Portraits For a Price (Open)

[Seraphine Felstar]

"I've no need for a drawing of this old face young lady." The woman said, much to Cassondra's disappointment. It would have been fun to have drawn someone with such a intriguing aura about her. There was no doubt the woman in front of her had a tale or two in her somewhere.

 

"Well, I'll return to fill your glass shortly. Maybe I will have figured out a way to convince you by then." She gave the woman a grin and turned her attention back to the tavern room floor.

 

The spiked haired man and the miqo'te were entertaining themselves with some sort of card games when she approached. "You two seem to be getting along. This is turning into quite a party." Taking one of the two pitchers in hand and placing it in the center of the table she exclaimed loudly, "To your health!"

 

Turning slightly, she glanced at the Elezen man who was tapping his fingers on the table in front of him and the young hyur man who was still fiddling with his belongings. Motioning to the table where the red-headed man and the Miqo'te sat she said aloud, "How about you two join us for some company, cards, art and a pint? - First drink is free of charge."

[Tyriont]

The door quietly opened as a tall, hooded man entered. He carried himself with the air of one who did not wish to be noticed and his eye twitched as he looked around the room and saw how crowded the place was. He did not remove his hood as he made his way to a corner table, moving carefully and gracefully. His face was all but completely masked, a small amount of pale hair briefly visibly as he sat down. The hue of the small amount of skin it was possible to see identified him as one of the Duskwight. Sitting down in such a position as his back was into the corner while he could still watch the door, he pulled a small bone from inside his pouch and began flicking it between the fingers of his right hand with an sense of irritation. His gaze swept the room, taking in each of the occupants and hovering over each one as if he were analyzing them. Between each group, his sight would flit back to the door again as if awaiting an entrant. He silently cursed the fact that he had no choice other than to wait in this place. The sooner his contact arrived, the sooner he could return to more pressing matters.

[Kima wolf]

"How about you two join us for some company, cards, art and a pint? - First drink is free of charge."

 

Free of charge eh? Sounds like my kind of drink. And besides, it'd be rude of me to not take the lady up on her most generous offer.

 

Hmm free drink... I'll have to probe that woman and her necklace another time, that is quite a interesting ability there, for now.. free drink!

 

He smiled at Crystal and stood up from his table. Although there was a fairly large crowd he was able to easily maneuver through most of them, towards the woman who's siren like phrase "free drink" pulled him towards them like a outgoing tide pulling a poor swimmer out to sea. He stood in front of the table and eyed the card playing duo and Crystal with smile as he bowed his head slightly.

 

"Greetins', since it's polite te' tell your name to those you're drinkin' wit, ah'm called Kima, and ah'll always take te' offer of ah free drink, especially when its offered from a lovely woman." he said with a grin as he sat down in one of the empty chairs.

 

Hopefully my "cousin" here doesn't have any issues, I don't feel like a fight today.

[sassaroth]

Sassaroth tucked his belonging away and looked up. "Oh yeah that would be nice. I wonder if they serve milk here?" He looked to the serving women and smiled. "Pardon me, would you so kind as to bring me some cold milk." Sass reached into his pouch. "I can pay."

 

As he pulled the coins from his pouch he looked down to see that the three he had were dull gray metal. The gold paint left smears in his hand as they bleed off from the water. "Huh... I guess that merchant was less the fair." He tossed the fake coins into a near by bin and pulled his chair to the table with the card game. "I guess an empty glass then. I'll just wring the fish water out of my clothes." He said with a genuine smile.

 

He bowed before he sat at the table. The name is Sassaroth, but people just call me Sass. He bent low to whisper dramatically. "Its easier on the tongue." He said with humor. He sat down and looked to the older women with the interesting necklace. "Pardon me, honored elder, would you like to join us?" He said with absolute respect.

[Hayden]

She nodded in responce to the bar keep's general set of conversation, to nothing inparticular really. She then sat quietly drinking her ale, and watching everything that was going on, with keen interest it would seem. She appeared quite aware of everything, sharp as a knife...or so it seemed. She may look old, but she did not act it. As her mug approched empty, she smacked her lips a bit and the faintest of smiles creeped across her lips. When she was not drinking however, she kept her mouth closed tightly however, almost strangly so.

