Shamad woke up and groaned. He hurt all over. He rolled over and was graced with the "lovely" sight of Serenla naked. He groaned again. That was an image he would never get out of his head. She got dressed, dressed him, and carried him downstairs. She plopped him at a table and strapped him into the chair. "I'll get you some breakfast and then therapy starts!" She said in a deep voice that was oh so completely wrong for a Lalafell as she rubbed her hands with glee.
Shamad shuddered and started his mental exercises to get himself emotionally away from what was going to happen. A placid expression suffused his face.
Serenla glanced at the other two patrons. She looked behind the bar and seeing no one, hopped behind the counter and cooked breakfast. The smell was offensive and cloying. She brought the two plates to the table and plopped one down in front of Shamad. He took one sniff and pushed it away. Serenla gave him an evil look. "It's good for you and will help you become strong again. If you don't start eating it, I will force feed you." She flexed an arm. "As you can see, I have the ability and the desire to do it." Shamad gave her face a long look and shoveled it in without tasting it. It was an ability that came in handy sometimes. Serenla chuckled and ate her food with gusto.
Serenla belched and grinned at Shamad. Shamad shrank back as far as he could. She unstrapped him and, in front of the Twelve and everybody, stood him up and took all his clothes except his undies. He gasped and attempted to cover himself. She laughed and pulled out a jar. She took out a big dollop of green goop and liberally rubbed it all over him. He gasped, giggled, and blushed as she spread the stuff. She redressed him and strapped a harness on him. She put a similar harness on herself and connected the two with a rope. She grinned at him. He wished she would stop that. "Here is how your therapy will be performed. I like to run therefore YOU like to run. We are going on a brisk jog around the oasis. You can either run or be dragged. Now lets go!" Shamad started to hyperventilate. "Don't I get a say?!" She shook her head and walked them out the door. He was proud he didn't start screaming until they had made it around the corner. They ran at a furious pace and Shamad eventually was dragged for a few yards. Serenla gave a snort of disgust and picked him up by the harness.
Serenla opened the door. Dangling from her huge fist was Shamad in his harness. She was harangueing him in her deep and disturbing voice. "That was pathetic! You didn't even make it half way around! You had better do a better job tomorrow or we'll move on to something more bone breaking." She plopped him into a chair. "I'm going to finish my run. You stay here and don't be hassling the wait staff." She ran out the door with a cackle. Shamad shuddered.
Shamad sat with some discomfort. That "lady" ran like the wind and he ran like a rock.
"You know, Shamad, I could have Luther come down and set her straight." She smiled sheepishly. "He's got a few pounds on her."
Shamad shakily got up and, using the chairs for support, toddled over near their table so he wouldn't have to yell. "That's ok Nedral. As much as I hate her right now, she is here to help me. I'm guessing she's being a jerk just so I will get well as fast as I can so she'll go away. Besides I'm not sure Luther could take her. It would be an interesting fight though. I'll let you know when I get to that point." He looked around the bar. "Where is the wait staff?"
Tadir looked around, wondering where the cute bartender from last night went as well, then shrugged.
"Do you want a drink?"
Without waiting for an answer he dropped his barstool to all four legs again, stood up and leaned over the bar. He scooted a bit farther so his feet were off the ground, kicking slightly to keep his balance.
"...got one!" he grunted before slipping off the bar and returning to his feet with a glass full of beer. He set it on the bar next to his and Nedral's chairs.
"Join us? I'm sure you could tell us an intere..." Tadir's eyes widened slightly and he started to grin as he realized Shamad is a Dunesfolk. He coughed, "uh, I'm sure you could tell an interesting story."
Shamad looked at the goofy grin on Tadir's face and grinned himself. He carefully got up and, wincing, sat between them. He took a sip of the beer and sighed. "What do you want to know?"
Nedral was a little relieved at the change of attnetion and she sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, her tail shifting back and forth gently behind her. She let out a yawn and tilted her head to either side, stretching. She became lost in thought for several minutes, staring off into space, taking a single glance back at the stairway to the bedrooms before going back to her lost state.
As Tadir was considering what question to ask, Shamad pulled a folded piece of paper, sealed with wax, out of his shirt. He slid it to Nedral. "Chalinda left this for you."
Nedral's ears perked up as she broke from her reverie. She looked to Shamad then to the note on the table. She picked it up, turning it over once, then slid her thumb under the fold and broke the seal with a snap as the wax broke in half. She unfolded the letter and began reading it. Her dual colored eyes narrowed for a moment then looked up to the door, then back to the letter. She refolded the letter and slid it back to Shamad, eyeing him curiously. "It would seem Chalinda isn't happy with your present company." She nodded to him, signaling him to read the letter.
