It was just after sunset when Jael walked out of the tavern. Jael waited until now to avoid the crowd that often gathered at the lake as the sun went down. He stumbled slightly on his way, catching himself on a tree. After finally making it there he sat with his back to a tree facing towards the lake. Jael took a drink from his flask and looked out wearily on the water, listening to the soft sounds around him. Looking back down to his flask he took a moment to think before taking another swig.
The tree Jael leaned against seemed to chuckle. "Does your woman got you feelin' like the pits?" Delvin's voice echoed from above. The Elf shifted to the side to swing and hang upside down infront of Jael, eye to eye. A wicked little smile was carved across his features "But honestly, what troubles you this fine moonless night?"
"Hahh.", Jael replied with a smirk at Delvin's joke. He went to look up into the tree when Delvin appeared infront of him, well sort of. "Youh are not that far off.", Jael said taking another swig and offering it to Delvin despite him being upside down. "I did not think to find anyone. But I am glad it is you of all people. The riht comphany is not bad." He offered a silly smile after his slightly slurred words.
Delvin quirked a brow at Jael's remarks, "Ah, it seems I'm never far from the truth when speaking to you" he gave a grin before leaning up and hugging the tree branch he was suspended from long enough to swing his feet down and land with a slight oomph infront of Jael. He took the flask, sniffed it, shrugged and turned it up to his lips to take a large draft. He cringed at the alcoholic sting of the liquid. "Egads sir, are you trying to traumatize your liver? I'm fairly certain it's curled into a fetal ball crying tears of pure alcohol!" he snickered faintly, "I'm always here to help, you know that. A friend in need and whatnot"
He chuckled at Delvin's display and then broke out laughing at the comment of his drink choice. "Well I know forh one think.... thing, youh always manage to mahke me laugh, friend. Well Ih appreciaht it. I dooo." Jael lifted his drink mid chuckle coughing a couple times before taking a second drink to settle his cough. "I just... It's not Akon's fault... Well... yeah. I mean she can't help it... But Ish not gonna happen Delvin! It won't!" He gave Delvin a serious glare and pointed to him, taking another drink before leaning back against the tree once again.
Delvin offered his friend a sincere and slightly concerned smile as he made to squat infront of him in order to be at eye level once more, "Of course it isn't, we'll make sure of that....what are we making sure of?" He blinked at his friend, awaiting his response though a few thoughts were flitting around between those pointed ears of his.
Jael frowned at Delvin's question, looking to his flask and draining it further. He shook it to roughly judge how much he had left, which the sounds seemed to be to his dislike. "She can't doo it Dehlvin. I won't let her be dragged into the pit." He drank deep once again and seemed as if he was going to say more but instead started coughing. "I- Don't khow what-" He leaned his head back against the tree and closed his eyes trying to let the cough settle.
Delvin gave a solemn nod, turning to plop down beside his friend and crack out his own flask, "here, something a bit smoother than that rotgut you've been chugging. We Elves have refined taste you know" he snickered and uncorked his flask, offering it to the paladin. "Ah, the Pit you say. Well, she's bested the odds there before from what I've heard. She's a tough old bird as well you know and I doubt a few demons are enough to make her shake in her blood stained booties" he sighed softly, "there are other fears though, the madness that comes with tinkering with the dark arts, or the withering of her soul. I've seen a positive change in her since you've been around however, it's good to see her smile over something other than a corpse" he gave Jael a warm grin. "In the end I just want what is best for everybody, a smile on every face, treasure in every pocket, and a couple of warm bodies in every bed" he gave a light chuckle, "the safety and happiness of the town are what I'm here for, so I'll do whatever it takes to keep you and the rest of the town smilin'" He gave a brisk nod before pulling his flask back, drinking a swig, and offering it once more to Jael.
He kept his head back while listening to Elf, turning his head to look towards his friend when drink was mentioned. With a swig Jael nodded as if accepting the new drink. "I wishh the same this town." Jael took the drink once again when it was offered, "I'm wohrried..." He slumped down the tree a bit, "Vehry." Jael attempted to hand the flask back but was more shoving it into Delvin's side as he took a swig from his own.
Delvin winced as his flask was pressed into his side, the liquid pouring out into his lap. He kinda stared at Jael for a second before uttering a sigh, taking his flask, and slipping it back into it's hidey hole, "C'mon now buddy, lets get you away from this vast body of water before you take to thinkin yer a fish and decide to go swimmin with yer armor on" he laughed as he offered a hand down to his friend, "I know you wanna protect this place and stand for what is right as much as I do, but it'll be damned hard to hit anything with your sword when yer seeing five or ten of'em at a time" he laughed aloud waiting for his friend to take his hand so that he could hoist him up and shoulder him back towards the tavern, "lets go grab something to eat so we can absorb some of that alcohol in your system. Chicken'n'biscuits sounds great doesn't it? yum yum!" he let out another small laugh, hiding his concern.
