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 Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:50 am
Taryn quickly became soaked as well. The cloth cloak did very little to protect her from the rain. The some parts of the hood stuck to her face like it was oddly glued. She did very little talking as the group continued, and didn't really notice if the other two did. Rounding a corner, she could see Tyr, and it was probably the most happy she had looked all night. She thought that perhaps now her luck could change.
As they walked, her horse began to drift to the side, as if it wanted to eat some plant there. Taryn held the rein tight, pulling the animal back close repeatedly. 'We're almost there,' she thought, 'you can wait.' The horse became impatient and rowdy, almost seemingly taking after her master, and knocked Taryn to the ground. It trotted happily over to the side of the road, near where Madison was hiding.
Taryn just lied there for a moment. She had landed flat on her back, and it was swelling with almost crippling pain. She was covered in mud, cold, wet, and in pain. She couldn't even find a string of curses suitable for this. So she lied there, silently, hoping the pain would stop soon so she could get up.
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Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:00 am
Madison had a liking for animals, having a stable of horses and a small black kitten named Witch. She watched the horse approach her, trying to tell it to go. Instead, it nuzzled it's nose into her palm, neighing at her softly. Standing, she began to rub it's muzzle affectionately, laughing softly. "Why hello there." she said, smiling at the horse before looking over at the girl it had thrown. "Are you ok?" she asked, hurrying over to help the girl up. Holding out her hand, she smiled at her sweetly. "I'm Madison." she said politely, waiting for the girl to take her hand.
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Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:39 am
"Thanks," Taryn whispered as she took Madison's hand. She slowly stood up, wincing in pain, but now cursing incoherently. After a moment she looked at the girl and nodded, "I'm Taryn." Mud dripped from her cloak, the rain helping to wash it away. She involuntarily shivered, causing another burst of pain and her face visibly showed it.
"I'll be fine," she spat out, "Let's just go." She walked hunched over like a crippled old man, and cursing just as bad as one, over to her mare and grabbed the reins.
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Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:48 am
Lorelai watched Taryn's horse stubbornly go to the side of the road, despite Taryn's best efforts to keep the mare in check. The next moment, the horse had thrown Taryn to the ground to nuzzle a girl who had been hiding in the bushes. The girl took Taryn's hand to help her up, introducing herself as Madison before Taryn walked away bitterly. A small chuckle escaped Lorelai's lips as she fully realized Taryn's affinity for cursing.
"Are you sure you're okay?" In response to Lorelai's question, Taryn merely glared at her and started walking to Tyr. With a glance at Mikhail and Madison, Lorelai followed her.
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Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:10 pm
Madison chuckled, following Taryn as she headed over to her horse. "Oh, don't be mean to her." she said, patting the mares neck. Following quickly, she smiled at the others. "Hello, are you going to Tyr or simply passing through?" she asked cassually, trying to start conversation.
((Writer's block is a b***h...))
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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:51 am
As the group entered Tyr, the city was quiet. The rain had most likely chased away most of the of those who would be drunk in the streets, but a few bodies lied slumped over in the mud. Taryn ignored them.
She glanced back over her shoulder, seeing the trio conversing behind her. The pain in her back had mostly subsided, but turning like that caused discomfort, and she winced. Cold, wet, dirty, tired, a stupid horse, and an aching back. She was fairly cross.
"Hey, you," she said, barely louder than a whisper. "My journey for the night ends in the inn and probably under a few pints." She meant it as an invitation, even though she didn't say it. She sauntered off in the direction of The Dancing Boar Inn.
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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:16 pm
Standing outside the Dancing Boar Mirae sighed, barely sheltered from the rain by the poorly thatched overhang of the inn. She could feel the tension building within the common room and almost felt guilty about the fight that was about to break loose any moment. Almost. A grin spread across her face as Telvin began hurling drunken insults at the innkeeper. He wasn't the sharpest man when it came to common sense, but as far as slurs went-- Her thoughts were interupted by a large crash. It hadn't taken much to provoke the old soldier into starting a brawl. A few carefully placed words were enough to set his blood to a boil after buying him a few friendly drinks, and in all honesty the old codger who owned the Boar deserved a few broken vases after all the coins he'd milked out of her for half a dozen fool's dead ends. Her search for Alric's thief was wearing on her nerves and she was ready for a change of pace, some new job that could hold her over until she found a real trail.
