RP:Cryothain Claims Another Victim

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Frostmaw Tavern

Satoshi is enjoying the brief peace of Frostmaw Tavern, that rare moment between the early crowds and the evening crowds where barmaids are mopping up and Drargon is devoted to preparing the roasts over the bonfire. Only two Frost Giants are present aside from the tavern's workers, each with their heads bent over a game of cards and stacking pebbles, mugs half-forgotten beside them. Aside from these patrons, the tavern seems empty, unless one were to approach one of the hefty armchairs near the firepit. There, coiled upon a cushion suited for a giant's stature, is a petite, pale-furred fox. Pointed muzzle rests upon daintily folded paws, the creatures tail lazily swaying beside it as eyes remain fixed on the flames with a remarkably non-animal intensity.


Josiah finds the nearest chair and collapses into it, relieved immediately by the warmth of the place. He felt like he had been walking for weeks. The furs he had gathered to keep him warm had been of some help, had most likely saved his life, but were not enough to keep him comfortable...not even close. He supposed this would always be the case...his desert upbringing had scarred him for life against such a climate. He hardly took notice of his surroundings, so exhausted was he. He simply waved to the bartender vaguely for a drink, and rested his head upon his arms on the table in front of him.


Satoshi's tall ears give a twitch, seeming to follow the sounds of the tavern as they carry on around her. Drargon, for his part, is a dutiful host despite his towering, gruff appearance. And so, the giant has a foaming mug of brew settling down atop Josiah's table in mere moments. "That'll take the ice outta yer bones, lad," the barkeep offers with a smile buried somewhere beneath his beard. Before Drargon departs, he leaves a towel beside the mug, presumably so Josiah can wipe down his clothes--for what had been clinging ice is quickly becoming dripping water in the heat of the building.


Josiah sits up slowly and smiles at the unfamiliar barkeep. What a gentleman. He needed this drink...and the towel was not a bad touch either. He took a hearty swig of the beverage...something strange and potent and delicious. As his head began to clear a bit, he used to towel to wipe his furs dry, and then slid out of them, letting them hang over the back of his chair chaotically. He was otherwise dressed in his normal attire, a bright blue and white cloak with mithril armor hidden beneath, a shining breastplate adorning his chest. He had added some fur sleeves and leggings under the cloak for extra protection...and he still felt that he had barely made it to the tavern in one piece. He took another deep drag of the wonderful ale and, feeling much better already, beckoned to Drargon for another. He smiled warmly at him to show his gratitude, too exhausted to speak.


Satoshi finds her gaze wandering from the flames to the tavern's newest arrival, ears swiveling forward when she realizes who it is. The flightless avian has gotten here already? And fully intact? Without realizing it, her muzzle dips in a nod of approval, only for her head to cock sideways when Drargon once more arrives at Josiah's table with a fresh mug of a shimmering, clear liquid. "Mah own batch," the giant remarks proudly, to the giggles of his barmaids, "we call it Cryothain's Tears. Only found in Frostmaw, named after our mighty dragon guardian herself. It puts hair on ev'n a grown bear's chest, it does." A small bark-like laugh comes from Satoshi at this. Cryothain's Tears is more than a strong brew, it's positively alchemical, with a blend of supernatural ingredients that's easily capable of getting even the undead drunk--a race said to be immune to poisons of every sort. Satoshi's been bitten by the drink on more than one occasion, and so she sits up eagerly now to watch Josiah with obvious interest, her tail wrapped around her paws.


Josiah grins up at the massive bartender, knowing better but not caring. "Thank you, sir," he said, with as much energy as he could muster. "A blessing to you and yours!" And he threw the drink back in a single draw, coughing once at the end and shaking his head, but smiling nonetheless. He deserved a stiff drink, after such a trek. It was then that he spotted Satoshi, sitting forward on her paws, watching him. He grinned widely and beckoned to her, still to exhausted to stand. "I'm in trouble now, aren't I?" he asked, boisterously.


Satoshi's whiskers quiver in a vulpine smirk before the little fox leaps the gap between her chair and the surface of Josiah's table. Landly lightly on her paws, the kit paces a circle once before sitting down on her haunches, head cocked at the avian. One moment he's facing a four-legged animal, the next the petite magus he'd met days prior is in its place, sitting with casual ease upon the table's edge. There's an impish grin painted onto her face, causing her whiskers to positively curl at the ends. "Oh, you've no concept of what 'trouble' means until you've tasted Cryothain's Tears, Feathers~," she trills, obviously amused. "If you can survive that with dignity intact, you can survive Frostmaw's fiercest winters!"


Josiah grins widely, feeling his exhaustion leaving him. Whether it was the drink or the sight of a friendly face after such a long journey, he could not tell. However, for now he felt fine. The drink was working its magic on his limbs, but his mind felt intact. Of course, he had been drinking very heavily for several weeks on end, distraught by the mission placed upon him and the guilt he felt in avoiding it so far. "It is good to see you again, my friend!" he said, joyfully. "I told you I would make it...i doubted it towards the end of the journey, but I finally made it. The lights of the tavern guided me and kept my feet moving." He paused, regarded her seriously. "It is agonizing up here," he confided. "Why does anyone live here?" He burped softly, and continued. "I mean no offense. But...how can you, you know...survive?" His eyes are beginning to glaze, but he has plenty of life left in him. The drink had not conquered him quite yet. He notices the bartender looking at him curiously and smiling. "Another!" he calls, loudly. "But please, just ale! Your brew is the strongest I have ever tasted, I will have to be wheeled out of here, I fear." He turned back to Satoshi and smiled warmly.


