RP:Vailkrin Politics: Dodging Work

Part of the Unforeseen Consequences Arc

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 sign highly recommending you do not go up is here. A scrawled note hangs from the sign, reading: COMMON TONGUE ONLY

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Celiann took about five minutes attempting to get into the tavern itself, always apologising to the people leaving or going in as she was determined not to be rude and upset any patron. The somewhat diminutive woman stepped inside and looked around with curiosity, fingertips quickly bushing those round spectacles back up her nose before she stepped in further; only to trip on the edge of her robe! Celiann yelped as scrolls and books fell from her tight embrace and she flopped to the floor, scrambling to find her glasses and possessions - apologising to anyone near her in a series of quiet yet hurried mumbles.

Hadrian 's eyes immediately alight upon the slight disturbance to the otherwise dull ambience of this Drunkard's Haven. "Have you ever seen her before, brother?" Hadrian's tone the sound of grating gravel, marked by the oddity of a foreigner's accent. Mesthak looks to Celiann, and then offers a shrug to Hadrian's question. "No bother," the Warrior downs a shot of whiskey, if only to off-handedly motion to Mesthak for another. His nonchalant, slack posture may or may not indicate his alleged drinking problem--he had been here since early this morning, drinking in silent protest of yesterday's outcome. Hadrian's visage is slack-jawed, moss green eyes glazed over, and the picture of his irritation painted blandly upon weathered features.

Kasyr meanders into the tavern, taking a great deal of care to step around Celiann, as opposed to bumbling into her. It's only when he's fully stepped into the edifice that he bothers to turn around and extend a hand over towards Celiann. At least...until he recognizes her. Whether or not she has any issues to address or not, the Kensai's well-honed ability to evade work is swift to kick in, something which prompts the Revenant into meandering away from her with all due haste.

Celiann had managed to get her glasses back onto her face in time to recognise the hand held out to her. While Kasyr liked to avoid work, Celiann was a bit of a task-master. She shot upright and pointed at him, before pulling her hand into a chest and then pointed again; before deciding against pointing - it felt too confrontational! "Kasyr! Um, c-can you please just look at my work?" The rather small woman looked at him near desperately - the sort of look the person who wants to prove they are sane gives. "Um. I mean... I think you should and all, b-but I'm not your boss. But it is important and... and stuff," she trailed off quietly into some mumbles, boot rubbing the floorboards shyly as Nancy lifted her books and scrolls, pressing them into her less than politely.

Eisenhorn walked into the tavern and seemed to shoot a glance at just about everyone in sight. His chainmail chimed as he found himself a seat. His cloak was cut down between the legs knights templar style. The place on his face were eomon had given him a steady punch was sewn up. He thought almost constantly if this went on he would look like a scarecrow. He found a seat and watched his surroundings

Kasyr gives Celiann a withering look, before his attention drifts up towards the ceiling, "Important? Could tu elaborate on how it es important? Does it influence matters of state- or es it relevant to the interests of House Ginavi, et little more?" The revenants pauses for a moment, to allow his words to sink in, before he starts to meander over towards a table, "While you work out a response, I'm going to get a drink." Conveniently enough, he chooses a table near the message board- if only so he can begin skimming over its most recent additions.

Celiann looked to the floor mid-way through Kasyr's response, obviously a bit put down by it. Maybe a bit more than a little bit, as she took a small step back - accidentally bumping into Hadrian's table. She turned, near dropping all her books and scrolls as she raised her hands apologetically before remembering she was holding them. She offered a bashful smile, a hint of her fangs on show, "S-sorry!" That said, she turned and looked at Kasyr. Fixing his back with a pretty deathly stare before marching on up to him. Marching as much as a timid person could do, at least. She laid down a scroll and swiped it out with her hand, pointing at it. "M-matters of state! We're not all self-centred intelligent people at House Ginavi, you know, Kasyr. M-Mister Kasyr." She tapped the scroll once more, "Look at it."

Eisenhorn looks at the brewing argument and chuckles. though he regrets it as the stiches the close most of his mouth and run across his face hurt quite a bit when tugged on.

Kasyr folds his hands over the scroll, and casually leans forward to stare at Celiann, "Self-centered all the time, you mean? But, if you insist that this is important enough to bypass formal channels, I'll suppose I'll look it over- since you took the time to seek me out. I will state, however, that should the import of this be exagerrated- I'll ensure it's far more difficult to get ahold of me, in future." That said however, the Kensai does at least appear to be skimming over its contents.

Hadrian glances up to Celiann, his mind momentarily brought out of its brooding, "No worries, lass." He mumbles in that grating tone of his. Another shot of whiskey is downed, Hadrian to lean back into the embrace of his rickety chair with a languid sigh of tension released.

Eboric steps into the tavern, and moves over to scrawl a message on the board. This done, he makes his way to Hadrian's table, and settles down into an empty chair.

Asailu made her way into the tavern bringing with her the strong smell of the swamps she lived in. With the door falling shut behind the pale white woman the stench would linger inside the establishment. Green eyes scanned the room before she choice her destination; the bar. Crossing the room quietly she took a seat on an empty stool before placing down some coin for her usual drink .

Hadrian , upon Eboric's abrupt arrival, makes to stand and offer a salute. However, before he does, he thinks better of it and instead offers the burly man a respectful nod of his head, "Evening, Sir. I suspect you received my report well, then?"

Eboric raises an eyebrow at Hadrian's choice of greeting, given the man's usual behavior, but apparently decides to dismiss it, simply nodding in return. "I did. You have done well, apart from one or two things that are better discussed elsewhere. Who was the paladin?"

Celiann looked at the scroll and then Kasyr, before giving a serious nod of her head. The woman moved the scroll just slightly, showing that it was in fact a far thinner piece of parchment. "Look, um, the parchment below that is a star map of Vailkrin. And, um, the other one is a star map from recently," she tapped a few missing spots, "Um, they... the stars are going out," she said more quietly. "Disappearing or going out, I'm not sure. But something bad is really happening, Kasyr, it really n-needs attention." She chewed her bottom lip before adjusting those round glasses, "Something is making them g-go away, like a... " obviously she was trying to think of the word now, "a disturbance of some kind."

