The district wasn't as bad as Jester remembered it. Barely, anyway. It could have been she was taller, the buildings unable to loom over her as they once did. It could have been she was more world-wise, warier (she liked this explanation the best) and the crumbling stone and littered vagabonds were no longer strangers to her.
It could also have been she was too busy stumbling over Dirken's words to care much about what lay around her. He had said them so casually that it had taken her a few seconds to realize they were damning, but once she had she stopped walking so suddenly that it seemed more like a full body jerk. She flushed a blotchy, conspicuous red and stammered an explanation.
"I - ah, um - that is," she tried. It would help if she actually had an explanation to give him. What did he want, saying something like that so blatantly, anyway? Trying to get the location out of her before he could kill her, most likely, though part of her wanted to believe he did it just to irritate her. Hah! He wouldn't get anything out of her, no sir. Jester was a tough nut to crack with just words, she'd prove that.
"Yes," she said, with as much dignity as she could find. "It was rather quick thinking. But those things are, are evil, absolutely. If they were together who knows what could have happened. We should - which way, was it? - check the buildings. Call his name, see if he responds." See? Cool as buried stone in winter. No way was she going to fall for his tricks.
In for a Bishan
Re: In for a Bishan
"He doesn't think about safety, he thinks about -- " Iarei'd snapped at him, before dark movement at the corner of her eye made her snap her head around to follow it. But nothing was there at the juncture of a rotting beam of wood and a twisted sheet of metal that looked like someone's costly mistake. Still, she moved towards it, sure that she'd seen something. She bent, looking to see if perhaps there was a hole she hadn't seen at first. Nothing was there. She snorted. Maybe it had been an overlarge rat. "He's plain dumb at times." She continued, turning away from the heap and prowling along the edge of another. She looked for a stick, so she could start poking at the piles.
She happened to catch sight of Erryl, who looked about ready to be sick and useless. "Well? Well? If you don't want to help then go back to the Inn." And she turned away again, heartless and uncaring of the cruelty she was displaying. It didn't occur to her that he might run away on the heels of boy running away; she had no space in her head for another catastrophe. She couldn't take that thought.
She moved further into the junkyard, and found a metal pole to pick up and start poking at promising holes within the chance architecture of dumped waste. She wrinkled her nose against the smell.
She happened to catch sight of Erryl, who looked about ready to be sick and useless. "Well? Well? If you don't want to help then go back to the Inn." And she turned away again, heartless and uncaring of the cruelty she was displaying. It didn't occur to her that he might run away on the heels of boy running away; she had no space in her head for another catastrophe. She couldn't take that thought.
She moved further into the junkyard, and found a metal pole to pick up and start poking at promising holes within the chance architecture of dumped waste. She wrinkled her nose against the smell.
Re: In for a Bishan
Dirk nodded. "We don't understand these things, we should take as few risks as... possible." Dirk had caught street rats before, for bounty, and he could tell the difference between the scampering of an incompetent young mugger and the scampering of somebody incompetently trying to hide. As he strayed near an alley, he heard a light scuffling and his gaze honed in quickly enough to see a familiar leg pull its way out of sight into a doorway.
He glanced at Jester. She couldn't run with that injury. She was dead weight. Get Iarei, he mouthed to her, holding his head at an angle the kid wouldn't be able to see even if he was still watching. Iarei, he knew, would take a while to find, even thought they knew the district she was in. He'd have time to work, surely. Then he said, "Perhaps we should split up, to cover more ground."
He glanced at Jester. She couldn't run with that injury. She was dead weight. Get Iarei, he mouthed to her, holding his head at an angle the kid wouldn't be able to see even if he was still watching. Iarei, he knew, would take a while to find, even thought they knew the district she was in. He'd have time to work, surely. Then he said, "Perhaps we should split up, to cover more ground."
Re: In for a Bishan
"He doesn't think about safety, he thinks about -- "
About...? About what? The unfinished question clawed at Erryl's mind, causing a voice in his head to scream out at him, What?! What does he think about? Ask her what he thinks about! It wasn't surprising nor uncommon, so he knew well enough not to react to the compulsive nature of his thoughts.
Instead, he watched as Iarei moved closer to the piles of trash, looking about the ground for something. Clearly not the boy, which did, for a moment, cause Erryl some confusion. Would there be footprints or some other clues around here? It seemed like the only reason that the woman would be searching the ground.
He had read once or twice about the way hunters could find an animal with the smallest of clues, in a way Erryl admittedly envied, wishing he could find answers with minimal assistance, rather than occasionally having to pass them by for fear of the many risks he would have to take in a particular search for knowledge. That was especially true when it came to magic. He had to be careful when he read about and researched the nature of magic, as it was clearly forbidden to do so in Marn - unless you had good reason, perhaps. In fact, he had once or twice considered --
"Well? Well? If you don't want to help then go back to the Inn."
"Oh, sorry," was his only pathetic, mumbled reply, before he slowly stepped closer to where Iarei was, ever wary of the possible presence of diseased rats or sharp pieces of metal.
Ahead, he saw Iarei pick up a pole and start poking around. It didn't seem like the most effective method of finding a young boy, but if she knew the target so well, then it was probably a good idea to go along with whatever she decided.
