Lucia just rolled her eyes at the exchange, 'story time' it seemed, was turning into meaningless chest beating, so she settled in against the wall by her things, intent on sleeping there for the night. "If your getting into a 'dick measuring contest' with a woman, your gods must truly hate you, besides, 'being the best, doesn't mean beating your chest'" she said with a snarky grin as she sat leaned against the wall.
Alex listened and watched with amusement and interest at the story and the commotion that followed, the man was truly unusual in having a beasts arm in place of his own but no doubt his graft had its advantages. I wonder what else of himself he's replaced... The woman with her own bizarre arm certainly seemed to have some interesting tricks of her own, but her eagerness to compare strength left him rolling his eyes.
"If your getting into a 'dick measuring contest' with a woman, your gods must truly hate you, besides, 'being the best, doesn't mean beating your chest'"
Alex laughed at this remark "In all fairness to him she started the contest," he said, then turned back to Trahaearn and Zuria "I'm afraid my arms don't quite measure up to yours, but I've still got my fair share of stories."
As he said this he rolled up his sleeves slightly, revealing a few scattered burn scars before pushing them back down.
"Never killed anything with so grand a name as Beast Lord before, but I suppose there was the time I fought a demon that made its home in a chunk of meadow," he said "hard to fight a giant mass of long thin grabbing roots and heavy dirt, not to mention the various modifications the demon made to its form. Had to run at first, ended up luring it into the cellar of a local tavern where the drinks favored by the locals proved quite useful for setting the thing ablaze."
Kes listed to what Lucia had to say. She'd actually seen dragon-born before. They were much sought after for arena fights for their brutality and skill-at-arms. Kes had the pleasure to both fight beside and against them before. Finally there seemed to be someone in the group of travelers who might understand the art, beauty, and joy of battle in a way similar way to her. Despite this, Kes decided to remain quiet for the moment on recognizing her kind. While Kes wasn't particularly skilled when it came to the social side she knew enough not to mention killing some of her brethren. Instead, she asked a question. "So how did you find your way here?"
"Hi, Kes, do you like my new clothes? Do you wanna feel how soft it is?" Des asked as he moved closer to her. A moment later he continued, adding "Are you fine with those? Or perhaps we should try to get some new ones tomorrow?"
Kes raised an eyebrow at the first statement. The brown and green outfit was definitely to her taste; the colors would blend in well in the surroundings of her home-horizon and many others. They could stand to be a little less regular in their pattern but that seemed to be a problem with all the clothing they encountered. Kes reached out and touched the fabric. Des hadn't been lying; it was indeed soft. In fact, it was softer than any cloth Kes had ever felt (not that that was hard to do).
"It's... good I suppose." Kes said, not sure what to say. Clothing and other matters of culture were definitively not her forte.
To the question about new clothes, Kes had no way to answer. She looked down at her own clothing; a simple skirt and shirt. She'd honestly been fine in the rags. She didn't need clothes for protection and the idea of fashion had never occurred to her. Not having an answer, Kes could only shrug her shoulders and reply "Should I?"
Des decided to ignore all the mortal talk about comparing arms and non-existing penises. For being so up-tight when it came to sex and relationships, mortals sure liked mentioning those kinds of things without any reason to. Even Alex was in on it.
Or is this some sort of ritual?
He hadn't been around mortal men enough to really know, he preferred to keep to the ladies. His eyes went back to Kes, who was feeling the fabric, replying to his questions.
"It's... good I suppose."
"Right? It's soft and comfortable and easy to move in. It's pleasant," he continued, but stopped there, he'd rather not make her feel sad about not having that nice clothes.
"Should I?"
Des tilted his head. "Should you?" It was an odd question to ask someone else.
"I don't know, do you want new clothes? Do you feel like you are wearing uncomfortable clothes? I think you'd look good in anything, so it's up to you. As long as you're happy wearing that, I'm happy," he replied, and winked, playfully. It wasn't flirtily, just friendly, though he supposed it was hard to see the difference.
Hopefully she won't take it badly, though.
Nah, Kes knew him by now, she wouldn't think something like that, not another time. He noticed that some of the others had started going to sleep, and added;
"Also, don't let me keep you up if you're tired, I'll move back to my end of the couch so that you get room to lie down if you want me to."
