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my first time doing an IC so I hope I did it right

Snow covered the ground in the kingdom. No sign of chaos for weeks...no signs of magic, nothing. Alvara looked around as she entered the tavern. She pulled of her hood revealing her long dark brown hair and earth like eyes. Everyone looked over at her, noticing her weapons. She carried a sword, two knives that could be used for both throwing and up close purposes, and a bow under her cloak. The bartender watched her as she walked over to the bar, sitting down and sighing. “A beer please” She ordered, looking him directly in the eyes. The bartender quickly brought back her beer then quietly walked over to the wanted board. Alvara took a drink from her beer, “I’d get away from there if I were you”. Her hand moved to a dagger, not fully pulling it out.

The bartender stepped back to the bar, being frightening by her. She rolled her eyes, putting away her dagger. Everyone in the bar simply froze, not saying anything to disturb her. Alvara turned around, locking eyes with one of them that moved even the slightest. She could easily kill all of these people in the matter of seconds. But cleaning that up would be a hassle. Alvara turned back around to face the bartender, finishing her beer. “If anyone in this bar speaks of this anywhere outside, you’ll pay for it” she stated unamusingly. People down here never understood where and what she had been through. Her own kingdom was burned to ash in front of her by one man. A man she once put all her trust into but now she was on the run from that same bastard of a man. Alvara let out a sigh, hearing footsteps behind her. Her pointed ears perked up, showing she knew someone was behind her.

Dulirn sighed to himself at the elf woman's too-obvious display. Had it only been the bartender that she'd intimidated, the wizard may have been able to cast a spell to modify the man's memory slightly, enough to perhaps send a bounty hunter in the wrong direction. But he couldn't hope to accomplish such a feat for everyone in the room.

Despite her threats, tongues would loosen the moment she was out of sight and someone with enough gold coins showed up to ask about her. And no matter how skilled she might be with those weapons, well... she still had to sleep sometime.

He waited a few moments, letting the soft murmur of conversation begin again around the tavern, before approaching her and sliding quietly onto the stool next to her. "A beer, barkeep and another for the lady if she'll accept it," he said, sliding a few coins across the wide bar.

At this moment you hear the door to the tavern swing open, from the snow storm out side you see a figure in strange garb rush in. he swiftly rush to the fire and begin warming his hands. they talk through chattering teeth. "With this blasted cold how the hell do you all live up here?!?"
you can see through reflected light an oddly hooked blade strapped to his back, he then stops and looks around the silent room, his eyes are covered in cloth. "Umm... I'm sorry, didn't mean anything by it."
Feeling the defining silence pressing all around him he takes a seat at the bar and trys to contain his shivering body.

Alvara eyed the man, watching his every move. He was up to something but It’d be rather rude if she didn’t accept his offer. After all a free drink wasn’t the worst thing in the world, actually it was a pretty kind offer. She looked at him, not missing a detail about his appearance. Alvara simply nodded, letting him know that she would accept it.

Alvara slightly shifted in her chair, making her self a bit more comfortable. “What do you want?” She asked, looking directly at him. If anything happened she had to leave quickly. Even the slightest noise of a horses hooves or the sound of many men, she would have to go. Run as fast as she could to the woods, that’s where she could lose them. That’s where she had always lost them....but that’s also where she lost herself and her family. Alvara brushed off the thought, now only focusing on the man.

The door opened causing her to turn around in her chair, ready to attack if necessary. She rolled her eyes and focused back on the bartender, trying to ignore the other man. This place was getting too crowded, she had to leave soon. Or-or she might be caught, considering everyone in here obviously knew who she was and what she had done...

Dulirn waited until the barkeep was out of earshot before answering her question. "Simply to make an offer," he said, then took a swig of his beer. "You have need to get away. I could offer such a way, in return for use of your blades for a time to retrieve an item of ... Interest."

He glanced at Tovin thoughtfully for a moment, then back to the elf.

Alvara processed the thought...with this man she could be turned in at any second. But. Getting away, being free for just having to use her weapons. Wasn’t that bad of a deal...but who was this other man? The one who entered the place very loudly. Alvara looked at him, “What exactly do I get in return?”. Her once distant self was now very intrigued in whatever his item of interest was.

She looked over at the other man who sat alone. He couldn’t be apart of some group or he wouldn’t have came alone. Her mind completely flooded with thoughts about both these men... “ And who is this other man?”.

Tovin feeling eyes dig into him like daggers shifts slightly in his seat till he's almost facing the conspiring pair. Then with one fluid movement he pulls up the cloth around his eyes revealing two large amber eyes that shine in the light.

He sits there saying nothing but clearly listening, when he is mentioned his eyes adjust in shape but do not take any recognizable emotion.

"The man is... also interesting," Dulirn replied, meeting the large amber eyes with obvious curiosity. "Perhaps he might consider my proposal as well...I'm sure I could find something to offer him in exchange."

He looked back at the elf again, glancing at the barkeep to ensure he was far enough away not to overhear. "I am a purveyor of items of wonder... I have one in mind that may be of particular interest to you, one with the ability to change your looks at will."