Nirrarien comes from a family of astrologists. Guess who's conversation he's now listening intently to? Pointedly so, in fact - Kasyr or Celiann need but glance the mage's way to find him staring, brows furrowed, emerald gaze darting between the Kensai and his accomplice.

Hadrian shrugs his shoulders--a glazed look on his moss green eyes indicating a slight intoxication at the moment, "Some self-righteous buffoon, wielding a Katana and an ice enchanted sword." He grunts, and signals Mesthak for another shot of Whiskey, before continuing, "The man was extremely gifted, I've not seen a soul move quite like he did." Subconsciously, his hand moves to caress his side, remembering all-too-well the outcome of the battle. It is here that he notices Asailu, but makes no move to invite her over to their table--he is too drunk to offer up any sort of manners to the Swamp Elf.

Eboric , at Hadrian's words, turns to glance at Kasyr, as if, perhaps, seeking confirmation of his guess at the unnamed paladin's identity. As he does so, he speaks to his thegn. "The benefit of swearing to a god is, I suppose, gifts from that god to aide you in combat. There are ways to beat them, and perhaps I will teach them to you." He looks back to Hadrian, judging the other man's reaction to his words.

Kasyr stares between the two maps, a decidely neutral expression currently painted across his features. "I've noticed it. It es somewhat curious, especially in the manner in which these dissapearances have been...clumped- but at the same time, I do have to pose tu a question. What am I supposed to do about it? Celestial matters are generally the forte of priests, mages, et quoi-ce-soit. It's not like I can go snooping around to see if a few stars have fallen from the heavens, et than find some way to go and settle them back up in the sky." With a shrug, the Kensai promptly leans back in his seat, "I mean, do you have some sort of...proposal for actions to be taken in regards to this anomaly? Or am I simply expected to offer resources to be used at your leisure?"

Asailu did not even notice that Hadrian or Eboric were present in the tavern. Once her drink had arrived she was too busy sipping away at the contents lost in a thought staring down at the burnt tips of her fingers.

Eisenhorn was reading a book in the corner of the tavern when he finally decieded it would be a good idea to look up. He looked around and an idea perched in the back of his mind. He had an idea. as not to look out of the ordinary (in which there is none) and kept reading

Nirrarien said to Ranok, "I need to borrow the Observatory."

Nirrarien said to Ranok, "Please."

Celiann frowned ever so sightly, shaking her head - causing bedhead curls to toss and bounce. Fingertip tapping the map again, "Stars haven't fallen, we would know that, believe me on that," okay, little arrogance injection, "If I get the resources, then we can take action in response to the anomaly, M-Mister Kasyr." A small pause as she tucked a curl behind her ear, "If I can't have the resources, then just... um... you know, don't run away from me. Let me study more and f-find more about it."

Hadrian smiles at Eboric's words, reflecting upon the battle of yesterday, "I would appreciate that very much. I cannot stand to have my pride tarnished by the wielder of the power of some fool gods." Once his shot of whiskey is poured for him, he lifts it to his lips, then thinks better of it, and places it upon Nancy's tray as she whisks passed his table. "Perhaps it is high time for me to invest in some weaponry that will help me combat the magic wielders of the world." Hadrian is bitter now, despising the very thought of having lost to a man. And a man of god at that

Eboric can easily hear the bitterness in Hadrian's words, and he cannot help but smile to himself, slightly. "Remember, they have a very distinct advantage. Had you lost to another warrior, I think the damage to your pride and reputation would be all the greater. As it stands, you lost to another, who was assisted by a god. One might say that it took a god's intervention to defeat you."

Kasyr taps at the side of his head for a moment, before he plants a finger down into the middle of the scroll, "Consider this an ultimatum. I -will- grant house Ginavi funding and resources to further investigate this matter, however, only on the grounds that a budget es formulated, et adhered to- alongside legible, written records. So help me god, if those documents are delivered to me and require a linguist or mathemetician to decipher..." A pause, and the Revenant simply shakes his head, "For now, I'm simply asking that you undertake some form of initial investigation, using your own resources, so as to determine the extent of your Houses need. I believe that es fair, non?"

Asailu finally bored of sitting at the bar she downed her drink and hopped up from the table. Her distracted mind left her on a course that crashed her into the back of Hadrian's chair. "Oh, sorry, Sir." She would exclaim without even looking to see who it was. She only paused to cough blood into a fresh piece of torn linen before hurrying from the tavern.

Nirrarien said to Celiann, "If I may."

Celiann began nodding her head with such enthusiasm that her glasses near fell off! "Y-yes! Um, that's... That's great, Mister Kasyr, truly. I, er, I can get many materials that I need and study more into the matter." Oh, another injection of arrogance here, "Please, Mister Kasyr, my notes are absolutely beautiful, that I promise." That said, she rolled the scroll up and tucked it under her arm, holding her many other books close to her chest in a protective manner. "T-Thank you, for your time, Kasyr. I'll, um, make preparations! Yes, preparations..." With that, she tumbled into a series of mumbles about what she would need for this project...

Celiann said to Nirrarien, "If you may what? You may breathe, yes. You may c-consume food and drink in the premises, yes. Y-You know, you aren't very precise, sir."

Hadrian laughs at that, his face turning red from the fit of hysterics, "Aye, that does make me feel a bit better." He manages through bursts of laughter, "I will try not to be so hard on myself in light of this realization." The fit of laughter dies down a bit now, his face sobering, "Even still, I cannot afford to underestimate his might again, with or without the power of his gods. I am glad to have you back among us, Sir. With your help, I believe I will be strong enough to rip him from the very grasp those damned gods have upon him." A crude, wicked smile plays upon his lips, "It will be a reckoning to remember for the ages."

Kasyr casually mentions, "I believe it es, If I may 'intrude', 'interject', 'ask you to a dance', quoi ce soit~" With that said, he leans back in his seat, and starts to push away from the table, "And my concerns weren't about your notes, so much as to dissuade those of your house from making inscrutable financial documents."

