Not the Bird You are Looking For
Log Info
- Title: Not the Bird You are Looking For
- Emitter: Irshya
- Place: A03: The TarRaCe, Colosseum District
- Time: Saturday the 24th of December
- Summary: An unconventional Egalrin graces the TarRaCe with his mysterious presence... but he claims not to be who Irshya thought he was (and definitely not to have a treasure map)!
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* The TarRaCe *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Inside, this two-story structure has been almost completely opened up. Generous windows on both stories allow daytime sunlight and cooling night breezes to flow in as needed, while the brick walls have been whitewashed - contrasting with the dark-stained beams and supports, and the rich polish on the wooden floor. A broad strip of stone runs from the entrance to a framed doorway set into the opposite wall, with a sign above the lintel declaring that the baths are to be found that way.
The ground floor is sprinkled with tables and chairs of assorted sizes, offering welcome to guests both large and small. One whole corner of the building - into which guests are not permitted entry - has been given over to the kitchen, which serves as the domain of the famed monster chef Ligum Serforus. Mundane meals are available, but the chef delights in offering up obscure dishes made from the freshest of monster ingredients.
Opposite the kitchen a small bar runs in front of an array of shelves, displaying a broad selection of beverages (most of them alcoholic). The bar-top has been fashioned from what looks to have been old pieces of armor, fused and welded together before being polished to provide a near-smooth finish. Set above it, three human-sized statues have been built into an alcove in the wall: Tarien, Rada and Ceinara jointly keep benevolent watch over the room and its occupants.
To the right of the entrance, a small stage offers a platform for a handful of performers at a time. To the left of the door, a spiral staircase of wrought iron winds its way up to a balcony dining area, that is chiefly reserved for special events and parties.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The snow falls thickly, blown into thick drifts that huddle around corners and in doorways. People come and go quickly, not wanting to linger in the cold and the driven snow.
Inside the Tarrace, the lights are low, with the fire responsible for the warmth and cheer. The remaining customers have gathered at tables near the fire, with the staff busily moving back and forth between them, the bar and the kitchen.
The daily special is cockatrice stew, with a pumpkin base, and a variety of vegetables. Thick slices of fresh, crusty bread are served with the stew, with hot chocolate and apple cider being the popular drinks.
Irshya has settled at one of the smaller tables near the bar, her bare feet resting on the hearth, toe wiggling in the heat. She works through a larger bowl of stew, and nurses a mug of hot chocolate. From time to time, she exchanges comments and one liners with the staff as they pass by.
A steady flow of people in and out. Mostly in. Lots of people in. A particularly large group of people slips inside the TarRaCe, bolsterous and having a good time. "'ey, Gjord! 'Ave at the ale, 'kon t'tae a table at 'ere too." One of the more accent thick people says before walking away to head deeper into the tavern.
Somewhere along the way, his cloak slips off him and seems to walk off on his own. Trailing behind a passing waiter, the cloak turns into a slowly walking hooded person that seats himself by the bar.
A bundle of rolled up papers and coins is laid out in front of him. "Caw-" The egalrin begins, before he catches himself. "... ale?"
Not too far behind comes another recent arrival - though Ygraine was, as usual, delayed just inside the door to divest herself of stray snow and to offer her respects to the statues of the three goddesses who oversee the establishment. Then she, too, headed for the bar... trying to move with a degree of stealth amidst the bustle, in hope of avoiding disturbing Irshya just yet. Allowing her friend to continue warming her toes seems the kind thing to do, after all. And surprising her might be fun, as well!
"Mulled wine and some of that delicious-smelling stew and bread for me, when you get the chance," she smiling requests of the bar-tender, before politely nodding a greeting to the egalrin.
The bartender finds themselves suddenly busy, the half-Orc lady working the taps with a practiced ease. Drinks are distributed efficiently. The Eagilrin's drink is placed before them with a light thump, while the barkeep nods to one of the nearby staff, who turns and disappears into the kitchen.
Irshya continues to work through her stew, the noise from the influx of people seemingly ignored for the moment.
