RP:A Halflings Day Out!

Mahri's dog noses her way into the tavern, small black body wiggling through the small opening left by an exiting drunkard. Mahri reaches out to catch the door just before it closes, following the pup. With a rather wide yawn, the lycan makes her way to the bar, shaking her head at the bottle of booze Mesthak holds up. "Nay, none o'that. Gimme somet'in' hot and will wake me up." Dark hair is tucked behind her ear, revealing a profile of pale skin and dark circles under her eyes. A cup of coffee is placed before her, even if she doesn't touch the cup, at least the aroma is there.

Whess is sitting in the tavern at a table alone with a pint of beer in his lap and a pipe in his hands. The hobit had positioned himself ever so perfectly that he could see the bar and the tables around him in unison and the amount of comfort that brought the male seemed to be teh difference between the smile now on his face and the wariness of his eyes. Those eyes held warmth and mirth, glee and jolly lips curved upward in perhaps a permanently mischievious smile. The halfling seemed to be about forty, forty five years old. A few grey hairs adorned his black hair. His clothes were leather, brown and of low quality yet they suited the man quite well. He smiled and nodded over his brew whilst he told a story to a very drunk patron of the tavern, even for this early in the morning. The story of his great grandfather Stophal. Any nearby overheard the word dragon and slaying. Most shot him a skeptical look; to which he smiled and gave back a sly nod. "I am telling you, this beast was more'n two hundred feet long and forty feet high and my granpappy just pulled out his harp and started singing a song of pain so strong that the beast died of a bursting heart. Our family been bards and warriors ever since, we practice them arts. Yes." It seemed the halfling had been drinking all night -- his latest pint was now empty. He walked over to the bar and staggered up the seat beside Mahri to order another brew. He eyed her and offered a nod, "Lo Mistress. Quite a fine morning aye?? Aye? Tis morning innit?" He looked at the nearest window. His breath reeked of beer. Yet even those his eyes were bloodshot, his demeanor seemed polite and well kept. "M'names Whess, lass. Whessly Snieps Har. Been in these lands since last night and I got to say - the brew is as good as I remember." The halfling had gone off into conversation, seemingly without heed. "It's been about -- well a good number o'years since I been around. Used to mine up in them 'Xalious mountains' and what have you when I was a younger lad and -" he cut himself off to take a breath and before he continued he laughed merrily and took a drink of the beer Mesh had brought him. He paid and took a long sip. Several. "Your name eh?" The first time he had given her a chance to speak.

Mahri's silvery eyes blink down at the halfling, her pale lips pressing together in mild annoyance. Jackie though, had no such reservations as she's already sniffing around the little man, tail wagging happily at her new friend. Of course, he'd be an even better friend if a treat were to be dropped for the six month old pup. While the bard told whatever rambling story was rattling around in his head, she takes a sip of the steaming coffee, the nonalcoholic brew doing absolutely nothing to clear the fog from her brain. At some point, she'd tuned out the inebriated halfling, only startled out of her inner reflections by the question of her name. Tucking blue-black hair behind an ear, she darts a cool glance his way, "My name? Mahri." Her voice might have that rough edge some do upon waking, or it might be from lack of use since it doesn't seem she's actually slept very much lately.

Whess nods more to himself than to Mahri. "Beautiful name, that." Oh for the love of Sven. Was he hitting on her? It was possible. Anything was possible with this halfling. "Oh that reminds me, I had a friend name Harry once. He got squashed by a giant he did, quite funny really - we were walking along the road one day and..." The story dragged on, eventually, about five minutes later, Harry ended up asking the giant where the nearest inn was and wound up getting stepped on. Apperently the giant was a little untrusting of halflings, seeing as they were so small. "And thats how I lost my very favorite pipe, you see I had loaned it to Harry the night before because --" The story continued with only occasional pauses for breath and a drink. The male seemed oblivious to the fact Mahri wasn't paying annteion for several minutes until he spoke up. "And thats why I never liked fog. What're you drinkin' there? Can I try some? Your dog is cute. I love dogs." He patted the lil' bugger on the head. "Cute dog. Whats his name? Can I try some of that?" Too much alcohol.

Mahri's quite sure the chatty little halfling would have continued on even if she had up and left. Jackie though, was enjoying the attention lavished upon her and so, the lycan stayed with a resigned sigh. "Anyone ever tell ye, ye talk too damn much," she practically growls out between clenched teeth. Her cup of coffee is pushed towards Whess, the heel of her hand coming up to grind against her eye. As for Jackie, she's offered a glare, though it's clear even then that the alpha is overly fond of the mutt. "Her name's Jackie. If ye want her to leave ye alone, give her somethin' t'eat." The mention of food has a loud rumble coming from her stomach, which she ignores.

