RP:What's So Funny?
Summary: Irenic is exposed.
The Orphanage of Gualon
The elaborate sign swinging from the doorway designates this building as the orphanage, as does the flurry of commotion that greets you when you enter. Half a dozen soot-smudged children push past you and into the sunny streets of Arena Avenue while you are greeted by a receptionist who inquires if you are dropping off or picking up. Paperwork is thrust your direction and unless you manage to get in that you are just visiting, you may find yourself the sudden and proud parent of a bright-eyed, street-wise urchin. The orphanage itself is a rather grand affair taking after the subtle decadence of the rest of the city. The first story is a veritable playground with plenty of activities and diversions for Gualon's younger population. If you manage to fight your way upstairs, past the orphans hanging around and off the wrought iron spiral staircase, you'll find yourself in an illuminated hallway with plenty of rooms to spare. There are two beds in each room, while two larger rooms at one end of the hallway house four. There is a nurse tidying up one of the rooms, arranging flowers from the exotic gardens of Gualon in an expensive vase on the nightstand. She directs your attention to the common room where giggles and peals of laughter can be heard echoing up the hall. The common room functions as both playroom and nursery, and a large skylight lets natural light in during the day and serves as a built-in nightlight during the evening hours. Back downstairs, you notice some of the urchins ducking outside a back door, but a couple of brooding teenagers spare you looks that suggest you might not want to follow. The nurse, both cautious and wary, mentions that the building has been magically warded against any sort of arcane attack. A towheaded six year old pulls at your hand and wants to know if you'll play tag along the river. You can stay and entertain the orphans or follow a group of them spilling out onto the cobblestone streets of Gualon.
Irenic | Anyone walking through the Arena Avenue area could be easily led to the orphanage, but those a bit keener to the shifty and quick handed orphans might see one or two swipe some treats before dashing back to the large building. Irenic has a single soft spot, orphanage kids, and it is here one will find him in where he was sort of hiding out during the day. Maybe someone could pick up on the familiar gruff tone of his voice in which carries from the playground and the kids who swiped the treats run to join the others with him. A chef was grinning happily at a large freshly slain boar as they drug it towards the kitchens atop what looked like an extra large potato sack. Irenic spots the thieves sneaking in with the treats just at the receptionist had when she really started to lay in on them and a short chuckle came from the Avian at this before he returns to the story book one of the older kids were trying to read. She was having a spot of trouble with the word ‘requirement’, so Irenic was showing her an easy way to sound it out while the younger children around them listened intently in a small circle. A toddler waddles over to the ground seated Irenic in order to claim a perch on his lap and he tries to pull the leather eyepatch free from Irenic’s head, but Irenic playfully bites the air at the intruder which elicits a jovial giggle from the lad. This is a rare form for the Avian, but it could just be an alternate persona… Or the Irenic away from all of this is an alternate persona, but he oddly seems ‘at home’ in this sort of environment.
Meri | It has been some time that Meri has paid Gualon a visit despite having frequented this city often in years past. These days the woman has absolutely no business within the city limits, work long ago carried her to other regions and most of her ties and connections to this city have faded. A few people would remember her, those who dealt with her on a more regular basis like the barkeep at the Grogshop or perhaps some of the staff that tended to the castle that Meri used to claim a room in, with the permission of a certain black dragon who has a knack for politics of course. Her reason for being here is personal and she is putting off taking care of this personal affair by visiting areas of Gualon that some of her friends used to frequent to see how they have changed. It was Emilia that used to do work at the orphanage for a time, if Meri recalled correctly. She was not entirely certain if the ice princess still dedicated any of her time this place but she was curious to know what has changed here since her last visit. The building itself was the same as it has always been but the faces of the orphans inside were either new or years older. Meri had not expected to find Emilia here, she did not anticipate seeing anyone here. Yet there Irenic was and he is met with a loft of a brow. "Not a place I thought I would see you."