The hooded corvid was obviously not used to getting nods - or indeed attention - because the nod seems to make him jump on his seat a bit. The rolled papers are quickly rolled and just... disappear with a swipe of a palm. The black beady eyes go sideways, up, and down. Someone may have called it panic.
Then something changes. Shoulders are rolled back, posture straightened, and a more lax leaning forward motion is pushed against the counter. Ale is raised, before it is raised towards Ygraine. "Hey." A really deep, bass like sound says.
"Thank you!", Ygraine calls to the departing server (and the barwoman). Then she grins and inclines her head to the hooded egalrin. "Don't mind me. If you would rather be left alone, I can certainly accommodate you in that. But... in the midst of the Yule season in particular, it seems nice to greet people. Or so I think. I'm sorry if it's at all unwelcome!"
She casts a glance towards Irshya, still hoping to be able to surprise the toes-toasting tyke.
A mug of mulled wine is slipped before Ygraine, followed by a plate of thickly cut, and buttered, crusty bread, and a bowl of cockatrice stew.
The barkeep nods to Ygraine, smiling broadly. She continues to pass out ales and beers, and collecting the emptied glasses.
The Gobbo continues to warm herself by the fire, seemingly content in her stew and hot chocolate, with the occasional smattering of chat with the servers that pass by.
The barkeep peers at the Egalrin. "Treasure map?", she wonders, of the quickly hidden roll of paper.
Phew. Good. Alone. Except he already committed by greeting. "It is nice to be greeted by nice people. In Yule." The egalrin responds with full blown confidence, raising his ale mug to click at Ygraine's. A veneer that nearly instantly bursts a map is pointed out.
A flutter of cloak and Crik swirls around on his stool. "Why treasure?" He asks with a completely confused sounding voice. He was not confused. Tail bobs up and down. "... this one has no maps."
Ygraine meets the offered mug with her own, flashing a grin. "I suspect that the city sees rather a lot of treasure maps, real and otherwise," she observes amiably. "But I am happy to leave you to your study of whatever that is, if you like. I have a dear friend over there, whom I want to surprise with a hug, and I would not want to impose on a stranger who would rather be left alone. But... if you would like to meet her yourself, she is truly quite delightful." The barkeep, she trusts to already know that fact.
The barkeep smiles and rolls her shoulders in a shrug, turning to send a couple of ales sliding down the bartop. "You had a roll of papers, so I was just taking a guess as to why you were quick to hide them away. A slick entrance too, by the way." The half-Orc offers Crik a sly wink, before she glances to Ygraine to nod.
Irshya seems oblivious to much of the crowd, simply enjoying the warmth of the fire on her toes, and the stew. Which seems to be nearly finished. She pauses to wolf down her crusty bread slices, fast enough that one might not be certain if she chewed on them at all.
Crik definitely needs to work on his entrances. "N-no study." The egalrin creaks out. Then coughs. "Sorry, stuck throat." A deep voice continues, before he gestures with his arm and a flutter of his wing alike, urging Ygraine alone to meet their friend.
"There were no papers." The cloaked shape says, making a vaguely circular gesture at the half-oruch barkeep. "You did not see any papers."
Laughing softly, Ygraine ducks her head - flashing a grin at the bartender before nodding cheerfully to Crik. "Come on, then," she encourages, carefully collecting her plate as well as her drink. Those, she bears across to where Irshya quietly cooks (and stuffs her face in typically delicate fashion), trying her best to approach as if she were a server delivering another set of supplies. Leaning in to set her burdens into place, she then turns her head and greets her friend with the well-known mark of respect: "Boo!"
The barkeep eyes the fingers and gesture, and she shakes her head. "Uh huh. I could locate them on your person for you. If you are disputing my observation." She grins again, but this time there's a few too many teeth in the smile. Her attention is drawn by more requests for refills, and she steps away to deal with them.
The Gobbo is has just started to guzzle down her hot chocolate when Ygraine makes herself known, and a fine spray is spewed onto the floor as Irshya squeaks in surprise. She stares at Ygraine as drops of chocolate dribble down her chin.
