[Rearing Stallion] A Drink with Strangers [Open]

[Guido Faragas]

There was a flurry of pleasantries at the tables as Fade greeted Guido, Marcus and Fade exchanged handshakes and Marcus briefly spoke about his work as a weaponsmith. Guido was about to say more, when another figure approached the table. From his seated position, it was the sword and dagger that first caught Guido’s attention and his eyes swivelled up to appraise the new arrival. He was a youth of around the same age as those already present at the table and, in common with the reimancer, had a pair of bright green eyes.

“Please, join us, I’m sure that we are all happy for more company.” The youth shot an inquiring look towards Fade and then motioned for the new arrival to take one of the empty seats. “We will soon have enough for a party. Perhaps I can make the introductions: I am Guido and these are my...friends... Fade and Marcus. Marcus was just speaking about his work as a weaponsmith. I can see by your attire, that it is a subject that might take your interest.” He let his eyes rest on John’s sword. “Personally, I favour the bow, although I do not claim to have any expertise.”

[Fade]

Fade nodded at the armed newcomer with a quizzical gaze and an eye on his sword. She knew next to nothing about weapons, Wystern had taught her some sword fighting and in return she had helped him in his acrobatics but thats as far as she got regarding pointy edges.
She took another gulp o her drink and said truthfully, voicing her thoughts "I know next to nothing about weapons though a knight did help me with my first steps in swordfighting in return for some acrobatics coaching" She chuckled looking at the new comer, he was almost certainly a knight.

She smiled and lent back in her chair content on having spoken few words: Fade was most of all a good listener.

[Leviathan]

Hours now have passed, two men in the back of the Rearing Stallion, only noticed occasionally by their roaring laughter, and perhaps their impressive size, and they had been drinking a considerable amount of alcohol. One of the large men, looking to be in his mid thirties, rough slightly balding head of red (though mostly brown because of the filth and lack of much needed hygiene) hair and even a fiery red beard that was about as thick as could be, had been constantly taunting and harassing the young lady that was unfortunate enough to be the one serving them drinks. Each time she came was another time she had her rear pinch or an arm wrapped around her and had who knows what crude remarks were whispered to her with that foul breath. Each time she walked away she looked like she was about to leave and never return. The other man, and inch or two taller and just as thick, both men were impressively large and not particularly unnaturally tall, had mostly been ignoring everything in the room but two things. His drinks, and Fade. From the moment she entered, he had seen her, and there were probably few moments that he wasn't staring at her hungrily than there were moments he was watching her. The only time his gazes were broken was when he lifted his mug to his face to finish off whatever droplets had remained. Green dark eyes, one and a half eyebrows (one looked burned to the point were half would never grow back again), and a face with a light sandpapery feel of facial hair. He was shaved bald on top, and judging by the scars on his lip, cheek, and around his hands, he was an occasional brawler. There wasn't a sane person on Mizahar that could take a bombard of stares from such a man and not feel at least moderately queasy or frightened.

[John Griffin]

John gave a gracious nod of thanks to the three, and took a seat in between Fade and Guido, with an empty chair on either side, setting his ale down on the table, careful not to spill any of the precious liquid. Upon sitting it was clear that both the men were a few inches taller, and the woman a few shorter. The man to his left had sharp features, and did an introduction. He was Guido, the other male Marcus, and the girl was Fade. John nodded to each as their name was said, then offered his own. "My name is John. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

"Weapon smithing, huh?" he said, looking at Marcus. His eyes went back to Guido and he replied, "Yes, well, in my line of work, one must take a particular interest in weapons. Especially the sword." He made a face of indecisiveness, tilting his head slightly from side to side. "I've no qualms with the bow, but it's somewhat looked down upon by many of my peers." His eyes moved once more, flicking over to Fade. He wondered briefly if he knew the knight that she spoke of. Not likely. John had met hundreds of knights, but the Order was thousands strong, and it was near impossible to know them all.

His eyes moved elsewhere, trying to take in the rest of the room. It wouldn't do at all to keep his focus purely on the table. One needed to take care to have situational awareness, especially if they were a knight. His eyes stopped and narrowed on two men in the back. One of them was harassing a barmaid, and the other couldn't stop looking at Fade. Those two could be trouble, he thought. "Friend of yours?" he asked Fade, gesturing ever so slightly with his chin.