Alvara looked straight in front of her, thinking...This man could either turn her in or actually help her. It’d be nice for a change...someone to help her and all. She looked at the man, looking into his amber eyes then back at the man with an offer. “I accept”. Those words like a punch in the gut. The same words that got her in trouble once before...Alvara sighed through her nose then straightened her position. “When do we begin?” She asked, looking around the place.

Tovin cocks his head at the thought of such a wonder. "Interesting." Tovin has little experience with mages only knowing of them from his clans tales, men and women who can make it rain with just a snap of their fingers. He glanced at the Elf, he's met Elves before but they've always been rather chipper and soft spoken, this one is diffrent, there's a darker tone in her voice, like the crunching of leaves under a boot.

He begins tapping his finger in the bar awaiting more information from the wizard.

Alvara finished her beer in the matter of seconds, wiped her mouth of any possible liquid with her hand. Something, a gut feeling, was bothering her. But what would be the worst thing that could happen. Death? That actually sounded quite nice...no more running or- Alvara pushed away the thought, slamming her mug onto the table. Who exactly were these men? Their names? She simply guessed she would figure that out later.

Alvaras focus moved to the annoying noise of the mans fingers. Each tap made her blood boil. Oh how she hated little annoying noises. They rang like church bells in her ears, never stopping and extremely loud. Tap. Tap. Tap. Alvara tried to focus on something different...but that didn’t help...She gave a look that clearly meant for him to stop.

Dulirn could tell he had the man's attention, but he was harder to read on what he might find a worthwhile price for his services. "A message stone, perhaps? To communicate with a loved one many miles away?" The man, whatever he was, was obviously not from here, so the wizard was only taking a guess that there may be friends or family sorely missed.

"Tomorrow night, as dusk falls," he said, answering Alvara's question. "At the east side of the docks for a trip into the Smoking Bay. If all goes well, it should only take one night." If things didn't go well... well, then he wouldn't have to worrying about handing over the promised magical items.

Alvara looked back at Dulirn, very intrigued. The docks? At dusk? She’d have to be a bit more careful at that time. She usually roamed around that time in the woods not at the docks...sort of unknown territory to her. Maybe she shouldn’t do this...but she really just wanted to be a normal woman, have a normal life. One that can walk the town without having to coverup her appearance. One that had a family of her own.....a happy life that must be. “We will part till that time ?” She asked, looking directly at him.

With the incessant tapping he could see the annoyance well up in the Elf. It made Tovin smirk under his face cover, the thought of something so simple could anger her so. When the mage was done giving out information Tovin slaps the bar with an echo and trys to stifle a snicker.

"Come now mage, I'm an exile. My clan doesn't need or want my they've made that vary clear. Oh, but don't get angry, you had no way of knowing." Tovin leans closer to the mage. "And for my payment, either give me something deadly or just give me gold. "

Tovin stands up and heads towards the door. Before he makes it however, he stops, turns around, and extends a hand to the Elf then the mage. "Names Tovin the Sindrid of clan Aash'i nice to meet both of you." He then recovers his eyes and heads out into the cold.

“Alvara” she stated while shaking his hand, quickly releasing her grip. Oh how she hated to be touched and those tiny noises. At one point she’d thought those two things would kill her one day. She made herself smile, acting kindly towards the both of them.

Alvara stood up as well, putting her hood over her head. This was going to be a long night...she had to come up with some sort of plan for tomorrow. A plan for both if things go right and if things went wrong. She sighed at the thought, then the left the tavern without saying another word.

"I think it best," he replied to Alvara. "I would hate to become entangled n your... legal troubles."

He stood up to leave shortly after Tovin and the elf left, pleasantly surprised at how quickly they'd both agreed to the job. They hadn't even pressed for details, which may be a good thing, otherwise they might have refused...

"Barkeep," he called and the man came over hesitantly. Dulirn looked into his eye and spoke very deliberately. "Here is the tip for Miss Smith's beer." The barkeep suddenly seemed slightly confused, then smiled pleasantly, his memory of who the girl was wiped away.

When Alvara left she could see Tovin leaning next to the tavern door. He then stood upright and slowly walked towards her trying to contain his shaking from the cold.

Then all of a sudden to her surprise, Tovin bows to her and said with a much kinder voice than in the tavern "Miss Alvara I am deeply sorry if I offended you in there, I've learned that being a mercenary in this land people expect you to be rude and tough. I truly do hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me and even begin to trust me for our coming job together, I'd rather you like me much rather than you stab me in the back."

Alvara slightly jumped, her hand on her dagger. To her relief it was only Tovin. She put away her dagger, feeling a bit sorry she had pulled that out on him. She started listening to his speech, processing every word he spoke. Alvara raised her eyebrow at the word “trust”. Oh please, good luck getting my trust anytime soon, she thought to herself. “I forgive you” she stated. Those words like knives. Oh how it hurt her to be polite. Her father always wanted her to be a polite young lady. Her stupid abusive father!

She started walking away but a thought came to her. She quickly turned around, looking at him. “A stab in the back?” She pauses “I reckon you didn’t mean that literally?”. She slightly laughed at the thought and continued her walk to the woods, being as quiet as she could with her steps.

Seeing Alvara walk away Tovin sighed and stood upright. "These people, why does everyone in this contry have to be such an ass, i'll never get it, never."

Tovin then proceeded to the docks back to his lodging.