C Stands for Courage

Log Info

• Title: C Stands for Courage
• Emitter: Robert
• Characters: Robert, Slixvah, Zofija, Jay, Mikilos
• Place: The TarRaCe
• Time: March 30th, 2022
• Summary: Robert is working through some schemas during a performance on stage at the TarRaCe. A small bird takes note of the man, which is joined by a larger one, Slixvah. After complimenting some artistry, Slix is joined by Zofija. Followed by none other than the bluejay himself, Integrity. They speak of Mircy, one of Robert's family, as well as the usage of the word allegedly. Mikilos joins them, and gets some questions answered about the demon/devil pair the two birds dealt with. Robert soon leaves. And Integrity ends up walking Slixvah home.

The dinner rush is on and the sound of idle chatter occurring around the room is a thrumming counter-melody to the duet of panflute and crumhorn featured on stage. It's a lively, playful melody that rolls up and down the scales manifested by two brightly-dressed and fair-skinned Acanian men in foreign dress. Both are seated on stools turned subtly towards each other and they sway as they finger and blow.

The staff moves about, hurried but tempered. There's no sign of the poolshark at this moment. Aromas of various dishes fill the air.

Bob is in the thick of it, before and to one side of the stage. One of his elbows leans on the table and he cups the back of his neck with that hand. He has a heavy tome bound by three brass rings and he's concentrating on transcribing from a weighted parchment into the book, occasionally stopping to look up and smile at the music. He has a pitcher of water and a clear flute along with a half-drunk flagon and a plate he's cleaned-- that's just been collected by the staff to be brought back into the kitchens for washing.

There's a brief sound of fast, fluttering wings that swoops by Robert as he's working on his stationary task. It stops only to be met with a tiny tap-tap-tap of a small, palm sized bird staring up at him with golden eyes. It chirps twice, preening its white plumage before it cocks its head to the side one way. Then another.

Tap-tap-tap. It hops up towards the tome. Does another side-side look at the pages before it chirps again. This time in a tiny, high-pitched voice, "Measure twice, cut once!"

A ribbon clad Egalrin woman is extracting herself from the crowd at the front, she was enjoying the music. "Fiadh! Baby doll! Where'd you run off to...?" the familiar egalrin touts, rubbing her face in confusion during her search.

"Sound... advice for almost any profession," Bob answers with a grin, focusing just long enough to get a perfect circle down on the page. He wipes the pen on the edge of his well and then sets it flat on the table, reaching out finally to gently scritch at the little bird. Standing up, he scans the crowd until he finds Slixvah, folding his tongue against the roof of his mouth to give a little whistle. A wave pairs with the sound and then he points down on his way to sitting again.

The artificer sets to cleaning up his makeshift workspace. The page in his tome is dusted with a pinch of fine powder. Weighting stones are put into the powder pouch and both tucked away. The well is stoppered, pen wiped and placed into a case. A half-dozen tedious tasks performed with meticulous precision and a practiced rhythm.

The woodwinds continue their song. Folks continue to talk. Servers continue to serve. Someone's muttering about rat men and werewolves. A trio of Tarienites are conspiring about their upcoming holiday and grinning mischeviously.

The little bird twitters once at the scritch, enjoying it as they settle down onto the table.

The whistle grabs Slixvah's attention, her letting out a sigh and resting her hands on her hips. She strides up, humming the song that's going on the stage. "Hey hey," she coos to Robert before bending over to lord above the little thrush. "Now why'd you go and fly off, sweetie?"

Fiadh tweets exactly once. "Checking!"

She glances to the human, then laughs, scooping up the familiar and planting them on her shoulder. "Robby Bobby don't need no checking baby cakes. He's a smart man!"

She eyes the workspace. "What'cha workin' on?"

"Compiling schema," Bob answers simply as he puts away the pen and well. He leans forward and blows across the page, then dusts the powder away and indicates the diagrams and notes surrounded by formulae. "More blueprints for things like defensive measures and a translator device..."

The Cerenzan allows some time for curious inspects and then places the unfinished scroll in between pages and closest the book. The cover is heavy and set with a thin sliver of aetherite bordered in copper. The whole thing has been defaced by charcoal and paints in bright colors: stick figures and crude animal drawings, a sun.

"The neighbors were out tonight and the house was too quiet. Still not quite used to that," he grins and gestures to an empty chair. "Join me if you'd like?"

