RP:Mon Inconnu
Part of the Vakmatharas' Jar Arc
Summary: Evanescenz gets taken down a peg or two. Brennia and Sidd go for a walk before getting into a fight with a sketchy dude.
Broken Barrel Inn
The laws of the land do not apply to this establishment, yet somehow there is order among chaos. Aged, abused by the weather, the Broken Barren Inn stands defiantly against the stormy shores of Rynvale just off the dock, but it is a place far from welcoming. The split, oak carved sign hangs sideways on only one chain, irony not quite lost in the words tarnished by rain. Through that open door barely sitting on it’s hinges, the light of a blazing fire reflects across a dingy interior made to look more wealthy with trinkets. The walls are covered with artifacts and cheap glamour from other worldly locations and ports; rusted weapons and sea-monster fishing lure, ship wheels, a gold-braided rope, the mounted bones of an aquatic creature with seven limbs, tapestries and carvings of various culture, and instruments that no one could know how to play. Centering all of this is Redbeard’s Maiden, herself: a sultry, golden-haired mermaid bust with red painted lips and a beckoning smile, caught in a net draped to the rafters. Mounted to the wall not far behind, a fish-like tail adorned by flawlessly painted emerald scales stretches out behind her. For every first tankard bought in the Broken Barrel she is afforded a salute, a custom that Simon, the bar’s general, has not allowed to die over the years. Dominating the center of this room is an impressive four-sided bar, flanked by booths along all ways, each lit by a hanging candelabra of worked iron. Gatherings of shady sailors and outlaws collect in groups, keeping the atmosphere noisy with harmonica and bagpipe while others plot their next dastardly scheme. While invited to venture upstairs, wandering toward the cellar door might earn you a few dirty looks.
Brennia was hanging around the Inn after a few days of recruiting new workers that won't be affected by either curses and finally taking a moment out of the night for herself. The sun finally down and she came out of her own room donning a cream colored loosely knit beach shirt with a blue tank top and waist high shorts on under that. Such different attire earned whistles from drunken dock men, but not entirely too many because apparently not all dudes like ink/scar covered women. Brennia gave a quick smile to them before reaching the bar counter and that usual sultry alto timbre addressing the barkeep, “merry meet Simon, how's business?” She slid a list of names of the men that will be staying at the Inn and a medium sized sack of gold for the accommodations. “And a coconut rum, please?” At this she gives that dimple-pokin’, stone-heart-meltin’ smile at Simon and she got a smirk out of the fella while fetching her order. While gathering all of that long silky hair at the top of her head and binding it into a ponytail she asks, “you think it's a good night for a swim, Simon?” All he did was nod before she picked up her bottle and winked at him, but she was off to find an empty table for now.
Sidd thudded down the stairs with a quickened pace, he seemed refreshed and alive tonight. All day he spent under that damned sun, cooking that semi-functioning brain while he toiled away at getting things set up for the roof of the theater- He deserved a good hot bath. He wore a clean black button down shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbow, and his pants were absent of holes. The boots were still dirty, but he was sure no one would notice. His hair was still a bit damp, combed over to one side. He looked presentable. "YOOOOOO! Beer me!" he called out to the bartender, a big old grin spread from cheek to cheek. This would net him nothing more than a nod and prompt service, as his unusual mannerisms were becoming the norm for the staff. As a few gold were placed down atop the counter, Sidd turned and took a survey of the room. There were a few he recognized from the job site, and a couple of unknown islanders having a casual drink off to the side. One person however was almost immediately recognized, and the human wasted no time closing the distance between them. "Brennia! Hey! Brennia!" he called out. "What's shakin'?!"
Brennia looked up at her name and when he was close she smiled up at him with a soft short chuckle. It was nice being called just Brennia some days because that meant she didn't need to be Dean, or Headmistress, or Countess! “Merry meet Sidd!” Bottle of coconut rum in her hand waved at him, “just taking it easy. And you?” She looks him up and down, taking her time and another question is on her tongue, “how is work treating you?” Plump lips at the opening of her bottle and she easily sips some down. A tilt of her head while she was looking at his damp hair, “I'm not sure which one looks more fetching on you, spikes or combed over.” Friendly smile remaining, she was always quick to compliment others and even though the light in the tavern is dim he would be able to see how the black ink stands out boldly on her skin while nearly covering every inch of in in an intricate pattern. A small group of Bards enter and she sort of holds her breath in hopes they don't notice her right away. They don't! Win! And they begin playing while one student hold an acoustic guitar which adds to their sort of laid back way of playing.
