The White-Haired Fae walked into the Shady Corner. He looked about, but not immediately seeing a crew member he proceeded to sit on his own in order to wait on someone to take his order or a crew member to find him. He thought about the recent months, The truths he had uncovered, as well as the allies he had made. It promised to be an interesting year in the town of Jastery.
"No real trouble, I've learned much in my travels found some new allies and reconnected with an old one or two. But I do anticipate war on the Horizon." The captain smiled at Syra, not like the smile he had when he was last in town; That of an Empyrean mad at the world; But of a mild-hearted fae that was generally content at the moment. "Syra you above all else have demonstrated loyalty in our line of work. After intense personal deliberation..." The Captain paused his speech, looked about and saw that there didn't appear to be many eyes on him. He pulled out a small knife and with a smile on his face cut his palm wide open. The blood that spilled onto the table took the shape of a Skeleton, Wearing the Captain's clothes and holding a gold coin. The Captain raised his hand and his pupil's spread to fill his entire eyes. Murphy Belle recalled the spilled blood back into the wounded hand, holding it in hands cupped until he allowed it to spill into a bowl in front of him. "I've decided that there is no one more fit to take the mantle of the first mate of the Crimson Corsairs." Captain Belle held out the bowl trusting that she would know what to do.
Syra smiles for the first time in years. "I am by far honored you have placed your trust in me." She pulls out her sword, slices open the palm of her hand and allows the blood to pour into the bowl. A smirk grows across her face as she takes the bowl from Captain and sips at the blood inside.
Finian sat in one of the corners of the tavern nursing a waterskin taking in the relaxed atmosphere of the tavern when he beheld the terrible sight of a fairy and elf mutilating themselves and watched in disgust as the she-elf drank from a bowl of their mixed blood. Infuriated and slightly disgusted Finian makes his way to the pair. Leaning in close he spoke, voice dripping with antipathy.
"Was it impossible for you to find a nice private place to mutilate yourselves or do you get off on souring everyones appetite in the tavern?"
"I get off on a lot of things." The Captain smirked angrily but playfully at the newcomer. "It just so happens that your disgust fuels me my friend." The white haired fairy stood up and faced the newcomer. "So I guess if I'm to keep helping the townsfolk with their problems then your just gonna have to owe me your disgust." He allowed the blood to flow from his hand yet again, dripping to the ground audibly. "On a daily basis." The Captain stared down the newcomer. Then recalled his blood and began laughing. "Hahahaha. You'll learn in time that we aren't quite the villians here."
Syra snaps her attention to the newcomer. Her eyes become narrow "Watch your tongue, or I'll cut it off" she says with an evil hiss. Syra then stands, returns her attention to the Capitan and nods once more just before walking towards the tavern door. Just as she reaches the door she quickly spins around looks at the Captain and says; "if you need me you know where to find me." Then she walks out of the tavern.
Cail entered the tavern as he skimmed the pages of a small leather-bound journal. he looked up to see Finian, the elf named Syra, and the would be 'Captain' who now seemed to have sprouted wings.
He couldn't contain himself as a great bellowing laugh escaped his mouth and he said as it subsided, "Oh, well. I guess it was bound to happen eventually. Not all of us are made out to be Empyrean. This suits you, Captain. Those wings make it all the better for you to run away when the chance presents itself."
" you sit your winged rear atop a dangerous knifeblade, fae- one ready and poised to spitroast you at any moment" called a gruff voice from somewhere outside the walls of the tavern- growing nearer until he met the elf making her exit.
" as for you, I won't tell you to shut your mouth. the spirits know I have a hard enough time with it myself.
but we might just take you up on that challenge." said blisdon with a slight smirk
Finian Dismisses the invitation with a wave
"You're doing a real service to the town cutting yourself and drinking blood right in the middle of our tavern while others are trying to enjoy their meal. You could at least be courteous enough to practice your dark magic in a cave or grave yard or anywhere far away from town; although it would be much more preferable if you just stopped altogether, afterall we have plenty of citizens who help others quite a bit more than you ever had and who haven't practiced the dark arts at all."