The doors to the main area of the tavern open and are quickly closed behind the arvek-nar who entered, to keep most of the chill out of the air of the warm tavern. She stretches and pulls off her hat as she steps inside, which leads her past the man who was working. "Hope you aren't feeling any urges to make undead." The Arvek-nar grunts. "If you're looking for a way to be busy, there's worse places. And hey, Slix, short time without seeing you. Out exercising again?"

Slixvah hums, "Ahhh, yeah I getcha. More of those doodads you make! Gotta say, that one you showed off last night was grand and a real knee slapper!"

She eyes the scroll a moment longer before shrugging. "I ain't got a clue what's on that. More used to reading arcane jumbo than schematics. But! Don't mind if I do!" she chirps, sliding into a seat next to the man.

She taps the drawing. "Cute, budding artists, eh?"

She cocks her head back, then raises a brow. "Oh hey muscles! Nope! Just got a meal, was bip bop bippin' around like a little social bird!"

Fiadh chirps hello from her shoulder.

The doors swing open again, sweeping in a bluejay egalrin who stops immediately on the threshold. He ducks, in case there are thrown trays, pops up again and squawks at Zofija's back. "Undead? What? I heard the proprietor here was a demon until the ban."

His head whips about as he looks around the place, finally spotting someone, "Bob! Bob? Are you sure here is safe? When was the last brawl? When did the owners last hit customers or staff? Why does it smell like bleach?"

Integrity C. Truefeather, the 'C' is for cacophany, has arrived.

"Two turned out to be," Bob grins, tracing the art with his finger above the cover. "One a painter and the other a dancer like his mother. Thankfully, all had the sense to stay away from contract violence and the black arts," he laughs and then has a drink of water.

The Cerenzan reaches back and lifts his chair, standing and waving Zofija into another with a "miss."

Then I.C. makes his arrival and he's waving him over. "I saved you the seat with your back towards the wall." The big man half turns and gestures up, "and we're beneath the balcony. You only have the kitchen staff to worry about so be sure to give your compliments to the chef..."

"Don't worry, this place is a lost safer than the ox-strength tavern." The arvek-nar chuckles. "How's your head doing? I didn't see you wake up, but that was a nasty smack, and you may not have even see I was there."

"No undead here, just making sure Robert is taking the due precautions with his work is all." She elaborates as she takes the seat. "Heard the food was good here, have you eaten yet though? Any opinions on it?"

Slix blinks, her whiping her head back around to find none other than- "Blue," she greets warmly, though a feathered brow was raised high. "Shug I dunno that validity of that alleged statement 'bout demons. But... honey relax, this place is chill, trust me."

She looks to Bob, her humming and looking down at the drawings with a bit of a distant gaze. "Ah, yes... thankfully none of the black arts. That'd be terrible."

She shakes her head at Zofi. "Ain't nothin' bad, and he's been around the block, don't think he'll muss up anything. And yeah! It's pretty good! Already ate!"

"Oh? Good! I thought I'd have to fight Muscles for it." The bluejay says, approaching the table whilst keeping his briefcase handy and ready to block. It's not a door-shield, but... that didn't work either. He clack-clacks his beak at Fiadh, then Slixvah, and is a brush of feathers moving past Robert.

"It's really weird seeing everyone being social and not brooding alone at tables." He sits with his back to the wall, "Talking about Mircea, he's decided to do that professionally?"

Next he looks over at Slixvah, "it was under investigation, one of the reasons there's the anti-demon ban, allegedly. If it's chill, well," he crosses his legs tightly, "I guess I can relax."

"The braised lamb shanks were... fantastic," Robert advises those in search of food. He makes more room on the table, clearing his things away entirely and arranging them in his pack. "I had to remind myself I need to fit through the door on the way out to keep from ordering seconds."

He smiles, lacing his fingers together and resting them on his stomach as he leans back and laughs. "Twice. Around the block twice," he grins. "Alexandria to Alexandros, Alexandros to the Vast, the Vast to Dragonier, Dragonier to Sendor, and Sendor to..." He turns his head to and fro, running his eyes over the interior of the Tarrace still grinning.

"... I'm allowed to dream," the Cerenzan tells Jay with a side-eyed look as his smile turns lopsided. "He's made his bid at the Royal Academy, Dancer's Grace of Sendor. But knowing Mircy, he'll wake up tomorrow and enlist with a holy order across the border in Ecclesia..." He smiles in a fond sort of exasperation.

Blinking away his musings he does seek to comfort Jay: "The worst I've had happen here is an overworked goblin on the staff falling asleep on my back mid-massage."

