define('WP_CACHE', true); {"id":360,"date":"2014-05-23T03:00:48","date_gmt":"2014-05-23T11:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/?p=360"},"modified":"2014-02-01T22:01:06","modified_gmt":"2014-02-02T06:01:06","slug":"chapter-70-the-tavern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crossed-paths.com\/logs\/archives\/360","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 70: The Tavern"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 70: The Tavern<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

In Which\u00c2\u00a0There Is A Convenient Place To Get Out Of The Rain.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yazeth: The door opens on a cozy tavern with a bar on one wall, a massive fireplace on the other, and a few tables and chairs scattered in between. The wall opposite the door contains a decrepit staircase leading to what looks like an unused second floor. Fortunately the inn doesn’t look too crowded, a few beast skulk in the corners and a chubby bar-rat wipes down the counter.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan basks in the warmth of the room for a few seconds before turning before turning to her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You wanna talk to the innkeeper, or should I?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Plenty of time for that, let’s get dry first.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She makes her way towards the fireplace and takes her cloak off, dripping the entire way. She drags two chairs before the fire and helps Soquan hang his cloak next to hers on the rack near the fire.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He thanks the ferret and slips into one of the chairs with a grateful sigh. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know, if the weather clears up tomorrow, I might just be dry again by the midsummer celebration.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra laughs, coughs a little, but successfully covers it up by laughing some more. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153C’mon Soq, it’s not that dramatic.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan crinkles his nose. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sure, you’re not worried, you’re smaller, you’ll dry faster. Probably late spring to early summer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra laughs again and scoots her chair a little closer to the fire, hoping to dry a little faster that way.<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan mimics her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sure, you’re laughing now. Don’t come crying to me when you wake up and you’re still wet.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: She chuckles and then notices the approaching bar-rat. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ready for a late lunch, Soq?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan looks towards her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You’re kidding right? Of course I am.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The rat shuffles up to the pair, a greasy rag dangles out of his apron pocket and a pad of paper is tucked under his arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153C’n I get’cha anyfin?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan barely turns towards the rat. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whatcha got that’s hot?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Staring at the ceiling, the bar-keep\/waiter rattles off a short list of things to eat and drink. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mead, stew, bre’d, co’fe, msh’room soup.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: He can’t help but smile at the list. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Some stew, with bread and a coffee sounds wonderful right now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst opens the door to the tavern. He shudders off a few droplets of water before heading to the bar.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The rat heads back towards the kitchen with the order. Jozra’s fur fluffs up as it finally begins to dry in the cozy tavern. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Much better than that pile of sticks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin Woodgreen: Soquan snickers softly and shakes some residual water that clings to his whiskers. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Almost anything is better than that pile of sticks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst collides with the waiter and Soq and Joz catch his attention. He pauses, narrows his eyes a bit and continues walking to the bar. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stout and sour, keep ’em coming.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The collision with the waiter attracted Jozra’s attention. The fox looked… strangely familiar, though she couldn’t place him. Shrugging it off, the ferret reached towards her cloak, squeezing a couple of droplets out of a soggy corner.<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan yawns loudly, stretching his limbs a bit and reclining into the comfy chair. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So we’re going to stay the night here, and head off in the morning? Or are we going to stay for a few days?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst nurses his ale, letting the layers of stress slip off from the day. He cased the place on the way in, normal riff raff.\u00c2\u00a0 Except for- The bartender cut in. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153’Nother one already mate?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d *Holst looks at him with icy eyes. The bartender sets down two.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret shakes her head, mainly to aid the drying process as she repeats her response verbally. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, just the night. Two at most if the rain continues like this otherwise it’ll be winter again before we get Sou… home.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan nods, and closes his eyes for a moment as he scans the room audibly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If the weather is goin’ to be like this, we better snatch up a room before they’re all gone.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst leans with his back against the bar. He sees the pair, his paw stroking his chain idly. He’d have to keep an eye on them. His eyes catch someone else sitting in the shadows and a chill runs up his spine.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra idly glances towards the bar and kitchen, noting the fox sitting there but not registering him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wonder what’s taking that waiter so long?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: He shrugs. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Other orders?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: The rat comes back, shaking much less than previously setting their orders on the table. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hope everything’s to taste.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret quirks her eyebrows at the rat for a second and then looks at what he just delivered. Fortunately, the mugs and dishes are steaming and at the moment, that’s all the ferret really cares about. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan sits up straighter at the smell of food and the proximity of the rat. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aye, thank you!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: He gives a fainting smile and walks quickly back toward the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst stands up slowly and begins to walk toward a row of booths. Luckily the rest hadn’t come, but him being here still had a reason.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra barely pauses a moment to inhale the aroma of hot food before dividing it up between herself and Soquan and digging in. Surprised at how hungry she is, the ferret barely registers any taste, good or bad.<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan digs in just as heartily as the ferret, and like her, he barely registers any taste, only the feeling of the warm food entering his stomach.<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst stands outside of the booth. The figure doesn’t register his presence. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not here. Not today.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The figure elicits a condescending snort and sips his drink. Holst grips his chain tightly, the leather of his gloves creaking. The figure turns. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Have a seat\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Finally the ferret begins to feel full, warm and dry. As she pushes her plate away, she remembers the need for a room and tries to signal to the bar rat in order to get something set up.<\/p>\n

