| Logs |
2008 December 07
| When The Bough Breaks |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Bough Logs |
First Movement, Coda
The soldiers in the town don't seem to immediately pay attention to the group as they go about looking for the major featres, particularly the inn or tavern. That is fairly easy to spot, a three-storey building near the road on the other side of the town, with a stable out back. It seems like the tavern mostly because there sounds like a lot of activity inside, and more than a few people coming or going.
Mikal makes a small, startled noise at sight of the shark-people, drawing her legs up on the stag's back and glancing around nervously, as if she expects some of them to come over and try eating the group members.
Tomas starts moving toward the inn.
Jareth sticks close by Mikal and Iron Antlers, looking around with fascination.
Norris, who was already close to Mikal as they were allowed into the village, tries to radiate calm and comfort to the skittish woodswoman. "Saright, Mikal. Lissen t' Jareth."
Mikal visually checks for the quickest routes out of town and into the safety of the forest, while keeping a wary eye on the closest strangers. She blinks, looking down at Norris, "What?"
Norris head tilts as he regards the samebito thoughtfully. At Mikal's query, he responds. "Jus' sayin. Seems t' be a pretty relaxed place. No one lookin fer trouble, here. No need t' be afeared."
The people who are coming and going out of the tavern are a mix: most are samebito, there are a couple of off-duty soldiers, and several more are of a variety of different types, including a satyr, a pair of very short, brutish-looking people, and one very tall, bulky, obviously strong, and extremely hairy person.
Mikal eyes Norris worriedly, then leans to whisper, "You know, before they attack, khidra look perfectly calm and relaxed too, Norr!"
Norris looks sidelong. "Yeah. An khidra doan wear clothes, r' hats, or walk right, or drink beer. These is people. Diffrent lookin people, but people. Jus' like Raph." he explains casually.
Mikal thinks about that, then murmurs, "Raphael doesn't wear clothes, though. So clothes don't necessarily signify people."
Tomas continues to the inn.
Norris spreads his hands. "Sure, ah kin see that. But Raph, he doan need clothes. These here samebito...no fur t' keep them warm. Besides that...folk what are intelligent enough t' make clothes, t' put up buildings, that there implies a..." He grasps for a word. "Ah dunno how t' say it. But th' point is, they care about things like people, an aint jus' el...elemental beasties."
Mikal stays crouched up on the fey-stag's back as Iron Antlers relaxedly paces after Tomas. She whispers, "I'm not saying they're monsters, Norr -- I'm saying we shouldn't be deceived by apparently peaceful looks!"
Jareth clears his throat and smiles, not actually looking at Mikal and the others, "And if we seem frightened and nervous, people will wonder why and they'll start paying more attention to us."
Mikal glances even more nervously at Jareth, squeaking, "I'm not frightened!" Her voice cracks as she does so.
Tomas enters the tavern. It appears fairly typical, for a tavern or pub anyway, if a little rough about the edges. There are stairs leading up along the back wall, and there is a bar, behind which there is a doorway leading outside with a heavy curtain over it. The smells and sounds of a large roaring cooking-fire are behind the curtain.
A large samebito is tending the bar, and a pair of nimble-appearing, and mostly human-looking, young women... except most young women don't have bark upon their backs -- almost like the back half of a vest, as seen above the back of the necklines of their otherwise simple garb -- or cow tails.
Tomas sits at the bar and signals to the bartender.
Jareth chuckles, "Of course not, but you are nervous. And you're showing it."
Mikal eyes the inn warily, wondering if it's safe. She murmurs absently to Jareth, "Er, what?"
The samebito trudges over -- though he looks reasonably agile, when moving slowly samebito appear to be rather ponderous -- and speaks to Tomas. His voice is a little gutteral, but well-spoken. "Ohayo gozaimasushite," he says pleasantly. "What can we get for you?"
Tomas says, "Ale if you have it."
Mikal leans to whisper to Jareth and Norris, "I -- I think I'll stay out here and um... and stand guard!"
Jareth pats Mikal on the knee, "You don't like being in towns. You don't know these people. You're shy, little Rabbit. You're acting shy and a little jittery. It's going to make people notice you."
Mikal mutters something about feeling better if she didn't have to be the center of attention -- then she blinks, looking around alertly as it hits her: if she slipped out of sight with Iron Antlers, then slid silently back into town, no one would notice her!