Sidd gave a languid roll of his shoulder, a quick sip of his beer before he offered, "Same, I guess. Long ass day, so I'm kickin' back and havin' a drink. Work's been good, I guess. Your dude Axton's been a little more relaxed now that he see's how awesome I am. Although, I still get that stink eye from time to time." A sly grin emerges and he makes movement to steal an empty seat so that he could get a bit more comfortable. "Hah! Thanks. You're lookin' pretty good yourself tonight. You definitely look a lot more laid back, tonight. Man, no way I could have survived in what you were rockin' the other day. Would have stroked out within an hour." His attention first stole over Brennia's strange intricate ink, but when the bards make their entrance, Sidd lifts his head to get a better view- One in particular catching his eye. He listened for a moment as they began to play, then turned back to the Avian and asked, "So, question! You like, live out this way? Or just like, do business out here? I mean, I just ask 'cause this is the second time I caught ya out here. Being a dean and all, I envision a bottle of wine, a study and a fireplace. Hah."
Brennia always found it easy to find beauty within nearly anyone and in this moment she cannot help beaming that smile which shows of perfect pearly white teeth while tilting her head slightly. Sort of thinking out loud, “you have -quite- a diverse way of speaking and I -quite- enjoy it.” At his assumptions on her, causes a lean across the table and her smile lessens into a mischievous smirk, “are you judging me by my cover, Sidney?” She would pause a moment to let him squirm under the pressure maybe, but softly chuckle at him after, “you aren't entirely wrong though. By chance I find that traveling so far from the college gives me a little peace and less responsibility. I took the opportunity to work a little on the theater here while all the students in my class have signed up for a goodwill tour to Frostmaw. It's for extra credit and didn't require me, so I wanted to get away from Schezerade a bit.” A long sip of her rum and she didn't say what was really on her mind, ‘so I’m less of a target.’ That would just sound crazy, “I feel in the mood for a bit of a night swim, care to join?” She stands and motions to the door, but she's immediately spotted by a bard student and being pursued in attempts to lure her to play with them, “I would, but that would be rude to my company.” The Bard near her looked around before asking, “who?” Brennia motions to Sidd with a smile, “Sidd.” The bard, insufferable Evanescenz(the one bad seed), looks Sidd up and down with a judgmental look. Brennia’s expression is hard to read, but disappointed in Evanescenz.
Sidd couldn't help but to laugh, "Thanks, I guess? Wait. wait, wait." The human straightened his posture and held his beer by the handle in such a way that his pinky was stuck out, one eyebrow then lifted as he spoke in a terrible English style accent. "What I mean to say is that I thank you for taking notice in my keen and most obviously, intelligent dialect. I am quite enthused that you so do enjoy it, as it is my aim to elicit feelings of happiness and joy from those whom I converse with." He tried to hold that straight face for a moment or two, but he cracked and let loose a hearty guffaw. "Sorry. Sorry. Just bein' a dope." Another drink taken and he leans back, head shaken with her question. "Nah, not like that. Just always the sort of image stuck in my head." When it was obvious she was not offended, he relaxed a little waiting for his chance to respond. "Target? For what?" He was genuinely curious now. However, her next request completely threw him off that train of thought and he offered a puzzled look. "Night swim? For real? I mean..." He thought about it. He probably could have waited on that bath. "Ah, what the hell. Let's do it!" He slammed back his beverage with a good few gulps, the tankard hitting the table with a loud thud. As he began to rise, the interrupting bard was offered a bit of a nod, although it was most likely unnoticed. And then the thrown shade? Well, that was met with a curled upper lip and a conceited 'HAH-I'm-great' face. Sidd never really backed down from those upper class types.
