Arkadia
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Arkadia
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“Aye! There I was, surrounded on all sides! Mechanical men to my left and right, their handler raising her pistol to my face. My only escape, a treacherous thousand foot drop off the cliff behind me! “
The entirety of the bar was enthralled by Aveline’s tale, devouring embellishment after embellishment as she spun this tale. The hunger in the crowds eye’s only encouraged her.
“An impossible situation to be sure, but what the mistress hadn’t counted on was the very god of luck to be my ally that day!”
The group of rowdy drunks had become entirely silent, enraptured completely by this thrilling story of adventure and passion, not a soul dared to interrupt.
“taking my chances, I blew them a kiss farewell and leaped backwards off the cliff! The henchmen and their leader tried to grasp me, but I was already too far down, and as they peered over the edge they stopped in astonishment. ”
This was the moment, everyone was set up for the grand finale. The moment they’ve all been waiting for. The captain would be lying if she said it didn’t excite her, too.
“Rising from my most certain doom, I was caught by the very symbol of fortune and hope, a Bellua grand, Aurum veined and replete with Golden shine! The sky whale had saved me from an absolute death and froze my pursuers as if they were made of stone!”
Cheers erupted in the crowd with the final revelation, either very drunk or very gullible, they were content to believe the story and clap with eachother, giving looks of admiration to Aveline, whether the tale was true or not, they were thoroughly entertained and bought many drinks in celebration for her and her crew.
All according to plan.
The captain gave her crew a knowing wink as they chuckled in the background. Only they knew the embarrassing truth of that story, but if a few adornments to it meant free drinks and a good time, she could count on the scoundrels to lie for her, just as she would for them!
“Poor sods bought it.
A one eyed lizard said with an oddly British inflection. No literally… The woman was small, had an eye patch, was teal, and scaled. Yet as astonished as the rest of the tavern had been. She was more astonished that the establishment was offering them a hero’s welcome. Her eye lid blinked sideways and her mouth agape. She attempted to pose as if she too were part of the crew for free drinks. Maybe the smell of rum would be enough to rid her of the stench of defeat and salt.
You see the lady dragged herself in here from almost being brought low. She hated water, not that she couldn’t swim, but she was cold blooded. The chill of the ocean easily would make her sick. She was as wet as the creatures the fish mongers brought in. She hated this feeling… All prickles and barbed wire was she. Understandably for someone who had just been blinded and came in with a fresh patch made purely out of the instinct to survive. Yet no one in the bar would know that.
The irony she laughed at the antics of the supposed “Captain.” A small hissing wheeze at the crowd and how they believed spoken works of fiction. How she loved them, silly little works of fiction written on parchment and bound in leather. Something she aspired to once do and yet that seemed so far away now. She slumped over the wood of the counter and soon her wetness made it slippery. It was bound to make some drunken and angry ass hole annoyed enough to swing.
The fortune spoken of by the other party was probably only contrasted by how unlucky she was. She took a sip of her ill gotten goods once she got them from the bartender.
“Tell us another, please!”
She asked kindly to the woman from across the way. She raised her glass to anything. She didn’t expect the woman to actually do it. She half expected to get called out for the drink. Still she appreciated the small respite her stories offered to the weary lizard.
A crowd always brought forth the lady of the night.
The tavern was always bustling with possible clients and those familiar knew Sylvia by name. Their red lady marched along without fear and a head held high against the ever-changing tides. There was no doubt that whenever such a fuss was worked up by the local patrons she would be out on the prowl, sharp gaze striking around her hunting ground as she slipped down the stairs in her form-fitting dress.
The story was entertaining. She could hand that much over to the maiden sitting at the center of this tale. It caught the ears of all and presented a tale of suave swordsmanship and quick thinking. Oh what lovely ways she danced in their minds. Sylvia had watched from above at first, eyes trained on this captain as her red hair tipped from the bannister, watching for her next prey with sharp eyes until it presented itself. Man or woman, anyone who wanted to stand center like that demanded her attention. Even if this captain didn’t have money… she certainly would bring the attention of someone who did.
Sylvia sauntered through the crowd, expertly dancing through bodies and slipping through gaps, displaying her dexterity and flexibility as she floated through the crowd.
No, she wanted eyes on her. Her finger reached out, beginning to slowly stroke across the back of the captain’s shoulders as she stepped around into view.