Celiann said to Kasyr, "I know that, b-but I enjoy precision! I'll make sure the books are, um, tidy. Yes."

Hadrian also is bumped into! His irritated glare to lance about in search of the person to assault his personage in such a rude fashion, if only to find his eyes alighting upon Asailu. "Lady Asailu," He says in surprise at her fleeing advancement from the Tavern.

Eboric grins, his teeth baring in that familiar expression of feral mirth. "It is good that you are eager to avenge your own loss," he says, his tone serious. "And I will do my best to ensure that you do. But if you lose again, Hadrian, then the honor of my warband will be damaged, and I will have to set it to rights myself. If he is as good as you say, then I look forward to it, as I have not had a truly worthy fight since I felled Kuzial the drow and ate his eye."

Nirrarien 's upper body hunches as a jet of air can be heared exiting his nostrils, and in the wake of a wide smile comes a slight chuckle, one with which his entire upper body lifts and falls. "If I may interject," Nirrarien clarifies, a sly grin upon thin lips, "your conversation is one of intrigue to me, as a fellow study of the stars. Your maps," a hand sweeps itself forward from within the confines of an overhanging wizard's-sleeve in indication of Celiann's documents, "I could tell from a glance... Are inconsistent with those made by the apprentices of House Falirae. Now I accept the possibility of error, but..." a look of concern dons the visage of the Magistra, and the weight of his frame comes to rest fully pressed against the pole of the whitewood staff he now grips with both hands, "I perused the Vailkrin sky from the observatory within the grounds of my estate, on Rynvale Isle, not two days prior. All the stars, as far as my trained eye could discern, were still in place."

Hadrian 's eyes glaze over even more now, his mind's eye playing out the scenes of the future battle… With mention of his possibility of losing again, Hadrian's gaze tightens upon Eboric. "This is a dispute between him and I. Your direct meddling in it will dishonor me evermore." He grunts, tense posture relaxing, "And yet, I do know that it is your responsibility to maintain our reputation, above all other brothers and sisters. I will submit to your will, should the need arise, Sir."

Celiann adjusted her glasses and eyed him as if he had just told her that the grass was neon pink and that fish were actually land-dwellers. "Please, House... Falirae," she said while blinking - maybe a sign of personal distaste? - before shaking her head, "Yes, well, an observatory on Rynvale in your... a-assuredly lovely estate, will not see the stars as seen in Vailkrin, sir." Her timid nature was very quickly kicking in once again, "Sir, I d-don't like b-being told that I have made an error. I study m-most of my time, so... Um. I don't like that, very much. I suggest you, um, you know, go to Vailkrin and observe it there. You'll see the difference, I assure you." Her hand fumbled about to make sure she had all books and scrolls intact.

Eboric tenses as well at Hadrian's first words, but he nods. "I realize the dishonor, which is why I am waiting for you to have a second chance. It is the Gedriht's reputation that concerns me first, and the thegns' second. It would be better for all concerned if I don't need to...meddle."

Ranok hadn't even gotten one foot into the damned door before he was assaulted with a request. From Nirrarien, no less. Instantly, his expression turns from mildly disinterested in the world to one of distaste. He was letting Nirrien cook, again, intentionally. That talk he promised was in his hands, not the elf's. "Vait. Observatory?" Ear turns towards the room and he replays what conversation he'd heard. Vailkrin. Oh. He'd completely forgotten about the little... Anomaly in the sky. Oops. Well, to be fair, the smith had a lot to worry about. Holes in places he officially deemed Not His Problem were just that. He really hadn't considered it to be much of an issue. His expression changes once more. From scowl, to one of...worry? "De Night's Sky uf Vailkrin kan' be seen from Rynvale. It's in an entirely different vorld, onless hyu elves hef been lyink to me about de Observatory's kapabilities."

Redovian pushes open the tavern doors, and makes his way into this den of inebriation. His destination? The local board.

Kasyr finishes rising to his feet, if only to walk over to Celiann and pat her on the shoulder, " Mm, If that was a pitch for him to set up shop in town- you might want to keep your old job. 'Come to Vailkrin, see the difference' es not exactly inspiring." With that said, the Revenant folds his arms behind his head, and promptly leans over towards Narrarien, "That being said- she es not incorrect. Vailkrin has a sky that es unique to it, so long as your are standing within the confines of that...region. It's just one of those things which make the area so unique." Just like the peculiar otherwordly abominations, the likes of which have been more numerous, lately.

Ranok mostly didn't say anything because he was already pretty sure that Vailkrin had all those little Eldrich Horrors scooting about already. How was he to know that wasn't normal? Honestly.

Hadrian nods his head slowly to Eboric, attempting to calculate his odds of winning against Redovian. Speak of the devil. Hadrian spots Redo entering the tavern and a slight nod is indicated in his direction, hinting Eboric to glance over. "That is him, brother."

Seyr made little fuss as she entered. Nothing to cause her to stand out overly much. Even the stark whiteness of her hair and flesh, and the ragged condition of her clothes were surely not features the town inn did not see overly much. She pushed further into the crowd, floorboards creaking as though giving way to a much heavier frame than her own slight build could have offered. She wore a silk, white blindfold that pinned the length of straight locks behind elf tapered ears, but despite apparent blindness, she navigated between chairs, tables and obstacles with relative ease. Perhaps the only thing that was truly unusual about the woman was the absence of any aura or emotion at all; for those who had the ability to feel such things, of course. She headed for the fireplace, soundlessly.

Nirrarien said to Celiann, "Don't mind if I do! But I assure you," a hand lifts to expose an empty palm, as a gesture of peace, "I did not mean to insinuate error on your part, rather that of the apprentices I referred to. Oh," and here the mage shakes his head, "I do apologise. You are clearly uninterested in the aid of my House."

Eboric glances over at Redovian, and grins. "Oh, him. I know the man." He laughs, the sound filling the tavern. "I should have liked to see that fight."

