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Post by Aspyria Overlord on Jul 19, 2014 14:13:49 GMT -5
The retreating dragon-dog was chased by a colorful stream of curses from Higgin's, and more laughter from the crowd before they began settling in to their meals once more. Hilda simply moved to the back to fetch a mop, and began cleaning up the evidence of Thalu's retreat as Higgin's moved back to the bar, grumbling all the while.
The woman looked up to Tia, glaring through puffy red eyes. At length it faded, and she bowed her head as she spoke in a sullen tone.
"Where we log, there's a grove of tree's called the White wood. The birch tree's are of the best quality, but... lately, people have been disappearing, or have been falling ill while they work up there. Daryl decided to risk it, since we needed extra, and now..."
The rest of her words disappeared into a crying fit, her arms wrapping around her middle. The man to the other side leaned over and put his arms around her, hugging her to comfort the widow.
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Post by Thaludaerev on Jul 19, 2014 14:29:49 GMT -5
Now outside, Thalu turned to the left and fled right for the yard behind the tavern, searching for something to hide under, anything at all. This wasn't in his nature, or at least it wasn't to the party's knowledge, but Sarah knew better. Thalu didn't receive harshness well, and after getting so happy to start dancing, doing bad things and fumbling around and getting laughed at reminded him of dark, scary things. Dark, scary things sent him into his animal form where more simple instincts took hold.
Needless to say, Thalu was probably better off not causing more damage for Higgins and just crawling under a few crates or stray logs and waiting until someone calmed him down, or something shiny distracted him.
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Post by Sarah Summerset on Jul 19, 2014 14:37:30 GMT -5
Sarah simply gave Saria a smile, "Well he's a dragon! Course he's gonna eat a bunch. You'll get used to it, don't worry grumpy pants!" Her laugh didn't go far as Thalu ripped down the ceiling. As soon as he started shifting she tried to call after him, but he was already gone. Looking back to the other two she gave a shrug and hopped back off of Tia's seat. "I'll be back. Uhm-- save me something to eat!"
With that the hafling was off, skipping over the puddle Thalu had left at the door before looking around to see where he was. A dragon like Thalu left signs behind that a blind person could follow but a dog... She frowned and tried to think of where her friend would go, trusting in her feet to guide her to him as she searched.
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Post by Ivo Lak on Jul 19, 2014 15:15:42 GMT -5
"Ha! Grumpy pants." Ivo chuckled at the joke and gave his trademark infuriating smirk toward the inquisitor. As Sarah hurried after Thalu he yelled after her "Sure thing!" He then waved to the tavernkeeper and held up two fingers. Carousing had worked up a bit of hunger for him too.
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Post by Saria Ghostweaver on Jul 19, 2014 18:49:50 GMT -5
"I don't care how much Thalu eats, he needs it same as we do. It's Higgins' worried about how much Thalu eats." Saria reached for a heel of bread, mopping up the last drippings from the bowl Thalu devoured. She chewed the bread while she looked at Sarah. "'m'not grumpy. Just looking to get on the road before more fun happens to us while we're here." Thalu's disappearance from the inn got a nod while she waved to the halfling. "Go after him. We'll cover the fort while you're gone."
Saria finished off the heel before sinking back into the chair, noticing Ivo returning to the table. She gave the willworker a half-grimace, lifting her left hand to flip him off. "You'd be less than cheerful too if your religious upbringing was dedicated to the Lady of death and fate. After all, everyone shares it in the end." She rolled her eyes while reaching for another mug on the table. Finding it empty, she tossed it back onto the tabletop. "Maybe if we try especially hard or are extremely lucky, we can do something that will get us kicked out before midnight."
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Post by Tiaera Theralon on Jul 19, 2014 23:27:46 GMT -5
Tiaera jumped out of her skin after the sudden crash. Looking over her shoulder, she was less surprised that the excitable dragon was behind it. Still, she smiled instead of settling into a scolding expression as Thalu ran off with his tail between his legs.
The bard turned back to the woman, a frown finding itself again as the woman fell into hysterics. "We will make sure that no one else is a target by the mystery surrounding the white wood. I Promise." The half-elf left her to her friend then, traveling across the taverns with a jingle of her silks, she returned to her previous seat. "It seems as though we have an opportunity to aid this town once more.