“Oh what a story!” She purred lowly as she came sweep herself closer so she was pressed against the captain, holding her hand open for a drink and then taking it in one smooth motion. “And what a woman to tell it…” She pressed the drink into the captain’s hand as she invited herself into her lap, pressing them both tightly together as she hummed.
“You can’t be done now…” She pouted, batting her lashed as Sylvia’s finger came to delicately dance on the captain’s collarbone. “The people want another.”
Then she leaned up to whisper in her ear. “I would like another. Tell it for your darling little Sylvie?”
At the very least she was sure she would get some coin tonight, casting an eye over to others and catching their hungry eye for a moment before flicking back to this captain. No matter. As long as she came out with a profit, today was a success.
Aveline hadn’t noticed the little lizard woman down the bar, but when called to look her way, she couldn’t help but notice they had received some of her good fortunes, perhaps, dishonestly ~
She lifted her eye patch, revealing her “good eye” so she could see her better in the dimly lit pub.
With a smile:
“Fellow scoundrel, I see. ” she remarked, looking at the chameleon’s drink.
“looks like trouble follows you, that’s good for a few stories from yourself, I’m su-”
Ah, but trouble followed our captain too, sometimes landing directly in her lap. Normally she was cool as a cucumber, but attractive surprises -like the fine Las now resting on her. – did make her feel rather hot. Clumsy, too.
“ah, oh my- b-but of course!” she replied to the red head.
“My compatriot was just trying to steal another from me, anyway. So I suppose I could oblige you. ”
Smoothing back those ruffled feathers, putting back on that suave demeanor, gently wrapping an arm around the autumn beauty to secure her close, like a mooring a ship to dock.
“Perhaps in exchange, ” she began, raising her free hand to brush aside a crimson lock from the maidens face.
“this beauty could tell us her name?”
At this, she could practically feel the cringing of her crew as they mentally prepared themselves to endure a very long night of pretending to not hear various noises coming from the captains cabin that night.
Gave her a chuckle every time.
The stale aroma of dark ale and wood shavings provided an almost nostalgic sense of comfort to James, like a warm blanket thrown over your naked self by a relatively nurturing prostitute on a cold early morn. While most people would be hard pressed to find themselves calm and relaxed at a bar patronized by pillagers and murderers with hair triggers when it came to their emotions, James was perfectly chuffed to sit back and take in the commotion that was a night of tales, singing, and the occasional physical debate. After all, James had made a name for himself going on monster hunts, then after a few years of experience doing that he was hired as a monster expert for larger expeditions into wild territory filled with fearsome creatures. At the moment James was in between jobs, taking pleasure in the heft of his coin purse by enjoying pitchers of ale and ladies of the night.
The monster expert had recently purchased a new pistol; fine work with a sturdy wooden handle and an unadorned steel barrel. He had spent the past few nights coming into the bar, taking a seat at the back, and working away with a few tools engraving the pistol with delicate and complex depictions of some of the creatures he had the displeasure of coming into contact with for work. For the most part, James was given a wide berth by most patrons of the bar, his large frame and traditional monster hunter tattoos indicated to the others he wasn’t someone you wanted to get on their bad side. This was fine by James, he was happy to sit in the low light, enjoying the silence of his own company and the liveliness of a tavern filled to the brim.
The self proclaimed captain had been regaling the tavern with a tall tale, one James had occasionally paid attention to while working on his pistol. Now James sat with his black leather boots on the edge of his table, his smoky round glasses covering his face as he sipped his ale. He studied the lizard person who walked into the tavern, drenched to the bone and clearly exhausted.
“Come, take a seat by the fire, warm yourself, and help yourself to some ale.”
James had a soft spot for the non-human beings of the world, considering most would be found in monster expeditions as laborers and scouts. They were his kind of people, and he was always ready to lend a helping hand. James raised his glass to indicate his invite was genuine before he returned to enjoying his drink.
It was rather natural to become enraptured in the moment. The singing of shanties and the tales of riding along the great seas was often what overcame the various nights until they all ran together, night after night and became simply one long looming darkness that all rounded out in the back of her mind. Men and women both she had sat on their laps and laid her head on their chest, waiting until the inevitable moment she was brought upstairs. Sylvie herself only took the most brilliant and richest of them, of course, those that she spied greatness lingering within, with just the right amount of lust that she could use to earn herself some coin.
