Fable - Ask Never A Peaceful Drink

[Ispir Sione]

Outskirts of Alliria - The Slumbering Dragon Inn


Ispir was in the middle of performing for a more remote tavern outside of Alliria, the sun just barely past mid-day, the sound of gentle piano music rolling through the Slumbering Dragon like the gentle lapping of ocean waves that just barely kissed at one's feet upon a warm, sandy shore. The Slumbering Dragon, attached to a relatively small farming community that fed Alliria proper, was experiencing quite the boom in business as the Grand Tournament of Tides was underway. Travel too and from Gild, the Spine, Vel Anir and Fal'Addas was even making this comparatively humble tavern quite a bit of coin.

The soft flickering of candlelight would whip and whisper soft promises of flame every time the tavern staff passed by. Drink flowed in abundance. People laughed and exchanged stories, cards and drinks in genuine shows of hospitality and comradery. All in all it was a peaceful, normal day within The Slumbering Dragon. So much so that famous, infamous or otherwise outstanding company could join the merrymaking without any fuss or fighting from the locals.

In fact the barkeep, a human man with a bald head, large grey moustache, rugged stubble and a generally friendly smile would greet any who entered The Slumbering Dragon with a kind wave and offer for their first drink to be half-off. The prosperity of the tavern of late seemingly emboldening a generous spirit.

Erën
Toruuk Stoneheart ​

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

Spoiler: music~

---

Living from Inn to Inn had never been easy, but after Fane, it was better to stay moving even if close by. And so it was that Lilette entered the Slumbering Dragon, turning heads at the sight of her white and blue vestments, all constellations of the celestialist pantheon embroidered upon them in silver thread.

She paid them no heed, for her mercurial eyes gained on her pointed ears as they followed the familiar chime of sweet ivory.

Lilette found herself wandering the crowd at only a few notes, the crowd itself quickly forgetting her odd figure as they too were drawn to the source. Pale little fingers twitched to the rhythm in ghostly synchronicity as muscle remembered what the mind forgot--she knew this song.

Yes, it was coming back now, a ballroom long ago.

Her brother's wedding, she must have-

Despite everything that led to this very moment, she... smiled.

Not that thin little politician's smile she gave everyone, her lips curved like the twin moons in crescent phase.

The crowd faded from notice until only she and the little musician remained, save perhaps the faint memory of lights through stained glass, and the gilded dresses of elvish ladies from across the falwood.

She wandered so close--nearly part of the act--enough to reach for home, if she dared.

---

Ispir Sione Erën Toruuk Stoneheart​

 

[Toruuk Stoneheart]

Lilette's little daydream would be suddenly interrupted by a heavy clap on the back, the open palm of the nine-and-a-half-foot minotaur she'd somehow managed to miss whilst wandering up to the stage. He loomed over her from behind, and though imposing, the beast radiated an air of affability that was almost tangible.

"Wohoho! Didn't expect to see a Celestialist in a bar tonight! Pretty sure the Champ's heard a few jokes that lead off like this, just need to find ourselves a Radiant and an Annunaki and we're all set!" the massive bull bellowed jovially. The friendly pat would turn into him carefully pinching a bit of fabric on the back of her raiment and tugging the woman back slightly.

"Hey, hey, let's give the little bard some space, yeah. You musta had a few sips already if you're goin' for him like that, eh missy? Wohoho! Don't you worry, Toruuk won't tell no one! Might have to have a few with the Champ though if ya really wanna buy my silence!"

Another loud chuckle boomed from his chest, then the bull reached down into a pouch on his belt and dug out a coin, which he flicked of his thumb to Ispir with a sharp ping.
"Speaking of: hey, kiddo! How 'bout you play somethin' a little more upbeat, huh? It's a tavern, not a funeral, oh yeah!"

 

[Nico]

At a table near the stage, a thin man had been likewise absorbing the spritely pianist’s tune, attempting to discern whether the notes were born of genuine skill or enchantment. He could hardly fault the elf for her being enthralled.

When a shadow fell across his drink, the man’s dark features looked up. And up. Until his vertebrae ached from meeting the behemoth’s eyes.

“The lady seems invested in hearing the finish,” the Valenntenian said to this Toruuk, gesturing toward the moon-pale woman. “But I’ll stand you a drink while we wait for the encore.” He slid an Anirian silver across the table and waved for the barkeep. “I confess I wasn’t expecting to meet a minotaur in … well, anywhere. Nico Du’Raki.”

