Shadows and Gobbers

Log Info

• Title: Shadows and Gobbers
• Emitter: Irshya
• Characters: Irshya, Culix, Aryia
• Place: The TarRaCe
• Time: March 5th, 2023
• Summary: Irshya, Culix, and Aryia grab some breakfast at the TarRaCe, the friends catching up after some time apart. However, Culix relays their worries about shadows seeming to cling to her, as well as their affiliation with a cult. Aryia and Irshya do their best to dissuade such worries, the former having experience with the shadows from their family and being a mul'neissa, and the latter being a priestess.

A late Winter day, mild, but grey, wet and dreary. The Tarrace, in contrast, is bright, dry and welcoming. The few customers who've ignored the rain and grey skies enjoy fresh coffee and the breakfast special: monster chicken eggs with bacon or sausages. The eggs are gigantic, one is usually enough. Usually.

The pool-shark is not part of the morning shift, it seems, sitting at a table by herself back near the kitchen. Irshya is enjoying coffee, and is halfway through a gigantic omlette. True to form, the forkfuls of egg are hardly chewed, practically swallowed in one go.

Culix slips in from outside, rubbing her arms to dispel the damp chill. She pulls off her cloak and hangs it up by the door, before heading further in and scanning about for a few moments. She flashes a smile Irshya's way, and heads over towards the familiar goblin. "Mornin' hon." she greets cheerfully enough- not sneaking up on the blue one this time, as she so often does. Instead she heads on over and invites herself to Join Irshya, and steps up the chair leg's cross-support to steal a kiss on the sharky one's cheek before hopping down and climbing into a chair of her own at the table.

A figure, short for normal tallfolk, glides on by through the TarRaCe. A scarred mul'neissa woman, familiar to the establishment, crests on by. Scooping up an order of the monster chicken eggs and bacon. A lot of both, a lot of protein.

By the time one were to look over to the bar where she was, they were gone!

Instead, now by the two gobbo's table, balancing a towering plate in one hand and a large cup in the other. A faint smile cracks her lips, shining eyes glancing between the two as she too, invites herself into a seat.

Irshya, already cheerful in her disposition, brightens further at the arrival of Culix. She giggles lightly, leaning into the little peck on the cheek, though it's not returned presently due to a mouthful of coffee. The pool-shark assists lightly by pushing Culix' chair out with a foot, and after struggling to keep the coffee in her mouth at Aryia's arrival, a little blue foot pushes a chair out for the Mul, too.

Coughing lightly, she smiles. "It's like the grey day has been banished, with two great friends arriving all at once." She waves a hand in the air suddenly, and snaps her fingers, gesturing to Culix.

"How are you, hon?", she asks of Culix, her smile bright, "I've got breakfast and coffee on the way for you, okay?" Glancing at Aryia, Irshya grins, "Haha, you have brought your own, I see. Long time no see, ArrArr. Goodness. Have you gotten more buff? Bench pressing mountains, I see."

Culix blinks in surprise when she spies Aryia- it's been a while, "Aryia!" she says in surprise, grinning toothily- and signing 'hello' at the same moment. "You've been busy lately." she muses. As Aryia joins them, she shuffles her chair around a bit so that the three can sit comfortably around the table.

"I don't mind the grey, easier on the eyes than when its proper sunny out." Culix replies then. "Thanks... and alright, I s'pose. Did some guild work not too long ago that turned out well, purse is gettin' heavy and I'm wondering what to empty it for." she muses. Despite the cheery topic, there's something she's not saying- and for being as sneaky as she is, she's actually not the best at hiding her expressions.

Aryia nods a thanks towards Irshya at the given chair, and she slides into it, placing food down and freeing her hands. There's a glance between the two at the peck, but it get nothing more than a raised brow and a shrug.

She silently chuckles, hands raising to motion. And, even if not understood, the gist is still there. "Yes. I have been punching mountains. I am not joking," she signs back.

She nods to Culix. "Hey. I have been. And I prefer the grey for the same reasons." A few scoops of egg are inhaled, but at Culix's failure of admittance of something, she just raises a brow high at her. Questioningly. <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Culix, you needn't pay for what I offer.", the pool-shark says softly. "Buy some useful gear for yourself, if you feel that the coin is burning a hole in your pocket. Or donate it to one of the Temples that offers free food for the poor. Or I could hold onto it for you, for a time when you need it, hmm?" Irshya hops down from her chair to wrap her arms around the other Gobbo, hugging at length and pecking Culix on the cheek in turn. A hand reaches up to muss up her hair, before Irshya bounces away, to hug at Aryia.

It has been far too long, and yes, I understand, punching mountains is srs bsns."