Or oblivion so that she may steal just as much. Either way, it was her tavern now, whether all eyes were on her or not. She had only need glance about to see some of the other girls working their charm as she had taught them to some of the lesser of the crew and bar men who seemed like they would be loose with their coin. But her attention always came back to the captain whose lap she so ceremoniously used as a throne and tucked her head against her shoulder with a stunning smile, fluttering her lashes.
“Oh… someone of such renown wants to know my name? A lil old barwench… I am far more interested in you.” She let her fingers dance around the woman’s collarbone for a moment before she seemed to make up her mind and shrugged.
“But I do suppose… you will need to know what name to whisper into the firelight tonight. So you shall know, it is Sylvie and I hope to hear you say it many times tonight. I do hope your busy life can find time for me?”
She may have been laying it on thick, but Sylvie had always been one for the dramatics and she did not shy away from such now. But… perhaps this could be quite a fun night should she so choose to enjoy it. She did love getting others’ skin and seeing them come unsettled from her affections… just as much as she liked getting beneath their skirts.
A young girl was walking along the street, holding onto herself for warmth. her white dirty dress was wet, she was looking for a warm place with food and drink. She held a few coins in her hand, so hopefully the Barman or Barmaid will accept it. She shivered, before entering the warm tavern and looking around.
She walked up to the bar, getting on the chair and putting the coin’s down on the table. She counted them, and prayed it was enough to at least get a glass of water. The man nodded and took the coin, getting her a glass of water. She listened in on the others conversations, side-eyeing them with curiosity. What were these strangers talking about? she had no idea. She wished she could’ve came in earlier so she could hear the context.
Besides that, she took a sip from her water, her dress dripping slightly on the floor. She shivered a bit, causing her drink to spill slightly on herself. She didn’t mind though, as if she was used to the cold by now.
When she finished her drink, she sat there, watching the others talk and have fun. She never got to have fun, she thought, her face remaining expressionless and the void of any feeling. She wondered what that felt like, having fun, drinking, having friends to chat with. What meaningless things, she thought. Meaningless to a girl like her.
She put her cup on the table, laying her head down as her damp hair touching her skin only made her colder. She looked tired, from the bags under her eyes being the most obvious clue. She blinked a couple of times, yawning, and continuing to watch the others.
Asuka x Crimson
Joint post
James eyed the young woman that shuffled through the tavern’s doors. She scrounged her pockets for a bit of change, trading it for a glass of water. You really didn’t want to order water in a place like this, you’d be shitting your brains out for the next week if you were lucky. Some ale would clear up whatever nasties were in that water, so James made his way over to the bar, taking the tankard of ale with him.
“Here, let me pour you a glass.”
James took the glass from the bar and poured the dark amber liquid into it, handing it over to the haggard looking woman with a smirk.
“Long night?”
The girl was quiet, looking over at the man with her wide eyes. She took a second to respond, but nodded ‘yes’. She looked over at the cup, hesitantly taking it and sipping the liquid, Her eyes lit up for a second, before going emotionless once again.
“…A lady said I was filthy, and that I needed a bath. So I took one, but now I’m cold.”
She explained, looking down into the glass.. staring at it.
James raised an eyebrow at the girl’s comment, not sure how to take it.
“Is that so? Well, ale will warm you right up.”
“Barkeep!” James called,” a bowl of your stew.” James threw a few coins on the bar,” though a hot bowl of stew will surely help. You new to town, girl?”
“….Yes. I don’t really know, though. Everything is kind of a blur at the moment.”
The girl drank some more, putting the glass on the table. The girl looked down again, she seemed to dislike eye contact. Her wet hair dripped down slowly, making her shiver again.
“Thank you for the meal, sir. I heard it’s polite when you say thank you.”
She held her arms, trying to get warm again, much to no avail.
James took a long drag of his drink, putting the glass down with a content smacking of the lips.
“You’re a strange one, girl. Wet, cold, hungry, and alone. Not a good combination in this town.” James took a seat next to the girl, studying her.
Was she a con? Part of a team trying to use her to gain sympathy from a mark? If she was they went a long way towards seeming believable.
“You got a place to stay for the night?”
James wasn’t the charitable kind, but a few coins for a bowl of stew and lodging at a place like this was a chump change.
“No. I don’t really sleep that much.”
She looked over at him, looking at the side of his head to not make eye contact. The girl was indeed strange.
“People always said I should keep an eye open so I don’t get taken advantage of. So I barely sleep.”