"That's what happens when people aren't focused on finding who it is that looks like they can take them in a fight." The Arvek-nar chuckles. "Ah well, guess I'll just eat on my lonesome here, with someone to talk to while I eat. Shame, that."

"No kidding huh? Probably not the strangest story I heard in this place. And there's a lot of stories to tell."

"Lamb shanks a bit on the pricy side, I'll settle for something cheaper. Maybe some stew and fresh bread, that sounds real nice right about now. And, don't go talking too much about what happened. Poor lass seems to care a lot about this place, don't want people thinking she's unreliable."

Slix chirps, gaze flicking down once. "Least this place won't give you an egg check for speaking wrong," she assuages, patting him on the shoulder.

She listens attentively to Robert's musings of familial life and ongoings. "That's swell, hon. Sounds like he's got it goin'."

"Daww, muscles, don't worry! Fiadh will steal a bite or two!" she coos, also patting the Nar on the shoulder.

The familiar stares at Slix. "I am not that mongrel raven."

Slix just ignores the bird and pats them on the head. "Ah, yes, poor Irshya. Maybe she needs a hired hand or five."

"Well I haven't done employment contracts in a while, regular ones." Integrity says, squirming in his seat and crossing his legs harder when Slixvah mentions 'egg check'. "Is she afraid of unions? Does she want a union?"

"The lamb shanks do sound nice. Minty!" The bluejay starts waving, "Hi! Over here! Hi! A server! Can I have some lamb shanks?"

Then, loud enough the kitchen can hear, "A little bird told me the lamb shanks are amazing and a good deal!"

The white, black and blue egalrin settles down some, "You'll let me know if he's performing in Alexandria, right? Would be great to see him again."

"... egg check?" Bob wonders, sitting up and reaching out for his water. "What happened?" He asks before taking a sip.

Then, to Zofija, a tight nod her direction. "For our ears only."

"Best they tell you about it." Zofi snorts. Though her attention is quickly taken by the small bird speaking up. "No kidding huh? Didn't tell me they speak. What an cute little thing." She says, reaching into her bag to pull out some dried crickets which she holds out. "I keep them as treats for Screech sometimes." She explains. "And ah, yeah, I'll just have the stew, myself. Sounds good."

Slix, to answer Robert, just holds an inverted 'V' handshape with two fingers, then flicks a finger to smack right in between them. "Wa-pah."

She chuckles at Blue's antics, shaking her head once. "Hope you're alright after all that, blueberry. Was bit of a wild ride, that day."

The little thrush blinks at Zofija. "I feel somewhat talkative today," they chirp in a high pitched, hollow tone. They look down at the offering, vacating Slix's shoulder to nab just two and to retreat with them. Fiadh drops the crickets to say simply, "It doesn't happen much. Thanks."

"Fiadh /is/ quite cute!" Slix coos.

The gold eyed thrush just preens themselves, nods twice, then gobbles their crickets up.

The bluejay's loud ordering seemed effective, attracting a server who also confirms his drink order, checks on everyone else, then goes to turn it in.

"Yes." He nods vigorously to Slixvah, then bops his attention between Robert and Zofija, "After that incident, allegedly, we followed a wagon to some crossroads. We'd been hired by a gnome, Grinder GoldBells, to find his GoldBells Flower tree, thingy."

"Turns out it was stolen by a mountain of a man," Jay stands, arching his wings to emphasize the size, "who served the Everlasting Mountain, to cure his invalid lover, 'The Crusher'."

"And... and... it was all a trick by fiends, who were trying to use it to go home." He rubs his hand along his beak, "Heartwarming story, really, and it made the papers."

Mikilos wanders his way into the Tarrace, glanceing around with idle curiousity. Plently of interesting things to see in the city, but birdpeople remain a bit of a novel sight. Thus the wizard drifts that direction, nodding politely to those met before.

Watching Slixvah illustrate her turn of phrase, the Cerenzan winces, shifting in his seat. "Ah. The beans," he offers the slang he's more familiar with. "Sorry, kid..."

He scratches his jaw in thought, his stubble making that scritchy noise. "Wait... the papers? That Goldbell?

"... now my lawyer is famous... does this mean your rates are increasing?" Bob wonders, drinking more of his water. The flagon is sitting there, neglected and only half-drunk. "You could've found me, IC. Crusher? Everlasting Mountain? It all sounds a bit beyond your normal caseload."

