With a heavy sign Ico left the only place he had ever called home and strolled out into icy stillness. The road outside of his adopted fathers forge was a frozen tundra in comparison with the heat and noise within.
He looked back for a moment and smiled warmly at the silhouette of Cieo, the details of his portly frame were made impossible to make out against the crimson back drop of the forge fires inside. Ico could tell the old Gnome was silently weeping and he felt deeply uncomfortable about the old timer’s misery. Cieo was the kind who generally turned his negative emotions into gruff jokes but it seemed that this time he couldn’t find the clever words to release the distress he felt. Running a hand through his mess of blonde hair Ico’s mind desperately searched for a consoling phrase to put his foster father at ease. The attempt was futile though. In truth he felt sadness deep within the pit of his stomach that easily exceeded that of Cieo.
With a huge effort Cieo managed to compose himself. This wouldn’t be the last time he would see his son from the streets. He had to think that; even if his gut told him otherwise. “I hope you find what your looking for son. Even more than that though” pausing for a moment he took a deep breath before continuing “I hope that what you find in your future doesn’t take away what you already have in your past”.
These comments struck deep. Ico went to reply but before he could the door to the Mieki forge had already been closed. The gruff Gnome obviously had reached the limit of his composure. Ico couldn’t blame him.
Now the heavy oaken door had been closed the possibility of return was eliminated and Ico had no choice but to head on. With a look of concern on his face he turned once again into the cold Marn air. His mind was desperately trying to absorb the magnitude of the task facing him. It was still early and the warren of streets he took through the industrial district was almost empty. This didn’t help; he was used to noise and heat and people rushing all over the place and he found the stillness disconcerting to say the least. He wouldn’t have known the word to use but he found himself struck by a mild form of agoraphobia. It was all he could do to keep his breathing regular.
In an attempt to distract himself from the panic he felt he mentally went over his reason for leaving the security of his home. Cieo had raised him from a child and gifted him with a father anyone would have been proud to call there own. The Gnomes home had been a paradise for the young street rat and his teachings had turned what was a natural gift for technology into a real skill.
No amount of love and teaching could hide the fact that Ico was very obviously a human though.
The blood that ran in Ico’s veins was a mystery that was just too important to ignore and as soon as he had reached adulthood he couldn’t help but long to find its solution. He had no idea how he would track down the parents that had left him to fend for himself in the streets of Marn, but he had to try. Snapping his focus back to his surroundings Ico found himself feeling a lot more comfortable and an optimistic smile crept slowly onto his face. He would find his blood family, of that he had no doubt.
The sadness he felt was no match for the feeling flooding his mind now. Freedom.
Of souls both lost and undiscovered
Agoraphobia was certainly not a helpful feeling. It was fortunate the young man either failed to observe the portents or was not superstitious, for had either of these been the case, his mood would never have taken a change for the better, and no smile would have graced his face.
The imposing figure of a large raven stood perched atop the forge building, surveying the empty streets with a lordly air. The morning air was brisk, but the glossy black feathers kept the bite from its flesh. It blinked its eyes as the door below it slammed, and it gazed downwards, curious as to the cause of the disturbance. The young man lived here. It wasn't too bad a place to start. Opening its powerful beak, the raven emitted a harsh quork which resounded in the silence of the early morning. Slowly spreading its wings, the raven lifted into the air with a few powerful wingbeats and carried itself out of view over the rooftops.
That done, Tavvru glided down to the ground. The feathers shortened, the flesh expanded, and the beak melted into a nose. It was a peculiar sensation, but not altogether unpleasant. The man who stepped out of the bushes into the empty street was tall and broad-shouldered, the sheen of his black hair matching the feather-covered robe wrapped about his body. Raising the robe's hood over his eyes, he stepped around the corner of the city - more desolate despite the people than any forest he had seen, and stranger - and walked up to the young man, taking longer paces in order to overtake him.
When he spoke, his voice was slightly rasping, hoarse without being cacophonic. "Greetings, stranger." The man paused, appearing to study the one he had overtaken with glittering black eyes, visible within the deep hood despite the rest of his features being made obscure by the shadows it cast. Though the garment fit well at the shoulders, the belt through which the simple-looking rapier was thrust at the right hip was done up much more tightly than one would expect of a man of such height, and, although nothing about the rest of his dress was particularly ornate and the worn leather sheath worn to the left which bore a knife of some sort was clearly no longer new, somehow neither the amulet - silver, judging by the layer of tarnish which covered it - nor the single large emerald set in it seemed out of place.
