RP:Long Time, No Sing
Summary: After getting her footing from the rescue of herself and Thedez delivered by Queen Reginae, Brennia runs into a long time friend. They catch up a little bit, but the fellow bard agrees to help when the time comes.
Kelay Tavern
Built and rebuilt, torn apart and set like stubborn bone, this tavern is the pinnacle of Hollow's entirety, wrought around the premise of peace, equality, and consummate amity. And of course, the old place had seen all of the three, but so much more. Dire markings of claw and steel cut deep into wall panels and floorboards. Set against the land's usual motif of destruction are signs of comfort. Twisting shadows and smoothing out a careful blanket of light with soft, quaint fires, a candelabra dangles down by thick cords, gripping the circular holder. Each twists up, converging upon the center, where they snake about one another and form a thick, secure anchor to Kelay Tavern's high, accommodating ceiling. The candelabra rattle now and again from the inn patrons overhead, pouring down globs of wax to the center of the room, which is wide and unobstructed. Cheaply carpentered tables and chairs grow outward around the bare dancing area, keeping to the rounded theme, and also keeping to a dwarven barkeep's avariciously born taste for 'economical' furniture. Hardly any expense has been wasted on the actual upkeep of the public center, as can be garnered from the smell of deep pine, rich tobacco, and even richer spirits. Stairs twist away dimly near the high bar. And atop that side rests the inn logs, quill, and ink. This establishment's fine keeper, Mesthak, can be seen smiling out from his post at the bar, straight across to the room's always crackling stone-wrought hearth. Behind him, atop lofty shelves, sits an array of dark, amber, and clear liquids. Food smells waft from somewhere near at hand. A carefully printed and hung sign details the purchasable items here in the place of merriment, loss, laughter, and life. Also, tucked into a corner near one of two windows closest to the tavern doorway is a thickly papered bulletin board. A sign has been added next to the board that reads, 'The management requires patrons be fully inebriated at all times and that no curing spells be performed in this tavern-Thank you'.
Raphaline listens carefully to him, nodding in response to his suggestions of what might be done to improve the instrument. “I will have to mull over a few ideas. I might be looking into just having it enhanced sound wise rather than use it alongside my magic.” The bard hopes she doesn’t get into anything that desires her use of magic anytime soon. She turns back to the case on the bar and sets the instrument back in and latches it shut. “What is your favorite part of creating weapons and using rune magic?”
Brennia hurries in as the sound of her soft booted footfalls enter the busy tavern. Simple black cotton leggings are tucked into brown leather knee high boots and a long loosely knit off the shoulder sweater the color of sand is comfortable for traveling today. Her long brown hair is pulled up into a high ponytail regardless of how ridiculous her long pointed ears look, but it just needs to be out of her way this day for she in on a mission. The tall woman isn’t as curvaceous as she once was and her wings look a little lacking in their usual luster, but in spite of what she’s been through the last couple of years, the bard is smiling... warm and kind which reaches to twinkle softly in her eye. The avain’s solid teal gaze zeroes in on the public board and she quickly makes her way towards it, her slender nimble fingers scan over the pages as she reads and flips through advertisements. Her brow knits together as she sees the napkin in elf blood and concern floods through her… but that isn’t her battle - at least not yet. Then she hears something about runes, magic and sound from a familiar sounding voice. Being tall has its advantages as she swivels her head around and spotting the beautiful bard that was once her friend, “Raphaline?!” Her grin spreads across her whole face and pokes dimples in her cheeks while she waves across the tavern at the woman like an awkward dope! Brennia doesn’t care though. Making her way over to the woman, sidestepping this patron and that in a sort of weave at one point until she finally reaches her in order to pull Raphaline into a tight hug, “it’s so nice to see you, how are you?” Then she realizes that Raphaline is with company and with a fidget of her wings, the bard says, “oh my. I’m sorry.. I am being rude.”