Shamad read the letter. His eyes widened. He looked pleadingly at Nedral. "I would very grateful for anything you can do. I don't feel like being broken."
Nedral pondered, coming in and out of awareness. She sat forward, resting her elbows on the table, clasped her hands together and looked between Shamad and Tadir. "First thing is to get you away from Serenla, I would prefer it not come to blows in doing so, but so be it should it. The second is we should get you to Ul'dah, as that was the original plan before the good doctor showed up. Chalinda relayed some importance to me, but did not express much urgency, so I'd say we have some time to devise a plan to safely secret you away."
Tadir watches the exchange between the two for several minutes before finally interjecting with his questions.
"So, what exactly happened that caused you to have need for Serenla's services in the first place? Last night you were brought in with rather extensive injuries. Today you don't seem to be quite up to normal movement. It takes quite a bit to take someone beyond healing magic."
He smiled at Nedral, hoping she would understand the shift of emphasis. Considering her reluctance to answer, Tadir doesn't think she will mind.
Shamad sighed. "To make a long story short, clan was killed. Went looking for the killers with someone who became my friend during the journey. The ones I suspected weren't it and I was given access to a powerful artifact. We journeyed for a while, putting the artifact together. The last step involved going to the Aetheryte near here. I finished the artifact and my partner tried to kill me. A fight ensued and the explosion marking the end threw me into the Aetheryte rather hard. Chalinda carried back here and you know the rest." He took a long pull on the beer. "I have a very strong suspicion that Serenla will be quite a while. Lets go to my room and we can carefully rifle through her stuff."
She nodded in agreement to Shamad. "You think she's hiding something?" she asked.
Shamad nodded. "I certainly hope so. You can't look like that without SOMETHING illegal to enhance yourself." Shamad carefully made his way to the stairs, wincing all the way.
Nedral gave Tadir an apologetic look. "We'll be right back." She said then got up and followed after Shamad, offering him some help as they made their way to his room.
"Chalinda said that her linkshell sent the doctor and his, uh, assistant so hastily because of some use they require of you. Any idea what that might be, if I may ask?"
While passing her room, she gave two gentle knocks on the door.
Shamad thought for a bit as they entered his room. "I have some idea but I don't think I will be able to help them. They might want to get their hands on that artifact I talked about but it was destroyed during the fight." He grabbed Serenla's pack and dumped out the contents. "You know herbs and what not.....what here is illegal?"
Nedral watched Shamad dump the contents out then began rummaging through them. "Hmmm, do you have any parts of the artifact?" She asked, then came upon three different corked vials. She lifted a vial filled with a murky gray liquid, uncorked it and brought it to her nose. Her nose twitched and she replaced the cork.
"This is a fungi based steroid, though not illegal it is rather potent. It would explain her unusual size." She placed the vial down and grabbed the next, a greenish liquid. Like before, she uncorked the vial and took a whiff. "This is a form of Aloe used to treat, uh, itching or rashes." She quickly set it down.
She picked up the last vial, a clear silky liquid jumbled about inside. She removed the cork, put it to her nose and immediately took it away, turning her head. She coughed and quickly put the cork back on. "Ok, this one is illegal, at least in this region. It's Datura Stramonium, known by many names but most commonly called Devil's Weed." She brought the vial close to her eyes to inspect. "It's often fatal in large doses, however, it's main purpose is a hallucinogen.
In small doses it can cause a person to see things they normally wouldn't and, as a by product, it can sometimes be used to recall suppressed memories or, most commonly, the person will spill any secret they may have." She turned her head to Shamad. "Have any secrets you don't want anyone to know?"
Shamad watched as she inspected the contents of Serenla's bag. "The artifact no longer exists. I do know the spell it controlled or at least how it worked. It'll take another thousand years for it reform the artifact, if it ever does that is. What is the penalty for that Devil's Weed? If the penalty isn't harsh enough, we could always slip a fairly large dose of it in her food....."
She pondered Shamad's question. "Well, back in my d-- Many years ago the penalty for such a toxin would have been death, should it be used for malicious purposes. Now, as this type of thing is somewhat more common, a long prison sentence would most likely be involved, but I cannot say for sure." She smiled a bit. "We could administer a large dose to her, should you plan on killing her. But, a small enough dosage mixed with some alcohol might get her to talk, if she has anything to say. It's also worth noting that this is a rather large amount of Devil's Weed and, considering the size and proportions of any Lalafell, this amount could keep one subdued for well over a month, possibly two."
Shamad clapped his hands with glee then winced. "That wasn't the most brilliant thing to do. Let's put everything back except the crazy weed. It doesn't matter if we put it back the way they were in there originally. She isn't the most organized person in the world. I need a nap. That run tired me out along with turning my hair white. I will leave getting the truth out of Serenla to you. I would only be a hindrance to the operation." He toddled over to the bed and lay down. Nedral stared at Shamad's back and went back downstairs.
