Re: Act 1, Scene 2: "Taking Care of Business" (Game Thread)

[Nocturno]

After this song, Pyros will clap and cheer! He will go a bit overboard, possibly, trying to get the rest of the crowd into it!

"Ok my stomach has gotten the best of me! Shall we grab some food in the kitchen?" He will hold his hand out for Elsa. "After we get a glass of that mead of course!"

[TristenC]

Elsa's smile grows even farther, and she laughs as he leads her towards the stage to dance. Merrick grins as well and presents his hand to Jerry with a formal bow, It would be my pleasure, m'lady. The small folk whirl and twirl, hopping and springing about. Merrick leads Jerry to the narrow open area by the stage. His dancing is a little awkward; not due to a lack of nimbleness but more from inexperience.

A few other couples get up, and Mira spots Airand and Laisa as they get up to dance. The young man is quite adept, as is his partner. The pair laugh and jig enthusiastically as the crowd begins to clap in accompaniment to the song. The warmth of a packed house and the heat of activity soon bead the foreheads of the dancers with sweat. The scent of good food, good drink, excitement and the gentle tang of fresh perspiration make a heady brew in the air. They laugh as the song ends and the girl throws a big hug around his neck. Azais sits nearby smiling at her friends. When the song ends Laisa sits and Airand moves over to the dark haired girl, formally offering his hand to her. Azais looks once to the back of the room, but joins him as the next song strikes up.

Pyros and Elsa peel off to the kitchens, catching mugs of mead from the table on their way back. Near the door the Kender spots Madame Brodeur, who inclines her head to greet him with a small smile. Once to the kitchens they find a bench-like table within where a small area has been cleared for them. Sanne, Guilliam's daughter and the cook, smiles at Elsa knowingly and sets a pair of plates before them. Roast lamb with garlic-butter sautee'd greens, a tart berry compote and bread with bits of herbs baked in.

[kerap]

Artanis takes his time to clean his weapons and to tend to his wounds before going downstairs to join the others. In the confusion he could swear the recently arrived lady, Jerry, had spoken in the same language as his. With the events of the past two days, anything would be possible in his mind. He was again calls upon the healing blessings of the goddess, and asks for her favor upon her servant's wounds. A warm soft light emanates from his hand and the wounds continue to close and heal. Satisfied that he has taken care of his obligations, he cleans himself up, straps on his swords (he saw the problems Mira encountered when momentarily weaponless), and quietly makes his way to the common room and will take up a seat somewhere near the group. Naturally he keeps his eyes on the crowd for "suspicious" types - which at this place is just about everyone!

When the opportunity presents itself, he will quietly say to Jerry in the Common tongue of Faerun: "May Mystra continue to bless your efforts, my lady. My name is Artanis, servant of Mielikki at your service."

Game Mechanics: CLW: Cure Light Wounds: [1d8] = 5

[Chris1234]

Artanis...When the opportunity presents itself, he will quietly say to Jerry in the Common tongue of Faerun: "May Mystra continue to bless your efforts, my lady. My name is Artanis, servant of Mielikki at your service." [/url]

Jerry smiles at Merrick, "One moment please, Merrick," and turns, then curtsies to Artanis. "Well met, Artanis. May you yet again see Unicorn Run. I would hear your tale when things are less busy."

[spyguy1503]

Cal dispels the spell, because he has nothing else to do. He attempts to order a drink, getting help if necessary, then sits at a stool and watches.

[Rivi]

cross stands near the bar resting his elbows and watching the others dace

[Jenara]

Mira keeps playing, her tune remaining light and whimsical, she slows the tempo but allows the dancing to continue.

"That crazed girl improvising her music.
Her poetry, dancing upon the shore,

Her soul in division from itself
Climbing, falling She knew not where,
Hiding amid the cargo of a cargo ship,
Her knee-cap broken, that girl I declare
A beautiful lofty thing, or a thing
Heroically lost, heroically found.

No matter what disaster occurred
She stood in desperate music wound,
Wound, wound, and she made in her triumph
Where the bales and the baskets lay
No common intelligible sound
But sang, "O sea-starved, hungry sea.' "

"I would love to see the sea.. the harbour of my homeland shines with silver sails." She smiles and motions to the audience.

[TristenC]

Artanis descends, fully healed and armed, to the common room after cleaning his gear. Seeking out the half-elven lady the two introduce themselves more formally, verifying that they are indeed strangers from the same land. Merrick smiles at the revelation, Wonderful! Even one point of familiarity can be a comfort in a strange land. Almost every seat is taken, but he finds Merrick’s seat empty at the small table with Serath while the other half-elves dance.

Cal lets his invisibility drop, appearing at the bottom of the stairs. Fortunately almost everyone’s attention is on the bard so none of the patrons witness it… that is except for one young serving girl who happened to be looking that way. She scrubs her eyes and looks again, then shakes her head as she wanders off with a bewildered expression. The Gnome is about to approach the bar and try his luck at being served when he recalls the pitchers of ale and mead set out on the table near Serath. It is just as well since he has yet to have any luck being served alcohol directly by the staff. He wanders over and fixes himself a drink.

Cross takes up a spot near the bar to watch the dancing and enjoy the music. There is just enough counter space to have a plate of food, and Guilliam himself asks the Elf something in harmonian; most likely if there is anything he would like to eat or drink.

