laid back apocalypse

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker sits in his room, a lantern at his side, furiously writing up a report.  The Bringers of Woe seem to be nothing more than a local cult that they've taken care of. The lance rock place was just a lonesome Necromancer, though his style of death and the weird symbol does open some questions. Regardless, a solid location for a base of operations and apparently a cidery has been located.  This silly dwarven caravan is missing, so perhaps that will lead to a more significant sign of this unauthorized evil operating in the area.  He will send his next update in a couple days. 

That done, he goes back to tweaking a few contracts, including the groups contract.  He smiles to himself as he makes adjustments to this clause or that clause. 

That done, he yawns.  Another interesting day on the prime material. He heads to sleep not looking forward to a day long hike tomorrow. Maybe they can buy some horses for the wagon and he can sit in it.  Hmmm, the group should have enough wealth.  Call it a group purchase, get a tithe from each person.....maybe it'll save his poor feet.  Over breakfast...

Anything else for the evening?

It was the dead of night when a one-eyed hawk perches itself atop a roof, eyeing any drunkards that had been staggering back home or ladies of the night just doing their job. With his memory and vast knowledge on geography, he is able to quickly piece together that this was Red Larch, the town he was looking for and where he would begin his investigation on the missing elf. However, with the night came lack of activity from those who would probably be able to help him out on his mission, so he sits on his perch to rest the night away.

... In which he does, and he quickly realizes what a mistake it was sitting himself on a roof without reverting back to his normal form when he awakens, main mistake being sleeping on a roof of all places. He pinches the bridge of his nose after glancing over to see how far the fall was. "****in' Hells..." 

Eventually, he finds his way down, taking the time it took for him to reach solid ground to think of a plan on how he was going to do this. Living in wilds, you never exactly went out of your way to talk to people. Honestly, he was terrible at it, but he had a job to do and he set to get it done. After a drink of course. 

Another reason why he avoided civilization was the temptations of drink. He had grown a taste for all kinds since his first time trying it when he came of age, though thankfully alcohol was a rarity and mainly used in celebrations in his tribe. Even when he broke off from them, he remained in the wilds, only indulging himself the few times he went into a city or town for one reason or another. It had been a while, so he wanted to treat himself and wet his throat before getting into the nitty gritty of his reason for being there. Besides, the best information is always gathered at a bar.

He takes a quick glance at the first building that looked to promise drink. "The Swinging Sword Inn, ah...? Eh, good 'nough." When he entered through the door, he quickly eyes any patrons that might have been there at the hour (had there been any), though once he reaches the bar itself he looks to the barkeep and asks for a drink. "Somethin' strong, preferably.... and, uh... You happen to come across a moon elf by the name of Teresiel? Kinda lookin' for 'er. Was with some sorta 'delegation' 'fore she went missin'. Know anythin' about?"

The waitress Kaylee replies.  "Thats the talk of the town right now. Well that and the murders below.  But the delegation didnt arrive yesterday.  They are usually punctual being dwarves and all.

Best as i can do is ale right now. But if you want food youll have to go cross the street."

Ebele couldn't hide the redness in her cheeks from Reghys' inspection and flattery. And she'd be guiltily swept up by the delicate twirl that accompanied their gentle lead up the stairs, a soft giggle followed. As they waited for their wise wizard, Xalkas, to open the door the monk would think out loud in response to Reghys. "I used to be told blue brought out the blue of my eyes..." She'd then quickly hop over to the next thought though, as it seemed to feel the most important. "Your suggestion of light linens like silk sounds just perfect." She appreciated Reghys keeping in mind even the little details.

(oops! Yay Cherri!)

The druid clicks his tongue at the roof of his mouth when she says information he already knew, then, with the mention of murders, thick brows raise in interest. "I'll, uh, I'll take the ale, that's fine. Fine on food for right now too, thank ya, but mind filling me in on the murders?" He questions. Just because he was here for one thing didn't mean he couldn't be curious about other things.

(Hi :D!)

She brings back an ale. "Yes some strange group.discovered some murders below the town. Constable is investigating but its really weird you know"

Xalkas comes to the door rather groggily, opens the door with one hand while rubbing his eyes with the other. “Wise wizard...“ he says eyeing Ebele and Reghys, “must have me confused with someone else.” He adds rather grumpily at having been woken. He then moves to close the door and go back to bed. 

Hawke gratefully accepts the drink after sliding her the coin for it. He brings it to his lips and takes a nice big chug of it prior to leaning on the bar to inquire further. "Weird how? 'n who's the strange group?"

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker wanders into the Inn's common room, fussing with his tie to get it to the right level of done up to feel professional, but with just enough undone to feel approachable.  The top button on his button up white shirt undone, his red vest neat and tidy beneath the red outer dress jacket.  He tweaks his hat so it's just slightly off center. With a rather happy hop to his step he wanders into the room and sidles up to the bar next to Hawke.  He nods cordially to the stranger then looks to Kaylee the waitress, "A most wonderful morning to you. Have any of the others of the Argent Alliance wandered across the street for breakfast yet, or am I the first one awake?  I bet Kerric and Ebele have beat me up. Those two.  Or Xalkas, he's an early riser.  In fact....I'd be honestly surprised if I'd beat anyone up but Reghys, but....of course that's not a real bet. We haven't shaken or agreed to any terms, nor would I on such a frivelous topic."  He clears his throat awkwardly while waiting for a response, and then deciding he may need to remind her of his original question adds, "Uhh, so...have they?"

"Havent seen them yet Mister T"

Kerric:

Waking early in the morning, Kerric heads to the back courtyard of the inn to train before the sky is more than the pale gray of approaching dawn. Bare of chest and feet and wearing only simple breeches, Kerric executes his katas first without weapons, then with heavier and heavier staffs, and finally with his actual sword, the blade feeling light in his hands after the heavy shafts.