Raphaline finds herself suddenly wrapped up in the arms of a pretty woman. It takes her a moment to place the voice but as soon recognition dawns on her she exclaims with as much enthusiasm, “Brennia. My dear, it is so good to see you! How is the guild? How are you doing? Still living out there in the avian city?” Grinning, she places a hand on either of Brennia’s shoulders as she takes in the woman, noting either signs of good health or things that would warrant concern. The avian is the first friend Raphaline has run into since coming back to these lands. Deep down, she is really glad that someone she has only good memories with is the one she runs into first. “I feel like it has been ages since I saw you or anyone we know. How is everyone? I haven’t run into many of them yet, but I imagine that will change soon enough.” She lets out a soft, half-hearted laugh as he reaches for her neglected glass of whiskey and indulges herself.
Brennia decides to let Raphaline do the introductions if they are to come, “oh… Uh… I’m not sure. I am on my way to Larket to find Alvina because that’s the last place I remember her living. Schezerade, yeah,” that is a sore subject and though the avian still smiles, her gaze drops a little to Raphaline’s glass -damn she could really use a drink-, but she forces her gaze down further to her own boots. “I ran for senator and… lost.” A kurt not accompanies a deep breath, “last I knew, it was taken over by Kahran’s forces, but now everything is a mess and going to ruin.” Still looking down, she picks at her nails, “I am trying to get some people together to help out there as much as we can.” Eventually lifting her chin enough to find Raphaline’s gaze, “I wish I had more information for you, Raphaline, but I am kind of in the same boat as you.” A slow awkward chuckle comes from the rich alto timbre Brennia has, “I’ve apparently been working on a farm under control of some potion… Well… me -and- Thedez.” She glances over her shoulder to the entrance where a blue and silver scaled naga is waiting for Brennia while remaining vigilant. Couldn’t he ever shapeshift into a less obvious disguise?! She shakes her head a little before looking back to Raphaline, still softly smiling, “it -is- really nice to see you as well.”
Raphaline is quick to gesture to a stool beside her. “Come, sit down and have a drink with me for a moment. From the sound of what you’ve been into, you deserve at least one drink. On me.” She turns to Mesthak, asking for another tall whiskey and whatever the lovely Brennia wants as well. Once Brennia is settled, Raphaline pursues the topic of helping out. “Whenever you get a group together to help out in Schezerade, let me know.” Maybe her earlier hope of not stumbling in trouble was jumping the gun just a bit.
Brennia swallows hard and her wings fidget again, “I’d love to have a drink with you.” As soon as she sits down, she considers her options for a bit too long before steeling her nerves and ordering the only non alcoholic thing they’ve got - orange juice. “Thank you, Raphaline,” she sips the tart drink and the longer she sits still the more she feels guilty that she must be out there! She’s got to help Schezerade and the bards and her students and those poor people still stuck at the farm… So much is on her shoulders that it’s figuratively crushing her wings, “really?” The bard looks entirely flattered, “that would help a lot. Nothing crazy. The remaining avains or bard college students are just trying to pick up the pieces is all,” her heart aches at the thought of what her old home must look like, “I haven’t even been back just yet - I’m honestly a little worried of what I’ll find there.” Though she keeps smiling for whatever reason, her gaze doesn’t move from her orange juice.
Raphaline nods, making a note to stop by and check on the students. “For now though, you’ve just gotten back so give yourself a chance to breathe before you hop back into things. If you need somewhere to go for a bit my home is always open to you.” With that, she moves on to a lighter topic in hopes of alleviating her friend of the obvious stress she is under. “I would love to be able to play with you again. Do you still play the piano?”
Brennia looks to the half elf again with that bright smile once more, “did you finally settle and find a home? I am happy for you.” Sipping her orange juice again while crossing one long leg over the other and folding her wings tightly to her slim frame so she doesn’t take up too much room, “I -wish- I could get my fingers on that ivory.” Her hands close into fists in her desire, “but I am afraid my grand piano was chopped up to make firewood for Kahran’s minions.” Sitting a bit straighter in remembering, “but you know where there -is- a piano? Vailkrin,” she sighs softly. “I can’t think up an excuse to go there, though.” A tattooed shrug given at the already drifting dream.
