A Sunspot in a Mineshaft (Solo)

by **Sebastian Stalinsa** on October 31st, 2012, 6:22 am

Season Fall, Day 30, Year 512

The wine was flowing, the girls happy and smoke hung heavily in the air. The cards slipped like silk through his fingers as Sebastian dealt the game’s third round. His opponent was a small man, made even more so by his hunched posture and narrow frame. It was a chilled evening but, inside Loveless the air was warmed by heavy heat from its employees and costumers alike. Even so, the stranger had made no effort to remove his heavy layers of clothing and still sat wide eyed refusing to stare at anything but, his cards.

Sebastian had never seen the man before but, being new in Zeltiva there were a lot of people he’d never seen. However the regulars to Loveless he knew well enough. Knew the ones inclined to make trouble from the ones who just wanted a good time or the lost souls who wondered in like moths drawn to a candle. Sebastian wondered what kind of man the stranger was, the only exposed features of his face being two bulbous eyes and a long knife edged nose.

There were a number of past times offered at Loveless; the most obvious one displayed by the beautiful and sometimes fanciful women and men lounging about for pleasurable hire. There was drinking as well. Not the Kelp bile that Sebastian had learned to avoid after a night of indulgence left him indisposed for two weeks, but real wine. Wine as red as a showgirls lips, warm and deeper than the kiss of a jaded siren.

Scattered throughout the bottom level there was also a number of round flat tables made of dark wood with a glossy finish. These were used by business men of ill dispute or those with gambling tendencies. Any of the employees could deal and a number of them even knew a game or two. Sometimes during the beginning of a shift when the nights were slow Sebastian would get together with a few of them and play a couple rounds. Since they all owned little except for the scraps Madame Zana graciously threw their way the chips were often clothing and sometimes sexual tricks. The first was a great deal of fun. The second well enough in theory but, often caused the game to disintegrate, and in the worst case was downright embarrassing as Sebastian had discovered after losing a bluffing match with a particularly bad hand.

All is fair in love and war poets are fond of saying but, in the house of Madame Zana all is worth forgetting too. So it was that each night started out as the first night, fresh and untarnished by the events of yesterday. It wasn’t such a bad place and Sebastian had made himself comfortable here keeping an eye on the patrons and a ready fist if anyone got out of hand.Occasionally he even found some poor sob to gamble with.

Sebastian didn’t look at his hand once the cards were dealt but, keep his eyes on the stranger. The stranger’s delicate fingers were mangled from some past accident and they trembled violently as he held his cards. His face was sent in apprehensive determination and like his cloaks had remained since entering.

The guy had crept in unnoticed until Sebastian heard a shallow cough next to his shoulder with a wobbling apology that a young lass had said he was the one to talk to for a game of cards. The night was just starting to pick up but, Sebastian figured there was enough time for a game or two. They’d sat down the stranger requesting a max bet of one gold for the first game, betting five silver on the first round and then said no more; neither offering his name or talk to enhance play. He’d then taken one look at his cards before grimly setting his remaining five silver on the table. Now they were on a third game and Sebastian had lost three gold to the man and won nothing.

“You know friend.” Sebastian started amiably as he glanced down at his own cards. “Keep betting everything on your first hand and people are going to start thinking your bluffing.” His eyes flicked up to the strangers face and he fancied he saw the slightest of widening to the man’s already saucer sized orbs. “It’s much better to lure them into a false sense of security before making your move. The stakes get higher the money gets better.” Sebastian shrugged with a wan smile. “That’s just how most play it.” He was reward for his effort by the man’s expression growing even more apprehensive the shaking in his fingers increase.

“And how do you play?” Spoke the stranger’s muffled voice.

“Me? I play tell the games not fun anymore.” He replied with a wink and a flash of teeth, flipping four gold onto the table.

by **Sebastian Stalinsa** on November 2nd, 2012, 6:45 am

There was a man at the bar tonight by the name of Edward Vincent Hurgs. As Sebastian understood it Edward owned a small fleet of merchant vessels which raked in enough money for him to afford the kind of living most men would envy. He was, in essence, a retired man living off the fat he’d garnered during youth and married to a fancifully rumored Symenestra beauty. In appearance Mr. Hurgs was a round fellow wearing clothing styled for a man much slimmer then himself. He had round eyes like little glittering coins, a stubby button nose, large full lips and his pride and joy, a thin overly oiled and twirled mustache. The mustache had a tendency to droop and the employees of Loveless were drawn on whether it was even a real mustache at all.