He then went quiet, listening to the rest of Alex' story with one ear and waiting for a reply with the other. Or, well, he was listening with both ears, but his attention was somewhat divided. It was mostly the mention of demon that caused it, though Des knew that it wasn't the same kind of demon as him.
"So how did you find your way here?" the lady who'd sat next to Des had asked.
"To this Horizon or in general? Cause it was the same random chance that brought me here that likely brought you all here." Lucia started "For a more amusing answer, I shall instead interpret the question s 'why am I bounce from world to world' like a flying bug zapping, shiny hobo?" Lucia simply shrugged "There was nothing left for me in my country, and with that came the freedom of no longer being burdened by the constraints of it's social norms." She said as she rubber her arm where the tattoo used to be, although it was a subconscious action. Lucia then went on about some of the worlds she'd been to since leaving, the most note worthy being a world where all the city's seemed to be in the sky and every one had wings like a birds, while the ground below was untamed save a few places where resources where gathered. Lucia, now in the mood to tell a more interesting story, settle on that world.
Lucia told, interesting enough, not of high adventures in monster slaying, but 'toys'. Specifically, how this world use magic for everything, and one such past time the had was a tournament where contestants build small golems out of fine metals and gems. Some where for show, and where essentially a 'dual between artists' to see who could build the best looking one that year, others built the for battle, where it was at that point the same as any tournament they'd seen or been in only the contestants weren't in any danger of injury cept for wounded pride. She spoke a little of the enchantments used to control them but readily admitted to not understanding how it worked. The battles she spoke of though, sounded nothing like a 'child's game' though. Lucia recounted a few very fierce sounding battles, one of which ended in a draw after both combatants, both she mentioned where very intricately detailed, and clearly a labor of love at the start, fought till nether golem was capable of continuing, the battle starting as an aerial shoot out before breaking down to a fist fight on the tournament stage. "That one got a huge round of applause from the crowds watching. I found out from some one standing near by that the two combatants where actually best friends, when I asked why they where fighting like they where trying to kill each-other, he said it was because they're friends. The short of his explanation was that 'friends' usually knew each other tactics and ability's better the other competitors, so they can't ford to fight any other way then all out." Lucia said as she began to wind down her story. "Anyway, sorry it wasn't some 'epic tale' of me killing some great beast, but it was a really neat thing and it was a really great fight."
Dalrel woke up as an orange light filtered through the windows of the living room.
He shifted his head back and forth instinctively, before remembering that the place the group was in was actually safe.
A window was already open, as some cold air seeped into the warm room to disrupt the group's sleep schedule.
He got up and grabbed his newly bought clothing and headed over to the kitchen. Nettil and Sal were already up and ready to go. Sal, clothed in his thin long-flowing attire, and Nettil with a cream-coloured jacket and her hair tied back into a bun.
''Where can I wash myself?'' He asked, gesturing to his entire body. They pointed him towards a small room with a basin of water and a toilet, and asked him to tell the others as well.
He heated the water himself and after a few minutes of soaking and drying, was ready to leave, with his new clothes- a burgundy cloak and trousers, black doublet, and boots that weren't caked in mud and dust.
He waited anxiously for the others, munching on some strange bread that tasted like garlic and sniffed at the soup put in front of him.
''The Towers will be busy. It'll be hard enough to get you all upstairs, but it'll be nigh impossible if you look like street urchins.'' Sal explained, as he went downstairs to tend to the plants. Occasionally looking outside to notice the hooded man still sitting outside.
''We should really do something about him.....''
After the conversation died down Lucia went to sleep.
The morning came to soon for her likely, as it usually did, and she begun to stir, her tail uncoiled it self from around her feet and her wings, which had been wrapped around her, really just leaving her head visible, moved back behind her as she, lazily pushed her self up. Once up she started to stretch out the kinks from sleeping in a sitting position, culminating in a full body stretch/yawn combo, the yawn coming out as less a yawn and more a traditional 'dragons squawk'. Lucia then followed her nose to what smelled like food, sat down and started eating.
How awake she really was for any of this was subject of debate ...