"Unless you're having a laugh at my expense?" He looks between Slixvah and Integrity.

"Huh, sounds like dangerous business, hope you got paid well enough for that." Zofija grunts. "You know, you don't need to use allegedly like that, people are going to think you aren't telling the truth. Or they're going to think they need to smash some heads in in Blar if you are."

"Maybe I should read the paper here more. You should be alright Robert, as long as you keep your contracts that are already set up at the current rates. Or maybe they don't change, I don't know how much adventuring work transfers over to judicial duties."

Slixvah nods her head along with Integrity, lot's of 'mhmm's and 'yep yep yep's thrown in to help validate the tale. "He ain't mussin' with you, Robby Bobby! And what d'ya know, Blue was so brave during all of that! Standin' up to protect the sick man against the demon! He was holding up a shield just as big as him! If not bigger! I was there!"

She thumbs her beak. "Yeah, that guy was kind of a, let me put it this way, I wanted to beat him with the stick shoved up his...-" she rolls a hand to let the sentence finish.

There's just a flick of a gaze towards the approaching elf, her giving an up-nod in greeting, but not saying anything just yet.

She nods idly with Zofija, her being more blunt about it than her subtle ribbing in the past.

Integrity's attention flits over to Zofija, his head shakes, "No, I'm using it in the correct fashion. People can think what they like and the would be incorrect. Allegedly."

Turning to Robert, "We weren't mentionned by name, which is good, so there's no risk of defamation. The Goldbell contract appeared to be a talk and seek, and I'm good at talking so I didn't think there'd be any danger."

"It got a lot more complicated out in the wilderness." More details are provided, rounding out the tale with Slixvah's assistance. "She was amazing, by the way. With the talking, and identifying the demons. OH! We also had a war golem with us, and cat dwarf and a dog."

He circles back to an earlier topic mentionned, "There's a couple, I was reading recent cases. The city put a gaes on a Seer, there was an adventurer framed for murder, allegedly, still awaiting execution and further discovery, and some civil suits for damages and defamation."

Mikilos offers a slight bow. "Peace unto your nests." he intones, mashing two cultures. Badly. 'This is the GoldBell situation?' he inquires, switching to Trade. 'Yet another merchant making deals with devils? I suppose there's something to be said for following market trends.' <auran>

"Well... good job, both if you. If that man is a diabolist and you got him locked up that's wonderful. Just make sure you keep being careful, please," Bob adds the addendum mostly for Jay.

The big Cerenzan looks up at Mikilos, smiling a friendly smile but blinking blanky when he speaks in Auran. "I'm afraid I rented a donkey from one of his businesses... but never did meet the man himself." He thinks and laughs, remembering, "Pretty sure the boy they had at the stables still had the smell of his mother's milk on his breath. Start them young, apparently..."

"Allegedly only works when there isn't proof of it. In which case, sounds like you need some more confidence in your own deduction." The arvek-nar barks in laughter, taking the stew she received and tearing into the bread it came with. "Never heard of cat dwarves before, but I don't know too many dwarves, either. Could be something I haven't heard of."

"Nothing good comes from dealing with fiends. I hope they got what was coming to them in that case."

"Nothing wrong with working when you're young though. I can understand that."

Slixvah softly sighs. "Hate to say it, Blueberry, but Zofija is right."

She bobs her head some, her smiling with her eyes. "Thanks sugar. I just did what I do, that's all. And the people with us was Khepri, Shilde, and Rocky the dog. Wasn't anything but, Muscles. Just Shilde could turn into a big kitty. Was pretty slick, if you ask me."

She pinches her brows at hearing Auran. Chirping in greeting, "Hey hey. Though, I got feathers, not scales. Appreciate the sentiment though! What's good, tall boy?"

"It's actually for when there isn't proof beyond a reasonable doubt, as determined by a judge, tribunal or jury of peers, and when a case is pending but I look forward to your bar exam." Integrity laughs, "Anyhow, they took him based on what the war-golem turned in."

The bird looks briefly thoughtful, perhaps pondering whether Goldbell needs a lawyer. He is familiar with the case.

The bluejay waves at Mikilos, "Hello, hello! Have a seat. What's your opinion on smiles?"

Mikilos smiles to Slixvah. "A nest is a nest, whomever sits within it. Nothing much happening on my end of things. Part of why come out to hear the news. The papers do their part, but tend to leave out the interesting details." Nodding to Jay, the elf takes a seat, frowning mildly. "Smiles? Can't say as I've given them too much thought, but generally approve. A fake smile isn't great, but that's the fault of the lie behind it, not the smile itself."