His initial greeting was broken by several seconds of silence, during which he did nothing but gaze at the blond man, waiting for a response. There was an intensity in the gaze which might have been unsettling, but it was by no means unfriendly. Odd, though, that the man should seem unsettled. Here he was, just outside his home, while Tavvru had come a great distance to be here. Be that as it may, the man was smiling, and Tavvru would not show his own unease with the barren place, following the customs of his own home and waiting for a response before speaking. It was this man's territory, after all.
The imposing figure of a large raven stood perched atop the forge building, surveying the empty streets with a lordly air. The morning air was brisk, but the glossy black feathers kept the bite from its flesh. It blinked its eyes as the door below it slammed, and it gazed downwards, curious as to the cause of the disturbance. The young man lived here. It wasn't too bad a place to start. Opening its powerful beak, the raven emitted a harsh quork which resounded in the silence of the early morning. Slowly spreading its wings, the raven lifted into the air with a few powerful wingbeats and carried itself out of view over the rooftops.
That done, Tavvru glided down to the ground. The feathers shortened, the flesh expanded, and the beak melted into a nose. It was a peculiar sensation, but not altogether unpleasant. The man who stepped out of the bushes into the empty street was tall and broad-shouldered, the sheen of his black hair matching the feather-covered robe wrapped about his body. Raising the robe's hood over his eyes, he stepped around the corner of the city - more desolate despite the people than any forest he had seen, and stranger - and walked up to the young man, taking longer paces in order to overtake him.
When he spoke, his voice was slightly rasping, hoarse without being cacophonic. "Greetings, stranger." The man paused, appearing to study the one he had overtaken with glittering black eyes, visible within the deep hood despite the rest of his features being made obscure by the shadows it cast. Though the garment fit well at the shoulders, the belt through which the simple-looking rapier was thrust at the right hip was done up much more tightly than one would expect of a man of such height, and, although nothing about the rest of his dress was particularly ornate and the worn leather sheath worn to the left which bore a knife of some sort was clearly no longer new, somehow neither the amulet - silver, judging by the layer of tarnish which covered it - nor the single large emerald set in it seemed out of place.
His initial greeting was broken by several seconds of silence, during which he did nothing but gaze at the blond man, waiting for a response. There was an intensity in the gaze which might have been unsettling, but it was by no means unfriendly. Odd, though, that the man should seem unsettled. Here he was, just outside his home, while Tavvru had come a great distance to be here. Be that as it may, the man was smiling, and Tavvru would not show his own unease with the barren place, following the customs of his own home and waiting for a response before speaking. It was this man's territory, after all.
The taller man towered over Ico and his smile visibly faded for a moment. The strangers greeting seemed friendly enough though. Despite Tavvru’s words, something about his manner did little to leave Ico at ease. The stare coming from shrouded eyes struck Ico as decidedly odd.
There was a noticeable pause as the shorter man composed himself. After all it had been a stressful morning and the pain of leaving his home was still fresh in his mind. After a few seconds his naturally friendly disposition re-asserted itself and Ico’s easy smile returned. “Well met.” He answered, gingerly offering his hand to Tavvru. Most people would have probably paid more heed to a robed stranger in an empty alleyway but Ico’s upbringing had cursed him with naivety. Suddenly his eyes were caught by Tavvru’s amulet. “Now that’s a shame!” he said with a disappointed sigh and instinctively leaned in close to the piece of tarnished jewellery. His smile widened as a thought dawned on him “how would you like to make a deal? I need information and your amulet is in dire need of an artisans touch…maybe we could work something out?” before Tavvru had even responded Ico was already delving into his bag of tools and muttering to himself. The truth was Ico’s Gnomish upbringing had left him with an innate love of building and fixing to the extent that he would gladly have fixed the amulet for free. Common sense wouldn’t let him ignore the possibility of help in this big wide city though. And so he found himself softly humming under his breath. His fine metal working tools were buried deep under all manner of weird and wonderful contraptions and mentally Ico scolded himself for not keeping the bag in order.
There was a noticeable pause as the shorter man composed himself. After all it had been a stressful morning and the pain of leaving his home was still fresh in his mind. After a few seconds his naturally friendly disposition re-asserted itself and Ico’s easy smile returned. “Well met.” He answered, gingerly offering his hand to Tavvru. Most people would have probably paid more heed to a robed stranger in an empty alleyway but Ico’s upbringing had cursed him with naivety. Suddenly his eyes were caught by Tavvru’s amulet. “Now that’s a shame!” he said with a disappointed sigh and instinctively leaned in close to the piece of tarnished jewellery. His smile widened as a thought dawned on him “how would you like to make a deal? I need information and your amulet is in dire need of an artisans touch…maybe we could work something out?” before Tavvru had even responded Ico was already delving into his bag of tools and muttering to himself. The truth was Ico’s Gnomish upbringing had left him with an innate love of building and fixing to the extent that he would gladly have fixed the amulet for free. Common sense wouldn’t let him ignore the possibility of help in this big wide city though. And so he found himself softly humming under his breath. His fine metal working tools were buried deep under all manner of weird and wonderful contraptions and mentally Ico scolded himself for not keeping the bag in order.
