Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » The Mystic Tavern [CLOSED]

The Hanged Man blinked when Arcaenia addressed him in such a way. He chuckled, and within a moment he was cackling at her words as if she'd made the funniest jest he'd ever heard. His laughter wasn't an outright unpleasant sound, but it did carry a manic note, as though he wasn't entirely sound of mind. As she scanned him in return, his laughter faded out and he said, "I could do the same for you, my lady, though I fear it'd be quite a hideous portrait." His hand trembled again to punctuate his point, and he wrapped it around his goblet to soothe it.

Sauron's own transformation made the Hanged Man stare as well. The splendor of the white and silver robes made his breath catch and his green eyes drop in deference. It was too beautiful, too regal ... too familiar. The scruffy warrior returned his nose to his goblet, though he remained with his back against the counter so he could watch the group--which had just grown by one as Chimera joined them.

His laughter caught her off guard seeing as how she was in the middle of processing what to call him. Her eyes did notice the motion of his automatic response of caution. Though the tavern itself never left its peaceful state to her. His laughter seemed to ring out after that instant. To only a statement made by the beautiful lady behind them. It was a sound she didn't think would ever leave him. She almost wanted to laugh along, and couldn't remember the last time such a sound left her own lips. Then soon he turned back around looking like he wasn't worth much anyway. The urge to comfort him with the touch of a hand swept through her twice that night. His appearances to her didn't seem all that bad, dusty, but not bad. Frustration at his sudden change of merriment to indifference caused her to want to say a few things, but she stopped herself. Tonight was just a night that her emotions where going all out it seemed.

Then just like that another person joined in their little group. The elf had an urge to pull up her hood and go quiet again, but doing just latter. Zi knew by now that he wasn't only just a human. The little strings attched to him would show every so often, but there was no need to mention it. Occasionally, her eyes would look pass him to see if anyone noticed them. Zi didnt want him to fight in a place of rest, and cause him more words in his already filled book. As the woman sat, she wanted to give greetings back to the lady, but her mouth only opened and no sound escaped. So she turned her head away and looked back down at her drink in which she moved the liquid around to stir it back up again.

The Hanged Man finished his second goblet of hippocras, clearly no stranger to the consumption of alcohol. The drink that this establishment had was worlds finer than the sediment-ridden swill he was used to choking down, which helped. Deep in thought, he absentmindedly touched his breastplate, still hidden beneath his dusty mantle. Suddenly he noticed Zimera again, and he shot her an apologetic smile. "Pardon, my lady. The past has a way of ... sneaking up on me at times." He gestured to Arcaenia and Sauron. "Are they the lord and lady of this province? They've a certain splendor about them." He would treat them as his betters nonetheless--he treated nearly everyone with such deference. He leaned back against the countertop and gazed out into the room. "Another, please," he murmured to the barkeep. With drink this fine, he was going to get roaring drunk.

How are you going to pay for it, commander? Ayma asked him.

"Ah ... right ... I'm sure I've got aught of worth ..."

Waiting for his drink, he began to root around in his pouches, procuring coins of many different metals and currencies. There was a ceramic coin with a silver inlay, heavy bits of iron with holes punched in the middle, bronze beads that looked like they were meant to be worn rather than bartered ... but not many of any one type.

The Divine Being smiled kindly and nodded respectfully, closing her eyes when she did. "Now, now, Sauron. No need to be so formal. I only came to relax. Think of it as the Oracle being off duty.", she jested slightly before looking at Chimera. "Ah, what a splendid creature you are, dear.", she said in her soothing voice. Arcaenia blinked her blind eyes a few times before looking at the young girl in front of her, focused more than before. "Well, now. It seems you are quite the character. Such sorrow in ones eyes like I've never seen. And I've seen many an eye." She sounded rather maternal toward the demon girl. The Oracle addressed Sauron once more. "You wouldn't happen to have any Absinthe, would you. It seems every place on this side of the sun is out and I've had about all I can take in traveling." Arcaenia didn't seem as irritated as her words might have portrayed her to be, she seemed to have a calm air about her, one that could soothe the mightiest of beasts. In this form, the Oracle had looked like that of a High Elf herself. But the power that radiated from her was that of no mere being. Her ears were pointed and protruded outward to the side. Her white brows were like small whiskers yet they fit her delicate features evenly. "I must say, this place has accumulated quite the party."

