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Post by Sarah Summerset on Jul 17, 2014 12:16:01 GMT -5
Sarah glanced down at the hand that enveloped her shoulder before turning her head up to look at him. "Oh. I see." Was all she said to the man as she settled onto her stool further. Crossing her arms and legs, her face scrunched up in thought, though that may be hard for the taller folk to see past the rim of her hat.
When she looked up again, and fixed her hat, she turned her eyes somewhere between the two. "...So what happened? Was he sick? Was he attacked? It wasn't the bandits was it?" Apparently that pause for thought had done little to aid the halfling's infamously poor thought-to-words filter.
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Post by Saria Ghostweaver on Jul 17, 2014 13:10:05 GMT -5
Saria's lips quirked upward when Tiaera left the table to entertain the patrons and herself, leaving the inquisitor to keep an eye on Thalu. "No one's in trouble, friend," she offered in a reassuring tone, her gaze looking over to Higgins before returning to the dragon. "Tia just had some... issues with the costs we're being charged. Though it's true what he said, the area's poor for grazing flocks and some of us have bigger bellies than others." Her eyes looked down to her half-finished bowl before she pushed the stew toward Thalu. "She's just looking after our investments. Another day or two and we should be on the road again."
Rising from her chair, she looked out over the crowd - or more accurately through the crowd, considering her height. Her gaze settled on Sarah for a moment before looking away, leaving Tiaera and Ivo to their singing. "Don't worry yourself about it, Thalu," Saria consoled the dragon, reaching out to scratch the scales along his back. "Keep eating your fill. The Lady smiles on our kind and gives us good fortune. We'll be back on the road and seeing what the world gives to us before long."
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Post by Thaludaerev on Jul 17, 2014 16:43:06 GMT -5
Just as easily reassured as he was spooked, Thalu ceased his worried slumping and went back to finishing his meal, and then Saria's, downing both in record time. For the sake of the rest of the party's coin purses, he seemed content with that amount of food, and focused on thumping his tail and listening to the singing. This was so much better than goblin songs.
Against his better judgement, Thalu started to stand up from his sitting position, and began to rustle and shake as if trying to join in on merriment, dancing as best of a jig as he could with his massive, quadrupedal body. He kept his tail close to him and his wings folded down, so not to bump into any tables or any patrons, but given his size he couldn't help but knock over two chairs as he moved to the center of all the singing, shaking around like a confused dog, scales glimmering in the light.
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Post by Ivo Lak on Jul 17, 2014 19:36:50 GMT -5
Ivo led the merry tune, ale sloshing from his mug as he sung loudly. As the bard joined in and started singing over him he put his mug up to his lips as if to take a drink but actually covered his mouth while he cast another prestidigitation. He then took a deep breath and resumed singing, now louder than before and still pretty off-key. He continued to flail his arms like a conductor though it was obvious that he had never led a group before.
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Post by Aspyria Overlord on Jul 17, 2014 19:51:15 GMT -5
The patrons seemed delighted by the antics of the group, both the dancing dragon now in their midst and the battle of minstrels. The rowdy group, just as off key as the man who led them in song, raised their volume while those with any sort of talent followed the songstress in her more proper singing. Higgins and Hilda seemed bemused, he latter darting into the crowd to try and right the chairs knocked over, as Higgins made his way to Saria.
"Don't take the bill the wrong way. We are appreciative of all you've done, and business is booking with you all here. But we can't stay afloat for ever on that rate, aye?" The barrel chested man explained, offering his hand for a handshake to the inquisitor.
Meanwhile, the logger who had been speaking to Sarah leaned down, to be better heard without his words carrying to the grieving widow. "Some sorta sickness got him, robbed the strength right out of him. It's been going around as of late, but Daryl insisted he could keep working. Wound up falling out of a tree and breaking his neck. Nasty, but quick way at least, Erastil be praised."
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Post by Sarah Summerset on Jul 17, 2014 21:39:38 GMT -5
The halfling again falls silent at the explanation, a simple "Oh." the only response she gave to the man. The clatter of chairs among the song drew her attention and the somber expression faded in the face of Thalu's confused dancing, quickly replaced with a smile.
There wasn't any reason to pressure the people further about sickness. That just made people sad in her experience. Instead she slid off her stool with a bow to what loggers weren't distracted by song and dancing dragons and began the treacherous passage through the legs of various patrons to the table where the group was mostly gathered. "I like these people. We should see if we can cheer up the sad lady though. Maybe you can help Tia? I'd ask Thalu but he's dancing right now."
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Post by Saria Ghostweaver on Jul 18, 2014 2:26:13 GMT -5
The inquisitor leaned back in her chair once Thalu downed the rest of her stew, her attention wandering over to Ivo and Tiaera's merriment. Not one to hold a tune aside from marcher songs or church hymns, she contented herself with clapping along to the music while the dragon rose to dance. A hint of a smile crossed her face as she watched the dancing.
Higgins' appearance caught the inquisitor back to her senses, the smile fading slightly as she listened. "It's quite all right, goodsir," Saria offered, scratching the tattoo on the back of her left hand. "Our friend's tastes can be rather both expensive and expansive. We don't mean to cause you any hardships. Another day or two and we should be able to leave you in peace again." She leans on the edge of her chair, taking the innkeeper's hand. "With a fair payment, all things considered. If you've heard any rumors or word from nearby towns as well who also need help, that's something we'd appreciate to know."