Out of the corner of her eye she glimpsed an odd group of strangers approaching the inn, though only the woman in front seemed to be intentionally headed that way. She resisted the urge to shake her head, instead schooling her face to a stony blankness as she watched the woman approach, leaning casually outside the door frame just far enough away so as not to be hit by any suddenly flying bodies. Something in the way the leading woman walked caught Mirae's eye and she unconciously began analzying the stranger. She seemed to carry herself like a veteran soldier, but her odd stiffness didn't seem to come from military training. Her swagger seemed awkward-- as if she were favoring some pull in her back. Probably a muscle injured from riding too hard, or even some old battle wound, though she hardly seemed the age. Then again, Mirae herself was only nineteen and she had seen plenty of fights and even small battles between merchant guards and bandits. This woman didn't seem to be much older, certainly no more than thirty though not much younger either.
Mirae hooked her thumbs in her sword belt, her light cloak swishing silently with the motion as it fell back from her shoulders to reveal a rougher version of her usual attire, the vest and shirt in darker, more toned down colors and lacking the embroidery. Her working clothes. Perhaps she would find the woman later and find out her story, anything to take her mind off the fruitless search for that stupid family heirloom of Alric's. The shouting grew louder in the common room and she spared a glance just as any casual bystander taking refuge from the rain would. Stumbling backward suddenly she muttered a mild curse as the door nearly broke her nose swinging out to spill three large men into the muddy street. She grimaced, rubbing her nose despite the fact that the door hadn't so much as brushed it, and spared a glance at the strangers to see their reactions to the brawlers.
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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:59 pm
((Sorry i haven't been posting. I've been busy with other RPs sweatdrop ))
Mikhail dismounted his horse and led it to an overhang, where he gave it feed and left it for the warmth of the inviting in. Without waiting for his travelling companions - too distracted by the attractive bartender - Mikhail ordered himself a pint, making eyes at the bartender all the while who, shockingly, seemed to be returning the favor.
This journey may not be so bad after all.
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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:34 pm
Madison smiled as she saw the three men tumble out of the inn door. They often faught, and she found it funny how easy it was to get them to fight. She looked over at the two girls, waving goodbye. "This is where I head home, your welcome to come and stay at my house, we have quite a few guest rooms." she offered, smiling kindly. She waited for a reply, the rain dripping down her face to make it seem as if she were crying.
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:22 am
The rain fell steadily. Taryn led her horse behind Mikhail and watched him walk into the inn as she fed the animal. She petted the mare gently. It was probably the most warmth she had shown on the whole trip. She began walking over to the door, and got close just in time to see the tree men tumble through the door and into the mud. She couldn't help but to laugh. A guffaw, even. She recognized the old soldier from previous visitations to Tyr, though she never took the time to learn his name. It was nice to see that not much had changed.
Taryn looked over at Madison as she spoke, a smile still plastered across her face. The girl looked so sad, and it almost made her feel bad for denying her. She shook her head slowly, "Sorry, but my business is here." She motioned toward the inn before turning to walk through the door. She glanced at Mirae, still smiling. She met her eyes, if only for a moment, before disappearing inside the inn.
She sat next to Mikhail and also ordered a pint. She nodded in thanks as it was handed to her, then proceeded to drink it all at once. "Ah, feel better already!" she said as she leaned back in her chair and stretched, fighting the stiffness in her back.
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:14 pm
Mirae blinked at the sound of Madison's voice, wondering what the young merchant's daughter was doing out in the rain, and then glanced down at the pile of mud covered men. Two of them were regaining their feet and holding their heads while the other was doubled over, no doubt sicking up the drinks he had had. If she remembered correctly he was a merchants brother from around Lindell, and had an ironically weak stomach for all his size.
Casually she returned the woman's smile with an amused grin of her own as their eyes met, and she considered ducking back into the inn before glancing back at Madison. Dawn was coming, even she could see it through the graying clouds, but she also knew that those few hours before were the worst, when more than simple pickpockets roamed the streets. Still, the promise of a stranger's story tugged at the back of her mind, and she casually waved to the girl she barely knew from watching the trading courts and other merchant businesses.
"You could always join 'em," she said loudly over the still steady din of rainfall, "Any father'ed believe ye were hidin from the rains if you dry off fast enough, why not dally longer in company, I'll even buy." she smiled cordially and turned on her heel after waiting long enough to get the point across. If the woman was as smart as Mirae thought she was she would see sense and follow, but if not... Well, it wasn't for Mirae to decide what happened then. Not tonight, anyway.
Ducking into the inn she was met with a few raucous laughs and taunts, as well as a steady glare from the innkeep. She smiled snidely and made a show of brushing herself off, careful to fling as much water and mud onto the rowdiest near the door. They laughed in good cheer and she swept off her cloak to hang by the fire. Anyone who dared try to take it would have a rude awakening. Fortunately, most of them had seen her flourish her daggers before, and though drunk they weren't total fools. The laughter erupted wildly as she spoke.