Without warning, a giant, mangy rat darted between Erryl's legs and off into further trash, causing him to spin around and stumble backwards, straight into Iarei.
About...? About what? The unfinished question clawed at Erryl's mind, causing a voice in his head to scream out at him, What?! What does he think about? Ask her what he thinks about! It wasn't surprising nor uncommon, so he knew well enough not to react to the compulsive nature of his thoughts.
Instead, he watched as Iarei moved closer to the piles of trash, looking about the ground for something. Clearly not the boy, which did, for a moment, cause Erryl some confusion. Would there be footprints or some other clues around here? It seemed like the only reason that the woman would be searching the ground.
He had read once or twice about the way hunters could find an animal with the smallest of clues, in a way Erryl admittedly envied, wishing he could find answers with minimal assistance, rather than occasionally having to pass them by for fear of the many risks he would have to take in a particular search for knowledge. That was especially true when it came to magic. He had to be careful when he read about and researched the nature of magic, as it was clearly forbidden to do so in Marn - unless you had good reason, perhaps. In fact, he had once or twice considered --
"Well? Well? If you don't want to help then go back to the Inn."
"Oh, sorry," was his only pathetic, mumbled reply, before he slowly stepped closer to where Iarei was, ever wary of the possible presence of diseased rats or sharp pieces of metal.
Ahead, he saw Iarei pick up a pole and start poking around. It didn't seem like the most effective method of finding a young boy, but if she knew the target so well, then it was probably a good idea to go along with whatever she decided.
Without warning, a giant, mangy rat darted between Erryl's legs and off into further trash, causing him to spin around and stumble backwards, straight into Iarei.
Re: In for a Bishan
Dirken's words snapped the wires of panic keeping Jester in place, and she jumped forward again to match his pace - until he slowed in front of her, almost causing her to crash into him. Her clumsy sideways shuffle reawakened her ankle, which complained with sharp jabs at her muscles. The nerve of him, when he knew she had an injury! She didn't feel at all embarrassed about berating him when Iarei wasn't around, but before she could do more than draw the first affronted breath he turned to face her with an extremely suspicious look on his face and mouthed something in her direction.
Et. Et something. Let maybe? She tried copying the motions, to see if that would help her decipher his odd message. Let La-Lari? What on earth was that supposed to mean?
It had been a message, though. Not a trick, as far as she could read from the serious lines of his face. She turned her attention to his body instead, because people never realized how much more honest their actions were. She'd find out what he was about that way far sooner than she'd learn to read lips.
Tensed muscles, though he tried to appear casual. Eyes focused in her direction, but not on her. Head turned to an awkward angle. He was trying to ignore something - no, someone, it'd have to be. Someone off to the side of them. His next statement just confirmed her suspicions. Was he meeting up with someone? She didn't take him for the collaborator type, seeing as he'd probably as soon stab a partner in the back as share a prize and that type of news had ways of traveling about, didn't it? So, then...
Boy. she realized, flash-quick as lightning. The statue. Boy. The statue. If Dirken had spotted him, it would be exactly the sort of thing he'd do to get the statue for himself. Who knew what nefarious, low-minded purpose he had for it, but she'd be damned by hellfire if she let both Iarei's apprentice and the statue fall into his hands.
She had a plan, see. Spur of the moment. Ingenious. It was hard to keep her voice level while she spoke the words, but she hoped the trembling in her voice could be attributed to pain or hunger... or something. "Yes. Yes, that's exactly what we should do. I'll go this way." She set off in the direction he was carefully avoiding looking at before he could even think to argue. No matter the stinging in her ankle; she could practically feel the statue in her hands. She was the only one who could keep - keep the world safe from it. She was the only...
Et. Et something. Let maybe? She tried copying the motions, to see if that would help her decipher his odd message. Let La-Lari? What on earth was that supposed to mean?
It had been a message, though. Not a trick, as far as she could read from the serious lines of his face. She turned her attention to his body instead, because people never realized how much more honest their actions were. She'd find out what he was about that way far sooner than she'd learn to read lips.
Tensed muscles, though he tried to appear casual. Eyes focused in her direction, but not on her. Head turned to an awkward angle. He was trying to ignore something - no, someone, it'd have to be. Someone off to the side of them. His next statement just confirmed her suspicions. Was he meeting up with someone? She didn't take him for the collaborator type, seeing as he'd probably as soon stab a partner in the back as share a prize and that type of news had ways of traveling about, didn't it? So, then...
Boy. she realized, flash-quick as lightning. The statue. Boy. The statue. If Dirken had spotted him, it would be exactly the sort of thing he'd do to get the statue for himself. Who knew what nefarious, low-minded purpose he had for it, but she'd be damned by hellfire if she let both Iarei's apprentice and the statue fall into his hands.
She had a plan, see. Spur of the moment. Ingenious. It was hard to keep her voice level while she spoke the words, but she hoped the trembling in her voice could be attributed to pain or hunger... or something. "Yes. Yes, that's exactly what we should do. I'll go this way." She set off in the direction he was carefully avoiding looking at before he could even think to argue. No matter the stinging in her ankle; she could practically feel the statue in her hands. She was the only one who could keep - keep the world safe from it. She was the only...
