Clutches of Evil - IC: Chapter One

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

Nonlethal Force
[SBLOCK]Smiling as he dismisses her concerns Keryth says, “Not at all Dahlia, your age worries me not, you are an adult after all. I just thought it fair for you to know who and what I am before our relationship went any further, no matter the form it takes, whether it is just friendship or something more I wouldn’t want to lie to you as you deserve far better than that. As for your being a mere tavern wench, you’re not common in any form of the word my dear and I definitely consider myself no better than you. I started out on the streets and spent a very long time there before I found my calling, which was far more by fate than design.”

“Well I won’t lie to you about that either Dahlia, and no I don’t think you’re being too forward as you can likely tell I prefer honesty. I can’t say how long I’ll be in Theropia as I go wherever and whenever Bahamut calls me, but I would not be so discourteous as to just disappear without a word if it is in my control. Though you must understand what I do is very dangerous at times so there is a chance even if I don’t intend it I could disappear without warning by coming to some unanticipated end.”

Taking the small pouch from his belt he tosses lightly in his hand, before continuing. “I did wish to speak with you about this as well. Now while I will take the words you whispered without question, though I don’t feel worthy of such high praise, I just don’t feel right about taking what may amount to your lifesavings. Though the sentiment is appreciated no reward is necessary for curtailing the power and acts of one as dishonourable as Dreeves, especially since he perpetrated the theft of our own belongings, plus we did manage to strip him of more than his dignity,” Keryth winks. “So please take the pouch and its contents back though I will take the note as a remembrance of the offer,” Keryth says smiling warmly as he takes the note from the pouch and places it in his pocket.

“I will leave it all for you to decide Dahlia, friendship or more it’s your choice as you know my feelings, but I would prefer you take your reward back,” he says tossing the pouch again to call her attention to it, “As I cannot take it in good conscience.”[/SBLOCK]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Keryth:

[Sblock]Dahlia smiles at several points of the speech, but her face takes on a very stoic expression at other times. After Keryth states what he has to say she has a bit of a hurt expression on her face. The hurt comes out in her words more than her face as she says, "You mean this was all about the money? I gave you the gold because I thought you could use it to make a difference in life. But ... it's alright." Her expression softens as she works through the initial sting of what she perceives as a let down. She tries to eek out a smile but it doesn't make it the ful way to her lips. Her eyes drop to the ground and she scuffs her feet. "I'll take it back. I suppose I shouldn't have given it to you anyway. Musta seemed kinda odd - a tavern girl slippping gold into your pocket. I guess I just wanted to make an impression ... and a favorable one at that."

Her face sinks as the emotion drains out of her face. She slides up onto the top of a nearby table and sits, her legs dangling freely and her arms and hands behind her, supporting her body. She tries to smile and adds, "So, you are some really big bad adventurer, huh? And a follower of a dragon. We don't get many of those around here. Followers of a dragon .. that is. Well ... uh ... actually I suppose we don't get many dragons here either ..." She lets out a nervous laugh, as if she realizes she is babbling and doesn't really know how to stop. As she laughs, she makes breif eye contact with Keryth several times. A genuine smile slides back across her lips. "If I haven't embarrassed myself too much, I'd like to take you up on your offer. Your too damn noble to let slip away without a fight - and I'd be stupid to not return your interest. I'd like to spend time with you for as long as you are in Theropa. But just so I don't get hurt without knowing what I'm getting into, can we take it slow for a while - just until I know if you're going to be around for a while or not. We can discuss your leaving when that bridge comes - assuming you even like me then." Her eyes soften and open wide for the first time since she began speaking. She looks to Keryth for a response, a half smile appearing on he face.
[/Sblock]

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

Nonlethal Force
[SBLOCK]“Perhaps I didn’t understand your gift Dahlia as well as I thought, I’m sorry,” Keryth replies his expression downcast, “As for you making a favourable impression, you already did that with your kindness and demeanor.” He says, his smile beginning to return.

“Well not an adventurer per se, I travel around at Bahamut’s direction or my own I suppose at times and try to right wrongs I find, which is often the dangerous part when people like Dreeves are involved. He led me most recently to Bahruul and his herdmate, as quite frankly before I arrived in Theropa I had no idea why I was even coming here. As for dragons, well I’ve never seen one as far as I know, but the good ones can often take on human form so you never know...”

