Long Night [open]

[Bell]

The tavern was, as usual, clamoring with noise, whether it be drunken men shouting at each other, drunken men laughing with each other, or drunken men punching each other in the face. In such a high volume area, the small sigh that issued from a rather tired looking figure stuck directly in the middle of all the action went completely unheard. Gray eyes blinked wearily as yet another slobbering fool raised his not even half-empty mug and shouted for a refill, make it quick, he didn't have all night to wait on a lazy maid.

Snarling oaths under her breath, she turned quickly on her heel and headed back to the bar, snatching up the offending man's mug as she went. One of the serving men behind the counter took pity on her and filled up the mug for her; she was immediately filled with gratitude for the guy, seeing as if she had filled it she would have most likely poured it wrong somehow, maybe overfilling so far the foaming ale would have spilled to the floor in a miniature flood and then her boss would have another thing to add to the list of wrongs she had already committed since her shift had started earlier that day, which varied from falling asleep in the back room to forgetting to turn the 'closed' sign around to 'open'.

Scowling, she tugged at her skirt. The length of the hem (which was not much) had always bothered her. The higher-ups of this small but steadily growing establishment had recognized her charms from day one and where the other waitresses padded around the room in their ankle-length skirts, simple aprons, and comfortable shoes, she was forced to parade around in a disgustingly stereotypical tavern maid attire: poofy sleeves, ruffled (and quite low cut) neck, tight black vest and short, poofy skirt. Even her apron looked too cutesy for actual serving, what with its giant bow tied in the back and the heavily ruffled edges. "Faugh!" She resisted the urge to spit, a nasty habit she had been working hard on curbing ever since she put on her first skirt. Girls didn't spit, oh no.

"Barwench! Where's my drink?"

She winced, grabbed up the now completely full mug and dashed back through the throng of people, calling out "Coming right up!" as she went. After depositing the drink to the man, who forgot she was there soon as he brought the mug to his greasy face, she darted around a group of people and headed for the relative safety of the storerooms, occasionally stumbling from lack of practice in her high-heeled shoes. She got as far as opening the door before another bellow rang out from behind her--"BarMAIIID!"--and she swore silently. Ah! Something else to work on; girls didn't swear.

She spun about neatly, flipping her dark red ponytail over her shoulder, and forced a big smile onto her face. Even fake, the smile lit her face, showing what seemed to be a pretty young girl, flush in the prime of her youth. Some of the more rowdy men (i.e., those who had been drinking more) whistled and made passes at her as she pranced by them, but such she was used to, and any hands that reached to touch her were easily evaded. Some men watched her go sadly, wishing as they found themselves wishing more and more often that she was the type of girl who could be paid for an hour or two of more private work. She was so pretty, after all, and so lively. Both extremely desirable traits, and more than enough to make up for her completely flat chest.

Behind her, the door creaked open. Straightening, she turned to greet the unknown newcomer, dropping an awkward curtsy and smiling brightly.

"Welcome!"

[Tiy Lockheart]

((ooc: props on such an amazing post!!!))

Tiy had taken a custom to walking around at night if she could not sleep. She had left a spell in the bed, making it feel like she was still there for Zeion, because she knew he slept so much better with her there. She did not want him to worry about her, but the idea of a job a few hundred miles from here seemed like such a hard choice to make with such a wonderful new home and new husband here in the city. She sighed lightly as she pulled her shall over her head and wrapped it around her shoulders as she walked down the road in her favorite dark green robe which settled over a plain, yet eerily elegant, white dress. Her thoughts were running at a million miles and she could not think things strait.

A drink, perhaps, would help her settle. She had tried her teas and baths and potions, but she only came to the conclusion that her mind would not rest until she figured things out. It had been a long time since she had had a drink and figured it would not be a bad thing to have. She knew the way to the tavern pretty well from before she met Zeion, and followed her way down there. She passed a black-smith's shop where he was still hard at work, even this late at night. He stood up and stretched backward, complaining about his back and she stooped in. "I have a spell that can put that back at ease for you, young sir..." she offered. He looked up at her and told her he would try anything. She murmured her spell and looked over at him. He smiled and bent around and reached up for things and said it was better. She nodded to him and his thanks and left.

She was just a block away from the tavern and she could hear the noise and the music from inside. She wondered what characters would be in there this time and as she reached the door, she heard someone call for the bar maid and she opened the door. A young girl in a small, tight, and revealing uniform gave her a sort of curtsy and Tiy raised a brow as she pushed down her shall and closed the door behind her. "No need for that my dear. Why in the gods' name are you in such a scandalous outfit?" she let her eyes drift over to the manager who lazily sat by the bar and his face flushed. Tiy had had a harsh word or two with him before and he knew who she was. She looked back at the young maid in front of her again and waited to hear what the girl had to say.