"Did the mountains deserve it?" Culix wonders with another grin, as she leans off to the side to allow her own food and coffee to be deposited on the table in front of her. She ignores the questioning glances for now, and takes a sip of coffee. Quiet for a moment. "So. This might... be a bit out of the blue." she says then, and glances off to the side, rubbing her neck.

"So... have either of you noticed. Uh. Anything weird lately?" she asks them, finally. "About shadows, specifically. Like... like they're kind of. Uh. Liquidy." she finally asks.

Aryia frees an arm to catch Irshya as she hops up for a hug, her giving a light one as to not hurt. Another hand freed to say, "It is. Helped punch out a quarry in the mountains. And yes. They did deserve it. They were in the way." At that she grins to herself, inspecting her calloused fist.

She releases Irshya to peer quizzically at Culix. She raises a hand, concentrates a moment, then rolls a wrist. Shade sloughs off her, landing on the table and spreading out before melding into the natural shadows of the table. "That's normal."

That's normal.

Says the mul'neissa. <Handspeech/Tongues>

"You are definitely not someone I want to make mad, ever, Aryia. Please, if the food ever displeases you, punch the cooks, not the Tarrace." She's quiet for a brief moment before she giggles. The giggle trails off, as Culix speaks of shadows being liquidy. Aryia's statement of it being normal earns a slight raising of eyebrow from the pool-shark. Squeezing Aryia snugly once more, she wiggles free of the Mul's hold, to make her way back to Culix.

"I would like to say that it is normal, as Aryia does, but the best I can manage is... it's not necessarily a bad thing. But, I am sure that Aryia and I can help you figure it out. If it's good, then you can master it without worry. If it's not good, then we three can figure it out, and help you be rid of it. If... you're willing to accept our help?"

Culix watches the display then and she settles back a bit watching as the shadows trail away. "Yeah, I guess it is. But normally gobbers don't have that kinda natural magic." she says then, and taps her nailtip on the table. Before dragging it across one of the shadows on the table. The shadow seems to 'drag' along with the clawtip, as though she had tenuous purchase of it for a moment, before it flows back to where it was. "I dunno. I'm just... lately I've been feeling... weird, when I'm away from the shadows."

She rubs her neck again and shakes her head about it. "I dunno. You ever just... looked at a shadow, really looked at it? And... sort of, felt like there was more to it? Like you could just dive into it and through to the other side?" she asks the other two.

Aryia shrugs. "If the food sucks, I'll just eat someplace else. I wouldn't want to punch a hole through a building my friend owns." So she WOULD punch a hole through a building if it pissed her off enough.

Attention now on Culix, she's listening closely. Watching the shadows move. One ear flicks. "I know what you mean. I feel it. Not just with me being a mul'neissa."

She afford a moment to drink her coffee. Then. "Mother and father both live with shadows. I, too, did at one point. But stuff and things happened and now I do my own thing." <Handspeech/Tongues>

The pool-shark shakes her head. "I cannot say that I have had that experience, thinking to jump through a shadow to the other side. But Gobbos do get power like that from time to time. The world is a strange and wonderful thing, and things like you're describing do happen. And if it makes you feel weird to be away from them, then stick with them. We can make lots of shadows in here." She gestures to the Tarrace at large.

Irshya snorts at Aryia, "So even buildings cannot escape your wrath." She nods and looks to Culix. "So, you're welcome to stay in the Den, and work it out. I want you to be safe. Aryia, if you are able, you could stay also, yes?

Culix nods again, and her mouth forms a small o at Aryia's comments. "So... I suppose it's a bit ignorant of me to ask. But your people are sworn to Taara, right? At least, historically. The shadow doesn't have... uh... anything to do with Her, does it?" she wonders. "It's something more... natural, to you, right?" she asks awkwardly.

"And your parents, that is. I only ask because... well..." she tugs down the collar of her shirt to show the brand of Illotha tattoed on her throat, "I'm kinda worried it's past Culix biting present Culix on the ass in a major way."

"Nothing can," Aryia motions at Irshya's observation. Half joking, were the slight smirk anything to go by. But half serious. Her tenacity is ferocious. "I can stay for a little bit."

Her gaze levels on Culix. And she's quick to answer, "Used to be sworn. Until recently. Thank fuck. I hate that bitch." She shakes her head. "Shadow is an /aspect/ of that bitch. But it is not her entirely. Shadow is just a thing. Like the stars. The water. The air. Every /thing/ can go deeper."

She raises both hands. One drips shade, like before. And the other faintly glows a pale moonlight. "I'm an oddball. Shadow is natural to me, yes. But so is light. I fuck around with it to punch shit and flash lights in their face."