Brennia wishes someone other than her will take Evanescenz down a peg or two one day because she would rather keep her ‘kind Dean’ status. The avian gets an idea to sort of set Evanescenz up in knowing her habits and she turns those Liberty blue eyes to Sidd once more while taking a few steps toward the human waiting for him to fixate his gaze upon her as well. Hopefully, he sort of picks up on the hint when her brow quirks and a velvety wing curved around to gently brush against his side (elbow-nudge fashion), “Sidney, wait for me while I do one song?” A wink for good measure when she leaned toward him to place a platonic kiss on the apple of his cheek, but this isn't how Evanescenz will see it. Once Brennia joins the band to set up the number the five foot five brown eyed human, Eva looks up at Sidd with a much sweeter expression on her face before Eva addressed him, “so… How many do -you- make, Sidney?” You meaning ‘lovers’ and the full name she picked up on was attempted in the same allure as Brennia does, but she opts to stand near him, trying to catch his eye while it was obvious Eva's green with envy over the Dean. The song begins and Brennia's sultry alto carries over the tavern while it seemed everyone slowed down to watch. Each beat of the music vibrating over the skin (bass) while every vowel from her guilded tongue hangs in the mind and the acoustic guitar may sound distorted or mechanical somehow (electric). Typically those strong of mind could ward off any effects and it's a bit harder for humans not of Bardic powers, but during this type of song one might think of someone they love or mistake the singer for such. The entire while Eva was rolling her eyes, scoffing or whatever else in obvious signs of disrespect.
Sidd didn't know what to expect, really, but it sure as hell wasn't what had just taken place. He locked eyes with Brennia, a curious and suspicious look settling over his features as she nudged him with that ebon wing. When kiss was placed upon his cheek, he grinned like a dopey idiot, but seemed to catch on. It wasn't the first time he aided an avian in a romantically charged prank. "I'll wait for eternity for you, hot stuff!" he called out in reply. With a grin plastered over his face, Sidd waited and watched the caramel woman hop up on stage with a hint of excitement- He always loved to see a good performance. Two fingers shot up toward Simon to indicate to the guy that he needed another drink, Sidd's attention was soon prayed for by that apparently prissy human. He never even looked her way. "Lots. Well, as long as they're tall winged goddesses like that hottie specimen up on stage!" he would answer, sure to piss the shorter woman off. He added, "And unless you can make it sound as forkin' sexy as that chiquita makes it, call me Sidd. Cool?" It took a lot for the human to not look Eva's way, but he managed to keep his eye locked on the Dean while he waited for the show to start. At first, Sidd was taken in when Brennia began to sing. It was good. Real good. And then, as the song began to progress, the mohawked man began to feel funny. That type of funny where the heart wants to explode out of the chest, or maybe even that type of funny you feel after you start to grow hair in strange places. The music was hypnotic, alluring even; And the only reason the man would look away was because Simon had tapped him on the shoulder with a fresh tankard of brew. Sidd handed the barkeep some coin and stole a peek at the obviously envious Eva before returning focus to the stage and the woman performing.
Brennia gave the song soul in all the right places and was happy it was a short, sweet peice, but through the entirely those wings seemed to dip or shift in tandem to it’s theme. And, OKAY maybe it wasn’t entirely fair to Sidd, but she would watch him as he watched her in trying to sell the whole ‘thing’ between them to Eva. Once the song ended she gave her accompaniment players a motion to stand with her to bow for the applause. Eva mumbled something about, “meant how many for her, not you… nimrod.” When he corrected her all she did was cross her arms and give a sarcastic smile with a single nod (what a - See You Next Tuesday!). After giving the band a hug she saunters down and smiles warmly at Eva, “why didn’t you join us, Eva?” All Eva does is slink passed Brennia in attempts to saunter in the same way, but it’s obvious her ego was wounded. A shocked expression given to Sidd once Eva was on the other side of the room and she grabbed her rum bottle with one hand while the other arm drapes around her new friend, “that was great, maybe you should act.” A short -rare- raspy giggle emitted from plump lips after they made it out of the Inn and towards the beach, “I’m curious what she was so intent on talking about during the song?” She asked in a way that was genuinely curious, but also uncaring and at the same time her onyx wing curved around him like a velvety blanket. Remembering it is really hot out and they don’t need to put on a show anymore she gently pulls herself away from Sidd to merely walk side by side while looking up at the stars. A glance around while she slips a thin platinum tin from the front pocket of her shorts and slips out a hand rolled ‘herbal’ cigarette, but declining to offer him one yet because maybe he doesn’t partake.