Mikal brightens, beaming at Jareth, "You're quite right! Back in a bit!" She nudges Iron Antlers with a heel, urging the big stag off towards the edge of town.
The samebito smiles -- it's a touch unnerving, looking like he has hundreds of sharp, triangular teeth. "Several types we have. Any in particular? We have Teutonic altbier, Trappist ale, some Eagle lager, even a couple cases of ice-ale from the Winter Palace."
Jareth blinks, watching Mikal move away, giving Norris a confused look.
Tomas shrug. "Whatever you have on tap."
The samebito chuckles, and ducks behind the counter. After a few moments, he comes back up, with a pint of what looks like a light ale with pale golden color.
Tomas takes some of the coins the captain gave him and spreads them on the bar. "I'm new in town; what covers the ale?"
The samebito cocks a brow at Tomas, then peers at the coins. "Ah. Five coppers," he says, sliding five of the copper, hexagon-shaped coins from the counter.
Tomas passes the bar tender 5 coppers. "Buy one for yourself."
Norris looks at Jareth, and shrugs in regards to Mikal. "Her mind do go in odd direction, sometime. let her figger out what she needs t' do. S'not lak she's alone."
The samebito arches his other brow, though he puts it away. "Thank you, but no; don't drink when tending, and besides, Eagle lager is a bit... light for me. You're rather free with the coin though, friend. New in town, you say?"
Tomas doesn't pick up the coin. "Aye, from over near Mt. Olympus. Who are those guys stopping people on the road?"
"Soldiers from Mordred's army. The army itself was in the valley for a few days, preparing to lay siege to the Winter Palace. Something went wrong, though, and the army pulled out. These soldiers are just the rear guard, to make sure that some other army doesn't try to hit their rear.
Norris quietly listens to the conversation between Tomas and the bartender, taking note of what's been said, but not volunteering anything just yet, looking around the tavern, wondering what it is people do in a samebito hostel.
Tomas cocks an eyebrow. "Army, you say? And who is this Morderd? And why would he want to attack a palace?
The samebito chuckles dryly. "Somehow I do not think you are not knowing all you claim to not know, friend. But as you wish. Mordred, he's a warlord from somewhere around Zion. Supposedly he went to the Nether, came back with a few hundred mortals, and started building an army to take over the Winter Palace. That'd be the big alfar buildings on the other side of the wall, a few leagues from here, in case you really don't know."
Jareth is apparently distracted, too, wondering about Mikal.
Norris doesn't try to lie to the man. He's a horrible liar. But he speak up, asking, "Aint'chall gonna get in trouble, sellin ale from th' palace, then? R' do that just make it worth more, what with th' unliklihood o' getting more anneh time soon."
The samebito grins to Norris. "The soldiers don't seem to mind that we've got it here. Besides, it'd only be an issue if they though we were getting it while a siege is hapening. No siege, no barrier to trade. Mordred doesn't want the Palace's coffers so much as the Palace itself.
Tomas sniffs. "What's cooking? Smells good."
The samebito glances to the heavy curtain, and chuckles. "That'd be the special." He looks to Norris and Jareth. "Anything for you two fine sirs?"
Tomas says, "What is it? It's making me hungry."
Jareth grins at the bartender and says, "I'd love something to lay the road dust."
Norris hunhs. "Nuthin t' drink, but ah might be joinin mah friend in seeing whut makes the 'special' special..." he replies, sniffing thoughtfully.
The samebito says, "It is tataki, river tuna in cracked peppercorns, ginger and garlic, and seared." He asks almosy coyly, "Would you be wanting to try it?"
Jareth adds and says, "Oh my... and how much for something stiff to drink and some of the special?"
Tomas says, "Please. How much for some?"
Norris knows garlic, but not 'peppercorns' and 'ginger'...but he is very curious. Also, hungry...in spite of the fact that he doesn't need to eat, he's always liked good food. Also, mediocre food. Really, the fellow just likes to eat.
The samebiko nods to Jareth, smiling that many-sharp-teeth smile, "Depends on what you want to drink. Your friend is having Eagle lager, five coppers. It'll be two silvers for the special." He glances at the two. "Mmm. You might want to share a plate first, in case it's not to your... flavor." He smiles again. "It can be... tangy... to those who do not expect it...."
