The Coming of Shadows

[Kuffie]

Coyoto enjoyed hearing the music as if it calmed him down he drank the rest of his beer and went off in search of drakes, Vampires anything

[Flarecobra]

After another two songs, Kazi noticed that the three guys a couple tables down were starting to get a little roudy, and every now and then taking glances at the few women in the tavern, including herself. <Great. Drunk, and now they've decided to go skirt-chasing. So long as they don't come near me.>

[Astral Harmony]

Gelti Empire Capital City, Middle Class Zones, Hazenburg District, Dragon's Brew Tavern

OOC: I can't advance to the next day until the GM says, right?

(Clitonna sat down with Lilemi, Grant, and Ferra inside the Dragon's Brew Tavern.)
Clitonna: "Ebony Twilight, a masterworks sword amongst masterworks swords."
Lilemi: "It's just a really nice sword, right? What's particularly special about it?"
Grant: "I heard that the sword augments the spirit of the wielder, allowing her to unleash remarkable powers and command the dead."
Ferra: "But how much of it is true legend and how much of it is myth?"
Clitonna: "We won't ever know that unless some chick can earn the sword."
Grant: "Earn. What an interesting way to say that."
(Clitonna, Grant, and Lilemi took some gulps from their collective alcoholic beverages. Ferra, being underage, had some of her tea. Ferra preferred tea, anyways.)
Clitonna: "Hey, Grant? Mind if I crash at your place tonight? I don't want to see my family tonight. Just lookin' at 'em brings my mood down which is as low as it gets now anyways."
Grant: "No sweat, Clitonna. Harriet thinks of you like a sister, anyways."
Clitonna: "Really? She's a mother of two, though."
Grant: "Well, I guess we'll have to find a good man for you, then."
Clitonna: "Eh, I'm thinking about one."
Lilemi: "... ... ..."
Ferra: "You say you are, but you never tell us who he his."
Clitonna: "Yeah, like I'll ever tell you that I like my squad lea...oh, shit."
Grant: "Hah ha ha!"
Ferra: "Ohmigod, you like Ashgand?! Hee hee hee hee!"
Clitonna: "Gee, say it a bit louder, will ya? I'm sure Ashgand can hear you all the way at his house in the Upper Class Zones if you just extend the vowels in this name."
Ferra: "Oh, chill the hell out, Clittie. I'll keep your secret."
Clitonna: "For the sake of not finding my mace in your face, will you stop calling me that name?"
Ferra: "All right, then just allow me to say this. He's not for you."
Lilemi: ?
Clitonna: "What makes you say that?"
Ferra: "You don't spend a lot of time in the Upper Class Zones, do ya? Ashgand's a whore magnet."
Clitonna: "Well, he is handsome. I would be surprised if he didn't attract other ladies."
Ferra: "But this guy doesn't push them away like other Prince Charmings."
Clitonna: "Well...I uhhh..."
Ferra: "No, it can't be like that. What, you think he's just going to quit his parties up in the Upper Class Zones? For you? You may be a tough bitch when it comes to kicking ass but I think you're a little too confident when it comes to calling Ash away from the whores to only be in your drawers."
Clitonna: "Why're you talking like Grant? Anyways, I know you're right about all that, but..."
Ferra: "Like Grant said, don't sweat it, Clitonna. There's someone else within the Shock Falchions who'd be more than willing to return your affections."
Clitonna: "Hunh? Fugurd?"
Ferra: "Hee hee! Nope!"
Clitonna: "But Grant is married and you said Ashgand who just cheat on me if we ever got together."
Ferra: "I never said the person was male."
(Clitonna hesitated for several seconds, then slowly turned her head to face Lilemi. Lilemi was shaking a bit.)
Clitonna: "Calm down, Lilemi."
Lilemi: "Hunh?"
Clitonna: "I said 'calm down.'"
(Lilemi slowly stopped shaking.)
Clitonna: "This is just bizarre, and...I need some time to think about it, okay? I don't really know what to think right now, all right?"
Lilemi: "Yeah...y-yes."
Clitonna: "Now, I'm not exactly denying it. In fact, I did sort of feel how you felt, but I need some time to...roll things over in my head. Just give me a while."
Lilemi: "Sure. Take all the time you may ever need, Clitonna."
Grant: "That's love right there."
Clitonna: "It's bizarre as hell, tho'."
Ferra: "No one ever said love had to be normal to be true."
Clitonna: "That's right. C'mon, let's get us some more drinks. The day has still not given its control over to night and I think I'll need some more good stuff in my system."
Grant: "Amen to that, and ol' Grant'll keep you safe and get you all home tonight."
Ferra: "I won't be drunk."
Grant: "You'll still need protection."
Ferra: "I'm a fuckin' Shock Falchion soldier. You'd hafta be a damn fool to mess with me."
Grant: "Yeah, but still..."
(Clitonna and Lilemi simply stared at each other.)
Clitonna: "... ... ..."
Lilemi: "... ... ..."