Finian fetches a towl and bucket of soap and water and drops it on the table right in front of the captain
"Here, since you're all about helping town why don't you help by making it a bit more sanitary."
Glimmer eyes the blood magic curiously from her table with the new gnome. She screams aloud "Traitorous traitor of traitors! You just WAIT until Queen Festivia hears of this. You'll be lucky if your face doesn't have an accident! Where's Gaius, where's Timothy!" WINGS OF THE FAE UNITE!" Glimmer stuffs a pile of cookies in her mouth and flits about wildly.
Katri had settled her self at a table with her back to the wall and her notebook out once the dust had settled a little with Cogwaggle. The scent of blood wafted to her nose and quickly she checked the flask at her hip to see to it that the spiked liquid within was not spilling. It was then that she noticed the source. The young Uordeq raised an eyebrow.
Not only was Captain Murphy Belle a fairy, but he was openly performing blood magic in the middle of the tavern with that elf brat of her brother's... Syra Guiltleaf, was it? She let out another soft snort of laughter at the remarks shared between Belle and Finian and Cail. The fool had less tact than even Mistress Nivarian. She at least had a majority of town conviced that her dealings were for the "greater good." The Corsairs' Captain, on the other hand, looked like he was out to get his killing. She couldn't help but smirk when the paladin dropped the bucket of soap and water in front of the former Empyrean.
However, by far, the better reaction was that of Glimmer. As the cookie-loving fae flitted about frantically yelling, Katerina quietly tore a leaf of parchment from her note book and took her quill and ink in the other hand. When the fae flitted near her once more, she gave a barely noticeable, but rather wicked and amused smile and held them out to her. "Glimmer? If you would like, you can use these. You seem in such a fuss that it appears you likely wish to write to your Seelie Queen quickly."
She didn't know how long it would take for the letter to reach the Queen of the Seelie Courts, or how long to respond, if Glimmer chose to accept the offering that the black and green clad girl made. However, that damn well didn't mean she wouldn't look forward to finding out. Fairies always put on a good show.
Zwey walks into the tavern, wearing a shining steel breastplate, and his trademark foraging pack strapped to his sloping shoulders. He sets his pack down, heavy with the spoils of the new spring forest, and small casks of freshly matured ales, pulled from their winter fermentation. His characteristic good nature is apparent, spring always did put him in a good mood, a better mood, than normal.
The squabbling around the captain and an elf he had not met seemed to be the theme of the tavern today. Zwey laughed at the quarrelsome nature of the town. Finnian seemed especially irate, throwing around cleaning supplies. There seemed to be alot of blood around, maybe Finn was sqeemish.
Glimmer seems to understand the Uordeq's offering, and quickly takes the pad from Katri. She speaks as she rifles through her pouch:
"I thanksies you for the papers of parch, but I canna' set te usin' the inks, me dear. A letter to me queen mayhaps only be suited for the colors of me Court." Glimmer seems to be slipping back into her old brogue and banter as she grows more flustered. "I must usemecolored waxes. Tis' only befitting me Queen. Festive for Festivia. Tis the only fair thing te do, ye see? She'll be in need of a drawing of what's happened here." At that, Glimmer sets to illustrating a very crude drawing of the scene, and writes at the bottom of the pad. She sets out a plate of cookies and a fresh pot of tea and says to Katri "Drink and eats, me girl. This could take a bit. I hope me Queen accidents his face! Investergatings need be afoot me thinks!"
Delvin watched the exchange between Syra and Murphy with a quirked brow and a shake of his head, "Children these days" he muttered under his breath, "We try to raise them right, teach them the natural ways but nope! They just want to galavant with hooligans and throw their souls to the pit!". He tapped his fingers on the counter, "Something stout Barkeep, I've gotta wash this sour taste out of my mouth". He chuckled softly, "Yanno, if she keeps this up I'll be sitting on my front porch waving a cane at the younglings who stray into my yard in less than fifty years".