Nirrarien 's mouth opens and closes in a silent, 'ah'. "Then I have been observing the star-space above the portal, and making assumptions... What a fool be I."

Celiann near jerked at the pat to her shoulder. She was of a jittery little disposition. She nodded as if to echo Kasyr's thoughts, meanwhile remaining silent about the first part. She looked at Nirrarien, "Anyone is welcome to look at the sky of Vailkrin, aren't they? I d-don't think some h-house of elves from Rynvale should m-meddle in matters without a clear invitation or request to do so, sir. W-We want our own ch-chance to do it," a little nod given there as if to confirm that was her desire.

Hadrian lofts a questioning brow, curiosity rising, "What do you mean?" He feared Eboric and the man might harbor feelings borderline friendship--it would be a great dishonor to clash swords with the friend of his Warlord.

Eboric shrugs his shoulders. "I have met him a number of times. A good fighter, in his own right. I have not yet met him in battle, although I have no doubt as to what the outcome would be. Still, his reputation is such that it is no great shame for you to have lost to him."

Redovian may look as if he is unaware of certain patrons within the tavern, but to act upon such a notion is foolish. During his time in Frostmaw, and his training, the paladin has learned to identify auras, and many of those present had certain ones that can not be ignored. Kasyr, for instance, makes it quite hard to ignore the power that seems to pulse from the revenant's body. Ranok, the smith, and his unique items, create an aura original to him. But, Eboric, Son of Penda, has an aura that, to say the least, is built upon sheer physical prowess and absolute confidence. Or arrogance, depending on who you talk to. These characteristics all play part in Redovian identifying people without ever having to see them directly. So, sensing those of key interest, the paladin turns about to fae the crowd, and makes his way to the nearest table, an empty one, and claims it as his own.

Nirrarien feels a lump rise in the back of his throat. and almost chokes with the effort it takes to swallow it down. Once he has done so, eyes still upon Celiann, he takes a different approach, "can I help you... Please? I would very much like to."

Celiann said to Nirrarien, "What help can y-you offer me?"

Ranok said to Kasyr, "Zumhow, Hy sense dat dis iz hall you fault. "

Hadrian shrugs his shoulders now, indicating the reasons behind his losing aren't a bother to him. It is the sheer fact he lost that disturbs him. He inhales deeply, clearing his mind of the topic at hand, "Will we be assembling tonight, for a meeting?"

Eboric tugs on his beard, once. "We can. I have not heard back from either Vaidhe or Jerica, and Iverfin's letter said she was in Frostmaw, and that is all I have heard. The two of us can meet, along with Asailu, however, to discuss our plans."

Nirrarien said to Celiann, "Well... Umm... I can... Do things... With fire? The House is also far from destitute... Even if you have me but make tea and take notes, I would be ecstatic to have the chance to study this phenomenon."

Kasyr raises his hands up defensively, "What? You say that like disaster follows in my wake, ou quoi-ce-soit. I mean, it's not like I'm sort of malignant force that is compelled to set motions in event that have disasterous consequences, ou something cliche like that." Well, actually, "...We have the Parasite for that." There we go.

Hadrian rises from his seat, offering opposite a formal salute, if only staggered a bit, "I will await your arrival in the Swamps, then." He makes to leave the tavern now, intending upon gathering his own troops to amass for audience in the swamps.

Eboric returns the salute in his own way, raising a clenched fist. "I will follow shortly. See if you can find Asailu."

Seyr , standing as close as she was to the flame, may have caught a shimmering reflection or two of light where the glow hit her skin just right. It almost gave hint to a sheen of scales, rather than the smoothness of elf skin. She had yet to move since she had begun her vigil, but she was listening and feeling for any emotions that might pique her interests. Those moments were mostly a waiting game, in any case.

Celiann was beginning to feel as though she was wasting precious time talking and arguing when she could be studying, or reading really dark spells and incantations like necromancers presumably do! She frowned, not sure she even wanted help, but conceded. "Um, just, come to the Library in Vailkrin at some point. Um... Bring supplies - for tea and n-note taking. A-And cakes," a bashful but hurried addition, "if you can. I mean, it's not necessary, but it's n-nice. Yes."

Redovian allows his eyes to rise, to meet Hadrian, as he watches him leave, raising a hand to stop him. " A moment." He asks.

Eboric turns his gaze to Redovian, watching the paladin with hooded eyes.

Nirrarien blinks repeatedly, his expression blank, but quickly brings himself around enough to bend forward into a curt bow, "as you wish. My unending gratitude, Lady...?"

Hadrian nods to Eboric, if only to confronted by Redovian. An irritated look is brandished upon his otherwise stoic visage, "Speak quickly, then."

Celiann said to Nirrarien, "Celiann Es'stel Ginavi. A-and you?"

Redovian reaches down to take hold of a large brown satchel, which he places on the table, and unfolds the flap, revealing a stunning helmet. " This is yours, I believe." Is all he says, the man's eyes never leaving the gladiator, though no sign of arrogance, anger or anything really is seen.

Hanan burst into the tavern in a flurry of movement and a flourish--albeit intentional--of her bluecaptain's coat flapping behind her. She made straight for the board.

Ranok was emenanting a feeling of dread, really. Not much, but any measure was a lot for the smith. Why? Because he knew, in his bones, that this would sloooowly slide downwards steadily until suddenly monsters were bursting forth from sewers and he was having to devise some weapon to kill an Eldrich Abomination. It was always how these things went. Gray eyes flicker at the Kensai as a trio of lights flares over his shoulder, "Kas. Dis iz me hyu're schpeakink to. Hy didn' fashion a Kounter for you use because it vas an ironic gift." He exhales. A glance at Nirrien and his fawning. "Chust don' embarrass youself. Und send every dem findink hyu get on de matter to me."

Nirrarien :: "Nirrarien Falirae," the mage responds politely, biting back the urge to flout former titles. It is difficult for an aristocrat not to advertise himself as such, but it would do no good here - least of all before Ranok.