[Flarecobra]

(OOC) Well, I did say it was night....

Much to Kazi's chagrin, the trio did get up and make their way to her, and proceeded to hit on her. (Rather badly, I might add.) "Please, go away and leave me alone." and at that point, it started to get ugly, as one of the guys grabbed her wrist and said "Come on, you know you want one of..." what he was about to say was cut off by Kazi slamming the guy's arm into the edge of the table, causing him to let go of her. "You little bitch, Now you're going to get it." And with that, they drew weapons and advanced on her. <Oh great.> she thought.

[Kuffie]

Coyoto noticed this and drew his sword and pointed it to the drunkards " Leave the lady alone!" then one of them with a knife tried to stab him not knowing that he was wearing arour "wha-what the?" the one said as the drunkard was looking at it with awe Coyoto used the time to slash at the wrist Direct hit the now one handed man fell to the floor he other two were now coming after him " Look little man... I don't apperciate that!"
<I'm doomed > as the two others advanced <Just great>

[MC43]

(OOC: I hope this is come one, come all. I hope it is)

Rain...

It always had to rain whenever he went out for a walk. It didn't matter what mood he was in, rain always brought him down. It could have been anything else, especially a snow storm, but he hadn't seen one in ages. "Damn rain..." He brought up his hood tighter around his head.

That's when his beady little light blue eyes found his comman hang out spot. The local tavern where people liked to get drunk and just hang around to have some fun. He shrugged, "Why the hell not? It's been one hell of a day anyway. Maybe alcohol will make me feel better..." Even though he knew full well it was just going to give him a hangover the next day. "Stupid rain..."

Rhu walked up to the doors and pushed them aside, taking in everything that was going on. Drunks trying to get lucky with some girl, not getting much luck, in fact, one of them looked like he was in pain. The other two with weapons in hand. Rhu shrugged, for some reason he didn't care. Normally he would fume over something like that, but today was different. The only reason why he was still in today was the fact that he couldn't sleep. Taking a spot on the bar that was far away from the rest of the world, he raised a hand, "Barkeep... Barkeep!?" He looked around for a man with a towel, but none showed. Dropping his head on the table with a loud thud, he sighed to himself. "Wow... this day is just not looking up for me..."

[batgirl]

Jun looked over and saw a fight brewing. <Oooh looks like fun to watch.> She then noticed someone new walk in to the bar looking for the barkeep. She turned to him, "here." She hopped over the bar and poured the man some ale. "Just leave your pay on the table," she said as she handed him the mug.

[Ganurath]

Rithen immediately set down his borrowed fiddle and lashed out between the drunks and their assailents, thin whips of fire flailing from his fingertips, preventing further combat. "We're all trying to enjoy ourselves here, folks. Now it's clear the young lady doesn't want to be hastled, but I doubt it's legal to be severing body parts. I suggest you two get your friend to a healer while the rest of us mellow out."