 

She watched the card playing duo, and the barkeep, the new patron and the strange fellow who smelt of fish. She seemed content...for now.

[Seraphine Felstar]

After filling Kima's glass full of ale, she returned to the bar and brought a tray with a glass of milk, a plate of cookies and a bowl of bretzels. Handing the cookies and milk to Sass she smiled at stated, "I haven't heard such a simple request in drinks in a long time. Consider that one on me."

 

Then she placed the bowl of bretzels in the center of the table next to the two pitchers of ale for the rest of the group to enjoy. Moving round the table, she leaned down to speak to the red-headed Elezen man, "I have a older sibling and we don't exactly... communicate very well. Be there for your sister and that's payment enough for me."

[Renaise]

Renaise leaned back in his chair a touch. "Aye pretty busy, though with the talk of free drinks Ms Cassondra is putting about here it's no wonder its getting a few more customers pop in."

 

Renaise took back the deck of cards, as the top card that bore the image was put back in the deck you could start to see the image fade away before it was quickly shuffled back into the deck.

 

"Seems to be more than a few people watchers, of in the case of one guy... door watchers." Renaise smirked as the newcomers joined the table. Renaise considered Sassaroth for a moment. "Don't worry about the money mate, I'll get ya a drink, after the complimentary one of course. Nice to meet ya both, can't honestly say I expected much in the way of company tonight but hey, the unexpected is not always a bad thing."

 

"I have a older sibling and we don't exactly... communicate very well. Be there for your sister and that's payment enough for me."

 

"She'd be hard pressed to get rid of me miss." Renaise grinned. "I thank you for your kind gift, I'll just consider it that I owe you a favour, and wont hear anything to the contrary so don't think about saying no." Renaise laughed and stuck the picture carefully into his bag.

[Seraphine Felstar]

Cassondra smiled at the red-haired Elezen whose name she still hadn't caught. Hoping it would come up in conversation at some point, but feeling too shy to ask she stated, "I wouldn't dream of saying no to a well meaning customer. Now you all have drinks I think I'll attend our door watching guest and be right back to do your portrait, Miss."

 

She turned her back on the table and made her way over to the corner of the room where a duskwight Elezen sat flipping a small bone between the fingers of his right hand as if he were anxious or irritated. I'm not sure I even want to know where that bone came from, she thought to herself as she crossed the tavern room floor. She couldn't see his eyes under the hood, but the motion of his head seemed to indicate he was watching the door for someone to join him. As she approached him she smiled and said, "Welcome to the Drowning Wench. I'm Cassondra, or just Sondra, and I'll be your hostess tonight. We have ale, rum, beer, wine, spirits, and just about anything else to serve your palate. What can I get for you this evening?"

[Kashemia]

Seraj smiled slightly.

"Sisters are a blessing and a curse," she said, but her smile was warm, indicating that she was leaning toward the first, thinking about her own.

She looked at the older woman, her eyes getting caught by the necklace and she stared thoughtfully at it with her eyes narrowed slightly. It was a nice little trinket, and could probably fetch a good price on the black market, but it also seemed like the lady might be depending on it. Seraj shook her head a bit, as if she could shake some thought, then she raised her glass, proclaiming in a loud voice:

"Well, then I think we should give a cheer to the barmaid who has been so nice to provide us with free drinks, huh?"

[Hayden]

Almost on que, the mysterious woman's eyes meet with Seraj as she secretly battled with the notion of stealing the charm around her neck. An old spark brought life to her eyes for a second and she almost looked excited. There was almost a daring sort of smile on her lips, as if she was challanging Seraj, daring her to go for it, hoping for a moment she would. Then the two looked away from eachohter and the moment was gone.

 

Had she given into her desire and attempted to take the trinket from her, she would not have been the first, and likly not the last either.

