Tasting Conflict

by **Evalin** on May 30th, 2014, 8:59 pm

83rd of Spring, 514 AV
Location: The Distillery

I care not for this place already. Evalin thought as she crossed the entrance to the Dhani tavern. Was it actually a tavern? Evalin was not entirely sure exactly what it was she had stepped into. There were Dhani, human and dhani form, all mingling, all talking, and all drinking. Merriment went on, laughter and jokes, rough voices boasting about this that or the other. It was a hive of drunken splendor and everyone seemed apt to participate.

Indeed. The very air is drenched in alcohol.

Evailn found a table slightly to the left of the entrance and there she placed herself, resting her staff against her chair as she pushed back her hood and looked around at the crowd, What can we hope to obtain by coming here? Surely we wish for information, however, in this place it is more likely the information shall be false or muddled to the point of nonrecognition.

It was with a bit of amusement that Evailn noticed that the Dhani aptly avoided her when they were in search for seats. Some would go so far as to make a large circuit around the tables, and some of the tables and seating near here were abruptly left empty. Faintly Evalin wondered if it was because word who her Master was had somehow been passed on to all present, or they simply did not like her obvious dead complexion. Her eyes that stared with lifeless lackluster, her skin that was pale as death and eyes heavy with bags beneath them. Perhaps they all noticed the odd feeling of 'wrongness' that flowed from her due to her mark of Uldr. Whatever the case it did little to make the nuit less conspicuous.

After a few chimes the glances and stares slowly began to subside, and the slight bubble of restlessness began to fade as more drink was consumed and interest was lost on the undead. It was then that Evalin began to settle back, her eyes sweeping the crowds as she contemplated what exactly she was to do. She could not simply walk up to anyone here and begin to ask questions, none would answer her. So then... How could she turn someone to her aid?

Tapping a finger on the table Evalin began to form an idea, and she smiled as she began to gather clear res into the palm of her hand that was hidden beneath the table. It was just a small amount, just enough to rest in her palm, and this she lowered slowly to the floor. Then she willed it forward, sliding it close to the ground so as not to be noticed, weaving between legs until it reached a group of very loud gentleman who took up the center tables of the bar. Pressing the res against the floor she flicked a finger, and shimmering ice coated a small area no bigger than Evalin's hand. she did not have to wait long until one man, large and red faced, slipped on the eye and fell backwards, smashing into the man behind him who spilled his mug all over his front. One mug flew into the air, cracked another in the skull and as others stood up in surprise chairs overturned, causing others to trip and fall on tables, to ram into other rowdy men filled with drink. One man would stand, shove another who usually had nothing to do at all with the accident, and before Evalin's eyes fists began to fly. More and more began to join in, most seeming just for the fun of a good bar room brawl. Others showed real anger.

Excellent... Now then to let the pawns play the game for us."

by **Evalin** on June 2nd, 2014, 9:59 pm

Evalin slowly rose from her seat, idly walking around the quickly growing conflict as more men, and women, began to join the fray. Bodies began to wrestle, flipping one another over onto the floor, great Dhani forms hissed as the grabbed up one another and tossed them like they weighed nothing more than a few pounds. It was Chaotic, terrible, and quite amusing to watch. Around the edges there were those trying to ease the conflict, but with the ale and adrenaline fueling the flames it did not look as if it would die down any time soon.

The nuit's eyes roamed the bodies that twisted and pressed against one another. Fists flying, drunken waddles sending men falling too far forward and crashing into each other. From time to time one would stumble toward her and she would simply step to the side, letting gravity take its course as they sprawled on the floor. It was then that she found what she was looking for. A young woman, a dhani in human form of course, carrying a tray. A serving girl perhaps? She certainly was not timid. She was well muscled, not delicate in the least, and from time to time she would strike a male in the nose and put him back on the ground before he could enter back into the fray. Licking her lips Evalin began forward, coming toward her at the same time as another man began to come at her from behind. She did not seem to notice him, but then she was preoccupied with the man she held in a headlock, her tray forgotten on the ground.

Stepping between her and the Dhani Evalin gathered her res in her hands, putting it into a swirling motion in the palms of her hand, making them spin faster and faster as she summoned the air around her to come to her as well. So when the Dhani barreled toward them both Evalin shoved her hands full of spinning res into his chest, transforming the remaining into air which burst outward in a sudden gust that sent him sprawling backwards onto his butt. Sliding a couple of feet his head hit the cave wall, and he was not so quick to get up this time.

Evalin turned just in time to catch the woman's surprised look, her eyes clearly expressing her views on such a small thing like Evalin putting a Dhani on the floor. But Evalin simply smiled, coming forward quickly, "Would you like all of this to end?"

The woman blinked, and huffed and sneered, "Yesss but then you would need to halt a crowd of drunken idiotsss from rioting. It'sss not ssso easy little one."

"Certainly not." Evalin agreed, absently sidestepping another stumbling fool before looking back at the woman, "But this changes nothing. Would you like it to end?"

She looked toward the crowd and back to Evalin, and she only had time to nod before another man fell backwards against her and she had to flip him over back onto the floor, putting one foot on his chest to keep him still.

