The Gentleman's Return

by **Vard Briar** on August 13th, 2014, 5:05 pm

OOC :

Phobius dashed outside to follow him and offered an intriguing piece of information. So, he also plans to stay at the inn? Well if that isn't fate at work I don't know what is! "If you want, I bet I could lead you there. I've been getting really good at it! Really good. I barely even get lost, anymore. I mean, only if you really wanna go. It's a nice place with nice rooms and nice people, even though it kinda spins sometimes without you knowing...where's your tent, though? Outside of town?" Vard shook his head in amazement and drew his cloak tighter around himself. "I like your plan Versdabius. Lead on, and maybe I'll learn a few tricks from you! We can go see the tent and Starlight in the morning. See she's already here!" He pointed to the stars winking at them from above and felt the juvenile joy that filled him all evening.

He stared expectantly at Phobius, and pulled out his ocarina after a chime. Filling his lungs with air, he began a quick marching tune that looped and he found to be fiendishly catchy. His toes were already tapping and Alvadas was a city ripe with adventure, just begging to be explored! He did give thought to purchasing a house if only to have a hearth to return to. Really the only problem is my lack of funds, so maybe that's something to work towards. He played on, and he saw a few passersby wave and toss coins at him. He laughed and caught them with adept hands. Then the moon's light lit him and these observers paled and hurried away. His attitude dipped a little but he kept playing, as though encouraging Phobius to lead them on. Class is appreciating great entertainment, he thought sourly.

by **Phobius** on August 14th, 2014, 3:21 am

OOCSorry, I was out all day and just got back to the hotel. I can finally sit. Lol.

Phobius looked up at the sky, staring at the teeny, glimmering dots that were just beginning to peek through the vast expanse of blue and black. For a few ticks, as he was walking, the boy actually expected to see a horse come galloping out of the mass of stars, with glittering plumes of stardust spouting from its hooves. Then the intentional pun seemed to finally click in his mind, and he laughed a little.

Once he realized that Krovard was looking at him, he remembered his task and quickly situated himself in front of him, starting down the block that they were on as he conjured up a mental map of the street layout in his head. It was a largely incomplete map, filled with plenty of blank gaps and dead-ends from his many experiences with Ionu's trickery, but he at least knew the general directions that he needed to go in to get back to the inn. It was where he'd started out around a bell ago, anyway.

Wait a minute...just what was it that he'd gone to The Rose for in the first place? He hadn't simply gone out midday to get a snack to eat. No, thinking back on it, now, Phobius was sure that he'd had a reason. Had he been looking for something?

Yes, that sounded about right. But what...?

With his mind yet again floating off into oblivion as he suddenly probed at his memories, Phobius almost entirely zoned out as he walked, no longer aware of where he was going. Then a cheery, upbeat tune reached his ears, and right away the boy recognized the trill of the Symenstra's ocarina. Smiling, Phobius began to march, as though he were a commander leading an army into battle. He lifted each leg high up into the air before setting it back down, and didn't once change his marching, even when they rounded corners or stopped to backtrack around pubs and little shops. There was a lot of twisting, turning, and hesitating, but the boy seemed to more or less know what he was doing.

"It should be close by, now," the boy said as he marched on, sounding happily confident. "A few more blocks, maybe. Just be on the lookout for giant cubes that are probably spinning around and around and around..."

Around twelve chimes later, as the moon settled itself comfortably into the night sky, Phobius rounded a corner and stopped himself as he spotted the familiar, square-ish buildings that made up the inn. They didn't look like they were on the same street as they'd been when he'd left, but it was definitely the same building.

"Found it!" Phobius exclaimed, jumping a little. Then, without warning, he reached out and grabbed Krovard by the arm before promptly tugging him along towards the inn's entrance. "C'mon! We're gonna get you checked in!"

The boy all but burst through the doors, seeming to startle an aged woman who was standing behind a desk. Phobius looked around for a moment before his eyes fell upon her, and his bright smile only became brighter. "Hi, Miss Georgia! Look! I found a friend, and he wants to come and stay here! He can do that, right?"

"Speech-Common" | "Nari" | Thoughts

by **Vard Briar** on August 14th, 2014, 5:26 am

OOC :

The Symenestra was panting by the time they finally found their destination. Both from Phobius's enthusiastic marching and his own breathless tune playing. The Inn certainly lived up to its name. He leaned against a building to try and catch his breath but an almighty yank from Phobius nearly toppled Vard. He swore under his breath at the boy's hidden strength. Clearly, he's very excited to be here. "C'mon! We're gonna get you checked in!" They dashed across the street, and charged through the doors. A quiet gasp from across the room caught Vard's attention instantly. He stowed his ocarina and stood straight-backed, awaiting her judgement.

"Hi, Miss Georgia! Look! I found a friend, and he wants to come and stay here! He can do that, right?" Vard contemplated turning to glare at him for being so blunt but instead decided to capitalize on the opportunity. He flung himself to his knees before the desk Miss Georgia stood behind. "Miss Georgia! I swear on my honor as a gentlemen that I will by no means infringe upon the other guests of this magnanimous establishment! I also swear that I will carry myself with nothing less than the highest of etiquette while treading the premises. Please allow me to pay room and board for myself and Versdabius if he so desires!" He then bowed his head in respect, and stood after a few ticks.

