RP:Poetry in a New Friendship
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 though, 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'.
A scrawled note hangs from the sign, reading: COMMON TONGUE ONLY
You can buy items here. A bouncer, watching over Nancy the barmaid, is here. Mesthak is here.
A bronze statue of the seventh son is here.Samwell is here.
Samwell proceeds into the tavern, pushing aside well used doors to stride into the equally worn establishment. The Poet's gait is in its typical state of jovial strides, a smile worn in the same fashion across his face. He moves towards the bar and gets a water from Mesthak to the barkeeps great distaste. Turning to his writings, he begins to browse the other patrons, what stories were hidden in tonight's clientele?
Carad followed in behind Samwell, her bag large bag on her back. Every once in a while, it would move and wiggle around, but it didn't seem to bother the young elf. She came in covered in small beads of sweat, as if she was running from something or working out. but she was thirsty and tired and she had a few coin to spare herself a drink, by ordering some juice and a platter of grapes. She takes a seat at a table near the bar, after graceful steps carried her from door to table.
Samwell hadn't noticed the elf come in behind him, so when he turned to regard her from his seat at the bar, he found his next target. The excitable youth made his way over to the elf, boldly taking a seat across from her, water in hand. Azure eyes take in the woman before him, then Samwell begins to do what he did best, talk, "I couldn't help but notice you, simply, because there are few else attending this tavern at this time." As if to emphasize this, he takes a look around the tavern, another man was there with but he seemed either asleep or deep in thought, "It's not often that I get such an invitation to talk to strangers, you see, I am new in this land, the name is Samwell, just Samwell, and I'm curious in meeting people and hearing their stories, someone like yourself." He extends a hand in greeting, holding it there whether she take it or not.
Carad looked up from her drink and food, wishing he would have asked to join her, but she remembered that this isn't Rynvale and customs here are possibly different. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, knowing the male is possibly older than her seventeen year old self. "Greeting's Samwell, it is a pleasure to meet you. I'm Carad and I'm visiting Kelay, fo now anyways. I will eventually make my way to Xalious in search of the Mage's Guild." She reached over and took his hand in her own, while a red and white stripped fuzzy face pokes itself out of her bag and over her shoulder to see who the male stranger was. "Oh, and this is Falmeo, my red panda. We are both from Rynvale."
Samwell grins as his greeting is accepted, the young man shakes her hand vigorously. His mannerisms were perhaps interesting to the inhabitants of Hollow, as they were lead by a blind ambition to meet all the interesting people this land had to offer. The Poet had quite a bit to say and was ever so enthused to be in conversation again. "Carad, excellent to meet you! I'm not from here myself, either, I've arrived here in Hollow just recently and don't know too much of the land, though I have been to Rynvale for a short time. I took a ship - Which was a traumatizing experience I must say - and went to see dragons! Which was likewise terrifying, but wonderful for my writings." Samwell would ramble for a bit longer before coming full circle, "Ah, yes Xalious! I have been there, and seen the famous Xalious Tree. It's a beautiful town. The Mages guild, yes? I have never been there, though, are you endeavoring in the magical arts?" Sam takes a long drink of his water, clearing his throat, it appeared that after all his talking he was somewhat parched. Though engaged in conversation with Carad, he was distracted for a time with the strange panda creature. It was immensely entertaining to him. He extends a tentative hand to brush its little head.
Carad eats a few grapes and takes a sip of her drink here and there as Samwell spoke of his adventures to Rynvale, the dragons, Xalious and it's tree. Flameo lifted his nose to sniff at the hand before allowing it to touch his head, in which the little creature closed his eyes happily. "For as long as I can remember, I have had the ability to produce fire and manipulate it. My parents allowed me to set out on my journey to seek the Mage's Guild to learn from a master so I can grow and prosper in the gift I have been given by the gods." She loved the dragons of Rynvale and smiled on that thought, "Some of the dragons are friendly while others want nothing to do with people like us, but I grew up near them and learned a bit of their language. My fire magic is strongest when I use the language of dragons." This Xalious tree struck interest in her, seeing as she has been to the Druids Tree. "Is the Xalious Tree anything as grand as the Druids Tree just outside the tavern and up the Way?"
Samwell scratched the panda's head idly as he listened to her story, which is why he had approached her initially. He was particularly interested in her talk of her innate magic talent. "So you were - just born with it? That's phenomenal." The Poet scribbles something with his free hand. "You seem to be blessed with quite a gift, the Mage's Guild is certainly a good place to expand on that, if what I have heard is true." The talk of dragons gave cause for Samwell to laugh, his encounter was quite eventful, not one he intended to repeat in the near future. Though the talk of the Xalious Tree caught his attention instantly, "I suppose that's up to the beholder, don't you think? Though in your field I would suppose the Xalious Tree will prove to be quite the outstanding experience, it showed in me something... something I never knew. If you seek it, it will grant you something - wonderful." Sam talked of the tree with such reverence, his words more carefully wrought. The Poet looks up from his scribbles to regard the grey-eyed elf once more. "It's a very venerating experience, one I assure you, will be very eye opening."
Carad listened and then pulled Flameo out of her bag so that Samwell didn't have to reach over her shoulder to pet him. She stroked his back of course, her eyes wide and full of want and lust of more to heard of the tree and guild. "I know the Druid's tree is alive. I swear it has a heart beat or I thought I heard one when I leaned against it. It was warm and welcoming to me. Are you saying that the Xalious tree is like... alive similar to the Druid's Tree? I must see this tree as soon as I can. I do hope someone can give me more details on these trees. The one here is huge, like it's the mother of the trees here in the Sage forest.' She grinned and pulled out a journal and began writing in it, "My magic felt stronger near that tree, a magic I guess I was born with. I don't know and my parent's say they can't tell me because they don't know. I never showed magical talent as a kid. It was only at the age of twelve that the fire burning within decided to show itself, during a very excitable moment."
Samwell was grateful for the panda, it was an amazingly curious specimen to play with as he talked. "Oh, yes! The Tree is very alive. It speaks, in such a way that I cannot explain. Magic had not manifested yet in my life, at least not my knowledge, but when I came into the presence of that tree of that hallowed ground, something awoke in me, the magic became apparent, so within reach." Samwell's eyes grew wide as he recounted the story that had affected him so, just weeks ago. "I think it would be wise for you to go there, to feel the power that lies there, though at the same time, it would be equally wise to be careful. All that power at once can be overwhelming." He looks to the doors, then once to his words he had been recording. "Carad, it has been a pleasure. You're an interesting young lady, with immense power it seems, and I've only just met you." He pauses in thought, "I must be off, but I will see you again, I'd like to think we're friends! Meet me here again sometime, tell me of your encounter in Xalious, I'm anxious to hear of it." He stands abruptly, collecting his things, smiling and bowing his body and inclining his head slightly. "It has been a pleasure, miss."
Carad grinned and nearly jumped out of her seat at the mention of the Xalious tree being among the living trees, two of which she has discovered, even though others know more about them than herself. She wasn't expecting him to leave so soon, but she smiled, 'I will meet you here or you can meet me at the Xalious tree if I locate it's whereabouts." She stood up, scooped up Flameo and placed him in her bag and watched as Samwell would leave the tavern, "Pleasure Samwell, I do hope we can talk again, Friend." She smiled and would soon leave the tavern, to return to the Druid's tree where she felt safe and more alive than ever.