Celiann said to Nirrarien, "A-And your notes, um, that you -may- make. Um, y-you know, give them t-to me so I can c-collaborate. It's House Ginavi leading it, so.. we need it t-to go through the books, yes? Yes."

Nirrarien said to Ranok, "Aid the House and the House will aid you."

Nirrarien said to Celiann, "Of course. I wish only to be there. The stars are so very fascinating."

Hadrian , despite all past transgressions, grins. He hadn't thought he would see his Helmet of Mortality ever again. "You have done a great thing, Paladin. This is the helmet rewarded to me upon winning the Gualon Championships. It is priceless to the right individuals." The grin fades, albeit slightly, "Do not think however, that it renders null our dispute, Paladin." The helmet is retrieved from the satchel, and donned upon his head ceremoniously. "I am sure I will be seeing you soon, brother." A salute in respect of the Paladin's prowess is offered, before he turns and leaves.

Seyr felt the Dread. It caused a brief tilt of her head toward Ranok, but the movement itself was so slight as to almost go unnoticed. It could have been the sound of stuttering dialogue that held her interest for the moment, though. Or at least the reason blindfold clad face had turned fully in Celiann's direction.

Celiann nodded with absolute enthusiasm, "Oh, they a-are! Really," finally a parting nod to Kasyr before she made for the door. "I'll see y-you at the library, at some point," she said as farewell, before stumbling out the door - tripping on the bottom of her robe once again! A clumsy creature, apparently.

Redovian offers the gladiator a salute in return, and says with a smirk all his own. " I look forward to it."

Ranok thins his eyes at Nirrarien. "Hy'm sorry, Hy must hef missed de part vere hyu kould disagree." But, the stick only went so far. "It really hain't me dat schould be seekink gratitude, Hy tink. But de odder vay around. Given dat looters set to de houses, de drunken pirates vont to do so, but perheps Hy might hef recovered a fev tinks left behind in you rush..."

Hanan 's ears perked at the words "drunken pirates," head turning slightly from the board. Oh, shyte. Ranok. That set her shoulders to tenseness and her lips to a thin line.

Kasyr offers a salute to Celiann, "I suppose, if it's absolutely required." Whilst the Kensai endeavours to remain a neutral, but still somewhat upbeat, expression- the facade is somewhat complicated by the unnatural void of emotional energy that has since drifted into the room. Considering that traditionally, that sort of thing has generally accompanied Vuryals appearances- it's no wonder that the Revenant is on edge. Still, he does offer a, "Duly noted." towards Ranok."If you'll excuse me..." With that said, the Kensai begins to meander away from the smith, quite intentionally seeking to sidle over towards Redovian.

Redovian watches the gladiator leave, and allows his gaze to fall upon the kensai, offering a whole new salute to the revenant, as he says. " My Lord."

Nirrarien permits himself a grin in Celiann's wake, and turns to give Ranok a dismissive wave - smile still in place. "Oh, calm yourself. I have little choice but to comply." The news of looting in the derelict Houses brings to the mage's visage a dark frown, and silent thanks for the strong walls and stalwart Falirae that maintained the estate whilst he had been... Indisposed. Still, if Houses Illaren and Phenthae had suffered a good plundering he could kiss any hope he still harboured of recovering his borrowed things goodbye. "Trinkets?" a blonde brow elevates, and the Magistra's frame peels itself from the imitation whitewood staff he used to fill the hole left by the loss of his original, "as in... Crests? Shields? They should be displayed within the Town House... Unless a museum has been built in my absence."

Kasyr offers a stiff salute to Redovian, before he does his best to feign being at ease,"How fares things in Frostmaw, monsieur? Do you have anything to report?" That being said, whilst he's doing his best at not acting like he's on edge- he's doing an absolutely terrible job at it, especially since he's fixedly staring in Seyrs direction.

Redovian is not stupid, and thus cuts straight to the point, because that is how he is. He hates games. " Whats wrong, and how can I help?" Blunt, as always.

Nirrarien said to Kasyr, "I like him. He wouldn't like me."

Nirrarien said, "All supposition, of course. I'll be quiet now."

Seyr did not turn her head any further to watch Celiann take her leave. Still, there was not a trace of emotion to be seen from the woman standing alone by the flames. Long heartbeats later, her attention might have been on Kasyr. Or at the very least, a pale face had shifted his way.

Kasys' expression darkens considerably, before he promptly leans forward and mutters something.

Kasyr whispered to Redovian, "I am..getting the same kind of feeling I would when the Parasite is lingering about- save that it es bereft of the sort of...magical force that lingers about him. It es just that same disconcerting...void, which lingers everywhere he goes."

Ranok may or may not have directed soldiers to strip those houses themselves. He wasn't specific on the looting. Oh, he had no interest in riches. It was the knowledge he wanted. Wanted to put into the much safer Rynvale Library, to be even more specific. And if, perhaps, a particularly dangerous book or useful one fell by the wayside...? Well, these things happened. He had no illusions. The really good stuff was either taken or protected by those damnable fields. He was still trying to crack a few. Purely academic interest, to anyone who wishes assurance. A hand gently draws aside duster and something seized. "More personal possessions, as Hy onderstund it. De black market iz filled vith liddle tinks, most uf it herdly vorth chasink. A fev artifacts seized tryink to be schmuggled avay...Hy kept a fev. Hy tink Hy recognized dis, ven Hy took it." Out was drawn the real deal, which was to say, the real whitewood stave of Nirrarien's. Implausibly tugged completely free of a pocket it didn't fit in, it smacks gently onto the wooden floor of the tavern. Ill fit for Ranok's height, so close to Nirrarien, it was mildly obvious just who it was meant for

Redovian eyes the kensai. The paladin had unfinished business with that one, and he was eager to repay the debt. He leans over to say..

Redovian whispered to Kasyr, "If you need me, you know you need only to ask."

Ranok || Those trio of electric blue lights floated aimlessly...seemingly. In reality, they drifted towards Seyr. The intelligence's interest had seemingly been piqued.