Shamad shuddered and started his mental exercises to get himself emotionally away from what was going to happen. A placid expression suffused his face.
Serenla glanced at the other two patrons. She looked behind the bar and seeing no one, hopped behind the counter and cooked breakfast. The smell was offensive and cloying. She brought the two plates to the table and plopped one down in front of Shamad. He took one sniff and pushed it away. Serenla gave him an evil look. "It's good for you and will help you become strong again. If you don't start eating it, I will force feed you." She flexed an arm. "As you can see, I have the ability and the desire to do it." Shamad gave her face a long look and shoveled it in without tasting it. It was an ability that came in handy sometimes. Serenla chuckled and ate her food with gusto.
Serenla belched and grinned at Shamad. Shamad shrank back as far as he could. She unstrapped him and, in front of the Twelve and everybody, stood him up and took all his clothes except his undies. He gasped and attempted to cover himself. She laughed and pulled out a jar. She took out a big dollop of green goop and liberally rubbed it all over him. He gasped, giggled, and blushed as she spread the stuff. She redressed him and strapped a harness on him. She put a similar harness on herself and connected the two with a rope. She grinned at him. He wished she would stop that. "Here is how your therapy will be performed. I like to run therefore YOU like to run. We are going on a brisk jog around the oasis. You can either run or be dragged. Now lets go!" Shamad started to hyperventilate. "Don't I get a say?!" She shook her head and walked them out the door. He was proud he didn't start screaming until they had made it around the corner. They ran at a furious pace and Shamad eventually was dragged for a few yards. Serenla gave a snort of disgust and picked him up by the harness.
Serenla opened the door. Dangling from her huge fist was Shamad in his harness. She was harangueing him in her deep and disturbing voice. "That was pathetic! You didn't even make it half way around! You had better do a better job tomorrow or we'll move on to something more bone breaking." She plopped him into a chair. "I'm going to finish my run. You stay here and don't be hassling the wait staff." She ran out the door with a cackle. Shamad shuddered.
Shamad sat with some discomfort. That "lady" ran like the wind and he ran like a rock.
"You know, Shamad, I could have Luther come down and set her straight." She smiled sheepishly. "He's got a few pounds on her."
Shamad shakily got up and, using the chairs for support, toddled over near their table so he wouldn't have to yell. "That's ok Nedral. As much as I hate her right now, she is here to help me. I'm guessing she's being a jerk just so I will get well as fast as I can so she'll go away. Besides I'm not sure Luther could take her. It would be an interesting fight though. I'll let you know when I get to that point." He looked around the bar. "Where is the wait staff?"
Tadir looked around, wondering where the cute bartender from last night went as well, then shrugged.
"Do you want a drink?"
Without waiting for an answer he dropped his barstool to all four legs again, stood up and leaned over the bar. He scooted a bit farther so his feet were off the ground, kicking slightly to keep his balance.
"...got one!" he grunted before slipping off the bar and returning to his feet with a glass full of beer. He set it on the bar next to his and Nedral's chairs.
"Join us? I'm sure you could tell us an intere..." Tadir's eyes widened slightly and he started to grin as he realized Shamad is a Dunesfolk. He coughed, "uh, I'm sure you could tell an interesting story."
Shamad looked at the goofy grin on Tadir's face and grinned himself. He carefully got up and, wincing, sat between them. He took a sip of the beer and sighed. "What do you want to know?"
Nedral was a little relieved at the change of attnetion and she sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, her tail shifting back and forth gently behind her. She let out a yawn and tilted her head to either side, stretching. She became lost in thought for several minutes, staring off into space, taking a single glance back at the stairway to the bedrooms before going back to her lost state.
As Tadir was considering what question to ask, Shamad pulled a folded piece of paper, sealed with wax, out of his shirt. He slid it to Nedral. "Chalinda left this for you."
Nedral's ears perked up as she broke from her reverie. She looked to Shamad then to the note on the table. She picked it up, turning it over once, then slid her thumb under the fold and broke the seal with a snap as the wax broke in half. She unfolded the letter and began reading it. Her dual colored eyes narrowed for a moment then looked up to the door, then back to the letter. She refolded the letter and slid it back to Shamad, eyeing him curiously. "It would seem Chalinda isn't happy with your present company." She nodded to him, signaling him to read the letter.
Shamad read the letter. His eyes widened. He looked pleadingly at Nedral. "I would very grateful for anything you can do. I don't feel like being broken."
