Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » The Mystic Tavern [CLOSED]

The Oracle nodded the demon girl. "Yes, please. I would enjoy your company.", she said softly in response to her question. She looked at the young one who had burst in, knowing her truths. She decided it would be best to stay out of any affairs until she was needed to intervene. Arcaenia took her hand, palm faced down, and hovered it over the table in a small arc near her person. It was then that 5 cards with divine symbols came into being on it's surface. If anyone were to receive a reading, any truths of themselves would be revealed. These cards held secrets' everything from fate to the universe and the afterlife. Things no mere being could see. They shimmered in the lights of the tavern against the tables wood surface.

The Hanged Man half-turned in his chair to face Nicole, head tilted to the side like a curious hound. The tone of her voice struck him as suspicious, and to confirm he touched the magic of the ley, letting just a trickle of it fill him. Unless somehow impeded, he brushed imperceptibly against the surface her mind, just to tell if she was lying. He only delved deeper if a true need arose. Nonetheless, he didn't call her out on it. "Running away, hmm? That's t-terrible ... I b-bet he's worried about you, though--n-no matter how bad he seems."

Green eyes lifted to Zimera when she made her reappearance in the common room, and he flashed her a feeble smile, twisted into a smirk by the wound on his left cheek. The swordsman noted that she had changed her clothes, though for whatever reason, his eyes did not linger. "I'm s-sorry if I scared you earlier," he told her when she approached.

Then Nicole spooked at the sight of the elf. "Y-you're a flighty one," he mused. "W-Worry not--Lady Zimera won't harm you."

The barkeep brought his second brandy and he wolfed it down as quickly as the first. His gloved hands were shaking a little less now than they were, and he managed only to dribble a little down his chin, which he wiped. He was dimly aware of Arcaenia doing something over at her own table, though he couldn't tell what. If he only knew the nature of the spell ... it might help him in his quest.

"Huh? Oh, no, I wasn't scared of her. Zimera, was it?" Nicole stated. But, she wasn't really paying attention to Zimera or if she got her name right. She was too busy thinking of the man's previous comment.

"That's t-terrible ... I b-bet he's worried about you, though--n-no matter how bad he seems."

Nicole hadn't thought about her parents very much until he said that. Were they worried about her?
Of course they are, she thought, They will care about me and I will care about them, for as long as we live.
And that got her thinking of something even worse. Were her parents still living? What if the Kingdom folk caught them and they were executed? What if she was executed? That was such a heavy word. Executed. Up until this point, Nicole never took into consideration what that word really meant. It meant death. It meant the slaughter of people. And even worse, The royal family had ordered for people to be executed in the past. Did Nicole deserve to be KILLED for all the people she had done the same to?
"I don't deserve to die," Nicole softly wispered to herself, tears welling in her eyes,

"I don't want to die."

She shook her head, "I was just unable to help you....and that frustrated me for some reason. I needed to compose myself. I'm sorry if my absence was rude." The elf tilted her head to the side a little causing her silver hair to fall over her shoulder. Tobias...she wondered if he would like the name she came up with. While her mind muled over the name, her face changed into a state of wonderment. Then the words of the woman cut through. Though what she said seemed half hearted so Zimera just did a small nod. Noting that the girl would faze out as if in a deep memory.Just like Tobias or The Hanged Man.... Looking down at the table, her eyes seemed to fog over as an overwelming emotion of saddness swept over her.

"Pardon me," Nicole said to no one in particular, "I must go to the washroom for a few minutes," she pushed back her chair and speedwalked away to the washroom in the back of the tavern. Once she was inside, she pulled out an item that was kept secretly hidden for quite a while now. The silver tiara always made her feel better. It was a symbol of who she was, and who she needs to be. She placed it on top of her head and sighed. It would soon go back into hiding. She carefully placed the tiara back in its hiding spot, buried in a secret pocket in her cloak. as she turned to go back to her seat, she realized she left the door open. hopefully no one saw...

The Hanged Man let out a low and mirthless chuckle at Zimera's comment. "I became a b-broken man when the Red Lord left. None c-can help me ... not until I find him." He spoke as if this were an infallible certainty. "You w-wwere not rude." His words had begun to slur together slightly from drink, and he showed no signs of slowing.

It's around then that Nicole goes teary-eyed, and the Hanged Man frowned. I don't want to die, commander, Ayma said. Help me.

"See here now, little lamb," the swordsman rumbled, shrugging off the dead soldier's whispers. "Everyone must venture into what comes after. You needn't fear it." He wasn't good at consolation, it seemed, for the princess excused herself. "I w-wonder where she came from ... ah, Lady Zimera? Are you--are you well?" He leaned forward and patted the back of her hand with his heavy glove. "This ... this t-tavern nnneeeds m-music or aught of the sssort ..."