Re: In for a Bishan
Iarei, wholly focused on the demeaning task at hand, had stopped paying attention to Erryl. She noticed him moving too close too late, and was bumped forward hard enough to overbalance. Though her metal rod did help somewhat, she still went forward with her left hand held out in front of her. She caught a rusty piece of wiring, attached to something that could charitably be called a metal box, which teetered under her weight and slid down the pile of similar junk. This made her awkwardly go to her knees, with most of her weight initially on her hand.
She cried out, for a moment splayed like a ridiculous parody of a lame beggar until the pain shot up her arm and burned around her knees. Dazed, she reared back, still clutching the useless rod in her right hand, and stared at her palm, where she had a good view of her broken flesh for a few seconds until blood rushed in to fill it.
"You -- you -- " She pulled and pushed herself to her feet, not taking her eyes off her palm. One of her fingers had a hank of skin missing. As she rose, her knees protested, and one felt oddly warm. She didn't care about them.
"You stupid boy." She hissed out between her teeth. She staggered a step, and hastily took weight off her right leg, still staring at her hand. "We must go back to the Inn. You will help me get there. Are you trying to sabotage me? Don't you know that a bard's hands are her life? Fah! Help me walk. Now!"
Then she did glare at him, venomous as a hairy spider, and felt something twang deep within her emotional center, ready to snap. Nothing was going right. How could she make money if she couldn't play her lute properly with her customary dexterity? It was almost as if the city itself was stacked against her, trying to force her back out. But if not Marn, she would have to go clean into Tian Xia, and they were strange and unfathomable to her sturdy and practical Eyropan mind.
She cried out, for a moment splayed like a ridiculous parody of a lame beggar until the pain shot up her arm and burned around her knees. Dazed, she reared back, still clutching the useless rod in her right hand, and stared at her palm, where she had a good view of her broken flesh for a few seconds until blood rushed in to fill it.
"You -- you -- " She pulled and pushed herself to her feet, not taking her eyes off her palm. One of her fingers had a hank of skin missing. As she rose, her knees protested, and one felt oddly warm. She didn't care about them.
"You stupid boy." She hissed out between her teeth. She staggered a step, and hastily took weight off her right leg, still staring at her hand. "We must go back to the Inn. You will help me get there. Are you trying to sabotage me? Don't you know that a bard's hands are her life? Fah! Help me walk. Now!"
Then she did glare at him, venomous as a hairy spider, and felt something twang deep within her emotional center, ready to snap. Nothing was going right. How could she make money if she couldn't play her lute properly with her customary dexterity? It was almost as if the city itself was stacked against her, trying to force her back out. But if not Marn, she would have to go clean into Tian Xia, and they were strange and unfathomable to her sturdy and practical Eyropan mind.
Re: In for a Bishan
Gods save me from stupid people. Or smart people. It was hard to be sure. Either way, he'd been outsmarted by a Changers-cursed jester who had so far shown the presence of mind of rotting cheese. Or was she just playing dumb? Was she one of the thugs?
Yeah, send the injured entertainer in after the street kid, not the quick, smooth-talking bounty hunter. That made sense. But Dirk had no choice but to turn around and head off in a different direction. Once out of sight around a corner he sat down and listened for any cries of alarm or scuffles, ready to come running to the rescue. It wasn't long before he caught sight of somebody he recognised, loitering nearby. It was hard to forget the face of somebody who threatened to cut your finger off. The thug wasn't even trying to hide.
Dirk walked over. "You're not giving me much space to work here."
"Just checkin' in. Wouldn't want you to suddenly realise you have something to do in another town, right? Not 'til you find our property."
"Don't worry, I know where both of them are. Just waiting for the chance to snatch 'em."
"Where?"
"Oh, I'm not letting you con me out of my payment."
The man frowned and his hand went to the knife in his belt. "Where are they?"
Dirk considered. If they were going to keep "checking in" like this then they'd find the statues without him and he'd get no money at all. "If you're going to make the grab, let's call it half price, eh?"
"I'm not giving you a bishan until -- "
"Where am I going to disappear to? They're on the move, by the way. The window for the grab is closing."
The man hesitated, then handed him a small, clinking pouch. The weight told Dirk that it was less than the agreed price, but he didn't want to push his luck. "In that alley back there," he said, "are an entertainer and a naive street kid. Both have leg injuries, so they can't run fast. Each is carrying a statue."
The man ran off, presumably to signal his companions, and Dirk strode away from the scene, pretending to look for the boy.
Yeah, send the injured entertainer in after the street kid, not the quick, smooth-talking bounty hunter. That made sense. But Dirk had no choice but to turn around and head off in a different direction. Once out of sight around a corner he sat down and listened for any cries of alarm or scuffles, ready to come running to the rescue. It wasn't long before he caught sight of somebody he recognised, loitering nearby. It was hard to forget the face of somebody who threatened to cut your finger off. The thug wasn't even trying to hide.
Dirk walked over. "You're not giving me much space to work here."
"Just checkin' in. Wouldn't want you to suddenly realise you have something to do in another town, right? Not 'til you find our property."
"Don't worry, I know where both of them are. Just waiting for the chance to snatch 'em."
"Where?"
"Oh, I'm not letting you con me out of my payment."
