Al'Mian Oasis (Open)

[Tabrett]

When the three strangers had entered the tavern and Gavriel gone to confront them, Tabrett had sat up straighter in her chair. Her tail twitched to and fro behind her in anticipation of trouble, but she stayed at the table with Bear and Tadir, and now Faythiel. She had just greeted the other woman when the shudder of earth caused her to jump, ears perking in alarm.

 

Tadir's outburst was nearly the undoing of her nerves, but the Miqo'te couldn't hold back her laughter. She hid her smile behind her hand, but her amusement was clear. "I'm sure you'll be able to interview him the moment he wakes, Tadir."

[Dreamer]

"You're in the Al'Mian Oasis..."

 

Dreamer nodded. So he was Al'Mian. That wasn't too off course; better than he was expecting. As soon as he acquired some supplies and another chocobo, he'd be back on track. He was grinning to himself. Then the treasure will be mine.

 

Taking another drink of his wine, and finding it almost run out, he was just about to ask the lovely Elezen for another when she bustled over to the table where a Roegadyn had motioned for her. The corner of his mouth twitched. Roegadyns were always there when you least wanted them, and never there the few times you did. He supposed it didn't really matter though; he was on a trip of business, not pleasure. Then again, no one ever said I couldn't do both.

 

He was draining the last of his wine, when suddenly there was a loud thundering coming from the outside. He looked towards the door, and as he did another Elezen came in carrying what seemed to be an unconscious Lalafell.

 

"Which room is his?"

 

Dreamer set his cup down folding his arms. He had a feeling that things might just start getting interesting; and where things were interesting there was always opportunity. His luck was looking better and better already.

[DAISHI]

As soon as the three newcomers entered, Gavriel knew there would be trouble. The the bald man looked very familiar. Gavriel suddenly stood, his icy glare locked on the man. Could this really be Maestro, the Killer Conductor? Without removing his leering eyes, Gavriel approached to an uncomfortable distance, one hand resting easily on the hilt of his blade.

 

"So. Who are you three?"

 

Suddenly, a rumbling was heard in the distance. It almost sounded like a thunderstorm was approaching, but the effect was much more sinister. The earth itself seemed to shutter. It must have been an explosion. Gavriel instinctively turned his head to the door, briefly letting his guard down.

 

 

 

Dramatic stage-cue to Shamad

 

The bald man smiled, glancing at this man, hand on his blade. His tongue flicked out from his lips, sliding upon the upper carnivores of his teeth, a smile creasing along his face. "Are you our waiter?" he asked, moving to the newcomer, sliding alongside him, his right hand passing up the man's back and up to the man's arm, his fingers settling firmly at his shoulder. "I just... I just hate, hate to be kept waiting."

 

"Maestro..." cautioned the Leader, taking a step to the two of them. "Don't you think we'd better eat?"

 

"Oh, of course," he said, shaking his head, lower lip turned outwards as if mocking his associate. "I'm dying to eat." His face turned back to the man at his side, pulling him in closer, so that their faces were only a few inches from each other's. "You know, we live in a culture where people hate to get close. They just... I don't know what what it is, it's like they just don't want to be next to each other. Some culture's men will hold other men's hands." He stopped a minute, grinning, eyes looking wildly at those of the man who'd stepped up to meet them. "Not that that's my cup of tea, but you know, we could do with a little more friendliness, don't you think?"

 

The man who'd stepped up to the trio seemed unsure of what to say, confused by the bald headed Maestro. "Well like we were saying," he continued, his left hand sliding up his stomach, moving along the vest which he wore, "We're all just... well we're hungry. It's been a while, and the big guy over there..." His head nodded towards the seven foot giant. "He's got real exotic eating habits. You don't want to to know what his diet consists of. That's Goobbue, by the way. I'm Maestro but you can call me Jill for all I care." A glint of light could be seen as a blade the length of a man's hand sudden flashed from the Maestro's chest, his hand raising the blade to the stranger's neck in a second. "Now about dinner."

[Aveline]

Aveline finished pocketing her half of the earnings and quietly slipped out the door, back into the desert.

 

 

I will not have any time to keep on this as I've got loads of homework to finish before I head out of town for a few days (w/ no internet access) but it looks like Aveline's role was done pretty much anyway. Have fun destroying another tavern! >_>;;

 

[BelovedHatred]

Faythiel frowned at the sudden hostility in the room, then calmly strolled over to to the trio of men.