 

The trinket was of great value to her, but it was also a terrible burden. Her eyes drifted for the breifest of seconds as she travled back in time to the moment it was gifted to her. It was given to her as an act of mercy, to cure a deformity so grotesque and aweful she no doubt would have had to face life as an outcast. However even with it, she could not help but gather the unwanted attention of every keen eye.

 

She moved slowly, pushing her chair from the table with her arms. She took a moment to fix her shirt and reached out for her walking stick. She seemed set on something now, and she approched the card playing duo, interested now in Seraj, with familar grin on her lips now, she spoke, or rather the charm spoke.

 

"You admire it, yet you don't even know what it is...it might fetch a hefty price, but then again perhaps not. I doubt the curse it bestows on its owner is somehting many could bare..."

 

Her voice was so young, so fresh and held so much energy. It was as if it came form the lips of an adventurer in her prime. The old women held a familiar demeanor to her, one perhaps Seraj might recongnise, one that would tell a great story about her life and her expirences, with out having to say a word. A life of suffering a life or adventure, and a lonly one too, a life lived by the sword. One she quite possibly might be able to relate to. Or then again, perhaps not.

[Kashemia]

((I'm sorry that I post twice so close to eachother, I promise to leave space after this!))

 

Seraj lowered her glass as the old woman came closer, and stared at her with wide eyes before smiling widely, though maybe a tad forced.

"Don't worry about it, granny, I'm not gonna touch your bauble, I already have had my share of bad luck with stuff like that!"

Her eyes once again moved to the amulet, this time she seemed more wary. There was something off about that amulet, and the woman was probably right, at least she wasn't in a mind to test it out.

[Tyriont]

The hooded man did not look up at Cassondra's inquiry, his gaze still scanning the room.

 

"Leave me be."

 

He greatly disliked being in an exposed area like this and was growing increasingly certain his contact had chosen the meeting place specifically to put him off guard. There were matters needing his attention and he once again cursed the necessity of obtaining supplies in this manner, but what he sought was not something found on a typical market stall. An irritated grunt passed his lips as a Miqo'te he found obnoxiously loud stood up and tried to cheer the barmaid. The bone passing between his fingers gathered speed. He observed as the old woman approached and his interest was piqued as he realized she was speaking...yet not speaking. His sight fell upon the amulet around her neck and noticed the mild glow as she "spoke". He had heard of such items before, but had not seen one in person. Certainly, he had not expected to see such a rarity in this wretched establishment. He glanced around the room once more, debating a gamble. As their conversation progressed, it became even more obvious than at first glance that the woman would not easily part with the item. No, he rather had the feeling her death would be a requirement for that and he was not willing to risk it. Regardless, he knew enough of curses not to assume any enchantment upon the amulet would not be lost with the current bearer's death. Certainly, he would have placed such a clause himself had he been the creator...it was simple foolishness to allow one's secrets to be studied so easily. Nevertheless...another glance around and he decided a small measure of exposure was worth the risk. Besides, he had seen the boy's lackeys on the docks earlier while conducting a transaction of his own and presumed that they would likely be tied up with whatever business of the noble's they had apparently gotten involved with. The bone between his fingers vanished inside his robes.

 

Standing from his table he moved over to the group, taking a moment on the way to compose himself and get into character. It would not benefit him to allow his disgust for the wretched gathering to show through. No, his..."public face" would be needed here, no matter how distateful the requirement was to him. Sacrifices must be made in the pursuit of knowledge. As he arrived at the table, he reached up and pulled his hood back slightly to reveal his gaunt face, white hair pulled back tightly. He kept the hood around his head however, so that only those close by could get a clear look at him. His face was smoothed into a neutral expression - warmth was beyond him, the best he could do was disguise his contempt.

 

"Good day. Pray forgive the interruption but I could not help but overhear your conversation. I know something of curses and your amulet is intriguing. If you would be so kind as to indulge it I would hear of how it came into your care, as well as what the curse you speak of might be." He paused a moment, trying to recall the meaningless pleasantries that would be expected. Normally he had more preparation time when gathering information in such a manner. A memory sparked. "Of course, one should introduce oneself. I am a scholar in the field of such...rare items. My name is Marneus Lanviade."