Kasyr whispered to Redovian, "Appreciated. Whilst I imagine myself capable of contending with him- I have no qualms with seeing him shuffled into a grave with all due swiftness, should this be his presence I am feeling."

Kasyr offers a few more words, and a quick nod, than simply draws himself back up to a stand. With that attended to, his hands promptly settle within his coat, and he begins to amble onwards.

Kasyr is going to pace around the room like there's no tommorow.

Redovian whispered to Kasyr, "If it -is- him, I owe it to someone to drive my blade through his black heart. But if this is some new threat, I shall offer whatever aid I can. I need something to do anyways."

Hanan --turning away from the board to make her way to the bar--was just in time to see Ranok tug that giant staff from a tiny pocket. Her eyes widened. That... that could be useful. Not for her, so much, but... She rubbed the back of her neck beneath dark hair, then turned to Mesthak. "Rum."

Seyr had been left to her own vigil for a long while, now. Between the lights drifting her way and the kensai's sudden movement, it felt as though there were quite a bit of attention suddenly upon her. No matter, really. With a tapered ear and her own senses kept on Kasyr and the paladin, blindfolded face turned toward the lights. "Lovely." Her own voice was likewise lacking in any tone or inflection in those two syllables. "No." Of course, most would likely think she was talking to herself, but the lights at least had some of her focus while she denied that request.

Ranok || The lights swirl, sketching out patterns of some sort or another. An accessment of what Seyr was, insofar as it could tell. The world was a different place to the lights, as discovered by Kirien, but it still had but limited methods of seeing. <That is a pity. Perhaps you could at least allow me the information of what species you are?> The words were no longer so quiet, its shifting putting the source in a slightly different place. Each word, crisply spoken, devoid of inflection or feeling. Mildly creepy to those prone to such feelings. Again they were moving. Should Seyr do nothing, they would sweep around her person as if someone were circling her while giving the classic up and down, though it was nothing so crass as a man checking out a woman. The lights had no interest in anything but new knowledge.

Nirrarien is disappointed at first, and it shows in the slumping of his shoulders. For all the trouble she had caused him it would have been nice to look upon the shield of Arien's House a final time, and spit upon it. Ranok continues to talk, and Nirrarien is courteous enough to pretend to listen... Until the drawing of an elongated pole from a place it did not fit catches the Magistra's eye, which widens with its partner as the implement is cast upon the floor. Fingers, already pale, turn suddenly ashen as their grip upon the imitation pole tightens to so great an extent that a throbbing blue vein appears thundering across the forehead of the pyromancer, and with a sudden 'whoosh' a misshapen ring of crimson shoots both up and down the length of the pole, as if it were a cigarette some iron-lunged maniac had drained in a single drag. Uncaring of the scattered ash that comes to nestle in his robes and his hair, unconcerned with the scorn his cousins would surely visitate upon him were they to witness his next action Nirrarien promptly drops to the floor, almost kicking his own feet out from under him in his haste to retrieve the floorbound tool. And when fair fingers do come to curl around the original whitewood pole, still smooth and unmarked as when Nirrarien last gazed upon it, it is all the Magistra can do to rise shakingly to his feet, and not remain on the floor in awe, for all of eternity. "I..." great care is taken with the staff as it is slowly turned in the Magistra's hands, its notched butt examined lovingly before emerald gaze combs right the way up to the crimson, crystallised eye of a red dragon that sits proudly as the staff's head, "I am overwhelmed!"

Seyr seemed entirely indifferent to the examination, and remained entirely still throughout the sweeping motion. "Dragon," she answered, simply. There was little reason or care for hiding the information; though it had been ages since she had taken her true shape. Her head tilted toward Nirrarien, face shifting away from the lights to turn toward him, feeling. There was a prospect, it seemed.

Hanan watched the crazy creepy light things do their... thing, she turned and leaning her back against the bar. At some point she noticed Kasyr pacing about--smirked slightly--and raised a hand. "Kasyr. Word?"

Redovian rises and takes his leave.

Ranok allows Nirrarien to take the stave. He wasn't so absolutely cruel as to hold a bone of meat above a dog's head. It looked bad, and it made you enemies. Though, he wouldn't deny he wasn't tempted to do so. He'd tried to nab artifacts from each house in order to use as sweettalking. But the stave just happened to be one he placed into his personal possession. Next, Ranok tugs out some jerky. Nothing spectacular, really. "Tell hyu vat. Hy'll let hyu hef you schtaff back. A gesture uf gootvill, kall it. Rynvale velcomes back its Elven Houses und looks forvard to vorkink vith each odder." A bit of a cruel smile was twitching across his features, only to be wiped when he looks at the jerky. It looked like something had been eating at the stuff. His features went more scowly. This was the third time this week alone. He'd lost track of how many things of food and waterskins he'd found punctured. A finger plucks a bit of something, "...cat hair...?" The lights, for their parts, finish their inspection. Seyr was an anomaly to it, but with Ranok there, they couldn't simply do absolutely as they wished. They return to Ranok's shoulder and slip down to his hand, where they floated over the cat hair infested nibbled jerky, <Again?>

Kasyr , though he still maintains that somewhat dire expression from before, doesn't seem entirely immersed within whatever issue it is that's concerning him. At the very least, he stops pacing... Sort of. To be precise, his large circuitous route is simplified, to such an extent that he's now 'orbiting' loosely Hanans position, "Yes/"

Hanan couldn't help a smirk at Kasyr's orbit. She figured from his glances that it was the creepy chick over there. She didn't seem so bad--granted Hanan couldn't read auras--just another freak showboating in the tavern. Lookit me, lookit how spooky. Hanan's smirk deepened. "It's... well, maybe it's none of my business." She lowers her voice. "Is Lita working for you right now?"

Nirrarien had planned on keeping the staff anyway, shown briefly in an annoyed scowl, but nonetheless composes himself and offers a gracious bow in return. "A noble gesture, for which I am grateful. You should know that the House Falirae will soon be offering to educate the promising young minds of Rynvale... As we have done for many generations. I suspect nobility has become an aged concept on the Isle..." Nirrarien frowns, "therefore, for the sake of acceptance, we must be less selective... Oh, there is much to be revised. Undoubtedly, we shall meet again soon... And thank you."