 

"He's not your waiter...all we're serving is meat pies...y'can take it or leave it as our cook just left..."

 

Her silver eyes flitted over the group.

 

"That just leaves me 'ere to run things, so I'll make MY rules clear... You will not sass me, you will not sass my customers.." She paused looking to Gavriel, then back to the men "And you would do well not to cause any further trouble, because I'm the one serving your food, and the 12 knows what could accidentally find its way into your dinner if you piss me off...."

 

She smiled pleasantly with an odd cheer about her even in the situation.

 

"And best not to make any further threats...because I don't need a weapon to hurt any little egotistical shit of a man in 'ere, ne? Doesn't mattter how big either, sugar, cuase you've all got bits that bust under a mere 3 lbs of pressure...and I'm NOT afraid to go there if pissed off.."

 

She sat a full bottle of whiskey on the table and some shot glasses for them, then stood in a way that favored her right leg, hand on her hip, she tossed her hair over her shoulder.

 

She then offered a polite bow and a wink.

 

"All that being said, welcome to Al'Mian...and that was 3 meat pies for you each, yes?Will you need a room."

 

She stood upright once more, moving between the man and Gavriel.

 

"My name's Faythiel, and you'll just need to give me a shout if you need a thing.."

 

She still seemed perfectly calm and at ease, her gaze still polite at the individuals, her tone clam and sweet when she spoke, she stood her ground between the two men, unflinching.

[Gavriel]

"W-what's going on!" a loud commotion was heard upsairs, "Was that some kind of explosion?"

The old bartender stumbled down the stairs,

"I thought I heard--" he paused when he entered the Tavern. Everyone turned to look at him.

 

There was Gavriel with a knife at his throat, a giant troll-like creature stupidly gazing about the room, and several other strange guests, not to mention a heap bloody towels on the floor.

 

"Ughhh..." He groaned and went back upstairs.

[Gavriel]

After the surprising Tirade given by Faythiel, Gavriel looked back at the bald man and smirked.

"I think you underestimate just who you're up against."

 

He put two fingers on the blade at his throat and slowly lowered it.

 

"I'm hungry."

[Tadir]

Tadir looks to the two at his table.

"Just so you know, I'm going to be less than useless if this comes to a fight."

 

He looks back to the group nervously.

[Dreamer]

The hackles were beginning to rise on the back of his neck as he watched the scene unfold from the safety of his spot at the bar. Those three newcomers...he wondered if they had brought chocobos...

[DAISHI]

The man with spectacles suddenly had his hand on the Maestro's shoulder, pulling him aside. "If you'll excuse my companion, you'll find he's simply very excitable," he said, speaking with business-like professionalism. "He's simply had a hard week. Haven't you, Maestro?"

 

The bald man pointed the edge of the knife towards the man who'd greeted them. "Hungry? I'm more than willing to cook," he replied, opening his coat wide and revealing a string of grenades on either side, their pins hung to a string that dangled in the air. "But like Leader said... we're here to eat." His face lowered, his teeth sparkling a magnificent white as he bared them through his wide smile. "I'm sure we'll have time to play later."

 

The Leader pushed the glass up the bridge of his nose, mumbling to Faythiel. "No alcohol please."

[BelovedHatred]

Faythiel simply nodded at the specticled man, then smiled to Gavriel.

 

"I'll bring you some food over to your table.." she assured him, heading back behind the bar, putting several of the meat pies Aveline had prepared onto a tray and hoisted it up over her head, she headed over to their table, the bells of her belt jingling lightly, she then sat a plate of food in front of each, humming quietly as she did so, then bumped Gavriel lightly with her hip as she passed by to his table sitting down a plate of food for him also.

 

 

She pasued after, looking to Bear, Tadir and Tab. "Refills anyone...? She looked over to Dreamer questioningly, though she noted his glass was still rather full as he had been savoring the drink rather than chugging it down.

 

Her attention then went back to the Elezen woman who had come in, and was by now standing in a corner with the lalafel, casting the rowdy table a look of unease.

 

Faythiel moved behind the bar, and brought her over a key, handing it to her.

 

"He's in room 5. I'll come check on him in a moment if you do not wish to stay."

 

She then returned to the trio's table and took away the bottle. "I'll bring a nice cold pitcher of water then, ne?" she said to the more pleasant of the group with a smile, bustling away to get thier drinks.