Sidd put thumb and ring finger in the corners of his mouth and gave a shrill whistle as the Barrel erupted in a fit of applause. What a marvelous performance! He totally ignored that bit of an insult, a smug grin gifted instead to Brennia in a knowing manner. "Ya think? Might as well get those headshots out then!" he replied to the Avian's observation. Her arm found his shoulder and the wing draped over, Sidd felt oddly comfortable, almost protected. It wasn't quite the norm for him, but he wasn't against the action exactly. He began to recall a similar act from a few years back, of a winged woman he had grown so close to. Yet, she was nothing like Brennia. No, that woman was something more... sinister. Those thoughts would be put on hold when his partner in crime posed question, his answer to come after a drink of that sweet refreshing beer. "I dunno. Pretty sure she wanted a piece of this. She was pretty damn jelly. Like a doughnut." It was a strange euphemism, but he was sure she would get it. As she separated and they wandered on, he finally remarked, "That was pretty cool, back there. The song, I mean. You got a great voice. I can see why you're popular, haha." Sidd looked over then as the tin was opened, a familiar smell wafting in off the wind told him that wasn't tobacco. In turn, he would bring out his own, take out a plain cigarette and light it. Much like the day prior, he would offer up a match to the Avian.
Brennia half smiled and grimaced in a self depreciating way in his compliments, “I’m alright. Voice is a little raspy as I’ve been spread somewhat thin lately - like that jelly you speak of.” Another rare raspy giggle at his words and a shrug, “well… She should want a piece, but you’re too good for a bitch like that.” Yeah she doesn’t know this guy that well, but something happens whenever she taps into those bardic powers that is almost like existing between two planes. If there is focus enough through eye contact she can sort of feel what others are feeling or only a moment and then alter it. In this time she can sort of see an aura about them if it’s a strong enough connection, so she likes to believe that back there she saw that this guy is a decent being and genuine. “But I didn’t say that,” a sly smirk remaining on her lips and it seems the sky was distracting her from that usual queue, again. She stopped a moment before him and actually asked this time, “may I?” Leaned in away and lit her own cigarette from the burning cherry of his, but when she inhaled the smoke of her cigarette she held it for a moment in their silence. “So, Sidney,” a sort of adorable wince at her blunder when she let the dense smoke out, “sorry - Sidd. Where is it you come from if you don’t mind me asking? I am curious about your diverse mannerisms.” This time when she sounded genuinely curious in her question she smiles again at him with interest.
Sidd held no shame with his conceited reply to the woman's apparent compliment, a rather large smirk preceding his words. "Damn right, I am! Okay, maybe just a little. She doesn't really seem my type anyway. Probably high maintenance social butterfly princess type. We would clash worse than purple on green, if ya know what I mean." He tossed out a bit of a chuckle, his tankard tipped back for another drowning of beer. He would of course catch her drift and say in jest, "Say what?" with a wink added for effect. He puffed on the cigarette lightly, so that when she leaned in the cherry would be red hot and easy to pass off; Her features once again studied as much as he could in this close encounter. He didn't have those powers that she had, he was also as thick as a brick at times, but something inside told Sidd that she was cool. Someone he could probably trust. Well, as much as he could in a world like this. Again, he lifted a hand to wave off that brief apology. "It's alright. Like I said the other day, you're paying my salary, call me whatever you like. Hah." His jovial nature would quiet soon after, as the subject immediately jumped to his place of origin. Sidd's brow furrowed, and he looked upon the sky above at the brilliant display of stars. He would take a moment to think, to wonder on if any of those diamonds in the sky were really his home. "..far away." he said quietly. "I mean, it's not like... 'here', if that's what you're asking. People like you? You would be messengers from the Heavens to most. For real. Just one look at you, and I guarantee it would be mass chaos world wide." He shrugged, not once looking down from the firmament above. "In fact, most uh, humanoid species just... well, no one has ever seen a dragon. Or a vampire. Or an elf for that matter. Only humans. And magic? The closest we got to mages are just quick handed illusionists and charlatans that prey on the feeble minded." Finally, Sidd looked over to Brennia, a weak smile as he went on. "It's just... very, very different, y'know?" There was something in his eyes, almost a longing or difficulty thinking about the subject. He grew quiet and took another drink of his beverage.