Blinking herself out of her state she looked down at his hand. It was bigger than her own. She could imagine him with a large broadsword, going into battles with beasts as fearsome as the worst nightmare."Ah yes." she let out a small laugh. "Ah...music. That would be nice." Of only you could hear my kinds music Tobias...it would erase your sorrow if only for a moment. Elven music was the most magical tune in all the world. Zimera was tempted to sing if it meant soothing the sadness of the moment. A small hum made its way up from her chest. It was so quiet that only the few around the table would be able to hear it. Its sound resembled the breeze as it drifted through the woods, weaving around the branches of the Elfur trees. Tall grass bent to the power of the wind's playful sprint. The creek gurgled and overlapped the rocks that have been smooth from centuries of continous water.

((I apologize for my long absence. Life, and what not. Gonna do a light post to catch up, then try and post at least once a day until I can pay closer attention))

Sauron smiled to Arcaenia and Chimera, bowing to each of them lightly and sitting down at the table with them. He gazed around the room as well, seeing the reaction of The Hanged Man to the vines coming through the floor. It was an interesting spectacle to him, but he largely ignored it. He watched the interaction between Chimera and Arcaenia, as well as The Hanged Man and the two women who have been conversing with him. He leaned back in his chair a bit, sipping from a golden chalice which was encrusted with gems and jewels; which wasn't there a moment ago.

Chimera watched the girl rush into the bathroom, and wondered what was wrong. She shrugged it off though and turned her attention towards Sauron and Arcaenia again. Then something hit her. "I don't think I have properly introduced myself," she started, and looked at both of them, then at the cards on the table, fascinated by Arcaenias magic. "My name is Chimera Auxiliadora," she continued. She might as well tell them her real name instead of just saying Chira like she usually did. She was quite sure they already knew what she was. Auxiliadora was a strange name, but not so much where she was from. It was a family name and famous, because.. well, it was the name of the royal demon family. She smiled a bit, and you could spot some fangs. She looked at Sauron. "I know who you are," she said, then shifted and looked at Arcaenia. "..but not who you are," she finished. She was really fascinated by them. Sauron was well known in the demon realm. Demons would talk about wanting to defeat him, or brag about doing so, but not actually having done it. She knew they were lies. She wanted to ask him about the stories though.

Arcaenia smiled at Chimera before finishing her glass of absinthe. She then asked for red wine to chase the taste out of her mouth. "Ah, you may call me Arcaenia. It is a name I gave myself because I do not have one. Some call me the Baba Yaga* or Lady Shifter as I desire to appear female in this realm. It's quite a long story. But Sauron recognizes me. I'm surprised no one else has. Then again, it's not often that a Divine Being created by the Gods decides to roam land.", she giggled softly as she was brought a bottle of red wine. She filled her new glass with the liquid and took out a small folded paper filled with white powder. The unfolded it and poured it into her mouth before drinking the wine. One of the cards flipped over. It was a Knight of Swords card. It slid itself forward. Then another started to turn face up. The Princess of Cups.

The Hanged Man carried no broadsword, though his falchion was formidable enough despite being a lighter weapon. But it was his shield that drew the most eyes, even with its heraldic device veiled in burlap. He tilted his head at Zimera's prolonged melancholy, wondering if in his tipsy haze he'd said something wrong. Sorrow permeated every aspect of his life, like tea left too long in the pot, grown overly strong ... yet he'd been drinking it every day for years now, and he'd grown accustomed to the bitter taste.

The elf's quiet humming stayed his tongue, and he was silent while he listened, though he wasn't sure if she'd intended it for their ears or not. He traced idle circles on the countertop with his index finger. Her tune, simple and quiet though it may have been, brought some peace to his heart. "If only y-you had s-some accompaniment," he said with a giggle. "Drummers, l-l-luten-enists ... pipers ... someone to s-sing dancing songs ..." The lush patted the counter, a signal for more brandy. "Th-this place feels dead."

The tavern resonated with his desire. From a dark corner emerged five figures, their faces shadowed under the brims of large hats, each bearing a differently colored feather tucked into the band. Their eyes glowed faintly. The rumble of a large drum filled the tavern with an intoxicating beat that made the Hanged Man lift his head. "... eh? W-were they--were they there ..." He was either far drunker than he thought, or he was losing his mind. Of course, not much of his mind remained to begin with. Either way he barked out a low laugh, quaffed the brandy that was brought to him, and wobbled to his feet. The mere act of standing sent the drink coursing through him, making him sway on the spot.

