Closed [The Pig's Foot Tavern] Lethal Concoctions (Avinasai)

[Enna Malark]

2nd Day of Winter, 517AV He’d caught her eye almost a bell ago. A sanctimonious man, well-dressed, pompous and slightly rounder than you should be here. He was probably from the Western Heights. They seemed to have more money than sense. She watched from afar, wearing her simple plain clothes so as not to stand out too much in the crowd. Certainly not like her quarry at least. She moved off from her spot folding a stack of linens and fell in line with the crowds. She kept a good distance, he wasn’t had to follow in the masses. He drew a lot of attention. She followed for a while but noticed he wasn’t actually alone. She cursed, it took her far too long to notice the bodyguard. A man in heavy clothes that concealed the chainmail beneath. If you listened for long enough, you pick out the tinkle of the chains over the din. A club and hammer hung from his belt, but his eyes never strayed from his charge. She’d never be able to get close enough with him around. A flash of movement to her left and she had an idea. Moving towards the source, a group of children were playing in a side alley. It was a common game. You drew a circle on the ground and flicked stones with your thumb trying to get closest to a marker. Enna picked a stone from the ground and moved to join them. She smiled sweetly and knelt next to the boys, probably no older than seven years. “What d’you want, miss?” one of the older boys stepped up. A mess of black hair with dirty greenish-brown eyes. Her own amber eyes flashed with compassion. “I need your help,” she said softly. As he took in the looks of the pretty older lady, the boy blushed a little. “If I can get my stone closer than yours, will you?” “And if I do?” “I’ve got some nice red apples,” they looked famished as did most children who roamed the streets in Sunberth, even she wasn’t the most well-fed individual. She saw a few eyes light up. “Alright!” he pointed across to the circle and a white stone just off centre. “That one. I’ll go first!” He picked up his smooth stone from the circle, they made a point of finding the roundest ones. He placed it on his hand, knelt beside the circle and flicked with his other. It landed close but not close enough. “You see, you should always let a lady go first,” Enna let off a soft giggle. She rolled her eyes internally, all this for a few lousy miza. She knelt beside him, taking her stone, she had found. It was a little jagged, but it didn’t matter. She had played this plenty as a child. Sure enough, it landed between the two stones. He let out a huff of frustration. “Maybe next time,” she smiled. “You see that man in the large clothes?” “Yeah?” “Go and play around him for a chime or two, just so he stops watching,” she gestured towards the guard who had stopped as his master had. “That it?” he looked perplexed. “Easy.” “Thank you, maybe next time, you’ll beat me.” He grinned and the kids darted off like a shot. Enna tightened the head scarf she had on, making sure her hair was still hidden. Satisfied, she took her sword, still in its sheath in hand. Quickly, she made her way back into the street. She made her way towards the same stall the self-righteous man had stopped at. As she got closer, she heard the boy’s laughter behind her. A quick glance back over her shoulder and they had done as she asked. The guard was distracted enough. She approached quickly, slid Reap partly from its scabbard, its sharp edge flashing in the sunlight. It was quick as she brushed against the man, she brought the blade up to slice the purse. Sure enough, a couple of mizas fell into her waiting hand. She continued on, not breaking stride. Suddenly, chaos! The bulging bag of coins had been compromised and its contents spilled to the floor. Bedlam broke out amongst the populace as several tried to grab what they could before the rightful owner noticed. Served him right for so openly displaying it. She continued on at the same pace, rounding a corner slipping into a tavern. She opened her hand, glancing down at the mizas there. One gold, four silvers and five coppers. She wasn’t going hungry tonight at least. Sliding up to the bar alongside a dark-haired woman, she shouted Merv over. The Pig’s Foot owner smiled as he saw who called out. Enna pulled off her head scarf and set it down in front of her. “Hey Enna. The usual?” “If you’d be so kind,” he nodded and turned away. She ran a hand through her crimson hair, letting it fall out past her shoulders. Now she was here, she could feel that familiar cramp of hunger in her stomach. The place was busy as always and the smell of food was already causing her mouth to water. She played with the few coins she’d pilfered, she needed a real job again. Something to bring in some real money.

[Avinasai]

2nd, Winter, 517av.

Money wasn't a problem for Avinasai Blackthorne. She's been working as a poison crafter for so many years that she didn't have to worry. However, Avinasai keeps her money in a safe spot, and she never lets anyone discover its whereabouts. Money in Sunberth was essential for survival, and even when their is no particular government running this city of chaos... it's still running strong, and for many years to come too.

Avinasai kept to herself as she ambled through the broken streets of Sunberth, being calm and cat-like as best she could manage. She noticed a few oddities at first, but those oddities we're quickly swiped away as there are always odd things that happen in Sunberth. No matter what the cause.