The man frowned and his hand went to the knife in his belt. "Where are they?"
Dirk considered. If they were going to keep "checking in" like this then they'd find the statues without him and he'd get no money at all. "If you're going to make the grab, let's call it half price, eh?"
"I'm not giving you a bishan until -- "
"Where am I going to disappear to? They're on the move, by the way. The window for the grab is closing."
The man hesitated, then handed him a small, clinking pouch. The weight told Dirk that it was less than the agreed price, but he didn't want to push his luck. "In that alley back there," he said, "are an entertainer and a naive street kid. Both have leg injuries, so they can't run fast. Each is carrying a statue."
The man ran off, presumably to signal his companions, and Dirk strode away from the scene, pretending to look for the boy.
Re: In for a Bishan
Once Erryl realized what he had just done, he began to back away, even before Iarei had a chance to shout at him. While he had managed to come out of the fall reasonably unscathed, the older woman had been thrown upon the sharp scrap strewn about. Already it was clear that one of her legs was injured, blood just visible through torn cloth at the knee.
It was strange to find his mouth already hanging open when he went to apologize, yet he could find no words, unable to mumble or stutter or make any sound at all. At least, none that he could hear over the panic in his head and the angry words being thrown at him. He had risen almost as soon as he had fallen, seemingly free of pain, but Iarei was having trouble standing on her feet.
She was looking at her hands, shouting about them, despite it being obvious that it was her leg she had injured. "Help me walk," she said to him. He was hesitant to approach her now, but there was no way he could refuse her...
Could I? Escape scenarios ran through Erryl's mind, his eyes darting from Iarei to the street and back again. He was almost seriously considering it, having forgotten completely about the bigger picture for the time being. However, when he took another small step back, shifted the weight from one foot to the other, he felt the pain in his ankle. It wasn't dreadful, not as bad as Iarei's perhaps, but he was certainly not going to risk running on it.
Regardless of the possibility now of simply walking away, Erryl's small burst of confidence had already faded and was now turning to submission. He would have to continue this game of "follow the leader", at least for now. One tentative step, then another, and he summoned the courage to slip an arm around Iarei - if hesitantly - allowing her to put her weight onto him, despite the effort it took the boy to support her.
Maybe not so pain free, he considered, as his body began to remind him of his other fall from earlier in the morning. Why does this keep happening to me?
It was strange to find his mouth already hanging open when he went to apologize, yet he could find no words, unable to mumble or stutter or make any sound at all. At least, none that he could hear over the panic in his head and the angry words being thrown at him. He had risen almost as soon as he had fallen, seemingly free of pain, but Iarei was having trouble standing on her feet.
She was looking at her hands, shouting about them, despite it being obvious that it was her leg she had injured. "Help me walk," she said to him. He was hesitant to approach her now, but there was no way he could refuse her...
Could I? Escape scenarios ran through Erryl's mind, his eyes darting from Iarei to the street and back again. He was almost seriously considering it, having forgotten completely about the bigger picture for the time being. However, when he took another small step back, shifted the weight from one foot to the other, he felt the pain in his ankle. It wasn't dreadful, not as bad as Iarei's perhaps, but he was certainly not going to risk running on it.
Regardless of the possibility now of simply walking away, Erryl's small burst of confidence had already faded and was now turning to submission. He would have to continue this game of "follow the leader", at least for now. One tentative step, then another, and he summoned the courage to slip an arm around Iarei - if hesitantly - allowing her to put her weight onto him, despite the effort it took the boy to support her.
Maybe not so pain free, he considered, as his body began to remind him of his other fall from earlier in the morning. Why does this keep happening to me?
Re: In for a Bishan
Iarei was not nearly so injured as she let on. A mixture of shock and deep anger allowed her to ignore this inconvenient fact so that she could treat Erryl like the little shit he'd turned out to be. Though, really, he was not so little as all that. He topped her by a few inches, and gallingly enough she had to edge her eyes up a slight bit to look at him. She did not typically even notice height differences in that manner, but spitting mad was a condition that lent itself to irrational behavior.
She did not limp heavily as she walked, despite the pain. It faded as they moved, more of a bruise than anything dangerous. She kept her weight on him, the need to control something taking over her so she gripped him with one iron hand and held out the bleeding palm of the other before her like some victim seeking assistance.
She hissed and frothed ugly words all the way back to the inn, though she did manage to rise out of her hateful mood enough to watch for men who, regrettably, sought to make her day even worse.
The trip was remarkably uneventful. By the end of it, she thought to herself with grim satisfaction that she had likely caused Erryl a bruise by her tight, unforgiving grip. She was no fighter, no danger to the physical well being of most people, but her hands were muscled and dextrous. She had a good grip.
"Fetch me my bag." She said, settling herself on the bed and glaring at Erryl with imperious command.
She did not limp heavily as she walked, despite the pain. It faded as they moved, more of a bruise than anything dangerous. She kept her weight on him, the need to control something taking over her so she gripped him with one iron hand and held out the bleeding palm of the other before her like some victim seeking assistance.
She hissed and frothed ugly words all the way back to the inn, though she did manage to rise out of her hateful mood enough to watch for men who, regrettably, sought to make her day even worse.