Whess doesn't even seem to note Mahri's comment as being disrespectful, he only nods in utter seriousness with a small smile. "Aye. I been told by a couple people - my great uncle Harl used to say I talk like a windmill. Depends on how much beer I got turning me cranks! Runs in the family really." He burst into laughter and slapped Mahri on the back. "Ah, runs in the family really. He remained oblivious to Marhi's comment 'bout the dog. He was too busy wiping a tear from his eye to even note that she had pushed the cup toward him. His beer had a quarter pint left and he quickly chugged it and slid it at Mesh. He took the cup and began cleaning it idly whilst he observed all patrons and none at the same time. Whess on the other hand was focused on Mahri. "It's so early. Lets get out of here. I need some fresh air. Lets go on a walk! Nay! Lets hunt!" He growled in imitation of a wolf, "Like wild beasts!" and burst into laughter again, nudging Mahri in the ribs in jest. "What'do ya say eh? A little hunt can do no harm. I got me a rusty dagger -- my brother Todd made it for me, got a bit rusted but -- I can throw it straight and true, kill a rabbit from twelve feet I tell you."

Mahri grunts from the slap on the back, a wince marring her features. That she could have handled, it's the jab to her ribs that has a breath hissing out towards the overly gregarious halfling. Jackie gives up on trying to earn a treat from the curious little man and wanders off to lay down by the hearth, chocolate brown eyes closing for a morning nap. "It's a wonder yer tongue hasn't been cut out," she mumbles, the idea having some merrit as she considers it with all seriousness. Her own dagger rests in a sheath strapped to her thigh, bare fingers itching to draw it and make good on that little thought. The prospect of hunting holds no appeal, thus her head moves side to side in a small shake. "No." In fact, something stronger than coffee sounded really good 'bout then, if only she didn't need to keep a clear head.

Whess almost looks a little sad when he actually stops to listen to the woman. For the first time. No seriously, he hadn't paid half ass attention in his enibriated state to anything the girl had said really, but the coffee cheered him up. "This is good." He said calmly, a smile perking his face up. "Why you so serious all the time Mistress Mahri? Lets dance." He tugged on her black shirt and slipped from his bar stool at the same time - essentially the girls shirt was keeping him balanced. He was pretty buzzed. "Come come. Dance with me!" A jig was started, one foot to the other with utter glee while he began singing a song. Quite talented actually. Surprisingly the song seemed to meld a sense of glee into anyone listening, an effect the halfling had on people. He was a bard after all. "Dance with me!" Yet with one so -- unenthused as Mahri, who could tell what sort of effect it would have.

Mahri is sorely tempted to just leave, but the halfling eventually brings a twitch to her lips. Not a smile, not a grin, but a good enough start. Until she's almost toppled from her chair by the grasping hand. "Oh for the Gods' sake," she snaps. Sliding off her chair to stare at the jiggling and bouncing man. She only knew one dance, and that because someone had taught her. Quite uncomfortable, she refused to call the rising need for escape panic, silver eyes dart to the door. "Umm, maybe that hunt wouldn't be such a bad idea after all." Not that there was much to hunt these days.

Whess stops dancing and nods with an enthused grin. "Aye. I want to bag a rabbit! Why buy food when you can catch it yourself, thats what I always say." He comes to stand next to the girl and looks up at her. Like a child with his mother, so trusting the slightly -- slightly -- inebriated man was with Mahri. So trusting. "Oh my god your dog is so cute!" He shouts rather loudly with excitement, tugging slightly on Mahri's shirt -again- and pointing at Jackie. "What's its name?" Oh my. "I had a pet raccoon once. Damn thing got eaten by my friend Harry, he thought it was just a wild thing. Anyways, Harry ended up getting smashed by a giant that same day - " The story was told again in length this time, exactly the same way. "Lets hunt!" He said at the end and tugged on her shirt again hoping to lead the girl to the door

Maere sauntered into the tavern, the appearnace of the dark woman appearing grizzly due to the spatters of blood and carnage strung over her from head to toe. CHest heaving heavily, the woman struggled to contain her wild rage, but to no avail on her own. Each step toward the bar would leave a bloody print until she reached the bar, Nancy looking rather timid. "Mae?" the small woman asked, sliding her a rather large tankard filled with something unknown.

You :: Jackie picks her head up and stares at Mahri and Whess, tail thumping hesitantly on the floor before she gets up with an exagerated stretch and yawn. Really, the lycan has nothing to say, not that it would matter anyway what with the pratling on of the little man. "Jackie is the dog's name." The tug to her shirt would have barely moved the woman under any other circumstance, but in her exhaustion she simply takes a step forward. Snapping her fingers, Jackie trots over, eager to get on with whatever adventure might be had this morning. Mahri, on the other hand, is pondering the pro's and con's of making Whess the target of a 'hunt'. If for no other reason than to shut his chattering mouth. Maybe she'll take his tongue after all. One clean slice and no more noise.