"Mmminstrels, w-would you p-play--play--d'you know the one--"

Without needing to name the song, the mysterious musicians began to play. The tune was upbeat and somber at the same time, the sort of song one might hear soldiers singing before the eve of their demise. Their low voices resonated in the common room, and the Hanged Man joined them.

The drunken swordsman pulled off his mantle and threw it over a nearby chair. His armor became visible: a cuirass shaped like a muscular chest as well as a gorget and pauldrons, all crafted from darksteel. Beneath that he wore long robes in grey-green, which didn't hinder him as he leaped enthusiastically into dance. "Le' us drink, lettus drrrink, lettus drink the'whole night," he slurred along with the bards. His feet were considerably more coordinated than his words.

"Auxiliadora. I recognize that name. From what I heard, the Princess of their royal family has disappeared."

He grinned a bit, though not the evil grin he had on his face a while ago. This was the grin of knowledge, one he knew she was likely to pick up on. He may not have ever seen her before, but a name like that doesn't go unnoticed. He smiled to Arcaenia, motioning towards the cards after sipping from his chalice.

"May I ask who the reading is for?"

The Oracle looked to Sauron and smiled. "If you are pertaining to what they are doing as of this moment, they are reading themselves." The Princess of Swords card flipped face side up now. "I am not doing anything to them, just asking them to reveal all the knowledge in this very place. It is a wonderful thing.", she told him as one card in particular lay face down. Out of the cards she chose to summon, one refused to turn to her. "That one... flip it over, Sauron. That is my reading for you.", she said with a smile.

He couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head at her as she spoke. "Would it not provide more meaningful conversation if you were to simply ask about the place?" He continued watching the cards, then nodded slightly towards Arcaenia, Sauron reached forward, flipping the card that she mentions.

((Gah...short post is short))

"I know all there is to know. Such is the knowledge I possess.", she said softly. The third eye appeared on her forehead, giving an eerie glare at everyone in the tavern, scanning the walls. "The information they are giving me is not of any news. However, they seem to want to know and now, they are finding it for themselves." The card Sauron picked up displayed nothing for a moment before revealing a two faced beast. A truly horrifying sight, it was. Something that could instill otherwordly and unexplained fear.

(Hmmm ... the Hanged Man is still just baltering around. I'll post again when I have something to reply to ... or when I get sick of waiting lol )

Sauron couldn't help but chuckle at the cards image. He simply nodded, placing the card back on the table face up. He sips from his drink, looking to Arcaenia and Chimera.

"This card amuses me greatly. It's rather accurate for, well, everyone. Though, of course, some more so than others. So many of us are frightful beings, hidden under the cowl of society. We all have two faces, and we choose when to show any given face. However, I've no idea what this card is actually supposed to represent."

The Oracle looked at him with her blind eyes, smiling. It seemed she was looking at him and yet past him at the same time. "That card is revealing something to you. Something that I alone cannot tell you.", she said softly before the cards suddenly were gone. The one he was going to give her disappeared in his fingertips, leaving no trace of it behind. She took a sip of wine and let it run over her tongue before swallowing, taking her tip with the drink.

The song reached an end and the bards started into a slightly slower, wordless tune. Since no one joined him, the Hanged Man abandoned his attempts at dancing. He was about to drag himself back to the bar when the conversation between Sauron and Arcaenia caught his ears. Everyone has two faces. He had already shown the tavern's occupants a glimpse of his other face earlier, that ugly seething thing stuck in the worst his past had to offer.

The swordsman was just drunk enough to think that he deserved to approach them, so he limped over towards their table. Yet he was not so brazen as to sit beside them, nor even to join their conversation. Once he was a few strides away, he came to a halt and bowed deeply. The blood rushed up into his head as he bent forward and he stumbled, nearly falling over his feet. "M'lord, m'lady," he said, not yet straightening. He was waiting for their permission, both to engage them in conversation and even to rise out of the bow. It was clear that he came from a strictly feudal society--the bow was a well-practiced motion for him, and he managed to maintain it even inebriated.

Sauron pondered on the card as it disappeared from his hands, obviously not surprised by it's disappearance but still giving the cards meaning consideration. While he pondered, he heard the voice of The Hanged Man from nearby, having watched him from the corner of his eye approach the table in his highly inebriated state. He had to admit, it was a good bow, especially for one so intoxicated as he most obviously was.

He was no stranger to the customs and policies of feudal societies, and had been king of a few in his lifetime. He bowed his head to him, motioning to an empty chair at the table.

"Greetings, swordsman. Please, come sit with us. Surely it is safer than for you to stand at the moment."