The trip was remarkably uneventful. By the end of it, she thought to herself with grim satisfaction that she had likely caused Erryl a bruise by her tight, unforgiving grip. She was no fighter, no danger to the physical well being of most people, but her hands were muscled and dextrous. She had a good grip.
"Fetch me my bag." She said, settling herself on the bed and glaring at Erryl with imperious command.
Re: In for a Bishan
Dirk circled the block before rushing back to the inn. He didn't stop to count his newly acquired money.
Options were closing up fast, and the situation hadn't been nearly as profitable as he'd hoped. It had been too dangerous to push for decent terms. As he walked, he took mental stock of what opportunities he still had available.
Iarei. Erryl. They were potential allies. Both had useful connections, she was canny and he was charmingly innocent. He probably couldn't make any more money from the situation. He couldn't ditch the other two, not if he wanted to deal with Iarei again; the kid was hers. She couldn't trust Dirk if he abandoned her boy. They couldn't work together without trust. That meant she also couldn't ever learn he'd sold out the kid, not unless he painted the picture carefully. But he could do that. If he had to.
So he was trapped looking for the statues anyway. And the thugs? They could very well decide to clean up the operation once they had their property back. It all depended on what resources they had available and how dangerous the statues were. Would killing everyone eliminate outsider knowledge of the statues, or draw the attention of the Guard to them?
It was a dangerous line to walk.
They might still save the boy. Jester was probably useless. Could he paint her as the bad guy? No, she wasn't canny enough, that'd just pull suspicion on him. The thugs had blackmail material on him; or, at least, believed they did, what with selling out his crewmates. He could twist that, but they didn't know that. He'd let them use it, if it came to that. He'd be scared. Useful. He could do this. But how to deal with Iarei and Erryl in a way that didn't turn his first decent Marnian connections against him?
Dirk was going to have to do something drastic. He was going to have to be straightforward.
He set his face into a worried but determined expression as he entered the inn. Not bothering with greetings, he found Iarei and Erryl, made sure they were alone, and said, "We ran into trouble. I don't know if Jester or your boy got away. They're each carrying a statue."
Options were closing up fast, and the situation hadn't been nearly as profitable as he'd hoped. It had been too dangerous to push for decent terms. As he walked, he took mental stock of what opportunities he still had available.
Iarei. Erryl. They were potential allies. Both had useful connections, she was canny and he was charmingly innocent. He probably couldn't make any more money from the situation. He couldn't ditch the other two, not if he wanted to deal with Iarei again; the kid was hers. She couldn't trust Dirk if he abandoned her boy. They couldn't work together without trust. That meant she also couldn't ever learn he'd sold out the kid, not unless he painted the picture carefully. But he could do that. If he had to.
So he was trapped looking for the statues anyway. And the thugs? They could very well decide to clean up the operation once they had their property back. It all depended on what resources they had available and how dangerous the statues were. Would killing everyone eliminate outsider knowledge of the statues, or draw the attention of the Guard to them?
It was a dangerous line to walk.
They might still save the boy. Jester was probably useless. Could he paint her as the bad guy? No, she wasn't canny enough, that'd just pull suspicion on him. The thugs had blackmail material on him; or, at least, believed they did, what with selling out his crewmates. He could twist that, but they didn't know that. He'd let them use it, if it came to that. He'd be scared. Useful. He could do this. But how to deal with Iarei and Erryl in a way that didn't turn his first decent Marnian connections against him?
Dirk was going to have to do something drastic. He was going to have to be straightforward.
He set his face into a worried but determined expression as he entered the inn. Not bothering with greetings, he found Iarei and Erryl, made sure they were alone, and said, "We ran into trouble. I don't know if Jester or your boy got away. They're each carrying a statue."
Re: In for a Bishan
It seemed a long, slow, painful walk back to the inn for Erryl, whose ankle ached and whose head throbbed with every step. Iarei was heavy and furious, the anger seeping out of her in waves that made Erryl sweat. He didn't want to be here at all -- but he had injured a bard's hands, which, as far as he could tell from Iarei's reaction, was a terribly cruel thing to do. He had to make up for it, if only to keep the woman from strangling him with that deadly grip of hers.
Eventually, they made it back to the room at the inn, with no further disasters or distractions. Iarei was issuing commands before Erryl could even think of resting, and he moved to do as she'd asked just as Dirken arrived in the room. The timing of his arrival seemed somewhat suspicious, but his words pushed that thought aside almost immediately.
However, despite the urgency of the situation, Erryl simply stood there, staring between the two humans with Iarei's bag clasped in his hands. Jester and the boy were caught? If those thugs were involved, there was absolutely no way in Pal Tahrenor Erryl was going after them. Not even a chance.
Eventually, they made it back to the room at the inn, with no further disasters or distractions. Iarei was issuing commands before Erryl could even think of resting, and he moved to do as she'd asked just as Dirken arrived in the room. The timing of his arrival seemed somewhat suspicious, but his words pushed that thought aside almost immediately.
However, despite the urgency of the situation, Erryl simply stood there, staring between the two humans with Iarei's bag clasped in his hands. Jester and the boy were caught? If those thugs were involved, there was absolutely no way in Pal Tahrenor Erryl was going after them. Not even a chance.