The barkeep delivered a small glass of liquid that smelled like the underbelly of a toad freshly smothered in lanter oil, Delvin drank it down.
Katerina gave an understanding nod to the fae as she took up a cookie and poured herself some of the sweet fae tea. She rested her chin in her hand as she ate the offered snack and watched the fae draw up a crude rendition of the occurences in the tavern, before using the colorful wax to begin writing beneath it.
Her attention drifted to the large new comer as he entered, and then Syra as she doubled back to a corner of the tavern. Not far away, she heard faintly Delvin's mutterings before he called for a drink. The tavern was more entertaining than she had seen it in a good while. She had chosen a good day to stroll through. She noted the look that crossed over the elven warlock's face as she sat down on the floor and raised an eyebrow under her leather mask. "Miss Guiltleaf. You look a bit sad. If you can't handle the disappointment of others and reprocussions that come with the dark arts, don't practice them in public. Perhaps, don't even practice them at all."
Syra perked up as she heard the comment made by Katri. A giggle escaped her mouth, and she nodded at Katri "You're right!". Syra stood back up and walked closer towards the Capitan as the feeling of guilt left her mind. Syra looked at her still bleeding hand and gave a devilish smile.
Katri was mildly surprised by the supposed spawn of her pathetic elder brother and a slow smirk crossed her features. Her eyes sparkled with amusement and mild interest at how quickly the elven girl recovered. The older, Uordeqi woman gave the barest nod of approval when Syra giggled and agreed that she was right and walked to rejoin the captain. She lifted her flask to her lips and chuckled. Perhaps there was a little hope left in her idiot brother's genepool, then again, it could have come from the girl's mother.
The Captain had sat by letting everyone yell at him whilst chewing on his own wings and enjoying the effects it gave him, knowing full well that this was only because he was not born into the fae but created to some degree. The Captain giggled to himself and walked directly out of the tavern.
Cogwaggle stands from his chair and in an uncharacteristic manner shouts loudly, "Blasted bolt and Slag, can a gnome not have a moment of peace even in here to conduct business? You've got blood-rites in the corner, an avalancher at the bar, lord knows how many of these flittery fae bobbing about the place and absolutely ZERO semblance of order around here! Who's in charge of this place? Is there no mayor? Executive Council? Brodix save us, even a representitive of Ressik?"
The gnome gathers up his things into a small pouch and begins to storm off looking for a quieter place stopping at Finian and Leofrick. "I find it hard to believe that for once I'm almost in agreement with an Uordeq. Almost. In the words of Arimir, - MIGHT MAKES RIGHT. Don't let him get his satisfaction. Get yours! I'll create the opportunity, all you need to do is bring your honor and your blades."
Cogwaggle awkwardly climbs up onto a table to make a final address before leaving, nodding his appology to the bartender for his poor show of ettiquitte. "Citizens of this backwater hovel you call a city, whatever you call it. I've been here but a short time and I've seen endless strife, constant conflict, blistering tensions, and all the hatred seething below the surface, but it seems that nobody has the courage or the gumption to do anything about it. Are you a lot of cowards, huddling together as a mass hoping to get along day by day, or are you an adventurous lot willing to put your blades and your mettle to the test? Will you just swallow your pride and put hang your honor and dignity on the shelf or will you do something about it? All this bickering is getting you nowhere, so I propose a little game to see who's resolve is the fittest. And maybe, just maybe, if you're lucky, you'll be able to stick a knife in the back of the person who annoys you the most! Or if you're the honorable type, club him in the face. That's pretty fun to watch too! If you lot actually have any bit of a spine to you, there will be more information posted in the center of town."
Satisfied with his pitch, he cautiously steps down from the table and asks Finian to borrow his rag to wipe it down before fishing through his papers again and walking directly to the town post.