Recognizing the gesture as one humans used for either friendship or agreement (most of the time), he relaxed slightly. He was welcome in this territory. "Indeed." He clasped the man's hand firmly in response, and, when he released it, he finally allowed his eyes to wander, although they snapped back when the man noticed the talisman. "I wouldn't count on any cleaning you could do to this thing working. It's a funny thing - neither more nor less tarnished than it was when my father gave it to me, and the gods know I put enough effort into polishing it for the first month or so."
Reaching into the folds of his robe, he pulled forth some dried flesh. From what he could remember, it was taken from a dead deer he had found in the forest on the way, brought down by wolves. Raw meat was messy to transport, so he had built a small fire to preserve the remains, which now consisted of only a very little. Tearing off a piece, he placed it in his mouth and gulped it down, holding out the strip of deer so the one who dwelled here could do the same.
"Information?" A frown came across his face, and he cocked his head to one side. Cooked meat didn't swallow as easily as the raw; he had to remember to chew. Taking another piece, he replied, "It depends what you want to know. I just got into the city yesterday, and was planning to ask you if there was aught important I ought to know about the place. But if I can help with anything, ask away." This time, he actually chewed the meat. Being rather tough, it took some time before it was ready to swallow, and he settled back into the hood of his robe as he did so. However, the eyes settled upon the objects that his new acquaintance carried around with him. A craftsman, then? The tools were certainly in good condition, although the use of the majority of them was incomprehensible to one who made do with his knife, and, in dire need, his rapier... and that was assuming he was in the mood to use tools at all.
Reaching into the folds of his robe, he pulled forth some dried flesh. From what he could remember, it was taken from a dead deer he had found in the forest on the way, brought down by wolves. Raw meat was messy to transport, so he had built a small fire to preserve the remains, which now consisted of only a very little. Tearing off a piece, he placed it in his mouth and gulped it down, holding out the strip of deer so the one who dwelled here could do the same.
"Information?" A frown came across his face, and he cocked his head to one side. Cooked meat didn't swallow as easily as the raw; he had to remember to chew. Taking another piece, he replied, "It depends what you want to know. I just got into the city yesterday, and was planning to ask you if there was aught important I ought to know about the place. But if I can help with anything, ask away." This time, he actually chewed the meat. Being rather tough, it took some time before it was ready to swallow, and he settled back into the hood of his robe as he did so. However, the eyes settled upon the objects that his new acquaintance carried around with him. A craftsman, then? The tools were certainly in good condition, although the use of the majority of them was incomprehensible to one who made do with his knife, and, in dire need, his rapier... and that was assuming he was in the mood to use tools at all.
The sight of Tavvru eating dried flesh in such an animalistic fashion bought bile rising in Ico’s stomach. In fact, the more he looked at this robed stranger the more his body language and general manner began to strike Ico as more than a little strange. Forcing his stomach to quiet itself Ico’s rummaging hands finally struck his fine metalwork tools. They were housed in a simple but beautifully cared for leather pouch containing all manner of files, solvents, cleaners and all manner of other incomprehensible tools. “How about we move this conversation into more comfortable surroundings? The Drunken Rat isn’t far from here at it should be nice and quiet at this time of day…” Ico secretly hoped Tavvru would accept the invitation for no greater reason than the food in the Inn was steadfastly opposed to being anything other than normal.
In the sky above Marn the fingers of sunrise slowly withdrew, pulling the short mans blue eyes lazily towards the heavens. He had spent the majority of his life inside cramped workshops and the sight of a beautiful morning such as the one fading around him still filled him with a sense of wonder. He thought again about his reason for leaving home and a slight tinge of regret touched him. It was true he was going to miss Cieo and all of his childhood friends but with a little embarrassment he also began to realize something. A weight that he hadn’t even been aware of had been lifted from his shoulders and its sudden absence was bliss. The urge to go out and be human had been building inside him and he hadn’t even known what it was. Imagination flared as he thought of all the possibilities stretching out before him, all the myriad of paths yet to be taken and his smile grew even wider.
Turning again he took in his companion for the moment Ico considered him. Sure he was a little odd, but as far as Ico was concerned he was the perfect travelling companion. The tall man was as far from a gnome as someone could be and this realization was delightful. The subconscious paranoia of most city dwellers would have stopped this encounter in its tracks almost as soon as it had started. Visions of murder and debauchery sprang all too readily to the minds of the populace and a wiser man looking on would have advised Ico caution.