Chris: The bar rat nods and heads over, standing expectantly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra thinks for a second, wondering what it might ‘look’ like to have both of them in the same room before she discards that notion. Frankly, she really doesn’t care anymore what other people think of them, as long as those nightmares stay away. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We’re going to need a place to stay for the night, and possibly tomorrow night if the weather keeps up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: The rat cocks an eyebrow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, we don’t exactly have rooms. There’s a cellar but you’ll have to talk to the owner…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan turns to face the rat slightly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can we speak with the owner then please?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: The rat nods and points to an old rakish looking gray furred hare sitting on an upended bucket in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan turns to Jozra. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You wanna go take care of this?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret shrugs slightly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sure.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She scoots back her chair and heads towards the kitchen, slightly disappointed to leave the glow of the fire but her fur is long dry by now, the clothes she’s wearing only the slightest bit damp.<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst’s eyes ice over. He pulls his chain with his left paw, takes a half step forward and wraps it around the figures neck, pulling both ends tight to cut off any gurgling noise.\u00c2\u00a0 He whispers into the figure\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ear. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not here, not now, not tonight at all. In fact, not tomorrow either. Got it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He tugs a bit to emphasize his point.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: For a second, the fur on the back of the ferret’s neck stands on end, instinct and training alerting her to something going on in the shadowy recesses of the tavern. Her surreptitious glances don’t reveal anything, although she does notice the fox that was at the bar missing. She doesn’t have anytime to think about this, though, as the hare looks up at her quizzically as she approaches.<\/p>\n

Chris: His eyes look as if they are permanently squinted, as if he had one too many days out on the open plains. He nods at her and smoke exits his mouth as he talks. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret tries to look kind, like she doesn’t want to cause too much trouble for the hare. She doesn’t quite realize that her illness and troubles have left her looking somewhat angular with shadows beyond her ferret’s mask under her eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153My friend and I need a place to stay for the night, and possibly tomorrow night if the rain keeps up. One of the waiters told us we should ask you about staying in the cellar.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: He crooks his mouth sourly and stands with a slouch. He looks around as if to say ‘Looks like a bar to me, not a hotel’. And looks back at her expectantly. He takes another drag. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Coin?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: At this, Jozra looks at the hare shrewdly. Thanks to their visit to the SSMC they have quite a bit, but there’s no need to make that fact public now is there? \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We can pay, assuming your price is fair.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: He rolls his eyes and lets the smoke out in a long exhale. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Three gold a night for the both of you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret raises an eyebrow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A bit steep. If it wasn’t raining, I’d find somewhere else to stay. Remember, we’ll be eating at least breakfast tomorrow, maybe all three meals. And we might want to buy some provisions before we leave…\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: He waves a paw dismissively. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Food’s included, one and a half gold per person too much?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret calculates quickly in her head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153With food included that seems fair enough. I suppose you would like your payment now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

She briefly regretted that she had never done very well in Diplomacy, she might have gotten an even lower price if she had, but they could pay and it wasn’t unreasonable, which was enough for her.<\/p>\n

Chris: He looks away disinterested as he holds out a paw and drags off of the cig once more.<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst waits for the figure to nod before releasing him, drawing a knife to the figures neck as he slips the chain back over his shoulders. He sheaths the knife and walks out of the bar.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra pays the hare and is about to ask for directions to the cellar when she notices the door to it standing slightly ajar. Instead, she thanks the hare and makes her way back towards Soquan.<\/p>\n

Chris: The hare sits back down with the same disinterested look.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret settles herself again near the fire and across the table from Soquan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The manager is letting us stay in the cellar for the night.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan grins at her, momentarily distracted from picking the crumbs off their plates. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That’s great news.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: Holst leans against a tree a fair distance outside the bar. The rain pelts his head as his cold stare remains on the tavern’s door. He didn’t need sleep anyway\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra gazes rather aimlessly into the fire for a little bit, until the flames remind her of… something else. With a slight start she looks away and busies herself with checking the dampness status of their belongings. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153These cloaks are going to take a while to dry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan cracks an eye open. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can we keep ’em out here overnight?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yazeth: The ferret eyes the cloaks. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Probably. I don’t think they’ll mind too much.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: He nods, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We’ll keep ’em there then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: The last stragglers are being led out by the bar rat as the night draws to a close.\u00c2\u00a0 The owner is sweeping the floor with an old broom and the same expression he held before. New cigarette though.<\/p>\n

Yazeth: Jozra stretches out of her slight doze, something catching in her lungs for just long enough for a short coughing fit. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We should probably head on down to the cellar and see about getting some sleep.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan rises sleepily, gathering up his belongings as he rises to his feet. Lead the way, Joz.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: The hare speaks through his smoke as he sees the two rise. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You’ll find bedding down there. Any time you want to be woken up?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Catamount: Jozra glances at the otter and thinks for a moment, the dark cellar might throw them off a bit. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Around breakfast time or so, if we’re not already up and it’s no trouble.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Arrin: Soquan nods his head in agreement. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, that sounds about right.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Chris: The hare shrugs with a disinterested face and leaves it at that, turning away to sweep more.<\/p>\n

Catamount: Jozra shrugs and leads Soquan down into the cellar. Light streams in from the doorway and there are a few candle holders placed in convenient spots with a couple already lit.<\/p>\n

Arrin: No comment comes from the otter, and he yawns loudly as the two of them descend into the basement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 70: The Tavern In Which\u00c2\u00a0There Is A Convenient Place To Get Out Of The Rain. \u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d Yazeth: The door opens on a cozy tavern with a bar on one wall, a massive fireplace on the other, and a few tables and chairs scattered in between. The wall opposite the door contains a decrepit staircase … <\/p>\n