[Marcus Braeden]

Marcus turned around as if he was just stretching his back however he passed his eyes over the two obnoxious men in the back, just because he was curious who John was talking about. Only a glance was necessary because a long stare could spark a bit of trouble, especially with the likes of those two men. Marcus turned his attention back toward his own table and took another sip of his ale.

"I also prefer a sword at my side rather then a bow but that is just because it's the weapon I've become accustomed too in my line of work." Marcus said, weighing in on the conversation.

Marcus began to stare at his glass of ale and then became lost in thought. Wow, so here I am sitting at the same table as a Syliran Knight. Maybe I should ask about how to get involved in that type of work. But maybe not, I don't want to be too forward with it. Let's just see how the evening continues.

[Guido Faragas]

The newcomer acknowledged Guido’s introductions and named himself as John. It was clear from his words that he, or at least his colleague knights, viewed the bow with a little disdain. The knight’s eyes briefly surveyed those at the table before casting a quiet look around the rest of tavern. A cautious man or perhaps it his training as a knight. Guido noticed the knight’s careful appraisal of the two men at the bar and he followed his gaze as John posed his question to Fade.

Trouble. One grimy-looking fellow was harassing one of the barmaid’s, whilst the other's attention was obviously directed towards Fade. The reimancer noticed Marcus take a quick glance at the men and then return his eyes to the table. Guido did likewise. Best not to attract his attention – see how things develop. No use courting trouble; maybe the fellow will turn his attention elsewhere. After all, there are four of us here, including an armed knight.

He said nothing whilst he waited for Fade’s answer to the knight’s query.

OOCI won’t be posting for a week after Monday as I shall (hopefully) be by a pool in sunny Spain with no internet access. No need to wait for me - just assume G sits quietly, unless any trouble occurs, of course...

[Fade]

Fade lifted her drink as she tuned to see what John was talking about her expression hardened somewhat as her eyes fell on two men at the back. One was happily harassing an unlucky barmaid while the other one was looking straight at her. She put down her drink slowly and turned back and answered the knights question “No, never saw those two before…”

She looked at her almost empty drink and sighed: she couldn’t afford to get her mind clouded, she wasn’t as clear as it was. If worst came to worst she had to be ready to fight any compulsions with a clear mind. A few years ago it would have been different, even if push came to shove it would have been relatively ok, but now, now a mere touch would be trouble especially being tired and a bit inebriated. Her gnosis’s compulsions were always difficult to fight.

[Leviathan]

The was a slight movement as the shaved head glanced at his comrade, the red bearded flirt, following the faint notions of his slightly larger ally, took a look at the group, searching for a moment until he also saw Fade. Instantly there seemed to be a faint sparkle in his eyes. One could almost feel the room get smaller as the two men were both watching her. Perverts is what they were. Fade was naturally beautiful, that didn't ease the situation much, the Gnosis mark was just the icing on the cake. Several moments passed, and much to the server's ignorant joy, the men were now leaving her alone. The other knew why though. Tension was thick. The two large men had yet to do anything, nothing to move towards or act against Fade, just lustfully staring at her, imagining, who knows what they were thinking about. It wouldn't be difficult to guess the general ideas though. A lots of nudity was all that was guaranteed.

[John Griffin]

John's knight instincts kicked in. It was almost always best to just avoid the trouble, but it helped to be prepared just in case. "Never seen them, huh," he said. "They seem to have quite an interest in you anyway. He glanced around the table at each of his new companions. "Be ready, just in case something happens. These sorts usually aren't intimidated by numbers or the law." His hand moved down slowly to the hilt of his sword, and he made sure it was clear in the scabbard. It would not do to have his sword stick if it came to violence.

"Let's all stay calm, and hope that it doesn't go beyond looking."

[Marcus Braeden]

Marcus looked up from his glass and returned back to reality. A suspicious look had swept across John's face and Marcus noticed John's hand reach for his side, as if he were preparing for a confrontation. A little but of precaution never hurt Marcus guessed. But because John was preparing now Marcus started to wish that he too had some sort of weapon, just in case the two men decided to get violent.

Marcus realised he did have something, his hammer that was attatched to his belt. He had come straight from the Ironworks and did not stop by his suite to drop off his things. If the need arose then he would have to use it, but he didn't like the idea of using something as barbaric as a hammer to fight with.