Satoshi shrugs, using the gesture to seamlessly shift to one side to make room for the next mug of ale that finds its way to Josiah's table. Drargon is swift indeed in delivering it, for he has a softspot directed at any newcomer who speaks highly of his brews. The giant is childless, and thus his pride resides in the drinks he creates. Satoshi offers the barkeep a salute as he departs, before she fixes a look on Josiah. "Frostmaw is not a realm for all. It is the home of Aramoth's children, born of war, steel in their hands before they leave the womb, ferocity knit in their bones, and strength defining their muscles. Frostmaw is the home of the strong, stubborn, and relentless. For centuries the Frost Giants have carved an existence from the glaciers, they fight daily for their lives, and they love every moment of it." As she speaks, the magus sits a little straighter, exuding an aura of fondness and pride for the people she's talking about. "I may not be as big or physically strong as them, but I call this land my home too, for this is where my heart resides, this is where my soul sings. You may see a cruel, vicious blizzard, I hear the snowsong in a voice few are blessed to ever behold. You find bitter cold, I find the comfort of my kin. Frost may bite your flesh, but it kisses mine. To me, Frostmaw is not only my kingdom, but my paradise~."


Josiah nods along with her speech, inspired by her charisma. He was weak here, but the fight to stay alive would make him stronger. The urge to learn to fly permeated every thought these days, since hearing there was hope for him up here in the brutal wilderness. He didn't know if he was strong enough to handle whatever training they were going to provide, but he knew for certain that if he came out on the other side he would be a force to be reckoned with, and he would have Satoshi to thank. He couldn't wipe the smile off of his face. "I can indeed see the charm of such a place, if it is imbued with such character and brotherhood as it seems to be."


Satoshi returns the nod. "Aye, the solitary do not thrive in this land. Kinship runs deep and true in the veins of these people. They are a bloodthirsty folk, don't doubt that, yet they hold honor most dear, and betrayal is brutally punished." The magus is halfway to extending a steadying hand toward the avian before she catches herself, drawing her arm back to rest in her lap. Instead, she regards him a moment longer, watching the effects of the drink. "You will find Eyrie is little different. We are kin amongst each other, for we have nowhere else. It is the common thread that binds our otherwise wildly varied lives. You'll find your lessons there, from all walks and wings of life, simply look for the spire just south of the city. You can't miss it." Nor can you miss the flocks of dragons, gryphons, and other winged creatures constantly wheeling around the structure.


Josiah cracks his neck impulsively as he listens to Satoshi speaking. Her words make him feel like taking up arms to defend a place that he didn't even like to be in, such was her charisma. He vowed to himself that he would complete their training, no matter how brutal. "I must ask you," he said, looking concerned, "Must I pledge allegiance to this clan to learn from them?" he shifts in his seat uncomfortably, afraid he may have offended her. "Do not get me wrong, your goals and aspirations seem to be truly in line with my spirit...but I have much I must accomplish before I can commit to any group. I don't even truly know what my god wishes of me yet."


Satoshi said to Josiah, "Non, we don't require you to swear yourself for the sake of lessons. You would be welcome in our ranks, but only if you so choose. The lot of us are wayward spirits, none the sort who take oaths lightly or without thought. You'll not be pressured."


Josiah said to Satoshi, "Then I will stay in Frostmaw until my training is complete. Once I have sorted out my life a bit, I may return...but have you any influence over other areas? If I were to join your ranks, would it be possible to remain in Xalious? Or...even Schezerade?"


Satoshi leans back, hands planted on the table's surface to brace her slight weight. Amber-flecked eyes regard the ceiling while she mulls over his question--or perhaps gives the brew a chance to sink its claws further into the fellow. "The Eyrie itself does not lay claim to anything. We are a mercenary sort of band, we namely call Frostmaw and Gualon's swamps our homes, and roam all where else. There is nowhere we are specifically forbidden from, if that's what you're asking, although we try to avoid Cenril due to its... unpleasant state of affairs." She glances sidelong at Josiah then, flashing him a fang-filled smirk. "Overall however, it pays to have a commander who is also a queen, it gives us a bit more sway as far as allies and territories goes~. I'm not in the habit of making enemies, and so Eyrie does not suffer for it."


Josiah nods in understanding. The clan sounded like something he would like to take part in, if it didn't hinder his ambition to become a great healer...and please his god. "I will think things over after I have trained with your men," he said, gravely, but not able to stop smiling. "I would be an asset to you, this much I know." His eyes were rolling about a bit now, something deep and vicious rolling over him. "I think I would like to sleep now," he slurred, slumping a bit in his chair. "Is there a room here?" He picked up his final ale and downed it, and then fell forward onto the table his wings falling limp at his sides.


Satoshi very carefully leans forward to give a sniff and a poke to the avian, checking to ensure he is indeed still breathing. With this confirmed, the magus glances toward Drargon with a half-smile, "Dear, I do believe your monster has claimed another victim." The barkeep lifts a brow expectantly. "This one hasn't soiled himself though, so you owe me seventy gold pieces~." Just as quickly as it's lifted, Drargon's brow furrows down into a scowl. He's beginning to suspect Satoshi is purposely finding folks sturdy in their drinks, just to win all his money in their idle tavern bets. Satoshi is, of course, doing no such thing but she's happy to let people assume that degree of cunning from her. Pleased with her victory, Satoshi offers Josiah's hair a light pat as she comments, whether he hears it or not, "Have no fear, Drargon will see you boarded warmly and safely, with food awaiting you in the morning. Along with a headache that'd down a dragon, no doubt~."