Mist Fortune

Log Info

• Title: Mist Fortune
• Emitter: Ashes
• Characters: Ashes, Jozi
• Place: A07: Fernwood Pub
• Time: Monday, August 17, 2020, 7:06 PM
• Summary: Ashlee is in the Fernwood, sitting under the stairs and reading a fortune to the future of Merkabah Airship Warship. All the cards are coming up extremely positive, suggesting success, community building, bringing people together. So positive in fact, she wonders if the spirits are somehow being sarcastic. Jozi enters, greets the staff, and finds the skull-faced Arvek interesting enough to join her table. Chippen is introduced and the two talk. Ash explains she usually eats in Goblintown. Her tattoos are discussed, and she explains they are because she was still-born. Jozi's horse bow prompts Ash to ask if she was in the cavalry, she wasn't, but it turns out the mourner has been. Ash abruptly tells of how she was with a company that became lost in the mist, then silently destroyed by something in it, and that she doesn't like walking when its foggy. Jozi offers to see her home, as th current weather is a thick fog, and the two depart.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A07: Fernwood Pub *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The common room of the Fernwood Pub dominates the inn, spacious and airy because of the high, vaulted ceiling. Ornately carved beams of dark, polished wood form a lattice overhead, supporting the arched roof two storeys above the floor. To the right of the double-door entry is a spiral staircase, winding upwards to a balcony that rings and overlooks the main area. Large windows at this level grant an excellent view of the river to the west and colorful market stalls to the north and east. An air of coziness is salvaged by keeping the pub dimly lit; parchment-shrouded mana lanterns hang at intervals from the base of the balcony, nestled amongst lush, magically propagated ivy and ferns that grow over this false demi-ceiling and the struts that support it.

The bar is sleek and simple, comprised of meticulously polished black lacquer. Tables are set under the darker niches formed by the balcony floor as well as on the balcony itself. A few are deliberately sized to accommodate halflings and gnomes, but the majority are meant for human-sized individuals. A large common table is on the main floor, set before a semi-circular stage situated against the western wall. Beside it, with pipes mounted upon the wall and running up past the balcony and almost to the ceiling, is a refurbished pipe organ made to look like the one lost when the Fernwood was destroyed during the Merkabah Siege.

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  Appearing, in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ashes        5'11"    177 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face
Jozi         5'8"     148 Lb     Half-Orc          Female    A brunette half-orcess with a sunny disposition.
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It's a grey day. Everything is veiled in mist, keeping the air still and humid. As evening approaches it grows very dark. The shutters are closed on the Fernwood, the interior lit by mana lights.

It's a slow evening, only one of the servers is on, and the demand on her is low. She's taken to doing exercises in the corner, squats and lunges, and other repetitions to work her legs. Perhaps it was a 'top-heavy' comment she received a few days ago, but something has made the half-sil self conscious about her proportions.

Under the stairs, seated in the shadows with her back against the wall, is a skull-faced Arvec Nar. She has a row of cards spread out in front of her like a defensive wall. A glass of wine, dark red, which she occasionally takes a sip from. Her centipede currently guards it, resting on the rim.

Mostly, she stares. At the other patrons, at the bartender, at the bouncing half-elf and at the door.

Ashlee picks up her cards and shuffles them with slow, careful motions. Her mind is largely empty, going through the motions, she has no topic in mind. The augury will only work with a question, although she hasn't been the best at asking ones that resolve.

Blar, and the gobbos building for him, cross her mind. She focuses on what brought her to Alexandria in the first place, and the airship warship construction in the skirts of Merkabah.

"How will it end?"

She deals the cards out in front of her.

The first card she lays down is the Chariot. Arvec Nars are not known for smiling, and Ash is not an exception, but this almost makes her. "Yes," she tells the card in her disinterested monotone, "we are talking about a vehicle, made by goblins. It will be reckless, ramshackle and fast. So it will be a success."

The next card she turns over shows a lion, Strength. Ashlee nods, "So it will be strong, or perhaps compassionate. And persuasive."

She takes a sip of her wine, Chippen crawling onto her head. "With all the Thunderbelchers, it will be. Strong and Persuasive."

This is followed by the Page of Cups, a card from a suit that signifies creativity, the unconscious, creativity and intuition. Ash stares at it, "The best interpretation I can come up with is that it will allow goblinoids to freely express themselves."

In time, the door opens, allowing the entrance of a somewhat smallish half-orc. A subtle sheen of dust and sweat adorns her skin, but she bears a hearty smile on her lips and she greets the room with, "Hey all, how ya doin?"

The card at the top of the horse-shoe spread is the Three of Cups. It's upright, like all the others. Ashlee stares at it after she turns it over. Chippen runs down her hair, along her arm, then across the card.

"It means friendship. Community. Social events." The ashen Arvec is starting to wonder if her deck is sarcastic. Perhaps it is attuned to her, "I suppose a war is a social, group event."