Most innkeepers were rational folk, tending to only care if their patrons had the coin to pay. However an alarming percentage had been unwelcoming to him in the past due to the stress he caused other guests. He hoped that by outright stating his intention not to disturb her clientele, Miss Georgia would see that he was worthy of staying at The Cubacious Inn. Discreetly as he could, he glanced back at Phobius and tisked silently. Friend he may be, but he ought to be taught how to employ class and etiquette! A flickering of an idea began to form in Vard's mind then, but he brushed it away for the moment to listen for Miss Georgia's response. Class is all about poise, he thought approvingly to himself.

by **Phobius** on August 14th, 2014, 1:32 pm

OOCHeh, thanks! Yours is great, too. X3
Oh, and Georgia is the NPC of the Inn, so technically we're both allowed to control her. Just so ya know.

Phobius watched in slight confusion as Krovard went scrambling to the ground in front of Miss Georgia's desk, much to the older woman's visible surprise. Neither of the two seemed to get what the man was doing, the boy in particular wondering why it was that his friend seemed to be pleading to the woman, as if he was begging for forgiveness at the altar of some holy temple.

Put off as she was, the omnipresent smile returned to the elderly innkeeper's face. She looked down at the Symenstra as he implored her and swore to act with the utmost civility. The few other souls who were in the lobby still seemed startled, one or two staring at Krovard with a discomfort in their eyes that was much too obvious, but Georgia ignored them. Once the man had gotten back to his feet, the smile switched to a somewhat amused smirk. "I don't doubt your etiquette, dear," she said. "It sure isn't often that I see an entrance like that. Ha!"

Then she bent a little and seemed to reach for something underneath the desk. It turned out to be a little booklet, with a sheet of paper that seemed to have all sorts of names and numbers scrawled on it. Georgia withdrew a pen, as well, and offered Krovard both.

"I wouldn't dare to turn a willing customer away. Just sign your name in here and tell me which type of room you'd prefer. And, ah, it's kind of you to offer to pay for your young friend over there, but he's been covering his own tab for a while, now. Isn't that right, Phobius?"

Georgia looked over at the boy with a knowing smile. Phobius merely blinked at her, but eventually returned the smile and nodded. "That's right, ma'am."

"Right. I suppose you two can discuss that amongst yourselves, though, if you're adamant about it," the innkeeper continued, watching Krovard write down his name. When she spoke again, she raised her voice a little, just so every other patron in the area would be able to hear her. "And there's no need to be worried. I can promise that none of these good people will bother you. Now, is there anything else you think you need?"

"Speech-Common" | "Nari" | Thoughts

by **Vard Briar** on August 15th, 2014, 2:30 am

OOC :

Relief suffused Vard's being when the innkeeper calmly informed him that he was welcome. She seemed to have a matronly aura and he flushed when she expressed her amusement at his entrance. For a Symenestra of course, flushing gave him a very slight pink tinge to his grey skin. He took the sheaf of paper she offered and very carefully inscribed the information required. "Really? Well I suppose I'll just have to pay Phobius in good company!" He replied when he found out his friend was already staying at the Cubacious Inn. Vard only hoped their rooms would be in close proximity.

Vard gave another elaborate bow, and then less formally he shook Miss Georgia's hand enthusiastically. "You don't know how grateful I am for a warm room to stay the night!" The Symenestra took his key and flipped in one hand. "Well Phobius," he sighed. "I guess I know where to find you!" He gave the Inartan one last hug and then pulled the wine bottle from where he's hid it. "Don't forget this, you nearly left it back at the Rose. Just trust me, don't drink it all at once." Breaking from the hug, Vard felt his eyelids droop heavily and he shook himself. "Good night Versdabius!"

Vard staggered up the stairs to where the rooms were, his awareness diminishing with every step. He finally made it to the door that corresponded with the number on his key. Opening the door, he found it to be worth 2 of his Silver Mizas. Closing the door, he took off his clothes, and removed his shell armour. The mattress was perfection and he sunk into it with drowsy ecstasy. Swirling memories and thoughts mingled in his mind, creating a waking dream he couldn't escape. In the dream, there was both blood and fear but also joy and happy gatherings. As Vard drifted further into slumber, his last voluntary breath echoed one word. "Father." Class, is about paying your debts.

by **Marionette** on September 9th, 2014, 2:04 am

Let the illusions guide you...

Player: Vard Briar

XP: Socialization +5, Observation: 4 Musical Instrument: Orcarina +2, Subterfuge +1, Rhetoric +1

Lores

✦ Location: The Withering Rose
✦ Phobius: A Fast Friend
✦ Phobius: One of The Good Guys
✦ How To Be Classy
✦ Dealing With Demons In Public

Loot:
I assume Vard is footing the bill?
Bottle of Wine + 12 GM
Chicken Dinner + 1 GM
Total: 13 GM

It looks like you've already deducted that among from your ledger, so that looks good. But, did you know Vard will be receiving money as well?

Gained: 3 GM (For those who tossed coins at him in the street.)

Notes: What an interesting character. His mannerisms are very sophisticated to say the least! But I do want to remind you that for speaking Common at the basic level, you play Vard as very, very eloquently. Just keep that in mind. But otherwise, I really enjoyed this thread. It was humorous.

Player: Phobius

XP: Socialization +5, Observation +4, Persuasion +1, Leadership +1, Navigation +1
Lores

✦ Versda (Symenos): Means Good Brother or Friend
✦ Versdabius: A Nickname Given By Vard Briar
✦ Vard Briar's Father Was An Alcoholic
✦ An Orcarina Is Not A Bean
✦ How To Wake An Unconcious Person

Loot: Phobius gets a free dinner and half full bottle of wine.

Notes:[/b] Phobius is such an innocent character that I can't help but be fond of him. He makes me want to make a PC just to interact with him. Good thread indeed. You and Vard did a nice job, although there were some powerful bromance moments going on. lol

Completed The Gentleman's Return