He nodded to include the elf and minstrel, thankful for a reason to relieve his craning neck.

From somewhere in the rafters, the keenest of ears might’ve heard the rustle of wings over the exuberance of the patrons.

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir was so entranced in his own performative rhythm that neither Lilette Blackbriar 's approach nor the hearty laughter of Toruuk Stoneheart disturbed him over much. Eyes were shut, focus on the dexterous and precise motion of pale fingers over even paler keys, sympathetic and rhythmic to Lilette's own motions as Ispir's head bobbed ever so softly in time with the slow, tender notes.

As Toruuk called out to him Ispir would blink his eyes open, smile, and curiously turn his head to look at the minotaur in time to see a golden coin flipping through the air directly at him. One hand still moving upon the piano he would catch it, giggle a bit, and give a nod.

"This song was just finishing up anyways."

He agreed, pocketing the gold and letting the last few somber notes of the piano's siren song fade into memory. Only to swing his legs around the seat, shed his cloak and cap upon the piano, and pull up a violin from his bevy of instruments. Beginning a new, more upbeat performance as request.

Spoiler: A New Performance

As he began to play aquamarine magic would begin to flow and wind in beautiful undulations about the Bard. Sweeping up instruments in his wake as he moved across the stage and started to play a new song to match a triumphant, is light-hearted and joyous mood. He even danced along just a bit with his own tune, spinning and swaying with surprising grace as his twintails drifted and flowed about his head, whipping the air like a twin pair of conductors batons all the while.

Nico​

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

"H-hey!" protested Lilette.

She turned with sour lips and puffed cheeks, for if there was one thing nobody had gotten away with in the castle it was touching a lady of her standing without leave to do so!

But of course, she was neither home nor that girl anyway.

Rather than a servant, she found herself face to navel with... something. She looked up and up, and up again till the bovine source of that thunderous voice made himself known to her; Toruuk. Her dour expression gave way utterly to shock, mouth agape and pointed hears drooping downward like a frightened dog's.

"Uhm. Pray tell ser, thou shan't tell tell no one what, exactly?" asked the elf in all her innocence.

A human voice came to her defense then, receiving a thankful nod from her. This Du'Raki fellow revealed that the hulking bovine was in fact a minotaur, to which Lilette's silver eyes lit up in a very literal sense, gazing up at Toruuk as though he'd walked straight out of a fairy tale and off the page.

"A Minotaur? marvelous!" she said with a smile.

"Many a creature horned and hoofed hast I met, but ne'er so fabled as thine."

The nun then performed a well practiced curtsy to the both of them, whatever offense she'd taken long gone and forgotten.

"Sister Lilette, at thine service good sers."

"Ehm, though I comest only for a room, not drink nor bard-"

Her voice trailed off as the young musician began his orchestra of one, her lips twitching with a barely suppressed smile when she caught a glimpse over her shoulder.

"Though skilled he may be."

---

Ispir Sione Toruuk Stoneheart Nico​

 

[Toruuk Stoneheart]

Introductions all around, then! A fine a place and time as any for new acquaintances.

"Toruuk Stoneheart, champion o' the Stoneheart Clan. I'll take a free drink any day or night, fella!" he greeted the strangers in turn, offering a casual salute before nodding to the barmaid who came to serve him. The bull handed off the silver that Nico had offered and gave the maid a little wink. "'Nother mug of ale, if ya please, darlin'."

He looked back to Nico and Lilette and grinned.
"We don't get out much. Well, I do, yeah, but not too many others."

With the somber song done in timely fashion, Toruuk now had everything he needed: a warm bar, good entertainment, and adequate booze. The only thing that could improve the situation was a good old fashioned brawl.

His eyes turned to the nun in particular.

"Shame ya ain't drinkin'! Would make for a helluva time now and a great story later, the Champ would bet, oh yeah!"

But the little thing was already distracted once more with the bard's performance. This time there were visuals to go along with the sounds, and the bard seemed to be just as lost in his own music as the nun kept finding herself.

"Huh, usually ya gotta be pretty deep into the funny stuff to start seein' colors in the air like that. The kid's just givin' that sorta thing away? Nicer bar than I thought, I'll give 'em that! Ohohoho!"