Kasyr pauses for a second, that dire look he has been sporting asofar giving way to one of simple perplexion, "Pardon? In what manner, enfin? That terminology has taken a fair few meanings. And whilst I cannot say that she es working -for- me, in any of then, I can say that I may be working with her, according to one? ..I think that's about right." The kensai blinks, momentarily too caught up in semantics to feel overtly concerned about things.

Seyr 's player very suddenly had to go, and thus the creepy showboater loitering in the tavern took her slow departure without even a look back.

Hanan was giving Nirrarien a dirty look as Kasyr said his first words; a vampire's ears are good for evesdropping. But then Kas had her full attention. "Workin' with her... okay." SHe shifted her shoulders. "I'm just bein' nosy. She left a note sayin' she was heading up to Frostmaw for 'research,'" And for once it didn't appear to be clandestine, so she felt comfortable mentioning it, "and I didn't have the foggiest what she meant. Wondered if you were up to something."

Nirrarien doesn't think Hanan the type worth taking note. Perhaps one day he'll come to think differently

Ranok was picking cat hairs out of his would-be meal. A glance upwards, "Eh? Oh. Yah." Given that Rynvale's elven to human population was solidly two elves to every human, there would be racial tensions going on very soon. The population explosion wasn't exactly new, but the elves were slow to change, as nearly everything (to Ranok's frustration). Likely, that number was much higher. Port cities were hell to keep track of in population fluxes. People came, went, and drifted in between by the hundreds. Keeping track was an exercise in futility. Given that Vuryal's shenanigans had created an outflux of elves, and then his walking away creating an influx of *everyone*, where the real numbers laid was hard to guess. To say nothing of the down trodden. In other words...its probably a good thing Ranok didn't need all that sleep, anyways. "Dis...nonsense in Vailkrin dat's probably Kasyr's fault iz suddenly important. Not chust looks are on de line here. Try not to make too mhenny googly eyah at de pretty vampire voman. Onderstund? Hy'll be komink to de Darklunds myself schortly." He shakes his head.

Kasyr , once the subject is clarified, looks both relieved, and a fair bit assured, "Ah. Oui. That es the working with thing. She es looking into something from a legend- sought out moi et my wife in the hopes that we might be knowledgeable on the local folklore et such. I imagine, at this juncture, she es probably sifting through books with Satoshi." A pause, and the Revenant simply shrugs, "I haven't really been up to much, beyond being barraged with questions as to why the stars in Vailkrin are dissapearing, et what I'm going to do about it." There's a faint grumble about something related to an increased 'pest/otherwordly abomination problem', but that's relatively indecipherable.

Nirrarien said to Ranok, "You insult me. Alas, farewell."

Ranok mutters, "Damnable elves."

Hanan blinked, then blinked a second time. "Folklore?" A third blink, and then she chuckled outright. "Ruttin' hell, folklore, that's... why?" The question wasn't really aimed at Kasyr. Lita looking up folklore instead of getting herself nearly killed for a change seemed to put her at ease. "What's this about stars goin' away, though? I hadn't heard it. Sure it isn't some weird astrological thing they didn't know about yet? Maybe it just happens sometimes?"

Kasyr folds his hands up behind his head. "I'm not really all that sure of it myself. What I do know, es I'm getting barraged by three Noble Houses for funding et what-have-you to go et investigate it. But, yes- the problem can be summed up as..for the last few months, a bunch of stars have..dissapeared from the sky. And more and more stars are slowly vanishing. I suppose, if you wanted to be morbidly poetic, or something- you could say that there es a large creeping darkness, that es slowly devouring the sky." The revenant, pauses for a moment, before he simply turns to fish into his pack. Unforunately, his searching turns up next to nothing, since for the moment, his backpack has returned to being a mundane holding space...and is thus empty, "Anyways, I'm not overly concerned. Beyond marring the sky, it hasn't done anything else. It's just ruining the aesthetic, j'suppose. Still, I've offered my help to those interested in researching it, for whatever reasons..." Kasyr just looks -so- tired when he discusses this topic. Possibly because of the sheer mountain of paperwork it's caused him.

Hanan 's dark brows rose. "That's... yeah, that's a bit disturbing." She took a sip of her rum, swished it a bit, then... "Vailkrin's a shyte pit; suppose it makes sense for some kind of horrible creepin' darkness to be encroacing on it, who else wants it? No offense, but.. the worst were always there. Either creepy as hell psychopaths or those awful lace-wearin' bloodwine guzzlers. Not much of a aesthetic worth preservin'."

Kasyr shrugs a bit, before stuffing his hands into his pockets, "Eh. I wouldn't say the worst are there, though it es certainly not a prime choice of real estate. Hell, I would not even be residing there as I currently am, if Ginger hadn't gotten herself killed. I've washed my hands of that place once, before." He briefly falls silent there, his head slowly shaking, before he resumes his speech, his tone slightly softer, "Either way, there is little I can do to amend this problem- other than wait for results, from those individuals who are capable of producing them. So, I'm not going to waste much thought or worry on the matter. Not until it starts causing problems, enfin- beyond ruining peoples plans for a starlit picnic."

Hanan laughed. "Ginger represented everythin' about Vailkrin, trust me. Though I don't know why you bothered movin' in. Better to let one of those bastards take care of it. I mean... gods, can you imagine a Vailkrin picnic? Some ruttin' dandy and his flopsy-mopsy painted-up strumpet of a girlfriend sittin' in the graveyard competin' over who's more depressed. They probably love losin' stars, they get to contemplate mortality some more." Another sip of rum, then... "...you don't suppose it could spread, do you?"