Having caught sight of someone yawning, Robert finds himself covering his mouth and squinting his eyes shut. It's a long process. He arches his back and finishes with a heavy sigh, blinking. "Heavens me," he marvels as he rubs his face.

The chair clatters a bit as he scoots back, bending to collect up his bag. "'Everyone smiles in the same language,'" he offers Jay with a grin and a wink even as he stands.

"These old bones have an early day. You kids stay out of trouble," he rolls the pack onto a shoulder and nods at Mikilos. "Ser."

"You're speaking only in the legal sen- ah, forget it." The arvek-nar grumbles and sighs. At least there's a small bird close enough at hand to pet. "Ah, druid types, I get you. That makes a lot more sense, and I'm glad it's not some were lion or something like that. Enough of those here as it is thse days."

"Heading out already? Night's still young old man." Zofi chuckles. "I'll stay out of trouble long as it doesn't find me, so don't you worry about that."

Zofi stops to consider the question, and she nods. "Genuine smiles are great. Specially if it's people you like or care about, so you know you're doing something right. Wouldn't mind seeing if I could get Ash to smile, I bet she'd have a cute one."

Slixvah stares at Integrity. Just stares. "For someone who's so book smart, you should read between the lines some time," she chirps warmly. Though that warmth just blunted the jab.

She shakes her head, looking over to the elf and chuckling. "Fair enough, hon. Wasn't much, just some merchant man made a deal and some fiends wanted to exploit a healthy marriage. Damn demon got away. Smiles though? I love them!"

She can't smile. She has a beak.

"I can't smile, I have a beak! But that doesn't stop me from trying!"

She waves a ribbon-clad wing to Robert. "Nice to see you again so soon, hon. Don't overwork yourself!"

She glances to Zofija and giggles, her elbowing the Nar in the side knowingly.

"Interesting!" The bluejay says once the smile poling is complete, although he glances with confusion at the other Egalrin. This is followed by "Who?" as a new name enters the conversation.

Then, "Wait, wait Bob! I got paid! Here, for the Mithril" Integrity pulls out a fat pouch and holds it out. "Ah, that was a bit loud. Oops. Need... ah... someone to watch your back on the way home?"

Mikilos considers. "Isn't Ashes usually grinning? Or at least her mask is. Does that count?" He looks to Slixvah. "Happen to know the name of the demon? What sort it was. Curious if was working alone, or part of something bigger." ((Hopes is remembering Ashes correctly))

There's a laugh and Bob turns back, reaching to take the money. He lowers it into the bag and pulls out a polished five-pound sledge, dropping it into a loop. Then he takes out an Embigginer and hooks it on his belt. "Safe as can be, IC. Thanks... but miss Slixvah might want the same and I'm happy to defer."

The backpack goes on in full and he hoists the straps up, clapsing a buckle across his chest. "At my age and with all the people I care for, my prayers take longer than an Eliday's servce," he grins at Zofija. His hand curls into a loose fist and he bumps that over his twice in salute before turning and heading out.

"Well, you got most of it taken care of, between the two of you and the others." Zofija grins to her friend. "Do you? Well, here's one on the house since you can't make them yourself!"

The slight jab make the arvek-nar jump, and cough on some of the stew she was eating. "Ah, just someone I met in the city is all. And that's not the same Mikilos, I mean, a genuine smile from the 'nar herself."

"True, that's right. Zofija chuckles. "I don't doubt Slix wouldn't mind an escort home, and it sounds like you were a big help despite what you said on that job."

Slixvah shrugs. "Was a Vermlek demon and a Tripurasura devil, working together, weirdly enough. We managed to off the devil, but the demon squirrelled away and gone. Dunno their names."

She cocks her head to the side at the transaction, her watching things get traded. She squints a bit, then chuckles, shaking her head with a shrug of a wing. "Take care hon," she returns the gesture, thudding her chest twice with a fist.

She glances to Zofija, and she crosses her legs. "He was. Allegedly," she coyly hums, squinting at Truefeather. "That's up to Blue if he wants to endure my presence further. But yeah, we got it taken care of. I hope Goldbell enjoys his penance for his dumbassery."