Re: In for a Bishan
“Ungh! Oh come on..” The smooth and gentle voice whined this out from the opposite side of the door belonging to The Proper Lady. Dark chocolate colored eyes narrowed in on the doorway as the figure they belonged to spent several moments deeply contemplating on the most important thought in his head. How am I going to fit into there? The man on the other side happened to be none other than the intimidating presence of Tais Chayrak. He was a large, behemoth of a man who even looked down upon some trolls. This led to uncomfortable and embarrassing moments for him and this exact moment was no exception.
He had been staring at this door for some time, but finally his concentration was broken by the abrupt intrusion of another man. “Ey, ya going in or ya just gonna stand dere an’ stare at it all day?” The man spoke quickly and was obviously impatient as Tais stood between him and his nap. Tais was caught off guard by the other man as he had not even been aware of another person approaching. Tais turned on his heel with surprising agility to see who it was. Actually, it had been more clumsiness than agility as he tripped a bit as he turned and was forced to move faster to catch himself.
Once turned, Tais’ eyes cast around for a moment, searching for the one who had called out to him. The look on his face became befuddled and he was about to give up on the search, but he started to turn around and in the motion he happened to glance down to see a much smaller man that barely came up to Tais’ chest. The other man seemed to only stand at full height to about 5'2 and it was apparent that he had taken young Tais’ befuddled look as one of aggression. Tais had felt his cheeks heating up and had not realized that they were already a hot red of shame and embarrassment. To others, it could easily been seen as anger. The man’s hands were up, covering his face and he was cowering backwards by crouching and moving one step at a time. “I-I meant no disrespect an’ I-“ He found himself cut off as the giant of a man vigorously shook his head.
“No sir, it’s fine. I’ll go in now. I apologize for holding you up.” The much larger yet much younger man spoke softly to the other man to show he meant no ill will to another being. He once more turned towards the door and found himself stooping down, bending at both the back and the knee so that he could duck below the frame of the door. Tais also was forced to turn sideways so that his massive shoulders could fit as well. He almost had to go into a full crab crawl to fit, but it seemed to be working. All was going well, but about half way inside he felt a tug. He glanced back and saw he had not turned far enough and now his tan colored linen shirt was hung on the door hinge. A low groan rolled from the man’s lips and his hand rose to run through his short, snow white locks in frustration. Why could this never be easy? Still, Tais did not want the shame of having to back his way out of the door way. He wrapped his hand into the cloth and jerked in a quick, precise moment to pull his shirt free. ‘Grrrrip’. The ripping sound was nothing new to Tais and he was already aware he had a small hole torn into his shirt without even having to look. With that done, he finally pushed the rest of the way into the inn.
As he cleared the door, he fell off balance due to no longer being in an inclosed space and stumbled several feet. He just barely caught his traction before crashing into the floor and found that the ever apparent heat in his cheeks was only getting hotter. This caused the man to look around cautiously in hope that no one saw his blunder. On the bright side, Tais was finally able to stand straight once more and he moaned in relief as his back cracked from him straightening up. “Much better..” Tais found himself muttering this and approached the front desk solemnly, unsure of how he would start.
He needed information on work and he had been told that inns and taverns were the place to check. He had been nearby this one and decided he would check here first. The problem was that he was now having second thoughts as the place seemed a bit more high scale than someone of his craft would normally use. In fact, had he just not spent the last several minutes trying to fit though their door he would have likely turned around and left without any further comment or discussion. However, because it had been such a hassle getting in, he was not about to turn around and leave now. The giant took in a deep breath to help calm his nerves. He stared at the innkeep for several moments, reminding himself that he also needed a room for the night. It might be a bit pricy for his tastes, but at the moment he did not see much use in fighting that door again. Once he had built up enough courage, the man finally stepped forward and cleared his throat. “Hello good sir. I was hoping you could help me with something. I’m looking for a bit of work here in Marn and have not had any luck looking for employers. I’m up for just about anything. I’m handy in craftsmanship, but I am also a quick learner and a hard worker..So I’m more than willing to start a new craft if it means bringing in a Bishan.” Tais honestly wasn’t sure if he was doing this right. He was not used to asking people for things and certainly was not used to a city as large as Marn. He had already been lost several times now and could only hope his luck turned upwards soon enough.
He had been staring at this door for some time, but finally his concentration was broken by the abrupt intrusion of another man. “Ey, ya going in or ya just gonna stand dere an’ stare at it all day?” The man spoke quickly and was obviously impatient as Tais stood between him and his nap. Tais was caught off guard by the other man as he had not even been aware of another person approaching. Tais turned on his heel with surprising agility to see who it was. Actually, it had been more clumsiness than agility as he tripped a bit as he turned and was forced to move faster to catch himself.
Once turned, Tais’ eyes cast around for a moment, searching for the one who had called out to him. The look on his face became befuddled and he was about to give up on the search, but he started to turn around and in the motion he happened to glance down to see a much smaller man that barely came up to Tais’ chest. The other man seemed to only stand at full height to about 5'2 and it was apparent that he had taken young Tais’ befuddled look as one of aggression. Tais had felt his cheeks heating up and had not realized that they were already a hot red of shame and embarrassment. To others, it could easily been seen as anger. The man’s hands were up, covering his face and he was cowering backwards by crouching and moving one step at a time. “I-I meant no disrespect an’ I-“ He found himself cut off as the giant of a man vigorously shook his head.