Awhile before Enna had ever set foot inside the tavern, Avinasai was creeping behind a passed out man who was snoring so loud that it startled the crows that we're perched on top of the Pig's Foot Tavern. She made sure that Merv wasn't watching, he was always a respectable man, but this drunken bastard was trying to swoon Avinasai earlier. He was going to pay for her meal tonight, and she would be damned if she was caught. She didn't need to go through another long process of waiting and waiting until she was out from under the radar. She just recently freed herself from possible slavery. Which was always a good thing.

The drunken bastard of a man was barely clinging to the pouch. Easy steal, and hopefully the man wasn't stupid enough to carry his entire life savings here. It's Sunberth, that would be the worst idea ever! Avinasai chuckled at the thought though, and no matter show hard she chuckled the man never stirred, and conversation was still the same within the tavern. Avinasai took another glance back behind the counter, but Merv was still conversing with another man sitting at the bar, who was mostly excited about the new change of the season.

At least it seemed like he was, since that was what the drunk man was talking about the entire afternoon.

Just a few more steps, and the taste of sweet bitter coins would be in her hands. The pouch was just so tempting to steal!

She slipped around the man, but she was clumsy, and bumped into the table beside her left. The man snorted, but didn't wake. Avinasai sighed. A hand slowly reached forward for the pouch.

All of a sudden, when Avinasai was so close to touching the pouch. The man's hand jerked back, and a forceful strike to the head from the back of the man's hand caused Avinasai's head to throb. Avinasai cursed. She should have known that the man was pretending.

"Petching thief take your business some petchin' elsewhere you petching whore! Take these coins and leave me the shyke alone!" The man pulled out a handful of random coins and hurled them at her, and they dropped all over the floor. The man snuggled back up in his chair, and tightly secured the pouch within his coat. Well... he was paying for her meal! Avinasai rubbed her head, and mumbled to herself of how much of a fool she was to even attempt to steal the pouch.

It was calling out to her! She couldn't just let a few Golden Mizas slip into someone else's hands...

Avinasai picked up the Mizas; A couple Golden Mizas, some Copper Mizas. It was enough for a meal, but not enough for an ale. Avinasai was going to have to pay from her own pocket for an ale.

She definitely needed one.

Perhaps need wasn't the word. She wanted one... and badly too!

She skulked towards the counter and ordered the meal first. She contemplated on purchasing an ale when she could be using the money to buy some ingredients for a few poisons that she was planning on making sometime soon.

Avinasai took an empty seat at the bar, and decided with purchasing the ale that she was so desperate to buy. She was just glad that she wouldn't need to buy both the ale, and the meal.

The wickedly young woman gingerly placed the aging coins on the countertop.

"Aye Merv, slip me the usual? Ale this time, eh?" Avinasai asked in her sweet feminine tone. Avinasai was always raised to respect businessmen. It was something her parents taught her before she was twelve. Respect goes a long way!

"You got it, Thorn!" Merv said with a deceptive smile, and poured a mug of ale for the dark haired woman. As Avinasai waited for her meal to arrive, there was a strange red haired lady who entered the building. Emerald green eyes glared curiously at the red-headed woman who sat beside her. This woman seemed like she needed someone to talk to about her day, and Avinasai was curious and selfish enough to ask. She leaned towards the other woman.

"So..." Avinasai began before taking a sip of her ale. "Had a rough day, eh?" She asked with a shrug of curiosity.

[Enna Malark]

Merv slid the ale down in front of Enna, she wrapped her hands around it and breathed out her frustrations. She was about to take a drink when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Paranoia set in a moment until the woman spoke. Enna hid the paranoia, living in a place like this, you sort of got used to it. Or probably more appropriately, if you weren’t paranoid, you were foolish. But she was surprised to be approach by someone who still had their faculties about them. Totally caught off guard, the scarlet framed face broke in to a genuine smile. “Rough season,” Enna took a drink from her ale. The slightly warm liquid quenching her parched throat. Enna considered the woman before her. She was taller than her. Her green eyes a stark contrast to her own brown. Equally, her dark hair was woven in tight braids whereas Enna’s scarlet locks fell about her comfortably. She clearly looked after herself, she was probably well off from the looks of her, at least enough to get by. Enna was clad in simple brown robes, dirty around the edges, clearly well-worn and maybe a little pungent in odour. “But it’s a new season and that always brings something interesting to the place,” she turned to face Avinasai. Mentally, she sifted through the masks she usually wore. The simple maid seemed to fit the situation. “Hopefully it won’t be too harsh weather this year. Although we could probably do with the rains at least.” Enna took another swig, “I don’t think I caught your name or seen you before?” She was polite, her voice soft and unassuming. “I’m Enna.” Nothing came for free here. Everything was a commodity, even names. One must trade to get by and even simple greetings tended to follow those rules with strangers. In some places it may be considered polite, but they weren’t Sunberth. Enna cast her eyes around the room. She was wary. That man wouldn’t have seen her in the mess she created but she was following them a while. It was always possible. A fight in here she did not want. She’d seen Merv kick people out for less. It was always funny, but she didn’t want to be one of them.