The women tending the bar tonight was a striking blond lass heavy in curves with a mischievous smile that could catch the attention of any man and keep him dreaming of her. She wore little more than a brightly fur lined corset with lacy undergarments and enjoyed twirling her long hair into elaborate masterpieces from across Mizahar. She went by the name of Toco because of a story her grandfather was fond of tell about great sea creature who often took the form of a giant turtle. The turtle was said to be a creature of benevolence, and while in this form the creature assisted many a floundering ship and lost sailor. Toco liked to tease of course, that there where many other more menacing shapes the monster took and to beware lest anyone get her angry.

It was public knowledge within Loveless that Toco was Edward’s favorite choice of entertainment, just as it was also publicly known that he and Toco had had a falling out some days before Sebastian was hired. The exact details were unclear and rumors abound covering everything from an ill fated wedding proposal to Edward having inhuman sexual appetite. Toco steadfastly refused to elaborate on the subject to anyone but the Madame and so, as was the custom in Loveless, the event was swept unceremoniously under the rug with a warning given to Mr. Hurgs that Toco was off limits.

Sebastian had been keeping an eye on Edward since his entrance into Loveless some bell after opening. So far the man had acted cordially enough heading straight to the bar and staring actively at all about him. Some thirty chimes in and he’d beckoned a girl who'd then sat awkwardly on his lap enduring with elaborated moaning her customer’s forceful handling. Negligently Edward’s hands moved about her body while his mouth conversed with the men besides him and his eyes bore holes into Toco’s disregarding face. As the night continued however and more wine was consumed he’d shooed the girl away even after her best efforts in persuading him to accompany her upstairs. He sat silently now his face slowly turning a deeper shade of red as Toco flirted from one customer to another giving Edward no more attention the a waitress pouring his drink.

Glancing up to see that Mr. Hurgs was now struggling to put on his coat, Sebastian returned to the game at hand satisfied with the knowledge that Edward was still coherent enough to leave without starting trouble. Dealing the next set his eyes flicked from the bar, around the room then settling onto the stranger’s face whose deep lining had only gotten starker as the game progressed.

“What are you doing here?” The words came suddenly and unexpectedly blunt from Sebastian’s mouth. The stranger jumped his head swiveling slightly until realizing it was he the question had been directed.

“I’m, playing cards…” He wobbled in a thin strained voice. “I, use to play, all the time…It’s, a good game. Enjoyable.” Sebastian hung an arm over the back of his chair leveling a piercing gaze at his opponent, under which, the man quivering placed his four gold onto the table. Part of any gambling game was figuring out what kind of man you were playing. It’d taken nearly three rounds but, Sebastian felt he’d finally cracked this one. Brushing aside clarifying what the stranger had meant, he continued.

“Sure enough but, why are you playing here? No offense mate but, you stand out like a sore thumb. You haven’t ordered anything to drink, or tried to feel up any merchandise, hell, seems like you’ve been trying your hardest not to even look at the beauties flashing their stuff. Out of all the people who come through here to relax you’re by far the most in need of it my friend but, you haven’t so much as taken off your coat. And,” He finished taking a second to adjust his hand before continuing to pin the stranger with a penetrating stare. “You’re betting everything on each round like a man on his last ropes. So what is it? What sort of trouble has you dragging yourself into this place where a man such as you has no business being?

The stranger stood stock still as Sebastian’s simple observations hit far closer to home then even the younger man was aware of. Sebastian’s honest blue eyes striped the stranger layer for layer while the coins between them twinkled merrily in the sooty lamplight. At last a cord was struck inside him a vibration like the swell of the ocean gaining force as it neared shore. The stranger began to tremble. His eyes misted over and cards tumbling one by one from his hands onto the table.

“Pair of 3s and set of 7s.” Sebastian observed in a quiet emotionless voice before flipped over his own cards.

“Royal run and two Jacks.”

“I, noooooo!” The stranger’s mouth forming a small ‘O’ from which uttered the most heart wrenching moan Sebastian had ever heard as the man squeezed shut his eyes. His whole body shaking, hands spasticly clenching and mouth melting into a slideshow of despair as the realization hit home that he’d lost it all. Sebastian had figured the guy was in some kind of trouble but, this utter display of a man at his lowest was, unexpected, and it brought him no joy witnessing such total defeat.