She smiled at Sauron in a friendly manner. She had no reason to be hostile towards him. She had left her demon-life behind her and intended to stay hidden. She had promised herself never to return to her homeland. Chimera was quite surprised, when Arcaenia suddenly turned towards her and talked to her. It's not that she did, but more what she said that surprised her. Chimera found her voice incredibly soothing. She couldn't help but smile, when Arcaenia said she was quite the character, though it was more of a sad smile than a happy smile. She knew what she was thinking of. Chimera could tell that this was no ordinary woman. Probably more of a divine creature. "Well, I've turned a new page, but it's impossible to outrun your past," she replied. She didn't really like talking about what happened, because she wanted to start over. It was difficult though, as she was a demon. People are usually afraid of demons. The only reason that she has gotten this far is because of her ability to manipulate her surroundings, mostly what other people see. Create illusions. It has been very helpful, but she can't deny that she's a demon. Sometimes she wishes she was different, but mostly she just wishes she still had her family with her.

Looking back up at him with a thoughtful expression, "I am not sure this place as an ownership, but it may be someone I haven't met yet. As far as I could understand was that this place simply was though I could be wrong. It repairs itself and restocks itself. The servants do not seem real, but they are. I think they just like it here." though they still did not ask for payment. Watchimg them as they worked she wondered how they were able to sound cheerful all the time.

Although, the pair behind them would seem the type to be the owners which their charismatic aura. She was sure if they asked without trying, they could convince anyone to do their biding. Downing the rest of her own drink, tiredness started to form in her body. It would be soon that she herself would be heading off to the rooms. Though she did not want to leave this man alone on his first visit. Especially when he was consuming so much of hippocras.

((Zimera and Hanged, you're making me realize all kinds of information that I simply take for granted about the Tavern, lol. Everyone please check the edits.))

He smiles to Arcaenia, making a small gesture with his hands to accentuate his point. "Yes, but status carries with it an importance that's impossible to dismiss. A king may leave his castle for a stroll in the countryside, but his subjects will still treat him as a king."

He regarded Chimera as she conversed with Arcaenia, listening intently to her words. 'Impossible to outrun your past' she said. She was very obviously different from others of her station, as they would have already been in some trouble in the tavern. He nodded towards her, giving her a kind smile. He dropped his regard to his power level, allowing it to flow more naturally. The initial rush of energy would be felt by anyone, including those who were not sensitive to the magical flow of energy, though to them it might just feel like tingles in the back of the neck if they were particularly insensitive to it or even incapable. To those who could feel it, however, it would feel like standing a few feet from the largest dam as it burst open, that sensation lasting for a few seconds before settling to a strong river flow. He bows to Chimera, smiling warmly to her as well.

"Yes, it is impossible to outrun ones past. Though, it is not impossible to atone for it, given enough time, patience, and dedication to such a cause."

((Edit, I knew I forgot something, lol)) Sauron smiled at Arcaenia, motioning towards the bar at the mention of a drink. "The attendants here will be happy to provide you with whatever you require. Though, if you prefer, I can make the drink for you."

The Hanged Man procured a handful of currency that felt about right and held it towards the barkeep, his hand trembling slightly. But it was turned down, and the warrior withdrew his fist, confused. "I don't have to pay? ... Goddess below. If I weren't on a quest I'd never leave." He gulped down the rest of his drink with haste and patted the countertop. "L-Leave the pitcher this time, if you would." Tired though he was, booze came first.