Crik - by way of happing - was nearly dropping off his cloak, but his clawed foot catches a small book that falls off him when the barkeep threatens bodily search. "Would not, Keep." A voice says there.
And would not means that the two are a good distance away from each other - barkeep there, and suddenly Crik behind Ygraine. Another pause - and then there is rapid shuffling, before Crik stands there upright, almost presentable with a ale in his hand.
Just oddly wearing a mask now.
Ygraine fights it for a moment... then laughs out loud, beaming delightedly at her friend's reaction. "Oh, I am sorry, Irshya. I should not have startled you so, not when you were, ahh, eating. I fear I made you waste some of it! And made a mess... But, ahh, hi. Hello. I'm here again. Would you mind if I join you? And I brought someone to meet you. He, ahh, seems interesting, though I have not yet found out his name."
The pool-shark jumps at Ygraine, hugging at her waist, and burying her face in the woman's stomach. "Irshya is fine, it is only hot chocolate." She peers up at the human, shaking her head. "So mean."
At the mention of someone to meet, Irshya peers at Crik. "Oh, Irshya has met him." She grins toothily. "He likes the towels in the baths."
Crik looks at Irshya. Then he pulls his hood over his head, turning to look towards Ygraine. "Different person." A muffled voice says from under the mask. Bowing his head a notch towards Irshya and Ygraine, he holds out his wrapped up hand. "Cavalier, Cava for short. A pleasure." A very smooth, and deep voice says, as if he knew where this was going. The hand is also offered to Irshya. "The proprietor? A pleasure." A pause. "I should, find a table."
"Mean? You're the one cleaning her face on me!", the glomped-onto human protests happily, fondly returning the goblin's hug. "And you do? Hrmmmm." The insistence of 'Cava' that he is someone else earns an arched brow, before she grins and - freeing up a hand - accepts the shake. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Ygraine. Another of the founders, though Irshya is the one who deserves most of the credit for it being such a thriving place now." Whether he should be invited to join, she leaves up to the goblin... who does, presumably, have a better idea of whether his company is desirable!
The Gobbo cants her head to one side, and then the other. She frowns lightly at Crik. "Different person?" Her frown deepens, and she huffs.
She laughs then, at Ygraine. "You're the one that made Irshya spew it." She looks to Crik once more. "You can sit here, if you wish."
"And both of you are doing a fine job. It is a busy season." The masked not-Crik says.
And when the pair move onto address him again, there is nobody there. Nobody, but a vague sight of a cloak in the crowd.
Shaking her head, Ygraine peers after that cloak... then looks back down to Irshya. "He is a strange one, I think. I honestly was not sure if he was a performer trying out an act, or plucking up the courage to audition, or something of the sort. But... perhaps we can find out what is going on another time. For now, I have hot food and drink, and a dear friend to share a fire with. It seems like a good time, to me!"
Irshya sticks her tongue out at Crik's disappearing form, before she settles back down, putting her feet back near the fire. "Irshya knows his name as Crik. Irshya believes he is a thief. Hence his sneaking about and disappearing act. He is certainly flighty."
She reaches out to tug at Ygraine's hand, guiding her towards the warm hearth. "Sit sit. We can be warm and chat far into the night."
Ygraine chuckles, nodding, giving Irshya's hand a firm squeeze before allowing herself to be guided. "Perhaps I should be glad that I did not come too close to him! But spending time with you sounds delightful - especially with the latest dish to sample, and drinks to hand as well! Though I was thinking that afterwards, if you wanted, I could perhaps let you start introducing me to this 'swimming' thing on which you are so keen. I think that I have the hang of floating, but not much more than that!"
Irshya's tail thrashes back and forth behind her, at the mention of swimming, she looks quite pleased. "You want to try swimming? It is lucky we have the great river nearby!" She hugs at Ygraine's arm. "Though if you want some place warmer, the baths here should accommodate nicely!"
Revenge for the sputtered hot chocolate has been gained - Ygraine's shock at Irshya's initial over-enthused suggestion has her spatter mulled wine towards the fire... before she laughs and draws the goblin closer for another hug. "Baths. *Definitely* the baths, you terror!"