[Tabrett]

"Bear and I will more than make up for it, if something happens," Tabrett assured Tadir with a smooth tone. Even injured, Bear was, well, rather large. He could fall on something, at the very least. And ''cute'' as she was, the Miqo'te knew how to handle herself. Hopefully, however, Fatyhiel and Gavriel would defuse the situation before it came to that. "They want to eat. Maybe once they do so, they'll leave peacefully.."

[Nanapariri]

The Lalafel sat fanning herself inside the moving residence, a part of her 5 beast caravan, hearing the bustle that said they were reaching the Oasis. She was there to supervise the changing of the guard at her interests in the bazaar. If she didn't make sudden appearances like this those she left n charage tended to slack off which wasn't something that could be tolerated.

 

Finally the lumberinf animal stopped and Nanapariri stretched just as her faithful retainer Alam popped her head throught the tent fold. "Mistress Nanna, we have arrrived..." the dark M'quote said.

 

She made a slight face. "Ah back to work I suppose," she said getting up from among her lounging pillow. "I leave organizing these Kiddos to you Alam. I think I'd like to take a look at the general condition of my stall first."

 

So saying the Lalafell exited down the steps and jumping to the sand below.

[Gavriel]

Now the sun began to sag lower in the sky. The cliff that protected Al'mian from the south also shielded it from the sun in the late afternoon. It became much cooler outside.

[Bear]

Bear sat back in his chair and watched Faythiel talk to everyone around the table, he wanted to jut in, but didn't know what to say. Just then three stranger's entered, Gavriel had a strange look in his eyes, he got up and confronted the three. Bear just sat and watched, but knew that if things went down hill he'd have to get involved. Faythiel soon joined Gavriel, there looked to be a little commotion, and just then Tadir spoke followed by Tabrett.

 

"Just so you know, I'm going to be less than useless if this comes to a fight."

 

"Bear and I will more than make up for it, if something happens,"

 

"Don't worry Tadir, I'm sure nothing bad will happen... If it does, I will do my best to protect you." Bear reassured Tadir and smiled.

 

"They want to eat. Maybe once they do so, they'll leave peacefully.."

 

"Let's hope so, I've only got one good arm, no weapons, and that big guy looks like a challenge..." With that Bear borught the hanging chainmail on his wounded arm over the cloth bandage and reclipped the leather strap with the top strap chainmail on his shoulder. He took the shoulder plate strap and wrapped it tightly around his arm, and tied it.

[Shamadconde]

The Elezen woman gave the creepy trio a look that could kill by itself. She took the key and murmured "Room 5. Got it." She was turning to go upstairs when the bundle on her shoulder let out an ear piercing shriek. She put him on the nearest table and looked at him. He sat, his legs and an arm splinted, with great discomfort. "What is it?! That scared the wits outta me!" He yelled back, making sure the whole tavern would hear him. HE spoke loudly but clearly without allowing the pain he felt to enter his voice. "Those three there were the start of a riot at the Bismark! The place ended up half burned down! Make them go away! I would do it but....." He glanced meaningfully at his splints. She looked at the three again and Red Eye was surprised they didn't burst into flames on the spot. She gathered him up and took him upstairs.

[DAISHI]

The large, tumor like lump that hung over Goobbue's drooping eye twitched at the noise, his lumbering head turning like a rock rolling on a hill. His jaw, hanging, bore teeth that looked like hammers set within his gums. There were traces of saliva at the corners of the man's mouth, that large, camel like tongue licking the bottom of his lip, his body tensing. A finger went up to his mouth as he gazed at the short Lalafell, being carried up the stairs, his eyes going to the Maestro.

 

"Eat?" he asked, his voice dense and harsh, his head turning back to the small being.

 

The Maestro raised an eyebrow, cocking his head backwards, smiling as he did. "What, that? I don't know Goobbue I'm not sure he'll be much more than a snack for you. Besides, he looks kind of rubbery." Maestro held up a fork, twirling it between his fingertips as he did. "Course, we could put him in the fire and toughen him up just a bit. I'm not going to touch him though, not my kind of meal."

 

Sitting on the opposite end of the table, the Leader suddenly coughed abrasively, trying to catch their attention. "Excuse me gentleman," he said, voice low but firm. "We have food already on the table. We don't need to get you anything else, Goobbue."

 

Maestro turned back to the Leader, shrugging. "He's right Goobbue. We have enough food. For now." He chuckled.