Kasyr scratches at his chin, than gives a sort of helpless shrug, "Well, it's spreading in Vailkrin, ever so slowly. Et Vailkrin es connected to the reset of the world, albeit in a manner that es somewhat hazy. So, I suppose it es possible...though I don't imagine the process will be quick, at all." One hand is drawn out from his pockets, before he gestures off towards the windows, "Et given we do have people researching it, I don't think you're really going to have to be concerned with the sky being blotted out, ever. I mean. I'd at least hope not, anyways." With a careless wave of his hand, he'd simply continue, "And by the by- I moved in, because of Ginger. Originally, I had helped her to become my successor, so that she could continue to oppose Vuryal, et ensure he could not claim that city. With her dead, I had to make sure he couldn't elevate one of his lackeys, and further the expansion of his toy empire. Et, well- I wasn't exactly fond of Vailkrin falling into that war, either." That particular statement is ponctuated with a huff, before the Revenant adds, "Er, but why the concern? Er, et speaking of concern...how's Dami been? Et such..?"

Hanan nodded. "No, I get it... someone's got to wrangle those bastards. Whatever happend to Vuryal, anyway? I just heard one day he stopped. Granted I was all the way on Rynvale dealin' with rubble, so..." And then he mentioned Dami. She pushed her lips to the side. "I was hopin' you'd know of all people. She told me she was leavin' on a trip for awhile, left, then nothing. She never struck me as the kind of girl to write, but if you don't know..." There's a sudden crease in her brow. "Did she ever tell you where she was heading?"

Kasyrs' jaw clenches slightly, something which precedes him simply staring down at the ground and sifting through his trenchcoat. Wordlessly, he continues- until, finally, he manages to draw a bent cigarette out from the lint ridden recesses of one his pockets. As soon as its settled between his lips, he draws one finger beneath the tip, by which point the artful application of a minute bit of electricity serves to get it lit, " No. I mean. I don't know. We.. she and I did not exactly depart on amicable terms. I'm still not sure if she had a death wish, or simply wanted to prove a point. Either way, she asked me to quit saving her... et than struck out with little more than a 'Give my regards to the Queen'. Figured she was heading over to you, et didn't exactly want us butting heads. Et ..was likely questioning as to how much I was or wasn't influencing her. J'en sais pas." Grimacing, the Kensai can't help but ask, "How long ago was that? I was..actively trying not to keep tabs on her, so..I'm somewhat out of the loop." With a click of his tongue, the Kensai quietly adds, "Vuryal -left-. I'm not sure why. I had found out where he was located, by ..er. some creative means. "And a number of dead and/or devoured imperial agents. "But, well, before moi et my few allies could probably rally together...he withdrew. Et not just that, he took his empire with him. Resources, troops. All of it. Just gone. On one hand, it's worrisome for what he's doing with that. On the other hand... Well. He isn't here. Et whilst I'll no doubt have to deal with him at some point- he's not my problem in the immediate."

Hanan gave him a long, lingering, increasingly disturbed look. "What do you mean... death wish?" Of course that's what she filtered out of his words. She shook her head. "You were domineerin', Kasyr. You were givin' her too many rules and not enough training. This... it's supposed to mean freedom, but half the time sires treat the baby vamps like slaves and servants. Frankly, sounded like you were goin' down that road. But I didn't know it was like that at the end, she always told me you weren't so bad. Death wish..." She hunched her shoulders slightly. "Anyway, if he just left I won't complain. Maybe the bastard just took his toys and went home, got tired of us. I can live with that."

Kasyr gives Hanan an irked look, "She was dying when I turned her, you know. There's always been a certain degree of recklessness towards her actions. But at times, it just seemed to border onto a death wish. Maybe because she was fairly tricky to actual kill, at one point, so she could afford to be. That sort of changed, however, due to that damnable weapon she inherited." The revenants carelessly flicks the ashes from his cigarette, before directing his attention towards the ceiling, "Anyways- It wasn't my intention to be domineering. I was trying -not- to be. But, well, at the same time? I was trying to ensure she didn't turn out screwed up. I've seen a few people go all sorts of..wrong, when they're left to go rampant. Et, yeah- I'm protective, et interfering. Sort of happens when the people you used to call friends are essentially filling up a goddamn chunk of a graveyard." The revenant moves away from the bar at that point, his penchant for pacing taking hold once more, "Anyways. Does that pretty much sum up everything you needed to know?" It doesn't exactly help that the Kensai looks particularily uncomfortable at the moment.

Hanan rolled her shoulders, meeting Kasyr's eyes. "Yeah, she told me. She also told me she didn't want to be sired in the first place." That might explain the death wish. "It didn't sound like you were actually trainin' her, so I figured I'd step in, and..." It's not as if a great deal of training took place, if any. But that was private. "She always defended you, though, when I was callin' you a bastard. Remember that, at least. But in my experience, too many rules makes 'em even crazier. They try to escape and then start rippin' heads off." She set down her glass, now empty, and huffed through her nose. "I'd cooled off by the time she left, you seemed alright. How about this: I'll tell you if I hear anything, you tell me if you hear anything? And yeah, thanks, I'm all set."

Kasyr scratches at the back of his head, " There was a certain degree of training, though, it was sort of informal. I was also sort of counting on her to pick things up with her..well. Peers. I guess that's the word for it. One of the words for it. I. It doesn't really matter- if she's coming back, I don't think it's for me. That being said- if I do bump into her first? I'll give you a holler, ou quoi ce soit." With a huff, the kensai starts towards the door, before casually adding, "And by the by- if you do need something, feel free to send me a missive ou quoi ce soit. For business, or what-have-you~ Et that includes if you ever change your mind on that one offer I made. Anyways, I'm off, to hopefully dodge paperwork for a few more hours."

Hanan raised two fingers to her brow, then flicked them--a bit of a salute. "Will do. Might be up in Frostmaw to dredge the libraries for Ace, I'll look you up if I do." She smirks, slightly. "And I think you're wrong about Dami. She'd definitely come back to yell at a guy."

Kasyr pauses at the door, and offers Hanan a wry grin, "Well, I'll hope there isn't any tables on hand, then. The last time she had words with me, it was the furniture doing most of the talking." With a wave, the revenant simply meanders out the door.

Hanan laughed outright. "Try to find a good, empty room."