[sassaroth]

Sassaroth looked to the old lady for a moment and shrugged. If he wanted to keep to herself then fine by me. he thought to himself. Never seen a stone drink so much. He smiled to himself.

 

As the cookies and milk arrived. Sass looked to the serving lady. "I..., I...words fail such a fine gift. I am Sassaroth, jsut call me Sass, and may I call you my blessed angel?" He wiped his hair from his eyes, it almost immediate shuffled back into position close to his eyes. His brood smile beamed as he looked to her and his blue eyes took in and reflected the tavern light.

 

He looked down to is clothes ans frowned. "Well it can't be helped. I smell bad and I just wanted to dry, but I think I better take the quicker course. " Sass grasped the from of his robes and clothes his eyes briefly. He spoke under his breath. The robes went dark like the light of the tavern did not reach them fully. Small pricks of light formed in his clothes and flew off of him like embers from a camp fire. Sass opened his eyes as the list bits of light flew off and used his hands to directly them across the tavern ceiling. The floated their in the air and twinkled like little stars.

 

He looked to the others by the table, "I rather take the natural course of things, but when you can't..." He shrugged. "Besides, these wonderful ladies look quiet lovely under star light." He smiled, "Even if its just temporary." His clothes were dry and clean, but still looked a bit worn.The stars did not smell like fish.

 

Sass took his cookies and slowly begun to dip and eat them with delicate grace. Its been a while since he ate a solid meal and he wanted to savory this as long as possible.

 

Sass saw the hooded man approach the old lady. He had so many comments he just could not contain it any more. With a whisper he spoke to the table he sat at. "Don't look now but I think death just caught up to the old lady." He said with a expression shock and fear.

[Renaise]

Renaise bristled slightly as Marneus introduced himself. He couldn't quite put his finger on why but there was something about the man that Renaise instantly took a dislike to.

 

Renaise however smiled warmly and nodded to the man then turned his attention to Sassaroth.

 

"A ladies man huh?" Renaise grinned slightly. "I'm sure the barmaids in here have heard every line in Eorzea... but what's a couple more right? Renaise chuckled and looked around the now busy table.

 

"Oschon's cane! I really didn't think I would be attending a small party today. Not that I'm complaining, everyone seems in good spirits. Ms Cassondra has assembled quite the rabble here." he laughed and took a swig of ale.

[Kima wolf]

Heh I should had guessed, a bit of Duskwight hatred going on once more. He simply smirked and sat back down as his introduction went unnoticed. Being a pirate and what he was he was used to this sort of thing happening, it even caused him to chuckle lightly and shake his head ever so slightly.

 

"Heh times they never change," he said and took a long drink of his ale Crystal had fetched for him as he tried to sneak in his own words in-between the flurry which was going on.

 

"Well, thank you fer te' drink, much appreciated, not ere' day you get someone te' give you a free one," He said and raised his glass to her just as Seraj mentioned it.

 

It's probably best to observe this group from my table anyhow, looking at them its like a powder keg waiting on something to set it off, and i'd rather not be caught in the middle of it.

 

He stood up and bowed his head to the group, then turned and walked back over to the table he was sitting at first, resting comfortably and kicking back, glad to see no one had taken his seat.

[sassaroth]

Sass chuckled, "ladies man. Not really, I just want one. One day I might have one and she will be the most important person in my life." He grinned to the red haired man. "can't hurt to show a bit of enthusiasm though."

 

He looked to the cloaked figure as he spoke and noticed the features. Ah, a dusky, how interesting. Sass didn't understand the comment, but he assumed it had to do with time, perhaps the man broke his time keeping device. Sass was always attracted to knowledge of those of the twilight race, as he called them. He wanted to know more or chat the man up but his moment had past. As the man left he gave a small regretful frown. "pity he left, I rather like to know of their history."

 

He looked to the lovely cat girl. "so you want to hear a joke?"