Evalin stepped back, closing her eyes and sucking in a breath. she began collecting her res. It gathered in her arms, over her shoulders and back and around her feet, and with a flick of her hand she sent it coursing through the knotted crowd. She focused most of it in the biggest collections of bodies, keeping it in gaseous form until it was all in place. When it was complete Evalin hissed, waving her hands up in a dramatic fashion as she willed the res to swarm up between the gathered bodies. Suddenly seeing the translucent res so near their faces many stepped back from their fighting, and those that didn't soon would as Evalin commanded, "Hakin!"

The res erupted in flames, creating columns of flames in various sizes between the fighters. Those that stood too close found their skin and eyebrows singed, but while the display was by no means powerful the sudden heat and light caused everyone to pause in confusion. Then just as quickly as it came the fire was gone and all that was left was stillness and silence as the fighers blinked from the dazzling light and searing heat.

Taking advantage of the moment the woman stepped forward, shoving one man out toward the door, "All right thatsss enough! Get your asssesss out of here! If you want to fight ssso badly go find a Myrian, but move your scaley hidesss OUT of this bar or I'll persssonally carry you into the jungle and sssskin you alive."

Grumbles from the participants, and some angry glares was about all that she got in return. Slowly however the men began to trickle out, while those that remained simply took their seats once more, content to quietly enjoy their drinks. The woman looked back down at Evalin, "Well done little one. Now who the petch are you?" She was already picking up her tray and returning to the bar, gathering up glasses to be washed.

Evalin followed after, taking an easy pace and answering slowly as well, "I am... Katherine. Servant to Miss Aka. I am glad I could be of assistance to you today."

The woman paused as she began wiping one of the glasses, looking across the bar at Evalin, taking her in up and down before going back to her work, "The little Viper? That explainsss the flamesss. I am Nessyl by the way, and thisss isss my establissshment."

Ah, the owner and not a simple maid. What fortune we have this day.

She is an interesting one. It is rare than an owner will be so direct with her customers.

"Can I get you a drink for your troublesss?"

Evalin waved a hand, "No, but thank you. I do not drink."

Nessyl eyed Evalin and looked down at her next mug she began to clean, "No, I sssupose you don't do you." Evalin noted the tone in the woman's. She was not a fool to be certain, "What isss sssomeone like you doing in Zinrah? We don't get many, well any, of the undead here."

Hearing it said outloud made Evalin grimace. It was always best that she keep that little detail to herself as much as possible. Let it be rumored that she is what she is, but to hear it allowed gave her a real sense of unease. Like she was exposed, "I have come on some matters of a personal nature. As it would happen mine and Aka's path travel in the same direction, for now. However, I find myself a bit at a loss as to what direction to go. Perhaps you may help me with this...?"

"And how could I help you exactly?" Of course there was suspicion in her voice. Who wouldn't be when something like Evalin came bartering for favors? Or was it a favor at all?

The nuit shrugged, resting her hands against the bar and eyeing the now clean glass, noticing she had been polishing the same one for a couple chimes now, "While my Mistress is useful in some ways, in others she is... rather lacking. I find myself often in need of more intricate information about the nest, and the queens and their goings on. It has become a hobby of mine to study the politics of every city I find myself within, and Zinrah is proving to be MOST intriguing."

Nessyl smiled, "In other wordsss, you are looking for an informant. In thisss nessst of Constrictorsss I cannot blame you. Sssometimesss information isss a mussst if you wisssh to survive." She held the glass up in front of her eyes to examine it, setting it aside to pick up another, "Information isss not free. What exactly isss in it for me?"

Evalin thought for a moment, tapping her fingers on the bar, "When the time comes and I hold sway and power here, and this shall happen, I will remember those who have aided me and they shall be aptly rewarded."

The woman laughed, shaking her head, "You ssseem quite confident in yourssself, I'll give you that. Tell you what, becaussse you helped me back there I will give you a ssspecial deal. Do a job or two for me from time to time when I need you, and in exchange I will provide you with the information I come by. How doesss that sound little one?"

It was Evalin's turn to laugh this time and she nodded, "The price is fair, and I accept your offer."

"Excellent. Now, are you sssure I cannot get you a drink?"

Evalin leaned forward across the bar, keeping eye contact with Nessyl as she did, "If you have blood on the menu then I shall indeed take a drink."

The sound of cloth rubbing against glass paused, but if this request disturbed the Dhani she didn't show it. Instead she grabbed an empty class from the shelf and produced a dagger from under the counter. Then she made a quick cut on her forearm, letting a trickle of blood flow into the glass until it was filled half way. Stemming the flow she would push the glass toward Evalin, meeting her eye with a smile, "There you go. On the houssse."

Chuckling Evalin took up the grasp, downing the glass and feeling the bliss as the warm liquid passed over her tongue and down her throat. IT was like she had been parched before and now, now she was quenched. Her mind felt clearer, and as she set the empty glass down on the counter she licked the red from her lips and stood straight, "I look forward to our future endeavors. Take care Nessyl. We shall speak again soon."

The Dhani offered a wave before she went back to her work, and Evalin turned and exited the bar. This day had proven to be much more productive than she thought.

by **Catastrophe** on June 10th, 2014, 1:32 am

Evalin :

Notes :

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