Ico’s naivety prevented these things from even occurring to him. His feet were already on their way to the Drunken Rat as his mind dwelled on a wealth of future possibilities.
In the sky above Marn the fingers of sunrise slowly withdrew, pulling the short mans blue eyes lazily towards the heavens. He had spent the majority of his life inside cramped workshops and the sight of a beautiful morning such as the one fading around him still filled him with a sense of wonder. He thought again about his reason for leaving home and a slight tinge of regret touched him. It was true he was going to miss Cieo and all of his childhood friends but with a little embarrassment he also began to realize something. A weight that he hadn’t even been aware of had been lifted from his shoulders and its sudden absence was bliss. The urge to go out and be human had been building inside him and he hadn’t even known what it was. Imagination flared as he thought of all the possibilities stretching out before him, all the myriad of paths yet to be taken and his smile grew even wider.
Turning again he took in his companion for the moment Ico considered him. Sure he was a little odd, but as far as Ico was concerned he was the perfect travelling companion. The tall man was as far from a gnome as someone could be and this realization was delightful. The subconscious paranoia of most city dwellers would have stopped this encounter in its tracks almost as soon as it had started. Visions of murder and debauchery sprang all too readily to the minds of the populace and a wiser man looking on would have advised Ico caution.
Ico’s naivety prevented these things from even occurring to him. His feet were already on their way to the Drunken Rat as his mind dwelled on a wealth of future possibilities.
"The Drunken Rat?" What was that supposed to be, an inn where people crawled when they'd had too much to drink? An alehouse? Whatever it was, the name wasn't terribly inviting, and he was about to decline when he caught sight of something in the other man's face. If it was truly comfortable and quiet, then he had no qualms about going; and if this acquaintance found it a pleasant place to be, he wasn't about to object. He had come here to see the city, after all, and whatever this was, it was a part of it.
As the sun crept upward in the sky, dawn changing into dusk, Tavvru's eyes, in contrast to those of his companion, flickered but briefly over the sky, and were drawn rather to the strange buildings he had ended up among. There were so many of them... and they weren't just for living, either, and there was no sign of children, save perhaps the occasional one living on the street. Odd, that children should be so neglected; did not the survival of the humans depend upon them as much as did the survival of his own kin? And what did these people feed upon? There was no chance of finding game within this place, and there was no room to grow enough crops to feed the people that must dwell within. Perhaps they were tradesmen. Then again, he'd heard all kinds dwelled here, and, looking at the grim faces of the occasional guardsmen he passed, he could believe it. He could also believe that the incidence of crime within the city was fairly low.
He became aware that he may have been gawping somewhat, and the small distance between his lips vanished. After all, even the most sheltered of farmboys had been to a city or at least a town every so often... it was overwhelming, though, not only because of these things, Even he noticed that the air was not as fresh, and indeed, it was somewhat foul in the city. Giving thanks for his relatively insensitive nose, and aware that his eyes and ears made up for the lack, he spent another moment contemplating his surroundings.
Instead of declining, he nodded. "Very well, then. I shall have to rely on you for direction, though." As the man began towards the place, Tavvru matched his stride to keep up, although his longer legs allowed him a somewhat more sedate pace. It struck him that his companion was more than a little odd. He was searching for information in his own territory, welcoming a stranger without a clue who he was and not even asking such a question, and, well, although he hadn't said much, he seemed to have a rather optimistic approach to things. He'd been told the city produced hard and jaded men. Apparently, not all of them came out that way.
As the sun crept upward in the sky, dawn changing into dusk, Tavvru's eyes, in contrast to those of his companion, flickered but briefly over the sky, and were drawn rather to the strange buildings he had ended up among. There were so many of them... and they weren't just for living, either, and there was no sign of children, save perhaps the occasional one living on the street. Odd, that children should be so neglected; did not the survival of the humans depend upon them as much as did the survival of his own kin? And what did these people feed upon? There was no chance of finding game within this place, and there was no room to grow enough crops to feed the people that must dwell within. Perhaps they were tradesmen. Then again, he'd heard all kinds dwelled here, and, looking at the grim faces of the occasional guardsmen he passed, he could believe it. He could also believe that the incidence of crime within the city was fairly low.
He became aware that he may have been gawping somewhat, and the small distance between his lips vanished. After all, even the most sheltered of farmboys had been to a city or at least a town every so often... it was overwhelming, though, not only because of these things, Even he noticed that the air was not as fresh, and indeed, it was somewhat foul in the city. Giving thanks for his relatively insensitive nose, and aware that his eyes and ears made up for the lack, he spent another moment contemplating his surroundings.