The crowd has begun to clap along with the music and a few couples sit while others take their places in the narrow area near the stage. More and more patrons come up to contribute, and Mira sees the occasional flash of silver go into the cup. Guilliam seems to be tending well to the needs of her friends. The performance goes on for an hour or so when Mira notes the large man motion that her food is ready whenever she is prepared for a break.

[Chris1234]

While dancing, Jerry eyes the room casually, just looking for any information.
Even the seemingly irrelevant could safe one's life sometime.

She talks to Merrick, asking him to tell her something about his life, the country, the town, any rumours, anything really.
And then she ask him to say the same thing in harmonium.
Not ideal, but the best she can do for a language crammer.
{OOC: Have a spare Language slot potentially with 'Harmonium' written on it." }

She does slip in an enquiry as to whether there's anyone 'special' in his life right now..

[Nocturno]

Once Pyros starts to eat, he realizes how hungry he really is. Hardly stopping to breathe, he will polish off his dinner probably by the time Elsa gets her 4th bite in.

"That was marvelous! He will drain his cup and very loudly sigh "AHHHHHH"

"So that was pretty crazy out there... I wonder if any of those wolves were the ones we fought before."

[Rivi]

cross will try to sign eating food to Guilliam and points to a jug of water miming for a drink as well as trying his hand at Harmonium with each gesture

[spyguy1503]

Cal walks over to Cross with two cups of ale. "More over there." he indicates in a friendly way.

[Jenara]

"I'm going to take a break for a moment, you have been a lovely audience so far. So eat drink be merry.. Keep a song in your Hearts and I'll be back soon." Bowing she lays her lute against the stool and smiles.

Checking the cup for the briefest of moments she brings it closer to the stool and moves over to Airand and Laisa. "Liking the show?" She asks nudging the girl.

[kerap]

Artanis begins to feel as if the crowd and the building is closing in on him. This is NOT his idea of a pleasant way to spend the evening. As he watches Mira depart the stage, his thoughts wander to Yasir, and the ranger wonders how the "mighty warrior" is faring this evening.

[TristenC]

Jerry surveys the room as she dances and chats. Aside from the party the rest of those present appear to be locals. It is striking how much Artanis and Mira stand out with their bright red hair. Cross blends in very well with his violet eyes, as does Jerry’s own blonde hair she suspects. Neither she nor Artanis (who is lounging near Serath with his back to the wall) spot anyone suspicious; but the Ranger does appear to be growing uneasy for some reason... She speaks with Merrick a while and is reminded that he is from Sithicus and only recently moved to Harmonia a couple of months ago. He tells her that Kartakass is a land rich with music and culture, as she can easily see. The only real rumors he knows are that dangerous things far worse than wolves sometimes roam the streets at night, and that music is almost sacred here… He repeats himself in Harmonian, as requested, though he admits that his grasp of the language is far from perfect. Half-way through the discussion she asks about anyone ‘special’ to him and he looks dazed as if he had been struck in the head. He eventually recovers and almost stammers that he is still new in town and has yet to meet anyone… like that… The half-elven man quickly returns the question to her, but a reddish color enters his angular features as he does so.

Pyros lays into his food with a vengeance, and looks up expecting Elsa to be far behind. The Halfling, however, is making good time with her own meal; albeit in a much more controlled fashion. She grins as she watches him obliterate the carefully crafted dinner. Her smile falters when he brings up their first encounter with the wolves. It would almost be better if they were… it would mean that many less in the world. No, I didn’t recognize any of them… and I’ll never forget those first three. She shivered despite the warmth of the kitchen and the food before her. You’re a really good dancer, you know that? she says, trying to divert the conversation.

Mira makes her announcement and peers into her cup. Without counting she can see that this will likely been one of her most profitable nights if things keep up! Setting her lute by the stool she approaches Airad as he escorts Azais back to the table where Laisa is waiting. As she approaches Airand and Laisa clap enthusiastically, while Azais gives her a measured nod of approval; much as she expected Madame Brodeur would have done. When the bard asks if they are enjoying the show they share their assent. The golden-haired Laisa is particularly pleased, Oh yes! Cousin Airand is such a good dancer too! You should dance with him some-time, he is very light on his feet. Azais shoots the blonde a cold look and the young man blushes bright crimson, almost matching Mira’s hair. I suppose we could… if you’d like… he stammers.
And just how is he supposed to dance with her while she is playing the song? Azais says almost indignantly. Answer that, Lis. Laisa looks back at her raven-haired friend with a surprised expression, What? Oh that, she waves the remark away offhandedly. She’s not the only person in town who can play a lute. Someone could play for her while she dances. But this is how she makes her living. She is working now. She doesn’t want someone else to play. Airand begins to look more and more nervous as the girls dither back and forth.

Guilliam himself brings Cross water and a meal of roast lamb with garlic-butter sautee'd greens with a tart berry compote and bread with bits of herbs baked in. Just then Cal directs the Elf to the pitchers of stronger drink sitting at Serath & Artanis’ table, should he want some. Serath makes light, polite conversation with Artanis; but the two seem to have little in common aside from their half-elven heritage. When Mira makes her break announcement it occurs to him that it may be less crowded in the kitchen… or maybe not. His thoughts turn to Yasir… it was certain the warrior wasn’t enjoying music and dancing, but the food he had seen in the small jail kitchen seemed good enough quality… at least the man wouldn’t go hungry…