[Avinasai]

2nd, Winter, 517av

With a quick glance towards the distract Merv, Avinasai was glad that she wasn't caught when something was about to go down. She then glanced back at the bastard snoozing on that aged wooden chair, which was dotted with knife indents, and chipped away from natural wear and tear.

Avinasai felt more pity for the chair, than she did for the man, and that wasn't just because she didn't like the man... okay maybe it was, but hey, a girl couldn't think less of the man right?

The red head replied that fall was a rough season for her. Wasn't it for everyone?

Sure there were many things going on with the guilds within Sunberth. They all had their own problems.

Avinasai still had to worry about the men who who had killed her friends, and threatened to take Avinasai as a slave, maybe even an prostitute. Those gh, Avinasai managed to avoid that from happening because she sent a message to those men, and poisoned the ring leader of the small band of people. That was when she called herself Thorn.

She was sharp and prickly. Just like a rose bush. It was funny how her surname ever ended up to be Blackthorne. It seemed fitting. It was even funnier when she discovered many years ago that she loved to make poisoned potions.

Janeth would be so pleased with her if she were alive right now. However, she died, and there was no way to change the past. Just hope that Dira is looking after her and everyone else that helped Avinasai along the way. If it weren't for them, Avinasai would be training her ass off with a stuck-up general who were worse than the orphanage that she was living in at Lhavit.

She still cursed her brother for leaving her when she was fifteen. He couldn't handle her for more than few more years?

"Things can't get worse, eh?" Avinasai said with a shrug and took a drink of her ale. The burning liquid sent a sting of a bitter sweet sensation within her mouth.

Interesting wouldn't be the word that Avinasai would use... she would prefer something like 'wicked,' it was always how Avinasai perceived Sunberth. It was wicked, and always exciting. Everything and everyone was interesting, and that just seemed to be a bit bland in her own mind. Though, she never had said anything about it to Enna, at least not yet anyhow.

"It could bring something interesting. However,
Sunberth was strangely quiet for awhile. Maybe this year things will change?" Avinasai smiled with her pearly white teeth, however not too shiny.

Enna was her name? Avinasai took a quick mental note of her features. Red hair, seemed less stockier than Avinasai has. A tad bit of lighter skin.

She wanted her own name? Avinasai choked as she swallowed her ale. However, the liquid descended down into her stomach, where it had settled for now. The dark haired woman pounded her chest a few times before she replied.

"Call me Thorn. Like the stems of a rose?" Avinasai said with a wicked smile, but she was being cordial. Or at least her best efforts at it.

"Hopefully we'll.get some snow or winter without snow would be nice. The animals definitely need it. We also need to survive." We meaning her mostly. Avinasai needed to survive. There was nothing more important than to survive. It was always a fight, no matter who you are.

"I don't come here often. Just know when the right times to come here I guess. Men like to leave their pouches about, and ignorantly forget about them. It's how I get my meals around here sometimes." She emphasized the sometimes, which meant that she didn't win the coins all of the time, however, she did get close half of the time. Which meant that her ability to steal was a lot better than when she was a young girl living in Lhavit.

Except for the bit that she is still learning how to steal things. One just can't simply learn to steal professionally overnight.

[Enna Malark]

Enna watched Thorn’s eyes as she spoke. There was something hidden behind the emerald orbs. A weight of some kind? She couldn’t guess as to what but it was worth remembering if she ever saw her again. As they began to talk more in depth, Enna found herself warming to this stranger. Clearly not one to mess about with words too much, perhaps Enna had misjudged the woman to begin with. “It was too quiet if you ask me,” her lips curled into a smirk. “Things tend to get noticed more when it’s quiet. This place should be noisy, boisterous and busy.” Enna took another long drink. Her stomach groaned loudly at the influx of liquid with nothing to absorb it. Enna’s cheeks reddened slightly at the show of weakness her stomach offered. She caught the glance at the slob in the chair. “The stems of a rose,” Enna let out a soft chuckle. “Very poetic, I like it.” Avinasai was clearly not someone to be messed with, not lightly at least. She had an air of dangerousness about her that was almost exciting. “Dinner is always better when someone else is paying,” she gave her own wicked grin, raising her mug in appreciation. “If you leave your mizas just lying around, well… You shouldn’t be here to be frank. Never know who may swipe them.” She considered her options for a few moments. “I’d rather it didn’t snow,” Enna visibly shivered at the thought of it. “It makes everything pretty and all, even here. But it’s not what helpful for working. The kids enjoy though I suppose, not sure I can join in snowball fights anymore.” “It’s probably a little quieter in here than usual,” Enna glanced around again. “Must be to do with the celebrations last night. How did you see in the change of season?” Actually, last night was pretty good for Enna. Everyone was pissed as a fart. She got a couple of purses yesterday. But they went straight behind the bar for more food and drink.