"I don't know, do you want new clothes? Do you feel like you are wearing uncomfortable clothes? I think you'd look good in anything, so it's up to you. As long as you're happy wearing that, I'm happy," Des said. Kes didn't quite follow; what did "looking good" have to do with anything? As for being uncomfortable, she was aware of the phenomenon but didn't know if the clothes were that way. After all, she adapted to most things so quickly that being uncomfortable was not a problem she'd ever dealt with. As for wanting new clothes, unless they were insufficient why would anyone want new clothes?
Kes didn't dwell on the questions long for quickly Lucia began her tale. Now THAT was something she understood. The thrill of the fight and the primal joy of victory. She'd never fought golems herself - Liem never found much pleasure in battles where one side wouldn't bleed - but she could understand the basic concept; giant constructed soldiers of incredible strength, durability, and mystical resistance. Some of the stronger ones might make fair practice for Kalidonians.
Kes, inspired into speech, told the story of the group's battle with the Nemian Lion and Manticores; sparing none of the wondrous gory details. She also spoke of their escape from the arena and a basic overview of the events that brought the small group to the strange city. KEs found herself wondering if the city had a similar arena. By the time she was done, most of the others seemed to be asleep. Noticing this, Kes felt the fatigue of the journey catch up to her and decided to catch some sleep in her little corner of the sofa.
The following morning, Kes made her way downstairs just in time to catch Dalrel's statement. ''The Towers will be busy. It'll be hard enough to get you all upstairs, but it'll be nigh impossible if you look like street urchins.'' Kes stared blankly at the man for a moment before asking what was no doubt an obvious question to most; "What are street urchins?" Throughout it all, Kes remained oblivious to the fact she probably looked more like a street urchin than most.
She didn't dwell on the question too long before the second statement caught her attention. ''We should really do something about him.....'' Dalrel said, indicating a hooded figure. While Kes had no idea what to do about street urchins, she knew how to deal with unwanted people. Pivoting on her feet, she made her way to the door, intent on either jumping the man or unleashing a terrible howl.
@Josh: I didn't have Kes actually do anything to give people a chance to (try and) stop her, but assume for your next GM post that unless someone HAS stopped her, she's doing just as written; jumping the man and beating him up or howling at him (per her minor power) if he's out of range. She's not being stealthy in the slightest.
@Lunar: assume Lucia knows whatever she wants to about the previous adventures.
Hopefully this hooded figure didn't come from The Dog Park >_>
Des didn't sleep, yet he knew when to close his eyes and become slightly less aware of the world as the others fell asleep. He moved as soon as he had noticed that Kes was asleep, giving her more space to move around if she was one of those kind of sleepers, and eventually, hours had passed and it was morning again.
"The Towers will be busy. It'll be hard enough to get you all upstairs, but it'll be nigh impossible if you look like street urchins."
"What are street urchins?"
What were those indeed? He knew what an urchin was, and he knew what a street was, but neither of those seemed correct, and the combination of the words seemed ridiculous. Someone said something else, though Des didn't catch that. He was too baffled about the term 'Street Urchin', though Kes had decided to go outside.
It makes no sense.
"Hedgehogs?" he asked, suddenly. "Do you mean hedgehogs? Street hedgehogs?" Why would anyone look like a hedgehog? Those had spikes and rolled up, and he didn't think anyone in the group had did that.
"I don't think anyone looks like one of those, so we should be fine."
He moved on to taste a bit of the food, very oblivious to how odd what he had just said had to sound, instead smiling cheerfully to himself, happy that he had figured it out.
The group prepared themselves as a loud howl was heard outside.
Kes stomped through the entrance triumphantly. ''The man is gone.''
Nettil scowled at Sal.''That's the last time I send you to the port for people. You bring us a mute while the real person arrives here by accident.'' She said, gesturing to Trahaearn.
The group left as orange light poured over the rooftops and onto the street. Nettil had carried a box of seeds and samplings out of the shop with her and allowed Sal to lead them all.
Passing a few wayward streets left them with a glimpse of an inn, a parlour and a brothel. One muscular looking man grinned at Sal from the entrance, the other sighed loudly and pushed passed him, motioning the group to do the same.
The roads widened and narrowed, then twisted and turned abruptly on them, before becoming very clear and straight as the Towers came into full view.
