Completed The Start of a Long Winter

[Ricky Maze]

Whether Valo was laughing at him or not Ricky hadn't the slightest clue, he only knew that the air was cold and the ground was even colder. He struggled after turning over to his stomach to push himself up, his arms and legs were squishy as jellyfish that washed ashore when he attempted to do so. Finally he made it to his knee's where he could look all around. The world around him seem to spin a bit in the manner a child's would after spinning around. Tge overwhelming dizzyness that clouded his mind was something far from what he had expected, as he was clearly sought out only the mind numbing effects. Not the whole drunken state that he had reached, but then again being his first time at Kelp Beer there was no telling how bad things would've gotten. Falling back to his bottom he stretched his legs out and slid against the building, trying to figure out which direction was back to the Grotto. "Hey! When did Zeltiva become tge same as Alvadas?!" He shouted out of pure stupidity, unaware that the others were still capable of hearing him. If Valo needed any indication that Ricky would need help this was it, and though Ricky may have denied it at first he felt a change of mind come around. He just wasn't surw if the red head was still anywhere nearby. "Petch..." He mumbled to himself as he tried to figure something out, the only thing he knew though was that Zeltiva was shifting. The intoxication of the beer had kicked in and made its overwhelming sensation known. Ricky wasn't sure about how he was getting back, but he did know that Alvadas liked to change around. So instead of getting lost in the shifting Zeltiva Ricky figured he could wait for the mind numbing effect to wear off. If the dizzyness could go away he could probably find his way back, though he wished it were warm out here; the ground was making the wait rather cold and uncomfortable...

[Valo]

Valo could no longer keep a stone cold heart, for his pity towards Ricky was unmatched. the poor drunken fool, now sitting on the freezing cobble stones. When did Zeltiva become Alvadas eh? The moment you brought kelp beer to your lips sir, thought Valo. For alcohol was a traitorous substance. When it wants, it'll trick the kindest of men into bathing in it's promises of bliss and joy. And it will do so until it engulfs the man, ruining his health and mind. That was the true nature of alcohol. And in many ways alcohol was like pretty women too. The other great trap in this beautiful city of Zeltiva.

"Come on sir." said Valo, lifting the bear from the floor.This was no weather to be sitting about on the cobble stones as the chill would make him very uncomfortable at least. "Now where do you live sir?" he asked again, softer still as if his voice was made of some exotic honey. The slight accent behind his words was a little more prominent.

[Ricky Maze]

Between the laughs and curses that the other patrons wished for the door to shut Ricky was guided to his feet by another stranger. This one having the same lush red hair then before, which made Ricky think for a chime that this one was a girl....till the familiar voice spoke. It was Valo! Strange how they were both running into one another, but then again they never really seperated did they? It was all confusion for Ricky right now, confusion that he couldn't help but chuckle as he was now on his feet. The red haired man was no doubt a kind soul to be helping Ricky up, but Ricky was still unsure about getting help home. "Well if yer really gonna persist.." He slurred his sentence a bit as he looked around in a teetery stance, trying to figure out which way was back to the inn. "I think its..." With a humble grin full of tranquil intoxication he pointed in a random direction, "That way!" He was trying to keep from laughing as he was taking a complete guess at where ever it was, Zeltiva was indeed changing before his very eyes. "To the Grotto!" He cheered as he scooted his foot forward, a drunken first step he made to start their journey. It would be like old times for Ricky, old times with- wait a minute... "Before we go though...I need to find my dog. He's all I got left and I think..." He looked over in the direction where the docks was, able to make out the fuzzy shapes of the ships that were docked in for the night. It was then the memory came, he remembered his lost companion and closest pal. The only thing he had left in his miserable return and now it was gone. "Nevermind... my mistake." He corrected with a frown, he would've hidden it had he known he was frowning of course. "I'm ready for bed, maybe this nightmare will end." He stated as he made an effort to walk, eager to put the moment behind him. It was a situation he wasn't entirely sure about sharing, when he was sober it was impossible to share this type of stuff with anyone. Yet being as drunk as he was he didn't feel nothing at all, just the comfort of intoxication mixed with the feeling of sorrow. He had hoped that it too would've been drowned out, yet it seemed no matter how deep he was the pain still seeped deeper. Valo could find out more about this had he felt up to asking, as Ricky would clearly find that the bars that kept him from sharing such a tale would temporarily be nonexistent. However the would make their way to the Grotto either way, where he would help Ricky find the door to his room.

[Valo]

An there he goes, talking about that imaginary dog of his, for as far as Valo was concerned, there was no for legged creature by him that day. Little did Valo know of Ricky's tragic loss in the past; and possibly to his advantage, for if he knew of the emotional turmoil which troubled the man, he'd not be able to leave his side until the wounds are stitched and soothed.

Valo noticed that Ricky had pointed in quite the wrong direction, which would have probably led them to the Narvaen Stables at best, if it was to lead them anywhere. Thankfully Valo had quite a good understanding of the mental map of Zeltiva, for if the case was not so they would be well and truly tangled up in a spider web of alleys and roads leaning to nowhere. To a newcomer this city was truly a treacherous mess and one that Valo wished for no drunken fool, even if he shall be his worst enemy. Luckily Ricky was far from an enemy indeed.

Placing one arm around Ricky's waist and with the other, pulling one of Ricky's own arms around his shoulder in a desperate attempt to prevent the man from falling back on the icy cobbles; the two finally started in quite the opposite direction which was indicated. A long road which led right down to the docks. And Valo found him self worrying that in his state Ricky may trip and send them both tumbling down the gradient at which the road was and that would be utmost painful indeed. Soothingly he spoke to Ricky with a warm smile and a soft tone to his melodic voice. He promised rest and food for the drunk once they would finally get there. What a journey ahead it will be.

[Cascade]

Adventurer's Loot Ricky's Loot : Skill XP Reward Observation +2 Rhetoric +1 Lore: Nightmare: The Fisherman and Odis Kelp Beer: Taste Valo: Red-haired man Drunk From Kelp Beer Missing Odis Items or Consequences: -1 Nilo/GM Valo's Loot : Skill XP Reward Observation +2 Interrogation +1 Bodybuilding +2 Lore: Ricky: Kelp Beer Beginner Rick: Drunken State Helping A Drunk Acquiantance Quite an interesting first meeting. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me!