She peers down at the brand. Brow raised. "Maybe. Maybe not. I used to be a priestess for Taara-" hold on, what "-yet I'm still here. Maybe that thing has something to start it, but now it may be its own thing. I..." She trails off, scratching her cheek. "I can ask my parents. They live in Alexandria now. It's more natural to them." <Handspeech/Tongues>

Irshya rubs at her face, her eyes on the tattoo. "People have escaped evil deities before, and if this is one of those things, we will help you escape Illoth. If it is as Aryia suggests, that something... was interested in you due to your relationship with Illoth, and now has a deeper purpose for you, outside of that Goddess's realm... we can help. Not really sure what I can do, but I can support you, keep you safe, do research, and more.

The Gobbo peers at Aryia, "I hope yourself, or your parents, will key in on what is happening."

Culix coughs at that unexpected revelation, and her eyes bug out at Aria, "Wait what the fuck?" she asks. "I thought you were a sailor? When did you sneak that one in?" she asks her, shaking her head in a little disbelief. She looks back to Irshya, and tilts her head, "I mean, if it's possible, I'd like to..." she rubs the back of her neck and then settles back a bit.

"So, you both know I was in the prison. That I was in the Syndicate before that, right?" she tells them both and leans in close to speak in hushed tones as she mentions her one time employers. "Well, they're more than just a bunch of thieves and murderers. They're a cult, to boot. I swore myself to Illotha when I joined, there was a whole ritual. That's when I got the tat." she tells them. "Now leaving the Syndicate wasn't easy. They tried to have me put in the ground more than once while I was inside- and since, like that time at the docks." she nods Aryia's way.

"So I guess what I'm saying is, I don't think quitting the cult is going to be as easy as getting someone to ink over the tattoo. My soul's hers, and 'fore I can even think of offering it to anyone else, gonna need to get it back."

Aryia's busy inhaling some bacon as Irshya questions the mute. She's pensive for a beat with full cheeks before she motions, "I'll ask my parents."

She eyes Culix. "I am over a hundred years old, Culix. Lot of time to make fuck ups," she answers flatly, not really expounding any further. She slowly nods along, a long grey ear twitching as she listens to the hushed whispers. The mention of the docks gets her to wince. Yeeeeah. That wasn't a fun time.

Discussion of souls get the mute to focus in on Culix hard, the news something serious, and close at heart. There's a contemplative munch of egg. Then, "And to do that, you're going to have to figure out what's going on with you." <Handspeech/Tongues>

Irshya giggles at Culix's reaction, reaching out to pat her knee. "I was saving that for later, to see if there was more forthcoming." The pool-shark nods slowly, "It will probably be more difficult, yes. But not insurmountable. And I can at least look into what the requirements are for leaving, and for joining a new faith." She eyes Aryia and nods, "For anything you can do to help, you have my thanks."

Culix nods her head a bit, and shrugs one shoulder, "Sometimes forget your lot live so long." she admits to Aryia. She ends up laying down on the table, putting her forehead on it as she mulls things over. "Just hope whatever's going on doesn't mean I gotta stay out of the shadows. That'd make my job a whole lot harder, and I don't fancy learning a new trade." she sighs.

She sits back up straighter now, and settles back. "Well, yeah, I dunno that I've ever been all that pious, which is why I didn't think much of joining a damn cult when I was a dumb teenager."

Aryia raises a brow at Irshya. "Needn't join a new faith just for that. Just figuring out how to get out of the current shit is enough," she motions, her putting a faint pressure of anti-proselytization.

She shrugs at Culix. "Took a life time of fuck ups for me to realize what matters. But regardless, I know what shadows are like, and if you do it right, it could be a powerful tool. See it less of getting a new trade and more of picking up new tricks."

And at being a dumb teenager? "Same." At that, she drinks the rest of her coffee like it was a shot. <Handspeeech/Tongues>

Irshya shrugs her shoulders, looking to Aryia "It really comes down to what she agreed to. If you're going to have your soul promised to a god, it may as well be a good one, yes? It may be easier to promise yourself to a different god, than to get Illotha to render her promise null and void. As far as I have seen, good gods will simply take their power and leave, if you no longer dedicate yourself to them." Illotha may be violent about this, and at least offering lip service to another god will protect you from some troubles."

The server chooses this point in time to lower a plate covered in omelette and bacon, and a mug of hot apple cider, before Culix. Setting down a knife and fork, she then scurries away to the kitchen.

Looking to Culix, Irshya nods. "If you do have to stay clear of shadows, it will hopefully be for only a short time, yes? Once we get it sorted, you will be able to go back to stalking the shadows."