Brennia looked back at him, “technically Axton is your employer and I hope you’re here now because you’d like to be, not because it’s where you’re getting your gold. I wish to call you want you want to be called as if I’m just some regular person walking down this regular street on this regular night.” Smirking again, she shook her head just slightly and those stunning eyes gloss over with a tinge of pink where they were white, “me? Hah, dark skin, tattoos and what looks like the void for wings?” The smoke dangles on those plump lips when her hand mimed horns on the top of her forehead, “not a demon?” Another long drag from the cigarette before they finally reach sand, “I actually came from an island only reachable by avians on the other side of this world. Sometimes Rynvale looks almost as beautiful as Vere… I miss it sometimes.” Unafraid to say what Sidd was feeling. “It’s a bit ironic that I actually exiled myself so that I didn’t have to rule the place as Countess, but lately I feel more a leader in my current titles then back then.” Another drag of her smoke and some sips of her drink, “I hated the spoiled brats of royalty, the formalities and judgemental aspects.” A roll of her eyes and then she looked at him out of the side of her eye, “you can pretend you never heard that either.” Sandaled feet stop dead in their tracks when she sees two hooded figures in the distance. They seem to stop as well, “wait, Sidney.” She glances over her shoulder and a wing shifts out of the way to do so, but it is quiet or so it seems… “remember when I said when I am on this island I don’t feel like a target?”
Sidd was thankful for the bit of a distraction at first, eyes popping open with her first words. "No, no! I totally didn't mean it like that. You're great, really. Totally hangin' with you of my own accord. You're fun to chat with." he admitted. "And really, the only reason most back home didn't use the full name is because it's what they were used to. But I getcha." He chuckles, finishing off his drink and lowering the tankard to his side. With a long haul off the cigarette between his lips, he listens and laughs, and shrugs. "Well. Maybe. Hard to say. The vast majority from where I come from are pretty damn daft! " When Brennia spoke of her home, the human nodded. "I totally feel that. Hard not to miss home, problems and all. So like, you're actual royalty, then? Or were, rather? I'd probably be in your shoes if that were me, peacin' out of that life in a hurry. That whole snobby better than thou crap was never my bag. I'm a man of the people!" Sidd grin, but suddenly looks puzzled as the avian halts in her tracks, nearly causing him to bump into her. He looks first to her and then past unto the two hooded figures. "Uh, yeah? What about it?" he asked, obviously unaware of what was taking place.
Brennia had nodded at his mention of her ex-royal status and had smiled again at his words on nobles, “I am glad we have that in common, then.” She lowered her timbre so only he may hear, “let’s just casually make our way back to the Inn, shall we?” It was possible that she wasn’t actually planning on swimming anyway and she just wanted some fresh air to pollute with smoke. Once they were back in the dim lights of the main road it didn’t look like they were being tailed anymore, “well… It seems I don’t have any getaway places anymore.” She finished off her joint and let the end fall to the ground outside the Inn, but now that hand was free it idly found it’s way to a knick across her throat about an inch wide. The scar seemed to be a couple months old and as if she had been held at knife point back then, “have you heard much in the way of secret societies or cults since you’ve arrived in hollow.” Quickly moving back within the Inn at a secluded two person table she takes one of the seats, “somedays I feel insane even thinking it because this secret society as only been rumored and are associated with the moment things go wrong so people have something to blame.” She tries a broad example, “like: my baby won’t stop crying, let’s burn it and prove it’s been replaced with a changeling type crazy.” A sigh, “on a smaller scale, it's like what is going on in Larket with the witches. Misfortune needs a blame.” She would wait for him to follow and either say ‘lady! You’re hot, but crazy - nothanks!’ or believe in her and ask his own questions.
Sidd wished he had his stick with him. The way Brennia seemed to want to go back to the Inn, almost nervous-like, it made him want to know who the hell they had seen. Still, he didn't fight it or protest, instead opting to smile and nod, following her back to where they had first originated. “Getaway places? What?" he asked, taking the time to observe that prominent scar- Something he would not exactly ask about at the moment for fear of stirring up something awful. When they finally entered the Barrel, Sidd lifted his tankard to Simon, both to show the man that he did indeed bring the beverage holder back, and to let him know that he was running on empty and needed a refill. The human stole a seat across from the caramel woman, his face plastered with confusion when her question was posed. He shook his head. "Nah, not really. I mean, I've been pretty much on my own out here. I met a crab-dude. Almost got murdered by some beast out in Larket. Kicked some ass to save a mouse-person. You know, just totally ordinary things. Hah. But nah, nothing regarding cults or whatever. Why?" Simon appeared with a fresh glass of ale, taking the empty tankard and a few of Sidd's gold. Now, had he been home, then yeah this is where Sidd would be telling Brennia that she was paranoid, or that maybe she should talk to a doctor about delusions. But this wasn't home. This was nothing like home in any sense. So, maybe there was something to this. "What? Burning babies? Larket Witches? I mean, I get blaming a boogeyman for unpleasant things, man, I've seen that a million times- But what does this have to do with a cult or secret society? What's going on Brennia?"