Instead of declining, he nodded. "Very well, then. I shall have to rely on you for direction, though." As the man began towards the place, Tavvru matched his stride to keep up, although his longer legs allowed him a somewhat more sedate pace. It struck him that his companion was more than a little odd. He was searching for information in his own territory, welcoming a stranger without a clue who he was and not even asking such a question, and, well, although he hadn't said much, he seemed to have a rather optimistic approach to things. He'd been told the city produced hard and jaded men. Apparently, not all of them came out that way.
This small section of the city was at least partially familiar to Ico. Cieo had occasionally met clients there and Ico's role as human liaison sometimes brought him to the Drunken Rat. The place could be rowdy at times but at this time of the day is was full of nothing but a yawning mistress opening for business. Looking through the large windows at the front of the Inn Ico was relieved at the lack of people. His nerves at being outside of the workshop were largely gone, but he was unsure what he would do in a large group of rowdy bar patrons without Cieo there to guide him.
Shaking his head slightly to clear it Ico scolded himself. He wouldn't allow his fears to get the better of him. He looked at the faded green paint on the Inn's walls with determination brewing inside of him. He stepped forward resolutely still smiling to himself.
Suddenly a hulking beast of a man with a wiry beard stretching down to his belly lumbered out of a nearby alleyway. He carelessly bashed into Ico. The artisan's tools were scattered in the dirt of the street and a fustrated grunt was drawn from their owner. Scrabbling to pick up his belongings the blonde man instinctively grabbed his step-fathers gauntlet and slipping it defensively onto his hand to protect it from further damage.
"Get the hell out of my way shrimp" bellowed the bearded thug, stamping one of his huge feet down onto one of the more incomprehensible devices and smashing it to peaces. Rage flared in Ico's eyes and almost against his will the gauntlet now on his left hand flcikered with electrical power. Unchecked rage tore through the smaller man and he felt his vision blurring as adrenaline tore through his body. The huge thug let out a brief chuckle "calm yourself weakling, I am in no mood to see blood this early in the day."
Shaking his head slightly to clear it Ico scolded himself. He wouldn't allow his fears to get the better of him. He looked at the faded green paint on the Inn's walls with determination brewing inside of him. He stepped forward resolutely still smiling to himself.
Suddenly a hulking beast of a man with a wiry beard stretching down to his belly lumbered out of a nearby alleyway. He carelessly bashed into Ico. The artisan's tools were scattered in the dirt of the street and a fustrated grunt was drawn from their owner. Scrabbling to pick up his belongings the blonde man instinctively grabbed his step-fathers gauntlet and slipping it defensively onto his hand to protect it from further damage.
"Get the hell out of my way shrimp" bellowed the bearded thug, stamping one of his huge feet down onto one of the more incomprehensible devices and smashing it to peaces. Rage flared in Ico's eyes and almost against his will the gauntlet now on his left hand flcikered with electrical power. Unchecked rage tore through the smaller man and he felt his vision blurring as adrenaline tore through his body. The huge thug let out a brief chuckle "calm yourself weakling, I am in no mood to see blood this early in the day."
Strolling further into the city - or at least it seemed further in; the streets disoriented him - proved to be as interesting as the rest of the city to him. Glancing around, he noticed the buildings give way from the functional appearance of the places they had left behind into buildings with somewhat more aesthetic appeal, and, although not yet crowded, it was becoming more so. When a particularly burly man who was particularly absent minded (or perhaps his mind was merely absent) strode into his companion, he blinked and bent down to help gather up the instruments. However, the giant's boorish nature and the flicker of tension on his companion's face - and the matching flicker of the glove - pointed to an imminent conflict. Rising to his feet, he wasn't much shorter than the man, and his choice of clothing gave him a slightly ominous appearance. Not that he chose it for that reason or even thought about it - it was fairly standard for his family - but it was probably enough to make the man think twice anyways.
When he addressed the man, his voice was cold. "I would watch yourself, man. You are outnumbered, and as strong as you may be, a blade in the back will take you out as it will any man." His eyes narrowed, and, glaring forth from the robes, he gave a harsh laugh. "Either pay him in coin, or, if your purse is as poor as your mind, be on your way." One hand lay on the hilt of his rapier, and he stared flatly at the man, waiting for a move one way or the other.
Addressing the smaller man, probably with a smile given by the hint of amusement in his voice, but also truly curious, he said, "Your wearing a nice glove there." The question was implicit, but the answer could wait until later.