Suddenly there were more patrols than there were before. Men clad in sapphire blue armour and ornate shields travelled in groups, the buildings became taller, and carriages could pass each other easily now without slowing. As they continued down the street, they came through a large plaza made of bronze-coloured brick. In the centre was a large coal-black arch-way. ''It's a Connector.'' Nettil announced to them. ''Not quite a Horizon, but if a missing piece is slotted in, it can connect you to a nearby Horizon in this world.''
She then continued to blare on about numerous customs, and how each diplomat is only allowed two guards, ''Because armies couldn't fit.'', and a load of other bits of trivia that she had assumed everyone had prior knowledge of.
When they finally crossed the plaza, they came to the entrance of one of the Towers. There were about half a dozen, with bridges connecting the upper floors of each. This Tower was about as wide as a small fort, and must have been at least a dozen times taller. Nestled in between several of the Towers was a large domed structure. ''The Senate,'' Nettil then explained, the main building for the Conglomeration's diplomacy.
They entered passed large stone pillars marked with both symbols and graffiti, and were greeted to a bustling crowd of people. Candles lined the walls, as did officials and soldiers. People crowded around different stations for their own reasons. Some for grievences about water supply while others waved around their papers for trade shipments or passports.
''It's a real cesspool down here. If you're new to this then- uhh I'm so sorry.''
Sal said apologetically, pushing through the crowd in order to reach a platform with a few guards. Sal and Nettil explained to them their reasons for being here, and the group was admitted through. They cramped themselves into a cubicle with a stone slab for a floor, and two men clothed in green robes.
They huffed and pushed their arms upwards, bringing the stone slab with them. The group were ascending up and up until they reached a number #8. Nettil thanked them as the doors opened to a much brighter, ornate setting.
The stone floor was replaced by some crimson carpet and cream wallpaper, as diplomats shuffled around while being escorted by their duos of guards. Bourgeoisie floated around as large clear windows gave them a view of the rest of the island city. The group then made their way towards a corridor with double doors lining either side periodically. Nettil stopped at the 2nd on the left, knocked, then moved in.
Inside sitting behind a stone desk was a Snow Elf of similar size and shape to Sal. The room was noticeably colder than the rest of the building, and the room had several marble pillars that couldn't possibly be load-bearing. There were also small plants, a flask of wine and some uneaten food near one of the walls. Behind him was a large glass window overlooking the city.
''So, this is your latest group?'' the blue-eyed noble asked to Nettil. She nodded, walking over to him and plopping down her box.
''Good. You'll need them.'' He looked passed her and towards the Horizon Walkers, asking ''Leave us?'' Sal obeyed, shutting the doors and waiting outside. ''You people can just look around for now. Just try to stay on this floor, alright?''
Leaving the corridor, the group were now in a large lobby with various others. In one corner, a man was handing out leaflets for his business, but was frequently being received with hissing and angry looks. Light shone in from an entire side that was window panes, while the opposite side was dominated by the elevator they just came from, and sets of stairs. Emerging from one of the elevators was an elderly woman dressed in purple, ordained with garnets, and her entourage consisted of two guards and a small child. As they left the elevator they received immediate bows from passers by.
Rounding out the lobby adjacent to the group was a balding moneylender who was trying very hard to gather attention, and a woman who sold strange foodstuffs on sticks.
See that last paragraph? Yeah, you can interact with any and all of that.
Alternatively you can try to piss off Sal, or some of the staff, whatever floats your boat.
Kes tried to pay attention to the walk, but found almost all of it outside her frame of reference. She recognized some of the terms - particularly the word "senate" - but those were the exception. Still, the city was remarkable in size and grandeur. Shame about the smell.
When they walked into the lobby and the group split up, Kes could only look around and try to make sense of it all. The food smelled good to her, but she had no money or things to barter with. She briefly considered visiting the moneylender to get some money, but she'd learned from other slaves how being unable to repay debts got them thrown into the arena. While she had no doubt she'd be able to win the fights, she had no desire to go back to that life. That left the man handing out fliers. Being the only option she had, Kes started making her way there.
She crossed the path of the group everyone was bowing to without a thought to get to the man handing out the fliers.
I don't know if they expect everyone to bow to the entourage, but if so Kes is going to defy expectations. VIVA LA BARBARIAN REVOLUTION! : p
Lucia finished her meal, gradually waking up as she did. After that she put her gear back on and made ready to leave with the others. As the group left for the towers, the trip there was unremarkable, once there, she saw more portals and teh woman who gave them a place to sleep last night started going on about customs and why nobles only have two guards and so on. Lucia by this point was more or less in 'work mode' so she stayed quiet and just kept an eye on things until she needed to do something.