Delvin cast his glance back towards Syra as she replied to Finian, "A loose tongue is a terrible curse when it lacks sufficient wit, and your's keeps flapping despite evidence of your brain having shut off" he downed the shot that the barkeep set infront of him.
"We've spent plenty of time together, more than a decade I'd hazard, and I've taught you many things. It seems you've forgotten most of your lessons since comming here, especially the ones on self preservation. I'd lecture you again myself but I've long since tired of beating that dessicated carcass of a horse".
Delvin offered a sardonic chuckle, "only in an extended sort of way, she is my niece. Her parents weren't around so raising her fell to me". He paused for a moment, looking down to his empty glass before turning back to Finian, "I'm not the only one who failed her, but all the wrong in her life seems to have coalesced into this desire for damnation"
Katerina Cassitran rose quietly from her seat and packed up her things to move on to less exciting places. She stretched her arms out in front of her before letting them drop and moving silently towards the door. On her way she stopped by Delvin and smiled, "You're just out to spoil all the fun of having the girl hit the ground from her own mistakes, aren't you? No use scolding over lessons ignored. I'm becoming a great fan of the old way- encourage them to feel no shame and wait to see if the blood runs and who's it is that's running. It's good for a show and damn well a good lesson learned... if they can stand up from learning it anyway."
The Uordeqi woman chuckled, "You are right about the lack of sufficient wit, though... She'd have done much better to her own effect and purposes to simply close her mouth and leave, but children will be children... And, after all... She does carry her father's blood within her veins. His mouth still hasn't let his wit catch up. It's a losing battle, Delvin, the one you're fighting to help that girl. Let her make her decisions with confidence, watch her bust her elven arse slipping in her own stupidity, then tell her 'I told you so.' Not much else you can do."
Finian listened to the elf intently and nodded with respect when he finished.
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. The only way to fail her is to abandon her completely, and by the looks of it you haven't done that yet. When she does fall make sure you are there to pick her back up again without scolding or tell her "You told her so" Love and compassion will mend wounds of the mind and character. If she isn't completely lost and heartless she will realize who she truly hurts with her actions." Finian ends his speech and extends a soapy hand to the elf.
"My name is Finian by the way, and Leofrick, what I said goes the same to you if shes got any love for you that is. From what I understand of Uordeq culture, and the princesses comments, compassion seems to be absent from family. If you care for her, reach out to her when she is in need and don't take offense if she refuses or spits in your hand; never let that harden your heart."
"Oh, such wisdom, Finian. Maybe you regret not doing some of those things in your past, hmm? Speaking from experience, perchance? In anycase, I agree with Katri, the lessons best learned are from your own mistakes, not the pitiful interference of parents and guardians, least of all friends. There will always be that 'what if' in the back of their minds and even if they take the advice, they will eventually do it anyway. It is the nature of all the terrene species to do something they have been told not to."
Cail stood from his table that he had sat down at a while back and faced the soapy saint. "Let the wretch find her own way and that damned Captain find his and in the light of their absolute failure they will learn not to do such foolish acts again."
Finian smiles at the Empyrean.
"You've been spending too much time with the Uordeq white-haired one. I'm not disagreeing when you say the best lessons learned are from your own mistakes but, it is still your duty as kin or friend to warn them. They may not take your advice, they may spit on your hand but that matters little and when they do come to learn of their mistake forgive them and meet them with love and compassion; not contempt or ridicule. Hate and ridicule can only drive loved ones away."
Silver stood from where she had sat with Cogwaggle as a long suffering smile flashed across her face. "You are both right, gentlemen. You would see as much if you have been in my shoes. As for the Captain and Syra... They will make thier own choices and deal with the consequences. I just hope..." She slowly shook her head, scoffing at herself. It didn't matter what she hoped. "Well, no matter what happens, we Corsairs will always be there for each other. Some of the newer members might not grasp this yet, but I shall always abide by my oaths of service. I have been rediculed for them, for I was new to the outside world when I made them. Yet I will abide them. No matter how the citizens of Jastery paint them as evil, they have been good to me. So I use my goodness for them."