When he addressed the man, his voice was cold. "I would watch yourself, man. You are outnumbered, and as strong as you may be, a blade in the back will take you out as it will any man." His eyes narrowed, and, glaring forth from the robes, he gave a harsh laugh. "Either pay him in coin, or, if your purse is as poor as your mind, be on your way." One hand lay on the hilt of his rapier, and he stared flatly at the man, waiting for a move one way or the other.
Addressing the smaller man, probably with a smile given by the hint of amusement in his voice, but also truly curious, he said, "Your wearing a nice glove there." The question was implicit, but the answer could wait until later.
The rage tearing through Ico was something he had never felt before and the sheer volume of released tension made his arms shake. A roaring torrent of emotions from the morning rushed to the surface; this was the perfect time for them to do their work. The cogs within the glove on his left hand were whirring loudly and the electrical charge coming from it crackled with audible fury. Glittering lightning arced from finger to finger and ran invitingly all the way up to Ico's wrist. His eyes were momentarily distracted by its subtle beauty.
This break in concentration was the chance Ico's mind needed to re-assert itself. His anger began to slowly withdraw. Looking at the huge thug as the red mist receded from his eyes Ico nodded at Tavvru's comment. The hulking man looked at the odd pair and all of a sudden a wide smile creased his face. "You've both got nerve, I'll give you that." the grin grew wider and he bent down to pick up one of the scattered tools. As the mans fingers touched Ico's eyes flashed but they quickly turned to confusion as the thug handed it over.
"I have no money for something like this but I may be able to stretch to a drink for the pair of you. Would that suffice?" too bewildered to argue Ico picked up the remaining scattered items and followed the now friendly brute into the Drunken Rat and took a seat next to him at the bar. Without asking the man ordered three ales and handed Ico and Tavvru theres.
This break in concentration was the chance Ico's mind needed to re-assert itself. His anger began to slowly withdraw. Looking at the huge thug as the red mist receded from his eyes Ico nodded at Tavvru's comment. The hulking man looked at the odd pair and all of a sudden a wide smile creased his face. "You've both got nerve, I'll give you that." the grin grew wider and he bent down to pick up one of the scattered tools. As the mans fingers touched Ico's eyes flashed but they quickly turned to confusion as the thug handed it over.
"I have no money for something like this but I may be able to stretch to a drink for the pair of you. Would that suffice?" too bewildered to argue Ico picked up the remaining scattered items and followed the now friendly brute into the Drunken Rat and took a seat next to him at the bar. Without asking the man ordered three ales and handed Ico and Tavvru theres.
Iato stared into the half empty glass of ale with an almost mournful expression about his features, he sighed and raised the container to his lips tilting both it and his head in unison as the last of its contents drained into his throat, he brought the glass back into contact with the bar sighing softly.
His pale fingers unwrapped from the handle of the container as his eyes wandered to the three who had just entered, his eyes studied them for a moment before reverting back to the bartop studying the numerous scratches and signs of ware that the surface had accumulated during its time of use, his finger nails traced the intricate man made detailings most deliberate and probably etched with some form of blade yet in its simplicity it gave the room a little extra character.
Iato sighed once more as a clump of hair fell into his eyeline, his almost expressionless gaze picking up on it instantly, he moved the messy blonde lockes from his eyeline mumbling to himself about trimming it back, his eyes had wandered back to the three that sat a few feet from him almost like he was drawn to their presence, he shook off the feeling and raised a finger calling the tender over ordering the same as before.
The tender removed the glass from the bartop and shuffled off, promptly returning with another full glass, as both palms exchanged monetary assets Iato sighed once more, he lifted the glass to his mouth again taking a few deep gulps before placing it back on the top, a few moments later he shifted in his seat uncomfortably and hence removed the cloak he had wrapped around himself, placing it over his knees he shivered slightly as he felt the air brush over the pale skin of his arms and his neck.
His pale fingers unwrapped from the handle of the container as his eyes wandered to the three who had just entered, his eyes studied them for a moment before reverting back to the bartop studying the numerous scratches and signs of ware that the surface had accumulated during its time of use, his finger nails traced the intricate man made detailings most deliberate and probably etched with some form of blade yet in its simplicity it gave the room a little extra character.
Iato sighed once more as a clump of hair fell into his eyeline, his almost expressionless gaze picking up on it instantly, he moved the messy blonde lockes from his eyeline mumbling to himself about trimming it back, his eyes had wandered back to the three that sat a few feet from him almost like he was drawn to their presence, he shook off the feeling and raised a finger calling the tender over ordering the same as before.