“Hey!” Sebastian called in a low incessant tone trying to get the stranger’s attention. He'd yet to reach for the winnings instead leaning forward over the table and giving it a hard rap to break the stranger’s spiral of self loathing.

“Hey, I don’t know what kind of trouble you’re in, but you seem like an honest guy. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help you out.” The man’s eyes opened and the hopelessness within was taken aback by the open sincerity in the younger man’s face. This fellow whoever he was needed a hand and maybe Sebastian was just the right person for the job. After all he liked to think he was a good judge of character and at the very lest he could lend an ear.

Sebastian gave the stranger a moment to compose himself calling over for a glass of wine. The quaking was just starting to settle as the man drowned his glass in one grateful gulp when all hell broke loose at the bar

by **Sebastian Stalinsa** on November 5th, 2012, 9:05 am

The Loveless bar was a beautiful strip of glossy Purple Heart wood with a rose marble top. It could seat five on spindly stools made of laced wood and black iron with blood red cushions over spilling from seats that would otherwise be too small for most of the establishment’s customers. Such was the case for Mr. Hurgs whose large girth balanced uncomfortably between stool and bar as he slung his cures and coin at Toco’s blanched face.

“Fist my cock’s not good e’ough for you now my coin as well! You prostituting whore! I’ll show you a thing or two!” He raged struggling to right himself as his alcoholic soaked brain tripped and tumbled the room about him.

An elegantly handsome man lounging by the fire place shot a glare towards Edward. His face twisting into a sneer and sinister eyes glinting as his hand reached for a red hot poker.

Forehead creasing in annoyance Sebastian swept the cards into his pocked with one stroke of the hand before pinning the stranger with a imposing look.
“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back in a moment.” He commanded before heading off the man brandishing the poker on his way towards Edward.

Toco had fallen back against the wall griping a large wine bottle hiden from Mr. Hurgs sight as he tipsily rose. Leaning over the table to better spew his insults peppering spittle over his target's corset.

There wasn’t a lot a man could do in this sort of situation Sebastian realized. He could try to talk the man down but, one earful of curses was enough to dismiss that idea. A fight then. Fine by him, he hadn’t had a good scrap since coming to Zeltiva and was well overdo. Course he’d have to lure the guy outside. The Madame had made it very clear that she’d tolerate no fighting within her establishment.

“Hey Toco, beautiful? You mind heading up stairs for a bit? I need a word with our customer here.” He offered coming up behind Edward. Instead of Toco’s face melting into relief as Sebastian had expected it instead became paler, if possible, and small worried creases crinkled her forehead.

“Please Sebastian, don’t hurt him.” She begged before elegantly retreating from behind the bar and up the stairs. Before he could ponder what she might have meant Edward turned, his rage blasting Sebastian like a furnace.

“Who the puck suckling cockroach are you?” He roared leaning heavily against the bar his breath laboring against the shiny buttons of his doublet. “You limp dick weasel! I’ll have your guts strewn about my courtyard! How dare you interfere-“

He’d been right it seemed. The time for talk was long missed. As his fist slammed into Mr. Hurgs padded jaw cutting him off mid-sentence with an audible pop of vertebra, Sebastian distantly wondered when he could have prevented this. When the man first walked in? After the second drink? The forth? Maybe he should’ve sent Toco off earlier. Or better yet why was this asshole still allowed inside Loveless at all? Ah well, live and learn.

“Oi! Over here you barnacle faced slobbering wharf rat!” He called stepping over to the door and opening it with a simple twist of the hand.

Reeling from the punch and drowning in raged Edward scrambled up, his head wobbling like a crossed eyed cobra.“Where are you, you low lipped cur! Who dares strike me!” He bellowed. Snot snorted from his nostrils when he caught sight of Sebastian, his eyes wide and wild mouth agape.” I’ll kill you!” He nearly screamed charging the small distance to the door. Caught unprepared for such a sudden assault the air exploded out of Sebastian as the larger man rammed into him slamming his back painfully onto the slick cobblestones outside.