"A cat can hardly stand the rain, so why should I?" she grinned at the personal joke, stepping gracefully around tables and stools as she made her way back to the bar by the door, "Besides, with all the ruckus outside..." she trailed off and flashed full smile before shrugging and turning to one of the bar maids as the girl cleaned a mug with a ratty rag, an old friend by the name of Elayne. A teasing sulk on her face, Mirae sighed in exasperation. "I don't know how you do it girl, smiling like that is exhausting. I can't even imagine making eyes at some..." Elayne erupted into giggles and tried to shush her. Mirae blinked and glanced to where her friend's gaze kept drifting. A man in dark clothes with straggly wet, blond hair seemed to be flirting with the bartender. He seemed just the type Elayne would oggle at, even if she had any sense, and well, Mirae had to admit the woman knew her job well.
She grinned and turned her attention to the woman next to him, the same woman with the odd walk she couldn't quite decipher, at least not yet. "It's not often I see strangers, of course, then again, most folk come during the day when I'm sleeping off the night." The bartender shot her a moody glare.
"What night," she scoffed, "Why you've never touched a sip of ale, or any alcohol at all for that matter, in your life Mirae." Her words were louder than necessary and a few more laughs murmered in the background cautiously. They knew a touchy subject when they heard one. Mirae merely shrugged and looked back to the stranger and her empty tankard mildly as if nothing had happened. It wasn't her fault the drink loosened tongues like oiled hinges, a dangerous thing for someone like her.
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:48 pm
Madison glanced back in the direction of her house, torn between the two. Deciding she wasn't ready to go home, she stepped onto the stoop, slipping her cloak off and ringing it out. She did the same with her dress, lifting the hem to ring it out, showing pale legs and bare, muddy feet. Dropping her dress, she wiped her feet as best she could before stepping into the inn. She glanced around, a bit nervous. She saw many traders who worked with her father, and many travelers she had seen once or twice around the market.
Sitting at a bar stool, she declined an offer of beer, choosing a glass of water instead. Sipping it lightly, she could feel eyes on her back. A tap on her shoulder made her jump and turn around quickly, but cautiously. Many people stared at the brave man who had aproached her, wondering what would happen. His eyes were blood shot and he stank of whiskey. "What's a girl like you doin' in a place like this?" he slurred, sitting in the stool next to her. "Simply enjoying the company." she said, smiling politely. She knew drunks were very testy, and she wanted to avoid a scene.
"How about I buy you a proper drink. One whiskey!" he slurred, calling to the bartender. "I don't drink." Madison said quickly, wishing he would go away. She could feel the situation turning bad. She sipped her drink, staring at the table with a tinge of pink on her cheeks. This was why she avoided bars. Too many drunks.
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:11 pm
Completely drenched by the rain, Lorelai followed the others into the inn. Glancing at the bar, she saw that Taryn and Mikhail had already ordered drinks, and that Madison was in the process of ordering a water. Lorelai made her way to the end of the bar and hopped up onto a stool. She ordered a half pint of ale, and, not even intending to finish that, laid a coin onto the counter to pay for it.
Lorelai turned and looked around the common room. It was full of drunks, as could be expected of a place like this. A movement near Madison caught Lorelai's eye, and, upon turning her gaze inthat direction, she saw that a man, quite drunk, had sat down beside Madison. By the disgusted look on Madison's face, Lorelai could tell that the man was not invited. Ignoring the thunk of the stein as the bartender gave her her drink, Lorelai stood and strolled over to where Madison sat.
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:17 pm
"Oy, drunk," Mikhail said, staring daggers at the man hitting on Madison. "Why don't you leave the girl alone? It's pretty damn clear to me she doesn't want anything to do with you."
"Shut your mouth, queer," the man spat, turning back to madison.
Mikhail rose from his seat at the bar. "Look, I think the last thing we need is a scene, but..." He drew back his fist and punched the man, square in the jaw. He fell backwards, a look of surprise on his face.
"Leave her alone," Mikhail said, voice a deadly whisper. "Or you'll be sorry." His hand rested on the hilt of his blade, ready to draw. The man to the hint and wandered off, glancing over his shoulder every so often.
Mikhail turned to Madison. "Are you alright?" he said.
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:30 pm
Lorelai was at a much more comfortable watching distance when Mikhail strode up to the offending drunk. Curious to see how Mikhail handled the situation, Lorelai stood where she was. Almost as quickly as you could blink, Mikhail had punched the drunk and threatened him off. It's just what I would have done, thought Lorelai with a wry smile. Somehow, in the hour or so she had spent with them, Mikhail and Madison had grown on her. Taryn was still rather cold, but she was also in pain. Lorelai would wait and see how she would be in the morning. She only hoped that she wasn't hung over.
As the drunk stumbled off, Lorelai joined Mikhail in comforting Madison. Turning to Mikhail, she said to him, "Are you all right? That guy was kinda rude."
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