As they made they're way through the tower she took in the architecture a bit, it was well built and nice to look at, though she couldn't help be think the similar such places back on her world where nobles gathered where nicer, even if the nobles them selves she felt where, over all, worthless. Once the group was left to it's own devices in some lobby Lucia, similarly to Kes, cut in-front of the group that was getting bows to get to the guy handing out fliers, mostly due to a combination of her not noticing them, and not really caring.
Des, having still not learnt what a street urchin was supposed to be, followed the group, speaking a bit to different people they passed, and being as social as one could be when most of one's group was uninterested in speaking. Finally, they arrived at this "tower", though, it wasn't one, but several.
Or is it split up?
That didn't make much sense to him, perhaps the city ought to change the name of it. Regardless, he didn't pay much attention to what the others were saying. There was too much to look at, and to interact with, and he didn't really want to be stuck inside a place like this, not if he was going to just be standing around. Only nodding when he was told to stay inside, he did so.
Mortals sure have funny ideas of what a task is, though. What could we possible be doing here?
Regardless, he went over to the woman selling some sort of food thing. On a stick. Smiling brightly, he pointed to one of them.
"Excuse me, miss," he said in a charming, polite manner. "What is that?"
Looking to trade?
The seller jolted for a moment at being approached, before grinning at Zuria. ''I'd prefer gold, if you plan to barter by heaving some armour on the table then I'm not interested.''
"Excuse me, miss, What is that?"
The blond haired woman turned her head and smiled back at Des, ''It's a delicacy from my home region. Want one?'' she gestured towards about two dozen skewers. Some had vegetables, but most were primarily different coloured cooked meats arranged in different orders on the stick.
the vendor took one of them off of a portable stove and handed it to Des.
''Actually, this one's for free.'' She said, anticipating a response. ''It would be-uhh, nice to find out what you think. Tell your friends.'' She looked around at Des's companions, averting eye contact with Lucia, before stopping her gaze at Kes and Lucia.
''What are those two doing?''
Kes & Lucia
The man wore a brown clock and handed out two leaflets to the two women.
''Interested in the service? It's a large investment, but it'll save on you hiring servants, and technically they won't count towards any living expenses-- bar their own, obviously.'' he said in a high pitched voice.
The leaflets were scrawled in some foreign writing system, or was code for something else. The man pulled out case and produced some papers. ''I can explain more if you're interested.''
-------------------------
Nettil slammed her arm on the table.
''You're not serious are you?''
The snow elf grinned and explained patiently. ''Nettil, I understand the service you provide, but the last two groups you've brought in have all disappeared down there, you can't expect me to take the blame for this, do you?'' He said, stirring a cold liquid in his glass and sipping it modestly.
Nettil stared at the Snow Elf's weathered face, his green eyes and his heavy clothing that he's tailored the room's climate towards, as she shivered lightly.
''Cyar, What happens to the Walkers brought in has nothing to do with me, Sal just brings them in from the ports!''
''Yes, well I'm not taking the blame for a third mishap, and no one wants to publicize the dangers of the sewers to the public. It could spark hysteria, or some stupid vigilantes to vandalize down there.'' He stared out his large glass wall and lamented. ''As for my cousin, Sal has a history for oversights and missteps-- I should know.''
''I don't care, we're not going down there.'' Nettil told the diplomat loudly.
''Oh? I never said everyone. Half of your travelling band will stay here, as will either you or Sal. Honestly I don't care which.'' He said, finishing his drink and placing it on the stone table. ''That way if something happens there'll still be a few Horizon Walkers hanging around for other tasks...''
Nettil punched one of the faux-pillars in anger and began to rummage through the box of plants she brought in.
Alex didn't see any reason in particular to go shopping, they'd already spent enough time in the markets as it was and beyond that none of the locals had piqued his interest so far. At least there seemed to be an accessible horizon in sight, while this one was in some ways a welcome break from excitement his presence in this horizon was hardly necessary and he would prefer to get on with his quest. I suppose I can work on my journal at least, haven't had the time to write much in it lately.