He glanced over to Zimera. "P-powerful magics must be at work here. I've so many questions ... who brews the drink? Where d-does it come from? How are the 'keeps paid--and if--if they’re not paid, why do they w-work here? P-Perhaps they are enslaved." The wine was starting to loosen his tongue, and it worsened his stutter. "Magic never comes without a price ..."

As the regal group spoke of escaping the past he fell quiet again, lips thinning. Nay, commander, said Ayma. They are right.

"Shut up, ghost. D-Don't you think I know that already? I'm stuck with you, aren't I?"

Just then, Sauron opened up his floodgates and the Hanged Man nearly collapsed from his chair, one hand planted over the center of his breastplate. The power throbbed in him, resonating with the single meager ley line anchored in his chest. Unconsciously he grabbed his own power, though he lit up like a candle besides the bonfires raging just a few strides away. Once the surge had ended, he shuddered, his scars crawling, and lifted the whole pitcher to his face.

The Hanged Man watched one of the bartenders preparing Arcaenia's absinthe, where a resevoir of it dripped through a sugar cube and into a strangely shaped glass. "I want t-to t-try that, too," he mumbled.

Zi smiled when the servant refused his money. Then he began to list off so many questions! Too many she didn't know the answer to. Her mind was just the same, but ashamed to admit that she never questioned the tavern. He would be better off asking the servants, as they have been here the longest. As The Hanged Man drank his stutter became worse. Then an increadible power showed itself.

Right as she was about ask about the ghost; the elf gasped and her red eyes widened as she clutched her head. The feeling was falling from a great height only to be stopped in an instant. She could see and hear The Hanged Man, but her body couldn't move. Who let their curtain down? She wanted to turn and look behind her but the feeling still made her stomach clinch. Afaid if she moved her head too fast she would make her situation worse. The elf looked over and could see the he had kept the pitcher and continued to drink it.

Arcaenia smiled kindly and nodded to Sauron. "If it's alright with you, I'd like to sit at a table. And I'd appreciate your company.", she said as she looked to an attendant and asked for a drink. Her aura shifted as Sauron let his own power flow through the empty air of the room. The Oracle leaned in close to his ear as she walked past him to find a table near the bar. "Careful, dear. Others might become weak in your presence.", she whispered softly, noting him to regard the other patrons due to his high amount of magical energy pouring over from his being. Arcaenia stood near the table tapped her foot then cleared her throat. Suddenly, roots moved through the floorboards and formed a beautiful chir for her, leaves adorning it like a cushion on the seat. She took her place in it and had the absinthe brought to her. "Much better. Thank you.", she said before taking a sip. She tasted it, swashing it in her delicate mouth before swallowing.

(Uh oh ... it's the perfect storm, sorry guys!)

The Hanged Man soon grew adjusted to the new ebbs and flows of power, like eddies and cross-currents in the sea. He turned again to face out into the room. "Did you feel that?" he asked Zimera, then gulped from the pitcher again. "S-Seems we are mere ants at the feet of gods. They c-could crush us with a thought." He was strangely nonchalant about the thought.

Just as he was settling himself, the floorboards began to groan and creak. A green shoot rose from the cracks beneath Arcaenia and made the knight's eyes widen. "N-nay ..." He gripped the jug so hard he threatened to shatter it, and it shook wildly in his white-knuckled grasp.

Commander, Ayma whispered urgently. Help me, commander.

"Nay, nay, t'isn't--t'isn't--"

More vines joined the first, forming a green mass that grew ever larger. Red fog crept in the corners of his vision, and soon the tavern was juxtaposed with his old garrison. The clamor of combat drifted into his ears in little snippets. The briars were crawling up through the floor--they'd already blocked off the window and door with a wall of solid thorns, no matter how violently he hacked at them. The floorboards groaned and cracked as their nails popped free, permitting a swell of green life to surge up into the room. Snarling, the Hanged Man raised his falchion to slash and chop the vines to keep them at bay, though there were always more of them, too many--one snaked around his ankle--help me, commander!