Brennia gulps down some more coconut rum and sets it between them, uncaring if he may want to try some - it's deliciously addicting though. Eva picks up with the band playing something with calming effects and Brennia lets it in just a little to straighten out her thoughts. Her own wings folded close to her curvy sides in a comforting manner, “I am not even sure where to start.” Sitting directly under a lamplight and the candle between them Sidd could see that other than the scar on her neck there appears to be a plethora of different bite marks (lycan, vampire, naga, feline, dragon) on her decolletage and shoulder areas mixing in harmony with that ink pattern. She's either a champion fighter or adventurous lover, but she continues in a quiet volume only for him, “I was in Larket a couple months back on tour before the fall semester started at the college and when I stepped outside someone, a group of thugs - actually, attempted to rob me.” She placed her elbows on the table and leaned toward him again, “I thought nothing of that until it happened outside of a Blitzball game in Schezerade and then just outside my home recently.” A subtle shrug, “so - no big deal I am being targeted. I'm a grown woman and been through worse,” she's killed a man before… She looked down at the top of the table for fear of sounding crazy from this next part, “but it was a mark I noticed on a couple of the assailant's that is making me think there is something much more sinister going on…” sharpened back nails idly trace some previous carved graffiti in the wood of the small table between them. “A suspected secret society by the name of Flewminati, a name thick in conspiracy theories and malice. Schezerade’s own boogy man.”
Sidd was giving Brennia a strange look. One of those 'are you jerking my chain' kind of looks. He wasn't sure what to make of this information. Flewminati? Weird mark? Targeted? "Whoa." he said simply, taking a drink of his ale. His gaze noted those various scars littering her neck and shoulders, casually examining each while he processed this new information. Does he walk away here? Should he offer support? Maybe she's nuts! It wouldn't be the first time he's dealt with an off-the-hinges winged entity. Probably wouldn't be the last, either. Still, something about her story seemed genuine, so he opted to at least listen. "Okay, so, this 'flewminati', if they're targeting you, what do you think they want? I mean... why you?"
Brennia looks up and rests her temple on one of her hands which makes her look somewhat soft and fragile. “I cannot be entirely certain, but” she pauses to take another generous gulp of the rum between them, “there is this business man by the name of Vermillion Draft who also happens to have a seat within the government of Schezerade. They are trying to pass biased laws that really only favor their pockets and I fear if it keeps on this path that the citizens will end up in a financial depression.” Concern furrows her brows, “while I'm bringing life and diversity to Schezerade-” and just as she goes to continue a gentleman walks over with a tattoo of a wing on the back of his hand and within that wing is an eye, within the eye is the world as the iris. This hand was holding a fancy looking drink and sets it down in front of Brennia while sort of looming over her, “how about a drink and a dance?” His hand plants on the table after sliding the drink closer to Brennia and the other hand rests on the back of her chair. Brennia clears her throat gently at Sidd while looking down at the tattoo on the man’s hand before she answers him, sliding the drink away and not even looking up at him, “no thank you.” The man chuckles and slides the drink back over while the other hand pulls a little roughly on those large onyx wings (like the equivalent of pulling hair but worse) “cmon don't be a stuck up bitch, now.” She winces and attempts to shove him away, but at her level it’s not happening and did her ink just swirl over her skin? Must be bad lighting…
Sidd lifts a brow. "Vermillion Draft? Even the name screams arrogant douche. Haha." Leaning back into his chair and folding his arms over his chest, Sidd listened intently. The whole idea of a corrupt politician doing shady things was right up his alley- It was something he rallied against so many times in his youth. When that interrupting blowhard came into the picture, Sidd gave an annoyed glare- This guy came off like one of those smug pricks that thinks they could get anyone they wanted. He obviously saw Sidd and Brennia sitting together, talking. Why would he think it was okay to interrupt and try to snatch Brennia away? With the Avian's vocal cue, Sidd looked down upon that man's hand and spotted the very thing she had been speaking about not moments before. This was a joke right? He would turn around and someone would scream GOTCHA? It wasn't until the stranger started getting rough that Sidd would finally get into action. The human's chair toppled over when Sidd rose, a reaction from the hasty manner in which he got up, one hand shoving the rude man's shoulder with a bit of force. "YO. Chucklehead. Lady said no thank you. Back off." It was seemed a little cliche, but Sidd was not having this sort of crap tonight.