She explained blankly, looking back over to her lap. She yawned, rubbing her tired eyes. She laid her head down on the table again and closed them, opening them a minute later. She hasn’t slept in a few days and it was obvious. Yawning again, she nuzzled into her arms.
“Well…here,” James placed a few coins on the bar counter,” use em for a room… or don’t, but it looks like you need sleep, kid.” James nodded at the girl then headed back to his table, intent on working on his carving.
“….”
“Thank you, sir.”
Mikaru looked at the coin, a blank look in her eyes. It seems that not everyone is bad…
It was a very good thing she had finished that last sip when “Sylvie” said that. Otherwise, the spit take would have resulted in a terribly ruined mood. She’d have to settle for doing it mentally, and keeping cool outside. Though, her clothes were getting a bit too warm at the moment.
“Aveline Hoshi. ” she told her in kind.
“Captain of the Ryo Fujin, merchant and a teller of tales. ”
She moved to caress Sylvie’s face, pausing a moment before her hand touched.
“Normally, I like to take things slow. But for you… ” she trailed off when she noticed the urchin come up to the bar.
“I’m will… ing to… ”
And then the man. The scary scared type of fellow common in places like this. Usually when they approached young, vulnerable women like that, it meant… Less pleasant things. So she was already preparing herself to rise and toss him clear across the pub, possibly further. Then, he flagrantly began trying to get her drunk!
“ah, dammit… ” she sighed.
“one moment love I think there’s something I need to attend to. ”
She stood, picking Sylvie up and placing her in the seat she was just occupying before heading over to confront the man, but before she could he… Did a decent thing and paid for the girls food. She was behind them as they did this, just before he turned around to leave. She stood only a few feet away, blocking his path.
“… Decent man in reaver’s skin?” she commented.
“or shall I go back to worrying?”
Queen X Crimson joint post
<hr />
James was surprised to see the lively storyteller from before in his path back to his table, but surprise gave way towards confusion.
“Reaver? Decent man?” James hadn’t been paying too much attention while this lass went on spinning her yarn, but he wouldn’t have put it past her to have dranken a few pints,” Don’t know too many decent men who make a living in pirate territory, lass, but if you keep looking i’m sure you’ll find one.” James patted the lass in her arm and pushed past her back to his table.
“The girl. ” The captain reminded.
“some might have their suspicions, seeing someone like you, give someone like her a drink. ”
James spun on his heel. Being a monster hunting expert came with the reality of rubbing shoulders with right bastards and cunts. Landing in exotic ports and getting rough with local prostitutes. Fights, broken bones. James wasn’t one to turn the other eyes at this type of behavior, and had the scars to prove it. He hated being accused of these things, he hates to be associated with the acts of men he despised. His eyes narrowed as he starred down the talkative lass, but the fire in him quickly turned into embers.
It was rare for someone to care about anyone else, especially in the circles he ran in. That’s all that was going on here. Someone that cared. James took two heavy steps towards the captain, staring down at her.
“You’re the one with the suspicious trade, lass. Worry about yourself.”
Well, she certainly couldn’t argue that. Or at least, she couldn’t deny it outright. The trade wasn’t exactly… in a favorable light. Not that she couldn’t spin it a certain way.
“Aye, my breed of merchant isn’t exactly seen in kind” she started.
“But I’ve seen worse. We’re fair employers and don’t inflate numbers like the swindlers staying in “civil” country… ”
She stopped herself before getting too far carried along the waves of her words. There were more important things to say.
“We look out for the poor lost souls of the world. ” she embellished, gesturing at the source of the confrontation.
“I needed to make sure is all, that I needn’t take action. Hmm, maybe we’re alike in that? Terrible on the outside, teddy bears within. ”
Teddy bears within.
James eyebrow raised in…surprise? Then he broke into laughter. A deep, barrel laugh. His head whipped back, and he smacked the pirate captain on her shoulder.
“You’re a strange one, i’ll tell you that. A pirate worried about young lasses in these parts. And here I thought I’ve seen the strangest things the oceans had to show. Come, buy us a drink and let’s see what this harlot can do once you throw her a few coin.”
“merchant” she corrected, laughing her way to the bar
“I swear, my coin is earned through nothing but honest work!”
She could barely contain the laughter as she called up to more drinks beside the Lass she nearly beat a man over.
“and you little one, I have you for the night” she offered in way of charity.
“lucky one, to be seeing decent souls here!”
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