The jug of hippocras fell from his hands and struck the ground with a clatter, the handle breaking off. Wine spilled as dark as blood. The noise cut through his flashback--he blinked and everything returned to normal. The garrison had disappeared along with the red fog, and the encroaching vines now remained at a manageable distance--neatly beneath Arcaenia.

"I--I ... s-sorry ... lost--lost myself. Let me--let me get a mop and--and I-I'll clean up."

The harrowed warrior climbed to his feet, swaying slightly. Thankfully the jug hadn't shattered beyond the handle breaking loose, so he stooped to pick up the two pieces and returned them to the countertop. He avoided looking at Arcaenia's chair.

You can't escape the past, commander.

As soon as he started to move in an attacking stance, Zi hurriedly removed herself from the area. Standing up now anyone could see how small she was both in height and weight. If he happened to hit her, she would surely go flying. She wanted to call out to him to wake him of his trance. The only problem was that she couldn't call him. Zi wanted to call him by the few names she came up with, but wasn't sure if he would even like them. He reminded her of the beasts from her forests. His muscles seemed bulkier when he was tended and his size seemed massive compared to hers.

He soon became aware that he was not where his brain portrayed. The Hanged Man picked up the pieces he broke and sat them on the counter. She doubted that any words she would say to him right now would do any good. "I would like a room please...." she asked a servant as they walked by. Zimera was lead to her room and looked around. A bath sounded good about now.

Nicole ran. She didn't know if they were still on her tail, but she couldn't be too safe. Her legs ached, her dress was tattered, her long brown robe got caught in the branches and slowed her progress. Oh, how she wished she could be back in her castle! Although, her castle was probably not even hers anymore. "It was what she deserved," they all said, "She was EVIL." Nicole never thought she did anything wrong. She was a princess! She only did what was in her rights. Now she's hunted for doing nothing!

She stopped running when she saw the tavern standing in the middle of the clearing. Maybe she could rest for a while. Hopefully, no one there recognized her nd turned her in. She had heard there was quite a large bounty on her head. oh well, it was a risk work taking. She simply could NOT run any further. She pushed open the tavern door and was quite surprised at what she saw. it was quite a strange looking crowd gathered in here. This is what she gets for going into a strange tavern in the woods. She slumped into a chair to rest.

"Just some water, please," She asked a server passing by.
the server gave her a strange look.
"Okay, miss..."
Nicole realized that she WAS a bit too young to be in a tavern unaccompanied. Normally a girl her age would come with friends or family. she hoped she didn't draw too much attention
to herself.

The Oracle seemed undisturbed for a moment and she acknowledged the apology. She looked at the Hanged Man. "Trauma, isn't it?" She looked at him as he moved. "That's what it is.. Battle Field Trauma..", she murmured as she studied him over. She could hear the ghost inside of him and she could feel his tortured soul. The wine seeped into the floor pooled on the planks of wood where it did not sink lower. Arcaenia seemed to stare at him for a long time.

(My bad Arcaenia, I use the term "ghost" to be flowery, but the Hanged Man isn't actually haunted, just a little crazy )

The Hanged Man made an effort with mop and bucket, but his palsied hands didn't let him do a very good job, and he soon relinquished the task to one of the servers. When Arcaenia spoke, he bowed his head low in deference. He wasn't sure if she was addressing him or just speaking to herself or her companion Sauron, but nonetheless he replied. "Ah ... aye, my lady, I beg f-forgiveness."

Perhaps they would tell him to leave, but his ankle throbbed, so he sat back down at the bar, fully prepared to leave if they wished it. "Brandy," he muttered to the barkeep. As his drink was readied he looked for Zimera, but couldn't find her. No doubt she'd fled when he got the traces of madness in his eyes. He sighed morosely. She had been kind to him.