“No sir, it’s fine. I’ll go in now. I apologize for holding you up.” The much larger yet much younger man spoke softly to the other man to show he meant no ill will to another being. He once more turned towards the door and found himself stooping down, bending at both the back and the knee so that he could duck below the frame of the door. Tais also was forced to turn sideways so that his massive shoulders could fit as well. He almost had to go into a full crab crawl to fit, but it seemed to be working. All was going well, but about half way inside he felt a tug. He glanced back and saw he had not turned far enough and now his tan colored linen shirt was hung on the door hinge. A low groan rolled from the man’s lips and his hand rose to run through his short, snow white locks in frustration. Why could this never be easy? Still, Tais did not want the shame of having to back his way out of the door way. He wrapped his hand into the cloth and jerked in a quick, precise moment to pull his shirt free. ‘Grrrrip’. The ripping sound was nothing new to Tais and he was already aware he had a small hole torn into his shirt without even having to look. With that done, he finally pushed the rest of the way into the inn.
As he cleared the door, he fell off balance due to no longer being in an inclosed space and stumbled several feet. He just barely caught his traction before crashing into the floor and found that the ever apparent heat in his cheeks was only getting hotter. This caused the man to look around cautiously in hope that no one saw his blunder. On the bright side, Tais was finally able to stand straight once more and he moaned in relief as his back cracked from him straightening up. “Much better..” Tais found himself muttering this and approached the front desk solemnly, unsure of how he would start.
He needed information on work and he had been told that inns and taverns were the place to check. He had been nearby this one and decided he would check here first. The problem was that he was now having second thoughts as the place seemed a bit more high scale than someone of his craft would normally use. In fact, had he just not spent the last several minutes trying to fit though their door he would have likely turned around and left without any further comment or discussion. However, because it had been such a hassle getting in, he was not about to turn around and leave now. The giant took in a deep breath to help calm his nerves. He stared at the innkeep for several moments, reminding himself that he also needed a room for the night. It might be a bit pricy for his tastes, but at the moment he did not see much use in fighting that door again. Once he had built up enough courage, the man finally stepped forward and cleared his throat. “Hello good sir. I was hoping you could help me with something. I’m looking for a bit of work here in Marn and have not had any luck looking for employers. I’m up for just about anything. I’m handy in craftsmanship, but I am also a quick learner and a hard worker..So I’m more than willing to start a new craft if it means bringing in a Bishan.” Tais honestly wasn’t sure if he was doing this right. He was not used to asking people for things and certainly was not used to a city as large as Marn. He had already been lost several times now and could only hope his luck turned upwards soon enough.
Re: In for a Bishan
Iarei grabbed the bag from Erryl and sat upon the unnecessarily fluffy bed. Her emotions were in such furious turmoil that she had barrelled past the wall of rage into the eye of the storm that encouraged her to fly off the handle. She wanted to throw things. But, just as she about looked ready to scream her expression suddenly calmed and she looked through the bag. Her hands shook just a little, but she was careful and methodical. She dropped it without looking into it, and stood up.
"You are either incompetant or untrustworthy. Pick one." She told Dirken, the extreme heat of her anger having cooled into sharpness. She looked at Erryl critically, finally paying heed to his own miserable state. "Follow me." She said to the door as she strode through it.
Of the boy, she'd believe just about anything. Of Jester though, a trickier set of hoops was required. It was the depth of knowledge and familiarity that allowed her to have so little faith in the boy, but it was the opposite that gave her pause for Jester. She had known the woman for a day, but in that time the sanctimoniousness and timidity that bespoke loyalty to cause was what made Iarei shake her head at the idea of the woman taking a statue. Why would Jester do that? It was ridiculous. It'd be more likely for the woman to propose sleeping with Iarei than to take a statue and run off with it into the night. Or, barring that, it'd be more likely for the woman to take it to a guard. Dirken would have seen that. He wouldn't have been so stupid as to let her out of his sight. Iarei didn't trust the man, but she did trust him to keep his own head above water, and incompetance would not help him.
She was storming down the stairs when Tais asked his question of the clerk, a slight limp the barest concession to her bruised leg. Fin, the clerk in question, had opened his mouth to reply to Tais when Iarei's voice thundered out before her. He bent around the larger man and stared in revulsion.
"You. I need boiled bandages and clean water. Are you able to get what I require or should I find someone else capable of the task?"
She was at the desk in an instant, standing to the side of Tais and turning from her arrow straight path only to give Tais a look of faint disgust that he should be so tall and large and be in her way, of all things.
"Madam." Fin said after a pause that had contained a list of other things he would have liked to address her as. "I am speaking to another patron. Wait your turn."
The ice in his voice rivalled her own, and she narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to speak.
"You are either incompetant or untrustworthy. Pick one." She told Dirken, the extreme heat of her anger having cooled into sharpness. She looked at Erryl critically, finally paying heed to his own miserable state. "Follow me." She said to the door as she strode through it.