Her head raises, she looks across the room at the door and the half-oruch who has enetered. Perhaps the card was warning her that something social was about to occur. She raises her hand in a slight wave.

It's the half-sil server who responds more energetically. She's in front of Jozi, jogging in place, bouncing a little, sweating a lot. "Hey! Hi! Where would you like to sit!"

The rest of the Fernwood makes a collective noise that is somewhat positive.

Jozi gives the room a smile, returning the half-sil's exuberance, "Hey, Kaeryn, just you tonight?" she wonders. The gloomy Arvek's greeting tinges her expression with curiosity, but she lifts the unbladed hand to wave back her way then, "Just a warm plate of whatever's easiest on ya, an an ale, please, sugar?" she asks familiarly. Niceties exchanged, orders placed, she does venture over toward the grim lady's table, "Evenin' sugar, how's it treatin ya?" she starts.

"Yep! Just me. The fog kept everyone at home." Kaeryn says. She doesn't put her leg up on the bar and stretch, but she looks like she really wants to. "Okay. Special and an ale!"

The order is passed to Bill and the kitchen, and she heads in to the kitchen

Ash looks up, focusing on Jozi. Her eyes shiny and unblinking deep in the sockets of her skull marking. She answers in a simple monotone, "I'm ok."

Straightforward.

Jozi spares the table a quick glance, canting her head at the antics of the bug. Hm. Familiar? There's a little nod and, "That's good. Yer little friend's well fed. Don't nomally see'm that big." she observes.

"Thanks." Ash isn't sure if she should elaborate further, while most people understand familiars, they might not be familiar, so to speak, with how close they end up being to their partners. A few people would get squeamish hearing a dog eats from their owner's dinner plate, a lot more are likely to if they hear a centipede is starting and finishing the meal.

Only half the table is occupied, the Arvec has made herself a figurative wall with her deck of cards, plate and wine-glass. The rest is open, there are chairs. She sits in the shadow cast by the stairs to the second level. "Did you want to sit?"

Jozi grew up on a farm. Bugs are usually kept under control in the house by critters like them, and spiders, though, yeah, generally not that big.

Jozi looks into the glittering eyes and, "If it's no imposition, sugar. Thank ya kindly." she says with a smile, drawing out a chair to settle in. She absently worries at the buckles of her clawed gauntlet and removes it before finally sitting and setting the Oruch fashion satement to one side, "Name's Jozi, an you are?"

"My name is Ashlee Ciardh. I prefer Ash." The grey Arvec says, replying in monotone. She watches silently as Jozi sits, then returns to her cards. She flips over the last three in succession, Two of Swords, Seven of Cups, and Queen of Pentacles.

Food arrives with a sweaty half-elf and a cushioned hug, bumpers pressing against Jozi's neck as she leans and places the special and a mug of ale in front of her. "Here you go! Call me if you need me!" She bounds away.

Ash silently turns her head, watching her retreat, then looking back at her cards. Finally she faces Jozi once more. "The Blar Airship will be a success."

"That's a very pretty name, it's nice ta meetcha, Ash!" the half oruch replies cheerily. She smiles a bit at the fullsome hug and, brings her arms around the half-sil for a brief squeeze, "Thanks sugar!" She then turns to her special and regards the Arvek for a moment, "Perhaps, though I imagine it's got people twitching."

"It will be successful in community engagement." Ash says flatly, gathering up her cards. She shuffles them slowly, cuts and shuffles them some more, then sets the deck down. "A Public Relations spirit appears to be talking through the cards this time."

Not a disagreement, or an agreement.

The ashen Arvec sits and stares quietly. Her centipede scurries over to her plate and appears to be eating a bite or two, before rearing up in a way that suggests it is looking at the half-oruch. "Chippen says hi," She adds, after the antics.

Then, as if someone reminded her, she says, "What's your name?"

"That's one way ta put it." Jozi replies dubiously, then she shrugs, "It'll affect politics fer sure, but if the wrong guy gets at the helm, it may touch off some bad times." She starts to reach for her cup when the centipede's antics draw her eye again and she watches, brow arching high as it rears up on her, "Hey Chippen, I'm Jozi, it's" wierd, "nice ta meetcha!"

Ash nods slowly. She doesn't express it, but this is a success. One of the suggestions in her pamphlet is to talk about local politics, and the conversation has checked that box. Feeling accomplished, she simply stares quietly at Jozi, watching her reach for her cup. She reaches for her wine-glass, slowly, intending to pick it up the same time as the half-oruch does.

Chippen, meanwhile, runs into the sleeve of the arm she has resting on her the table. He re-emergers from Ashes' collar, then encircles her neck. Tucking in his legs, he resembles a segmented chocker with a decorative fitting. The fitting being his head.