[Liam McAdam]

It was a long and somewhat eventful day for Liam. He had been successful in twelve assignments, his employers giving him an awesome, yet modest payment for each one. He sure loved Avaren, not just because of how it was a perfect home for him, but just how there was never a dull moment. Sure, it was late, but he had decided to explore a little, which is what brought him to the Silent Knight Tavern.

He had witnessed many people go in and out, and he figured he may as well find out why. Moving his blond hair to conceal his ears, he walked to the door, but hesitated a little since he heard some sort of commotion. With a sigh, he opened the door, noticing two others seemed to be conversing. One was apparently the bar maid, and the other looked like a blond haired woman who seemed to be a rather intelligent person. He didn't know how, but she just had that look about her.

He decided to pass the two, not wishing to interrupt anything and he went to the counter. A man who was serving drinks noticed the new face. 'I got just the thing for a newcomer.' he said, handing Liam a mug with the Silent Knight's trademark ale. With a smile, the blond haired man gave the bartender the money that was needed for the drink. He felt odd at being here at his age, but he saw people even younger than him being served. "Guess there is a very low threshold for age here." he muttered and took a sip of the drink. The unique taste got to him, yet he enjoyed it regardless.

[Escke]

It was dark.

It was cold.

It was Avaren.

Escke let loose a sigh, watching the little puff of white air rise above her into the night sky. This was something she hadn't thought of. She was completely devoid of a real 'place to stay', and she got very cold very easily. And a cold Escke, well... was not a happy Escke. In short, she needed to find somewhere warm to be for tonight.

Stepping carefully and cautiously down a small back street, she heard shouting, laughter, and music, and that usually meant there were people there. Or at least some warmth. You needed to be warm to laugh, after all. At least, that was what she believed. She followed the sounds, soon joined by the smell of sweat, beer, and merrymaking as she got closer and closer. Finally, she found the building she sought.

Apparantly, it was a tavern. She wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but she guessed the amount of people inside meant lots of body temperatures combining to make Escke a very warm, happy girl. She shuffled forward and let herself in after watching a Lady and some guy go in before her. One needed to be cautious, after all, but seeing the difference between the two visitors before her reinforced her belief that it would be okay for her to just pop in, even if it was just to get warm.

Slowly she slipped in.

It was quite a sight.

Men, everywhere. Drinking, everywhere. Yelling, everywhere.

So warm.

She smiled almost involuntarily and breathed a sigh of relief and contentment.

Finally, Escke was warm enough to care what was going on around her. Some fancy-looking lady was talking to a girl, a waitress? Escke studied the girl. She was so pretty, and that outfit looked so good on that figure. She was jealous, being the more shy type who feared showing much more than an ankle for fear of either being called "whore" or "ugly". Plus, she was not all that proud of her legs, not at all. It was sort of an instant moment of admiration.

She overheard the lady's words, though. Almost involuntarily, she spoke as well.

"I wouldn't call it scandalous, ma'am. Just flattering."

Whoops.

She brought a hand up to her mouth, eyes wide. She had meant to think that, not speak that. She couldn't help it now, though. She hoped the girl wouldn't think her weird, and she hoped she hadn't offended either of them. That would be terrible.

[Bell]

"No need for that my dear. Why in the gods' name are you wearing such a scandalous outfit?"

Bell frowned, and tottered unsteadily for a moment, still half-bent in her curtsy. "Scandalous?" she wondered aloud. Sure, the skirt was short, and if she bent forward at all everyone in the bar would get a peep of her polka-dot panties, but it wasn't that bad, now that she thought of it. She saw worse every day on her way to work, from the women that crowded the doorways of several businesses on this very street--those women thought it fine to hang halfway out the door in lingerie that covered only the bare essentials!

Then again, those women were whores. Hmm. Never mind.

Shaking these thoughts from her head, she straightened up, one hand automatically positioning itself cockily on her hip, so caught up in readying a response she barely noticed when a blond man entered and took a seat. She did notice, however, when one of the bartenders served the man a drink.

She whirled, forgetting all about the lady in white and her apparent distaste for the immodest. "Hey, YOU," she bellowed, her sudden change in countenance shocking those around her who had been paying any attention. "BARTENDER! Stop serving people drinks without ID'ing them! God! Does he really look old enough to drink? Really?" Rolling her eyes, she turned back around, only to find that another girl had joined their party. This one was blonde and young, and spoke up in her behalf.

"I wouldn't call it scandalous, ma'am. Just flattering."

Bell blinked, startled. Flattering, hmm? She allowed herself a small smile and brushed the front of her apron, smoothing out the wrinkles.

"Oh no, no, it's nothing, I don't mind it at all, really," she beamed, though not even five minutes before she had been ready to quit over said 'nothing'. "It keeps the people happy, after all, my lady, and it's quite airy and nice when it gets too hot around here." She attempted another curtsy, almost tripped over her own feet, and so settled for a sort of half-bow with one hand pressed to the back of her skirt to keep it from rising. From this position she glanced quickly over both females. The older woman was definitely a higher-up of some sort, with her noble features and nice clothing. The younger girl was blonde, that much she could tell, but not much else was distinguishable about her. Maybe it was because she was standing back in the shadows more, or maybe it could even be because someone forgot to include any details about their character when they posted. Whatever the case may be, Bell really didn't care.