Norris glances at Tomas. "Th' man do make some sense." he agrees.
Tomas pulls out a silver piece. "I'll take plate. If every likes it, we'll buy some more."
The samebito nods, "All right, then. Two silvers, and I'll have Brynn bring you a plate soon's one's ready."
Jareth grins back, eyes drinking in the huge smile and noting that it would be wise not to get bitten by a samebito, "Something a little stronger than ale, if you've got it."
Tomas passes along another silver piece. He figures that it will take a little while to get the bar tender to open up, so he isn't going to press the questions and make him suspicious.
Norris looks around. "We gonna stay here, r' get a table?" he asks his companions. And wondering where Mikal has gotten herself off to.
The samebito accepts the coins, then waves down one of the cow-tailed women, who flashes Jareth a smile, before disappearing behind the curtain.
Meanwhile, the samebito looks appraisingly at Jareth. "'Stronger,' eh? Very well!" he seems inordinately cheerful. "Wait here. I will be right back." The samebito opens a door underneath the stairway, and disappears into it.
Tomas looks at Jareth. "Do a lot of drinking back home, do you?" he says in a low voice.
Jareth grins and waves to the cow-tailed barmaid, winking at her before she slips behind the curtain. He nods to the samebito and then turns to Tomas, voice low but cheerful, "More than I should, probably. But I'll either earn his respect by drinking like a man or make him find me amusing by not being able to handle it. Either one will relax him."
Tomas shrugs.
Norris huhs. "That sounds right clever." he agrees to Jareth.
The samebito returns, carrying a large clay jar with a sealed cover. He puts it down firmly on the counter, setting, not a glass or a cup, but rather a wide-mouthed bowl in front of Jareth. "You asked for something stronger," he says cheerfully, starting to take the top off the jar, "so you'll get something stronger. This one is on the house. If that doesn't scare you, then nothing will!"
Tomas looks in the pot and sniffs.
Jareth leans forward curiously, nostril flaring as he tries to get a whiff of the jar. He grins at the samebito, "He who risks nothing, deserves nothing."
Norris, himself, is more interested in how the ale that Tomas is drinking smells. Very familiar. He never drank much after his first experience with liquor...unfortunately, a table got broken as a result of his revelry. So, no more drinking...and no more dancing. But the ale...he remembers that ale.
The jar has an almost overwhelming scent of alcohol coming from it, mingled with something that's not immediately recognizable.
"Indeed! And so you shall risk honjozo-sju sake!" the samebito announces dramatically, and pours out a few finger-height's into the bowl. Drink up, and tell me if it is 'strong enough!'"
Norris hmmphs. Unfortunately, he never asked after the ale which living in stanton. He can't be sure if the stuff from home was a gained recipe, or was home made...if it was a learned recipe, then maybe it wouldn't be so odd to have it here. But if it was something only the resident brewer made...of all the times to wish he drank more!
Jareth nods and takes the bowl, cupping it in both hands and nodding to the samebito. He carefully sips the liquor in the bowl, wanting to be careful just in case the taste is unpleasant. Or more unpleasant than the homebrew whiskey he's had.
Tomas shrugs and looks at Jareth, waiting for him to drink.
The samebiko watches Jareth attentively, grinning and waiting for his reaction.
The first thought Jareth has is how different it tastes than ale. The second is that the difference means it's awfully strong. He swallows and blinks, feeling his eyes watering a little as he gasps, "That'll put hair on your... chest."
Norris watches Jareth, and then looks at the samebito. "Issa human thing. Doan expect yew'd get hair on yer chest." he assures.
Tomas signals for another drink from the bartender.
The samebito gives a hissing laugh. "Strong, hai? Thought I would share it! You won't find sake like that this far from Fuji." He puts the stopper back on the jar, still grinning. "Mind you, samebito might even find that a bit strong! Would you like something a little more palatable?"
The samebito laughs uproariously at Norris's comment. "Oh, we get all kinds, lad, all kinds. I'm used to that one!" He nods to Tomas, reaching beneath the counter and drawing another lager, setting it on the counter.
Tomas passes 6 copper pieces to the bartender.