Mais in a drow form paces his way into the tavern. Moving between the tables and avoiding the occupants he finds an empty table taking a seat. He looks over the liquor list as Namcy comes over. "Double whiskey, neat. Lemon wedge on the glass" he says smoothly and calmly.
Meri :: Drow. Meri hates drow. Stupid drow. Encara manage to prove herself to be a tolerable member of that particular race, but Gevurah has managed to quickly undo any positive opinion Meri could manage to form. It's probably for the better, they're such a cutthroat breed. Raphaline is one figure that probably understands why Meri is glaring hard at the drow figure from the moment the blonde enters the establishment. Trouble and Muse have had their share of unpleasant drow encounters when they spent more time together. It's the fact that Brennia and Raphaline are present that manages to distract Meri long enough from picking a fight. As sour of a mood as she might be in, old familiar faces were always a warming sight even for the ill-tempered werewolf. She manages to cease her glaring at Mais long enough to manage a smile for the two bards.
Raphaline perks up, her smile turning into a grin. “I have a piano in my home. It’s even a grand too.” She reaches into her travel satchel and pulls out a map of the Xalious mountain region. “My home is here,” she says as she gestures towards the highland region of the mountains. “There is magic around the house, but as a friend, it should recognize you and let you in.” She presses the map into the avian’s free hand, urging her to take a break and enjoy herself. Out of the corner of her eye she spots a familiar blond and her grin turns into a sly smile as she throws a wink in her friend’s direction. Oh Trouble, how much Muse has missed you.
Brennia practically swoons at the mention of her friend having a friggin piano in her home! “Oh, Raphaline. That sounds just heavenly,” a soft raspy and contagious giggle bubbles up, “it’s -right- on the way to Schezerade, too.” She catches Thedez as he looked outside to gauge the time of day and then he looks to Brennia as if to signal that they have spent too much time there already. “Look, I’ve got some running around to do, but I want to come get the tour of your home as soon as possible. I -will- be stopping by for some playtime of the harmony type,” she reaches out to embrace her friend again and, as usual, Raphaline can pick up her favorite scent coming from the avain. “Till then!” She stands and starts to make her way to Thedez when she notices Meri and shoots the blonde a bright smile along with a broad wave. She wishes to stop and catch up with her as well, “I’ll be seeing you soon miss Meri!” She calls to Meri as Thedez and herself make their way outside.
Meri :: It could be that Meri is just itching for a fight. Ever since being turned into a werewolf, her fuse has been shorter and the last few days have been rough. Stupid Callum. Stupid Larket party. All of this culminates with Meri really wanting to harass the stupid drow, because that sort of attitude and thinking definitely makes her better than them...right? Well not really, but that's not the point. It didn't help that Meri was interpreting that smile as smug, correct or not. The woman's brows narrow. Before approaching Brennia and Raphaline, the woman makes a pit stop at the bar, pulling up right alongside Mais. There she collects a bottle of whiskey and three glasses. "Keep that smug frakkin' smirk to yourself, you got it?" There might be a few more expletives muttered beneath her breath as he is walking away, because racism for the win. Where is she going with a bottle of whiskey and three glasses? Well two a table occupied by two gals that she knows. Except three is quickly turning into two as Brennia finds that she has to take her leave. "Hello and goodbye to you, Brennia." To Raphaline. "Sticking around?"
Raphaline doesn’t keep the avian from her other business, instead she returns the hug just as firmly. “Good luck, and I will hold you to that request Brennia.” She releases her friend and turns to Meri with the most dazzling grin. “For you gorgeous, of course.” She motions to the empty seat as she eyes the bottle of whiskey. “Especially since you always bring the best gifts to the table too.” She missed the psion so, so very much and now that they are having a glass of their favorite, in their favorite kind of place, it feels just right to her. “So tell me, what have you been getting into Trouble?” She asks as she holds out her empty glass, ready for the whiskey and probably the tea too.