Maere growled at the tiny woman who spoke her name before gulping down the liquid in her tankard, it apparently having a sort of calming effect. "I am fine Nancy...." Said with a little more gruff then meant, but the woman hadn't hunted in some time, thus the ravenous behaviour. "What about my floors!? I spent all night cleaning them!" Nancy dared comment upon the stains that surely would never come from the wood.

Whess gets to the door and stops with a grin, "After you m'lady." he said with such enthusiasm one would think he were in a royal court. The door is opened with his right hand whilst his left gestures toward the exit, "Adventure ho!"

Mahri's attention is drawn briefly from Whess to the decidedly messy woman who has just upset Nancy. A smirk takes possession of her lips, twisting them with a dark humor that only another hunter would understand. Poor Nancy. Mahri almost groans aloud at the galantry of the halfling, "M'name isn't m'lady. It's Mahri. Use it." At least she's saving the rest of the patrons from ludicrous stories and outlandish claims along with a mouth that doesn't cease. So, she passes through the open door, Jackie on her heels and the bard given a curled lip snear, "Adventure indeed."

Parsithius said to you, "Don't."

Maere said to Nancy "I wouldn't go complaining about your floors Nanc....member last time you caught me off gaurd, you nearly lost your kitchen." Nancy huffed angrily, mumbling something under her breath, which in turn would severly set Maere further into fury.

You said to Parsithius, "Don't what, Knight?"

Parsithius said to you, "I know what you are contemplating. Don't do it."

Mahri's shoulders slump. Damn the knight. "I won't." Fingers tunnel through unkempt hair, getting caught on a snarl before she heads out after the halfling.

Maere whispered to Mahri, "*snickers* Save me some!"

Mahri's eyes sparkle with something quite primal as she glances back at Maere. An almost imperceptable nod is given, then she's gone.

Mahri steps out of the tavern, the steps navigated with a slow, calm gait. "Rabbits ye want, eh?"

Whess nods excitedely. "Yus! Rabbits. Good eating rabbits - in stews and such." He cut himself short. Go figure. "Its been years, -- years since I been here to these lands! Lead the way Mahri."

Mahri stalks through the woods, silver bladed dagger at the ready in a loosly held grip. Something rustles in the underbrush, her gaze snapping in that direction. She's not in the mood really to hunt even a rabbit, so she'll let Whess flush out the rabbit, if Jackie didn't get to it first. Black ears perk, her nose twitches and a low growl rumbles in the pups chest. Intense brown eyes stare at the spot that the noise had come from. Already well trained, the dog's small body trembles in anticipation, but she doesn't move just yet.

Whess follows along behind Mahri like a loyal dog himself, slightly drunken stagging a normal occurence. This seemed to be a ritual of his. Get drunk. Meet a girl. Go for a walk in the forest. "Shh." He crouchs, rather agile and flexible even in his current state and unsheathes a blade that should have been discarded years ago. Yet it seemed sharp enough. The halfling follows Jackie's eyes to the rustling he hadn't heard. He hadn't been paying attention, yet now he was and quickly he began approaching the noise with utter silence. Surprisingly utter silence. No noise. Until he began to hum. A calming tune, the very trees around him seemed to come alive with it - every leave shifted under the strain of it, every branch creaked - and from the rustling of leaves came a single solitary white rabbit. Tiny. Young. It sniffed the air yet had no qualm of approaching Whess at all. He continued to hum unchallenged, but he shot a smile so pleased it could be annoying just to look at to Mahri and grabbed the rabbit by the neck to pick it up. He stood straight and stopped humming, the rabbit began to squirm. "Feral beasts tend to be affected the easiest by it. I love to hunt. So relaxing." He huffed a contented sigh and looked about. "I've been here before. I swear it. This place is quite familiar to me, I think I hid something here once years ago." He seemed to distract himself even holding the rabbit as he were. When he came to his senses he spoke a few simple words, "Your turn."

Mahri merely sheaths the dagger, carefully what with it being made of silver and all. With a shake of her head, she nods towards the squirming rabbit. "It's too scrawny. Let it go." Her tone indicated she was used to being obeyed. Then again, she was rather perturbed by his hunting method. The scornful look she passed over the halfling giving testement to that as she found a good solid tree to slide down and rest against. "Tha's not huntin', Little Man. There's no challenge in what ye did."

