[Game Thread] Trouble in the Land

[HBlossom]

"I was wondering if you'd seen anyone in here who doesn't seem to be local, someone who looks to be traveling. It might do us some good to watch people like that or even strike up a conversation, maybe ask how they've fared on their travels. It's vague enough to get a conversation started and to find out if they are friendly. If they aren't, I suppose we will just have to get a move on and see for ourselves. This stew is hitting the spot!" Gabby tucks in to her meal with gusto, and asks the staff for extra bread and mint tea. Gabby wants to keep her wits about her with all these strangers around. "You two are actually cousins, yes? Did you grow up near each other? Oh, and yes, I have suppose I have experience with the 'wild.' I actually think it's a lot more wild here with all these people and the wonderful music! It's pretty tame in the wild!"

[Explosionguy]

Genericho is still keeping an eye on the dark-haired folks in the corner. He responds to Gabby's advice.

"I've been watching those fellows over there. I wonder if I should talk to them?"

Gabby's other question got him thinking. How well did he really know his cousin? When did they first meet?

"Well let's see here... I first met my cousin here when I was still in religious studies. Zuma was very young at the time. We both grew up within the church, though we went down different paths."

[Valistar]

Zuma actually laughs as shi remembers that event. "Yeah, that was pretty funny... I think I was all of four years old and verbally destroyed the poor man who was supposed to be deciding which path of studies I should be put into. Naturally he sent me to be an inquisitor... he hides or runs away any time he sees me though. He even tries to make it look like he isn't actively doing that, but it is pretty obvious. I guess it was probably a little embarrassing for him being yelled at by a four year old. But I've always been able to scare people into doing what I wanted them to." Zuma was having problems remembering why shi had been yelling at the man. Probably because he wanted hir to be a dusty old scribe or something. "Anyway, talk to the men if you want. I'm trying to limit my interaction with those who don't know me right now... Advice one of high taxmasters gave me after telling me to show up for this mission. Either way, if you need me I'll be here watching."

[HBlossom]

Gabby lifts her cup and finishes the last of her mint tea. Gabby had been to church twice in her life; once with Mae when she was a baby to get alms so Mae could buy a few things a baby needs and have prayers said to ensure her poor mother's soul could follow the stars to the next world and once again when the hunter, Dreyk, had been killed. She had given Mother Abbess 3 rabbits for Dreyk's prayers and had been given a piece of plain tree bark in return with not so much as a rune pressed into the soft inner side of the bark. What did these people want, anyway, a deer? After all, Gabby and Mae had buried Dreyk on their own. She could find her own plain bark thank you very much! Maybe that nun who was very old, now that Mae considered, was a bit addled. Ah, well.
"Genericho," Gabby asks, how about we go look out that window near the corner table and take in the view while we try to have a listen to that trio?"

[Explosionguy]

"They don't look like they're talking very much. I thought it would be better to just talk to them upfront."

Genericho's spoon finally hit the bottom of the empty bowl with a clink. He patted his mouth with a napkin and swished some water in his mouth.

"Let's go introduce ourselves. They might just be some fine fellows with knowledge to share!"

The man rises from his chair and slides it back into place with the table, sword rings jingling slightly. He makes his way through the crowd, trying to avoid bumping into anyone. As he gets to their table he introduces himself.

"Hello there. I don't believe I've seen folks like yourself around these parts. How are you doing today?"

[Aarroun]

Genericho's approach is noticed by the youngest of the trio who starts to say something to the man sharing her side of the booth but is silenced almost immediately by a raised hand. The older looking man, presumably the leader, rises from his seat to meet Genericho's approach leaving the younger woman to glare in silence behind him. From your new angle you can see the third member of their party, a broad, well muscled man dozing in his seat.

Their leader has a charming, confident demeanor, responding to Genericho's question lightly, "I'd be surprised if you had met someone like us, we're from far to the south, come north looking for a life of adventure in unfamiliar lands. Your lord's plight seemed like a good place to start, helps to have some direction after all." You can observe from his attitude that he and his party appear to be doing quite well, though perhaps they would rather not be bothered, an unspoken answer to your question. He pauses for a response.

[Explosionguy]

"Ah, adventurers, eh? A fun, if dangerous career. I'm a scribe myself, though I believe we may have similar interests right now."

Genericho smiles at the man.

"I'm sure you've already been here at least a little while, but I'd just like to welcome you to Loran. May I buy you folks a round of drinks?"

[HBlossom]

Gabby has followed Genericho only lagging by a few steps. She is as curious as the next person but just a little unused to meeting so many in such a short time. "That's very kind of you to offer," she smiles. "I'm Gabby,"she adds, pleasantly.

[Valistar]

Zuma watches from the table they were originally at. Not terribly concerned since shi knew that Genericho could handle himself despite being a scribe. Instead being more interested in the responses of the men. Zuma could tell Genericho was offering to buy them drinks, something that often made adults more friendly. Outside of the temple Zuma had not had any alcohol and had no desire to as it would be breaking the law.

[Aarroun]

The man's smile wavers as a look of confusion briefly crosses his face, he didn't think he had offered anything to this woman. Attention back on Genericho he replies, "Thank you for your welcome but no, thank you. We do very well on our own." And turns back to his seat.

[Valistar]

After watching the reaction of the men Zuma gets up and walks over to Genericho and taps him on the shoulder and says quietly, "I think they want to be left alone. Probably why they were in a dark corner to begin with." Zuma nods to the men and then goes back to hir seat to continue watching and enjoying the entertainment.

[Explosionguy]

"Suit yourself. Take care out there."

He turns to Gabby.

"I'm going to see what they have at the bar."

He then goes to tell Zuma the same before going to the bar.

[HBlossom]

"You know what, Genericho, I believe I'm going to turn in. It's been a long day, that bath was rather relaxing and my tummy's full. It was nice to meet you folks," she smiles. She keeps her face pleasant but she thinks these strangers rather unfriendly. People used to come from far away for Mae's herb and root preparations and some of them weren't in the best of moods. She learned how to show a pleasant demeanor as a youngster.

[Valistar]

"As good a time as any to get sleep." Zuma follows Gabby off to bed.

[Aarroun]

As Gabby and Zuma head off to bed to rest the bard, watching them go, takes that as his cue and ends his latest song, announcing to the room, "One last song for the night for it has grown late; there is still a long road ahead for all of us." A number of patrons nod in agreement as he starts in on a slow moving song to help wind down the energy in the room. Fingers dance across the strings of his guitar, invoking memories of lullabies.

Arriving at the bar, Genericho is shortly greeted by Maria, the shorter woman brushes her dark hair out of her eyes to get a better look at him. She speaks quietly to not interrupt the performance, "Hi hon, is there anything I can get you? We've got summer ale available or if you've got some coin to spend I can fetch something stronger for ya." You can see the top shelves are empty, likely stored away for safety.

The room starts to empty as people trickle out, some head for booths along the walls, having not purchased a room. A group of four settle in a corner booth opposite the dark trio play a quiet game of cards, apparently locals with homes nearby.

The tavern isn't empty but it's certainly gotten quieter.