Finding a new diversion in their midst Loveless customers and employees alike joyfully lined themselves along the windows and pressed against the doorway protruding slightly out into the street for a better view as the two men went tumbling by. Bets were quickly made and haughty remarks about the unfortunateness of such an occurrence taking place at night where only the barest flashes of movement could be observed.

Pinned underneath his opponet Sebastian struggled as the man’s punches fell like a mountain when they hit, his strong fingers quickly making a vice around the younger man’s neck. Knowing he’d have no chance of bucking Edward off Sebastian’s hand groped outward in desperation across the cobblestones his other trying to dislodge sausage sized fingers. He didn’t stop to consider what the soft muck under his searching hand was but, grabbing a fistful crammed as much as he could into Edward’s eyes, smearing it across his face as the man lurched back with a Howl of surprise. The grip around his neck releasing Sebastian smashed his forehead into Edward’s noise taking his moment of unbalance to shove the man off before scrambling away on all fours.

“Peck! What the Peck is-Shit! There’s shit it my eyes!” Mr. Hurgs cried out in painful disgust wiping as much as he could off onto his sleeve. Focused on the fight, the blood roaring through Sebastian’s temple blocked out any thought for what he’d just done. Only that it was one step closer to victory.

“Do you give?” He barked, towering over Edward, weight on the balls of his feet ready to dodge lest the man should strike out.

“You blistering sod! Who does-“ Not hearing what he wanted Sebastian cut the man off with another stunning punch, breaking the skin above Edward’s eye.
“Do you surrender?” He bellowed again. Another punch and a kick that brushed far too close to the family jewels for comfort causing the man to toppled upon his side.

“I give! I give dam you!” He wheezed angrily through clenched teeth rolled up to protect his head and nether regions. “Good gods I don’t deserve this.”

“Then don’t, go acting, like a pox faced, ass.” Sebastian retorted breathing heavily from the left overs of adrenaline. “You pull anything like that, around here again, and I’ll make sure even your own mother, wouldn’t recognize you once I’m through.” A short silence followed punctured only by the heavy breathing of the two men as the majority of Loveless now bored but, some a bit richer returned to their previous debauchery.

“Gods they must be laughing at me.” Came a pitiful swell as Edward slowly straightened to sit hunched staring at his hands. Sebastian raised a clotted eye brow at this having not expected the man to say anything else.

“So? Who cares?” He replied conversationally squatting down next to the fella. True he should probably go back into the house, maybe wash up first but, you don’t just stuff a man’s face full of shit in front of an audience and then just walk off when he has something to say. Just wasn’t right. “It’ll be forgotten tomorrow trust me.” He assured but, Edwards just shook his head.

“No, she’ll remember. My poor Toco, what have I done.” He lamented shoulders shaking as the first tears of regret dripped from his nose onto his ruined leggings.

As a principle Sebastian tried to avoid things he’d regret later, and looking back on what he could remember of his life had to say he was doing pretty well. There was of course the poor choice of word here, a blistering argument there, but for the most part nothing really stood out. Faced now with a man who'd obviously crossed that invisible moral boundary Sebastian hoped to never be in his position. There was some sympathy for Edward to be sure but, everyone digs their own grave and it wasn’t anyone else job to pull em out, but there wasn’t any point in throwing mud over them either.

“Come on. Time to get up.” He said patting the guys shoulder only to realize he’d smeared more crap over his disheveled clothing. Switching hands he grasped under Edwards shoulder and with some straining help the man to his feet, giving him a moment to catch his balance over the slick street.

“I’ve said horrible things to her. But she should have asked me first. I would have cared for the child. Love it.” Edward moaned whether to himself or Sebastian was unclear. Sebastian didn’t know what had happened between the two, nor did he really want to. If Toco wanted to keep it between herself, this man and Zana then it wasn’t any of his business.

“I’m sure she’ll forgive you.” He side offhandedly shuffling towards a building and leaning Edward against it. “Stay here mate. I’ll go find someone to set you home. Not safe walking back alone the way you are now. Beggers’ll pick you off like vultures.” Leaving the man to his mutterings Sebastian cast an eye about walking towards a near by water trough. Pulling a handkerchief from his pocked he soaked it in the water before wiping off the remaining offal from his hand and forehead. He couldn’t see anyone about, which was suspicious in itself as the street outside of Loveless was often patched with bums ogling the windows from across the street, but his head had the pounding of a thundering headache just building up steam and he wasn’t sure his vision was so good at the moment. Hoping for the best Sebastian headed inside searching first for Toco to make sure she was alright.