Of the boy, she'd believe just about anything. Of Jester though, a trickier set of hoops was required. It was the depth of knowledge and familiarity that allowed her to have so little faith in the boy, but it was the opposite that gave her pause for Jester. She had known the woman for a day, but in that time the sanctimoniousness and timidity that bespoke loyalty to cause was what made Iarei shake her head at the idea of the woman taking a statue. Why would Jester do that? It was ridiculous. It'd be more likely for the woman to propose sleeping with Iarei than to take a statue and run off with it into the night. Or, barring that, it'd be more likely for the woman to take it to a guard. Dirken would have seen that. He wouldn't have been so stupid as to let her out of his sight. Iarei didn't trust the man, but she did trust him to keep his own head above water, and incompetance would not help him.
She was storming down the stairs when Tais asked his question of the clerk, a slight limp the barest concession to her bruised leg. Fin, the clerk in question, had opened his mouth to reply to Tais when Iarei's voice thundered out before her. He bent around the larger man and stared in revulsion.
"You. I need boiled bandages and clean water. Are you able to get what I require or should I find someone else capable of the task?"
She was at the desk in an instant, standing to the side of Tais and turning from her arrow straight path only to give Tais a look of faint disgust that he should be so tall and large and be in her way, of all things.
"Madam." Fin said after a pause that had contained a list of other things he would have liked to address her as. "I am speaking to another patron. Wait your turn."
The ice in his voice rivalled her own, and she narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to speak.
Re: In for a Bishan
Dirken narrowed his eyes at Iarei's insults, but said nothing. There was no need to point out that Iarei had been robbed by both Jester and the boy without even any thugs to contend with. She lashed out when she lost control; he could live with that.
He debated whether to follow Iarei and Erryl or not. On the one hand, he didn't want to find himself behaving like that poor lost kid being pulled every which way by that woman's tongue; on the other, he didn't want to be alone, especially since there was a very real chance that the thugs might decide to eliminate witnesses. Besides, he still wasn't certain he trusted Iarei. Especially if she didn't trust him.
He gave them a lead and then headed downstairs himself. Coincidentally. Because he wanted to order a drink or something. Iarei was having a verbal match with a clerk; he stayed out of it, his gaze drawn instead to the huge man in front of Iarei in line.
Dirken recognised the uncertain stance and earnest face. He'd known guys like that before; big guys who were naturally gentle, more so because their assumed ferocity caused problems. He'd seen such guys corrupted by gangs, and he'd seen them become happy, confident blacksmiths and builders. He generally avoided working with them because enormous scary-looking guys drew more attantion than Dirken's work usually liked.
An enormous scary-looking guy was exactly what this operation needed.
Dirken wandered over to lean casually against the wall near the door of the inn, perfectly poised to initiate casual conversation if the man tried to leave.
He debated whether to follow Iarei and Erryl or not. On the one hand, he didn't want to find himself behaving like that poor lost kid being pulled every which way by that woman's tongue; on the other, he didn't want to be alone, especially since there was a very real chance that the thugs might decide to eliminate witnesses. Besides, he still wasn't certain he trusted Iarei. Especially if she didn't trust him.
He gave them a lead and then headed downstairs himself. Coincidentally. Because he wanted to order a drink or something. Iarei was having a verbal match with a clerk; he stayed out of it, his gaze drawn instead to the huge man in front of Iarei in line.
Dirken recognised the uncertain stance and earnest face. He'd known guys like that before; big guys who were naturally gentle, more so because their assumed ferocity caused problems. He'd seen such guys corrupted by gangs, and he'd seen them become happy, confident blacksmiths and builders. He generally avoided working with them because enormous scary-looking guys drew more attantion than Dirken's work usually liked.
An enormous scary-looking guy was exactly what this operation needed.
Dirken wandered over to lean casually against the wall near the door of the inn, perfectly poised to initiate casual conversation if the man tried to leave.
Re: In for a Bishan
With only the briefest moment of hesitation, Erryl was up and on Iarei's heels at her command. Oh, no, no, no, no... Please, please, don't let anything bad happen... He followed quickly out of the room and down the stairs, almost tripping up when he caught sight of a giant at the front desk.
He backed off quickly, taking a seat in the corner of the room, and waited for Iarei to have a conversation with the man behind the desk, who was currently talking to the... really tall and horribly scary-looking man who really, really looked like he must be some kind of hired criminal hunting the three of them for the statues and oh god, oh god, I'm going to die. They got the stupid kid and that poor jester woman and now they're going to get me and Iarei and Dirken and this GIANT is going to smash us to pieces...
Although he was extremely tempted to run, Erryl sat still and stayed quiet, wringing his hands, awaiting his inevitable - and extremely painful - doom.
He backed off quickly, taking a seat in the corner of the room, and waited for Iarei to have a conversation with the man behind the desk, who was currently talking to the... really tall and horribly scary-looking man who really, really looked like he must be some kind of hired criminal hunting the three of them for the statues and oh god, oh god, I'm going to die. They got the stupid kid and that poor jester woman and now they're going to get me and Iarei and Dirken and this GIANT is going to smash us to pieces...
Although he was extremely tempted to run, Erryl sat still and stayed quiet, wringing his hands, awaiting his inevitable - and extremely painful - doom.