Everyone leaves. Even the Red Lord.

"I will f-find him."

The brandy was brought over in a snifter, and for a moment the Hanged Man stared at it, hands shaking. Finally he grasped the cup tightly in both and brought it to his lips before he could spill much. He hastily set down the empty snifter, then slid it back for a refill. His head was starting to fill with a cottony haze and soon, perhaps, he would be able to sleep

Only then did he notice that the tavern had acquired a new face--Nicole. The scruffy once-knight looked the princess over. He was a little frightening, with a wound on his cheek and his eyes dark and sunken as though he rarely slept. "A-Are you lost?" he asked, voice wavering though he didn't sound afraid.

"Uhhh... Ummm..." Nicole struggled to find a way to answer. She stared at the man in front of her. Something about him was off. It was something about his voice. His eyes. The way his seemingly expressionless face seemed to convey so much expression. It almost scared Nicole. Almost.
"No, I just...."
What could she say? She couldn't just say "Oh, I needed a place to hide and rest because i'm really busy running from the people who want to execute me for being a tyrant." She decide to tell a partial truth.
"I was Just running through the woods for such a long time, and I'm incredibly tired. just when I thought I couldn't run any further, this place popped out of nowhere, and i figured it would be a perfect place to rest!"
True.
"I was running away from, um, MY FATHER! Yes- my - my father. He was treating me like a servant, and - and i ran away!"
Lie.
She tried not to make eye contact with the strange man by staring down at her coin pouch, afraid that she would give away the lie with her face. Wait, wouldn't staring down just create suspicion?
She looked directly at him, trying to look as trustworthy as possible, but probably miserably failing.

That feels better. She sighed as she soaked in warm water a bit longer before standing up. A grumbling noise errupted from her stomach as she redressed in a more comfortable outfit. It was a simple small dress, nothing fancy Zi hoped that the man had calmed down a bit as she made her way back downstairs. Another women had seemed to arrive at the Tavern. A small smile appeared on her face as She notice the hanged man was talking to the girl. At least he was able to talk to others easier now. She made her way back to the table and ordered another drink along with something small to eat. The girl however, seemed a bit nervous. Zimera's eyes narrowed in curiousness. The motions and voice suggested that she was lieing about something.

Chimera couldn't help but smile at Sauron's words. She chuckled. "Yes, because my people is known for being very patient," she said with a great amount of sarcasm, but also friendliness. She thought these two were quite interesting. Sauron was because he was very powerful and almost famous to demons. She had heard a lot of stories about him and wondered if they were all true. She dragged a chair over to the table, hoping they wouldn't mind if she sat down. She was very fascinated by Arcaenia, but also a little scared. She could read her. But understand her as well. Maybe she could help. She didn't know what she needed help with, but she decided to stick around a bit longer to find out more about these people. "Do you mind if I sit?" She asked politely. Thinking it was okay with them, she sat down. If they didn't want to be joined by a demon and a royal one at that, they could just ask her to leave, and she might just do that. Something broke her chain of thoughts and caught her attention before she could say anything else. A young girl came into the tavern, looking quite distressed and out of breath. She saw her talking to The Hanged Man. "Hmm.." She looked at the girl. She was wearing a brown robe of some kind, but it was dirty and torn. She had clearly been running for some time. She could tell. To the girl, Chimera would just look like an ordinary beautiful girl between a bunch of glorious and magnificent beings. She stared for a moment, then turned her head to look at Sauron and Arcaenia.

Nicole glanced at a strange looking woman who seemed to have just walked in. She looked elven, her ears had long pointed tips. The woman was shooting a dubious glare at Nicole as she sipped her drink. Nicole let out a small gasp before quickly looking back at the man she was talking to. How long was the woman there? Had she heard their entire conversation? Did she know who she was? or did she really just walk in? She hoped that that woman didn't recognize her.