Nedral pondered, coming in and out of awareness. She sat forward, resting her elbows on the table, clasped her hands together and looked between Shamad and Tadir. "First thing is to get you away from Serenla, I would prefer it not come to blows in doing so, but so be it should it. The second is we should get you to Ul'dah, as that was the original plan before the good doctor showed up. Chalinda relayed some importance to me, but did not express much urgency, so I'd say we have some time to devise a plan to safely secret you away."
Tadir watches the exchange between the two for several minutes before finally interjecting with his questions.
"So, what exactly happened that caused you to have need for Serenla's services in the first place? Last night you were brought in with rather extensive injuries. Today you don't seem to be quite up to normal movement. It takes quite a bit to take someone beyond healing magic."
He smiled at Nedral, hoping she would understand the shift of emphasis. Considering her reluctance to answer, Tadir doesn't think she will mind.
Shamad sighed. "To make a long story short, clan was killed. Went looking for the killers with someone who became my friend during the journey. The ones I suspected weren't it and I was given access to a powerful artifact. We journeyed for a while, putting the artifact together. The last step involved going to the Aetheryte near here. I finished the artifact and my partner tried to kill me. A fight ensued and the explosion marking the end threw me into the Aetheryte rather hard. Chalinda carried back here and you know the rest." He took a long pull on the beer. "I have a very strong suspicion that Serenla will be quite a while. Lets go to my room and we can carefully rifle through her stuff."
She nodded in agreement to Shamad. "You think she's hiding something?" she asked.
Shamad nodded. "I certainly hope so. You can't look like that without SOMETHING illegal to enhance yourself." Shamad carefully made his way to the stairs, wincing all the way.
Nedral gave Tadir an apologetic look. "We'll be right back." She said then got up and followed after Shamad, offering him some help as they made their way to his room.
"Chalinda said that her linkshell sent the doctor and his, uh, assistant so hastily because of some use they require of you. Any idea what that might be, if I may ask?"
While passing her room, she gave two gentle knocks on the door.
Shamad thought for a bit as they entered his room. "I have some idea but I don't think I will be able to help them. They might want to get their hands on that artifact I talked about but it was destroyed during the fight." He grabbed Serenla's pack and dumped out the contents. "You know herbs and what not.....what here is illegal?"
Nedral watched Shamad dump the contents out then began rummaging through them. "Hmmm, do you have any parts of the artifact?" She asked, then came upon three different corked vials. She lifted a vial filled with a murky gray liquid, uncorked it and brought it to her nose. Her nose twitched and she replaced the cork.
"This is a fungi based steroid, though not illegal it is rather potent. It would explain her unusual size." She placed the vial down and grabbed the next, a greenish liquid. Like before, she uncorked the vial and took a whiff. "This is a form of Aloe used to treat, uh, itching or rashes." She quickly set it down.
She picked up the last vial, a clear silky liquid jumbled about inside. She removed the cork, put it to her nose and immediately took it away, turning her head. She coughed and quickly put the cork back on. "Ok, this one is illegal, at least in this region. It's Datura Stramonium, known by many names but most commonly called Devil's Weed." She brought the vial close to her eyes to inspect. "It's often fatal in large doses, however, it's main purpose is a hallucinogen.
In small doses it can cause a person to see things they normally wouldn't and, as a by product, it can sometimes be used to recall suppressed memories or, most commonly, the person will spill any secret they may have." She turned her head to Shamad. "Have any secrets you don't want anyone to know?"
Shamad watched as she inspected the contents of Serenla's bag. "The artifact no longer exists. I do know the spell it controlled or at least how it worked. It'll take another thousand years for it reform the artifact, if it ever does that is. What is the penalty for that Devil's Weed? If the penalty isn't harsh enough, we could always slip a fairly large dose of it in her food....."
She pondered Shamad's question. "Well, back in my d-- Many years ago the penalty for such a toxin would have been death, should it be used for malicious purposes. Now, as this type of thing is somewhat more common, a long prison sentence would most likely be involved, but I cannot say for sure." She smiled a bit. "We could administer a large dose to her, should you plan on killing her. But, a small enough dosage mixed with some alcohol might get her to talk, if she has anything to say. It's also worth noting that this is a rather large amount of Devil's Weed and, considering the size and proportions of any Lalafell, this amount could keep one subdued for well over a month, possibly two."
Shamad clapped his hands with glee then winced. "That wasn't the most brilliant thing to do. Let's put everything back except the crazy weed. It doesn't matter if we put it back the way they were in there originally. She isn't the most organized person in the world. I need a nap. That run tired me out along with turning my hair white. I will leave getting the truth out of Serenla to you. I would only be a hindrance to the operation." He toddled over to the bed and lay down. Nedral stared at Shamad's back and went back downstairs.