Brennia picked up the drink the man was trying to force on her while Sidd stood up and she timed throwing the drink in the assailant's face just before Sidd shoved the guy. This had given enough distraction for Sidd to earn a stumble from the burly man, but he wipes the liquid from his face and gets in Sidd’s face before realizing this guy was actually taller than him, crap. Brennia raised a sandaled foot up and shoved the guy away from her so she may stand up next to Sidd and the guy realizes that Brennia is also taller than him, double crap. The stocky guy was getting furious, this was not in the job description, “hey! What's the big idea!?” Brennia’s tattoo markings were still swirling in on themselves and her Liberty blue eyes were now black. She reaches one finger out and slips it under the man's collar to effortlessly pull him down to the seat she just left leaving him looking surprised. Wait, this is what they want, so Brennia calms herself and leaned down over the man just as he did her, “you are our lucky winner today. My buddy here, Budd, was just telling me how he would just love to rip the insides out of a man and feel the warm gushy parts slip between his fingers.” She gave a wink over her shoulder at Sidd, “right, Budd?” When she looked back down at the stranger she gave a manic smirk to add the selling point, “now, I've got some questions for you before that, though.” She took her rum up and gulped some down before slamming the bottom of the bottle on his fingers, the fingers belonging to that marked hand. “How about you tell me about this tattoo you have? Hm?”
Sidd's attention was stolen by Brennia when she finally got up, her tattoos being the first thing he would notice. Then when her eyes changed from blue to black, he felt a small lump in his throat. What in the hell did he get himself into? Even while she was questioning the ignorant stubby jackass, Sidd just stared at the avian, unsure what to do or say. Something in the back of his mind was nagging, telling him to run, as if he had seen something like this before. But las if he were wearing boots made of cement, he found himself unable to move. It was her signal that brought Sidd back to the present, quickly to catch onto her little game. His upper lip curled and he tried to look menacing as he replied, "Yer damn right. Come on, let me just cut him a little. I wanna see him bleed." A few patrons were glancing in their direction, Simon looking a little afraid that something might go down and cause damage to his wonderful Inn. Trying his best to conjure up something of a sinister grin, Sidd added to Brennia's line of questioning, "You better speak up, pal. Be honest. 'Cause if you ain't honest, I'm taking body parts."
Brennia, being leaned over this guy and in front of Sidd was probably giving him a nice view, but focus, man! “So, your buddies having a beach party without you?” That sultry alto timbre proving that she can be your beautiful dream or worst nightmare and the guy squirmed a little in his seat before looking at his squished hand under that bottle. Brennia smirks with her lower lip tucked between perfect pearly white teeth and gives the bottle a nice twist, “oh- I am sorry. Cat got your tongue?” The man’s free hand was digging around in his trousers, “hey pervert! I'm up here.” The man chuckles, “don't flatter yourself harlot. You know what this is, don't you? We are the shadows in the darkness and the scheme behind your nightmares.” His hand pulled free and he drank a potion down which causes him to quickly fall limp in the chair, but Brennia was too late in trying to pull the item from the man. She wasn't done with the questions and it at least confirmed her suspicions. “Well,” she sighs out, “this happened when Fitz, Hudson and I were jumped outside that Blitzball game.” She straightens and turns to Sidd, “I’m so sorry I've ruined your night.” She looks down at her feet sort of lazily kicking at the passed out guys boot, “and I do hope you don't think I'm some nutter.” Just a small moment of insecurity, rare just like that adorable giggle of hers, and she picked the bottle up again off the broken fingers of the man slumped in her chair.
Sidd was in shock. He had seen a dead body before, actually a few, but it never got any easier. He looks bewildered at the man and then to Brennia, "Is he?... Did he?!" Two hands lift to clutch the side of his head, innocence immediately pleaded at the onlooking Simon. "You saw this right?! We didn't do it! I ain't going to rot in a jail cell for this!" Up came that glass of ale and down his throat the liquid disappeared in one large gulp. "Not strong enough. SIMON. WHISKEY, DUDE." Sidd seemed to be having a bit of a panic attack at the idea of possibly being set up for murder. Taking a deep breath, the mohawked male started to calm himself, head shaken in response to Brennia's question. "Nah. I don't think you're a nutter- BUT WHAT THE HELL. WHO DOES THAT!?" 'That' in reference to the guy taking his own life before the two. As soon as his whiskey was brought over, Sidd didn't even hesitate and tossed it down the gullet without worry for that burn. He quickly wiped his mouth and stated. "Bottle." Before turning to Brennia and asking, "So. Body. Do we burn it, bury it, or like, dismember it and hide it?"