"He's happy to meet you too." Ash says, deadpan voice.

"Fetchin' fashion accessory, Ash!" Jozi quips lightly, then resumes taking up her cup, hoisting it up for a quiet toast, "To a nice meeting." She doesn't realize the Arvek's inner appraisals of the scneario, but she does seem to feel that this is a good thing as well. She gives a warm smile and, "CHeers." before taking a sip.

Ash raises her glass as well, and takes a sip. A very small sip, and the dark red wine lingers on her lips giving her some unexpected colour. She nods also, says a monotone, "Cheers." She places her glass back down.

Her head turns, she's looking at some of Jozi's gear, "You have a horseman's bow. Were you with cavalry?"

Jozi shakes her head, "Someone I used ta know was, I think. I use it because it's not as bulky as a regular bow. Has a pretty hefty draw to it, though." she says, lowering her cup, "Not every problem's good ta face up close, or moves too fast ta chase down." She refrains from glancing at her Orcish claws, but instead, "But ya recognized it... Were you?"

"Yes." Ashlee says. She takes a piece of meat off the special in front of her, puts it in her mouth and chews. Rhythmically and slowly she works on it before she swallows. Her choker, Chippen, adjusts as her neck flexes, walking backwards and forwards in place and finally tightening up again. It occurs to the mourner that perhaps more information is appropriate. She's been staring at Jozi the whole time.

"I was with the Blar Military, Heavy Cavalry units, occasionally Light Cavalry. Healers aren't usually re-assigned but I was. They thought I was unlucky."

Jozi nods thoughtfully and starts to work her utensiles upon her own special, "People do have certain ways about them." she says in a considered tone. She brings a bite to her lips, chews, swallows then, "May I ask about your tattoos?" in a more gentle one. The centipede's adjustment to his mistress's eating is novel, but she imagines they've had years to get used to each other, though she's not convinced the Arvek is really that much older than she, herself.

Ash takes another mouthful of food. She's chewing, so she doesn't answer the question immediately. There is the dance of swallowing, then she says, "Ok."

It's not an easy question, as she's not sure of the answer herself. She narrates in flat tones, "I was stillborn. My skull was to mark that. I added the rest later."

Jozi blinks wide eyed for a moment, then, after a moment of concern, she smiles warmly and says, "You're meant ta be somethin' very special, I imagine." There's a moment's pause, then, "Or ya really wanned ta live." Because sometimes people aren't big on 'destiny'.

The ashen Arvec nods slowly to both responses. Perhaps she's thought about it, though it might also be a subject she doesn't want to dwell on. She seems willing enough to own it, especially when she extends her hand so more of it shows from her sleeve. She has stylized bones tattooed on the back, and when she turns it over, her palm and the inside of her arm also. They won't be visible from all angles, but they're visible from enough. There are segments on her neck. "Thanks."

Jozi nods, "Welcome." she returns, and goes into another bite of the special. She does note the inking of the other woman's fingers, the specificity taken to a particular extreme, but it's what the woman wanted to do, apparantly, "Do you come here a lot, Ash?"

Ash shakes her head, "Sometimes. I usually eat in goblintown. It was misty today, so I stopped in." She withdraws her hand. It does seem like a useful question, and perhaps would be good to know. "You know the staff. Do you come here a lot?"

"I rent a room here." Jozi replies casually, "Rates aren't bad, the clientelle's generally reasonable and the service's good." THere's even warm, squishy hugs, but she doesn't elaborate on that part, "I think it's been a good night."

Ashlee stares through the explanation. Jozi has her full attention, which can be intense. In the shadows as she is, her skull face reflects the light of the mana lamps, making her seem more ghostly, or at least on the creepier side. She slowly takes another sip from her wine glass. It's half-empty now.

"It has been. I like the walk."

"Walking's good for you." Jozi replies, taking another bite, washing it down, then working on another, "Do you have a place, Ash?" she wonders.

"In Goblintown," the ashen Arvec says, making a brief gesture towards herself, "because Goblin. It's noisy and chaotic. I like it."

She goes silent again, taking another mouthful of food, chewing. Eating, talking, staring, are of equal value to her and she switches between them without much social awareness or consideration.

"Sometimes I sleep in the catacombs."

Jozi has a playful little smile on her lips, "You have that feel about ya." She works on another couple of bites, then spears a third, and sets it onto a napkin to slide the woman's way, "Case Chippen's still hungry."

"Thanks." Ashes says, reaching out to take the napkin, she draws it closer. Chippen uncoils from her neck and runs down her arm, and then starts working on the bite. It will take him longer than either of the two to eat it.

"The Third Heavy Cavalry unit was assigned to do a flanking maneuver as part of a seige action. On the morning of the battle, there was a mist, and when we engaged it got stronger. Visibility got short. I told the lance commander the signs weren't good. He said to stay at the back and follow. It got so dark I could only see the rear of the horse in front of me."