Irenic looks up at Meri from his seated position and his half grin sort of falters as he felt he was being caught at something he was not ready to share. He would blush if he could, but his tan seems to hide the fact as it would seem his skin in a little darker than usual; sunburnt in some places. At this the children sitting in the circle with him look up at Meri with curious expressions and the distraction was perfect for the tot on his lap to yank the eye patch off, finally. The chocolate brown eye being revealed and wincing in the sudden onslaught of light assaulting it before he guffaws while gently taking the patch back from the kid in order to tie it back around his skull. A gentle clearing of his throat so he can even his timbre in between the gentleness he uses here and gruffness he usually has, “oh. Nice to see you and the same could be said for you.” He refrains from using names at the moment just as the receptionist interrupts with, “uh, Mr. Corier… A word?” There was a concern in the woman's words that look away Irenic's grin completely and he removes the toddler from his lap in order to stand at his usual six eleven height. His attire was a bit different from the times Meri has seen him as he donned a sort of dirty cotton shirt which seems to have smudges of dried boars blood on it and some holes while his matching black slacks look to be in about the same condition. He follows the woman around a corner to speak to him away from earshot of the children, but sneaky Meri might be able to hear the woman start with, “I really regret to have to ask you a favor given how much you already do for us, but…” she was nervous in asking Irenic anything that was obvious in the pregnant pause of her asking and he begged her to continue with a, “but?” The woman continued with a slight stutter, “b-but some of the ch-children have taken ill,” he cuts her off right there, “I am no healer, I don't know what I could d-” She cuts him off now speaking a little louder with confidence, “no, I understand this, d-but I thought maybe a man like you might have connections to get us some med-medicine…” there was silence for a moment before he spoke again, “I see… can I assess the sick ones so I may ascertain the symptoms?” He popped back around the corner and addresses Meri now, “hey. Come along or don't, but I'm going to check something out. If you want to stick around for a moment I'd like to take a walk with you.”
Meri | It did not seem as though Meri and a Irenic would have much chance to converse about their surprise, Irenic is pulled off for a private conversation which Meri does not overhear. One of the smaller children starts staring at Meri in a way that makes her uncomfortable because not every woman in this world is enamored by the sight of little people. What do you want, child? Why are you looking at me like this? I have no candy. I don't understand what you want! Feelings of discomfort settle in and Meri inches closer and closer to the door. Meri was honestly just about to make her exit when Irenic rounds the corner and requests that she linger around. "I mean if you need assistance with something than okay..." she would help. However if the choice is hers to make, she would rather dodge out of child-related problems. "But if you have things under control? I will wait outside for a little bit. Smoke a cigarette or two, we can catch up or whatever when you are done." Meri rolls her shoulders in a non-committed sort of shrug. In one hand she did not one to leave Irenic hanging but on the other hand, ugh, little people. Besides, Tristram has a soft spot for the children of the orphanage too. They would not be left untreated or without financial assistance so long as the black dragon continued to hold the political rank of governor. Depending on Irenic's answer, she may stay or she may be found outside waiting.
Irenic comes out of the orphanage scribbling something on what looks like a small flip book of blank parchment with a sketching coal. He had adorned a cloak as well which made him look more like just a really tall half elf or something for it even masks that ‘favorite scent’ thing that Avians have. He set the pencil like coal to be tucked on his ear as he looks up and over his shoulder at some of the kids waving goodbye at him and he smiles which makes him seem… almost charming. Once he turns around and sees Meri the smile dwindles to a smirk as per usual and his gruff tone comes cooly, “you ditched me on drinks.” It was like forever ago, but his tone was merely a teasing one as he became distracted by the parchment in his hand. Silver eye reading the symptoms line by line again while he walks right past her to a beggar standing just outside the orphanage gates. To the untrained eye he was a beggar, but keener eyes can pick up the man looked a little too solid to be just a beggar. Irenic seems to give him a wrapped sandwich, “here have a meal.” When the ‘beggar’ comes in for a hug to which Irenic allows, only to slip a small pouch of gold to him and when they separate they sort of give each other a knowing glance before Irenic casually moves on. A long pause between him and Meri sucks up the air between them while he was glaring down at the paper just before grumbling something about forgetting his glasses, a clearing of his throat, “how's things been with you and the tattooing?” Of course he would await her answer before it seems a light bulb lights in his mind…. “Hey, I vaguely remember seeing you with that healer lady in Larket. What's her name?” He looks away from Meri to the path ahead as his brow furrowed in thought, “Sardine?” A blink, “no… That's not it.”
Meri | The statement that she ditched him on drinks is met with a lift a brow, a gesture that does not fade away when the 'beggar' comes up to Irenic. That lifted brow may remain but Meri looks pointedly away from the exchange and this stranger until he is well out of sight. It is Irenic's question about how tattooing is doing for her that causes Meri to actually look back his direction. What was there to say really? It is a job, Meri has done it for years, it was the same mostly day in and day out. The question is met with a bit of a shrug, "Well things are going just fine for me but I will probably be looking into a career change soon enough. Something that puts me closer to Larket and my boyfriend, maybe." While she had ideas, she was not being forthcoming with them. No use in getting too excited about a plan that may not yet come to pass. Mention of 'Sardine' is met with a confused expression. When had Irenic seen them together in Larket together? This must have been ages ago, for she has not seen Sabrina in a pretty chunk of time. "Sabrina is her name. Who the hell would name their kid Sardine? She is a good friend of mine."