"Urgle was the Vermlek's name, allegedly. He was acting as GoldBell's gardener, discovered the nature of the Gold Bells by exhuming one of the earlier heir's coffins, and used that as blackmail until it met the Tripurasura." The bluejay rattles off, "according to the divinations and lore spells the temples ran. Did you know most evidence discovered through magic is considered hearsay and isn't admissable in this jurisdiction?'

"That's a severe handicap. Handicap!"

"The Goldbell situation is even more complicated. He made his contract six generations ago, before Alexandria enacted the ban on demonic contracts, which was last year. He had another twenty four generations to go, and he's a halfling, so that's four thousand, eight hundred years of contract to go, give or take a few years of faking his death overlapping."

The bluejay bobs his head at that. "if they give him life... the city is only a thousand years old, allegedy, you're talking jail for five times as long as it has existed. Or, they break it, and the demon comes and gets him early, but... an involuntary breach of contract might let him escape the consequences..."

His head whips around to look at Slixvah, "Do you want to walk home? I don't care what happens to him."

Mikilos frowns. "Demons and devils working together is always bad news. Their long mutual hatred helps keep the universe in balance." He nods thoughtfully at the info dump, considering a few moments. "And charmed confessions are not admissable either. Thankfully once guilt is known, finding admissable evidence is typically just a matter of time."

"There's ways around magical compliance unfortunately, it can be faked just as much as magic can be used to fabricate evidence." Zofi chuckles. "Not that it doesn't have it's place, but it's best used as a supplement, like Mikilos said."

"That's the problem with a lot of laws. What's a punishment made for a human to an egalrin? And what's a egalrin or elf punishment given to a human or other shorter lived races?"

"It's all important to consider. As for walking home, I don't see why Slix wouldn't mind, but it's up to her in the end."

Slixvah giggles at Jay's antics. "It is a right complicated mess. A mess that I am oh so glad to not deal with. Goldbell gonna learn what my momma taught me: 'fuck 'round and find out'."

The thought of using magic to retrieve information isn't touched on by the fortune teller. If she had a drink, she'd be sipping on it. Instead she opts to bob her head. Fiadh looks at her and preens a feather on their master. "Thanks sugar," she whispers to the little thrush on her shoulder.

The sudden question whipped over towards her makes the white plumed Egalrin jump in her seat. She clears her throat and smooths back her crown feathers. "Ah. Uh- S... sure? Or are you just going to allegedly do that and nothing comes of it."

"That's a matter for discovery and jury is still out!" Integrity says enthusiastically, leaning to tap beaks with Slixvah. "I'll get boxes!"

Then he's out of his seat and off to the kitchen. Then he's back, with boxes, and the leftovers are packed and tied up with a bow.

"Nice meeting you, tall guy!" The bluejay bows, sweeping a wing towards Mikilos. He straightens and waves the same wing at Zofija, "Good seeing you again, Muscles."

Crest perked, wings popped, he hops in place holding a hand out for Slixvah, "Okay, let's go! Let's go!"

Mikilos nods to Zofi. "Classist laws as well. A legal fine of say, five gold, is a crippeling debt to a common farmer. To an adventurer, it's a rounding error." He glances between the two bird of a ruffled feather, unfamiliar with how much subtext to read into.

>Clack< go the beaks. And Slixvah stills as Integrity flies out to the kitchen.

She blinks. And blinks again. "... did he just...?"

Fiadh chirps in her high pitched, hollow voice, "The C stands for Courage."

The fortune teller snorts and shakes her head, rising and giving Zofija a side hug with a wing. "Keep it real, Muscles. Catch you on the flip."

To Mikilos. "Ah. Name's Slix. We'll get better met later, yeah? See ya string bean."

She looks down at the hand. Back up to to the bluejay, then back down to the hand. She just laughs, takes the hand, and walks out nonchalant with the bouncy bluejay.

"Told you Slix, it's too easy for you." The Arvek-nar teases before the blue egalrin returns. "Good to meet you again too, Tegri." Zofi chuckles. "You two have a good night."

She turns to her meal, and shakes her head. "Don't feel like eating cold stew, so I'll be staying here for now I think. Maybe stop for another bath before I head out. And yeah, gold is tough for too many people. Problem is where to draw the line on how specific the laws get. But that's for another night. I'm gonna finish this off, then have a bath, and I gotta go make some deliveries. Some noble is having a stargazing party, and he ordered wine from the myrrish kingdoms for it."

The arvek-nar looks to the bar, and sighs. "It would be so easy to just buy a bottle from here instead, I doubt they could even tell the difference."

-End Scene-