[Sivamet]

(Siva's description is in her profile at the Underground Tavern and Inn posted in my signature ))

The young Duskwight smiled as she glanced up at the sign for the tavern and grinned "Finally" she said with a chuckled and sauntered into the tavern and looked around for an empty table or stool near the bar. She had been traveling all day and was looking forward to a good pint of ale.

 

Sliding up to the bar she grinned at the tavern keeper "hey there pint of ale if ya got one ta spare for me"

 

Leaning back while she waited, she gazed around taking in each person who was present, chuckling at a few who were clearly having a very good time. She laced her long fingers together and laughed at one conversation she simply did not mean, well maybe she did, to eavesdrop on.

 

Siva's violet gaze landed on a few other Elezen in the tavern and chuckled especially when she picked out a face she knew, Kima's. Shaking her head she turned with a trademark grin at the barkeep "Lively place ya got here but think I'll go join my friend right over there if someone can bring me that ale?" winking she walked over and slid into an empty seat near Kima

 

"Hello Brother" she said with a soft chuckle.

[Seraphine Felstar]

(Cassondra's character sheet: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=393 )

 

Marneus Lanviade, Cassondra made a mental note of the name as he spoke. The tavern has cleaned up a lot now it is being turned into an Adventurer Guild but every once in a while we get shady folks like him. I guess it comes with the job, but what a creepy guy!

 

Cassondra looked toward the bar area as the barkeep prepared another drink for the new Duskwight Elezen female who joined the table. Let another girl take this one, Sondra thought, I'll handle the next round and it won't cost me too much. I'd better get back to my other job.

 

Sitting down at the table with her art supplies, Cassondra picked up her sketch book and pencil once more. Turning to a fresh page, she glanced at the miqo'te at the table and began to draw the outline for her face. Working quickly and carefully she listened to the conversation at the table next to her in silence.

[Hayden]

As the mysterious man approached, she could not help but utter a small laugh, of course nothing came out of her mouth, no she had years to practice years to perfect this, the amulet took care of all of that now. She turned from the Miqote and looked at the Elezen.

 

Weather or not she could see through his facad she did not show, but she did not look helpless nor did she seem even the least bit intimidated or taken off guard in any way.

 

"You wish to know more?" There was almost a humorous tone to her voice. She seemed disinterested in formalities and introductions.

 

She had told this story in so many ways, to so many people. She grew bored of it now. Sometimes she would lie, tell a grand tale of fabrication. It depended on who was asking, and what sort of mood she was in. She took a long hard look at the man infront of her. He was clearly not here for the company, so she would weave no such tale today.

 

"Itâs a speech aid, if you must know." She turned her back to him slightly.

 

"Only, it transmits ALLâ¦of your thoughtsâ¦into words.â

 

That was the long and short of it. Azreiel's trade mark necklace, an item many have thought about for generations was litterly a transmitter of thoughts. The item gifted to her from the preistest Dweia when she was 30 years of age, a life time ago, was much more sinister than she had thought. Everything she dared to think, everything that crossed her mind was transmitted into word. It had taken her a lifetime to learn to control it, rather than allowing it to control her. She had gained a reputation as a loud mouth, a villain, a vulgar old wretch even in her thirties. They had told her âAzreiel learn to control what you say!â the truth was, she could notâ¦not until she was much older.

 

âNot just the ones youâd like it toâ¦and not just the ones you choose.â

 

So, either she had very little on her mind, or she had learnt to control her thoughts through meditation and generations of concentration and skill. Well, actually it was a little of both.

 

Then of course, there was the question of....why...why did she nee dsuch a thing?

[Kashemia]

Seraj whistled impressed. The amulet might not be useful for her, but trinkets like that was always interesting. She wondered where the old woman had gotten a hand on it..

 

She forced her eyes off the trinket and looked at the only female Elezen there.

"Brother? Seems to be a lot of sibling-talk here tonight, is this some kind of family reunion I didn't know about?" She grinned and took a drink of her ale.