"You sure you ought to be suggesting paying lip service?" She asks Irshya, poking the other goblin in the ribs. "Your god might get moody about that." she teases. She pokes her her food a bit when it arrives, moving it around the plate but not tucking into it right away. "I suppose so long as the shadows don't up and eat me..." she ponders. "I ought to hit the library again. I know there's a shadow plane, somewhere between the material and negative. But I don't know what business the gods have there." she says then and picks at her food finally, putting a forkfull of egg into her mouth and chewing on it while she thinks.

Aryia side glances Irshya. "Didn't work for me. Leaving Taara got me silence from everyone else. So results may vary," she bluntly counters, shimmering eyes dulling. She's silent for a bit, focusing on her food as the gobbers talk.

"It can eat you," she answers off the cuff. "If you don't know what you're doing. Read up. I'll inform my parents. Father is better about the magics and manifestations of it. Mother is better about living in it." <Handspeech/Tongues>

Irshya squeaks and laughs at the poke, swatting lightly at Culix. "People pay lip service all the time though. Praying for a good harvest, for a safe journey, for a successful business venture, for a sick relative to get better. Even evil gods get this sort of worship." She rubs at her cheek lightly. "I'm not going to suggest following a god or goddess unless it's the only way, or unless what Illoth wants is too much to pay."

To Aryia, the pool-shark looks sad. "I'm sorry that they were silent to you. I cannot explain or even understand, without knowing everything. And I won't dare push you on that."

Culix continues picking at her food with no great enthusiasm, "Mmm, Sure, maybe. But folks really mean it when they do stuff like that, right? A promise to revere a god for a good harvest is still a promise, even if they didn't really mean it, right?" she says then. "I dunno. I figure the gods don't really pay much attention to us, but like I say I... worry about what'll happen when I eventually kick it. Even if this shadow stuff has nothing to do with Her." she says, and then puts her fork back down to take a swig of her drink instead.

"Don't be sorry," Aryia gestures to the pool-shark, apathetic to the situation. "I am better not having to deal with them. I focus on myself now." At that, she cracks her knuckles, little twinkles of soft light glimmering from her hands before fading away.

Finished with her meal, she idly stacks empty plates together and nudges her chair under the table. "Look at it this way, Culix. They listen. I know they do. But they can't be everywhere and do everything. Maybe this one will let you go because they have too much to deal with at present. Maybe they'll claw for you tooth and nail. Who knows? But you do know is that you can prepare yourself. And one thing some gods don't seem to keep in mind is that the stubborness of man really gets shit tangled up."

She lightly smiles, despite all the talks and topics. "It was good to see you two. I'll get my parents in the loop and get back to you, Culix. If you run into a one eyed mul'neissa woman, or a one armed mul'neissa man, you'll know it's them." <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Well, they may be silent to you, but I will never do that, Aryia. I'm here for you, if you ever need someone to lean on." she grins at the knuckle cracking. "If the gods are wise, as I believe them to be, they will fear you." Irshya grins toothily. She nods then, looking to Culix, "She has the right of it. I will look into it and see what it is that Illotha may do. It may seem like they re not paying attention, but honestly, you never know when they are." She looks back to Aryia. "Your parents are welcome here, I can put them up for a few nights if they don't have other accommodations."

Irshya adds, "And it is always a pleasure to see you, Aryia. Please visit whenever you can."

Culix huffs, "Not sure if that's encouraging or not." she retorts Aryia's way, but then picks at her food again. "But you're right about that. Got no plans of going along with whatever She wants, one way or another." she says. She looks back over to Irshya, and leans over against her while she finishes eating, taking up the offer of someone to lean on literally, even if it wasn't directed at her. "Yeah, was good seeing you again. I been hearing things 'bout your adventures. An' to think, weren't that long ago you were new in town." she muses towards the taller woman.

Aryia nods to Irshya. "I know you will, and I'll keep that in mind if that's ever the case. Thank you." But at the mention of gods fearing her? That puts a cocky grin on the mul'neissa's face. No words needed, her ego was inflated. "I'll keep that in mind, but they're a proud sort. They've got their own accomidations sorted out."

"Wasn't trying to be. I'd just rather not lie to you." The mentions of Aryia's adventures, and her relative newness to town gets her to rub her neck. "Yes. And if a little goblin didn't save my ass on the docks, I wouldn't be where I am now." She grins, walking by the two of them and ruffling their hair. "Later."

And with that, she dons her shades and ambles out the front door, purposeful strides set on a path towards her parents. <Handspeech/Tongues>

Irshya sits up a little as Culix leans against her, and a little blue hand appears on Culix' side as the pool-shark wraps an arm around her. "That's the thing, Aryia. You have to believe you can beat them. And if they know that, they /will/ fear you. I mean, punching a hole in a mountain? Kinda like punching a hole in a god." She laughs then, "If you're ever curious, look up Kor. He'll appreciate your strength." Irshya waves to her, "Be well!"

-End Scene-