Resolving to do just that he pulled out the journal and absently followed the group while filling it out. Some of it would be filled with simple observations and summaries of the people they had met and horizons they had dealt with, while the vast majority of it was filled with notes on his recollections of the dreams he had had recently.
"Interested in the service? It's a large investment, but it'll save on you hiring servants, and technically they won't count towards any living expenses-- bar their own, obviously. I can explain more if you're interested." The man said, handing the pair of them leaflets. Kes took one and looked at it. A second later, she turned it over and continued to look at it. She hadn't expected it to work of course, but the city was clearly advanced in magic so there was a chance of some sort of translation magic.
Translation magic Kes could have used given her illiteracy.
So instead, Kes was forced to rely on his words alone to create context. "Investment in what?" Kes asked. Was it some kind of magical spell/device or perhaps some kind of creature? She was leaning toward the later given the use of "living expenses".
Upon being told to wait in the room Kyras looked around, decided he wasn't interested for now and walked into the center of the room. The sun was shining brightly and up until now most of his time was spent walking or in the darkness. He raised his head high and stared directly into the sun through the windows of the room. This of course wasn't the first time he had done it and blindness wasn't something that ever seemed to come to him unlike others.
As the light began to soak its way in he smiled for the experience. Though this ball of fire was new to him it wasn't a stranger.
"Your gonna have to explain more. vague details like that are hardly enough to make a decision on." Lucia said. " Especially when the term 'large investment' is used." She was broke mind you, but she was still curious about what he was offering, money was a funny thing that one could suddenly come into large quantity of, so she thought it wise to be made aware of a potentially useful option.
The squeaky pitched man stammered at Kes and Lucia's innocence, his eyes darting back and forth ''Well, I- you know.... servants? indentured servants?'' he ensured that last sentence was low. ''We have several specialised workers, including...'' he continued, rambling about ones for cleaning, or warriors, or for sex.
-------------------------------------------
Alex continued to read and fill his journal quietly, before being interrupted.
''Quite the traveller, aren't you?'' The woman asked. She wore a violet cloak down to to floor that was laced in gold. On her pale slender fingers were numerous rings. Her expensive clothing was adorned with jewels, and hanging around her neck was a necklace with a small obsidion shard on the end of it. Her skin was a pale and wrinkled, and her hair was died black in many places.
Accompanying her were two guards, a black man and a ginger girl, along with a small child draped in purple, including their hair.
''What is it about?'' She asked, smiling through perfect white teeth, as a few onlookers stared at the woman.
-------------------------------------------
Nettil rushed out of the corridor and towards Sal. ''No time to explain, and no, I am not looking for a counter-argument.'' She then explained she would be sorting out the mystery of the sewers, and that Sal was to remain with the others. Sal was forming a sentence to object, but Nettil then sped off and away towards the elevators, tugging on shoulders and sleeves of the people that got in her way.
''Trahaearn, Dalrel, with me.'' She ordered, two feet already firmly in the elevator.
Des wasn't sure what to reply. On one hand, he did want one, they looked tasty, and he didn't like the thought of refusing a lady. On the other hand, he didn't need it, and he didn't have anything to pay her with. Luckily, she was willing to part with one.
"Actually, this one's for free. It would be-uhh, nice to find out what you think. Tell your friends."
"I will, thanks." Des took a big bite, and smiled brightly, regardless of what the taste actually was. Then he spoke, sincerely as always.
"It's delicious, what is it made of?"
Des waited for a reply, though she seemed to wonder about something completely different, looking towards Kes and the dragon-born lady, Lucia. In the meanwhile, he noticed that Nettil appeared, only to drag some of the others with her and leave again. Unsure of what to do, but not about to leave in the middle of a conversation.
"What are those two doing?"
Des looked over at Kes and Lucia, then back at the saleswoman, a bit confused. As far as he could see, they were only walking over to some man and talking to him. They were passing someone, however, someone who probably wanted to get to the same place and was waiting to do so.
Perhaps they didn't notice the line?
Yeah, that was probably it. Besides, it didn't seem very strictly enforced, so it was okay.
"Talking to that man over there, I think. Why?" he asked, and took another bite of the free treat. "They're with me, so I think they'll behave." Des didn't think it would be awfully bad if they didn't, though.
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