[Avinasai]

2nd, Winter, 517av.

When Merv returned with the dinners, Avinasai was pleased with the meal given to her. The hot bowl of stew had a sweet, and salty aroma. It was breathtaking. Avinasai would kill to have Merv's cooking for free. His cooking was always so exquisite. This was one of the main reasons why Avinasai would always visit this aged tavern.

"Exactly, Mizas are considered to be valued here in Sunberth, and it's always pleasing to have a heavier coat of coins in your pocket than what you originally start with."

Avinasai chuckled, and sipped on her stew. Avinasai was still pondering of how she can give the man payback for calling her a bloody whore. Who does that bastard think he is?

When someone would call Avinasai a whore, it was genuine stereotype. Just because she was pretty, and good looking. That did not mean that she was a whore. Avinasai would never actually get fully undressed when she's in bed with another man. She'll deceive them into thinking that she was going to be intimate with them. Then, she'll knock them out with gas of her own creation and steal their money, and after that she'll slip out of their room or whatever building that she was in, and not return for a long while.

It worked for her, many times. However, sometimes her gasses that she had made were not as strong as the others were, or sometimes death could have occurred if Avinasai had injected too much of the gasses that she would make from the poisons.

"Yeah, too quiet, mate. However, I do feel that we can make something happen this season. Rain would be good, maybe we'll get somma' that... instead of the snow." Avinasai agreed. She nodded as Enna mentioned the changes of the season, and said: "Perhaps yesterday would have been a better day ter' meet ya' know? There would be a lot of people who we could've stolen from- also not sayin' that today would've ben' a bad day either,
eh?" Avinasai's took another light drink from the dark 'burning' ale.

"Maybe tis' season would be a better one? As long as we don't starve ourselfs to death, eh?"

[Enna Malark]

Enna gave a nod to Merv as he slid them both their food. It could’ve smelled of anything and Enna would have probably eaten it. Fortunately, Merv’s cooking was good. Enna fell quiet listening to Thorn speak. There was just something about the way she held herself that Enna liked. She was just forthcoming enough to be civil without being too overly friendly. It was an important skill here. Information was always of value. It was strange really. If one knew who to speak to, one single sentence could fell an empire. Towns would burn, seas would boil. Yes, these were extreme, but it had happened in the past and brought ruin to the world. Thorn was careful and it just meant Enna wanted to know more. “With food like this, I could wait a day or two before I had it again and had the coin to buy it,” Enna’s stomach settled as she began to eat. The meal itself was filling as always. Although it hadn’t been too cold today, it always gave her a feeling of cosy warmth that seemed to embrace her whole body. She brushed some hair out of her face and behind her ear as she ate. “No way I’d starve to death then.” “Anyway, it’s not stealing if it’s just laying there,” Enna gave a devilish grin. “How it got to be there might be a different story though.” There had been quite a bit of time passed since she had got her mark, she felt she was safe now at least. She wasn’t really sure what it was, but she loved it. Maybe, it was the danger. It was exciting, invigorating, intoxicating. Enna imagined it was the same feeling a hunter would get before a kill. Maybe even an assassin. That fleeting moment of wondering if your plans were going to succeed. The relief of success, the panic of failure, they were like drugs. “I’d wager there is quite a bit of intrigue we could get up to this season. Maybe with the help of some new acquaintances?” Enna finished her stew quickly, betraying how hungry she truly felt. “It seems like you have something on your mind though. You keep spacing out a little on me. Care to share your thoughts?” There was a shout from across the other side of the bar. A couple of people round a table were playing a dice game by the looks of it. The ruckus was starting to draw a crowd. Enna looked over her shoulder, everyone seemed so focused on the game, betting and banter, she couldn’t help but wonder. Turning her gaze back to Thorn, “Perhaps we should have a wonder over when you’re finished?”

[Avinasai]

2nd, Winter, 517av.