Brennia closes the distance between her and Sidd, but feels really bad about not clueing him in sooner. “Sidd, wait-” he's ranting and yelling so there are more eyes than she would like at the moment. She attempts to lower his voice and his arms from calling anymore attention to them, “hold on, Sidd.” A shaking her her head to Simon when he asks for a bottle and she pulls him in under her arm and wing. “Sorry Simon, my friends have had just a bit too much to drink. No worries,” an inaudible spell to help Simon forget what he's seeing, chuckle at the charming pair and move on with his shift. Once Simon is back at the bar she leans in to Sidd’s ear and speaks lowly, “calm down Sidney, he isn't dead… Look,” she slowly turns them around and takes gentle hold of Sidd’s wrist so his hand was at the guy's neck. There will be a pulse and she holds Sidd’s hand for a moment there just by happenstance, “he will be okay, but he isn't going to be giving us any more information.” A concerned look given over to him with their faces so close again and that wing attempting to comfort or calm him, “you okay?”
Sidd wanted to pull away from his caramel friend and just drink, but he didn't. He just stood there under her calming hold and let things process little by little. He should be used to this sort of thing by now. How many times has something like this happened? How many times have worse things happen to him? He’s nearly been killed on multiple occasions- Once by a little bastard-child hellspawn! With those soothing words, Sidd's heartbeat skipped in his chest, confusion settled now upon his face. "...What? Seriously?" That in itself would seem strange. Why would someone sedate themselves like that? Was there not a chance the pair could have dragged him off somewhere, tied him up and tortured him for information? Whoa Sidd. No one's torturing anyone. We're no longer with her, remember? He reminded himself. Hesitant at first, he allowed Brennia to guide his hand towards the assumed corpse. As his fingers met the flesh of the unconscious man's neck, Sidd lifted a brow and sighed in relief. Then as he looked upon the avian's gaze, he started to laugh for no discernible reason. Perhaps it it was was his nerves, or maybe he was just losing it. It took a minute before it dulled down into a short giggle, one last deep breath taken before he would speak, "Man, I'm so sorry. I probably came off like a little pansy ass, haha. Don't think less of me for that, Brennia. Jeeze. Just, the dude popped that crap and went limp. That's just insane. I'm good now, I think."
Brennia finally smiled over at him once again and answered both of this concerns of what she thinks of him, “not at all, Sidney.” When he says he is fine her warmth gently removes herself from him, “again… I am sorry about tonight. Send word to the Bard’s College if you see anything odd or you need anything, but I do hope you make a trip and visit one day.” He doesn’t seem like a hug type guy, but he’s gonna get one anyway. Closing the distance so her pliable cushy frame was squeezed against his more boney one and her wings curl around him as well, “aside from everything else. You are really a pleasure to be around and a breath of fresh air in these parts.” She pulls back and gently pats his shoulder, “I must fly into mainland before sunrise, but do keep in touch.” Placing a quick supple kiss on the apple of his cheek again before heading to the exit, this time it wasn’t for a show and a genuine platonicness behind it.
Sidd allowed a smile spread from ear to ear, although it was one draped in confusion. It was the hug, really. It had been quite some time since he had felt one, a genuine act, that he almost forgot how nice they were. He didn't make too much of a motion, one hand lifted in reciprocation, a gentle pat on the back. "Yeah, totally. I'll get Axton to give me a weekend off and plan a trip out." he assured her. When she pulled back, he ran a single hand through his thoroughly flattened strip of hair, eyes dancing amongst those liberty blues. “Hah, you're not so bad yourself, crazy lady." He winks to let her know that he was just taking the piss out of her. With the kiss on his cheek placed and the woman making her exit, Sidd chuckled to himself, a wave and a final send off aimed for the ebon winged woman. "Fly safe!" He had no idea what else to say. Sidd turned and immediately went back to his loud boisterous ways, "SIMON. WHERE IS THAT WHISKEY, DUDE?! I"M DYING OVER HERE." It was going to be a long night.