 

[Nico]

“Yes,” Nico agreed after nodding with the introductions, all the while his eyes following the ribbons of light now dancing about the minstrel on stage. “Captivating… the magics one may see about the world.”

He surveyed the motley lot of his companions for the evening, as if in evidence of his point.

“I have a theory…” The Valenntenian nursed his ale, gathering his presentation. “Do you think they could all be one in the same – the magics? A singular primordial force that the peoples of Arethil learned to harness in their own ways. After all, the various disciplines certainly seem to follow a shared set of rules.”

He gestured to each of them in turn, beginning with the friendly giant. “Perhaps magic was responsible for shaping the peoples. Or found some of them in the form of particular skills such as with our prodigious performer.” His hand absently touched the pocket of his long coat as he added, “Even discarded practices like runes.” Last as an example was Lilette, with a brief pause to choose his words carefully. “Perhaps the gods themselves are facets of magic’s nature.

“If one were able to pull back the curtain, to understand the basic cogs and pulleys of such a force…” He leaned back in his chair, pondering the implications. “Well, limits then become possibilities.”

He raised his mug, as if to give his mouth something else to do, hesitating only long enough to still a tremor in his hand.

Ispir Sione Lilette Blackbriar Toruuk Stoneheart

 

[Ispir Sione]

As the three continued their conversation Ispir would continue playing. Their body idly swaying as their magicks swirled, plucked, blew, beat and played all the required instruments to accompany their violin's lead. Fingers would lift, tense, pull and push in masterful motions along the strings of the violin, the bow angled perfectly to draw the desired sounds forth and have it flow across the tavern like the warmest waves of summertime. Upbeat, jolly even, was the song that spoke of good times, good drinks and even better company.

Thankfully for Ispir this continued performance also spared him from deep conversations much too intelligent for him. His craft was music and his art it's perfection. Musings of gods and the primordial aspects of magic would only have left him reeling and confused. Though, eventually, this song did have to come to an end and once it did Ispir would stand, bow to the audience, and gently set his cap on the edge of the stage upside-down to collect any tips that people wished to provide.

"Thank you all for your time and attention! I do hope my performance today has made your day at least a little more enjoyable!"

Hopping off the stage and leaving his cap there Ispir would approach one of the two empty seats at the table bearing the minotaur who had flipped him a coin earlier and smiled at three. Motioning to a chair directly across from Lilette Blackbriar and next to Toruuk Stoneheart before asking.

"Pardon me, may I sit here please?"

Assuming consent was given Ispir would fold his cloak over the back of the chair, plop down with a bottle of wine, and pour himself a glass, and rest his chin in his palm before noticing Lilette's clothing and tilting his head, and glass, curiously.

"Huh....."

Bright aquamarine eyes would sweep upwards as he took a sip of wine, his cheeks glowing healthily, before he asked Lilette.

"Pardon me Miss, you seem... familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"

Spoiler: A Curious Look

Motioning to Lilette's clothing he would nod.

"I like your clothes."

Pointing to one of the depicted constellations he would state.

"That one is Tovelos."

His finger would drift to another slowly.

"And that one is Aintarex."

Studying Lilette's clothing for a moment or two more he would suddenly remember his manners and nod his head.

"Oh, sorry! I'm Ispir! Nice to meet you all!"

Nico​

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

"W-well, we oft save drink for particular rites, thou see'th." excused Lilette.

Though of course her focus remained on the whimsical display, at least until Nico began talks of magic which pulled her back in.

"All the same?" she said, taking a seat with the group.

It was an interesting proposal, enough to distract her from the fantastical performance even. She pressed a slender finger to her lips in thought. Normally she might've voiced her approval, for an explanation of the gods' origins was truly a fascinating concept. However, to maintain her guise she must surely make an answer informed by the scripture.

"Mm. 'tis said that mortals learnt magic from our goddess, Metisa, who herself wert a construct shaped by the hands o' the shining goddess Astra. However, in the Book of Cosmos, 'tis written that primordials such as she art borne o' the abyss."

"Naught of their origin beside remaineth, thus neither doth contradiction to thine theory."

"Mayhaps the abyss is the birthplace of magic, and womb of the gods." she hummed contemplatively.

So lost in theory-crafting was she as to leave the performance's end unnoticed, nearly jumping in her seat when the sprightly bard appeared at their table.

"Pardon me, may I sit here please?"

"Oh, verily!" said the surprised nun.