Jareth laughs and coughs at the same time, thumping himself on the chest, "Aye. Yes, I have enough hair as it is."
He makes the copper disappear. "So. Something like what your friend's having?" He grins. "Or something more exotic?"
Jareth doesn't even pause, "Exotic sounds promising."
Norris fidgets. "Ah need some air..be back in a moment, mah friends, t' try that 'special'." he says to Tomas and Jareth. They're the talkers, anyway...and even though technically Mikal is not alone, what with Raph, Iron Antlers, and Okori together, their continued absence is disconcerting.
Tomas shakes his head. "I'll stick with this. It washes the dust down just fine."
The samebito considers Jareth's request, then nods, and ducks under the stairs again. Meanwhile, Brynn, one of the huldra, ducks under the curtain, coming back in with a wooden plate with a hunk of white, fine-grained meat on it. The meat sizzles, and is doused in a very tangy-smelling sauce. "Enjoy your tataki!" she says cheerfully to Jareth, before whirling off to attend to other customers.
Norris is absently wondering if dust can actually collect in the throat as he ambles out of the tavern, making like he's just looking around curiously at this alien little village as he scans for foxes, wolves, stags, and Mikals.
On the platter are a pair of thin wooden sticks, and a knife.
Jareth nods to her with a grin, "Hope I will." He looks at the sticks and the knife, arching a brow and looking at Tomas, "Any clue how to use those sticks?"
Tomas shrugs. He cuts a piece of meat and stabs it with one of the sticks. He then pops it in his mouth and chews.
Raphael wanders up behind Norris and gives the tall young man a lazy nudge with his nose.
Norris acks! and turns...and glares at the wolf. "How th' hell can yew be that sneaky, y' durn beast..." he accuses mildly.
Jareth shrugs and cuts off a piece of the meat, using the leftover stick to get it into his mouth. After the warning about it maybe being a little hard for them to take and his experience with the sake, he's careful about the food.
Raphael grins up at Norris, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth, then looks towards the forest. Mikal waves cheerfully, then steps back into the trees.
Jareth chews slowly and swallows again, coughing and shaking his head with an amused grin as he says to the bartender, "So, building fires in one another's bellies is the local pastime?"
Raphael strolls relaxedly past Norris, heading for the woods himself.
Norris rubs his forehead. "Well, ah spose long as she's comfertable there, and ah know wheres she is...an yew'd let us know iffn sommat happened, right, Raph?" he queries the wolf. And then his brow knits. "Wait, ah thought Mikal said sommmat about yew not barkin...but yew kin howl, right?"
The samebiko laughs from within the closet. "Only after alternate Dawns! But here, this should take the edge off..."
Raphael gives Norris a faintly long-suffering look over the hump of his heavily muscled, thickly maned shoulder.
Brynn waltzes up, and pauses, watching the two men eat the tuna. She giggles quietly. "You must be new to a samebiko village!" she says, reaching in to gently take the sticks. "May I? That's not how you use hashi, handsome." She tries to demonstrate to the two men how to use the chopsticks.
Tomas chews slowly. "Tasty, like the fish steaks in Brog Harbor. Though the fish is milder." He cuts another piece and stabs it, and eats it.
Norris holds up his hands. "Aright, aright, no needs t' be tetchy bout it. Just sayin."
Raphael snorts amusedly, continuing to head for the forest. He doesn't exactly mind villages -- he's far less twitchy about them than Mikal, for example -- but they're not quite his favorite locale either.
Jareth looks abashed, "Caught out. You're right. Never been here before." He watches Brynn use the sticks and his eyes light up, "That's fantastic... Show me one more time? And we might need another pair."
AFter a few more moments, the bartender emerges from the closet, carrying a ceramic keg which he taps, and pours out a couple of glasses. "Here. These are on the house as well. I've been a cruel, cruel bartender to allow new visitors to eat the spiciest on the grill and drink the strongest in the larder." The drink he pours out is a dark blood red, but fizzes faintly as if it were beer.
Brynn, meanwhile, grins, and produces another pair of hashi from her apron, showing Jareth how to use them and being quite content to position his fingers properly.
Norris wanders back in, noting that Jareth has made a new friend. "Heyall. Hope ya left somethin few me to try." he drawls, reclaiming his seat as he looks with great interest at this odd dish.