Whess snorts derisively and lets the little thing go, "But its so cute. I wanna keep it. I could use another pet, you know my last pet got eaten by me friend? Aye tis true, a very true fact indeed. Ah! I remember now!" He began scuffling through the area almost paniced, "I hid it here years ago. They wanted it for themselves they did, they didn't believe me." Yet as he searched near Mahri he paused. "That was challenging for me. Took energy from me aye, you know its taken me years to perfect my art." He almost seemed offended if one could imagine a -halfling- being offended. It seemed to pass rather quickly as the male distracted himself with moving about, checking the wind and smelling the air as if that would help him locate whatever it is he sought. "You're sitting on it." He said at last. "I planted it right there thirty-seven years ago. It's a family heirloom -- excuse me." He smiled at her.

Mahri , rather curious and oddly entertained (he's a bard, right? Who wouldn't be entertained!) she'll get up and move off a ways. "Aye, yer friend that got squashed by a giant ate yer raccoon. Ye said somet'in' 'bout that earlier." A dismissive hand is waved, his art or not, hunting should not be done with magic, and she'll say so too.

Whess doesnt mind getting down and dirty, quickly the halfling giggles and falls on his knees -he begins digging. Moving the layers of dead leaves and debris until he hit dirt. It was rather moist so, without further adue, he begins to actually dig into the ground until the shape of something long and curved appears. "Found it! They all thought I was nuts." He dug up a filthy thing almost as long as he was, it had been laying length wise in the ground for quite some time. "My great granpappy slayed a dragon! Took his tooth as a trophy. See? They say I'm nuts but it's true. I come from a very noble blood line of halflings, yes, yes, always been bards and always will be - did you know my family tree runs back forty-four generations?" The banter continued for the next three minutes while the halfling cleaned the giant tooth with difficulty in the creek.

Mahri's brow slowly rises in small incriments as the halfling digs. Jackie gets in on the action, paws pulling at the soil to toss the dirt behind her. Soon, a small pile had built up and the tooth revealed. By now, both brows are quite high. "Obviously, yer quite sane," she mumbles, trying to hide a yawn behind her hand. "What're ye goin' t'do with it then?"

Whess grins with delight, leaning against his trophy. "Well. Ima put it back actually. Don't really know why I dug it up in the first place." And with that philosophical statement the older male puts it back in its rightful place and covers it up slightly more haphazardly than it had been buried. "Goin'a give it to me kids one day I suppose. If I ever have any of 'm. I always came from a big family, why, my I had twelve sisters and four brothers. We used to herd'm like sheep aye. Keep'm in line and away from the boys 'cept at dances and such aye." He nodded assuredly and grinned at Mahri, "What about you? You come from a big family? whats your story? Whats your last name?"

Mahri's lips press tightly together watching the tooth being burried again. Not satisfied with that, Jackie gets back to digging. She wants to know what the tooth tastes like. It was the biggest chew toy she'd ever seen. Ignoring the enthusiasm of the pup, her eyes narrow in suspicion, the questions not ones she hadn't heard before. "Tha's none o'yer business, Little Man." Hearing the note of irritation in the lycan's voice, Jackie pulls her attention from the again widening hole to glance between her mistress and the halfling.

Whess chuckles quietly and runs his stubbly digits through black, graying hair. "Well I reckon its anyones business Mahri, else we wouldn't live in houses in cities and such. You know I once heard of a man - never met him, but heard through a friend that there was this fellow about thirty-seven miles from town had a family of fifty-two? Was one of them Feline folk. Was mixing with a human girl -ah so untasteful, cross-racial breeding." The halfling was apperently intelligent. Surprising yes, but the frown over his features was even more so as he caught the gist of what Mahri was saying. He nodded to her. His eyes shone with a quiet apology and he ended the moment by idly kicking some dirt into the hole Jackie had started to dig, trying to fill it back in. "So ahhh -- "He said, facing away from her. "What do you do for a - living exactly?" He had just realized he was in the forest alone with a stranger he did not know. The alcohol was wearing off.

Mahri's on much steadier ground when talking about her 'profession' as it were. "I protect things..people." Giving Jackie a sideways glance, a grin tugs at her lips. The dog snorts at the dirt refilling the hole and doubles her efforts to clear it out again. Anything asked or said before the question of occupation is ignored, her attention turning back to the halfling. "For a fee, of course."

Whess laughs outright and turns to face Mahri. "You're a bodyguard? Who needs a body gaurd around here -- you know I haven't been here in decades yet -- this place seems just as safe as I remember yes." He nods 'sif trying to convince Mahri. "Aye. How much you charge? Never know." He laughed again, "I may need your services one day!" Whess obviously has no trouble making fun of people that want to eat him.

Mahri's lips turn up in a cruel kind of smile as she bends at the waist to get on a level with Whess. "Oh, ye couldna afford my services, Little Man." Just for the hell of it, she winks at him before straightening and whistling for Jackie. "Get yerself a better rabbit next time." The thump of boots on the ground echoes faintly through the foliage as the lycan heads off to Gods only knows where, but probably a pub of some sort. Jackie trots along, her tongue lolling out in a thoroughly puppy-ish grin.