[Astral Harmony]

Location: Gelti Empire Capital City, Middle Class Zones, Hazenburg District, Streets of Hazenburg District

(Clitonna and Grant wave goodbye to Lilemi as she entered her house.)
Clitonna: "Remember, be at Chief Oaks' office before sunrise."
Lilemi: "Of course, I know what to do! Take care, you two."
Grant: "Don't worry, I'll make sure Clitonna is safe tonight."
Lilemi: (blushes) "Ah..."
Clitonna: "S-see you tomorrow."
(Clitonna and Grant turned and started walking away. Lilemi stayed in the doorway, watching Clitonna and they left.)
Grant: "You're not...mad at me, are you?"
Clitonna: "How could I be mad at you, Grant?"
Grant: "You took that little love revelation well."
Clitonna: "Can I tell you something? Friend to friend?"
Grant: "Sure thing. What is it?"
(Clitonna took out her flute and looked at it appraisingly.)
Clitonna: "In the years that I've spent living, good times have always been so fleeting. When I learned how to play this damn thing, my father's father, who made this and other woodwind instruments as a business hobby, wanted it returned to him because he said it was his masterpiece. My father asked me to give it back but it was a gift they gave to me way back when they wanted me to learn how to play. I finally mastered the flute and now they wanted to take away my accomplishment away as though it didn't mean shit to them."
Grant: "That's awful."
Clitonna: "We were all so happy when my brother, Rhadditz, joined the army. Those good times were so short-lived, too. It hadn't even been a week after his second victory in the skirmishes and he's suddenly brought home, barely clinging to life from the horrible wound in his head. Money was tight and all my parents could think about was what a horrible burden me and my brother were to them. I didn't have a job and with his debilitating injury, my brother wasn't earning any money. We were only worthy of being in the family when we were able to make money for them. They may have raised me but they have no right to treat me the way they did."
Grant: "... ... ..."
Clitonna: "I thought that there had to be love there somewhere. I simply hoped that there was a God, but the next thing you know, I'm the one shouldering so much blame. At least my brother did something while he could, and the next thing you know, I'm a soldier, nearly every single coin I make going to get my family out of the hole of debt that father placed us into in the first place."
Grant: "The gambling, right?"
(Clitonna simply nodded.)
Clitonna: "I...want to have a long-term happiness. I know...like I've always known that I can't get it from someone like Ashgand. So...I ask you..."
(Clitonna stops and Grant looks at her.)
Clitonna: "Even if she's a woman like me, I think I can tell that her love for me is genuine, and she's been through some tough shit like I have. Me and her...could I have the happiness I'm seeking now if I accept her like I probably should?"
Grant: "Why're you asking me?"
Clitonna: "Because you're my best friend, Grant."
Grant: "That's sweet of you to say that, but...I mean, why don't you ask her?"
Clitonna: "Yeah, sure. I'll just go up to Lilemi and ask her if she can make me happy."
Grant: "Yes, I know what you're saying, but I'm tellin' you that it's that simple. All you have to do is ask. It took me a while to propose to Harriet. Damn, I was so nervous when I did but when she accepted me, I wish I had done it sooner just to see that smile earlier in my life. Clitonna, you and Harriet have given me a lot of joy and hope even when shit was hard for me. Now I want to see you become as happy as I am now, if not happier. I think that Lilemi just might be able to bring you the happiness you say you're searching for. So, now that you have your answer, I ask you...Clitonna, why don't you just ask her if she can be the reason for your smiles from now on?"
Clitonna: "I see your point. I'll think about it, too, and if I consider it long enough, then I'll make a decision to ask her."
Grant: "Good girl. Now come on. Harriet's dinner will get cold if we don't move our asses."
Clitonna: "Oh, that's right! Harriet's cooking is good, hot or cold, but I prefer it nice and hot."
Grant: "And hearty. I'll need a lot of food to get my ass up before sunrise."
Clitonna: "Don't worry, old timer. I'll make sure you're sharp-eyed and shiny-headed, heh heh heh!"
Grant: "Why, you li'l...!"
(Grant grabs for Clitonna as she runs ahead of him, smiling.)
Clitonna: "C'mon, ya old fart! First one there gets the bigger portion!"
Grant: "Oh, you KNOW you shouldn't've gone there!"
(Clitonna and Grant, laughing, began a spirited race for Grant's house.)

[Flarecobra]

(OOC) Did you sign-up there MC?

They didn't liston, and advanced on the group, rather obvilious to the obvious threat.Just then, one of them collapsed, blood splitting out from between his fingers as he clutched his slashed legs, the achillies tendon cut. Kazi was right behind him, and she wispered to him "Your blood's nasty, by the way."