Truth be told she tried not to stare, but when he gave her that look it was all but futile. His statement of familiarity saw her lips purse, and an uncanny stillness fell over Lilette.

Did he know?

"Uhm," she breathed.

"Indeed, Tovelos and Aintarex, very good!"

"Beist thou a celestialist too?" the cleric smiled, if a bit shy.

---

Ispir Sione Nico Toruuk Stoneheart​

 

[Toruuk Stoneheart]

This Nico fella started to speak of magic and theory, and Toruuk's expression glazed over. Thankfully the barmaid returned and handed his oversized mug back to him with a wink and a smile. Toruuk grinned and accepted the vessel, giving her a soft "thanks, doll," as she made her way off to another table.

"Heh, look pal," he said to Nico, pausing to take a swig of his fresh ale. "I dunno nothin' about all that. You wanna talk about fightin' or travelin', then Toruuk's your bull, oh yeah. But the Champ's knowledge of magic begins and ends with 'eh, not interested. Looks pretty sometimes.'"

Then Toruuk heard something that got him chuckling.

"W-well, we oft save drink for particular rites, thou see'th."

"That so? If that's the case, Toruuk'd be comin' up with new 'rites' a few times a week! Wohohoho!"

The little bard was more than welcome at the table so far as Toruuk was concerned. A drinking buddy was a drinking buddy, no matter the size. Hell, he'd met some halflings and dwarves that could give him a run for his money. Judging by appearances was a great way to get laid out flat.

"Huh, bunch o' you star-crossers in here tonight, eh? Not that the Champ minds, hoho! Nykios is alright in my book."

 

[Nico]

“Born of the abyss…” Nico mulled the concept over. He had remained still while the sister spoke, intent equally on her idea and the notion of a devout who was willing to analyze the scripture.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the latest addition to the table, raising his mug welcomingly as Ispir sat.

The horned mountain next to him nudged the conversation elsewhere – Nico had noticed the distance there during his own prattling. The bull’s interests were written on his person like badges, his fur parted here and there with long scars, his horns sturdy but blemished with battle.

“To each their own,” Nico nodded, recognizing the name of the war god when Toruuk spoke it. “I might commission you to make a fighter out of me, but for my suspicion you specialize in weapons I’d not be able to lift from the ground.”

He looked about the crowded tavern, and back to the bull towering over the sea of patrons. “Have you come to Alliria looking for a fight?” He heard the ambiguity as the words left his mouth, and promptly clarified, “In the tourney, I mean.”

Ispir Sione Lilette Blackbriar Toruuk Stoneheart

 

[Ispir Sione]

Taking a small sip of wine Ispir blink at the pretty obvious follow-up question that Lilette Blackbriar asked them. Setting their glass down he would shake his head, giving a bit of a bashful smile as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Oh! No no I just like the stars and I know how to recognize them."

Came the puzzling honest answer. Though at Toruuk Stoneheart 's insistence of Nykios being alright Ispir would hum. The name sounded familiar. Probably a deity of the Celestialists going by the conversation. Ispir would then quiet down, seemingly lost in thought for a moment, but couldn't remember where exactly he had heard that name before Toruuk mentioned it. Likely just in passing somewhere.

Giving a shrug to his own conclusion Ispir would pause as Nico seemed to challenge the minotaur to a fight! Or, wait no, he just meant in the tourney. Not wanting to interrupt Ispir would wait until Toruuk gave his answer before adding.

"I plan to go and play in the muslcal contest."

He smiled, genuine and airy, before blinking as a few of the local militia entered the Slumbering Dragon, pulled the barkeep aside for a short conversation, and then left again without a word. Idly turning his attention back to the table he didn't think much of it.​

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

"Ah, well, the stars art for all of us. Whether thou goest to temple or not." assured Lilette.

"T'were a fascination o' mine ere I donned the cloth!"

Toruuk and Nico's banter received little more than a smirk and playful roll of her eyes, for she had little to offer save perhaps that the human should choose his words carefully in so rough a world. Though the thought his battle with the Minotaur tickled her.

Her thoughts then drifted and her gaze with them, recalling something about Nykios.

Only to find armored figures enter the door.

Pale lips pursed at the sight of them but she uttered not a word until they left. When the elf turned toward her fellows, her voice sank low.

"Wonder what the militia wants?"

"...I think I wilt take that drink, actually."​

---

Ispir Sione Nico Toruuk Stoneheart​