She looked at the group and spoke with nothing but pure sincerity in her voice. "No matter what paths we choose in life, there is always a part arround the bend that we cannot see. Some run ahead to meet it without looking to see if the path is smooth. Others take every step slowly and gingerly. Yet we all make it in our own fashion." She then gave a little smile and followed the Captain.
"Can't the same be said of your enemies, Finian?" Solas says, sauntering into the tavern, his blindfold fastened tightly around his eyes, and a blue book tucked under one arm. "Do you expect our enemies to accept you when you meet them head on with nothing but hatered and ridicule?" He let out a long sigh.
"Kinship means about as much to certain Empyreans as it does to Uordeq. Atavistic Empyreans, for example, are often times beaten by their own family for being different. It is why, you and I huntsman, we may not be blood, but we are family, in a way. Friendship is too often a completely alien term to our kind, Finian. You can't expect an Empyrean to heed your words anymore than an you would an Uordeq. And you must remember that that girl, the She-Elf, she is half uordeq." Solas punctuates the sentence with an sneer that he attempted to hide, though he failed.
"Love and compassion," the Seer says, shaking his head. "These are things only you Terrene worry about." Solas turns to Katri. "And you, Katerina Adriah Cassitran," Solas forces power into the name, carefully sounding out each and every syllable of the thing with a certain malice. "You who walks in the shadow of those greater than you," His fury fades, and his entire face shifts to something much gentler. "I feel bad for you. One day you will fall, uordeq. And no one will be there to catch you."
"Jastrey will never advance as long as it continues to open its doors to warlock, vampires, and..." he casts a glare at Silver, and, without skipping a beat, says, "Pirates, no matter how good they claim their intentions to be." Solas sighs again, now a smile threatening the corner of his lips. "Although that doesn't mean we should give up, does it huntsman?"
Rasiri stood quietly outside of the tavern throughout all of the discussion of Syra and smiled quietly to himself as he listened through the doors. Then he turned around the corner as silver spoke up and disappeared from his place in a wisp of black smoke and appeared at the bar by Delvin. "Hello Delvin. My children causing problems again?" he then sat down at the bar and ordered a bottle of wine. "I think I am done with problems for a bit."
Rasiri turns to his son and a slight look of disdain crosses his lips. "So my children are following the extremes. I was hoping that would never be so..." Rasiri's scowl turns sad. "I honestly thought it would be the other way around but I never thought that you two would be the way you are... Your path is too righteous, hers is too damning. It saddens me"
Finian salutes his fellow huntsmen.
"He wasn't looking for repentence Solas. My words were harsh but a harsh word rings twice as hard as a soft one. The Captain and the she-elf need to learn that such actions have consequences. As I said earlier, You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink, I can only speak of wisdom, it is up to the listener to heed or ignore what I say. When that great unifying force of death claims us, and we stand before the gates of judgement, no matter your race, you cannot say that virtue was inconvenient at the time or that you were ignorant of what was right and wrong. Love and compassion is more than a Terrene concept, it is the very thing that unites mortals into common masses; without it we would all be isolated hermits and loners. What civilization could call itself such without love and compassion among its citizens? No, I will never quit; even in the face of armageddon."