Avinasai finished her stew with quick mouthfuls. She pushed her bowl aside, and finished the rest of the ale. The burning liquid stung her throat a bit, however, it wasn't enough to satisfy her. She was more than excited to nab someone's pouch of coins. The jingling of the coins tempted her, and she couldn't resist any longer. However, curiosity did come up as an option too. She wouldn't mind taking a look around.

She smiled.

"Aye, we can go and see to it. Possibly learn a few things- or even gain a few extra Mizas? We could definitely use some extra coins." Avinasai chuckled, and slid off her seat, she barely managed to balance herself as her legs nearly turned numb. However, she didn't fall as she slipped from the chair.

She wasn't drunk. It wouldn't take her one ale to get drunk. She's acquired a taste for ale over time. She was just sitting for so long. Her legs grew tired.

Avinasai joined Enna and together they took a look at the crowd, and found themselves observing the dice game at the table. It seemed to be intriguing alright. Avinasai looked over to Enna.

"Any thoughts on this game?" Avinasai asked with confusion heavily coating her tone.

[Enna Malark]

Enna watched Thorn move through the bar. Even she couldn’t deny that her companion was rather stunning, but she seemed to move with the easy swagger of someone who probably knew that too. Enna on the other hand was trying not to draw too much attention to herself. She walked with her head a little bowed, her gait a little hurried, almost of if she was trying to get out of the way of everyone. You’d be surprised where you could if people think you’re just another commoner wandering the streets. Enna had frequently walked into places she shouldn’t just because she’d passed herself off as another of the commonfolk. It was dangerous, but it was rewarding. “It’s called Liar’s Dice,” Enna shivered at the memories the game brought up. She’d watched Riardon play this many a time while she worked the crowd stealing what coin she could. She would try and sneak a look at the dice too, try and give him the edge. They watched as each player took a handful of dice, put them in a cup and turned it over on to the table so the dice were hidden from the others. “It’s a bluffing game,” Enna turned her amber eyes to Thorn. Her eyes were alight with excitement. She almost wanted to have a go herself. There was a lot of coin on the table. “There are many different ways to play it, but it boils down to this. You start with five dice. You may look at your own dice as many times as you like. They then make a guess as to the amount of dice on the table. So, say four threes. Now, the person to your left then has the chance to call you a liar. They then guess a number of dice. Either more dice of any number or the same dice of a higher number. Though that rule is sometimes changed. The goal is to call it where the number of dice is equal to or higher than your call. If the person to your right believes you are wrong, they may challenge you. The dice are then revealed. If you are right you win and the challenger loses a dice. If you’re wrong then you do. The winner is the person with dice left at the end of the game. You are perfectly allowed to bluff on your call too. That’s where things get really interesting.” “Watch,” Enna nodded her head towards the table. Sure enough, each player made a call, with the numbers getting larger with each player. There were four players at the table and already five dice had been lost. The call ending on six fives. The man calling the challenge was a burly pig faced man whose tells even a child could spot. The man to his right was a far more confident and self-assured individual, almost cocky in his approach. The dice were revealed. The cocky man still had all five dice. The pig man had only three. Sure enough, the cocky man had four fives and there were three others on the table. The pig man lost another dice and he howled in frustration. Enna cast her eyes up from the table to the crowd. She scanned the faces as several groaned. There was clearly betting going on within the crowd itself. She sidled closer to Thorn. “There is a lot of coin floating around here,” she gestured to the betting with a hushed tone. “Be a shame if someone were to get distracted and lose a coin or several.”

[Avinasai]

2nd, Winter, 517av.

Avinasai listened carefully as Enna explained about Liars' Dice. It seemed like a fun game. However, Avinasai wasn't really all that good with bluffing. She was a lot better at pretending than deceiving. Nevertheless, bluffing and deception can somewhat fall between the same line- right? Nevermind that, Avinasai needed to pay attention to Enna, and the game.

Thorne did notice the spare change that was scattered about the table, and pouches we're hanging loose from some of the common spectators that surrounded Enna and Avinasai.

"Aye, would be nice to have some extra money and all. Any plans of action for taking their money?" Avinasai replied with a whisper of sorts. Though, the cheering and the applause from the crowd would have maybe made it difficult for the red-headed woman to hear Avinasai's words.

The man lost a die and howled as if he was getting stabbed in the back. Avinasai furrowed her brows as the man withdrew his die and placed it on the center of the table. Avinasai glanced around, and observed the crowd all around her. Most of them knew about this game, and it seemed obvious that some of them were even bidding to see who's the last man standing.

"We can definitely try. Worth a shot eh? If we get enough money. We can split the lot? Deal?"