He did not seem to notice that some of the contents of Delvin's flask ended up on his clothes. In fact he did not seem to be processing much of what he said. Jael's eyes slowly looked up and then focused in on his friend's hand. Looking off to the side he proceeded to hurl instead of taking the help offered. After a couple hacks he went back to leaning against the tree, taking in a breath before looking again to his Elven friend. Jael held his hand up in the air towards Delvin but did not grab his hand and began helping himself up with the use of the tree while mumbling to himself.
Grumbled something about bodily fluids and how they better not be on the offered hand before taking the hand and pulling Jael up to his feet, "Easy now, you're a wreck. I guess someone has to hold your hair out of your face" he snickered, "I'm always the babysitter in this scenario". He looped Jael's arm over his shoulder and stooped a bit to accomidate his friend, slowly they'd make their way towards the tavern.
Zwey saw Jael leave the tavern, but decided not to be a pest. He sees now as an elf helps the obviously drunken paladin back to town that may have been a poor decision. He runs over, crouches down, and take Jaels other arm and help the elf drag the steel clad warrior back to town.
A small, hooded figure appeared not far behind the trio of males in a small puff of dark grey-violet smoke. Her face was concealed by both a formerly familiar black mask covering the lower half of her face, and her newer black leather masquerade mask that she had returned from the shadelands with. From behind the cloth concealing the lower half of her face, it seemed as if two different, female voices were arguing. One of Katerina Cassitran, the other, less identifiable save to a select few. Feet from drawing even with the two, Katri's voice could be heard in a harsh mutter before gowing softly musing, "...or I'll do what I should have several mest ago! Yes, plenty of time left for planning... with or without her..."
Her gaze finally seemed to drift to study the three males moving toward the tavern. An unknown Angori, that Delvin fellow and Jael. She listened breifly and observed the actions of the, she supposed, now paladin. Raising an eyebrow she let out a low chuckle as she moved around to walk backwards in front of them, "Is he drunk again, then? Seems to me I've seen him three sheets to the wind more often than I have sober, while in the boundaries of town."
Jael was going to answer Zwey when he spotted Katri walking towards them. He did not seem to grasp the concept that she had been talking with someone else, or at least did not comment on it. "Katri!", he said as if happy to see her, "Thank youh, thank youh." Jael added sincerly with two slight bows of his head, though it did not seem to be in correlation with her comments on him being drunk. Before having a chance to talk more he saw Leo approach them, "Yeaah we are fine." Jael reassured him with a smirk.
Delvin offered a slight snicker towards the small crowd that had gathered to witness Jael's drunken antics, "My my, we're popular tonight aren't we friend?" he grinned. As Zwey posed his question he'd offer a shrug, "Probably bummed that he'll eventually die of old age, I know I'd drown myself in my cups if that were the case. Alas, I'm destined to be young and virile forever, praise be to Ferithisia wherever she may rest" he hummed a bit as he continued to help Jael along the path despite the growing crowd, "I wouldn't say there is a drinking problem here, I mean look at this one, he seems to be drinkin' just fine!"
At the sound of the female voice he'd glance over his shoulder and shoot a smile towards Katri, "Oh, an Uordeq patrolling the shadows mumbling about plots and schemes, that's surprising" he gave a playful wink to denote his remark as jest. "Ah, yes. Jael does enjoy his drink, I don't think it cares for him very much though. What brings you out this moonless night?" As Leo wandered out from behind a tree he'd just look at him with quirked brow, "Of course everything is alright, just a couple defenders of the weak strollin' through the woods. Sippin on suds and up to no good, You know the shpeel" he waved his hand towards Leo dismissively as he set forth to get Jael somewhere a bit safer than the middle of the dark wood.
Katri chuckled again at Jael and the Elf, pulling down the mask that guarded the lower half of her face from the chilly air so that her sly, yet joking smile was visible, "We tend to like plotting in the shadows, when drunkards arn't tramping about being half drug through the woods. I've noticed, that myself, his drinks not seeming as fond of him as he is of them. As for what brings me out on this moonless night, it's boredom and obnoxious ghosts of the past, even Uordeq get those from time to time. Being too nice can be quite traumatizing, you know. I've at least seemd to find a cure for the former, however."
She paused only briefly to mentally note Leofrick's presence and exit, while otherwise ignoring his existance. The young Uordeqi woman continued to walk backwards in front of the trio headed toward the tavern as they all spoke, deciding that she was in a far more sociable mood than normal. A rare sight, she also, if anyone cared to noice, appears to be unarmed and unarmored; abandoning sword, bow, and leather bracers and jerkin to simply wear her long, deep green robes and black cloak- altogether a rather small and unintimidating sight. Smile never wavering, she continues gently, sounding almost... friendly? in her thickly accented voice, "What about you gentlemen? What brings you out on such a lovely, dark night?"
"Drinks!", he said excitedly, attempting to move to take a drink but failing due to having two humanoid crutches. He was soon distracted by what Delvin said next, "Yeah! Defendersh of sha weak." Jael gave a big stupid smile, enjoying the company that he had around him. "Mmkha" He said in response to Leo with a exaggerated nod. He continued to smile while be referred to as a drunkard returning to a more neutral expression upon the mention of ghosts of the past. "I- I'm out here cause... The tavhren wash to crowded. Drinkhen in the woods cause of future an shtuff..." His train of thought seemed to stop mid sentance. Taking a moment to look over Katri again Jael changed the topic, "Katreeh you look gud tonight." he complimented her, same stupid smile returning to his face.