Rasiri smiled sadly at Leo, "The path of a paladin in my eyes is a righteous and black and white path with no margin for error. Paladins are wrong for one reason and one reason only. They allow no error. Things are either right or they are wrong. I detest that. Life cannot be lived in shades of black and white when there are so many beautiful shades of grey and so many colors to it. Life is made for mistakes and paladins allow none. But on the other hand your sister has chosen a path that leads her not toward grey but black and this will corrupt her soul. When you live in darkness and you wallow in evil you lose yourself to the power it offers. I have let her continue this far because Delvin here, one of my oldest and dearest friends has been a good influence. But it seems that she has gone too far and no longer listens to him. Blood magic is not something to be trifled with especially for one as young as her and necromancy is a profane practice. I might have to intervene soon... But Leo. You asked me what I am? I am Rasiri, Plain and simple. I live by my own codes and I do what I must. Nothing will ever change that. There are those in town that discount me by what my skin holds but those few don't bother me. I am here to protect and care for anyone who will let me, I may have been a bad father to you and Syra nut I am going to make that up by being a good father to the planet as long as I still draw breath." Rasiri looks down at the bottle he is holding. "like I said. I think I might be done with trifling little problems for now."
As if out of the sky the Captain flew like a meteor through the tavern window CRASH! landing on the floor. Immediately healing himself shouting several obscenities about Bart and Brass Knuckles that very few people would understand and then flew out of the same window he crashed through towards the direction of the lake.
"Well then, How do you know how we look at things such as errors? Last I checked, you were not a paladin, you are a seer a child of the Astral. I am a soldier who protects others from evil, nothing more." Leofrick stands from his seat next to Rasiri. "If you wish to dispute this further, you should get to know your own son better than what you have seen of him." Leofrick turns and silently walks out the door.
Rasiri's form shudders and then explodes into black smoke as he appears in front of Leo. He then gently places his hand on Leo's chest to keep him from walking away. "Don't you know better than to walk away when your father is speaking to you?" Ras smiles evilly and looks at Leo. "What is your concept of evil then? How do you see the world? That's what makes a difference." Rasiri looks pointedly at the Fae on the ground behind him then back to Leo. And I have met and slain a lot of Paladins in my time, I have even befriended a few. But most of them had the same outlook most do. That those with any taint of evil are to be destroyed. I am a firm believer that almost anyone can be saved. What are you son? You asked me and now I am asking you back. What. Are. You?"
"What am I? Simple I am me. My views are anyone is innocent until proven unjust, my views on right and wrong are not based on black and white, but the vast arrays of colors. Anyone can be saved father, simply by repenting their sins. Why must you question me, when you should be more worried about protecting others. The uordeq in me says fight, but the Paladin in me says protect the others.' Leofrick steps sideways around his father and continues his way out. "By the way father, you shouldn't be telling me what to do, I am a grown Uordeq. I respect you as a son should to a father, but I walk my own path." Leofrick smiles at Rasiri, pulls his fur hood over his head and leaves the tavern.
"Ah, Solas, but that's it isn't it? I'm only just waiting for the fall any more, like anyone else would. If it comes; it comes and I will- if I am still able- make the alterations the lesson I learn dictates. If it doesn't? Well then, I've got myself a path I will continue down until I am dragged into the bowels of whatever hell I have earned myself in the heart of the pit." Katerina gave a surprisingly gentle and understanding smile to the Wild Hunt's Seer, with the soft tone reserved for use by those who have already come to accept the ill fate they have thoroughly and willingly afforded themselves. "I chose a long time ago to be alone at the fall. Whatever heart I had for love, compassion, family and friends is six feet deep in a small plot of earth in the Shadelands."
The Cassitran woman turned her attention to her once brother and his taint-breed son. She gave a small snicker as she listened, muttering softly, "Necromancy a profane practice? That's rather flattering...." She scoffed dirisively as the conversation continued and Leofrick left with Rasiri smiling proudly at his back.
"Like father like son... Head too far up his own arse to..." Her voice, tinged with disgust, trailed off to inaudible mumblings. She shook her head continuing to mumble some very Aleksei-like sentiments about family. She knew they were, and she could admit that much. Daddy's girl~ Daddy's giiirrll~ A familiar taunt echoed through her mind from long ago. Outwardly still calm, Katri shook it off and began to walk towards the nearest door of the tavern.
Syra walks into the Shady Corner; noticing the Captain she sits down beside him with a curious look on her face. She tilts her head and asks what's troubling him.