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Post by Aspyria Overlord on Jul 19, 2014 23:40:49 GMT -5
The food arrived in short order, two hearty mewls of stew and bread for the hungry spellcaster. Hilda dropped another piece of parchment off with the food, adding to the bill, before moving off to continue with the clean up.
Outside the inn, there was a small yard, with a wood pile out back, and a fence seperating the inn from Hilda and Higgin's home. A road into town ran to the left from the door, a road leading up and into the forested hills to the right.
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Post by Thaludaerev on Jul 19, 2014 23:45:53 GMT -5
Thalu had ducked underneath some of the wood in the pile, sticking his head into a hole large enough for a golden retriever to hide away in only halfway. His hind-legs and tail still stuck out from the pile, making it very obvious for anyone who might have been looking for him to see just where he was hiding. Due to the nature of his escape, he left a few obvious tracks in the dirt as well, kicking up chunks of grass and dirt to lead to where he was cowering.
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Post by Sarah Summerset on Jul 19, 2014 23:52:42 GMT -5
It wasn't long before Sarah stumbled onto Thalu's sideways ostrich impression, he rarely went far when he got like this and his hiding place wasn't particularly hidden either. "Thaluuuu." Her voice called to the drake softly as she approached, a hand slowly and lightly coming down onto the dog's flank. "You didn't have to run, it was just an accident. We all know that. Don't be sad." A smile tugged at her lips, hands gently stroking what parts of Thalu she could reach. "You always have more accidents when you're sad like this."
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Post by Ivo Lak on Jul 20, 2014 0:28:56 GMT -5
Ivo laughed when Saria gave him the rude gesture and just shrugged. "Yeah, we all die sometime." He thanked Hilda when she dropped off the food and put one of the bowls and pieces of bread back at Sarah's seat before digging in himself. He ate rather messily, manners weren't a priority. He looked up when the bard rejoined them and swallowed down the food he was chewing. "Great! How much does it pay?"
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Post by Thaludaerev on Jul 20, 2014 0:54:54 GMT -5
Thalu would've yelped if it was anyone but Sarah who came to console him. Slowly but surely, he wiggled his way out from underneath the stack of wood, licking his chops and staring up at Sarah, now that they were at a more equal eye height. "Everyone was so happy, and then it got really angry . . ." he whined, bowing his head in shame at what he did.
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Post by Saria Ghostweaver on Jul 20, 2014 0:55:19 GMT -5
Saria shook her head at Ivo's reply before slumping back in the chair, its front legs lifted off the floor as she leaned back. "All must die," she agreed, closing her eyes in thought. "But no one willingly rushes toward it so easily." She let the rest go when Tia returned to the table, giving the performer a nonplussed look. "Another one? Do you think they'll be happy with us staying longer considering our appetites?"
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Post by Sarah Summerset on Jul 20, 2014 1:03:18 GMT -5
Sarah shook her head at Thalu, "Don't be silly. We have plenty of gold. We'll pay for it to be fixed and then some and no one will be mad. I bet you they aren't even mad anymore if you wanna go back in. Or we could sleep out here if you want. I'm sure the stable's nice enough here. Mister and Misses Higgins seem like really clean people! I bet it barely smells like horse poo!" It wouldn't be the first time Sarah had opted to spend the night outside to keep Thalu company when he couldn't get a room.
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Post by Tiaera Theralon on Jul 20, 2014 1:07:05 GMT -5
"I will ensure as much. They will have to oblige considering there is another threat this township faces." Tiaera took another few bites of her meal, thankful that it didn't matter how much it had cooled off, it really did not spoil in quality. Finishing off her glass of wine, she didn't call over for another one, rather waiting more a more polite method of requisition.
"I don't believe it pays anything aside for gratitude. The hospitality we have received already is far enough by my own standards. I understand if none of you feel the same about it."
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Post by Thaludaerev on Jul 20, 2014 1:13:18 GMT -5
Thalu sniffed the air and then sneezed, disagreeing with Sarah's gamble on the cleanliness of the stables. "I'd . . . rather sleep inside," he whined, sitting down on his rump and sneezing again. The dust and dirt from between the pieces of wood were likely bothering his sinuses. "Can I sleep in your room tonight? I'll just use the foot of the bed," he muttered, implying he'd stay in his dog form so not to take up all the room in the bed. He usually did that when he felt guilty over things.
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