Saria let go just as the halfling returned to the table, her attention looking briefly to the sad woman before returning to Sarah. "Cheer her up? I'm not usually good at something like that..." She looked to the others, past the dragon and onto Tia and Ivo. "What do you say, Tia? Sound like a good challenge?"
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Post by Tiaera Theralon on Jul 18, 2014 4:58:56 GMT -5
She paused her song as her attention was pulled two ways. She regarded the halfling first with a kind smile, but responded to Saria first. "That sounds fantastic yes. If you wouldn't mind looking into our options."
Tiaera then gave Sarah her full attention, walking over to the mentioned lady, sitting down at the table to join her. "I hear you have come into some trouble. If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask." She of course had been in the dark as to what was wrong, the volume of vocals in the room easily drowning out any and all conversation. Though the woman's demeanor worried the bard, as she furrowed her brows in concern. "If you would like to talk, we could go talk somewhere more privately. I know it can sometimes be uncomfortable to speak of anything distressing in a public setting, but I assure you. I am willing to listen."
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Post by Thaludaerev on Jul 18, 2014 6:12:16 GMT -5
Thalu kept to his rustling and shaking while the ladies worked out business and potential plot points, knowing only of fun and mirth right here and now. He reared up in his excitement, forgetting his size, only to end up bonking his head on the ceiling, and piercing both pointed horns on the top of his head through the wood into the second floor or outside ceiling, depending on how large the tavern was.
Ashamed, and stuck, Thalu kind of stood there, horns missing into the wood and a nervous expression painted on his face, hoping no one would notice the loud thud or splitting of wood. "Oops . . ."
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Post by Aspyria Overlord on Jul 18, 2014 15:23:03 GMT -5
The sudden piercing of horn into roof drew several eyes, and even more laughter at the sight they behold thereafter. Higgins and Hilda made their way to the dragon, the former glancing towards the bill as if mentally adding to it, and then they both reached up to grab Thalu by the shoulders, trying to pull him down.
Meanwhile, the woman who Tia had spoken to lifted her head, a fresh wave of tears marring her cheeks. "Do? What could you do... my husband's dead and buried." she said in a shaky voice, arms wrapping about herself tightly. "I told him not to go so far from camp, and now he's dead! What can you do to fix that?" she asks, misdirected anger taking over as she glared at the other woman.
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Post by Sarah Summerset on Jul 18, 2014 16:29:34 GMT -5
Sarah jumped a bit as the singing abruptly quieted to the sound of wood splitting. Turning to face the rest of the common room, she couldn't help but laugh at the comical situation Thalu found himself in. "Be careful you don't leave his horns behind when you get him out!" She called to Higgins and Hilda worked to help dislodge the Gold.
Once she was certain Thalu would be freed from his self-inflicted predicament, Sarah climbed onto Tia's abandoned seat and looked to see if any food was left on the table. Instead of food, she found herself leaning over a long bill of costs. "Wow we spent a lot here! Look at this, look how they added up the cost of the food. They tracked it by the sheep!" She laughs, clearly not overly bothered by the cost.
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Post by Tiaera Theralon on Jul 18, 2014 18:07:28 GMT -5
Tiaera would reach for the woman's hand, offering her a comforting stroke as her eyes would search for the grieving widow's. "Whatever happened to him could happen to another. Nothing we could do will possibly bring him back, but his death could mean saving many more lives."
The concern the bard wore wouldn't fade if she tried. The loss this woman felt weighed heavily on her, and worry that this woman would let her husband's death mean nothing didn't help relieve that.
--------- Skill Check: Diplomacy Nat 7 + 14 = 21
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Post by Thaludaerev on Jul 18, 2014 18:59:32 GMT -5
Thalu grunted and strained in trying to remove himself from the boards carefully. Higgins and Hilda helping ended up resulting in a free dragon, but two less boards in the ceiling as they were note stuck to Thalu's head. They fell free as he assumed his animal form, a glimmering light consuming him and shrinking his body down to a much smaller and manageable size.
Now as a dog, Thalu did what he normally did when he felt like he did something wrong. He tucked his tail between his legs, shunned and whimpered, and scurried away out the door. Only a little submissive pee made it in the tavern, but it was right by the front door as Thalu tucked tail and ran.
Spell Animal Form Two daily uses remain.
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Post by Ivo Lak on Jul 19, 2014 1:22:02 GMT -5
Ivo joined in the raucous laughter as the dragon created more property damage. He plopped down in a chair next to Sarah and glanced over the bill. He let out a low whistle and then leaned back in his seat. He casually sipped his ale and watched as Thalu ran away. If any of the events that just happened bothered him he didn't show it.
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Post by Saria Ghostweaver on Jul 19, 2014 3:30:47 GMT -5
Once the innkeeper was distracted by Thalu's horns stuck in the ceiling, Saria slumped back into her chair, half-sinking down so her chin was at the table's height. She reached out for the mug on the table, though tossed it back onto the table after finding it empty. "Lady's fortune, protect me," she muttered to herself, her right hand rubbing at the back of the tattoo.
The halfling's return to the table got a brief notice, Saria's thumbs squeezing the bridge of her nose while forefingers rubbed her temples. "Sheep and goats and pigs. By their numbers, we've eaten half the herds and flocks since arriving." The inquisitor's gaze flickered over Higgins for a moment before returning to Sarah. "I don't know how you stay that cheerful and bubbly all the time. It's too exhausting dealing with others like that."
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