However, the blonde had said something nice to her, a complete stranger. The red-head stood up straight again, and this time her smile was completely genuine and meant entirely for the younger girl.

"I'm Bell, and you are?" Almost forgetting herself, she glanced at the lady and added a bob of her head. "Ah, and of course, your name--uh--if I may so inquire, my lady?"

[Liam McAdam]

Being somewhat oblivious to the rest, as he wished to just be on his own with this case, the bar-maid snapped at the bartender. At her comment, he pushed the glass away from him carefully, as if saying 'never mind'. He felt guilty now, despite the fact the bartender was the one to blame. As the bartender explained, Liam interjected. "No, It was my fault. I wasn't aware of the proper age, and I was a fool to rely on mere observation. " his explanation was in an honest tone. Like others, he made mistakes like that, yet unlike most, he was willing to take responsibility.

This turn of events helped him become more aware of the group, noticing there was one more person there. She looked very shy, just by the way her mouth was covered by her hand. He, however, remained silent after his little self-blame to the scenario prior, since he wasn't really involved in any other way.

((ooc: Way to break the 4th wall. Lol))

[Tiy Lockheart]

The girl did not seem to think that her outfit was very scandalous.Tiy did not mind it, but she did see that she was the only one in the bar working there that had that uniform on. She looked at it again and knew that the girl seemed to like the idea that it was a little smaller and cooler than the long dresses that the other workers there wore. She guessed that was true and gave a shrug and an agreeing nod. She watched as a young blond girl cam in and said that she thought it was not scandalous, but rather flattering. Tiy turned and looked at her and she had clasped her hands over her mouth. Tiy raised a brow, but gave a light smile. She turned back to the girl who had given another go at a curtsy and she nodded once to her. "I am Tiy Lockheart. And excuse the vocabulary my dear. I simply meant that your attire was rather..." she thought for a moment on a good word she could use for it. It was no 'whore-ish' no... what was it? Ah. "Limited, however fitting.." She said to her. She looked over at the bartender that had been yelling at the bar-maid and then back to the young man that had been sitting next to them. She raised a brow and then turned to the bartender. An idea

"This young man is with me. No need to punish him. And as far as I'm concerned there's been much younger men in this tavern than him." She said to him, giving him a look when he tried to interject. He fell quiet, knowing she was right. "Now." She said, slipping out of her robe and laying on the back of the chair. Her white dress fell to just above her knees and came down with a v-neck and the same down the back. "May I have a pint of dark ale, please?" she asked, handing the bar-maid a gold coin. She sat down with the young man and scooted the pint back towards him. "I'm Tiy. Who are you?" she asked, quietly and generally interested in the young man. Her people-skills had dwindled because of the lack of going out since she had been married, but she knew that the only way to make a new friend was to talk to the person and see who they were.

((ooc: It's all right - i didn't have a computer for a couple days))

[Liam McAdam]

As the woman interrupted and defended both him and the bartender, the young man still felt odd, if not conflicted. What surprised him, however, was the apparent interest Tiy seemed to have. The pint he had was scooted back to him, but he didn't entirely notice. A subtle 'thanks' was bound to be heard by the woman and he smiled shyly. He realized now living a double life was a real pain in the neck. Avaren changed him...that was for sure.

"I-It's nice to meet you Tiy...My name is Liam." he replied, moving some of his own hair near his ear out of reflex. He was still nervous about what he was, and therefore made a semi-conscious effort to hide any traces. "I-I'm sorry if I interrupted your conversation with the others.." he couldn't help but apologize, since he knew he triggered an undesired scenario within the tavern, which Tiy had resolved.

(writer's block...and please don't let the thread die..)

[Escke]

[ooc: Hey guys. Bell and I are having "housing" issues right now, and it's left Bell internetless and me no real time to post. I'll try to post tonight, and Bell will post as soon as she can.]

[aframalak]

Afra pushed open the doors to the tavern and entered watching a young man in light brown leathers pass her by as she entered her eyes looking at him only for a moment her cloak hiding her blond hair beneath as she moved once more inside, from under its dark blue hood she saw two people and several other mulling around talking , quickly she moved to the bar and slipped off the hood of the cloak .

"may i have a drink of water please, keep" she asked softly her voice soft like a summer breeze but the sword across her back under the cloak said she wasn't the soft maiden that she looked like as she placed several coins on the bar in front of her.

Taking the water he had placed in front of her she drank it quickly and motioned for him to refill glad of the cooling effect that hit her throat as she drank her journey here had been long, dusty and tiring one and now all she wanted to do was cool off.

Afra sighed she hoped coming here she would find what she had lost a sense of purpose and belonging that she had not found on her journey .