Tomas signals to the bartender. "Your special is very good. Do you have a good porter, or maybe a stout to wash it down." He cuts, stabs, and eats another piece.
Jareth loops an arm around Brynn's waist and uses the hashi clumsily on purpose, "Thank you for taking pity on a newcomer, lovely." He grins at the bartender, "Nothing wrong with a little mischief between friends."
Tomas takes a swig of the red beer.
The bartender indicates the blood-red fizzing beer. "Give that a try. It might be a bit too sweet. 'Sekhmet's Demise,' it's called. It's a beer with pomegranate juice."
Brynn laughs sofly, quite content to show Jareth how to use the hashi. "My pleasure, handsome -- and does handsome have a name?"
Tomas says, "Cat, though with you it might be Kitten."
Jareth finds himself faced with a decision between letting go over the barmaid and putting down the hashi. No contest. He puts down the hashi and takes the fizzing beer, sipping is carefully and nodding, "Ahh. Just right to counteract the fish." To Brynn he grins, "You can call me Cat, pretty."
Norris chokes. Maybe it's what Tomas says. Or maybe it's the spicy food.
Tomas frowns at the beer. "It's a bit sweet for my taste. Have you good stout or maybe porter?"
Jareth grins at Tomas, "Well, kittens do get all the attention."
The samebiko considers, then nods. "Yes, we've a Milesian porter that might strike your fancy. Seven coppers, if you please?" He's already digging through the shelves.
Brynn laughs. "'Cat,' eh? I'm thinking you're not a bakeneko, then!"
Tomas continues to eat contentedly, discussing beers with the bartender.
Jareth grins and shakes his head, "Nah, nah. No ears to get scratched." He offers Brynn a bite of the tataki, "Compensation for helping me not look like a fool?"
Norris is putting out the spicy food with the dregs of TOmas's old ale. "Dunno how many bakee-necko there are aroun, but there's onleh one...Cat." he asserts.
Jareth laughs and says, "Bear here is pretty one-of-a-kind himself."
Brynn grins widely. "WHo says your ears can't be scratched?" There is a call from the other side of the tavern, from Brynn's co-worker. Brynn blushes. "Oops. I'd better get back to work. But if you're staying in town a few days, stop by again, ja?"
Jareth nods and gives the girl a little squeeze, "Be happy to see you again if I can, lovely. Don't let me keep you from work."
Norris looks around for a bear, and then remembers that's the name Jareth gave for him. "Mebbe she'll be a source o'wisdom later...or at least a source o' sommat." he mumbles into his drink after Brynn leaves.
Brynn grins, running her hand along Jareth's cheek, before waltzing off to the rest of her work.
Jareth watches the lovely barmaid move off and grins at Norris, "She's certainly friendly."
Norris nods. "That's one way o' putting it..." He casually glances around then, see if anyone's paying particular attention to them before speaking. He leans in, lowering his voice. "'Ave we actually thought about what we's supposed t' be doin here? Ah mean, as a story to tell while we's makin' friendly wi' th' locals."
Jareth mmms and thinks on that for a moment, "We could be a traveling troupe of entertainers. Badger could be our manager."
Norris hnhs. "That's an idee. A good wun. Explain's th' names, too. Oh, an before ah ferget...Mikal's in th' woods. She's aright. An Raph will howl if there's sommat wrong, but 'e won't like it."
Jareth grins at Norris and pats his friend on the shoulder, eyes straying over to the lovely barmaids before returning to the burly young man, "Our little Rabbit. Always looking for the chance to be in the woods."
Norris nods grimly. "Ah doan know how t' help her wi' that. Not even sure it's sommat what needs helpin. It's where she feels comfortable...but now that we's together, an not in th' woods most of the time, feels like stones in yet boot."
Jareth tips his head, asking, "What feels like stones in your boot, friend?"
Norris spreads his hands. "That she's gotta be absenting herself evereh time she's not comfertable." He gestures. "Mebbe ahm makin a fuss an doan need to...just makes a fellow worreh."
Jareth smiles at Norris, voice low, "She'll grow braver about it in time. She's got steel in her spine."
Norris scratches the back of his neck. "Ah hope yer right. So, what's our next plan? R' should we keep samplin food and making friendly?"
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