Irenic guffaws at Meri’s mention of a boyfriend with a wide grin until, “oh... You're serious,” he adds quietly, “good for you guys.” He clears his throat again to quickly change that awkward subject, “Sabrina, that's right!” He takes the paper and sketching pencil back up and scribbles her name down in atrocious left handed writing. A side eye (the good side) glance at Meri as he wonders if she even remembered the first time they met, but he definitely wouldn't be the one bringing THAT up. Looking away again at the path before them, “uh. They don't know my name back there and if you could pretend you didn't see me and how I was with them that would be great.” Secretly he wouldn't know what to do with himself if something happened there because of him, because he's not always that nice guy and that would really be the only way to hurt him. “You know… keep that bit to yourself.” Again, a stumbling segue to an unrelated topic, “hey, Sardine is a lovely name. I knew a lady with that name, we called her Sardy.” He grin on his face could be a tell that he was only joking, “Meri is a pretty stupid name. I mean is that even short for anything?” He was teasing, obviously.
Meri could not make heads or tails of Irenic's guffawing, what was so funny about the statement? A slight frown temporarily weighs at Meri's lips, one that deepens as they move into 'you're serious' and then 'good for you guys'. "They don't know your name...at the orphanage? I mean honestly the chances of me going back there any time soon are pretty low. It is not like I come down this way often, down to Gualon that is." Not anymore at least. "So, I guess you don't really need to worry about me spreading the gossip that you have a soft spot for kids." This assurance given, Meri shifts the subject back to Sabrina. "Well, since you struggle to remember her name so much...I assume that you will also need the reminder that she is very easy to summon. Just look for crow with the blue eyes." Strange how they always seemed to appear at just the right time to pass word on to the healers. "Emilia used to spend a lot of time down here as well." Of course Irenic could pick and choose which healer he wanted to send for, as it potentially meant having to share that he spent time more people. "I mean I assume you are on the hunt for a healer, which is why you are asking about Sabs, and Emi does have a farm near by."
Irenic nods along to her long winded explanation about not coming around Gualon. He starts to walk through the streets towards the boundary of the town where it meets the Sage or Kelay area and he starts thinking of the proper route to take back to Larket. “I hate walking,” he grumbles before pulling his hood up to cover his extra long ears and his posture which is so straight and rigid from years of training does seem to lack without those large powerful wings. If I lost my main way of transportation I’d hate walking, too. He'd been feeling so mortal and useless since he lost the curse, but wasn't deemed worthy of wings anymore and maybe that's why he's focused even more of his efforts and time into the orphanage. “I didn't really think I did either, but from what I'm told I was really excited to be a father before I was nearly killed. I still sort of feel-” he looked down at her knowing she didn't really care what he was about to divulge, “nevermind.” He focuses back on the road ahead lost in another thought of when he grew up in an orphanage, but knowing not to say anything about that either. “I guess is back to Larket,” he grumbles again with a sort of scowl. He's not much for politics, but the whole burning witches thing doesn't sit well with him. “You going my way?” He didn't really care either way with a half hearted motion towards where Larket would be from their current point.
Meri | While Irenic may be intent on returning to Larket, Meri is not. The closer they get to the border of the city, the more she begins to drag her feet for it is not the direction that she herself really wants to be walking. There is a twitch of a frown when Irenic speaks of the loss of his child, but much like the last time they circled around his topic, Meri is not entirely sure what to say. It is left at a simple, "I am sorry." A small pause and then a shake of her head to answer his last question, "No, I am afraid this is where our paths part." Meri had not ventured all the way down to Gualon for a chance encounter at the orphanage, other matters have pulled her down in this direction. "I was hoping to see a couple long time friends." The explanation is kept much shorter this time around despite the fact that more information could be provided, like who she wanted to visit. Perhaps she got the sense that she was talking too much, or perhaps it was that Irenic was wanting to leave the city limits. "Anyway, don't let me keep you. It was good seeing you again."
Irenic smirks and offers a thumbs up, “yup.” He agrees to the last part before continuing his solo path.