He was met instead by the steely gaze of Madam Zana her face showing in an instant she was none too pleased.“Sebastian, I swear you’re uglier every time I see you.” Her cold sensuous voice cracked like a whip. “Let something like this get out of hand again and I’ll do far worse than terminate your employment.” Holding out a perfectly manicured hand a young flop by her side dropped a number of silver coins into it.

“Not nearly enough.” She said pocketing the money without a glace. “Sebastian that man owes me another 35 silver. I want it in my hand by tomorrow night. If he makes a fuss hand him this.” She said drawing from her sleeve a blue gossamer scarf. The scarf had a strange smell to it, one Sebastian couldn’t place and wasn’t sure he really wanted to touch, but considering what else he’d grabbed tonight…

“You’ll have it.” He said taking the memento, not question why Zana was overcharging Edward by a third or how a scarf was supposed to help him get it.
With a venomous smile any Dhani would be proud of the Madam turned with a swirl of silk and swept up the stairs the young flop in tow. She was a piece of work Ms. Zana but she was right, he should have foreseen this, kept a better eye on Edward and nipped the whole thing in the bud before it ever got to blows.

Catching sight of Toco fumbling with a heavy dark green cloak Sebastian walked over noticing with a wince that one of his ribs seemed to be fractured. He’d assumed Toco was made of sterner stuff, but couldn’t really blame her for wanting to get outta here after what had just happened. Couldn’t let her walk around alone though, not at night no matter how well she knew the streets.

“Lemme help you with that.” He said softly coming up behind her and gently drawing her cloak closed. He had a soft spot for Toco he knew, and not just her but, all of the girls of Loveless; from the ripe Sussla to the downright intimidating Zul. It’d never taken him long to like a girl and these ones were no exception, having only known them for some two weeks and already they each had a fond place in his heart. The guys weren’t so bad either, though there’d always be a number of things he’d just never understand about them.

Holding her now he didn’t care if all of Loveless was watching even as she began to quiver with silent tears. This was their moment, and the rest could just peck off.

“You know I’m here if you ever need anything Toco.” He murmured placing a kiss upon her head. She smelled like summer and rolling in dry hay. She was warm and lush with skin softer then a rose petal. He could feel her entire being take one shuttering breath and then quiet suddenly she turned breaking his embrace with a giggle.

“Oh Sebastian what on Mizahar is a guy like you doing in a place like this.” She teased, only the wet streaks down her eyes betraying that she'd at any point been anything else but composed. “You make me feel like a poor damsel in a fairy tale.” She then kissed him forcefully making quite a show of it by entwining her fingers in his hair and one leg around his own. “That was for saving me oh shinnying knight.” She breathed with heaving bossum. “Come to my room later tonight and I’ll reward you personally.” Pulling away before Sebastian had time to form any reply still lost in the sensations of her kiss she moved to the door.

“Don’t worry about me.” She said anticipating his words before he’d even found them. “Mr. Hurgs is my number one client so I’ll walk him home, but I’ll have the truest of friends watching my back.” And with her famous mischievous smile she twirled a long wicked looking dagger from beneath her cloak before daintily skipping out into the night.

Still a bit stunned Sebastian watch her go the door shutting after and cutting off the outside world as if it had never existed.

“Hey, Sir Knightly.” Stefanie one of the male employees called from across the room. “While you were trussing in the street that bugger you were with shot off. Grabbed the gold too.”

Staring around at the shady din full of thieves, whores, and murderers Sebastian had to wonder. What was he doing here?

by **Echelon** on November 18th, 2012, 9:16 pm

Adventurer's Loot

A Gift
Experience is its own reward.

Sebastian's Loot :

(Yup, you write better than me. This read very well! Loved the atmosphere, and the pacing. Sebastian is a sweet guy with a very pure vice. Peculiar thing but I look forward to seeing him move along in the ranks.
Just and fyi this does in fact count as a work thread, though you don't need to be working to do a work thread, just mentioning it is enough most of the time.
Careful over playing your observation. Though in solos it's somewhat excusable in threads with other people it will get you in some trouble.) - if you have ANY questions or concerns about this grading, please PM me.