[Shamadconde]

The Elezen came back downstairs. She checked her knives, making sure they were clear to be thrown if necessary. She took a seat at the bar.

[Tadir]

"Maybe we will have a little more peace now that they are getting food," Tadir mutters as he turns back to Bear.

 

He looks down at his notebook, scans what he's written and returns his eyes to Bear. "Would you mind if I asked you how old you are and where you're from? I'm sorry if I asked earlier, but I didn't get it noted down if I did and there have been some..." he bobs his head in the direction of the three latest arrivals, "distractions."

[Vareal]

 

Ok, finally finished reading all this stuff. Thumping good read. I'm extremely rusty, but here we go.

 

 

Nedral opened the door to the inn, a large Roegadyn at her back with a great sword hung over his back and two smaller swords attached to either side of his belt. Nedral absently fingered the pommel of her sword as she took in her surroundings, the hood of her cloak casting a shadow over her face. Her gaze fell first on the table with the very strange, very large creature drooling over something in its sights, speaking harshly the word "eat?". She raised an eye brow then appeared to be lost in thought for a moment before her attention returned.

 

She turned and looked outside, the sun was failing and it would be dark soon. She whispered something to her companion and he nodded then disappeared. Nedral moved into the inn, eyeing another Roegadyn with fresh bandages on what she assumed was, as yet, a freshly stitched wound. She sat at the bar and pulled down her hood. Her face was marred with myriad tiny cuts, some still scabbed over others small scars, and her nose was bruised black and purple, as was the area around it, as if it were recently broken. Her right hand was bound in gauze, dried blood seeping through.

 

"Water." She said to no one in particular, as she couldn't discern who the bartender was in this ramshackle inn full of odds and ends of people, but loud enough for those in her vicinity to hear.

[Nanapariri]

Nanapariri clapped her hands one last time to encourage the workers to finish unloading the good and taking the old crates back to the area where the caravan back would be loaded the next day. "Alright Kiddos you just got to push on ahead and finish! There's not too much farther to go!" she was met by groans and much less energy. This the Lalafel knew how to overcome. "All 10 of you will get a meal and 2 drinks of your choice at the tavern Kiddos so chop-chop!"

 

This had the desired effect. The pace picked up and the Lalafel who was paid to run the outpost looked over at Nana reproachfully. She spied the look and and sighed. "What is it Kirara?"

 

She peered over at Nana over her spectacles and her checklist. "Well Mistress its just that you did mean that those 10 and me also?"

 

Nana frowned.

 

"I had considered it but you're attitude today has been a bit sour. If by the time my 5 days here are up I'll consider it. You must earn your rewards you know Kiddo."

 

The saleswoman sighed. "Yes Mistress I promise to improve my mood about surprise inspections from this day forward."

[Vareal]

Luther strolled down the pathways of the oasis, whistling a merry tune to himself, his hands folded behind his back, surveying the surrounding area as instructed by Nedral. It was fairly quiet outside and, apart from some blood stained sand by a pool of water, all was quiet and well. Though he didn't like the looks of the lot inside the tavern, he was confident that should it come to brawls, Nedral would be find on her own until he returned to her.

 

As he was coming to the end of his patrol, he saw a caravan pull up and several people begin to unload it, a small Lalafell stepping out into the sand, saying something to what Luther appraised as being a servent. This lot seemed harmless enough, though Luther hunkered down next to a wall and watched them curiously, now humming his tune quietly to himself.

[Shamadconde]

The Elezen tapped her finger on the bar with boredom. She knew the place was busy but this was insane. That Lalafell needed a doctor soon. That explosion was huge and flying into the Aetheryte could have caused a concussion. He also needed someone to check for broken bones and heal them if possible.

[Vareal]

Nedral looked up from checking the bandage on her hand, it would need a new one soon, and looked to the impatient Elezen. Her dual colored eyes, one piercing green the other a swimmingly blue, studied the woman for a long moment. She looked over her shoulder at the noisy crowd wondering after Luther, then turned again to the woman as she tapped her finger on the bar.

 

Nedral ran a finger through her white hair, brushing her ears flat over her head. "You seem somewhat worried. Is something wrong?" Nedral asked, not really wanting to get involved but was beckoned by another force at work.

[Shamadconde]

She turned around. She looked at the Miqo'te and asked. "Do you know if there is a doctor here? There is a Lalafell that needs some medical attention. He was caught on the edge of an explosion and was thrown into an Aetheryte."