"We moved fast, then the unit slowed down. The horse in front of me stopped. I stopped. I didn't hear anything. Then the horse fell over, just the back legs. Something had ripped the front and rider away. Silently. My horse and I backed up." Her entire tale is told matter-of-factly, in monotone. She hasn't stopped staring.

"So I don't like to walk alone in the mist."

Jozi frowns, eyebrows knitting, "Awww sugar, that's a terrible thing ta go through..." she says tenderly. She reaches accross the table to try and take the Arvek's hand, "I can go with ya t'night if it's still bad out, alright?"

Ashlee doesn't move her hand, and she feels warm and lively enough. She nods slowly to the offer. "Thanks. I'm not afraid, I just don't like it."

Her centipede nibbles away. She looks at him, her deck of cards, her wine-glass, still half full, the windows. "Company would be nice."

"Never said ya was, sugar." Jozi says with a wan smile, "I like company, myself, too." She watches the familiar continues to nom on her morsel. She nods and takes another swig of her drink and allows some silence from her end as she finishes her dinner.

Ash is quiet happy to concentrate on eating silently. She seems to relax, once she doesn't have to think up things to say. Her wine is sipped, small sips. She works through the special of the day, and also sets aside another piece for Chippen. Hopefully he'll grow bigger and stronger, although that might take some magic. She briefly imagines him being the length of her spine. He could pretend to be the backbone she has tattooed on her back. That would be pretty striking, but she would have to disrobe enough for someone to see it, and that won't happen. As her happy daydream runs its course, and her food runs out, she focuses on Jozi again. "I'm ready to leave, if you are."

Jozi dines quietly, the companionable silence allowed to bloom as the two women simply enjoy each other's company without having to fill the space with needless noise. At least, that's how Jozi is considering things, unaware of Ash's interest in her particular fashion. As she finishes, and in time, Ash announces her readiness, she nods with a little smile and an, "Of course, just a second." She rises, taking up her gaunlet before approaching the bar, fishing out some coinage to set on the bar, "Fer Kaeryn, an a little something fer yerself, Bill. See ya in a bit!" and she moves back to the table, fitting her claws back into place, "All set!"

Ash takes up her deck of cards, wraps them in a cloth and slips them in her satchel. She places her hand near her centipede and he runs up her hand, then coils around her wrist like a bracelet. She takes his leftover food, wraps it in the napkins and slip those into the satchel in a different pocket. Drifting around the table she says, "I'm ready."

Her clothes are worn, even in the light they seem muted, their finery faded and some evidence of chemical and spell damage. They're still whole enough, but make her easy to miss. A couple extra coins are placed beside the ones for Kaeryn and Bill.

She nods, following Jozi.

Dramatis Personae

Ashes
She has a skull for a face.

On second glance it is a tattoo, white on her warm grey skin. Her nose is a coal black patch while her hair is a lighter, cooler grey. The hair has wavy, thick strands that clump together. Piercings and other decorations enhance her markings, creating a sugar skull, a festive death. Ashlee Ciaradh is not festive. She is a quiet, somber Arvec Nar. A little creepy. It's the way the hollows around her eyes are emphasized, her stare. The heavy jaw with all the teeth tattoos.

There's a chill around her, one unlike that caused by cold weather. A quietness of the tomb. Her clothes are dark, a short half-jacket over a shirt with dark slacks. She has a very battered bag slung over her shoulder, one that seems older than she is.

Jozi
An orc-blooded lass of around eighteen and close to five an three quarter feet in height, Jozi carries herself with an easy, jaunty gait and an expression of sunny warmth.

Her small nose is straight under a slightly heavy brow. The large golden pools of her eyes, alert, if atwinkle with mirth are swift to align on whatsoever catches her interest. Her skin is somewhat fair, though given a notable olive tinge by her ancestry, and through good fortune or copious use of alchemy, shows none of the blemishes of hard living. Her nut brown hair spills in a sort of peekabo arrangement back over her shoulders to the small of her back.

Her attire at the present is largely militant, timeworn and well cared for, though almost nothing is of exceptional make. A scaled arrangement of blue dyed leather brigantine that ends in a kilt hemmed above the knee at the front and around the calf at the back provides the moorings for a steel breastplate burnished to a satin finish. Working back around her waist along her equipment belt are several pouches, dagger, canteen and the double frogs for her prong faced warhammer. Her feet are clad in hard soled knee boots of black leather rivetted in brass. Her left hand is clad in an open finger sleeve of steel-reinforced leather, and from the back of her fist, three slightly splayed blades extend in flat arcs several inches past her fingertips with enough clearance to spare her needless bleeding. Finally, in a pouch riding a baldric at her back is an exotic horseman's shortbow parallel to a quiver stuffed with arrows fletched blue and white.