[Renaise]

Renaise turned and smiled to the old woman. "All thoughts into words huh? That must have been a real pain sometimes. If not all the time. Kind of hard to erm... hold your tongue... with that thing." he smiled and nodded.

 

Renaise had a theory about why someone would need such a device, he was hoping what he had just said would show him if that theory was true nor not.

[Tyriont]

Marneus' interest was piqued. A device such as that could have powerful uses...if it truly communicated the old woman's thoughts, it was not beyond the realm of possibility that it could be harnessed for other purposes...perhaps her expressed difficulty at controlling which thoughts it revealed could be turned outwards. An item to read the thoughts of others...such a tool would be useful indeed. He glanced at the red-headed Elezen as he spoke, rolling his eyes at what came out of the man's mouth. Surprisingly, he mused, the dim-witted fool may be onto something. Not that it was too difficult to figure out, of course...there were only so many reasons the woman would be unable to talk for herself. Nevertheless, she had indicated it was hard to control and the cretin was obviously trying to bait her...perhaps if he riled her up enough, something would slip. Either way, it was certainly easier than trying to coax information out himself. He took a seat and listened curiously. He would learn more of the item before the night was out, that much was certain. His contact could wait.

[Sivamet]

She forced her eyes off the trinket and looked at the only female Elezen there.

"Brother? Seems to be a lot of sibling-talk here tonight, is this some kind of family reunion I didn't know about?" She grinned and took a drink of her ale.

 

Siva laughed and grinned at the woman "Not really just a friend and well he's just to cute to be my brother that'd be a bit scandelous" chuckles "I work for him as well" winks at the Miquo'te

 

"My name is Sivamet but friends just call me Siva. You are welcome to do so as well lass if you so choose." Siva cast a look for her ale to be delivered before returning her gaze back

 

"And what would your name be?" she asked with a smile

[Hayden]

In her younger days she would have been an easy target for such a tactic. Azreiel and anger went side by side, and still do, after all you can not teach an old dog new tricks? Or so the saying goes. Bar fights, minor scraps and bloody encounters were all to familiar. Some of them were for pride's sake, others to defend what was hers, sometimes it was for a friend, but all to often it was because her temper had gotten the better of her.

 

But she wasn't young anymore, and even with a fearce bit of fight left in her aging bones, she knew she had to pick and choose her battles a little more now. Which was to suggest that yes...yes she still choose them every now and again.

 

Sure, in her younger days she might have likly stomped over to Renaise for that comment about her tongue. Argued with him over his words, taken everything he said personal and the end result may have well been a bar fight. But she didn't engage in those sorts of actions much anymore, MUCH being the key word. Oh, this old bat still packed quite a punch, but also, there was wisdom now.

 

She ignored the comment retaining to her tongue...for now. She had no desire to reveal all her cards like a fool. After all she appeared to be just another aged old crone with nothing useful to say, and that image fit just fine with her, she got into less trouble when people thought that.

 

Having explained what was asked in regards to her little trinket, she took a quick look to those playing cards. She was the center of attention now and she disliked that. She found no need for idle conversation anymore. So with out saying so much as another word she made her way back to her seat, moving much more quickly now, not so much as letting her walking stick touch the ground. There was a youthful sort of skip in her step almost, as if just the thought of running her sword through Renaise for such ignorant words brought excitment, and a little bit of dissapointment to her. She motioned to her empty mug and spoke to the tender.

 

"Another when you have a moment." and she sat once more.

[sassaroth]

Sass listened to the tale spun by the old women. What a cursed device, he thought. He could not imagine the reasoning why someone would be gifted with such a cruel device, and by the way she wore it, it was needed.

 

He looked to her and spoke, "I deeply regret poking fun at your expense, those said and unsaid, honored elder." he sad with sad regret. The small stars he had set off to the ceiling begun to fall around the patrons an blink out of existence. He smiled up to them and wished them well."good bye my light, back to the stars you are born from and the void where you rest."

 

He focused his attention on the serving maid. She was starting a picture. He smiled as he watched.