Smiling again in his eyes as well as his face, he continues, “You haven’t embarrassed yourself at all, it’s probably as much my fault for misunderstanding your kind gesture. If you do still wish to use the money to help though, I do know of a place that could probably use the funds, the temple of Heironeous in Great Bend appears to be in need so I can take it there when we return tomorrow morning to find exactly what task they have for us. As for us well I’m happy to take it as slowly as you like Dahlia, there’s no need to rush things, and I think it’s very wise of you to be cautious. Perhaps tonight I could walk you home, before I turn in myself?”[/SBLOCK]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Keryth:

[Sblock]Dahlia slides off the table and walks over and places a small kiss on Keryth's cheek. "I think that would be just fine. I'm done here now, We can head off if you'd like..."

Dahlia says goodbye to the barkeep on the way out. The barkeep says his pleasantries and gives a caution about walking home with people she doesn't know. Not meaning to insult Keryth, but more demonstrating that Dahlia's wellbeing is important to the employees at the Rusty Anchor. Dahlia merely turns to Keryth and smiles.[/Sblock]

Bahruul, Pwent:

Destiny looks to Byntrou as he heads off and then back to Bahruul and Pwent. "I don't know about you, but I've been dying to see what was in that package I received earlier. Think Byntrou would mind if we interupted his sleep?"

 

[magic_gathering2001]

Pwent looks up lazily, "I'll get him..." and goes off to search for the right room. When he finds it he shakes Bytrou untill he wakes up, using cries of "Get up! Get up!"

 

[jkason]

Byntrou

Byntrou, startled just as he was beginning to doze, jerks awake. He rushes to grab his weapons, sending his startled emotions through the link as a warning and calling to Delcoi.

"What is it? Dreeves seeking retribution already?"

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

Nonlethal Force
[SBLOCK]Keryth nods to the barkeep to show his understanding, and when Dahlia turns to him and smiles he smiles in return. “It’s nice to see your coworkers care about your wellbeing Dahlia, and it sets my mind at ease that when I’m away there are people who watch over you.”

After they leave the Rusty Anchor and are heading towards Dahlia’s home, Keryth removes his right gauntlet which he tucks into his belt before taking her hand as they walk, he then speaks again, “Well I likely won’t be around tomorrow, and perhaps for a few days thereafter as we need to go hunt down this goblin Dreeves was working for. Then there’s also the task for the temple...hmm, I could be gone for a while Dahlia, I hope you don’t mind too much that we’ll be starting very slowly by the look of things as my companions and I seem to have found ourselves a lot to do in a very short time.”[/SBLOCK]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Keryth:

[Sblock]OOC: I guess we never settled with who got the gold, so I'll assume Dahlia took it back.

IC: Dahlia squeezes Keryth's hand. "So it begins already. Well, I suppose better now than two days from now. Just keep yourself safe, and come back to see me when you get a chance. I don't meet many honest ones like you - I'd like to get to see you again ... sometime."

After walking a bit and enjoying the night she pulls up short. "I'm home, Keryth." She takes a single finger of Keryth's in her delicate hand. A big grin crosses her face as she removes the gold pouch that she had given Keryth earlier and then had returned. She slips out a single gold coin and holds it up. "Keep this as a good luck token - if you will. It'll be a sign of our first awkward moment together, hopefully something that will bring a smile to your face when you look upon it. And before you say anything, I can spare a single gold coin." She smiles and teasingly adds, "I'll just flirt extra hard as a waitress tomorrow to get bigger tips."[/Sblock]

Bahruul:

As Pwent runs ahead Destiny says, "No, wait .. I didn't mean ..." Her shoulders slump downward as she realizes Pwent is already gone and she turns to Bahruul. "I didn't mean to wake him him ... I just meant that I wondered if he minded if we went and looked at the package in the room while he slept."

Pwent, Byntrou:

The two are momentarily alone in the room.

[Sblock]Everything else that happens is up to you two! [/Sblock]

 

[D20Dazza]

Bahruul Bous Barbarian

Bahruul winks at Destiny "I hope Byn wasn't asleep, waking a Bous suddenly can be an unhealthy past time. Come on then let's head up to Byn's room and see how many pieces Pwent is in" he chuckles to himself as he rises and waves a hand at Karan "Good night"

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Bahruul:

Destiny smirks at the humor of the Bous. "Right behind you - where it's safest!"

Karen waves back, amuzed by the side conversation herself. "Pleasant dreams," she replies.

[Sblock]OOC: I'm holding off bringing in Bahruul to meet up with Byntrou and Pwent to give them a few moments together for RP purposes. But I won't leave Bahruul in the cliffhanger moment for too long.[/Sblock]