Hoping that Ebele joins him for all or part of the workout, Kerric will attempt to learn some of the basic forms from her if she will teach him.  After completing his morning exercises, he washes up, dresses, and heads to breakfast an hour after dawn.

With the arrival of Mister T, Hawke returns his cordial nod with one of his own, letting the man speak to the barkeep interrupted as he finishes up his ale in a few good gulps. Of course, he listens in on what he was asking, as it was just in his nature to eavesdrop into conversations, in animal form or not. Argent Alliance... 5 members... Yeah, sounds weird. He slides his empty glass to Kaylee, with an appreciative nod. "Gonna assume he's apart of this, uh, 'weird group' you were talkin' 'bout?" Hawke questions, gesturing over to the man with a tilt of his head. Regardless of her answer, he turns to fully look at the man, scanning him up and down with his single dark brown eye, the other milky white. "Looks like a detective, kinda talks like one, so... Checks out." He gives a low chuckle.

"Nice to meet you, uh, Mister T, was it? Name's Hawke." He extends an open palm to initiate a handshake. "I know it's none of my business, but I'm a curious fella; did you all find some murders below? And were any of 'em part of the delegation? I'm lookin' for someone, and I have... nothin' really to go off of."

He turns to the man, clearing his throat, as if seeing him for the first time.  The tieflings horns tucked out from under the front of his hat, and his large bat wings on his back were pulled in tight to his body, their leathery bulk hardly shifting as Hawke notes the special cuts and buttons in the jacket to get them wrapped around the appendages. 

"Oh yes, hello there uhh, Hawke.  My name is T'chal'fronack'zcinicker. T...chal....fron...ack....shin...ick...er.  It's not that difficult.  T'chal'fronack'zcinicker.  It has less syllables than interpenetratingly, but you don't have any problems with that word do you?  Yes indeed, we have defeated the Bringers of Woe, a terrible cult of evil that were lurking below the village. They had murdered several people here unfortunately, but will murder no more.  The deaths were not part of the delegation, having been killed before the delegation could have reached this far. But, if you are looking for someone, have no fear, the Argent Alliance is on the case of the missing delegation and will attempt to track down your friend for you. No guarantees or other contractual obligations are assumed or provided based on my previous statements.  If you would like us to focus on your friend in particular, then..."  He rustles in his bag for a few moments, hmming and hahhing over a few scroll cases before pulling one out... "...if you would kindly fill out and sign this contract and provide the mentioned funds, I will ensure that I will prioritize your missing individual over others.  Where the space on the contract reads "Description of Missing Object and/or Person", please write down as much about this person as possible.  The ten gold fee is due immediately." 

Hawke's hand falls back to his side, seeing as the tiefling didn't take it (though he didn't take it personally or anything), but at least he got a good look at them now. Then the man introduced himself with an impossibly long name... and continued talking on... He always like this? He questions the Kaylee using a telepathic link, eyes remaining on T'chal'fronack'zcinicker, even nodding his head along with what he was saying, even though he had no ******* idea what he was saying. At least he was answering his question... he thinks... and making a contract...?

"Er... How does acorns and peacock feathers sound as payment instead?" He offers with a crooked grin. "Sorry, I don't carry that kinda money, T'chal'fronack... **** it, Ima call you Snickers. Anyway, she has somethin' important in her possession that if it falls into the wrong hands, could be really bad. There another form of payment you take...?  Or, uh... What if I help? This is my job after all, but having more hands on deck would make it easier in findin' 'er... And, shit, I'll help find whoever else is missin' too, if you'll have me."

Roleplay from before:

At Ebele's comment, Reghys feels the heat in their cheeks: "I'm sorry, but I've never seen your eyes under that bandage of yours... I always assumed you were born that way, given how gracefully you move now." They swallowed, before carefully asking: "Mind telling me what happened?"

After getting rebuffed by Xalkas, they were happy sharing a bit of the berry cider with Ebele, getting to know the mysterious monk a little better.

---------------------------

In the early morning, Reghys gets up shortly after Kerric, and as the elven warrior starts to do his exercises, the satyr approaches, timidly. "Good morning. It's unusual for me to be up this early, but I wanted to ask you something... I have a rapier, but I don't really feel comfortable using it. I've seen how you seem to be one with your blade, and while I don't think I'd ever get to that point, I would really appreciate some pointers on my technique, to keep myself and ultimately the rest of the group safer." The satyr was trying to sound as comfortable as possible, but it was clear to anyone that he was afraid of being sent away by the elven warrior.

Kerric:

Just having finished his unarmed Kata, Kerric acknowledges Reghys, tossing him the most slender of staves.  “I’m always up for a sparring partner.  Hold the staff like a rapier, and I will do the same with this one,” he continues, pulling out the next larger shaft.

The elven warrior guides him through the basic forms side by side, then fences with him later, finishing with using the heavier shafts to attack based on brawn instead of finesse, giving him a different feel for the two types of foes.

Reghys is eager to learn, and gladly notices Kerric's acceptance of the satyr's clumsy attempts at first. After a while, they are sweating profusely and breathing heavily. "Ooh, that's a new feeling... I think I've never heard my stomach rumble so loudly. Really makes a difference when you work up an appetite before breakfast."

Kerric:

”You are already more comfortable with the stances and basic moves, Reghys.  Keep up your practice and you will be able to defend yourself quite adroitly,” Kerric comments.

There is a new tone of respect in Kerric’s tone, as he is beginning to see his comrade as a warrior, not just an entertainer with a bit of magic...

"Thanks. Above all, I'm a student, before I am a performer or a storyteller or anything... and although I won't ever be a master, I want to make sure that I do enough to be competent. Better a jack of all trades than a master of none."