had been a ridiculously long trip over seas to these new lands, but the trip was most important, as she was here to find her wayward wife.
“No, lass, I haven't. Your accent, where are you from anyway?”
“I've been at sea for months now, and I hate sailing! I come from a land far from here. I only just got off of the damn boat this morning, managed to trade what coin I had for the local stuff, most of my gear was ruined by the salty air the rest is still being unloaded I just needed a drink.” Larka sighed and took a drink from her glass letting the rum burn its way down her throat.
“Oh, Gods that's good stuff.”“Good luck in your search, and the first glass is on me.” The bar said and walked off to continue his work.
“Cheers. Wait, tell me, you do have dragons in these lands, yes?”“Aye, enough of the beasts.”
“Good, thanks again.” Larka nodded to him and he walked away. That was good, Larka would need dragon's blood soon enough. She was a Reaver, and she had to consume a mix of dragons blood and other ingredients to keep her powers going, her body running and possibly to keep her alive at this point. She had travelled with a decent supply on the ship, but that was out and she figured she had about two weeks before she would started to feel the withdraw symptoms kicking in.
How would she get that blood anyway?
The black haired woman ran a hand through said hair as she thought on what to do next, aside from finish this drink before her. She needed to find her wife and find out why she would come to these lands without telling Larka. Unless she had been kidnapped and forced to come here, that was another possibility. She would need money as well, so Larka figured she'd have to hire herself out as a mercenary once again. But, this would be a lot harder than she was used to. In her home land and the land she had come from to here she was well known. Here she was totally new and it be would unlikely that someone would want to hire a one armed woman of unknown skills from a foreign land. Even one of her years and experience, she had maintained her body well over the years she looked a little younger than forty.
Sighing heavily Larka downed the rest of the glass as she signalled to the bar keep to refill it, giving me a coin to pay as he did. She checked her coins, not much left, she'd have to be careful not to spend it all, she'd need a place to sleep tonight as well.