The tender removed the glass from the bartop and shuffled off, promptly returning with another full glass, as both palms exchanged monetary assets Iato sighed once more, he lifted the glass to his mouth again taking a few deep gulps before placing it back on the top, a few moments later he shifted in his seat uncomfortably and hence removed the cloak he had wrapped around himself, placing it over his knees he shivered slightly as he felt the air brush over the pale skin of his arms and his neck.
You will find me where i can't be hurt, where you can't stomp on my dreams.
I will be inside myself, hidden from those screams
I will be inside myself, hidden from those screams
Tavvru cocked his head to one side and glanced with curiousity at the glinting coins used to pay for the drinks. He had spoken of coin, true, but he had never actually seen such a thing before. So, these were what people used to pay? They were somewhat attractive, and they had a nice shine to them...
When the ale arrived, he examined the foaming drink with equal curiousity. He'd heard of taverns, yes, but he'd never had the opportunity to get drunk before. He'd heard of them being dangerous on occasion, too, but of the factor which instigated the danger, not a word. He thanked the man for his ale politely, then took a gulp. He managed to avoid coughing, the burning sensation not altogether unpleasant, but he paused for a few seconds after swallowing. "Interesting," he commented, before taking a substantially smaller sip of the drink and turning to his gloved companion.
However, his eyes snapped back to something they had glimpsed in their passage, a cloaked man, watching him. The eyes of the two hooded men met briefly before the other turned back to the barkeep, and Tavvru watched him briefly before turning back to the one he had intended to talk with.
"That man was watching us," he commented quietly. "I'm not sure why." Perhaps it was the cloak with raven feathers, or the strange glove his companion wore, or the giant who accompanied them. However, the fact that they were somewhat unusual in appearance didn't occur to him, given that here most of the people dressed strangely. "You had a proposition?"
When the ale arrived, he examined the foaming drink with equal curiousity. He'd heard of taverns, yes, but he'd never had the opportunity to get drunk before. He'd heard of them being dangerous on occasion, too, but of the factor which instigated the danger, not a word. He thanked the man for his ale politely, then took a gulp. He managed to avoid coughing, the burning sensation not altogether unpleasant, but he paused for a few seconds after swallowing. "Interesting," he commented, before taking a substantially smaller sip of the drink and turning to his gloved companion.
However, his eyes snapped back to something they had glimpsed in their passage, a cloaked man, watching him. The eyes of the two hooded men met briefly before the other turned back to the barkeep, and Tavvru watched him briefly before turning back to the one he had intended to talk with.
"That man was watching us," he commented quietly. "I'm not sure why." Perhaps it was the cloak with raven feathers, or the strange glove his companion wore, or the giant who accompanied them. However, the fact that they were somewhat unusual in appearance didn't occur to him, given that here most of the people dressed strangely. "You had a proposition?"
The minutes that Iato spent sat staring at the glass before him seemed like hours, he sighed as he lifted it once more to drink from its contents, a small ammount made a trail down the side of his mouth and pooled under his chin dripping onto his hooded cloak.
Placing the glass back on the wood surface he wiped away the trail and cursed silently at himself for being so clumsy, his eyes continued to glance to Tavvru and his companions who had obviously noticed now, he heard the word proposition and his ear twitched slightly.
Turning back to face the bar Iato placed an arm on the counter top running the fingers of the opposite hand over his numerous scars as he recalled his childhood and the origin of the marks that riddled his skin, he began to sway on his barstool obviously lost in his own thoughts mumbling to himself.
As he came to Iato looked distraught, obviously by something he had seen, he lifted the glass emptying its contents in a few large gulps letting out an audiable sigh of happiness, he looked over to the group to see if he had made a scene and after deciding everything was ok he stood from his seat placing his cloak back on and heading to the door and out into the street.
Placing the glass back on the wood surface he wiped away the trail and cursed silently at himself for being so clumsy, his eyes continued to glance to Tavvru and his companions who had obviously noticed now, he heard the word proposition and his ear twitched slightly.
Turning back to face the bar Iato placed an arm on the counter top running the fingers of the opposite hand over his numerous scars as he recalled his childhood and the origin of the marks that riddled his skin, he began to sway on his barstool obviously lost in his own thoughts mumbling to himself.
As he came to Iato looked distraught, obviously by something he had seen, he lifted the glass emptying its contents in a few large gulps letting out an audiable sigh of happiness, he looked over to the group to see if he had made a scene and after deciding everything was ok he stood from his seat placing his cloak back on and heading to the door and out into the street.
You will find me where i can't be hurt, where you can't stomp on my dreams.