Delvin offered a smile to Katri, oddly devoid of his usual mischevious streak. "Ghosts of all sort tend to creep around Jastrey, the ones we can vanquish tend to be the lesser of assorted evils. The shadows of our past are hard to shake, I believe that is what brings most of us here to Jastrey. Running from our pasts and answering a call we weren't even aware of hearing in the first place" He stopped speaking for a moment which was a rarity for this elf, and began musing on what exactly did bring him out. "I don't sleep much, so I tend to wander about the area keeping an eye out for danger. I've sort of taken it upon myself to know what goes creeping in these woods, if I see danger I alert the New Dawn and we stand against it. Ever vigilant and whatnot."
"No no, you're done drinking for the night Jael. Chicken and biscuits are on the agenda however" He glanced back to Katri after Jael had finished his beligerant rant, "Yes, what he said, the future and stuff!" he gave another jolly little laugh before noticing they were nearing the tavern, "land ho!"
Katri chuckled again at Jael's drunkeness, and thanked him for his compliment as she moved to walk normally along side the men. "You, my good Elf, are quite the philosopher at times, aren't you, and apparently the guard-dog type as well? Glad to see someone's cutting off his alcohol intake though. I hear the poisoning is rather unpleasant. Mind if I join you for this agenda of chicken and biscuits?"
Her dark gaze then moved to peer at the Angori on the other side of Jael from behind the dark leather of her upper mask. "By the way, who is your new friend? I've not seen this particular horned denizen of Jastrey before."
That mischevious grin crawled back upon his features upon hearing the term 'guard-dog', "Well, I prefer stalwart vigil, watcher at the gate, or even Jastrey's personal alarm system. But I guess there are worse animals to be likened unto. I'm fine with you dining with us, I always enjoy good company and you've given me no reason to think otherwise of you" He responded quickly. As far as Zwey went, he'd allow the man to introduce himself though there were words that burned the tip of his tongue with a need to be said.
"Oh, I am Zwey Gurkha. Jael and Akon welcomed me to town, and i hate to see someone fall to the drink." he shakes his head, "something that i have never understood about other races, using strong spirits to compensate for thier problems and shortcomings, instead of faceing their problems and finding a solution. I hate to see good folk end up like this." He hefts Jael farther up his shoulder, and quickens that pace, dragging the elf along. "I am expecting a package from my guild today, and would like to be at the tavern to recieve it."
"Thank you, then Delvin. I'm glad to hear I'm not putting you off your dinner by wishing to join you." Katerina half joked, her smile shrinking to just play at the corners of her mouth. Her dark eyes, slowly, now, showing signs of changing color from deep brown to violet at the edges, moved back to the Angori who introduced himself as Zwey Gurkha. She studied him for a moment in silence when he had finished speaking, her face moving to a blank, unreadable state for the barest of seconds beaneath her dark hood and mask.
As though her look had never changed, the smile was back and just turning up the corners of her mouth, though her chuckle was a touch darker this time, "Mistress Nivarian seems to be Jastrey's very own welcome wagon." The short, slim Uordeq tugged lightly at her cloak, drawing it closer in the chilly night air, and her tone lightened a bit once more, "Shadows embrace you, Zwey Gurkha. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Katerina Cassitran. You are quite the intriguing Angori, Zwey. I've never heard one take up such a stance on something so over all... non-violent as alcohol."
Zwey laughs, "Its the principle of the thing you see, drinking is fine as long as it is in times of merry, but one should never hide from one's problems. And a pleasure to meet you, and i have heard that angori statment before. I was not raised amung my kind, i was found as a child in the mountians near the coast, and grew up among the trading folk of the area." He grins, " one of my brothers is bringing me something today, says it would suit his 'big brother' well." Zwey's smile lessens, and looks to Jael, then to the tavern, "someone should fetch Akon, i have a feeling she may be the root of our drunken fellows woes"
"Poisoning... hah." Jael muttered mostly to himself, "Yeaa it is nice to share table with friends!" He said in a louder voice and continued with silence for a few moments after that. "Ih'll have you know Zwehh. I have not fallen down yet today! So much for falling to dhrinks! Certain occashions and issues call for a little drink'n... Then you get up your ash and deal with it the next day..." Looking down to his feet his eyes shot up at the mention of Akon but returned down. "You have a brother huh Zwey? I have a brother too, but I plan on fixing that..." He said in a rather sober tone, for how much he had drank tonight. "Yeah I agree! Where are Akhon"
Cail, having seen him coming out of the Tavern, followed Jael silently down to the lake staying around 10 paces behind him so the crunch of the gravel beneath his boots wouldn't be as noticeable. He stopped when Jael did and watched as he slumped down with his back against the tree. Cail didn't draw any closer, but under his breath he mumbled with an aggitated tone, "Hmph. Maybe now is not the best time," and walked back towards the center of town, hood drawn around his face, shadowing it from the dying rays of sun.