I will be inside myself, hidden from those screams
I will be inside myself, hidden from those screams
Looking on at the man sat by himself within the Drunken Rat Ico felt worry trying to sneak into his mind. The man was far from normal that was certain but something about the clothes he wore and the way he acted made Ico uneasy. He barely heard Tavvru's question as he was lost in concentration, attempting to stare at Iato without him noticing. Ico's inquisitive and friendly nature took over though when he noticed the pale man swaying as he sat there. Ico couldn't help but think that maybe he needed some aid. Slightly unsure of what to do next Ico found himself slowly moving to get to his feet. If swaying became falling and he had just sat there the artisan would have hated himself for doing nothing. Just before he'd made any great moves towards the other man though the swaying stopped and quite coherently Iato drank the rest of his drink and got up to leave the bar.
Common sense roared at Ico to sit back down and carry on talking to Tavvru and the giant but his common sense had never been one of his strong points. In a few short steps he was behind Iato and to avoid confusion he lightly touched the other man on the shoulder with his right hand. The one without the possibly imposing glove on it. In the moment before Iato turned Ico mentally remembered the love that gnomish technology had for going wrong and found himself smiling slightly at the prospect of accidently electrocuting someone when he was just trying to say hello. Coming back to the present he turned his smile on Iato and said in a cheerful voice "Are you ok friend? you seem a touch unwell..."
Common sense roared at Ico to sit back down and carry on talking to Tavvru and the giant but his common sense had never been one of his strong points. In a few short steps he was behind Iato and to avoid confusion he lightly touched the other man on the shoulder with his right hand. The one without the possibly imposing glove on it. In the moment before Iato turned Ico mentally remembered the love that gnomish technology had for going wrong and found himself smiling slightly at the prospect of accidently electrocuting someone when he was just trying to say hello. Coming back to the present he turned his smile on Iato and said in a cheerful voice "Are you ok friend? you seem a touch unwell..."
Iato raised an eyebrow as he stopped, he turned and then looked down slightly as his eyes met thos of Ico, studying the individual for a second he sighed and turned once more preparing to move on.
Iato was never know for his sociable attitude but he felt compelled to answer the individual on the grounds that he was the first person in years to ask him about how he felt, Iato parted his lips to speak yet he could not find any words to say the small voice in his mind cursing at himself for being so damned incompetent around other people and so a simple shake of his head was Iato's reply to the stranger sighing as he put one foot in front of another and headed on out.
The hood of his cloak covered his features in shadow, there was no reason to show his face he had no friends and no reason to gain any, Iato was fine on his own and that was the way he hoped things would stay.
Iato was never know for his sociable attitude but he felt compelled to answer the individual on the grounds that he was the first person in years to ask him about how he felt, Iato parted his lips to speak yet he could not find any words to say the small voice in his mind cursing at himself for being so damned incompetent around other people and so a simple shake of his head was Iato's reply to the stranger sighing as he put one foot in front of another and headed on out.
The hood of his cloak covered his features in shadow, there was no reason to show his face he had no friends and no reason to gain any, Iato was fine on his own and that was the way he hoped things would stay.
You will find me where i can't be hurt, where you can't stomp on my dreams.
I will be inside myself, hidden from those screams
I will be inside myself, hidden from those screams
Azzan fingered the mug of ale, it was good for town ale, but to men who had drank the stronger ales made in the east it seemed weak and tasteless. He wondered at the small man, who had not been able to step himself from helping the hodded one. one thing even Azzan had come to understand is that hoods are generally not a good thing.
Thinking, about this he turned to his other companion and felt again that vague disturbing feeling of deja vu as he looked at him. It was then that the word finally occured to him. Shifter , He had seen and heard of them but never been close to one. The man beside him looked like those he had seen, his dress was surprisingly feral - and he seemed new to every single thing he saw today. Knowing better than to trust a stranger, he had his scabbard loose incase he had judged them wrong. Those who looked like lost could often turn out to have more malicous intentions.
Azzan felt his lips curl when the hodded man left the tavern. Shows how much help matters here... But, as the boy seemed torn between following and returning to the bar, Azzan hit Tavvru on the shoulder before walking towards the short boy.
"Hope you're not thinking about following?"
Thinking, about this he turned to his other companion and felt again that vague disturbing feeling of deja vu as he looked at him. It was then that the word finally occured to him. Shifter , He had seen and heard of them but never been close to one. The man beside him looked like those he had seen, his dress was surprisingly feral - and he seemed new to every single thing he saw today. Knowing better than to trust a stranger, he had his scabbard loose incase he had judged them wrong. Those who looked like lost could often turn out to have more malicous intentions.
Azzan felt his lips curl when the hodded man left the tavern. Shows how much help matters here... But, as the boy seemed torn between following and returning to the bar, Azzan hit Tavvru on the shoulder before walking towards the short boy.
"Hope you're not thinking about following?"